The relationship between Coronary Angiography and Class of Angina

Abstract

Background: Coronary heart disease is the most common form of heart disease and the single most important cause of death worldwide. Coronary arteriography provides detailed anatomical information about the extent and nature of coronary artery disease. A system of grading the severity of angina pectoris proposed by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society has gained widespread acceptance.Aim of the study: To study the relationship between coronary angiography and class of angina in patients with coronary heart disease. Methods: Seventy three patients with chest pain underwent coronary angiography in Iraqi Heart Center, for the period extended between July and December 2003. 68.6% were males, 31.4% were females, and the age was between 30-80 years. Coronary angiography was done through the right or left femoral arteries under local anesthesia. Class of angina depends on Canadian Cardiovascular Society classification.Results: Of the seventy three patients who underwent coronary angiography, 35.6% had angina class II, 30.1% had angina class III, while the rest had angina class IV. Of these patients, 48.0% had single vessel disease, 30.0% had two vessels disease, and 22.0% had three vessels disease.Conclusion: There is generally little relation between coronary artery disease and the CCS classification of effort angina. Presence or absence of angina rather than the Canadian Cardiovascular Society classification should indicate the need for coronary angiography.Key words; Coronary artery diseases, angiography, angina class