Angina Pectoris

Patients having angina pectoris occasionally do not present objective evidence of heart disease. This fact prompted the study reported on herewith in order to detect, if possible, alterations in the electrocardiograms of such patients. A critical study of 155 cases of angina pectoris was undertaken, including a careful analysis of clinical histories, physical findings, electrocardiograms and other adjunct laboratory data. Nineteen patients (12.2 per cent.) had recognizable aortic lesions, four of which were of syphilitic origin. Seven patients had aortitis, four aortic regurgitation, five aortitis and aortic regurgitation, two aortic stenosis, and one patient had an aneurysm of the descending aorta. Seven patients having syphilis did not have clinical evidence of aortic disease, although the heart was invaded by disease. In this group the possibility of unrecognized aortitis producing atresia of the coronary orifices must be considered although this type of aortitis is usually recognized. Two patients (1.3 per cent.)