Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine

Introduction: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can be caused by underlying coronary artery vasospasm (CAV) with or without associated atherosclerotic disease. Coronary artery vasospasm is a rare but potentially devastating manifestation of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).

Case Report: We describe a 54-year-old male with a known history of EGPA and coronary artery disease presenting to the emergency department with chest pain and an inferior STEMI on electrocardiogram. He was ultimately taken for coronary angiography and found to have a discrete vasospastic lesion in the right coronary artery that was treated with intra-coronary nitroglycerin and calcium channel blockers. He was continued on immunosuppressant agents (prednisone and mepolizumab) for management of EGPA and followed up with outpatient cardiology and rheumatology for vasospastic angina.

Conclusion: This case highlights a rare cause of STEMI, discusses the nuances in treatment of STEMI due to CAV, and provides background on pathophysiology and treatment of EGPA.