Which statement describes the use of vasodilators to treat coronary vasospasm during catheterization?

Which statement describes the use of vasodilators to treat coronary vasospasm during catheterization?

• A. Withdraw catheter without treating spasm.
• B. Administer intracoronary nitroglycerin or calcium channel blockers to relieve spasm and improve vessel caliber.
• C. Administer only beta blockers.
• D. Increase contrast to provoke vasospasm.

Answer: (B)

When a coronary vasospasm occurs during catheterization, the goal is rapid relief of the spasm by dilating the affected artery. The best approach is to administer vasodilators directly into the coronary artery to relax the smooth muscle and restore the vessel caliber. Intracoronary nitroglycerin acts quickly to dilate coronary arteries by releasing nitric oxide, providing prompt relief of spasm and improved blood flow. Calcium channel blockers, given intracoronary or systemically, inhibit calcium entry into vascular smooth muscle, promoting relaxation and preventing or reversing spasm. This combination targets the mechanism of vasospasm and yields rapid, localized effect with minimal systemic impact. Withdraw the catheter without treatment would leave the spasm unresolved. Beta blockers do not provide acute vasodilation and can worsen vasospasm in some cases. Increasing contrast to provoke more vasospasm would worsen the situation rather than help.

When a coronary vasospasm occurs during catheterization, the goal is rapid relief of the spasm by dilating the affected artery. The best approach is to administer vasodilators directly into the coronary artery to relax the smooth muscle and restore the vessel caliber. Intracoronary nitroglycerin acts quickly to dilate coronary arteries by releasing nitric oxide, providing prompt relief of spasm and improved blood flow. Calcium channel blockers, given intracoronary or systemically, inhibit calcium entry into vascular smooth muscle, promoting relaxation and preventing or reversing spasm. This combination targets the mechanism of vasospasm and yields rapid, localized effect with minimal systemic impact.

Withdraw the catheter without treatment would leave the spasm unresolved. Beta blockers do not provide acute vasodilation and can worsen vasospasm in some cases. Increasing contrast to provoke more vasospasm would worsen the situation rather than help.