Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting

Seventeen patients with stenosis of bypass grafts or native coronary arteries (NCA) following coronary artery bypass underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTCA). Stenoses were located in the saphenous vein graft (SVG) in 11 cases (involving 16 lesions), in the internal mammary artery graft (IMAG) in 2 cases (2 lesions), and in the NCA in 9 cases (13 lesions). All patients had disabling angina pectoris or a post-operative stenosis of more than 50%. PTCA was successful in 75% of all the SVG stenotic lesions, 50% of the IMAG lesions and in 67% of the NCA lesions. There were no complications associated with PTCA. After successful PTCA, restenosis developed in 23% of the SVG cases, 0% of the IMAG cases and in 38% of the NCA cases. Though relief of chest pain was found in 10 patients (59%), PTCA of the NCA was not so effective as PTCA of the bypass grafts.     

99mTc-NOET和99mTc-MIBI门控心肌灌注显像在冠状动脉性心脏病诊疗和预后中的价值

目的评价99mTc—NOET静息门控断层心肌灌注显像（GSPECT）对冠状动脉性心脏病（CAD）的诊断价值和对经皮冠状动脉腔内成形术（PTCA）及支架置入术后疗效的临床价值。方法首先,对70例疑似CAD的受检者行99mTc—NOET（NOET组1）或99mTc—MIBI（MIBI组1）静息GSPECT,并于1周内行冠状动脉造影;然后,对确诊的53例CAD患者PTCA及支架置入术前、术后1、3、6个月分别行NOET（NOET组2）或MIBI（MIBI组2）静息GSPECT。结果NOET组1和MIBI组1诊断CAD的灵敏度、特异性差异无统计学意义。NOET组2和MIBI组2比较：①NOET组2PTCA术后1、3、6个月心肌血流改善分别为59．29％、64．60％和66．37％,MIBI组2为20．35％、55．10％和61．22％;②PTCA术前、术后两组间心功能参数、临床事件的发生率之间差异无统计学意义。结论同99mTc—MIBI比较,99mTc—NOET对CAD的诊断、PTCA术后疗效的判定及观察临床事件发生率均有较大临床应用价值。     

Comparative study of CABG following PTCA and PTCA following CABG]

Forty-five cases of PTCA with prior CABG and 14 cases of CABG with prior PTCA were studied on their pathogenesis and results. Ninety-four PTCA procedures were performed electively after CABG on 45 patients and 145 lesions. Lesion success rates were 95.8% in stenosis and 55.6% in occluded vessel. The mortality was none and no emergent surgery was needed. Causes of PTCA following CABG included the progression of coronary artery disease (13.1%), graft stenosis (15.0%), graft occlusion (31.0%), incomplete revascularization (13.8%), restenosis after the initial procedure (26.2%). Especially percentage of the progression of coronary artery disease was increased with a lapse of time, and it was 31.7% in PTCA group over 3 years after CABG. Fourteen patients with prior PTCA were received CABG because of unsuccessful PTCA (50.0%), progression to LMCD (21.4%), restenosis (21.4%), and PTCA complication (7.1%). Both interventions were appropriate and useful to reduce the recurrent ischemia and cardiac events with each other. Myocardial revascularization should not be considered either PTCA or CABG, but PTCA and CABG. In conclusion the strategy that much more benefits can be obtained from supplementary use of PTCA and CABG makes it possible to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with intervention.     

Low-density lipoprotein apheresis: principles and indications

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis describes a group of apheresis techniques that selectively remove apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins producing an acute reduction in LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C). Six devices are available for the removal of LDL-C while sparing other important plasma components. The LDL-apheresis (LDL-A) is not routinely used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, which usually responds to medical management, but is used to treat familial hypercholesterolemia, an inherited metabolic abnormality resulting in premature death due to progressive coronary artery disease, and to treat patients who fail medical management. The mechanism of action of the available LDL-A devices, reactions that can occur with these treatments, and the role of this specialized apheresis technique in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia are described.     

