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. 2019 Feb 12;6:91–96. doi: 10.1016/j.ejro.2019.02.004

Kounis syndrome induced by contrast media: A case report and review of literature

Kei Shibuya a,c,⁎, Shu Kasama b, Ryuichi Funada b, Hiroyuki Katoh c, Yoshito Tsushima a
PMCID: PMC6374503  PMID: 30805421

Abstract

Kounis syndrome (KS) is an acute coronary disorder associated with anaphylactic reactions. The purpose of this report is to identify the features of KS triggered by contrast media on the basis of our experience and from literature review.

We have described a case and literature review of KS triggered by injection of contrast media. Including the present case, we reviewed eleven cases of KS. Six cases developed KS in diagnostic radiology departments.

KS could be induced by intravenous injection of contrast media in the radiology department. Radiologists should recognize this critical condition to ensure appropriate management.

Keywords: Kounis syndrome, Contrast media, Coronary vasospasm, Drug hypersensitivity

1. Introduction

Kounis syndrome (KS) is an acute coronary syndrome induced by inflammatory mediators released during allergic reactions [1,2]. Any type of drug or agent, including contrast materials, can potentially trigger allergic reactions associated with KS [3].

Three variants of KS have been proposed so far [[4], [5], [6], [7]]. The type I variant represents coronary artery spasms induced by acute release of inflammatory mediators in patients with normal coronary arteries and without predisposing factors for coronary artery disease. The type II variant represents coronary thrombosis induced by coronary artery spasm, plaque erosion, or rupture of preexisting atheromatous coronary disease. The type III variant, which is a relatively new discovery, represents thrombosis in drug-eluting coronary stents or coronary stent restenosis.

This relatively new concept of KS is being increasingly recognized among allergists and cardiologists; however, it is not well known among radiologists who routinely handle contrast agents. This report aims to present a case of KS induced by anaphylactic reactions to contrast media and to delineate the clinical features and management approaches of KS associated with contrast media through literature review.

2. Case report

A 60-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. He had a history of percutaneous coronary intervention for myocardial infarction about 10 years before in another hospital. Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) findings acquired on the date of admission revealed abnormalities suggestive of an old inferoposterior infarction. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was scheduled for evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma. Infusion of 80 ml iodinated contrast material iopamidol (Iopamiron 370, Bayer, Osaka, Japan) was started in the CT room in the radiology department, and CT images were successfully acquired. However, shortly after the procedure, the patient reported feeling unwell and experienced numbness of the upper limbs, difficulty in breathing, and loss of consciousness. The pulse rate was 160 beats/min, and the systolic blood pressure was 70 mmHg. Pulse oximetry findings revealed oxygen saturation of 75%.

The radiologist in charge of the CT department immediately adjudged these events to be caused by anaphylactic shock to the iodinated contrast medium and, accordingly, administered the patient an intramuscular injection of 0.3 mg adrenaline on the scanner bed and placed an emergency call to the emergency department (ED). The patient continued to present hoarseness of breath, hypoxia, and low blood pressure. Therefore, the lungs were ventilated with a bag-valve-mask, and the patient was again administered 0.3 mg adrenaline, followed by intravenous fluid, and then transferred to the ED.

In the ED, the patient was administered 300 mg hydrocortisone sodium succinate, upon which the blood pressure and oxygenation status gradually improved. However, ECG findings acquired in the ED revealed obvious elevation of the ST segment in II, III, aVF, and acute T waves in the precordial leads [Fig. 1]. Since these findings were consistent with acute myocardial infarction, interventional cardiologists were requested.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

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Electrocardiogram findings (consistent with acute myocardial infarction) immediately after transfer to the emergency department.

Despite the remarkable ST elevation observed upon ECG, there was only a slight increase in myocardial enzyme levels, and new asynergy on the echocardiogram was not detected. In the following few minutes, ST elevation on the ECG improved [Fig. 2], and the cardiologist suspected KS caused by coronary spasm. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)—although initially considered—was avoided because of its high risk of severe anaphylactic reactions. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit and closely monitored by laboratory tests, ECG, and echocardiography under continuous injection of heparin and nicorandil. After 2 days without any further incident, the patient was transferred from the intensive care unit to the general ward. While he did not recognize a history of allergic reaction to contrast media, the patient had experienced hypotension during angiography with iopamidol in another hospital, based on further confirmation after the event. The patient had no history of atopy or allergic reactions to other drugs or substances.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

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Electrocardiogram showing ST-segment resolution.

