Long-term exercise performance after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass grafting

Trials Comparing Percutaneous And Surgical Myocardial Revascularization: A Review

INTRODUCTION

Ischemic heart diseases are the major leading cause of death worldwide. Revascularization procedures dramatically reduced the overall risk for death related to acute coronary syndromes. Two kinds of myocardial revascularization can grossly be outlined: percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and surgical coronary artery bypass graft intervention (CABG). The net clinical benefit coming from these two kinds of procedures is still under debate.

METHODS

We have traced the state-of-the-art background about myocardial revascularization procedures by comparing the most important trials dealing with the evaluation of percutaneous interventions versus a surgical approach to coronary artery diseases.

RESULTS

Both PCI and CABG have become effective treatments for revascularization of patients suffering from advanced CAD. The advance in technology and procedural techniques made PCI an attractive and, to some extent, more reliable procedure in the context of CAD. However, there are still patients that cannot undergo PCI and have to be rather directed towards CABG.

CONCLUSION

CABG still remains the best strategy for the treatment of multiple vessel CAD due to improved results in term of survival and freedom from reintervention. Anyway, a systematic, multidisciplinary approach to revascularization is the fundamental behaviour to be chased in order to effectively help the patients in overcoming its diseases. The creation of the "heart team" seems to be a good option for the correct treatment of patients suffering from stable and unstable CAD.

Transluminal coronary angioplasty--state of the art 1984

Since its introduction in 1977 by Grüntzig, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has been increasingly applied to the treatment of coronary artery disease manifested by symptomatic ischemia. Initially only recommended for proximal short stenoses of one major coronary artery, the indication for PTCA has gradually been enlarged. Today even distally situated coronary stenoses in more than one vessel can be dilated successfully by using a steerable system. In experienced hands, an immediate improvement can be achieved in about 90% of the patients. In the realm of cost and morbidity PTCA offers obvious advantages over bypass surgery. However, indications for PTCA are more restricted than those for bypass surgery, specially in multi-vessel disease where the application of PTCA is still controversial. Moreover, long-term results are less favourable after PTCA since 25-30% of the patients show a recurrence within 6 to 12 months. Although PTCA will not replace coronary bypass surgery, it is already established as an alternative and complementary method for coronary revascularization.

Coronary dissection and thrombosis associated with exercise testing three months after successful coronary stenting

Exercise testing is commonly performed to assess the functional result of coronary revascularization procedures and is usually not associated with any complications. However, this report documents a rare case of coronary dissection and thrombosis, which resulted in an acute myocardial infarction, in a patient who underwent stress testing 3 months following successful coronary stent implantation.

Effects of an early invasive strategy on ischemia and exercise tolerance among patients with unstable coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

An early invasive approach after an episode of unstable coronary artery disease has beneficial effects on mortality and myocardial infarction, but its effects on exercise capacity and ischemia have not been investigated.

METHODS

In the Fast Revascularisation during InStability in Coronary disease (FRISC) II trial, 2457 patients with unstable coronary artery disease were assigned randomly to an early invasive or noninvasive strategy. A symptom-limited bicycle exercise test was performed before discharge in the noninvasive group and after 3 months in both groups.

RESULTS

At 3 months, 86% (1046/1222) of the patients in the invasive group and 81% (995/1235) in the noninvasive group performed the exercise test. Before the test, revascularization had been performed in 78% (n = 819) of these patients in the invasive group compared with 28% (n = 281) of those in the noninvasive group. The mean (+/- SD) exercise capacity was higher (6.4 +/- 1.9 vs. 6.2 +/- 1.9 metabolic equivalents [METS], P <0.01), and the occurrence of ischemia lower (23% [229/1004] vs. 36% [352/966], P <0.001) in the invasive group. In the noninvasive group, 882 patients performed an exercise test both predischarge and at 3 months. If a revascularization procedure was performed (n = 210), exercise tolerance increased from 5.1 +/- 1.4 to 6.0 +/- 1.8 METS (P <0.001) and the number of patients with ST depression decreased from 65% (131/203) to 31% (63/203) (P <0.001). Without revascularization (n = 670), exercise tolerance increased from 5.9 +/- 2.2 to 6.3 +/- 1.9 METS (P <0.001), and there were no differences in the occurrence of ischemia.

CONCLUSION

In unstable coronary artery disease, an invasive strategy improves exercise tolerance and reduces exercise-induced ischemia.

