RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Although coronary angioplasty and myocardial bypass surgery are routinely used, there is no conclusive evidence that these interventional methods offer greater benefit than medical therapy alone. This study is intended to evaluate, in a prospective, randomized, and comparative analysis, the benefit of the 3 current therapeutic strategies for patients with stable angina and single proximal left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a single institution, 214 patients with stable angina, normal ventricular function, and severe proximal stenosis (>80%) on the left anterior descending artery were selected for the study. After random assignment, 70 patients were referred to surgical treatment, 72 to angioplasty, and 72 to medical treatment. The primary end points were the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction or death and presence of refractory angina. After a 5-year follow-up, these combined events were reported in only 6 patients referred to surgery as compared with 29 patients treated with angioplasty and 17 patients who only received medical treatment (P=0.001). However, no differences were noted in relation to the occurrence of cardiac-related death in the 3 treatment groups (P=0. 622). No patient assigned to surgery needed repeat operation, whereas 8 patients assigned to angioplasty and 8 patients assigned to medical treatment required surgical bypass after the initial random assignment. Surgery and angioplasty reduced anginal symptoms and stress-induced ischemia considerably. However, all 3 treatments effectively improved limiting angina. CONCLUSIONS: Bypass surgery for single-vessel coronary artery disease is associated with a lower incidence of medium-term and long-term events as well as fewer anginal symptoms than that found in the patients who underwent angioplasty or medical therapy. In this study, coronary angioplasty was only superior to medical strategies in relation to the anginal status. However, the 3 treatment regimens yielded a similar incidence of acute myocardial infarction and death. Such information should be useful when choosing the best therapeutic option for similar patients.
Asunto(s)
Angioplastia de Balón , Puente de Arteria Coronaria , Enfermedad Coronaria/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedad Coronaria/cirugía , Supervivencia sin Enfermedad , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios ProspectivosRESUMEN
A 60 year-old woman with progressive angina who had been submitted to saphenous bypass-graft to right coronary artery and a left mammary artery graft to anterior descending artery eight years previously, underwent implantation of a Gianturco Roubin II stent in the proximal third of the saphenous vein graft. The result was suboptimal by persistence of a residual stenosis probably due to prolapse of atherosclerotic material through the coil spaces. Another stent (Palmaz-Schatz biliar stent) was implanted at the previously stented site with no residual stenosis. Another Palmaz-Schatz biliar stent was successfully implanted in the distal body of the graft to treat another lesion (passing through the previously stents without difficulty). Stenting a stent, in selected situations, is a useful tool to optimize the angiographic result of stent implantation.
Asunto(s)
Puente de Arteria Coronaria , Enfermedad Coronaria/cirugía , Stents , Cateterismo , Angiografía Coronaria , Femenino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , ReoperaciónRESUMEN
Mulher de 60 anos, com angina progressiva e revascularizaçäo do miocárdio, há oito anos, com ponte de veia safena para coronária direita e anastomose de artéria mamaria esquerda para artéria descendente anterior. Submetida a implante de stent Gianturco-Roubin II em terço proximal da ponte de veia safena para artéria coronária direita, com resultado insatisfatório pela persistência de lesäo residual, provavelmente, decorrente de prolapso para dentro da luz de material aterosclerótico através dos coils. Foi implantado outro stent (Palmaz-Schatz biliar) dentro do stent GRII com sucesso e ótimo resultado angiográfico. Um 2§ stent Palmaz-Schatz biliar foi implantado em lesäo distal no corpo da ponte, ultrapassando os dois stents, anteriormente implantados, com sucesso. Em algumas situaçöes, implante de stent dentro de outro stent é recurso útil para otimizaçäo de resultado angiográfico do implante de um stent.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Angioplastia Coronaria con Balón , Enfermedad Coronaria/cirugía , Stents , ReoperaciónRESUMEN
