[Induction of Prinzmetal's angina by stopping exercise. Apropos of 3 cases].

Three cases of anginal pain with ST elevation occurring at the end of exercise are reported. In 2 cases, there was a symptom-free interval between exercise, which was well tolerated, and the clinical and electrical changes. The coronary circulation was angiographically normal, although one of the patients had have previous transmural myocardial infarction. Spontaneous coronary spasm was observed during coronary angiography in this patient. The third case was characterised by exclusively spontaneous angina. ST elevation was observed very early in the recovery phase after stress testing. This patient had severe triple vessel disease. Angiospastic manifestations were noted in the immediate postoperative period after myocardial revascularisation surgery. A review of the litterature shows two types of behaviour. In the rare cases of ST elevation after maximal stress testing (7 cases apart from those reported here) the coronary vessels were normal. On the other hand, when ST elevation occurred during exercise and/or followed ST depression, coronary artery disease was demonstrated: significant 52 cases (81%), less than 70%: 12 cases (19%). Overall, these results indicate that when ST elevation is observed in the recovery phase after stress testing, the coronary arteries are angiographically normal (specificity: 0,9).