Coronary artery disease (CAD) in females. Coronary arteriographic findings in 34 women and comparison with 184 males with cad.

We studied the clinical, hemodynamic and angiographic findings of 34 women (W) and of 184 men (M) with significant (greater than or equal 50%) CAD. W, compared to M, presented a higher incidence of systemic hypertension (p less than .025), while less frequent were among W smoking habits (p less than .001), history of old myocardial infarction (MI) (p less than .005), and patients in III-IV NYHA class (p less than .025). Left ventricular (LV) dP/dt was higher in W than in M (p less than .005). At coronary arteriography, single vessel disease (SVD) was more frequently found in W than in M (70% vs 23%, respectively, p less than .001); this findings was more evident in patients under 50 years of age (100% vs 30%, respectively, p less than .055). Prevalence of left anterior descending (LAD) over right (RCA) and circumflex (Cx) coronary artery stenoses was more marked in W than in M, especially in patients under 50 years of age (SVD of the LAD in 67% and of RCA in 33% of young W). Poor angiographic run-off of LAD was found in 21% of W, and only in 10% of M. In 2 of the 3 W with poor run-off of LAD operated on, a coronary bypass on the distal LAD was no technically feasible. At left ventriculography, a lower frequency of LV segmental wall motion abnormalities was found in W than in M, especially in patients with no history of MI (p less than .001). In summary, W with significant CAD, compared to age matched M, presented in our experience with a higher frequency of SVD and of LAD stenoses, and with a better LV contractile performance at left ventriculography. Furthermore, in W LAD more frequently showed a poor angiographic run-off. Such findings may bear important implications on the indication and results of coronary surgery in W with CAD.