[One session diagnostic heart catheterization and balloon dilatation ("prima vista"-PTCA): results and risks]

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) immediately after elective diagnostic cardiac catheterization ("prima vista"-PTCA) was performed in 124 patients (group 1) with typical angina pectoris (96 men, 28 women; mean age 60 +/- 10 [25-86] years). In a case-control analysis the results and complications, as well as the volume of contrast media and amount of radiation exposure were compared with a group of patients with similar symptoms (group 2) who during the same period had undergone angiography at another hospital and subsequently PTCA in our department (96 men, 28 women; mean age 60 +/- 8 [39-78] years). The success rate in group 1 (122 of 138 stenoses: 92.1%) was similar to that in group 2 (122 of 138 stenoses: 88.4%). Complications (coronary artery dissection with occlusion, emergency operation, myocardial infarction) were rare in both groups (8 vs 5; difference not significant). But the combined procedure (group 1) used lower volumes of contrast medium (341 +/- 131 vs 250 +/- 113 ml; P < 0.001) and the cumulative fluoroscopic time was lower (33.7 +/- 19.5 vs 26.5 +/- 12.4 min; P < 0.002). With optimal logistic conditions, "prima vista"-PTCA under elective circumstances is a useful and patient-friendly alternative to the conventional two-session diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.