[Prinzmetal angina: clinical aspects and coronarographic findings]

Abstract

The clinical course and coronary arteriographic findings in 5 patients with Prinzmetal's variant angina pectoris are reviewed. In 4 patients who had ST-elevations inferiorly, 1 had minimal, 1 only slight, and 1 medium coronary artery disease; 1 had coronary spasm. 1 patient with ST-elevation anteriorly had severe stenosis of the anterior descending coronary artery. All 5 patients had normal left ventriculograms, 3 also had normal left enddiastolic pressure, and 2 slight elevation. Medical treatment was carried out in 2 patients and surgical revascularization in 2. Both treatments were accompanied by marked symptomatic improvement. Spontaneous loss of angina occurred in 1 patient. Prinzmetal's variant angina pectoris may be accompanied by a variety of coronary arteriographic findings and the prognosis appears to be more favorable than previously reported.