Patient with coronary artery spasm and role of the critical care nurse.

Review of the literature reveals that coronary artery spasm exhibits a wide variation in clinical presentation. This variation makes accurate diagnosis and management difficult; however, precise diagnosis is essential so that appropriate therapy can be given. Critical care nurses are in an excellent position to assess patient findings that may help suggest or exclude the presence of coronary artery spasm as the cause of the myocardial ischemia. Critical care nurses also can play an important part in suggesting and carrying out appropriate management of coronary artery spasm.