[The segmental early relaxation phenomenon; its incidence and angiographic appearance (author's transl)]

Amongst one hundred patients examined radiographically, segmental early relaxation (SERP) of the antero-lateral wall of the left ventricle was observed in 21 cases; in 17 cases this was associated with a significant stenosis of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. The reversibility of this phenomenon produced by vaso-dilators or by aorto-coronary by-pass operations with consequent increase in oxygen supply, as well as the frequency of this phenomenon in coronary disease suggests that it is due to mild, local hypoxia. On this view, SERP has clinical significance as an angiographic indicator of local oxygen deficit. Other possible causes are discussed and the findings compared with those reported in the literature.