Acute myocardial infarction in post infarct patient possibly through beta blocker-induced coronary artery spasm

Several well-controlled clinical trials, have shown that long-term therapy with a beta-blocking drug after an acute myocardial infarction can reduce overall mortality and the incidence of reinfarction. Despite the possibility that there may be a subgroup of postmyocardial infarction patients that do not benefit from beta-blocking therapy, almost all patients are treated with these agents. The possibility that beta-blocking therapy may predispose to spasm is suggested by the case presented here.