OBJETIVO - Avaliar o efeito sublingual do mononitrato-5 de isossobida (MN5IS) e nitroglicerina (NTG) sobre o diâmetro luminal de artérias coronárias epicárdicas, pressão arterial média e efeitos colaterais. MÉTODOS - Cinqüenta pacientes foram submetidos a cateterismo cardíaco e cinecoronariografia, na condição inicial e 5 min após administração sublingual de MN5IS grupo A (GA) ou NTG grupo B (GB). RESULTADOS - O diâmetro coronário de referência aumentou em ambos os grupos, sem significância estatística entre os mesmos. Nos GA e GB foram demosntrados uma diminuição (1,66mmHg) e um aumento (0,79mmHg) na pressão arterial média, respectivamente (p=0,123). Não foram observados efeitos colaterais com o uso destas drogas. CONCLUSÄO - MN5IS sublingual é uma alternativa à administração de NTG durante cinecoronariografia e representa um alternativa terapêutica para o tratamento de doença cardíaca isquêmica.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Enfermedad Coronaria , Angina Microvascular , Nitratos/historia , Nitroglicerina , Vasodilatadores , Administración Sublingual , Incidencia , Monitoreo FisiológicoRESUMEN
OBJETIVO - Analisar a perda do diâmetro luminal mínimo (DLM) nos primeiros 15 min após angioplastia coronária por balão (AC), quantificando sua influência na reestenose coronária. MÉTODOS - Foram estudadas, prospectivamente, 86 AC em 86 pacientes. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois subgrupos de acordo com apresença ou ausência de reestenose; o 1o. grupo compreendendo as 31 lesöes com reestenose e o 2o. as 55 lesöes sem reestenose. RESULTADOS - A análise univariada mostrou que a relação balão/artéria foi menor no grupo com reestenose (0,92ñ0,01 vs 1,00ñ0,11, P=.003). O grupo com reestenose apresentou maior recolhimento elástico absoluto e relativo no 1o. min (0,79ñ0,54 vs 0,68ñ0,59mm; P=0,007 e 32,04ñ14,27 vs 22,15ñ16,25 por cento; P=0,006.) e no controle angiográfico do 15o. min (1,25ñ0,59 vs 0,90ñ0,65mm, P=0,017 e 46,75ñ15,69 vs 29,18ñ17,84 por cento , P<0,00001)do que o grupo sem reestenose. O DLM no 1o. min foi menor no grupo com reestenose (2,15ñ0,42 vs 2,43ñ0,58mm; P=0,002). O grupo com reestenose apresentou uma maior perda precoce no DLM (0,46ñ0,34 vs 0,22ñ0,35mm, P=0,004). Este decréscimo na luz do vaso determinou que o DLM do 15o. min fosse ainda menor no grupo com reestenose (1,69ñ0,48 vs 2,20ñ0,61; P=0,0001). Da análise multivariada, entretanto, identificou-se apenas a relação balão/artéria e o DLM do 15o. min como os dois fatores independentes mais relacionados à reestenose. CONCLUSÄO - O recolhimento elástico e a perda do DLM ao longo dos 15 min são fatoes diretamente relacionados à reestenose.Entretanto, a análise multivariada mostrou que a relação balão/artéria e o DLM de 15 min são os dois fatores independentes mais fortemente preditores de reestenose.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Masculino , Anciano , Angioplastia Coronaria con Balón , Prueba de Esfuerzo , Cintigrafía , Cateterismo , Cuidados Posoperatorios , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This study sought to characterize leukocyte and platelet activation and adhesion molecule expression after coronary angioplasty. BACKGROUND: Coronary angioplasty can be regarded as a clinical model of postischemic inflammation because this intervention leads to the release of inflammatory mediators as a result of plaque rupture and endothelial injury. METHODS: In 13 patients with stable angina (mean [ +/- SEM] age 56.0 +/- 2.4 years, range 44 to 79), blood samples were drawn from the aorta and coronary sinus immediately before and immediately and 15 min after coronary angioplasty. Subsequently, leukocyte and platelet functions were determined. Eleven control patients (57.5 +/- 2.3 years, range 52 to 78) underwent coronary arteriography. RESULTS: Coronary arteriography and angioplasty showed no difference in number of leukocytes between the coronary sinus and the aorta. However, 15 min after coronary angioplasty, there was an increase in neutrophil CD18 and CD11b, monocyte CD14 and platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa expression and a decrease in neutrophil L-selectin expression (189 +/- 25%, 163 +/- 27%, 158 +/- 35%, 141 +/- 22% and 31 +/- 10%, respectively, p < 0.01). In the control subjects, no change in adhesion molecule expression occurred. Superoxide production and aggregation in ex vivo-stimulated neutrophils collected from the coronary sinus 15 min after coronary angioplasty was significantly decreased compared with that after coronary arteriography (54 +/- 12% vs. 106 +/- 30% and 58 +/- 11% vs. 102 +/- 29%, respectively, p < 0.01). The reduced responses to phorbol ester stimulation may be explained by previous in vivo activation of neutrophils during coronary angioplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary angioplasty increases neutrophil, monocyte and platelet adhesion molecule expression and induces a significant decrease in ex vivo-stimulated neutrophil superoxide generation and aggregation. These findings suggest that coronary angioplasty triggers cellular activation with an inflammatory response that could contribute to restenosis.
