Prognostic significance of coronary arteriography.

An index of severity of coronary artery disease is described which takes into account the site, severicy and number of ali iesions in the coronary arreries. A percentage figure is computed with low percentages indicating severe disease. Ten year follow-ip for 1050 medi caliy treated patients are given. During che period of observation the overali mortaiity rate was 6.3%. 68% of deaths occurring in the first year and 97% in the first five years. Survival curves are drawn for five years and cindicate significant differences in survival between the four quartikes of the coironary index. In particular, a high risk group is described with a coronary index of 25% or iess. Left ventricular abnormalities furtther decrease the survival rates.