Long-term follow-up results after plain balloon coronary angioplasty.

ABSTRACT

Between September 1987 and June 1992, 571 patients of coronary artery disease underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in our institute. Their ages ranged from 31-82 years (mean 51 +/- 9) and majority (88.3%) were males. At baseline, 318 (55.7%) patients had chronic stable angina, 184 (32.2%) unstable angina, and 57 (10%) underwent PTCA for recurrence of angina in the post-infarction period. Single vessel angioplasty was performed in 406 (71.1%), two-vessel angioplasty in 121 (21.2%) and three or more vessels were dilated in 44 (7.7%). The procedure was successful in 524 (91.8%) patients. Follow-up was available in 438 (83.6%) patients, and ranged from 78 to 135 months (mean 89 +/- 29) with all the patients completing at least 60 months of follow-up. Using Kaplan-Meier statistical analysis, event-free survival (freedom from repeat percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery, or death) was 72.5 percent at three, 68.0 percent at five, 61.8 percent at seven and 55.6 percent at 10 years of follow-up. Freedom from major adverse cardiac events (myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery or death) was 88.3, 85.8, 82.0 and 75.4 percent at 3, 5, 7 and 10 years, respectively. Overall survival was 97.4 and 95.2 percent, respectively at 5 and 10 years. Subgroup analysis for all major events was done between males and females, diabetics and non-diabetics, previous history or absence of myocardial infarction, stable versus unstable angina and single versus multivessel disease. Event-free survival rates were compared between the groups using log rank test. On follow-up, the need for surgical revascularisation was more in males compared to females although statistically insignificant, and in patients with unstable angina compared to stable angina (p < 0.02). Similarly, freedom from major adverse cardiac events was significantly better in females compared to males (p < 0.05) and in stable versus unstable angina (p < 0.01). Event-free survival (repeat percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery, death) was also significantly better in patients with stable angina (p < 0.02). The other outcomes were comparable in all the subgroups. In conclusion, plain balloon angioplasty provides excellent long-term results in patients with coronary artery disease in terms of reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events and need for subsequent revascularisation.