Endothelial dysfunction: the reversible coronary disease

Excerpt

A 59-year-old male experienced sudden dyspnoea and severe chest pain without radiation. He was nauseous and vomited. On his way to the bathroom he collapsed and lost consciousness. By the time the ambulance arrived, ventricular fibrillation was diagnosed. Sinus rhythm was obtained by means of DC cardioversion. Upon arrival at the hospital he was conscious and without severe symptoms. Physical examination revealed a blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg, a regular pulse of 100 beats per minute, normal heart sounds and normal peripheral pulsations. The ECG showed a regular sinus rhythm with a frequency of 100 beats per minute, normal conduction and slight diffuse ST-depression (Figure 1). His laboratory tests revealed a creatininekinase of 6374 IU/L with a CKMB fraction of 555 IU/L.

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