[Assessment of the results during and after coronary recanalization procedures]

PTCA and new-device angioplasty have dramatically altered the management of patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease. Concurrent with the technical improvement in coronary angioplasty, the methods used to evaluate procedural outcome during and after revascularization have also become more sophisticated. Quantitative coronary angiography, angioscopy, and intravascular ultrasound are the most important methods for decision making, monitoring the procedure and document the final results. However despite their overall research value, these qualitative and quantitative techniques may be of limited value to the clinical interventional cardiologist and are often complementary or redundant. If a choice of these techniques is necessary, on-line quantitative coronary angiography, and intravascular ultrasound are certainly the most helpful methods in a Cath Lab to evaluate procedural outcome.