3. Review of the literature

We searched the PubMed database for relevant literature published after January 1991. Primary screening was performed using the key word “Kounis syndrome” or relevant medical subject heading terms, key words, and their combinations, including “heart,” “coronary,” “myocardial infarction,” “coronary vasospasm,” “angina,” “arrest,” “allerg*,” “anaphyla*,” and “hypersensitivity”. Secondary screening was performed using terms such as “contrast” and “agent” or “media,” “medium,” or “material”. All search formulas are presented in Supplement 1. Only English language reports were included. Tertiary screening for identifying cases of KS associated with contrast materials was performed by manual retrieval of cases from eligible reports. From each report on contrast-medium-associated KS, we retrieved data regarding age, sex, type of contrast materials, disease severity, and outcome.

Fig. 3 presents a schematic diagram of the selection process for literature review. To date, excluding the present case report, ten cases of KS associated with contrast materials have been reported. Thus, we reviewed a total of eleven cases of KS triggered by contrast media [Table 1].

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

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Schematic representation of selection process for literature review.

Table 1.

The reported cases of Kounis syndrome induced by contrast media.

Study Sex Age
(years)		 History of Allergy/Cardiac Diseases Trigger-to-Onset Time Clinical Presentation Type of KS ECG Manifestation Diagnostic Method Treatment Cardiac Complications Contrast Agent
Park JM et al. [29] Male 54 DM; asymptomatic coronary disease;
allergy (-)		 30 min (CTCA) Chest pain;
flushing; shortness of breath		 II ST elevation (precordial) CAG; CTCA Methylprednisolone; chlorpheniramine; cimetidine; morphine; heparin; aspirin; clopidogrel; stenting Hypotension Unknown
Oh KY et al. [30] Male 74 Nausea and vomiting to CM After administration (CT) Loss of consciousness I ST elevation (II, III, and aVF) CAG (normal) Adrenaline; chlorpheniramine; methylprednisolone Cardiac arrest Iopromide
Kogias JS et al. [31] Male 48 Heavy smoker; MI (post-DES); allergy (-) 10 min (CT) Paleness; dizziness; retrosternal discomfort III ST elevation (I and aVL); precordial acute T waves Troponin I; cardiac enzymes; CAG Hydrocortisone; diphenhydramine; ranitidine; heparin; nitroglycerin; stenting AMI (intrastent stenosis) Iopromide (Ultravist)
Wang CC et al. [32] Male 73 Smoker; angina; right CCA stenosis; allergy (-) Immediately (CAG) Dyspnea; dizziness; cold sweat; blurred vision I Unknown CAG (complete occlusion of LAD and LCX) IABP; intracoronary nitrates; hydrocortisone; diphenhydramine; fluid therapy; blood transfusion; dopamine; adrenaline VF; VT; complete AV block; AMI Iohexol (Omnipaque)
Wang CC et al. [32] Male 64 MI (anterior, post-PCI) Immediately (CAG) Respiratory distress; angioedema; skin rashes I Unknown CAG (complete occlusion of RCA) Intubation; mechanical ventilation; fluid therapy; dopamine; IABP; intracoronary nitrates; hydrocortisone; diphenhydramine; adrenaline Hypotension Iohexiol
Kocabay G et al. [33] Male 62 Pancreatic cancer; allergy (-) During infusion (CT) Nausea; loss of consciousness; no pulse I ST elevation (II, III, aVF, and precordial) ECG Adrenaline Hypotension Iohexol
Yanagawa Y et al. [34] Male 51 DM; hypertension; chest pain (inferior wall ischemia, suspected by SPECT); allergy (-) 10 min (CAG) Chest pain; generalized urticaria; itching; chills II ST elevation (anterior) CAG (complete occlusion of the mid-segment of LCA); prick test Stenting; steroid; anti-histamine VF Iopromide (Ultravist)
Zlojtro M et al. [35] Female 46 DM; prolactinoma; allergy to CM; antibiotics 10 min (MRI) Generalized urticaria; angioedema I ST elevation (inferolateral) CAG (normal) Methylprednisolone (pre-medication); adrenaline; chloropiramine chloride; methylprednisolone; fluid therapy Hypotension Gadoterate meglumine (Dotarem)
Del Furia F et al. [36] Male 61 Chest pain at rest; smoker; allergy (-) A few min (CAG) Diffuse erythema; chest pain II ST elevation (V1–V5) CAG (complete occlusion of LAD and diffuse vasospasm of LCX) Hydrocortisone; hydroxyzine; noradrenaline; fluid therapy; stenting Hypotension Unknown
Hamilos MI et al. [37] Male 51 Smoker; hyperlipidemia; allergy to aspirin and agricultural chemicals 90 min (CAG) Chest pain; nausea; sweating I ST elevation (II, III, and aVF) CAG (complete occlusion of RCA due to vasospasm) Corticosteroids; antihistamine; intravenous nitrates; heparin; intracoronary nitrates AMI (vasospasm; mild elevation of cardiac enzymes) Unknown
Present case Male 60 MI (inferoposterior; post-PCI);
allergy to CM		 After administration (CT) Feeling unwell; numbness of upper limbs; dyspnea; loss of consciousness II ST elevation (II, III, and aVF); acute T waves (precordial leads) ECG Adrenaline; fluid therapy; hydrocortisone; heparin; nicorandil Hypotension Iopamidol
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KS, Kounis syndrome; ECG, electrocardiography; CT, computed tomography; DM, diabetes mellitus; CTCA, CT coronary angiography, CAG, coronary angiography; AMI, acute myocardial infarction; CM, contrast media; MI, myocardial infarction; DES, drug-eluting stent; CCA, common carotid artery; LAD, left anterior descending artery; LCX, left circumflex artery; IABP, intraaortic balloon pumping; PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention; VF, ventricular fibrillation; VT, ventricular tachycardia; AV, atrioventricular; RCA, right coronary artery; SPECT, single-photon emission computed tomography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.

