[Arrhythmia in unstable angina pectoris]

79 ECGs, recorded during angina pectoris, from 52 patients were studied to determine the relations of arrhythmias and ST-segment changes and to evaluate the relationship between the prevalence of arrhythmias, the severity of coronary artery disease and left ventricular function. Arrhythmias were found in 22% of the ECGs (VPCs in 9, VT in 4, SVPCs in 3, sinus bradycardia in 1). Angina pectoris attacks accompanied by ST-segment elevation, ST-segment depression or unchanged ST-segment showed disturbances of rhythm in 47%, 24% and 0%. If coronary spasm without significant coronary stenoses was the cause for myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias appeared with 75% more often than in myocardial ischemia caused by organic stenoses (19%). Patients with disturbances of rhythm during spontaneous angina pectoris do not have anymore deterioration in left ventricular function than patients without arrhythmias.