Does increased investment in coronary angiography and revascularisation reduce socioeconomic inequalities in utilisation?

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether additional resources for tertiary cardiology services, aimed at increasing coronary angiography and revascularisation rates, can improve socioeconomic equity of utilisation.

DESIGN

Cross sectional ecological study, using the Super Profile classification of enumeration districts and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) standardised mortality ratios (SMR) as a proxy for need. The degree of equity before the provision of extra resources was determined using data for April 1992 to March 1994, and the corresponding picture after, using data for April 1994 to March 1996.

SETTING

South Humberside (United Health-Grimsby and Scunthorpe Health Authority, a district of the former Yorkshire Region, before the April 1996 boundary changes).

SUBJECTS

Patients with a primary diagnosis of IHD aged > or = 25 years who underwent investigation by angiography, or treatment by coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, as a primary procedure.

MAIN RESULTS

In 1992/4, before concerted intervention, both investigation and revascularisation rates, although increasing, were low in Grimsby and Scunthorpe district compared with most other districts in the Yorkshire Region. Also, there was a decreasing trend across Super Profile Lifestyle groups from the Affluent Achievers to the Have-Nots despite a two-fold increase in SMRs indicating the greater need of the more deprived. After appointing a consultant general physician with an interest in cardiology in the Scunthorpe district general hospital in 1994; arranging for both the Grimsby physician and the Scunthorpe physician to undertake angiography at a neighbouring district tertiary cardiology centre in 1995; together with significant additional health authority investment in cardiac procedures in 1995/6, district rates increased considerably, (a 41% increase in investigation and a 47% increase in revascularisation rates). Also, after additional resource input began, the trend for angiographies across socioeconomic groups clearly became more equitable, although increased equity for revascularisations is less apparent.

CONCLUSION

Early indications are that additional resources for tertiary cardiology may have reduced socioeconomic inequities in angiography, without being specifically targeted at the needier, more deprived groups. Improvement in socioeconomic equity of utilisation of revascularisation is not yet clear, although data for April 1996 to March 1998 (after a lengthier intervention period) may confirm improved equity. Should this not be so, it might be necessary to specifically target resources to the deprived to increase equity in revascularisation.

Super Profile analysis of socioeconomic variations in coronary investigation and revascularisation rates

OBJECTIVES

To investigate socioeconomic variations in the utilisation of tertiary cardiology services.

DESIGN

Cross sectional ecological study, using the Super Profile classification of enumeration districts, and ischaemic heart disease standardised mortality ratios as a proxy for needs.

SETTING

The former Yorkshire Regional Health Authority area in England and its seven constituent district health authority areas.

SUBJECTS

Patients with a primary diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease aged > or = 25 years who underwent investigation by angiography, or treatment by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), as a primary procedure between April 1992 and March 1994 in an NHS hospital.

MAIN RESULTS

There is an overall increasing trend in investigation and revascularisation rates from the affluent to the deprived in the region suggesting equity. However, the gradient is slight compared with the corresponding mortality gradient. Age specific analysis shows a more appropriate trend in rates for the under 65s, but a downward trend from affluence to deprivation for the elderly. Much of the regional trend is caused by very high rates in one geographically small but densely populated district that has two tertiary cardiology centres. In other districts, with higher heart disease mortality but much lower procedure rates, there is a decreasing trend from the affluent to the deprived suggesting considerable inequity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms wide socioeconomic variations in coronary investigation and revascularisation within the former Yorkshire Region, suggesting that in some districts need is not being met and that service utilisation is inequitable. Such inequities are over and above those that result from proximity to tertiary cardiology centres.

Correlations between coronary flow reserve measured with a Doppler guide wire and treadmill exercise testing

We compared exercise test results to a physiologic depiction of stenosis severity, coronary flow reserve (CFR), measured with a Doppler guide wire in 35 patients with single-vessel coronary disease. Group 1 (n = 21) had abnormal CFR, and group 2 (n = 14) had normal CFR. In group 1, 14 of 21 had ST-segment depression versus 3 of 14 in group 2 (p < 0.01). Exercise treadmill time (Bruce protocol) was normalized to the age- and sex-predicted time. Exercise time and normalized exercise time were less in group 1 (5.6 +/- 2.3 vs 9.9 +/- 1.8 min and 0.82 +/- 0.32 vs 1.25 +/- 0.23, p < 0.00001). Having either ST-segment depression or a normalized exercise time <1 during exercise had a 95% sensitivity, 71% specificity, and 86% predictive accuracy in identifying abnormal CFR. Coronary stenoses and minimal lumen diameter were similar in groups 1 and 2. By using stepwise logistical regression analysis, exercise time and ST-segment depression predicted CFR with a total r2 of 0.51. Minimal lumen diameter did not significantly add to the model. Exercise test variables, ST-segment depression, and exercise time are predictive of the physiologic significance of coronary lesions.