In five of these eleven cases, KS was associated with coronary arteriography (CAG), and nearly complete flow restoration was achieved by immediate primary stenting and/or intracoronary injection of nitrates. The remaining six patients experienced catastrophic events related KS in diagnostic radiology departments. Of these six patients, three had a history of coronary disease and were suspected as having type II KS. Two of these three patients underwent PCI, and the other one was treated by the administration of heparin and nicorandil. The remaining three patients, who were diagnosed with type I KS, were managed by anti-allergic or anaphylactic therapy, although two of these patients underwent CAG, which revealed normal findings in coronary arteries.

Four patients (36%) had a history of allergic reactions, and three of them were diagnosed with type I KS, and the other one was suspected with type II KS. The interval between injection of contrast material and onset of KS ranged from immediately after injection to 90 min later. All patients, including the present one, presented typical clinical features of anaphylactic reactions with acute coronary disease, including ST elevation on ECG findings. Triggers of KS included iopromide (n = 3), iohexiol (n = 3), iooamidol(n = 1), gadoterate meglumine (n = 1), and other unknown iodinated contrast materials (n = 3).

Administration of adrenaline was reported in six cases (55%). Intravenous steroids and anti-histamine drugs were administered in ten (91%) and nine (82%) cases, respectively. Vasodilators for coronary arteries, including intravenous and intracoronary nitrates and nicorandil, were administered in five cases (45%). Anti-platelet drugs, heparin, morphine, and/or dopamine were also administrated in some cases. Severe cardiac complications, including myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and/or complete atrioventricular block, were reported in five patients (45%). However, all patients had recovered from KS and had been discharged.

