[Coronary angioplasty. Indications, diagnostic and indicative methods, follow-up results].

Coronary angioplasty (PTCA) represents a valid alternative to coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in several cases; moreover, PTCA might be performed, for myocardial revascularization, even in patients in whom CABG is transitory or definitely contraindicated. However, the guidelines for mechanical myocardial revascularization are still mainly based on clinical criteria and the only angiographic data should not be sufficient to extend the indications for PTCA. Despite the technical improvement of the procedure and the material used, PTCA continues to have two main limitations: the relatively high acute complications rate (4-7%) and long-term restenosis rate (20-40%). The advent of new techniques for myocardial revascularizations (transluminal atherectomy, coronary stents, laser angioplasty) might partially reduce these limitations.