BACKGROUND The value of angioplasty in occluded coronary arteries is limited by a restenosis/reocclusion rate of 50-70%. In patients with subtotal occlusion, stent implantation has been shown to reduce clinical and angiographic restenosis. Retrospective observational studies have suggested that stenting could reduce restenosis in total occlusions. The value of sustained coronary patency on glob...

BACKGROUND Previous studies have indicated that balloon angioplasty is associated with local platelet activation. In addition, different contrast media have different effects on thrombus formation during angioplasty in humans. We hypothesized that coronary angioplasty in humans is associated with activation of platelets to specific platelet agonists and that this activation may be differently m...

It has been estimated that 15-25% of patients who undergo percutaneous or surgical coronary angioplasty are diabetics. The indications for coronary revascularization and initial results of the procedure do not differ substantially between patients with diabetes mellitus and non-diabetics. However, the long-term results of both percutaneous and surgical coronary angioplasty are less favorable in...

Isolated critical ostial stenosis of left main coronary artery is currently treated by conventional bypass surgery. Surgical patch angioplasty in an alternative surgical approach. Transesophageal echocardiography enables visualization of proximal branches of left and right coronary artery. The report describes intraoperative echocardiographic assessment of surgical left main coronary artery ang...

A 57 year old man required emergency coronary artery bypass surgery after dissection of the left main coronary artery during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. His symptoms recurred when the vein grafts became occluded. A dilatation device with the lowest profile was used to reduce the need for firm support from the guiding catheter during repeat percutaneous transluminal coronary ...

Of 552 patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty 102 had coronary artery spasm superimposed on atherosclerotic narrowing. Coronary angioplasty was successful in 97 (95%). The patients were discharged on a regimen of nifedipine (40-60 mg/day). Seventy six patients were symptom free 6-8 months after the procedure. Restenosis was detected in 35% of patients. Coronary arter...

Since the introduction of balloon angioplasty in 1977 by Andreas Grüntzig, the technique has gained widespread acceptance. The popularity of balloon angioplasty lies in the simplicity, safety and relative patient friendliness of this technique for treating coronary obstructions. Many other devices (laser, atherectomy, suction, ultrasound etc.) have been introduced, most using balloon angioplast...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the long-term outcome of patients randomized to coronary bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty. BACKGROUND The Emory Angioplasty versus Surgery Trial (EAST) is a single center randomized comparison of a strategy of initial coronary angioplasty (n = 198) or coronary bypass surgery (n = 194) for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. The primary end point (de...