Angiographic and pathological studies on regression of coronary atherosclerosis of FH patients who received LDL-apheresis treatment

We report on the most recent data confirming the angiographic and pathological efficacy of LDL-apheresis for coronary atherosclerosis of a familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patient using collected data of a large number of cases and especially of one autopsy case. Changes in coronary artery stenosis have been assessed angiographically in 37 FH patients in the LDL-Apheresis Regression Study (LARS) group of 13 institutions in Japan. Definite regression was observed in 21 segments by visual and computer analysis. Fourteen of 37 patients (37.8%) who had received LDL-apheresis treatment in combination with cholesterol-lowering drugs had at least one regressed segment without any progressed segment. We pathologically examined at autopsy the coronary arteries in one FH patient who had received long-term LDL-apheresis therapy before death. The results revealed the process of scarring of atheromatous plaque, suggesting pathological regression correlated with the angiographic regression shown in serial angiograms taken during LDL-apheresis treatment. It was further suggested that the formation of an eccentric thickened wall lesion rich in collagen fiber prevented atheromatous plaque from tearing off. Such tearing off might lead to an acute coronary event. Aggressive cholesterol-lowering therapy based on LDL-apheresis can induce both angiographic and pathological regression in coronary atherosclerosis of FH patients.     

Emergency coronary artery bypass surgery after failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Coronary complications caused by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) may necessitate emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In 1994-1998, 132 patients (1.5% of the patients registered in the Danish PTCA registry) underwent CABG within 24 h because of angioplasty complications. We reviewed the files of 86 patients who had emergency operations within 6 h and found that 35% suffered from 1-vessel disease. Fifty-eight percent were taken directly to the operating room from the cardiovascular laboratory, and 13% were given preoperative cardiovascular resuscitation. The vessels most frequently injured were the right coronary artery and the left anterior descending branch (LAD). The patients received a mean of 2.4 coronary bypasses each. Forty-three percent of the patients with lesions of the left main coronary artery and/or the LAD received a vein graft to the LAD. A perioperative Q-wave myocardial infarction developed in 51% of the patients. The in-hospital mortality rate was 12%. These results are inferior to those obtained after elective surgery. Local cardiothoracic backup is vital when PTCA is performed in an unselected patient group.     

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting decreases hospital stay and cost.

OBJECTIVE: The authors performed a retrospective cost analysis for patients undergoing revascularization of their left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery either by standard coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), or minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICABG). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Minimally invasive CABG has become a safe and effective alternative treatment for single-vessel coronary artery disease. However, the acceptance of this procedure as a routine alternative for the treatment of coronary artery disease will depend on both long-term graft patency rates as well as a competitive market cost. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of three patient groups undergoing LAD coronary revascularization from January 1995 to July 1996. Ten patients were selected randomly from this period after PTCA of an LAD lesion with or without stenting. Nine patients underwent standard CABG on cardiopulmonary bypass with a left internal mammary artery. Nine patients received MICABG via a limited left anterior thoracotomy and left internal mammary artery to LAD grafting without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (n = 10) was unsuccessful in two patients. One patient in the MICABG group (n = 9) was converted successfully to conventional CABG because of an intramyocardial LAD and dilated left ventricle. There was no operative morbidity or mortality in any group. Average length of stay postprocedure was decreased significantly for both the MICABG and PTCA groups when compared with that of conventional CABG (n = 9) (2.7 + 0.26, p = 0.009, and 2.6 + 0.54, p = 0.006, vs. 4.8 + 0.46, respectively). Total hospital costs for the MICABG and PTCA groups were significantly less when compared with those of standard CABG ($10,129 + 1104, p = 0.0028, and $9113 + 3,039, p = 0.0001, vs. $17,816 + 1043, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences between the MICABG and PTCA groups. CONCLUSIONS: The final role of minimally invasive CABG is unclear. This procedure is clearly cost effective when compared with that of PTCA and conventional CABG. The long-term patency rates for MICABG will determine its overall efficacy.     

