Congenital absence of left circumflex coronary artery presented with vasospastic angina and myocardial bridge in single left coronary artery

Congenital absence of left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) is a very rare congenital anomaly of the coronary circulation, and few cases have been reported in the literature. We report a case of a 48-year-old male who had congenital absence of LCX presented with vasospastic angina. Routine coronary angiography showed congenital absence of the LCX, typical myocardial bridge in the mid left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and super-dominant right coronary artery (RCA). The dominant LAD showed a spastic appearance at the baseline coronary angiography and significant spasm was induced by incremental intracoronary acetylcholine (ACh) provocation test at mid LAD where the myocardial bridge site was observed and was extended to the distal LAD. Typical anginal chest pain was documented during the Ach provocation test and the patient was stabilized with conventional anti-anginal medication. Precise morphological and functional evaluation of the anomalous coronary artery is important for selecting the best treatment modality and better prognosis.     

Acute myocardial infarction caused by simultaneous occlusion of the right coronary artery and the left anterior descending coronary artery probably due to coronary spasm: a case report

A 56-year-old man had an attack of chest pain associated with ST-segment elevation in both the inferolateral and anteroseptal leads on electrocardiography. Emergency coronary angiography showed thrombus in the mid right coronary artery and total occlusion in the distal left anterior descending coronary artery. Intravenous heparin infusion and antiplatelet therapy were given without other coronary intervention. After 1 week, repeat coronary angiography showed neither significant stenosis nor thrombus in the coronary arteries. Severe coronary artery spasm in the left coronary artery was induced by the provocation test with intracoronary injection of 50 microg acetylcholine. He had an uneventful hospital course. This unique case demonstrated intracoronary thrombus formation in the right coronary artery and left anterior descending coronary artery simultaneously due to suspected coronary spasm.     

Coronary spasm-induced acute myocardial infarction associated with intracoronary thrombosis]

A 63-year-old man was admitted with an acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography performed 3 hours after the onset of chest pain revealed 99% stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) with delayed filling and intraluminal thrombus distal to the stenosis. After the intracoronary injection of isosorbide dinitrate, the delayed filling disappeared and a subsequent intracoronary urokinase partially dissolved the thrombus. Repeat coronary angiography in the chronic phase disclosed 75% stenosis of the LAD and disappearance of the thrombus. Intracoronary acetylcholine provoked a coronary spasm at the stenotic site of the LAD, concomitantly with chest pain and ST-segment elevation in the anterior leads. The present case demonstrated that coronary spasm plays an important role in thrombus formation and acute myocardial infarction. To date, the concept has been postulated that a dynamic interaction between atherosclerosis, platelet aggregation and spasm may work to cause coronary thrombosis and subsequently lead to acute myocardial infarction. Our report shed light on the importance of coronary spasm in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction.     

A case in which stent insertion is considered to have triggered contrast medium-induced coronary vasospasm.

A Gianturco-Roubin II (GR-II) stent was inserted in a 75-year-old man who developed restenosis of the right coronary artery (RCA) after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Although the vessel became partially occluded after 7 months, it was redilated by PTCA. Follow-up angiography of the RCA and left coronary artery (LCA) was performed 3 months later. Chest pain with bradycardia and hypotension occurred immediately after this examination, and ST elevation appeared in ECG leads II, III, and aVF. Repeat angiography of the RCA confirmed complete occlusion due to a spasm at a site proximal to the GR-II stent. The spasm was resolved by intracoronary infusion of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), and PTCA was carried out for extensive recurrent restenosis of the RCA; however, vascular dissection developed at the distal end of the GR-II stent. Therefore, a Palmaz-Schatz (P-S) stent was placed such that its proximal end overlapped the distal end of the GR-II stent. Follow-up angiography 3 months later showed no restenosis, but an episode of vasospasm similar to the previous one occurred immediately after left ventriculography. The RCA was completely occluded proximal to the GR-II stent because of spasm. Although this spasm was gradually relieved by intracoronary infusion of ISDN, marked spasm was also observed distal to the P-S stent; complete relief was achieved by infusion of additional ISDN.     

