The Bezold-Jarisch reflex in a patient with coronary spastic angina

Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol. 2020 Nov;25(6):e12759. doi: 10.1111/anec.12759. Epub 2020 Apr 26.

Abstract

Acute inferior myocardial damage can induce transient bradycardia and hypotension-the Bezold-Jarisch reflex, which is explained by the preferential distribution of vagal nerves in the inferior wall of the left ventricle. We report a 76-year-old man who showed a perfusion defect in the inferior wall with redistribution on exercise scintigraphy with thallium-201. Of note, during exercise at an intensity of 100 watts, the patient's heart rate transiently decreased from 122 to 95 bpm in sinus rhythm, accompanied by ST-segment depression. A diagnosis of coronary spastic angina was made since no stenotic lesions were observed on conventional coronary angiography.

Keywords: Bezold-Jarisch reflex; bradycardia; coronary spastic angina; inferior wall.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Angina Pectoris / complications*
  • Angina Pectoris / diagnosis*
  • Bradycardia / complications*
  • Bradycardia / diagnosis
  • Electrocardiography / methods*
  • Exercise Test / methods
  • Humans
  • Hypotension / complications*
  • Hypotension / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Muscle Spasticity / complications
  • Muscle Spasticity / diagnosis*
  • Reflex