Hybrid revascularization feasibility in minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting combined with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with acute coronary syndrome and multivessel disease

OBJECTIVES: We reviewed early and midterm outcome of 11 multivessel-disease acute coronary syndrome patients treated by hybrid revascularization, i.e., initial coronary angioplasty followed by minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting. We evaluated procedural efficacy and applicability. METHODS: Beginning in August 1997, hybrid revascularization was conducted in 11 multivessel-disease acute coronary syndrome patients--9 men and 2 women with a mean age of 70.3 +/- 9.3 years. Occlusion or stenosis of the target coronary artery was treated by interventional cardiologic techniques and minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting, and the early and midterm outcome evaluated. Coronary angiography was conducted in all cases at 2 weeks, 6 months, 1 and 3 years postoperatively to evaluate anastomosis and restenosis in treated coronary vessels. RESULTS: Initial intervention succeeded in patients with minimal residual stenosis. Subsequent minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting involved no complications. Coronary angiography early postoperatively, 6 months, 1 and 3 years later showed grafts patent without stenosis. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was reconducted on restenotic lesions in 3 patients, 1 of whom required 3 procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid revascularization appears safe and effective in coronary revascularization, at least over the short term. Several patients underwent angioplasty for restenosis within 3 years after initial procedure. Overall acceptance of this hybrid method depends on long-term functional success of the 2 procedures. Its major limitation is restenosis of angioplasty sites and the need for repeat procedures.     

Revascularization after thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction: an analysis of 573 patients

From October, 1981, to January, 1987, at our center, 891 patients received streptokinase within 6 hours of acute myocardial infarction. A total of 318 patients were treated medically, while 388 patients (43.5%) underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) alone and 185 (20.7%) were treated with percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Subsequent CABG was performed in 37 of 185 PTCA patients after unsuccessful angioplasty. Group characteristics were similar. However, multiple-vessel coronary artery disease was present in 70.3% of CABG patients compared with 24.1% in the PTCA groups. Procedure mortality was 3.6% for CABG alone, 5.4% for PTCA alone, and 13.5% for the combined angioplasty and operation group (p less than 0.05 compared with CABG). All deaths in the PTCA group with subsequent CABG occurred in those patients taken emergently to CABG (5 of 20 patients). We conclude that with proper patient selection both forms of revascularization are safe and effective. However, emergency coronary bypass surgery in the event of failed angioplasty has a high risk.     

采用双冠状动脉导丝法建立先天性心脏病介入治疗复杂路径轨道

目的探讨以双冠状动脉导丝法建立先天性心脏病(简称先心病)介入治疗复杂路径轨道的价值。方法回顾性分析12例应用双冠状动脉导丝法建立介入治疗轨道的先心病患儿的临床资料,其中肺动脉闭锁伴室间隔缺损(PA/VSD)矫治术后肺动脉狭窄5例,法洛四联症(TOF)矫治术后肺动脉狭窄1例,大动脉转位(TGA)术后肺动脉狭窄1例,粗大体肺侧支(MAPCAs)3例,复杂型肺动静脉瘘1例及左冠状动脉回旋支-右心房瘘1例;分析先心病介入治疗复杂路径特点。结果采用双冠状动脉导丝均成功建立输送轨道。对PA/VSD矫治术后肺动脉狭窄、TOF术后肺动脉狭窄、TGA术后肺动脉狭窄患儿成功进行球囊扩张,对MAPCAs、复杂型肺动静脉瘘及左冠状动脉回旋支-右心房瘘患儿均封堵成功,未出现瓣膜损伤、血管损伤、心包填塞及死亡等严重并发症。结论以双冠状动脉导丝法建立先心病介入治疗复杂路径轨道方法安全、有效,可调控性强,能提供足够支撑力通过纡曲段,有利于提高介入治疗成功率,值得临床推广应用。     

Changing profiles of failed coronary angioplasty patients: impact on surgical results.

