Coronary artery stenosis in patients with valvular heart disease.

: 144 patients with valvular heart disease (VHD) underwent selective coronary angiography. Significant coronary artery stenosis was found in 26% of the examined patients. Diagnostic accuracy of some clinical indexes was analysed in this group. Most useful in predicting the presence of significant coronary narrowing in patients with VHD were increased cholesterol level and the presence of arteriosclerosis in lower limbs. Patients over 40 years who have both these indicators should have coronary angiography performed prior to surgical treatment.