ABSTRACT
The goal of this study was to compare the clinical presentation and angiographic morphology of patients having an unstable angina pectoris. A total of 321 patients were consecutively studied and underwent cardiac catheterization, mean age 59 + 6 years. According to Braunwald classification, class III was predominant [58%] On coronary angiography, 148 patients had single vessel disease, double-vessel in 92 and triple-vessel in 64. Morphology of coronary artery lesions was classified according to Ambrose's classification, 100 patients had simple lesions [type I or IIA], 204 patients had complex lesions [type IIB, Ill, intracoronary thrombus or total occlusion]. Thoracic rest pain [class III] or postinfarction angina [class C], were associated with the presence of complex lesions. This subgroup of high risk patients would benefit from either Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockers with an early revascularisation strategy