As more high-risk patients undergo percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), the changing profiles of PTCA patients who may require emergent coronary artery bypass grafting may alter operative morbidity and mortality. This study compared profiles of recent patients undergoing emergent coronary artery bypass grafting after a failed PTCA with earlier patients to determine their impact on operative results. From 1980 to 1988, 53 patients underwent emergent coronary artery bypass grafting after a failed PTCA at the Boston University Medical Center. These patients were divided into two groups based on the year of the PTCA: group I, 1980 to 1985 (n = 18); and group II, 1986 to 1988 (n = 35). Group II patients tended to be older (age greater than or equal to 65 years, 47% group II versus 11% group I), were more likely to have unstable angina before PTCA (74% versus 33%), and had lower ejection fractions (0.53 +/- 0.02 versus 0.63 +/- 0.05) and more vessels with 50% or greater stenosis (2.1 +/- 0.2 versus 1.6 +/- 0.2). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarcts using enzyme and electrocardiographic criteria (37% in group II versus 39% in group I), 30-day operative mortality (11% in group II versus 11% in group I), or major postoperative complications (14% in group II versus 22% in group I). We conclude that despite the changing profiles of patients undergoing PTCA, which include older patients with more extensive coronary artery disease and lower ejection fractions, operative results after emergent coronary artery bypass grafting for failed PTCAs remain unchanged.     

Integrated minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting and angioplasty for coronary artery revascularization.

OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) through the anterolateral minithoracotomy has become a promising therapeutic option in patients with lesion in left anterior descending artery (LAD), especially in multimorbid, elderly and reoperated patients with type C or B lesions. To expand the benefits of MIDCAB concept to patients with multivessel disease, a hybrid myocardial revascularization procedure (HMR) combining surgery of the LAD with interventional procedures for additional coronary lesions has recently been introduced. METHODS: Between January 1999 and September 2001, 50 patients (37 male, 13 female, mean age 54.8+/-20.1 years) underwent an HMR procedure. MIDCAB with endoscopic left internal thoracic artery (LITA) harvesting, followed by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for additional coronary lesions and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), was performed in 11 patients (22%) and stenting in 39 patients (78%). Angiographic assessment of graft patency was performed in all patients during the PCI procedure. The clinical follow-up period was 3-32 months. RESULTS: There were no early and late deaths. Baseline Canadian Cardiology Society (CCS) class was 2.8+/-0.7 versus 1.1+/-0.9 (P<0.001) 30 days after HMR procedure. There were no major acute in-hospital cardiac events. Angiographic studies showed patent LIMA-LAD graft in 50 patients (100%). We showed good quality of anastomosis in 49 patients (98%). There was a moderate graft stenosis in one patient (2%). At long term follow-up, the rate of major cardiac events was 12%. Five patients (10%) developed restenosis after PCI, and one patient (2%) developed significant stenosis in site of LITA-LAD anastomosis; redo PCI was performed successfully. CONCLUSIONS: The hybrid procedure is a safe and effective method for complete revascularization in selected patients with double-vessel coronary artery disease (patients with type B or C lesions in the proximal LAD). This method allows performance of complete revascularization with minimization of surgical trauma. So far, long-term results of HMR are limited by the results of PCI.     

Blood platelet count and reactivity are associated with restenosis 6 months after coronary angioplasty

OBJECTIVES: Restenosis occurs in 40-50% of patients treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Some data indicate that platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) plays a pathogenetic role. The aims of the present study were to measure the plasma levels of PDGF across the coronary circulation during PTCA and relate them to the development of restenosis. DESIGN AND RESULTS: Blood samples from the aortic root and coronary sinus were drawn simultaneously before, and after completed PTCA in 26 patients. Plasma levels of PDGF and beta-thromboglobulin (BTG), as well as platelet counts were measured. Restenosis was evaluated by quantitative coronary angiography after 6 months. Significant increases both in PDGF and BTG were encountered in the aortic root after PTCA in patients who developed restenosis as compared to patients without restenosis. Patients who developed restenosis also had significantly higher platelet counts compared to those without. CONCLUSION: Increases in plasma PDGF and BTG in the aortic root after PTCA seem to be markers for restenosis 6 months after PTCA. This finding may strengthen the hypothesis that platelets contribute to the process of restenosis.     