Asunto(s)
Angioplastia Coronaria con Balón , Moléculas de Adhesión Celular/metabolismo , Enfermedad Coronaria/terapia , Activación de Linfocitos , Activación Neutrófila , Activación Plaquetaria , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Angiografía Coronaria , Enfermedad Coronaria/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfermedad Coronaria/metabolismo , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Recurrencia , Superóxidos/metabolismo , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
We report the use of excimer-laser angioplasty for the treatment of Wiktor and Gianturco-Roubin in-stent restenosis of in two patients. Case 1-a 48-year-old man presented unstable angina five months after Wiktor stent was deployed in right coronary artery. Cardiac catheterization revealed stenosis (95%) within the stent. Case 2-a 65-year-old man presented stable angina four months after Gianturco-Roubin stent was deployed in left anterior descending artery. Cardiac catheterization revealed stenosis (80%) within the stent. Excimer-laser angioplasty within the stent reduced the stenosis to 19% and 30%, respectively. The patients recovered and currently, six months post-procedure, are free of chest pain, and cardiac catheterization revealed stenosis to 30% and 35%, respectively, within the stent. Therefore, the procedure was an effective means of treating restenosis after coronary stent placement, and a prospective comparison of excimer-laser angioplasty and other management alternatives to in-stent restenosis is needed.
Asunto(s)
Angioplastia de Balón Asistida por Láser/métodos , Enfermedad Coronaria/cirugía , Anciano , Angiografía de Substracción Digital , Cateterismo Cardíaco , Enfermedad Coronaria/diagnóstico , Enfermedad Coronaria/etiología , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Recurrencia , Stents/efectos adversos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of sublingual isosorbide-5 mononitrate (ISMN) and nitroglycerin (NTG) on luminal diameter of epicardial coronary arteries, mean arterial pressure and deleterious effects. METHODS: Fifty patients were submitted to cardiac catheterization and coronary arteriography, at baseline, and 5 min after sublingual administration of ISMN, group A (GA) or NTG, group B (GB). RESULTS: Reference vessel diameter increased in both groups, without statistical significance. In GA and GB, a decrease (1.66 mmHg) and an increase (0.79 mmHg) in mean arterial pressure, respectively, were demonstrated (p = 0.123). There were no deleterious effects with the use of these drugs. CONCLUSION: Sublingual ISMN is an alternative to administration of NTG during coronary arteriography, and represents a therapeutic alternative to ischemic heart disease treatment.