Coronary artery multistenting in the treatment of life-threatening refractory coronary spasm after coronary artery bypass grafting

A 74-year-old man had undergone on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for effort-induced angina pectoris. Soon after CABG using the left internal thoracic artery for the left anterior descending artery and saphenous vein for the left circumflex artery, ST elevation was found in the inferior leads and complete atrioventricular block, ventricular tachycardia, and circulatory collapse occurred. Emergent coronary angiography revealed diffuse severe spasm of the right coronary artery (RCA). Despite the intravenous and intracoronary administration of massive doses of vasodilators and intra-aortic balloon pumping, the coronary spasm did not resolve. Five stents were deployed from the distal to the proximal portion of the RCA. After multistenting, coronary flow was dramatically improved and the ST elevations in the inferior leads were also improved. Coronary artery spasm after CABG is relatively rare, but when it occurs, it can be fatal. Multistenting is a useful treatment for life-threatening refractory coronary spasm after CABG.     

乙酰胆碱诱发冠状动脉痉挛试验中缓慢型心律失常的原因探讨

目的探讨乙酰胆碱诱发冠状动脉痉挛试验中缓慢型心律失常的发生原因。方法64例因静息性胸痛而接受冠状动脉造影的患者,排除具有缺血意义的病变后进行乙酰胆碱试验,术中连续记录心电图变化,比较痉挛组和非痉挛组缓慢型心律失常情况,并选择冠状动脉痉挛合并缓慢型心律失常的25例患者分别在冠状动脉内注射硝酸甘油及静脉注射阿托品后重复乙酰胆碱试验,观察冠状动脉痉挛和心律失常的变化情况。结果乙酰胆碱试验痉挛组(46例)和非痉挛组(18例)缓慢型心律失常的发生率无差异(P>0.05),痉挛组中14例经过冠状动脉内注射硝酸甘油后重复乙酰胆碱试验均未能诱发痉挛,但12例仍出现缓慢型心律失常,另11例静脉注射阿托品后重复乙酰胆碱试验均未诱发冠状动脉痉挛,仅1例出现缓慢型心律失常。结论乙酰胆碱试验中的缓慢型心律失常可能与乙酰胆碱的药理作用有关而与冠状动脉痉挛无关。     

A change in the pattern of vasospasm after stenting in a patient with vasospastic angina

We report an unusual case of a male patient with vasospastic angina in whom the pattern of coronary artery spasm changed after coronary stenting. The patient was admitted to our hospital with an acute coronary syndrome. Coronary angiography revealed an intermediate grade stenosis in the right coronary artery, and focal coronary spasm was provoked by intracoronary acetylcholine. A diagnosis of vasospastic angina was made, and the patient was followed medically. He subsequently was readmitted with refractory vasospastic angina and underwent coronary stenting. He was pain-free after stent implantation. Repeat angiography 6 months later showed no restenosis in the stented segment; however, coronary spasm was provoked in all areas except the stented segment by intracoronary acetylcholine injection.     

Severe coronary artery spasm can be associated with hyperthyroidism

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery spasm is not infrequently seen in Korea. Most of the patients with coronary spasm show a focal spasm in coronary angiography. However, the cause of the disease is not well known. There have been a few anecdotal case reports of coronary artery spasm associated with hyperthyroidism, but there has not been a report concerning a large series of such patients. Over a period of 5 years and 8 months, we experienced eight patients having the diffuse or severe type of coronary artery spasm in association with hyperthyroidism. METHODS: We investigated the characteristics of the patients with coronary artery spasm, which was diagnosed by coronary angiography or by provocation with an intracoronary injection of acetylcholine or ergonovine. The demographic data, coronary angiographic findings, thyroid function test results, and the follow-up clinical data of the eight patients having coronary artery spasm associated with hyperthyroidism were analyzed. RESULTS: All eight patients had Graves' disease. In six patients, the coronary arterial vasoconstriction developed during the coronary angiography without an injection of ergonovine. In three patients, the left main stem coronary artery was involved in the spasm. Among these eight patients, five were female, and all of these female patients were < or = 51 years old. All of the patients were treated with anti-thyroid medications, calcium channel blockers, and long-acting nitroglycerines; they all remained free of chest pain during the median follow-up period of 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: A severe form of coronary artery spasm could be associated with hyperthyroidism. A high level of suspicion and the thyroid function study should be mandatory for patients with coronary artery spasm, especially for the young female patients.     

