[Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Analysis of 305 dilatations]

To show the initial experience of this service with the technique of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Between january 1988 and december 1989, 305 coronary angioplasties were performed in 280 patients with age range of 33 to 82 years (being 49% above 60 years old) and 71% male. Among those, 212 (75%) experienced clinical picture of stable angina and 68 (25%) of unstable angina or myocardial infarction. Patients were divided in three groups: group A--those with lesions of 70% or worse in more than one vessel or in the same vessel with or without any other vessel total occlusion (multiple lesions or multiple vessels: 36 patients; group B--those with lesions of 70% or worse in one vessel with at least one occluded vessel: 64 patients; group C--those with lesions of 70% or worse isolated in a single vessel: 180 patients.

Of the 280 treated patients, 229 were considered successful (75%). There has been 22 complications (7%) and 9 deaths (3%). The late follow-up (from 1 to 24 months), displayed 28 new procedures based on clinical suspicion of restenosis. Obstruction or occlusion were present in 16 of the later, with 10 being selected to undergo new procedure, one of those twice. The remaining 12 patients received clinical or surgical treatment.

Aside from the fact that early and midterm results indeed are promising, the procedure is not safe from immediate risks, and limiting late restenosis. Nevertheless, the lesions might be redilated by the same technique, with success rates comparable to the initial one.