Myocardial Hypoxia as the Basis for Angina Pectoris in a Patient with Normal Coronary Arteriograms

Abstract

Although coronary arteriograms of a 48-year-old woman with exertional chest pain typical of angina pectoris and an abnormal exercise electrocardiogram were normal, myocardial hypoxia and anaerobic metabolism were demonstrated during induced tachycardia and are proposed as the basis of the angina pectoris. A cause of impaired myocardial oxygen metabolism other than obstructive disease of visible coronary arteries is suggested.