A rare cause of acute coronary syndrome: Kounis syndrome

Abstract

Kounis syndrome is an acute coronary syndrome in the context of a hypersensitivity reaction. The main pathophysiological mechanism appears to be coronary vasospasm. We report the case of a patient with a history of allergy to quinolones, who was given ciprofloxacin before an elective surgical procedure and during drug administration developed symptoms and electrocardiographic changes suggestive of ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. The drug was suspended and coronary angiography excluded epicardial coronary disease. Two hours after withdrawal of the drug the symptoms and ST elevation had resolved completely.

Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome; Alergia; Allergy; Coronary vasospasm; Kounis syndrome; Síndrome coronária aguda; Síndrome de Kounis; Vasospasmo coronário.