Unstable angina pectoris. Experience with an acute revascularization program.

One year's experience of an acute revascularization program for unstable angina pectoris is presented. In the total material of 63 patients, significant coronary artery stenosis was found in 61 and normal coronary arteries in two. Coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 39 patients (62%) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in nine (14%). There were two perioperative myocardial infarctions and one hospital death. Thirteen patients were not eligible for revascularization. At follow-up (14-26 months) 60 patients were still alive (95%). In the revascularization group, one patient had died, but of the remaining 46 patients, 30 (65%) were free of angina pectoris, and in addition six had only minor symptoms.