[Postinfarction angina in elderly patients: results of surgical and drug treatment].

Clinical and angiographical characteristics and results of surgical treatment and drug therapy were assessed in 49 men with postinfarction angina (mean age 64.1-/+3.5 years) and 112 patients with progressing and stable angina (mean age 63.8-/+3.0 years). Of 49 patients with postinfarction angina 30 were subjected to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) while 19 were treated with drugs only. Remote results were known in 17 and 19 patients of surgical and conservative groups, respectively. Average duration of follow-up was 66-/+20 months. Compared with patients with progressing and stable angina those with postinfarction angina had similar amplitude of ST-segment deviation during stress tests, ejection fraction, average number of involved coronary vessels, and profile of concomitant diseases, but higher prevalence of left main stenoses (23.6 and 40.8%, respectively, p=0.05). Among patients with postinfarction angina available for follow-up long-term survival of those treated with CABG was higher compared with patients treated conservatively (p=0.02). Nonfatal myocardial infarction developed in 17.7 and 31.6%, symptomatic improvement was registered in 76.5 and 5.3% of patients in surgical and conservative groups, respectively. In patients with postinfarction angina aged >or=60 years CABG surgery compared with drug therapy was associated with better survival and improved symptomatic status.