[Nitroglycerin-application in order to differentiate a spastic from an organic coronary obstruction in a case of Prinzmetal's variant angina (author's transl)].

We report on a patient with Prinzmetal's variant angina. The coronary angiogram demonstrated a subtotal stenosis in the left anterior descending artery. The provocative test with Ergonovine increased the stenosis to a higher degree and the patient became symptomatic (Angina pectoris, ST-elevation). The angiographic control after Nitroglycerin revealed a normal vessel so that the stenosis was identified of spastic origin. To avoid misinterpretation in asymptomatic coronary artery spasm an angiographic control after Nitroglycerin is necessary in patients with Prinzmetal's variant angina and coronary stenosis.