Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of aorta ostial, non-aorta ostial, and branch ostial stenoses: acute and long-term outcome.

The acute and long-term outcome of 198 patients who underwent coronary angioplasty of ostial stenoses was evaluated. Procedural success was achieved in 85% of aorta ostial stenoses, 90% of non-aorta ostial stenoses, and 87% of branch ostial stenoses (P=0–84). A major complication occurred in 5.9%, 6.3%, and 6–9% of patients who underwent aorta ostial, non-aorta ostial, and branch ostial stenosis angioplasty, respectively (P=0.97). A greater residual stenosis (P=0.005) resulted from angioplasty of aorta ostial lesions despite a greater inflation frequency (P<0.001), inflation pressure (P<0.001), and total inflation duration (P<0.001). The restenosis rate was higher for aorta ostial lesions (71%) when compared to non-aorta ostial (60%) and branch ostial lesions (32%) (P=0.01). However, since the denominator included only the 49% who returned for repeat coronary angiography, the exact angiographic restenosis rate cannot be determined. The cumulative probability of survival was 99% at 1 year and 93% at 3 years. The 1 and 3 year freedom from death, myocardial infarction, bypass surgery, and repeat angioplasty was 70% and 57%, respectively. At census, 57% were asymptomatic, and only 9% suffered severe angina. Coronary angioplasty of ostial stenoses can be carried out with an acceptable success and complication rate, and provides good symptomatic relief and favourable long-term outcome. Randomized trials to compare new angioplasty technology with balloon angioplasty will be necessary to select the best device therapy for ostial lesions.