Paradox of Normal Selective Coronary Arteriograms in Patients Considered to Have Unmistakable Coronary Heart Disease

In documenting the wide distribution and severity of the arterial disease in patients with angina and abnormal electrocardiograms at rest and after exercise the reports parallel earlier views based on comparisons between clinical and morbid findings.

Abstract

CINE coronary arteriography affords a means of correlating clinical manifestations of coronary heart disease with responsible vascular abnormality in the living patient.1 2 3 4 5 Several of the comparative analyses have indicated that obstructing atherosclerosis can be demonstrated in at least 2 major coronary arteries in most patients with angina and abnormal electrocardiograms at rest and after exercise.1 2 3 4 In documenting the wide distribution and severity of the arterial disease in these patients the reports parallel earlier views based on comparisons between clinical and morbid findings.6 Obviously, the correlation does not hold when a significant anomaly of the coronary arteries, aortic regurgitation, aortic stenosis . . .