Coronary angioplasty in black and white patients: demographic characteristics and outcomes

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is an effective means of revascularization, but differences may exist in application and outcomes for patient subgroups. Few data compare PTCA in black and white patients.

We compared patient characteristics and outcomes of PTCA in 3,447 white patients and 52 black patients.

Comparing baseline characteristics, more black patients were hypertensive (87% vs 57%) or diabetic (38% vs 22%). Procedural success was similar, and in-hospital complications were infrequent in both groups. Over a mean follow-up of 115 weeks, no significant difference occurred between the two groups in nonfatal MI, repeat PTCA, coronary artery bypass grafting, or death. Event-free survival was lower in blacks than in whites.

At our center, black patients have success rates, in-hospital outcomes, and long-term survival after PTCA similar to those of white patients, though event-free survival was lower in blacks.