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Aborted sudden cardiac death in a 52-yearold man without structural heart disease

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Abstract

Sudden cardiac death in the absence of apparent structural heart disease is an uncommon phenomenon. The majority of these patients do not have ‘normal’ hearts and specific diagnostic tools are required to identify structural or functional abnormalities. We describe the history of a 50-yearold man who survived ventricular fibrillation. Clinical investigation, including a coronary angiography and electrophysiological study, appeared to be normal. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator was inserted. Follow-up Holter monitoring was performed after a recurrent episode of ventricular tachycardia. It demonstrated transient ST-segment elevation. An acetylcholine provocation test was subsequently carried out. Reversible coronary spasm of the left descending coronary artery was found, during which a diagonal branch was occluded. It may be concluded that coronary spasm provocation is of value in the routine diagnostic work-up of patients surviving sudden cardiac death without apparent heart disease. (Neth Heart J 2008;16:239-41.)

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    R. J. Walhout

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  1. R. J. Walhout
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  2. R. J. de Winter
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  3. T. A. Simmers
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  4. E. M. Buijs
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Correspondence to R. J. Walhout.

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Department of Cardiology, Tergooi Hospitals, location Blaricum, the Netherlands

Department of cardiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Department of Cardiology, Amphia Hospital, Breda, the Netherlands

R.J. Walhout Department of Cardiology, Tergooi Hospitals, location Blaricum, PO Box 900, 1250 CA Laren, the Netherlands

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Walhout, R.J., de Winter, R.J., Simmers, T.A. et al. Aborted sudden cardiac death in a 52-yearold man without structural heart disease. NHJL 16, 239–241 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03086153

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