[Strategy of the treatment of vasospastic angina pectoris].

The strategy of treatment in vasospastic angina is mainly based on the results of coronary angiography. In a series of 165 patients with coronary spasm documented by angiography, 51 patients (31 per cent) had angiographically normal arteries and 69 per cent had organic atherosclerotic lesions. Patients with fixed atherosclerotic lesions were divided in two subgroups depending on whether the lesions were operable. The first subgroup (47 cases) comprised patients with operable lesions and coronary spasm. They underwent aorto-coronary bypass associated with a procedure to prevent spasm (plexectomy) (40 cases). Depending on the site of the lesions, some patients with operable lesions may benefit from coronary angioplasty followed by treatment with calcium antagonist drugs. Patients in the second subgroup (67 cases) with inoperable fixed atherosclerotic lesions were treated with calcium antagonists. Betablockers, which may be considered in organic coronary artery disease, are theoretically contra-indicated because of the vasospastic factor. The remaining patients with "angiographically normal" vessels (51 cases) were treated with nitrate derivatives and calcium antagonists. Treatment should be directed to the suppression of the clinical symptoms and, above all, of ECG signs of ischemia as proved by repeated Holter monitoring. The clinical course may also be assessed by repeated provocation tests. Results may depend on the doses and their timing during the 24 hour period. Duration of treatment in patients with angiographically normal vessels has not yet been established. Isolated cardiac denervation may be indicated in these patients who fail to respond to medical treatment (8 cases).