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Medical Definition of Coronary artery spasm
1. A sudden vasoconstriction of a coronary artery depriving the myocardium of blood flow and oxygen. This may clinically manifest as chest pain referred to as variant angina or Printzmetal's angina. May be precipitated by emotional stress, medications, street drugs (cocaine) or on exposure to cold. Treatment includes nitroglycerin or beta-blocker medications. (27 Sep 1997)