Prevalence of renal artery stenosis requiring revascularization in patients initially referred for coronary angiography.

To evaluate the prevalence of clinically significant renal artery stenosis (RAS) in patients referred for coronary angiography, we analyzed data on 2,439 consecutive patients. Patients underwent selective renal angiography in conjunction with coronary angiography if refractory hypertension (blood pressure > 140/90 on two drugs) or flash pulmonary edema was present. A total of 1,089 renal arteries of 534 patients were evaluated.

Safety of therapeutic beta-blockade in patients with coexisting bronchospastic airway disease and coronary artery disease.

Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and bronchospastic airway disease frequently coexist in older patients. There are substantial data suggesting reduced mortality with the use of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease, especially patients who have postmyocardial infarction and/or severe coronary artery disease associated with left ventricular dysfunction. Conversely, the use of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs (even selective beta(1)-adrenergic blocking drugs) has the potential of exacerbating bronchospasm.