Liver transplantation in a subject with familial hypercholesterolemia carrying the homozygous p.W577R LDL-receptor gene mutation

Mutations within the low density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor gene result in familial hypercholesterolemia, an autosomal dominant inherited disease. Clinical homozygous affected subjects die of premature coronary artery disease as early as in early childhood. We identified a girl at the age of five yr with clinical homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia presenting with achilles tendon xanthomas and arcus lipoides. Her total cholesterol reached up to 1050 mg/dL. Molecular characterization of the LDL-receptor gene revealed a homozygous p.W577R mutation. Despite intensive treatment interventions with the combination of diet, statins, colestipol, and LDL-apheresis, the patient developed symptomatic coronary artery disease at the age of 16 yr. Subsequently, orthotopic liver transplantation was performed to cure the defective LDL-receptor gene. Clinical follow-up for almost nine yr post-transplantation revealed excellent liver function, normal liver enzymes, normal LDL-cholesterol, and regression of both tendon xanthomas and symptomatic coronary artery disease. In conclusion, liver transplantation can effectively reduce LDL-cholesterol in a familial hypercholesterolemia recipient with subsequent regression of xanthomas and atherosclerosis. Timing is extremely important in these exceptional cases to exclude the demand for heart transplantation due to severe coronary artery disease. In addition, the identification of the LDL-receptor as etiology of clinical homozygous hypercholesterolemia is a prerequisite once liver transplantation is considered as therapeutic option.     

Coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia]

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed in 48 patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Seventy-nine percent of these patients had three-vessel disease or left main trunk disease. The internal thoracic artery was used for grafting in 26 patients and the right gastroepiploic artery was used in 4 patients. Although no patient died during surgery, one died subsequently from graft-versus-host disease. Graft patency at one month after CABG was 95% in vein grafts, 100% in arterial grafts, and 97% overall. Histological study revealed that arterial grafts in patients with FH had similar structures to those in non-FH patients, without evidence of atherosclerosis. All patients were prescribed anti-cholesterol drugs to control serum cholesterol levels, and 4 patients underwent LDL-apheresis because of poor control. Survival rate at 11 years after CABG was 83% without cardiac death. Cardiac event-free rate in 47 surviving patients was 53% at 10 years after CABG in vein bypass group, 93% at 5 years in the arterial graft group, and 58% at 10 years overall. Results of CABG were as good in FH as in non-FH patients, using arterial grafts and anticholesterol therapy.     

Independent predictors of restenosis after percutaneous coronary revascularization in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous balloon angioplasty has become a well-established and routine procedure for coronary revascularization of haemodialysis patients with coronary artery disease. However, the incidence of restenosis after balloon angioplasty is significantly higher in haemodialysis patients than in the general population. We performed a retrospective study comparing balloon angioplasty with coronary stenting in haemodialysis patients. We evaluated the long-term clinical and angiographic outcome after successful percutaneous coronary revascularization in haemodialysis patients. METHODS: A total of 103 consecutive haemodialysis patients (123 lesions) underwent procedurally and clinically successful percutaneous revascularization. Patients were treated with three different strategies: (i) balloon angioplasty in 55 patients (69 lesions); (ii) coronary stenting with balloon angioplasty in 23 patients (25 lesions); and (iii) coronary stenting with rotational atherectomy in 25 patients (29 lesions) who had severely calcified stenotic coronaries. RESULTS: The rates of in-hospital mortality were similar in the three groups. The 1-year incidence of overall events and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were significantly higher in the balloon group than in the stent with/without rotational atherectomy groups (75% vs 36 and 28%, P<0.01; 71% vs 32 and 28%, P<0.01). Use of coronary stenting (relative risk=0.006, P<0.001) and the presence of calcified coronary lesion (relative risk=68.2, P<0.001) were independent predictors of the 1-year MACE-free survival after percutaneous revascularization. The 3-year MACE-free survival rate was significantly lower in the balloon group than in the stent with/without rotational atherectomy groups (11% vs 33 and 47%, P<0.005 and P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that coronary stenting reduces the incidence of MACE in haemodialysis patients with/without calcified coronary lesions. Moreover, coronary stenting reduces the restenosis rate of both complex and restenotic lesions, and rotational atherectomy prior to coronary stenting reduces the restenosis rate of the severely calcified coronary lesions. These results suggest that coronary stenting with/without rotational atherectomy has led to an improved long-term outcome in the haemodialysis patients with coronary artery disease.     

