Utility of the Japan arteriosclerosis longitudinal study score for identifying a high risk for vasospastic angina.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the Japan Arteriosclerosis Longitudinal Study (JALS) score, which is calculated from the traditional atherosclerotic coronary risk, is associated with the incidence of coronary vasospasms.

METHODS

We performed vasospasm provocation tests with acetylcholine in 109 patients referred to our hospital due to suspected vasospastic angina and subsequently calculated the atherosclerotic risk score according to the JALS score. Consequently, coronary vasospasms were evoked in 51 patients. The patients were divided into three groups according to the tertile of the JALS score: 1st, <28, n=36; 2nd, 28-41, n=36, 3rd, >42, n=37. The third tertile exhibited the greatest risk for vasospasms. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the JALS score (odds ratio: 1.686, p<0.05) was independently associated with the incidence of vasospasms.

CONCLUSION

The JALS score can serve as a useful tool for evaluating patients with suspected coronary vasospasms.