A case of variant angina treated with a pacemaker for cardiopulmonary arrest due to complete atrioventricular block and pulseless electrical activity

A 55-year-old woman with variant angina was hospitalized for cardiopulmonary arrest because of pulseless electrical activity (PEA). Despite intensive postresuscitation drug therapy, another episode of angina occurred, with complete atrioventricular block and PEA. There was no confirmed ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. Coronary arteriography did not show significant stenosis, and acetylcholine-loading test was positive. The patient was diagnosed with coronary spastic angina, and a pacemaker was implanted to stabilize hemodynamics during attacks. The pacemaker settings required some ingenuity: a high output was selected to avert pacing failure, and a rate drop response setting was selected to ensure efficient pacing.