Intracoronary thrombolysis and coronary angioplasty for evolving myocardial infarction

At present experience in South Africa with coronary reperfusion during the acute phase of myocardial infarction is limited. Acute reperfusion of an infarct-related coronary artery was attempted in 55 patients using intracoronary thrombolytic therapy and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Intracoronary streptokinase infusion had reopened 25 to 40 totally occluded lesions but usually a residual severe stenosis remained. PTCA was subsequently attempted in 36 severely stenotic coronary arteries and 19 totally occluded coronary arteries. PTCA was successful in 48 of the 55 cases (87%). After 1 week vessel patency was present in 36 of the 39 patients who had early coronary artery re-assessment. Late restenosis occurred in 4 out of 14 cases. There were no procedure-related deaths. Normal global as well as regional left ventricular function was present in 15 cases after 1 week. Emergency PTCA alone or in combination with intracoronary thrombolytic therapy is efficacious in achieving coronary reperfusion. On follow-up, left ventricular function appeared to be well preserved in 27% of patients with patent infarct-related arteries.     

Cardiac transplant vasculopathy treated by percutaneous coronary intervention

AIM: Cardiac transplant vasculopathy is a limit to long-term survival in heart transplantation (H-Tx) recipients. PTCA results in our H-Tx population were retrospectively analyzed. METHODS: From November 1985 to May 2004, 767 patients underwent heart transplantation. All patients received immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine or tacrolimus, azathioprine, steroids and mycophenolate mofetil. Lymphocyte was administrated by 3-7 days course of either rabbit antithymocyte globulins or anti-lymphocyte globulins or by a 14 days course of OKT3. Coronary angiograms were performed every year and more frequently if graft vasculopathy was already diagnosed or suspected. RESULTS: Fifty-two coronary artery lesions were treated during 42 percutaneous transluminal cardioangioplasty (PTCA)/stent procedures in 36 patients. Mean time since heart transplantation to PTCA was 80 +/- 27 months. Indication to PTCA was asymptomatic angiographic graft vasculopathy in 34 patients (94%) and acute myocardial infarction in 2 patients (6%). PTCA was performed on left anterior descending artery in 34 cases (65.4%), on circumflex artery in 10 cases (19.2%), on right coronary artery in 8 cases (15.4%). There were no procedure related deaths. None of the patients required emergency bypass surgery. Two patients had transient acute renal failure. Patient follow-up showed 10 deaths after 1 +/- 54 months from PTCA. Six died for progression of graft vasculopathy, three for cancer and one for gastrointestinal bleeding. Two patients underwent heart retransplantation after 20 and 107 months from the first procedure. Mean follow-up of the remaining patients is 78.3 +/- 50.3 months. CONCLUSION: PTCA may represent a reasonable treatment for graft vasculopathy in selected heart transplant recipients.     

Emergency surgery after unsuccessful coronary angioplasty: a review of 15 years' experience

BACKGROUND: Emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is occasionally necessary for failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of patients receiving emergency CABG after unsuccessful PTCA over a 15-year study period. METHODS: From January 1982 through December 1996, 74 patients underwent emergency CABG after unsuccessful PTCA (crash group). This group was compared with a matched group of 74 patients having primary elective CABG (control group). RESULTS: All 74 crash group patients were to have PTCA of one coronary system. After PTCA failure, 58 patients (78.3%) developed electrocardiographic changes of evolving acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The overall rate of AMI was 8.1% for the crash group and 2.7% for the control group. Two patients in the crash group died, with no deaths in the control group. There was no significant difference between mean in-hospital length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: With prompt, aggressive, and complete myocardial revascularization, patients who required emergency CABG after PTCA failure had an outcome not significantly different from that of patients having elective CABG.     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting]

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has been used to treat patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Seven patients with previous CABG underwent coronary artery or vein graft angioplasty following a recurrence of symptoms. Fifteen lesions were attempted in 7 patients. The primary angiographic success rate was 100%. The primary angiographic success rate was defined as reduction of a stenosis by at least 20% of the vessel diameter, leaving a stenosis of less than 60%. There were no complications following PTCA such as death or myocardial infarction. No patients were referred for urgent surgery. Three patients have undergone another PTCA after 3 months and remain well. All patients at follow-up continue to have improved symptoms. Our experience suggests that the patients with recurrence of coronary artery or bypass stenosis following CABG may be suitable for PTCA.