[Relations of the duration of pre-existing angina pectoris, collateral circulation and left ventricular function after isolated coronary occlusion with or without myocardial infarction].

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the relationship between the duration of preceding angina pectoris, collateral circulation and left ventricular function after isolated coronary occlusion with or without myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography of 138 consecutive patients showed isolated and complete occlusions of the left anterior descending (58 patients) or right coronary artery (80 patients). One hundred and four patients had myocardial infarction with (Group A, n = 21) or without (Group B, n = 83) preceding angina pectoris and 34 had angina without myocardial infarction (Group C). The left ventricular ejection fraction was measured by ventriculography in the 30 degrees right anterior oblique projection. The collateral circulation was assessed by coronary angiography and evaluated as follows: no flow or flow limited to collateral branches (subgroup 1) and partial or complete filling of the epicardial arterial segment (subgroup 2). In the global population the left ventricular ejection fraction was higher and the duration of preceding angina pectoris was longer in the subgroups with a well developed collateral circulation. There was no difference in ejection fraction between Groups A and B (presence of myocardial infarction), on the other hand, within each of the groups, a good collateral circulation (subgroup 2) was associated with a significantly higher ejection fraction. Group C (without infarction) patients had better ejection fractions than Groups A or B, especially when the collateral circulation was poorly developed. Within Group C, the quality of the collateral circulation did not seem to affect the ejection fraction. The left ventricular ejection fraction is lower in patients with isolated coronary occlusion and myocardial infarction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)