[Prinzmetal's angina as a variant of the preinfarct state]

The clinical course of variant angina pectoris has been analyzed in 11 patients, in 5 of them acute myocardial infarction supervened while in hospital. The character of painful attacks, ECG changes in some patients fully resemble the clinical picture of unstable angina pectoris. The direct relationship has been established between the variant angina pectoris and the development of myocardial infarction which suggests that this state is an urgent one. Certain aspects of pathogenesis of variant angina pectoris and its treatment are discussed.