Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction: Initial experience in 43 cases

Objective To evaluate the initial experience with the use of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in the set of acute myocardial infarction (AMT). Methods Between October 1993 and April 1996, PTCA was performed in 43 patients (34 male, 9 female) with initial onset of AMI. These patients ranged in age from 40 to 74 years (mean +/- SD, 60.3 +/- 9.2). Primary PTCA was performed in 16, rescue PTCA in 8, and semi-elective PTCA in 19 patients. Results The initial success was achieved in 95.3% (41/43). Failed angioplasty occurred in 2 patients, with acute reocclusion after rescue PTCA (this patient died of cerebral stroke 3 days later) in one patient, and small local intimal dissection during semi-elective PTCA in another patient. Conclusion PTCA was a safe and effective approach in the treatment of AMI in the present study patients, with a high primary success and low acute complication rate.