PTCA in evolution: why is it so popular?

The last 10 years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures performed in the United States. The increase can be attributed to experience and improved technology, which have made PTCA a viable and effective procedure for an increasing number of coronary disease patients--including those with traditional high-risk factors such as advanced age and multivessel disease. Data from 9,000 PTCA procedures performed at the Mid-America Heart Institute of St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, show high success rates with few complications and low mortality.