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Cardiac syndrome X: an overview
1Department of Cardiological Sciences, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London.
Hospital Practice (1995)
|February 26, 2000
Insights
A significant number of angina patients (up to 30%) show normal coronary angiograms without myocardial ischemia. These patients generally have a good prognosis and may benefit from symptomatic management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Angina pectoris is a common condition often associated with coronary artery disease.
- Myocardial ischemia is typically the underlying cause of angina symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics and outcomes of angina patients with normal coronary angiograms.
- To highlight the subset of patients experiencing angina without significant coronary artery disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of patient data from tertiary referral centers.
- Analysis of coronary angiogram results in patients presenting with angina.
- Evaluation of diagnostic testing and treatment pathways.
Main Results:
- Up to 30% of studied angina patients had normal coronary angiograms.
- These patients often underwent extensive and costly investigations.
- Prognosis for this group was generally favorable.
Conclusions:
- A notable proportion of angina patients do not have obstructive coronary artery disease.
- The diagnostic and therapeutic approach for angina with normal coronaries warrants careful consideration.
- Symptomatic management can be an effective strategy for these patients.
Abstract:
Not all patients with angina have myocardial ischemia. A sizable minority--up to 30% of angina patients studied at tertiary referral centers--have normal coronary angiograms. Such patients often undergo an expensive and extensive array of testing and treatment. Yet the prognosis is generally good, and symptomatic management may be effective.