Seven years of coronary angioplasty

The use and development of coronary angioplasty since 1977 is discussed. Initially applied to uncomplicated cases, coronary angioplasty is now successfully used in patients with multiple stenoses and distal vessel locations. Success rates have improved with increasing experience and developments in catheter technology; while this technique will probably still mainly be applied to patients with a new onset of angina pectoris and localized disease, further developments should extend its application.