Acetylcholine- and ergonovine-induced coronary microvascular spasm reflected by increased coronary vascular resistance and myocardial lactate production

Diagnosis of coronary microvascular spasm remains largely speculative because it has been mostly based on chest pain and electrocardiographic ST-segment shift with slow filling of contrast medium into the coronary artery. A patient with resting chest pain and normal coronary angiograms underwent provocative tests with intracoronary acetylcholine (ACh) and ergonovine. During the tests, coronary diameter and flow velocity in the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery were measured with quantitative coronary angiography and intracoronary Doppler guide wire, respectively. Vascular resistance of the LAD and lactate production were determined separately. With injections of 100 microg of ACh and 20 microg of ergonovine, chest pain occurred with ST-segment elevation in the precordial leads in the absence of epicardial coronary spasm. Coronary vascular resistance increased by 2.2- and 1.6-fold of the baseline value with ACh and ergonovine, respectively. Myocardial lactate production was noted during the ST-segment elevation. Coronary microvascular spasm was verified by the increment in coronary vascular resistance and myocardial lactate production with concomitant ST-segment elevation in the presence of normal coronary angiograms.     

The role of intracoronary thrombus in unstable angina: angiographic assessment and thrombolytic therapy during ongoing anginal attacks

Intracoronary thrombus is regarded as a potentially important factor in the etiology of unstable angina, but the incidence of intracoronary thrombus in unstable angina has not been clearly defined. To determine the occurrence of intracoronary thrombus during ongoing angina pectoris, coronary angiography was performed during spontaneous ischemic attacks in 37 patients with prolonged rest angina. All patients exhibited significant (greater than 50%) stenoses of at least one major coronary artery. Of the 37 patients, 21 (57%) had intracoronary thrombus in major coronary arteries, whereas 14 (38%) had fixed narrowings without evidence of intracoronary thrombus and two exhibited coronary spasm. ST segment elevation was observed in 16 of 21 patients with thrombus and in all of the patients with coronary spasm, but all the patients with organic stable obstruction showed ST segment depression. Twenty of the 21 patients with thrombus improved after thrombolytic therapy with intracoronary injection of urokinase; obstructed arteries were reopened, or narrowings were attenuated, with relief of ischemic symptoms. In patients with fixed obstructions, the rate-pressure product during active symptoms was significantly higher than during an asymptomatic period, indicating that a transient increase in myocardial oxygen demand may contribute to the ischemic attack in these patients. A high incidence (71%) of recurrent symptoms was observed in patients with intracoronary thrombus even after successful thrombolysis, in contrast to a much lower incidence (36%) in those without intracoronary thrombus. Myocardial infarction within 4 weeks after catheterization was observed more frequently in patients with intracoronary thrombus (24%) than in those without thrombus (7%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

吸烟和高脂血症是冠状动脉痉挛的重要危险因子

目的：探讨临床上具有心绞痛样胸痛发作但无显著冠状动脉狭窄患者胸痛的病因，并甄别与冠状动脉痉挛相关的临床危险因子，方法：对275例临床上具有心绞痛发作但冠状动脉造影无显著冠状动脉狭窄患者进行乙酰胆碱试验，以冠状动脉狭窄程度达到90％以上伴胸痛发作和／或心电图缺血性改变为冠状动脉痉挛的诊断标准。Logistic回归强迫引入法分析冠状动脉痉挛与性别，年龄，高血压，糖尿病，吸烟，血脂代谢紊乱和心电图活动平板试验结果的关系，并根据乙酰胆碱试验结果分组比较左室射血分数和舒张末期压力，结果：271例资料完整的患者中乙酰胆碱试验的阳性率为38％，Logistic回归分析表明，吸烟和高脂血症分别使冠状动脉痉挛的优势比（OR）值增加4．2倍和2．3倍，糖尿病与冠状动脉痉挛呈显著负相关，冠状动脉痉挛对左室功能无明显影响，结论：冠状动脉痉挛是冠状动脉造影正常的心绞痛患者的重要病因之一，吸烟和高脂血症是冠状动脉痉挛的重要危险因子。     

