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Kounis Syndrome (Part II)
- KS can develop from multiple etiologies: hymenoptera, proteins, vasoactive amines, histamine, acetylcholine, multiple antibiotics, and various medical conditions (angioedema, serum sickness, asthma, stress-induced cardiomyopathy).
- Hypersensitivity myocarditis and KS are two cardiac entities of allergic etiology affecting the myocardium and coronary arteries, respectively. These two entities can mimic each other and can be clinical indistinguishable.
- Presence of eosinophil’s, atypical lymphocytes, and giant cells on myocardial biopsy suggests hypersensitivity myocarditis.
- There is evidence showing use of corticosteroids with vasospastic angina with evidence of allergy or the presence of symptoms refractory to high-dose vasodilators has been reported to resolve symptoms.
References
Kounis GN, Soufras GD, Kouni SA, et al. Hypersensitivity myocarditis and hypersensitivity coronary syndrome (Kounis syndrome). Am J Emerg Med 2009;27:506–508.
Vivas D, Rubira JC, Ortiz AF, et al. Coronary spasm and hypersensitivity to amoxicillin: Kounis or not Kounis syndrome? Int J Cardiol 2008;128:279–281.