The hyperventilation test as a method for developing successful therapy in Prinzmetal's angina.

In 10 cases of Prinzmetal's angina in which episodes of myocardial ischemia were easily and reproducibly induced by hyperventilation, this test was performed 111 times, 41 times under control conditions and 70 times during treatment with one or more of the following drugs: phentolamine, isosorbide dinitrate, propranolol, verapamil, nifedipine and amiodarone. Seventeen of 18 negative tests performed under the influence of a long-acting drug coincided with total remission of the patient's anginal episodes when this drug was administered on a short- or long-term basis. No patient died or sustained infarction during a follow-up period of 10.

Spontaneous remission in variant angina.

Four cases of variant angina are reported, in which total remission of anginal pain was documented during a follow-up of seven months, four years, five years, and 15 years, respectively. During this relatively long follow-up, the clinical course of the disease was apparently benign. The possibility of spontaneously and complete recovery may be postulated.