State of percutaneous transluminal coronary artery angioplasty and effectiveness of low-density lipoprotein apheresis.

: We have recognized percutaneous transluminal coronary artery angioplasty (PTCA) as an important procedure for achieving myocardial revascularization. PTCA has been performed for stable and unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, and silent myocardial ischemia. Among many new devices, the coronary stent is the most important advancement in PTCA. Frequent stent use is due to the introduction of antiplatelet therapy to prevent stent thrombosis. One serious problem is that PTCA, even with stent use, often causes chronic restenosis. This problem has not been solved, however, despite various strategies. Aggressive lipid-lowering therapy is one of the most important therapies for coronary heart disease. The findings in aggressive lipid-lowering therapy show us its importance. We report that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis, when performed immediately before and after PTCA, can prevent restenosis of coronary artery lesions. Lipid-lowering therapy should be applied more aggressively with medicine and/or with LDL apheresis for patients who have undergone PTCA.