The Coronary Arteriogram

Abstract

DURING the last 40 years the number of deaths from coronary disease has increased strikingly, in association with a marked prolongation of the average life-span. Since Herrick's¹ original description of the clinical features of acute coronary occlusion in 1912, there has been relatively little progress toward better understanding or more rational management in spite of a virtual crash program of research. To be sure, we can now characterize the "typical" coronary patient: he is "a mesomorphic, obese, middle-aged male with high serum cholesterol, high blood pressure, low vital capacity and an abnormal electrocardiogram. He eats too much of too rich . . .