Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: the early Dunedin experience.

Since May 1981 39 men and 11 women (mean age 55 years) have undergone percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty at Dunedin Hospital. Angioplasty was performed in 34 (68%) patients with stable angina, 13 (26%) with unstable angina and in three (6%) patients with acute myocardial infarction. Primary success (reduction in angiographic stenosis without associated myocardial infarction or emergency coronary bypass) was achieved in 77% of those patients with single vessel coronary disease (27 of 35 procedures) and of 62% in those patients with multiple vessel disease (16 of 26 procedures). Successful angioplasty was obtained in 81% (25/31) of those patients with anterior descending disease, 67% (4/6) of those with circumflex disease and 58% 14/24) of patients with right coronary disease. Thirty-four patients (68%) following successful angioplasty were rendered asymptomatic. Five (10%) underwent emergency coronary bypass grafting and one of these patients died. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is a useful alternative to coronary artery bypass surgery and may be performed in a majority of patients with symptomatic single vessel coronary artery disease and in selected individuals with multiple vessel coronary disease.