The value of exercise electrocardiography testing in the identification of coronary restenosis: a probability analysis

We studied by means of probability analysis the role of exercise ECG in identifying coronary restenosis. A total of 213 patients were independently evaluated by clinical history, conventional assessment of the exercise ECG ('yes or no' statement), D score (a discriminant function derived from exercise ECG), and coronariography, 5.4 +/- 2.8 months after successful coronary angioplasty. The initial probability of restenosis (30%), that is, the prevalence of the condition, was radically changed by the result of clinical history (77% for patients with angina vs. 17% for those without angina). By contrast, ECG binary assessment, due to its low accuracy (70% vs 82% of clinical history, P < 0.005), was unable to significantly change the established probabilities after symptomatic evaluation. Finally, D score, which greatly enhanced specificity (92% vs. 76% of bivariate assessment, P < 0.0001), proved to be useful in changing the probability (from 32% to 76% or to 25%) of patients (n = 34) with a discordant result (no angina/positive exercise ECG). When this stepwise approach was tested in 46 new patients, predicted and observed probabilities were actually very similar. We conclude that exercise ECG has a very limited role in identifying coronary restenosis if positive responses are not adjusted with a weighted score which takes into account other exercise derived factors.

Current status of myocardial perfusion imaging after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Controversy exists with regard to the diagnostic accuracy and optimal technique of myocardial perfusion imaging after coronary angioplasty. Exercise treadmill testing is inexpensive, with adequate predictive value for restenosis and clinical events in patients with single-vessel coronary angioplasty with a normal rest electrocardiogram (ECG). Myocardial tomography has advantages for assessing patients with multivessel coronary angioplasty. Exercise stress imaging is generally preferable to pharmacologic stress in patients without physical limitations after angioplasty. Delayed thallium-201 imaging and reinjection protocols may be useful to reconcile whether residual ischemia exists in "fixed" perfusion defects. Appropriately timed stress myocardial perfusion imaging 2 to 4 weeks after procedurally successful coronary angioplasty can document improved cardiac functional capacity and reduced ECG and imaging evidence of myocardial ischemia. Although routine serial postangioplasty evaluations cannot be recommended, stress myocardial imaging may be valuable in subjects with defective anginal nociception or extensive myocardium at risk in the area subtended by the angioplasty vessel.

Ten-year completed follow-up of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: the early Zurich experience

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this communication was to report the long-term follow-up of all the patients treated by Dr. Andreas Gruentzig in Zurich, Switzerland.

BACKGROUND

The first patients to undergo percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty had the procedure performed by Andreas Gruentzig in Zurich between 1977 and 1980. The method of angioplasty has changed little, and the patients undergoing these first procedures were similar to many patients undergoing angioplasty today; therefore, their long-term outcome is of significant interest.

METHODS

All 169 patients with attempted angioplasty during Gruentzig's years in Zurich have now been completely followed up at 10 years. All surviving patients were contacted directly or by telephone interview, and the occurrence of each cardiac procedure and coronary event was analyzed.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-three of the 169 patients underwent successful angioplasty. Ten-year follow-up of this group revealed an overall survival rate of 89.5%. The survival rate was 95% among patients with single-vessel disease and 81% among those with multivessel disease. Patients undergoing unsuccessful dilation and those with failed angioplasty and subsequent bypass surgery had a similar 10-year survival rate. Angiographic restenosis was present in 31% at 6 months. Late restenosis between 6 months and 10 years occurred in eight patients; however, progression of disease in undilated segments occurred in 31 patients. In addition to a better survival rate, patients with single-vessel disease were less likely to have had bypass surgery and were more likely to be angina free at the 10-year follow-up than were patients with multivessel disease (79% vs. 67%).

CONCLUSIONS

This earliest angioplasty experience was also the first to demonstrate a difference in outcome between patients with single-vessel and multivessel disease treated with angioplasty. Although angioplasty is now performed in more complex patient subsets, the long-term outcome of these "classic" angioplasty patients should be applicable to similar patients treated today.

