Coronary Thromboendarterectomy for Angina Pectoris

Abstract

Total occlusion of one or more major coronary arteries by atherosclerosis is characteristically found in the majority of patients with the clinical manifestations of severe angina pectoris.

Sites of arterial obstruction in patients with severe angina pectoris may be localized precisely by coronary arteriography, and in selected cases it is possible to perform thromboendarterectomy under direct vision. The findings in a group of patients treated in this manner are presented and discussed. Results after a limited period of observation appear sufficiently encouraging to recommend this approach in the management of selected patients with intractable angina pectoris.