[The long-term (10- to 13-year) prognosis of patients with unstable angina pectoris]

The prognosis after mean 11.4 (10-13) years of 249 patients with unstable angina pectoris, are 55.9 years, treated with contemporary drugs (in an intensive care coronary unit until the life-threatening symptoms were overcome, in a general cardiac unit until full clinical recovery and then in outpatient clinic) was studied. Till the end of the observation period 98 patients (39.4%) had a new myocardial infarction and a total of 110 patients (44.2%) died of ischemic heart disease (suddenly or after a myocardial infarction). The increased risk of acute myocardial infarction and lethal outcome in patients with unstable angina pectoris is determined by the persistence of the angina pectoris, after the hospitalization and in spite of the treatment, fluctuating ST-T changes in the ECG, inefficient left ventricular function, previous stable angina pectoris and a past myocardial infarction. These patients are indicated for a direct examination for assessment of the need of surgical treatment.