Prediction by postexercise fluoro-18 deoxyglucose positron emission tomography of improvement in exercise capacity after revascularization

The extent of ischemic and hibernating myocardium, which may be detected by increased postexercise uptake of fluoro-18 deoxyglucose (FDG) using positron emission tomography, may determine the degree of functional benefit after revascularization. This study examined the influence of the amount of this FDG-avid myocardium on changes in left ventricular function and exercise parameters after revascularization. Echocardiography and exercise testing were performed before and after intervention in 23 patients who had undergone positron emission tomography for the evaluation of myocardial perfusion (using rubidium-82), and postexercise FDG imaging in the fasting state. Follow-up echocardiography (22 +/- 14 weeks after revascularization) was compared with preoperative FDG activity in 7 myocardial regions per patient. Systolic function improved after intervention in 19 of 26 malperfused, dysfunctional FDG-avid regions (73%), and did not improve in 35 of 47 dysfunctional regions without increased FDG uptake (74%). The influence of the amount of FDG-avid tissue on changes in functional state was examined by comparing 9 patients with multiple (greater than or equal to 2) FDG-avid regions with the remainder. Those with multiple FDG-avid regions demonstrated improvement in peak rate-pressure product (20 +/- 4 to 26 +/- 4 x 10(3), p less than 0.02), and percentage of maximal heart rate achieved at peak (84 +/- 10% to 93 +/- 6%, p = 0.04), neither of which changed significantly in the remaining patients. Exercise capacity increased from 5.6 +/- 2.7 to 7.5 +/- 1.7 METS in the group with multiple FDG-avid regions; this increase of 55 +/- 18% exceeded the increase of 13 +/- 10% in the remainder (p = 0.04).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute coronary occlusion after recent coronary angioplasty. Association with exercise and successful treatment with intracoronary thrombolysis

A case of coronary occlusion occurred seven days after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The acute complication occurred shortly after a negative exercise stress test and was resolved with intracoronary urokinase.

Comparison of coronary angioplasty with medical treatment for single- and double-vessel coronary disease with left anterior descending coronary involvement: long-term outcome based on an Emory-CASS registry study

The 3 to 5-year clinical outcomes of 627 consecutive patients selected for treatment with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) at Emory University Hospital for one- or two-vessel coronary artery disease with involvement of the left anterior descending coronary artery, between July 1981 and June 1983, and 865 patients in the Coronary Artery Surgery Study with similar coronary artery disease involvement selected for medical therapy between 1975 and 1979 were compared. Cox analyses and stratified life table analyses were used to adjust for differences in 13 variables including concurrent medical therapy. Complete follow-up was obtained in 97% of PTCA patients and 99% of medically treated patients. After correction for baseline differences in significantly predictive variables, there was no difference between the relative risk of death after PTCA vs medical therapy (RR = 0.7; p = 0.36). However, results of analysis of prospectively defined subsets showed a potential survival benefit after PTCA for patients with an ejection fraction less than 50% (RR = 0.2; p = 0.02) and also for patients with two-vessel disease (RR = 0.2; p = 0.04). For the groups as a whole there was no difference in risk of infarction after PTCA and medical therapy (RR = 0.8; p = 0.58). However, for patients with 90% to 99% LAD stenosis there was a trend toward lessened risk of infarction after PTCA (RR = 0.6; p = 0.15). No patient subset had a higher risk of death or infarction with PTCA (p less than or equal to 0.15). The likelihood of later surgery was increased after PTCA (RR = 1.5; p = 0.002). Angina, employment, and activity levels were improved after PTCA. Thus PTCA compared to medical therapy was associated with improved functional status and may decrease the risk of death and infarction in certain patient subsets. However, bypass surgery was more often performed in patients initially treated with PTCA. These data should be interpreted in light of their nonrandomized study origin and generation from different clinical sites.

Long-term clinical and angiographic results following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

The long-term results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty were evaluated in our first 42 patients, who had initial successful angioplasty and no restenosis on angiogram performed four months after angioplasty. Evaluation included repeat follow-up angiogram performed approximately two years after angioplasty in 22 of the 42 patients. All 42 patients had single vessel disease with severe angina pectoris refractory to medical treatment before angioplasty; at a mean follow-up of 28 months after angioplasty, 37 (88%) were asymptomatic. No patient died or underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery during the follow-up period, although three patients (7%) suffered a myocardial infarction due to occlusion of a nondilated artery. In the 22 cases studied at a mean of 28 months after angioplasty, angiogram showed that successful coronary artery dilatation remained in all cases, with no deterioration of a dilated lesion between the four and 28 month angiograms. Progression of atherosclerosis, however, did occur in five of the 22 patients (23%), with development of either stenosis or occlusion of a non-dilated vessel. This study suggests that the development of restonsis between four and 28 months after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is unlikely. The results suggest an excellent long-term prognosis after angioplasty, in patients who have no evidence of restenosis at four months after an initially successful dilatation.

