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The outcome of vasospastic angina with normal or near-normal coronary arteries was investigated in 48 patients followed up for periods of 3 to 55 months (mean : 19.1 months). The course of the disease was unfavorable in 13 patients, of whom 3 died, 5 developed myocardial infarction and 5 refractory angina. It was favourable in 16 patients who remained asymptomatic for at least 6 months, and intermediate in 16 patients whose anginal attacks became less frequent. Three patients were lost sight of. Calcium antagonists were administered to 32 patients; they proved superior to beta-blockers but imperfectly controlled the course of the disease : the anginal attacks completely ceased in 12 patients, became less frequent in 11 and persisted or became worse in 5. A close correlation was found between long-term outcome and the results of provocation tests performed at the beginning of treatment, and it is proposed that these tests should be used as therapeutic guide-lines.

Spontaneously occurring spasms are more likely to be detected by performing coronary angiography during an acute ischaemic attack. This was achieved in 28 out of 41 cases. Spasm was found to be present in 23/25 attacks with elevated S-T segment but in only 5/16 attacks with other changes on ECG. The difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.01). When coronary angiography was performed outside anginal attacks, arterial spasm was detected in 16 out of 1071 cases (1.48%). The percentage increased in patients with spontaneous angina: 13/15 cases (8.6%). These spontaneous spasms are painless and can be differentiated from catheter-induced spasms and organic stenosis by the nitroglycerin test. Spasms which do not occur spontaneously can be provoked by methylergometrine maleate. This was done 175 time with 16 positive results. The criteria of positivity of the test, as well as its value, indications and dangers are discussed.