Prognosis in coronary artery disease: angiographic, hemodynamic, and clinical factors

Abstract

Evaluation of the results of surgery for coronary artery disease requires a knowledge of the clinical course of patients not having this mode of treatment. To obtain such information the authors performed a retrospective analysis of the fate of 266 patients with arteriographically documented significant stenosis followed from 1 to 10 yr. For the entire group the 5 yr survival was 73%. Subdivided into single, double or triple vessel disease categories the 5 yr survival rates were respectively 92%, 65% and 55%. A history of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction prior to angiography did not affect survival. However, hypertension, congestive heart failure, abnormal hemodynamics or left ventricular asynergy were all associated with a diminished 5 yr survival, the values being respectively 61%, 38%, 62% and 58%. These results should be of value in assessing the prognosis of nonsurgically treated patients with coronary artery disease.