General Information About Kounis Syndrome
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the sudden constriction (spasm) of the heart's blood vessels or the cracking of a cholesterol plaque in the vessel by chemicals released into the blood during a severe allergic shock experienced by the body, leading to an acute heart attack due to allergy.
The cause of a normal heart attack is vascular calcification that occurs over time. In Kounis syndrome, the event is completely allergic; a heart attack occurs simultaneously with symptoms of an allergic shock such as hives, shortness of breath, and low blood pressure.
Bee and insect stings, food allergies like seafood or peanuts, allergic reactions to medications like antibiotics/painkillers, and even some contrast (imaging) dyes can initiate the syndrome.
It begins with widespread redness, itching on the body, and swelling in the face. Immediately afterwards, severe pressure in the chest, pain radiating to the left arm, inability to breathe, palpitations, and a feeling of fainting (shock) develop.
Signs of a heart attack are detected on the ECG taken along with the patient's allergic complaints. In blood tests, both heart enzymes (Troponin) and allergy enzymes (Histamine, Tryptase) are elevated at the same time.
It requires a very delicate balance. Because medications that relieve the allergy can harm the heart, and heart attack medications can worsen the allergy. Under the supervision of a specialist physician, vasodilators that will primarily resolve the spasm, corticosteroids, and careful doses of antihistamine/adrenaline applications are administered.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