Asunto(s)
Presión Sanguínea/efectos de los fármacos , Cateterismo Cardíaco , Cineangiografía/métodos , Vasos Coronarios/efectos de los fármacos , Dinitrato de Isosorbide/análogos & derivados , Nitroglicerina/farmacología , Vasodilatadores/farmacología , Administración Sublingual , Femenino , Humanos , Dinitrato de Isosorbide/administración & dosificación , Dinitrato de Isosorbide/farmacología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Nitroglicerina/administración & dosificación , Vasodilatadores/administración & dosificaciónRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To evaluate the early luminal diameter loss in the first 15 min after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and its influence on coronary restenosis. METHODS: In a prospective study, we evaluated 86 patients. The patients were divided in two groups based on the presence or absence of coronary restenosis. Thirty one lesions developed restenosis and 55 lesions did not. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that balloon/artery ratio was lower in the group of restenosis (0.92 +/- 0.01 vs 1.00 +/- 0.11, P = .003). Absolute and relative elastic recoil at 1 min was greater in the group that developed restenosis (0.79 +/- 0.54 vs 0.68 +/- 0.59 mm; P = .007 and 32.04 +/- 14.27 vs 22.15 +/- 16.65%; P = .006). Similarly, absolute and relative elastic recoil at 15 min were greater in the group with restenosis (1.25 +/- 0.59 vs 0.90 +/- 0.65 mm, P = .017 e 46.75 +/- 15.69 vs 29.18 +/- 17.84%, P < .00001). Minimal luminal diameter (MLD) at 1 min was lower in the group with restenosis (2.15 +/- 0.42 vs 2.43 +/- 0.58 mm; P = .022). The very early loss was greater in the group with restenosis (0.46 +/- 0.34 vs 0.22 +/- 0.35 mm, P = .004). MLD at 15 min was lower in the group of restenosis than in the group without restenosis (1.69 +/- 0.48 vs 2.20 +/- 0.61; P = .0001). Multivariate analysis revealed balloon/artery ratio and MLD at 15 min as independent correlates of the late outcome. CONCLUSION: The late outcome of PTCA is influenced by elastic recoil and the early MLD loss after PTCA. However, the strongest and most important predictors of late outcome by multivariate analysis were balloon/artery ratio and MLD at 15 min.
Asunto(s)
Angioplastia Coronaria con Balón , Enfermedad Coronaria/terapia , Vasos Coronarios/patología , Angiografía Coronaria , Enfermedad Coronaria/etiología , Vasos Coronarios/lesiones , Vasos Coronarios/fisiopatología , Elasticidad , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis Multivariante , Estudios Prospectivos , Recurrencia , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To evaluate the immediate and long term results of percutaneous transluminal coronary balloon angioplasty (PTCA) in patients over 80 years old. METHODS: From 1/1/89 to 6/31/95, 97 patients with 80 years of age or older were submitted to PTCA and were divided into three groups: group A (GrA)-30 patients with stable angina, mean age of 82.5 years, 24 (80%) men; group B(GrB)-40 patients with unstable angina, mean age 81.2 years, 31 (77.5%) men; group C (GrC)-27 patients with myocardial infarction (MI), mean age of 82 years, 16 (59.2%) men. RESULTS: Early outcome-general success rate of 84.5% and mortality rate of 5.1%. The success and mortality rate were in GrA 83.3% and 3.3%, in GrB 85% and 5% and in GrC 85.2% and 7.4%, respectively. Late outcome-the number and percentage of patients with late follow-up and the clinic-angiographic and angiographic restenosis rates were for GrA 19(76%), 52.9%, 75%; GrB 30(88.2%), 30.8%, 61.5% and GrC 12(52.2%), 66.6%, 85.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: PTCA can be considered an important revascularization alternative in octogenarian patients because of high early success rate, low mortality and acceptable long-term outcome.
Asunto(s)
Angina de Pecho/terapia , Angioplastia Coronaria con Balón , Infarto del Miocardio/terapia , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMEN
A 65 year-old white man, with typical angina pectoris, underwent coronary angiography that showed dual left anterior descending artery (LAD), originating from the right coronary artery (RCA), associated with anomalous origin of the left circumflex artery (LCX) also from the RCA. This an extremely rare coronary artery anomaly and, it is the first case reported, so far. This rareness and clinical significance are emphasized.
Asunto(s)
Angina de Pecho/complicaciones , Anomalías de los Vasos Coronarios/complicaciones , Anciano , Cateterismo Cardíaco , Angiografía Coronaria , Anomalías de los Vasos Coronarios/diagnóstico , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMEN
A 56-year-old female patient underwent myocardial revascularization with three saphenous bypass grafts. One month after surgery she had an acute myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock and was treated with a Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation in the left main coronary artery (that was occluded) and a PTCA of the graft to the right coronary artery. The in hospital outcome was uneventful and angiographic study after six months showed no restenosis and important improvement in the left ventricular function.
