[Unstable angina with recurrent episodes of transient elevation of the ST segment: role of transluminal percutaneous angioplasty].

Transluminal angioplasty was performed as an urgent treatment in 9 patients with unstable angina, refractory to medical therapy and ST elevation during pain. All had a coronary stenosis greater than 50% (89 +/- 12%; range 60-99%). The left anterior descending coronary artery was affected in 6 patients, the right coronary artery in 1 patient, the circumflex in 1 patient and 1 patient had two stenosis on both the left anterior descending and the first diagonal branch. A reduction of the luminal stenosis greater than 20% was obtained in all (residual stenosis 30 +/- 11%; range 11-40%). During a follow-up of 6-20 months, two patients only showed recurrence of chest pain. A maximal ergometric test was negative in all patients after 1, 3 and 6 months. A second arteriography, performed in 7 patients after 3-6 months, demonstrated a mean stenosis of 35% (range 30-40%). Transluminal coronary angioplasty is a feasible and effective therapeutic approach in patients with unstable angina and ST elevation, when a significant coronary stenosis is present.