RESUMEN
Dois casos de falecimento em provas ergométricas, com a particularidade de que se realizou coronariografia imediatamente depois do acidente agudo. Ambos apresentavam lesöes na artéria coronária esquerda, de tipo excêntrico, com bordas irregulares e brilho intraluminal. Concluí-se que a rotura da placa ateromatosa foi acontecimento fundamental na patogênese deste fenômeno
We present two cases of mortality during a stress test after which coronary arteriography was performed after the acute event. In both patients, left coronary arteries presented eccentric lesions with irregular bordes and intraluminal lucencies. We have discussed the probable pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in view of the angiographic findings. We concluded that the cracking of the plaque was an essential event in the pathogenesis of this picture.