Left main coronary artery arising from right sinus of Valsalva: a rare congenital anomaly associated with distal vasospasm

A 50 year-old female patient was admitted to our outpatient clinic with a two year history of chest pain and dyspnoea on exertion. Echocardiography revealed apical hypokinesia with an ejection fraction of 50% on the left ventricle. Coronary angiography revealed that the left main coronary artery was arising from the right sinus of Valsalva and than coursing posterior to the aorta. There were significant stenoses at the proximal right coronary artery (RCA) and the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). The RCA lesion disappeared after intracoronary nitroglycerine administration, and the LAD lesion disappeared the next day when the patient was due to undergo percutaneous intervention. Stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy revealed anteroseptal ischaemia consistent with reversible ischaemia.     

A case of acute myocardial infarction following intracoronary thrombi caused by coronary artery spasm]

A 65-year-old man underwent coronary angiography (CAG) after 10 hours from the onset of myocardial infarction. We observed large Thrombi at the filling defect in the proximal site and mid-portion of the right coronary artery. CAG showed that they had disappeared completely without residual stenosis on the 4th day. In addition to this segmental spasms developed spontaneously at the proximal site of a thrombus accompanied by ST elevation, but these spasms recovered after intracoronary infusion of isosorbide dinitrate on the 26th day CAG. Thus, our case indicates that acute myocardial infarction may be caused by secondary coronary artery thrombosis and accompanying coronary artery spasm.     

Combined revascularization strategy for acute myocardial infarction in patients with intracoronary thrombus: preceding intracoronary thrombolysis and subsequent mechanical angioplasty

Thrombus in the infarct-related artery is one of the limitations for flow restoration in primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) treatment for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The present study investigated the benefit of preceding intracoronary thrombolysis (ICT) by retrospectively analyzing acute phase flow restoration in 80 AMI patients with intracoronary thrombus: 40 undergoing primary PTCA alone (primary PTCA group) and 40 treated with preceding ICT plus PTCA (combined group). Acute phase Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade flow was as follows: TIMI 0/1: 35.0% vs 12.5% for the primary PTCA group and the combined group, p=0.06; TIMI 2: 7.5% vs 15.0%, p=NS; TIMI 3: 57.5% vs 72.5%, p=NS). In the subgroup analysis, it was also less in the combined group among 33 patients with a left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) lesion (42.1 % vs 7.1%, p=0.08), but not among the remaining 47 with either a right coronary artery or left circumflex artery lesion. The combined therapy may potentially provide better acute phase flow restoration in AMI patients with an intracoronary thrombus in a LAD lesion.     

