[X-ray morphology of coronary artery restenosis]

The data on 36 patients who had undergone coronary angiography (CAG) and/or transluminal balloon angioplasty (TBAP) again after successful TBAP were analyzed. Twenty four patients were found to develop restenosis (n = 26), 80 and 92% of patients having them within the first 6 and 12 months after successful TBAP, respectively. Restenosis were demonstrated to be of almost the same degree and extent as the baseline stenoses; however, after repeated TBAP there was a slight reduction in the extent of residual stenosis as compared with the first TBAP (15.9 +/- 16.1% and 30.8 +/- 16.6%, respectively), though this difference was insignificant. At baseline, 42% of dilated stenoses were complicated and/or eccentric, while restenosis were eccentric in 16% of cases (p < 0.05) and complicated in 21% (p < 0.05). Thus, restenoses are X-ray morphologically more favourable for TBAP.