Outpatient transluminal angioplasty

The treatment of 81 consecutive patients with transluminal angioplasty on an outpatient basis did not result in increased morbidity or mortality or delayed complications. The patients were treated in the emergency department observation area for four hours after angioplasty and were then allowed to slowly resume normal activities over the next 48 hours. The authors conclude that outpatient angioplasty is safe in a controlled setting and is cost effective since hospitalization is not required.