Treatment of Variant Angina in an Ongoing Angina Attack Caused by Coronary Artery Spasm

This protocol covers the acute management of an active variant angina episode where the underlying mechanism is coronary artery spasm (CAS). The clinical priority is rapid termination of the ongoing attack.

Clinical scenario: An ongoing angina attack caused by coronary artery spasm. Such episodes may resolve spontaneously; when they do not, prompt pharmacological intervention is indicated to terminate the attack.

Treatment approach

Acute attacks in this setting are managed with a short-acting nitrate. The full structured regimen — including agent selection, administration, and any additional steps — is detailed in the complete protocol.

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References

Angina attacks caused by CAS usually cease spontaneously or respond quickly to sublingual/buccal short-acting nitrates, such as nitroglycerin 0.3 mg or isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN; 5 mg).

DOI: 10.15420/ecr.2022.47

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