Objective assessment of coronary angioplasty for multivessel disease: results of exercise stress testing

The efficacy of coronary angioplasty in multivessel coronary artery disease was evaluated in a series of 145 consecutive patients in whom angioplasty had been successful and in whom a follow-up exercise stress test was performed within 2 months. Exercise stress test results of these patients with multivessel disease were compared with those of 177 patients with single vessel disease after successful coronary angioplasty. The postangioplasty exercise test showed ischemia in 13% of patients with single vessel and 29% of those with multivessel disease, although only 7 and 13%, respectively, experienced angina. The mean exercise duration was comparable for patients with multivessel disease (453 +/- 174 s) and single vessel disease (476 +/- 166 s). To assess the impact of the degree of revascularization in patients with multivessel disease on the results of exercise testing, 48 patients with completely revascularized vessels and 97 with incompletely revascularized vessels were evaluated. The mean exercise duration (459 +/- 178 versus 450 +/- 173 s), mean maximal heart rate (132 +/- 31 versus 136 +/- 25 beats/min) and mean systolic blood pressure (174 +/- 25 versus 170 +/- 26 mm Hg) were similar in completely and incompletely revascularized groups. Exercise-induced angina occurred in 13% of both groups. Ischemic ST segments were more common in the incompletely revascularized group (34 versus 19%, p = 0.06). Thus, exercise stress testing provides evidence that successful angioplasty can relieve electrocardiographic manifestations of ischemia as well as anginal symptoms in the majority of patients with either single or multivessel coronary artery disease who are suitable candidates for the procedure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty on global and regional left ventricular function in unstable angina pectoris

Sixty-eight patients (58 men, 10 women, mean age 56.3 years, range 31 to 72) with unstable angina pectoris, either initially stabilized with or refractory to optimal pharmacologic treatment, were studied to determine whether regional dysfunction due to stunning of the myocardium caused by attacks of chest pain at rest could be improved with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Patients were included in the study if they had successful 1-vessel PTCA, no angiographic restenosis, no reocclusion or late myocardial infarction and 2 serial left ventriculograms of sufficient quality to allow automated contour analysis before and after PTCA. Global ejection fraction increased significantly (from 56% to 60%, p less than 0.05) only after successful dilatation of a stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Analysis of regional wall displacement showed significant improvement of regional wall motion in the areas supplied by the dilated vessel of either the left anterior descending, the left circumflex or the right coronary artery. Thus, regional myocardial dysfunction due to stunning of the myocardium in patients with unstable angina improves after successful PTCA.

Abolition of Holter monitor-detected silent myocardial ischemia after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Twenty-four hour Holter ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings were obtained before and after successful coronary angioplasty in 36 patients. Twenty-five patients had one vessel, 10 had two vessel and 1 had three vessel coronary artery disease. Holter monitor-detected myocardial ischemia, defined as ST segment depression or elevation greater than or equal to 1 mm, was present in 10 patients (28%). These 10 patients had a total of 39 ischemic episodes of 3 to 144 minutes' duration, with a total cumulative duration of 398 minutes. None of the 10 had Holter monitor-detected ischemia after successful angioplasty (p less than 0.01). Treadmill exercise duration increased by 29% after coronary angioplasty (p less than 0.01), and peak exercise heart rate-systolic blood pressure product increased by 27% (p less than 0.01). Thus, Holter monitor-detected myocardial ischemia is a relatively uncommon finding in patients with predominant single vessel coronary artery disease undergoing coronary angioplasty. When such ischemia is present, it is eliminated by successful coronary angioplasty.

