Variant angina induced by biliary colic.

A 65 year old woman with gall stones presented with crushing chest pain after an attack of biliary colic. The electrocardiogram showed ST segment elevation in leads I, aVL, and V1-V3 while leads II, III, and aVF showed ST segment depression. Cardiac enzyme activity remained within the normal range. During the next three weeks attacks of epigastric and right hypochondrial pain preceded by crushing chest pain with identical electrocardiogram changes occurred with decreasing frequency. Coronary arteriography showed 60% obstruction of the left anterior descending coronary artery and good left ventricular function. During the next three years the patient complained both of mild abdominal pain, probably biliary colic, and mild effort related angina pectoris without a relation between the two symptoms. It is suggested that the attack of variant angina was triggered by biliary colic through sympathoadrenal discharge causing vasospasm.