PMID: 6407444Feb 1, 1983Paper

The pathophysiology of angina pectoris with normal coronary arteriograms. Histopathological and metabolic correlations with coronary vasospasm

Archives des maladies du coeur et des vaisseaux
P J RichardsonG Jackson

Abstract

Angina pectoris may occur in the presence of normal major coronary vessels (NCA) in 10-20 per cent of patients investigated by coronary arteriography. Whilst hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse and hyperthyroidism are excluded by routine investigation, in the remainder coronary vasospasm may be demonstrated. An organic basis for angina may not always be found. In order to document the pathophysiological basis for angina pectoris with NCA we have investigated patients using atrial pacing stress with measurement of coronary sinus blood flow and lactate metabolism, together with myocardial biopsy to determine biochemical and histopathological abnormalities. These have been correlated with localised coronary vasospasm induced by ergometrine (E). Thallium scintigraphy has also been used to detect the myocardial changes. Fifteen patients were investigated: 5 of 15 patients developed abnormal lactate metabolism on atrial pacing (change greater than 0.8 mg per cent in A/V lactate difference) and all had greater than 50 per cent coronary luman reduction after E. In 10 of 15 patients no lactate change occurred and in 7 no significant response to E was seen. However, significantly lower myocardial enzyme activities were fou...Continue Reading

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