“High-risk” percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Abstract

Of 6,500 percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty procedures performed between June 1980 and June 1987, 3,501 (1,604 single lesion and 1,897 multiple lesion) were performed in "low-risk" patients with a procedure-related mortality of 0.2 to 0.3%. In comparison, several clinical variables were identified that increased procedural risk by up to 50-fold. These factors include left main dilatation (n = 103, mortality 3.9%), left main equivalent dilatation (n = 77, mortality 2.6%), ejection fraction less than or equal to 40% (n = 664, mortality 2.7%), age greater than or equal to 70 years (n = 1,038, mortality 1.4%), dilatation of all 3 vessels (n = 305, mortality 1.3%), combined diagnostic catheterization and angioplasty for unstable angina (n = 193, mortality 1.5%), and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction (n = 446, mortality 8.5%). Important considerations in the selection and management of these high-risk patients are discussed.