Asunto(s)
Infarto del Miocardio/cirugía , Choque Cardiogénico/cirugía , Stents , Angioplastia Coronaria con Balón , Femenino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Infarto del Miocardio/complicaciones , Choque Cardiogénico/complicacionesRESUMEN
Endomyocardial fibrosis is an endemic cardiac disease, characterized by the presence of fibrous tissue in the endocardium, eventually extending to the myocardium. Massive endocardial calcification of the left ventricle is a rare finding, with only a few cases reported in the literature. We reported a first case of biventricular massive endocardial calcification associated with endomyocardial fibrosis in a 22 year old woman.
Asunto(s)
Calcinosis/complicaciones , Fibrosis Endomiocárdica/complicaciones , Ventrículos Cardíacos , Adulto , Calcinosis/diagnóstico , Fibrosis Endomiocárdica/diagnóstico , Resultado Fatal , Femenino , Hemodinámica , HumanosRESUMEN
The authors describe a rare case of circumflex coronary artery perforation during rotational coronary atherectomy complicated with cardiac tamponade and good outcome. The possible causes of perforation are discussed and the burr oversize (burr/artery ratio was 0.58) was refused. Shortening and artery plicature (accordeon effect) might have been the cause of this event. Quantitative measurement was made in order to strengthen this hypothesis. It is emphasized the importance of selecting lesions that should be submitted to rotational coronary atherectomy.
Asunto(s)
Aterectomía Coronaria/efectos adversos , Taponamiento Cardíaco/etiología , Enfermedad Coronaria/cirugía , Vasos Coronarios/lesiones , Aterectomía Coronaria/instrumentación , Cineangiografía , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
A 70 years-old man, with acute myocardial infarction, was submitted to successfull percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the left main stem coronary artery, following recanalization of that artery.
Asunto(s)
Angioplastia Coronaria con Balón , Enfermedad Coronaria/terapia , Infarto del Miocardio/terapia , Anciano , Angiografía Coronaria , Electrocardiografía , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMEN
Homem de 70 anos, portador de infarto agudo do miocário, foi submetido, com sucesso, à angioplastia percutânea do tronco de artéria coronária esquerda.
A 70 years-old man, with acute myocadial infarction, was submitted to successfull percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the left main stem coronary artery, follow in a recanalization of that artery
Asunto(s)
Angioplastia de Balón , Enfermedad Coronaria , Infarto del MiocardioRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To determine the time course of elastic recoil (ER) in the first 15min after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). METHODS: One hundred and fifty four patients, with stable or unstable angina were successfully submitted to PTCA. Coronary angiography was undertaken shortly after balloon deflation and repeated 5, 10 and 15 min thereafter. Quantitative coronary angiography was performed with the aid of an eletronic caliper. We calculated the minimal luminal diameter (MLD) and elastic recoil in all angiograms. RESULTS: The average artery's reference diameter was 3.09 +/- 0.61mm and the maximal balloon diameter was 2.95 +/- 0.52mm. MLD before the procedure was 0.65 +/- 0.42mm reaching 2.23 +/- 0.55mm immediately after dilatation (p < 0.0001), and decreasing to 2.09 +/- 0.47mm at 5min (p < 0.0001), 2.01 +/- 0.47 at 10min (p < 0.0001) and to 1.91 +/- 0.56mm at 15min (p < 0.0001). ER increased during the 1st 15min after PTCA, averaging 34.29 +/- 20.40%. In the group of patients whose balloon/artery relationship was < or = 1, the total ER was 0.90 +/- 0.74mm at 15min and 1.20 +/- 0.50mm when the ratio was > 1 (p < 0.0001). We noted that ER in the group of patients with residual stenosis ranging from 30 to 50% at the immediate angiogram after PTCA was greater than in the group whose residual stenosis was less than 30%. CONCLUSION: ER is a dynamic and progressive phenomenon taking place within the 1st 15 min after a successful PTCA. Total ER was 34.29 +/- 20.40% at 15min and was greater when balloon/artery relationship was > 1. Residual stenosis ranging from 30 to 50% in the control immediately after the procedure is a predictive factor of greater ER in the 15min following PTCA.
