PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY IN PATIENTS WITH PRIOR CORONARY-ARTERY BYPASS-GRAFTING - 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE

We evaluated the acute and long-term results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in 140 patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting treated over a 10-year period (1981-1991). Angioplasty was technically successful in 85% of 122 nonoccluded native vessels and in 86% of 50 saphenous vein grafts. Two patients (1.4%) had a myocardial infarction and there were three procedure-related deaths (2.1%). The cumulative probability of survival was 91.5% and 74.5% at 1 and 5 years, respectively. Survival free from myocardial infarction and repeat bypass grafting at 1 and 5 years was 77.3% and 53.9%, respectively. At census, 31% of the 117 survivors were asymptomatic, and 47% were improved by at least two angina grades. Coronary angioplasty provides an apparently safe and effective alternative method of revascularization in selected patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting, This treatment strategy potentially avoids reoperation with its attendant risks. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.