Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty in Unstable Angina

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare early and late results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in patients with unstable angina to results obtained in patients with stable angina. From 1981 to 1984 at the University Hospital of Heidelberg 486 PTCAs were performed in 401 patients with coronary artery disease. Of these, 115 patients suffered from unstable angina while 213 patients suffered from stable angina; 73 patients had an acute myocardial infarction and were excluded from this study. Coronary angioplasty was performed with the Gruntzig catheter, Simpson catheter, or Hartzler catheter. Since 1983 steerable balloon catheters were used. Reangiography was performed 6 months after PTCA in 64% of patients with unstable angina, and in 71% of patients with stable angina. Primary success was defined as reduction of the stenosis of more than 20% diameter reduction. Recurrence was defined if the stenosis at reangiography was less than 20% lower than the stenosis before treatment.