[Restenosis after transluminal coronary angioplasty. Clinical and therapeutic aspects].

To assess the incidence and clinical presentation of restenosis after successful coronary angioplasty, and the short- and mid-term results of its treatment, 160 patients, who underwent a first coronary angioplasty between May 1987 and December 1988, were closely monitored. Restenosis is defined as a loss of 50% or more of the initial gain in area and/or 30% or more in diameter, or chronic coronary occlusion. These criteria were met in 43 patients (27%) within 5.1 months (1-6 months), on the average, after angioplasty. Restenosis was expressed as unstable angina in 51% of the patients, stable angina in 30%, and abnormal thallium myocardial scintigraphy under exercise in 14%. Myocardial infarction was never the revealing symptom. In 63% of the cases, the pain caused by restenosis repeated the initial angina. A second angioplasty was performed in 75% of the patients with a success rate of 93%, in the absence of an occlusion, and a 37% rate of further restenosis.