77 variables with data from clinical, non invasive and invasive findings in 591 adult patients submitted to cardiac catheterization and/or coronary arteriography from 1988 to 1991 were analyzed. 51% had coronary arteriography for suspected coronary artery disease: 15% had no or insignificant disease and 8% had main left disease. Among 92 patients with valvular heart disease, coronary angiography ruled out coronary disease in 80%. In this group, 3 vessel disease was found only in patients older than 62 years of age and main left disease was rare. The etiology of valve disease was rheumatic in 72%. Congenital heart disease was the indication for invasive study in 8% of patients, atrial septal defect being the most common entity.