[The role of the vascular endothelium and vasospasm in different coronary syndromes. A common physiopathological base for distinct entities?].

A literature review on the endothelial functions and endothelial dysfunction/lesion, as well as the atherosclerosis role in this process is performed. The several physiological explanations of both acute and chronic coronary syndromes are also reviewed, with particular emphasis to the recent studies on vasospasm mechanisms and its role in the physiopathogeny of variant angina and syndrome X. The role of the endothelial dysfunction/lesion as a common physiopathological basis to all coronary syndromes, is discussed.