Thoracic aortic stent-grafting using a laparoscopic approach to the infrarenal aorta is feasible. More studies will be required to define the place of combined endovascular and laparoscopic procedures as an alternative to the femoral surgical approach for stent-graft placement.

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SUMMARYNinety-five patients with angina at rest were observed in the coronary care unit. Eighty-one per cent presented concomitantly or had previously presented some other manifestations of coronary artery disease. These patients were divided into two subgroups. In subgroup 1 (40 patients), episodes of non-exertional angina were associated with a pattern of hyperacute subepicardial injury and, frequently, with ventricular arrhythmias. In subgroup 2 (55 patients), the episodes of angina at rest were attended by horizontal ST depression, isolated T wave inversion, or trivial ST-T changes. Coronary angiographic findings were similar in both subgroups.Symptoms regressed in only 9% of patients in subgroup 1 while they were receiving beta-receptor antagonists, whereas amiodarone alone or amiodarone with nifedipine was successful in 58%. Of these patients, 25% developed a myocardial infarction shortly after admission.In subgroup 2 patients, beta-blockers were successful in 61%. Amiodarone isolated or associated with nifedipine was successful in 55% of the patients in whom it was tried. Only 5% of patients in this subgroup developed a myocardial infarction during their hospital stay.It is concluded that: (1) observation of the electrocardiogram during spontaneous angina in patients with known atherosclerotic coronary heart disease may be of prognostic significance and may influence therapeutic decision. (2) Amiodarone by virtue of its anginal and antiarrhythmic properties may be particularly useful in the treatment of non-exertional angina.It has long been recognised that angina pectoris can occur spontaneously at rest and that different pathogenetic mechanisms may be involved in the production of this type of myocardial ischaemia.Recent studies have identified coronary vasospasm as one of the possible causes of the hyperacute attacks of ischaemia which occur at rest. 1-7 This new concept raises some questions regarding the therapeutic approach for patients with non-exertional angina.5Recently, in our coronary care unit we have observed 95 patients with angina at rest. The present report is concerned with the clinical features and results of treatment in these cases.

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Thoracic aortic stent-grafting using a laparoscopic approach to the infrarenal aorta is feasible. More studies will be required to define the place of combined endovascular and laparoscopic procedures as an alternative to the femoral surgical approach for stent-graft placement.