4. Discussion

Kounis syndrome (KS) was recently described as “allergic angina syndrome” by Kounis et al. [1]. It is characterized by cardiovascular allergic and anaphylactic reactions to various allergic stimuli. Following exposure to an allergic stimulus, activated mast cells released histamine, leukotrienes, and serotonin. In typical cases of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions, these mediators trigger a catastrophic hemodynamic response caused by vascular dilation and hyperpermeability. In KS, these inflammatory mediators cause spastic contraction of smooth muscle cells in the walls of coronary arteries [8]. The exact pathophysiologic mechanism remains unclear. However, some histological reports have confirmed infiltration of mast cells, eosinophils, and lymphocytes in coronary lesions [[9], [10], [11]]. This disease can cause not only vasospastic angina but also fetal myocardial infarction [12].

Accurate diagnosis of the three variants of KS is important for disease management in the acute phase and, in particular, for determining whether or not acute coronary disease caused by KS is reversible. Although the present case was suspected with type II KS because he had a history of coronary arteriosclerotic disease, ST elevation on the ECG was reversible without coronary intervention. The patient also had a history of allergy-like reactions during his previous transarterial chemoembolization. Abdelghany at al. reported that 25% of patients diagnosed with KS have a known history of allergic reactions [3]. Careful review of clinical history of arteriosclerotic disease and allergic reactions is extremely important for appropriate treatment for different types of KS.

The actual etiology of KS is still unclear. Antibiotics are the most frequent triggers [3,[13], [14], [15]], although insect bites [[16], [17], [18]], anticancer drugs [[19], [20], [21], [22], [23]], bee stings [[24], [25], [26], [27], [28]], and anesthetics [29,30] have also been reported to be causative factors. Despite its rare incidence, improvement in awareness of KS among physicians might have led to the recent increase in case reports related to KS. There are also a few case reports of KS associated with different types of contrast materials. Low-osmolar non-anionic contrast materials are less toxic than anionic and monomeric contrast materials, however, most of the KS cases described in Table 1 were caused by low-osmolar non-ionic contrast materials. Almost all of these cases have been reported by cardiologists, emergency physicians, or allergists [[31], [32], [33], [34], [35], [36], [37], [38], [39]]. These reports, including the present case, clearly show that not only intracoronary injection during CAG but also intravenous injection of contrast materials can cause any type of KS. Therefore, in our opinion, diagnostic radiologists who routinely use any type of contrast material should have knowledge of KS.

There is currently no consensus on the treatment method for KS [3]. Treatments directed at clinical symptoms caused by the allergic or hypersensitivity reactions (such as hypotension, dyspnea, and chest pain) are usually administered concurrently with management measures for acute coronary syndrome. The use of adrenaline—the first-choice drug for severe anaphylactic reactions—is controversial, although it has been frequently administered to patients with KS [40]. It may increase the oxygen demand of the myocardium and lead to worsening of ventricular function in ischemic condition. In the present case, we had no choice but to avoid administration of adrenaline, because the patient had severe symptoms associated with anaphylactic reactions. Adrenaline administration should be considered for avoiding death due to anaphylactic shock only if its benefits outweigh the risk of progression of myocardial ischemia.

Although almost all patients in previous case reports underwent CAG, indication of CAG remains a challenge for preventing KS associated with intravenous contrast injection in the radiology department. The effective prevention method for KS is still unclear. Even if another type of contrast medium were usable, additional use of iodinated contrast medium after or during severe anaphylactic reactions is challenging. However, CAG/PCI should be considered in patients with increased levels of cardiac enzymes/troponins or coronary spasm/thrombosis progressing to acute myocardial infarction.

In summary, KS, an acute coronary disease associated with allergic or anaphylactic reactions, could be induced by intravenous injection of contrast medium. Radiologists should recognize this rare but critical disease to ensure rapid diagnosis and appropriate management.

Authors declaration

There are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work. We confirm that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors.

Sources of funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Ethical statement

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient described herein. Institutional review board exemption was granted for this type of study.

Footnotes

Appendix A

Supplementary data associated with this article can be found, in the online version, at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejro.2019.02.004.

Appendix A. Supplementary data

The following are Supplementary data to this article:

mmc1.docx (15.1KB, docx)

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