Title: Kounis Syndrome (Part II)<br/>Author: Semhar Tewelde<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/352/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p>
<strong><u>Kounis Syndrome (Part II)</u></strong></p>
<p>
- 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).</p>
<p>
- 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.</p>
<p>
- Presence of eosinophil’s, atypical lymphocytes, and giant cells on myocardial biopsy suggests hypersensitivity myocarditis.</p>
<p>
- 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.</p>
<p>
</p>
<fieldset><legend>References</legend>
<p>
Kounis GN, Soufras GD, Kouni SA, et al. Hypersensitivity myocarditis and hypersensitivity coronary syndrome (Kounis syndrome). <em>Am J Emerg Med</em> 2009;27:506–508.</p>
<p>
Vivas D, Rubira JC, Ortiz AF, et al. Coronary spasm and hypersensitivity to amoxicillin: Kounis or not Kounis syndrome? <em>Int J Cardiol</em> 2008;128:279–281.</p>
</fieldset>