[Progression and regression of coronary heart disease in chronic infarction stage in patients under 40].

500 patients under the age of 40 with a history of myocardial infarction underwent a first coronary angiography. 193 patients who had had a first angiogram more than 3 years before were asked to undergo a repeat study irrespective of symptoms during that time interval. 34 patients did not respond, 27 refused, 13 had died, and 5 were excluded for medical reasons. 114 underwent a repeat study on average 3.8 years after the first angiogram. Progression or regression of coronary artery disease was assumed where a difference of 2 grades based on the AHA-classification of stenosis was found. The majority of patients exhibited no change in coronary morphology. Progression was equally frequent in all three vessels. Regression was almost exclusively seen in patients with unilocular disease, occurred predominantly in the LAD and was more frequently seen in patients below 35 years than in the 35-39 age group. Patients with progression of stenosis included a significantly larger number who continued to smoke during the observation period.