Asunto(s)
Angina de Pecho/terapia , Angioplastia Coronaria con Balón , Vasos Coronarios/anatomía & histología , Angiografía Coronaria , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios ProspectivosRESUMEN
Objetivo - Determinar angiograficamente a retraçäo elástica (RE) nos primeiros 15 minutos após angioplastia coronária (AC) por cateter baläo. Métodos - E um estudo prospectivo, 154 pacientes, portadores de angina estável, foram submetidos a AC com sucesso. Realizaram-se angiografias imediatamente após a última insuflaçäo com sucesso e aos 5,10 e 15 min. Na análise quantitativa utilizou-se caliper eletrônico. Quantificaram-se o diâmetro luminal mínimo (DLM) e a RE no controle imediato, aos 5, 10 e 1min. Relacionaram-se a magnitude da RE e o DLM com as características angiográficas da lesäo tratada, com o diâmetro do baläo e com o grau de lesäo residual imediatamente após a AC. Resultados - O diâmetro de referência médio do vaso foi de 3,09+/_0,61 mm e o diâmetro do baläo de 2,95+/_0,52 mm. O DLM mínimo pré dilataçäo foi de 0,65+/_0,42 mm, atingindo 2,23+/_0,55 mm após a dilataçäo (p<0,0001), decrescendo para 2,09+/_0,47 mm e 5 min (p<0,0001), 2,01+/_0,47 mm em 10 min (p<0,0001) e para1,91+/_0,56 mem 15 min. (p<0,0001). A RE aumentou progressivamente, atingindo 34,29+/_20,40 por cento aos 15 min. Nos vaso tratados onde a relaçäo baläo/artéria < ou igual a 1 a RE foi de 0,90+/_0,74 mm em 15 min. e de 1,20+/_0,50 mm quando a relaçäo foi >1 (p<0,0001). Identificou-se maior RE nos primeiros 15 min. no grupo de pacientes onde a lesäo residual no controle imediato situou-se entre 30 a 50 por cento do que no grupo onde a lesäo residual foi < 30 por cento. Conclusäo - A RE é um fenômeno dinâmico e progrssvo que ocorre dentro de 15 min. após a AC com sucesso. Determinou reduçäo média de 34,29+/_20,40 por cento no diâmetro do vaso em 15 min. e é maior quando a relaçäo baläo/artéria é >1. A lesäo residual que situa entre 30 e 50 por cento no controle angiográfico imediato é fator preditor de maior RE ao longo dos 15 min.
Asunto(s)
Angioplastia de BalónRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate, in a prospective and randomized trial, the relative efficacies of three possible therapeutic strategies for patients with a single severe proximal stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery and stable angina. BACKGROUND: Although percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery are often performed in patients with a single proximal stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery, it is unclear whether revascularization offers greater clinical benefit than medical therapy alone. METHODS: At a single center, 214 patients with stable angina, normal ventricular function and a proximal stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery > 80% were randomly assigned to undergo mammary bypass surgery (n = 70), balloon angioplasty (n = 72) or medical therapy alone (n = 72). Angioplasty had to be considered technically feasible in every case. The predefined primary study end point was the combined incidence of cardiac death, myocardial infarction or refractory angina requiring revascularization. RESULTS: At an average follow-up period of 3 years, a primary end point had occurred in only 2 patients (3%) assigned to bypass surgery compared with 17 assigned to angioplasty (24%) and 12 assigned to medical therapy (17%) (p = 0.0002, angioplasty vs. bypass surgery; p = 0.006, bypass surgery vs. medical treatment; p = 0.28, angioplasty vs. medical treatment, all by log-rank test). There was no difference in mortality or infarction rates among the groups. However, no patient allocated to bypass surgery needed revascularization, compared with eight and seven patients assigned, respectively, to coronary angioplasty and medical treatment (p = 0.019). Both revascularization techniques resulted in greater symptomatic relief and a lower incidence of ischemia on the treadmill test; however, all three strategies eventually resulted in the abolition of limiting angina. CONCLUSIONS: The more aggressive therapeutic approach with initial bypass surgery for patients with a single severe proximal stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery is associated with a lower incidence of medium-term adverse events than coronary angioplasty or medical treatment. However, all three strategies resulted in a similar incidence of death and infarction during an average follow-up period of 3 years. This information should be taken into consideration when physicians and patients make therapeutic choices in this setting.