Preinfarction Angina: Clinical, Hemodynamic and Angiographic Evaluation

Five patients with “preinfarction” angina underwent cardiac catheterization, coronary arteriography and coronary artery bypass surgery without major complication. In order to evaluate myocadial function, stress testing by right atrial pacing was also performed. Pacing ventricular function curves were normal in three patients prior to angina and abnormal in each patient when angina was induced. Atrial pacing provides a safe technique for applying a stress in patients with preinfarction angina when exercise is contraindicated. It may be precisely controlled, gradually increased, rapidly discontinued and provides hemodynamic, electrocardiographic and clinical data for preoperative and postoperative comparisons.