New Research on Prinzmetal?

I had a vasospasm in August 2006 and since that time it's become apparent that this episode might have been an occurrence of Prinzmetal angina.  I am on a calcium channel blocker with no reoccurrence since the initial episode.

I have learned a lot at this site, and have been trying to find out more about the research behind this statement often used at this site in the explanation of Prinzmetal:

"Experimental research has shown that that cyproheptadine can significantly reduce the recurrance of Prinzmetal"

Has progress occurred on this research?  Is there anything else new to report on the Printzmetal research front?

Thanks!
-bk

[Forum-M.D.-bkj]

Bill,

Thanks for the post.

I'm not familiar with any specific research on cyproheptadine for vasospastic (Prinzmetal) angina. I have taken care of a lot of patients with the disease and find that calcium channel blockers work very well.  Other drugs with some efficacy include beta bloickers, nitrates, and possibly ace inhibitors. These are the staples of therapy and tend to work very well.

Also, we are now understanding that people with true vasospastic angina benefit from aggressive cardiovascular risk factor modification. So it would be important to live a heart healthy lifestyle with a physician recommended exercise program, a good diet, lipid and weight control, and no smoking.

good luck

[BillK3]

Thanks for the reply!

I am addressing all risk factors, so between that and the calcium channel blocker I should be OK.

The research I've referred to in the post has been mentioned in many responses from the CC on vasospasm/Prinzmetal, so someone at CC should know something about the use of that antihistimine.

Oddly enough (possibly totally conincidental) the only vasospasm episodes I've had (last August for sure, two possible other times in years prior), all happened within a couple of weeks of one another - in mid August.. This is right in the middle of a yearly period that I suffer from allergies.  Again, maybe coincidental/unrelated, but kind of compelling, don't you think?

[Frostie]

Very Interesting.  I too suffer the same but the cardiolgists I went crying to brushed me off.  I should of been put on Cardizem and Nitrates (I am on this now)  These attacks seem to come in clusters with long intervals between attacks until an MI happens.   MI can be prevented with Good heart health and calcium channel blockers, like the CC doctor mentioned.   Most of my attacks (over a spam of 7 years now) were in the summer/fall months.  Good Luck to You.

[BillK3]

Thanks Frostie.  Hope you are doing well.

I hope that someone at CC responsible for the boiler plate response to Printzmetal quesitons can provide some info on the new research on this subject.
-bk