Induction of coronary artery spasm by two pharmacological agents: comparison between intracoronary injection of acetylcholine and ergonovine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There have been few studies comparing the clinical usefulness for the induction of coronary artery spasm (CAS) between acetylcholine (ACh) and ergonovine (ER). This study is designed: (1) to examine the duration of effect after intracoronary injection of ACh on the responsible vessels using a 0.014 inch, 15 MHz Doppler guide wire, and (2) to evaluate the efficacy of two pharmacological agents, ACh and ER, for the induction of CAS in patients with <50% stenosis in the cardiac laboratory. METHODS: Phasic coronary flow velocity patterns were recorded at rest and during ACh tests in 22 patients with normal or near-normal coronary arteries. The tip of the guide wire was placed on the proximal right coronary artery (RCA) and mid-left anterior descending artery. We measured the time required to baseline level of average peak velocity after intracoronary injection of ACh. We performed selective intracoronary administration of both ER and ACh in the same 171 patients (106 men, 65 women, mean age of 62+/-10 years) with <50% stenosis. Under no medication, ACh was injected first in incremental doses of 20, 50, and 80 microg into the RCA and of 20, 50, and 100 microg into the left coronary artery (LCA). Ten minutes later, ER was administered at 10 microg/min for four minutes for a maximal dose of 40 microg on the RCA and at 16 microg/min over four minutes for a total dose of 64 microg on the LCA. Positive spasm was defined as > or =99% luminal narrowing. RESULTS: The time-averaged peak velocity returned to baseline after intracoronary injection of ACh within 10 minutes in all 120 procedures, consisted of 19 with positive spasm (RCA (n=10): 245+/-33 s; LCA (n=9): 351+/-187 s) and 101 with negative spasm (RCA (n=48): 155+/-62 s, LCA (n=53): 248+/-106 s). In the overall results, there was no difference concerning the incidence of provoked spasm between the two pharmacological agents (ACh: 33% versus ER: 32%, NS). Coronary spasms were induced by either pharmacological agent in 134 vessels. Concordance in this study was 94% in all vessels, whereas the remaining 6% of vessels were different from each other. The non-concordance rate of the right coronary artery was significantly higher than that of the left coronary artery (10% versus 4%, p<0.01). However, ER provoked more focal spasms, whereas ACh provoked more diffuse and distal spasms, compared with each other. Seventy-four (55%) of the 134 vessels had coronary spasms in the same coronary arteries. Concordance of both provoked spasm sites and spasm configurations in the same coronary artery was observed in only 18 (13%) vessels. No serious or irreversible complications were observed during the two sequential tests. CONCLUSIONS: As a spasm provocation test, there were no differences between ACh and ER. We recommend the supplementary use of these two pharmacological agents for the induction of CAS in the cardiac laboratory, if available.     

Catheter-induced Vasospasm of the Anatomically Normal Right Coronary Artery in a Patient With Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Obstructive Disease in the Left Anterior Descending Artery; A Challenging Case Report and Review of the Literature

This case report illustrates the clinical course and management strategy of severe catheter-induced vasospasm of the right coronary artery (RCA) resulting in brief cardiac arrest in a male patient in his 60s presenting with Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and obstructive disease in the left anterior descending artery (LAD). The patient was successfully resuscitated and further stay was uneventful. Optical coherence tomography imaging following administration of intracoronary isosorbide dinitrate confirmed normal coronary anatomy and flow restoration in the RCA, suggesting that the index episode was probably a vasospasm of the RCA. After establishing coronary flow in the RCA, the stenosis in the LAD was treated with a drug-eluting stent. Invasive cardiologists should be aware of the catheter-induced coronary artery spasm, which may have important clinical implications particularly in the presence of concomitant atherosclerotic disease in other coronary arteries (in our case the LAD). This approach helps to avoid unnecessary coronary stenting.     

Multiple endothelial injury in epicardial coronary artery induces downstream microvascular spasm as well as remodeling partly via thromboxane A2

OBJECTIVES: The study was undertaken to develop a coronary microvascular spasm model in pigs by repeated epicardial coronary artery endothelial injury. BACKGROUND: The pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for coronary microvascular spasm remain unclear, in large part because a suitable animal model has yet to be found. METHODS: Balloon endothelial denudation was done just distal to the site of an implanted Doppler flowmeter in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) every two weeks for a total of four times. Changes in LAD blood flow by intracoronary administration of vasoactive agents were assessed before each denudation. RESULTS: In the epicardial LAD endothelial denudation pigs, decreases in LAD blood flow caused by acetylcholine were augmented. Before denudation, it was - 15 +/- 4%, and at week 8 (i.e., two weeks after the fourth denudation) it was -100% (i.e., zero flow [p < 0.01]). The LAD flow changes in response to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) changed from an increase to a decrease, accompanied by medial thickening of microvessels in the LAD perfusion area. These flow responses were observed without significant changes in LAD diameter. In contrast, the LAD blood flow responses to acetylcholine and 5-HT did not change throughout the experiment in pigs given aspirin and a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthase inhibitor orally. CONCLUSIONS: This microvascular spasm model indicates that hypersensitivity to vasoactive substances in the microvascular beds as well as microvascular remodeling are brought about partly through TXA2. This model should be useful for examining the pathophysiology and treatment of microvascular angina.     

