Clinical experience of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

PTCA (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty) was performed on 44 patients with angina pectoris during the 18-month period from April 10, 1981 to September 30, 1982. It was successful in 36 of the 44 patients (82%), resulting in a subsidence of the symptoms and a considerable increase in exercise tolerance. Successful dilatations were achieved in 30 of 35 left anterior descending arteries (86%) and 7 of 11 right coronary arteries (64%). Five patients had complications: myocardial infarction in 2, unstable angina pectoris in 1, and dissection of the coronary artery in 2. One of these patients underwent an urgent A-C bypass operation. The patients were followed up for 0.5 to 18 months (average: 7.4 +/- 0.9 months). Stenosis recurred in 6 patients (16.7%), but repeat PTCA disclosed successful dilatations of stenotic lesions in 3 patients. No deaths occurred throughout the study period including the follow-up period. Our experience suggests that PTCA is of use in the treatment of certain groups of angina pectoris patients if case selection is appropriate.