Coronary vasospasm during CT angiography.

A 71-year-old man, a heavy smoker, was admitted for evaluation of "chest oppression" after every dinner. Cardiac CT with a beta-blocker showed coronary stenosis in the left circumflex. Although adenosine triphosphate-stress perfusion single-photon emission CT revealed no ischemia, Holter electrocardiography belatedly indicated an ST elevation associated with his symptoms while smoking. He was diagnosed to have vasospastic angina. Cardiac CT without a beta-blocker showed thin diffuse plaque and negative remolding without any significant stenosis at the same site. Asian patients have a tendency to develop vasospastic angina. Although beta-blockers are recommended for cardiac CT, the routine administration of beta-blockers in cardiac CT may have some risk for such cases.