Description

Coronary slow flow (CSF) is a phenomenon characterised by delayed opacification of coronary arteries in the absence of epicardial stenosis, in which microvascular and endothelial dysfunction have been implicated in pathophysiology.1 The association between acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and Behcet's syndrome is well known but rare, and is especially important due to the tendency to affect young subjects. Besides CSF, vasculitis, aneurysms, coronary vasospasm and thrombo-embolic phenomena may also lead to ACS in Behcet's syndrome.2 ,3 Vascular endothelial cell injury and resultant endothelial dysfunction seem to play a role in the CSF leading to ACS.1 ,2 We report a patient with Behcet's syndrome, and history of hypertension who had CSF presenting with severe myocardial ischemia leading to ACS. A 54-year-old woman was admitted with 2 hours of severe retrosternal chest pain and nausea. Physical examination revealed a blood pressure of 125/80 mm Hg, a regular heart rate of 76 beats/min with normal auscultation findings. The electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed sinus rhythm and 1 mm ST segment elevations in D-II-III-aVF derivations (figure 1). The coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries with marked slowing down of coronary flow and delayed washout of contrast (videos 1–4). The echocardiogram at discharge showed no wall motion disturbances and an ejection fraction of 60%. The initial and follow-up cardiac enzymes were found to be within the normal range. The patient was discharged after 3 days without any complications. No optimal therapeutic approach exists for CSF except for vasodilator agents as calcium-channel blockers and/or dipyridamole, which are beneficial for microvascular dysfunction.2 ,3

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Figure 1

The ECG revealed sinus rhythm and 1 mm ST segment elevations in D-II-III-aVF derivations.