RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Coronary artery spasm plays an important role in the pathogenesis of variant angina. However the precise mechanism (s) and the clinical characteristics of variant angina remain to be elucidated. We investigated the clinical characteristics and diagnostic features of variant angina. METHODS: The clinical characteristics and coronary angiographic findings were analyzed in 178 patients with angiographically documented coronary artery spasm, which developed spontaneously or was provoked by the admistration of intravenous ergonovine maleate. All patients were followed for at least 1 year or more or until their death. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven patients complained of chest pain which developed especially at night and in the early morning. One hundred and thirty three patients (74.7%) were smokers. The electrocardiographic findings at the time of admission showed no changes in 147 cases (82.6%), testes showed ST segment elevation in 22 cases (12.4%), ST segment depression in 2 cases (1.1%), T wave inversion in 7cases (3.9%). The treadmill test was performed in 135 cases, ST segment elevation was noted in 6 patients (4.4%) and ST segment depression in 18 patients (13.3%). All of the other results were within normal range. The ergonovine provovative tests for coronary spasms were safe and effective. The right coronary artery was the most prevalent site of coronary artery spasm. Drug treatment was applied initially to all patients, but only 115 patients (64.5%) received the follow-up. Of these three died from cardiac arrest. The rate of cardiac death was low (1.7%) in patient, which made it difficult to know the risk factors for the cardiac deaths. Two (1.1%) had cardiac arrest. They didn`t take any medication. Patients with variant angina usually responded well to nitrates and calcium antagonists. Thus nitrates and calcium antagonists are useful in preventing attacks and abolished attacks of variant angina. CONCLUSION: In this study, 13.2% of coronary artery disease was variant angina. The effectiveness of drug therapy and the prognosis of the patients was quite good in the group. But when chest pain happens, the adequate use of nitrate agents is needed because of cardia arrest or cardiac death in 2.8% of the patients.