Intravenous long-term thrombolysis of an occluded aortocoronary venous bypass graft

A 41-year-old man presented with progressive unstable angina pectoris during the last three hours. At admission the electrocardiogram and cardiac specific enzymes showed no signs of ischemia. During the next 24 hours the electrocardiogram and cardiac enzymes developed signs of a non-Q-wave anterolateral infarction. The patient had known coronary artery disease and underwent aortocoronary bypass surgery seven years ago. Coronary angiography after admission revealed a chronically occluded vein graft to the right coronary artery (RCA) and a subtotal occlusion of the vein graft to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) with a TIMI flow 0-I. Because of unfavorable results of mechanical revascularization of occluded bypass grafts and high risk of catheter dislocation and bleeding complications of intracoronary local thrombolysis, the patient subsequently received intravenous long-term thrombolysis for 24 hours. After successful lysis of the thrombus the bypass graft to the LAD showed two severe stenoses but blood flow has returned to normal. Three days later percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stent implantation were carried out with a good primary angiographic result. After 6 months the patient was still asymptomatic and a treadmill exercise test showed no signs of ischemia.     

Effects of intracoronary administration of nitroglycerin on contralateral intracoronary acetylcholine test results

This study examined the question of whether intracoronary administration of nitroglycerin modifies contralateral intracoronary acetylcholine test results. Acetylcholine was injected separately into both left and right coronary arteries in 63 patients with coronary spastic angina. Acetylcholine (20 and 50 μg) was injected first into the coronary artery responsible for the documented regional ischemia during spontaneous or induced attacks, and then into the other coronary artery. Coronary spasm was defined as severe transient coronary artery vasoconstriction with chest pain and/or electrocardiographic ischemic ST-segment deviation. Spasm was induced in either coronary artery in 60 patients (95%) and in both coronary arteries in 23 patients (37%). The frequency of induced spasm was 67% (42 of 63) in the coronary artery first challenged by acetylcholine. The coronary artery spasm subsided with the intracoronary injection of nitroglycerin (250-750 μg) in 19 patients. In the second challenge of intracoronary acetylcholine injection into the contralateral coronary artery, coronary spasm was induced in 29 (66%) of 44 patients. This was done without intracoronary administration of nitroglycerin in the first challenge and in 12 (63%) of 19 patients who had been given intracoronary nitroglycerin. The sensitivity for spasm induced by intracoronary acetylcholine appeared to be unaffected by nitro-glycerin. Coronary spasm with ST-segment elevation by intracoronary acetylcholine in the second challenge was significantly less frequent in the patients receiving intracoronary acetylcholine in the second challenge was significantly less frequent in the patients receiving intracoronary nitroglycerin (first: 89%, second: 26%, p > 0.05) as well as in those not receiving intracoronary nitroglycerin for the spasm in the first challenge (first: 52%, second: 13%, p > 0.05). Our results suggest that intracoronary nitroglycerin administered for prompt relief of coronary spasm exerts no significant influence on the results of the contralateral intracoronary acetylcholine test.     

Coronary reactivity to ergonovine--possible relationship to accelerated coronary arterial disease in cardiac transplant recipients

Severe coronary artery spasm can occur in orthotopic cardiac transplant recipients. To investigate the possible mechanisms and relevance of coronary spasm to the subsequent development of coronary disease, the response of the coronary arteries to intracoronary ergonovine maleate was studied in 10 patients who had undergone orthotopic cardiac transplantation and were shown to have normal coronary arteries at angiography. Ergonovine in doses of 1, 5 and 10 micrograms was injected into the left coronary artery followed by 2 mg of isosorbide dinitrate. Proximal coronary artery luminal diameters were measured using automated computerized quantitative angiography of the left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex (LCX) vessels. Five patients (responders) demonstrated a dose response curve to intracoronary ergonovine which was similar to that previously seen in non-transplant patients (mean percentage diameter change +/- SEM, -24.68 +/- 1.93 for LAD, -24.06 +/- 3.91 for LCX). The remaining five patients (non-responders) demonstrated a virtually flat dose response curve significantly different from that of the responders (P = 0.001 for LAD, P = 0.013 for LCX). Angiography after 2 years demonstrated significant coronary disease in four of the five responders to ergonovine. In contrast, the five non-responders to ergonovine continue to have no detectable disease by angiography.