[Asymptomatic ischemia--an important part of the spectrum of coronary disease]

Abstract

Angina pectoris and asymptomatic myocardial ischemia are part of the spectrum of coronary heart disease. Not the presence or absence of angina determines the future of the patient, but repeated ischemia and the progression of the coronaropathy. This progression is neither linear with time, nor is the moment of plaque rupture foreseeable. Silent myocardial infarctions increase with age and are very frequent in diabetics. In patients without neuropathy but with asymptomatic myocardial ischemia the central pain threshold is higher than in patients with angina pectoris. The best noninvasive test for the detection, localization and estimation of extension of myocardial ischemia, be it pain-free or symptomatic, is 201-thallium scintigraphy, combined with the exercise ECG. The fight against all amendable cardiovascular risk factors and pharmacotherapy are the first steps, if asymptomatic myocardial ischemia is suspected. Augmented dyspnea on effort and rhythm disturbances are indicators of advanced multivessel heart disease. Under these circumstances coronary angiography is indicated, and further treatment should follow the generally accepted rules such as for patients with angina pectoris.