Which pharmacological agent is used to treat coronary vasospasm?

Calcium channel blockers are the pharmacological agents of choice for treating coronary vasospasm. These agents work by relaxing the smooth muscles of blood vessels, leading to vasodilation and increased blood flow. In the context of coronary arteries, this mechanism helps alleviate the narrowing caused by spasms, thereby relieving symptoms such as angina. Calcium channel blockers can effectively reduce the frequency and severity of vasospastic episodes by inhibiting the entry of calcium into vascular smooth muscle cells, which is crucial for muscle contraction.

The other options, while useful in different contexts, do not directly address the problem of coronary vasospasm. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) primarily act on the serotonin system in the brain and are used for treating depression and anxiety rather than cardiovascular issues. Potassium-sparing diuretics are mainly utilized to manage fluid retention and hypertension but do not have a significant effect on coronary vasospasm. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used to treat conditions like hypertension and heart failure but are not specifically indicated for vasospasm relief. Thus, the role of calcium channel blockers as a direct treatment for coronary vasospasm makes them the appropriate choice in this scenario.