Coronary angioplasty at the time of initial cardiac catheterization

Following initial diagnostic cardiac catheterization in 20 patients with unstable angina, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTCA) was successfully performed either immediately (15 patients) or later in the day (five patients). This approach offers certain clinical and financial advantages. PTCA immediately following diagnostic catheterization should probably only be performed by experienced operators and only when excellent cooperation with cardiovascular surgeons is possible.