Coronary angioplasty: results with expanded indications

We reviewed 600 consecutive percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty procedures in 530 patients. There were 475 men (89%) and 55 women (11%) with a mean age of 55 +/- 9 years. Primary success per patient was 87%. Major acute complications occurred in 58 patients (10%): 2 deaths, vessel or side branch occlusion in 44 patients and ventricular fibrillation in 12 patients. Clinical follow-up was available in 344 of the first 348 patients (99%) at 12 +/- 6 months. Of these, 242 patients (70%) underwent control angiography at 12 +/- 6 months. Including repeat angioplasty, 82% of patients (281/344) with primary success were improved by at least one New York Heart Association functional class. Coronary events among the patients with no improvement were one sudden death, one myocardial infarction, and 16 bypass operations. Four subgroups of special interest were analysed: multivessel angioplasty (100 patients), angioplasty for chronic total occlusion (100 patients), angioplasty for evolving myocardial infarction (50 patients), and repeat coronary angioplasty (70 patients). Primary success rates were 87, 56, 84 and 90%, complication rates 9, 0, 9, and 3%, and recurrence rates 41, 48, 23, and 48%, respectively. At follow-up, improvement by at least one New York Heart Association class was observed in 77, 85, 88, and 80% of patients, respectively. Successful coronary angioplasty including repeat procedures achieved a long-term clinical success in about 80% of patients.

Long-term follow-up after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The early Zurich experience

The first 169 patients in whom percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed have now been followed for five to eight years. The procedure was technically successful in 133 patients (79 percent). In the follow-up period, nine of the 133 patients died (five of cardiac disease), and actuarial cardiac survival was 96 percent at six years. All patients were symptomatic before angioplasty, but 67 percent of the 133 who had technically successful procedures were asymptomatic at the last follow-up evaluation. Exercise stress testing, positive in 97 percent before angioplasty, was positive at the last follow-up study in only 10 percent of the patients who had technically successful procedures. Stenosis recurred during the first six months in 30 percent of the patients, and six more recurrences were observed among the 41 patients who had follow-up angiograms at two to seven years. A second angioplasty was required in 27 patients, and coronary bypass surgery was subsequently needed in 19. Actuarial event-free survival (freedom from death, myocardial infarction, and coronary bypass surgery) was 79 percent at six years. Follow-up of patients with multivessel disease showed a higher mortality from cardiac causes and a lower rate of long-term success than occurred among patients with single-vessel disease. These long-term results indicate that most episodes of restenosis occurred within six months of angioplasty, but some late recurrences were seen. Patients with single-vessel disease had a better long-term outcome after angioplasty than those with multivessel disease.

Sustained efficacy of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

To determine whether the immediate efficacy of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is sustained, follow-up data were obtained in 183 patients who had undergone PTCA at least 1 year earlier. The duration of follow-up ranged from 1 to 5 years. Subjective clinical information was obtained in each patient and objective functional information, determined by exercise stress testing, was obtained in 91. PTCA was initially successful in 141 patients (79%). Of the 42 patients in whom PTCA was unsuccessful, 26 underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), while 16 were maintained on medical therapy (MED). When compared to the MED patients at time of follow-up, successful PTCA patients experienced less angina (13% vs 47%; p = 0.003), used less nitroglycerin (25% vs 73%, p = 0.003), were hospitalized less often for chest pain (8% vs 31%; p = 0.02), and subjectively felt their condition had improved (96% vs 20%; p less than 0.001). Furthermore, during exercise testing, the prevalence of angina was reduced (9% vs 43%; p = 0.05), and exercise duration was greater (8.2 minutes vs 5.8 minutes, p = 0.05) among PTCA patients. There were no significant differences in the incidence of subsequent myocardial infarction, mortality, or need for coronary artery bypass surgery. For these variables, no differences were seen between the CABG and PTCA groups. Thus, successful PTCA results in long-term relief of subjective and objective manifestations of myocardial ischemia, superior to that of medical therapy and comparable to CABG.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty appears to be an effective alternative to coronary artery bypass surgery in patients whose coronary artery anatomy is suitable--that is, an individual with single (or, at most, double) vessel coronary artery disease whose stenoses are proximal, discrete, subtotal, concentric and noncalcified. Since emergent coronary artery bypass surgery is required in 5% to 7% of patients even when angioplasty is attempted by an experienced physician, the patient should be an acceptable candidate for surgery from both a cardiac and noncardiac standpoint. Unfortunately, ideal angioplasty candidates are a distinct minority among those with coronary artery disease. If the procedure is reserved for ideal (or nearly ideal) candidates, the rate of success should approach 75% to 80%, and the incidence of major complications should be below 10%. Although the procedure appears to be effective in alleviating angina, it is unlikely that it will exert a beneficial effect on survival when compared to either medical therapy or coronary artery bypass surgery.