Coronary angioplasty performed at the same time as diagnostic coronarography

To evaluate the results of coronary angioplasty performed during the diagnostic coronary angiogram, we have compared 185 of these procedures with the characteristics of 446 consecutive angioplasties accomplished in a separate procedure from the diagnostic angiogram. There were no differences in the clinical characteristics in both groups, but more angioplasties during diagnosis were indicated after a myocardial infarction (23% vs 10%, p less than 0.001), whereas less angioplasties in this group had prior stable angina (12% vs 21%, p less than 0.025). In addition, a greater number of the angioplasties during diagnosis were used in the treatment of restenosis (24% vs 5%, p less than 0.001), and the procedure was performed as a clinical emergency in 28% vs 2%, p less than 0.001. The initial angiographic success, and the final angioplasty success in the absence of mayor complications was 93% vs 88%, p less than 0.1, and 81% vs 82%, in the angioplasties performed during diagnosis and as a separate procedure, respectively. Therefore, in our experience, the angioplasty performed during the diagnostic coronary angiogram is an effective means of treatment in patients with coronary artery disease, in particular those after myocardial infarction or those presenting with restenosis, yielding a similar rate of success both, per lesion and per procedure, than the conventional approach, the angioplasty in a separate independent procedure. These results suggest that angioplasty performed during diagnosis probably could be extended to a greater number of patients.