[Coronary insufficiency in hypercholesterolemic xanthomatosis. Angiographic aspects]

Coronary arteriography for severe coronary artery disease was carried out in 21 patients with hypercholesterolaemic xanthomatosis (group I) and in 42 patients with serum lipids (group II). Both groups were matched with regard to age, sex and cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, smoking habits, diabetes). The films were examined by an observer unaware of the patients' clinical features; the severity of the lesions observed was assessed by means of a coronary score system. Group I patients had significantly more severe coronary artery lesions and a significantly higher incidence (52% versus 7%; p less than 0.001) of left main coronary artery stenosis carrying a high risk of sudden death. The percentages of affected vessels amenable to surgery and abnormalities in left ventricular function were similar in both groups. It therefore seems reasonable to envisage early coronary angiography followed, if necessary, by aorto-coronary bypass in patients with hypercholesterolaemic xanthomatosis who experience anginal attacks, show ECG abnormalities on exercise and have persistent pain after myocardial infarction.