Changes in the way diagnostic coronary arteriography is performed due to the interventional prospect: the clinical impact.

Our study was aimed at assessing whether diagnostic coronary angiography has changed in the interventional era. We have studied consecutive 1073 patients with coronary artery disease that was detected by a first angiographic study 2 years prior to (group 1: 545 patients) and after (group 2: 528 patients) the start of an interventional cardiology program in our catheterization laboratory. Radiological data and the use of intracoronary nitrates were recorded as well as demographic data and angiographic results. Pre- and post-interventional era comparison demonstrated: a significant increase in cranial, caudal and left anterior oblique angles, 19.3 degrees +/- 14.8 degrees vs. 24.3 degrees +/- 15.4 degrees, -18.4 degrees +/- 17.4 degrees vs. -23.3 degrees +/- 13.9 degrees, and 29.0 degrees +/- 23.3 degrees vs. 36.2 degrees +/- 25.4 degrees, respectively; a decrease in mean number of angiographic views and mean fluoroscopy time, 9.5 degrees +/- 1.6 degrees vs. 8.9 degrees +/- 1.8 degrees (p = 0.04) and 4.1 +/- 4.2 vs. 3.6 +/- 3.2 min (p = 0.008), respectively. The percentage of patients with normal coronary arteries on coronary arteriography decreased from 9.78 to 8.07% in the pre- and post-interventional era comparison. The way coronary arteriography is performed has changed, thanks to the new interventional attitude of invasive cardiologists. Trainees and young fellows should be trained right from the start of their fellowship to assess coronary artery disease from an interventional point of view.