Metastatic carcinoid disease inducing coronary vasospasm

Tex Heart Inst J. 2012;39(1):76-8.

Abstract

Herein, we report a case of progressive coronary vasospasm in a 70-year-old man who had a long-standing history of metastatic gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor. Despite octreotide, nitrate, and calcium channel-blocker therapy, the patient's urinary 5-hydroxy-indole acetic acid level increased, coinciding with an increased frequency of flushing episodes with chest discomfort. In the cardiac catheterization laboratory, we captured an episode that was associated with diffuse right coronary artery spasm, ST-segment elevation, and intense symptoms. We attribute the patient's coronary vasospasm to his metastatic carcinoid disease.

Keywords: Angina pectoris, variant/drug therapy; coronary disease/physiopathology; coronary vasospasm/diagnosis/etiology/physiopathology; flushing/etiology; malignant carcinoid syndrome/complications; octreotide/administration & dosage; treatment outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers / urine
  • Carcinoid Heart Disease / diagnosis
  • Carcinoid Heart Disease / etiology*
  • Carcinoid Heart Disease / therapy
  • Carcinoid Tumor / complications*
  • Carcinoid Tumor / drug therapy
  • Carcinoid Tumor / secondary
  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Vasospasm / diagnosis
  • Coronary Vasospasm / etiology*
  • Coronary Vasospasm / therapy
  • Electrocardiography
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / complications*
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / urine
  • Male
  • Octreotide / therapeutic use
  • Stents
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Biomarkers
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
  • Octreotide