PMID: 2502960Jun 1, 1989Paper

Long-term prognosis of spastic angina with normal or irregular coronary arteries. Apropos of 48 cases

Archives des maladies du coeur et des vaisseaux
P VeauM Vasselin

Abstract

Forty-eight consecutive patients (37 men, 11 women, mean age 49 +/- 8 years) were followed up regularly for a mean period of 7 years. All presented with spontaneous angina, documented coronary spasm and no stenosis greater than 50 p. 100 at coronary arteriography. The first attack of pain had taken place 3 days to 9 years previously; exertion angina was also present in 47 p. 100 of the cases and severe arrhythmia in 17 p. 100. Treatment was based on calcium antagonists in doses and combinations that varied with the course of the disease. The follow-up period lasted from 16 to 122 months (mean 85 +/- 24 months). 3 patients are now known to be alive but were lost sight of after 12 to 21 months. Major cardiac complications were 1 death (2 p. 100) and 3 cases of myocardial infarction (6.6 p. 100). None of the patients died suddenly. 70 p. 100 of the remaining 41 patients became asymptomatic; angina persisted in 15 p. 100 and 14 p. 100 had episodes of severe angina but with remissions of at least one year. No predictive factor of functional deterioration or major cardiac complications could be elicited. The long-term prognosis of vasospastic angina in patients with little or no coronary stenosis is favourable, but there is a very sm...Continue Reading

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