Eight‐year survival and functional work capacity of patients with normal or near normal coronary arteriograms

Abstract

The clinical and laboratory course of 68 men with chest pain suggestive of coronary heart disease with normal or narrow wall irregularities only on coronary arteriograms was followed for 5 to 11.7 years. In all patients graded bicycle exercise test was stopped at a symptom‐ or a sign‐limited endpoint of work, and coronary arteriography was performed. Fifty patients were reexamined 8.4 ± 2.4 years later by the work stress test only. On reevaluation, there was no significant difference in mean tolerated power output, in limiting oxygen consumption, or in limiting heart rate. Mean values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure both at rest and at the limiting symptoms for work and the mean limiting value of the rate‐pressure product index were significantly higher on reevaluation (p ≤ 0.02 to 0.001). However, the mean limiting value of lactic acid was significantly lower (p ≤ 0.001). On reevaluation, 23 patients (46%) reported clinical improvement, 16 (32%) no change, and 11 (22%) complained of worsening of...