INITIAL AND SUBSEQUENT ANGIOGRAPHIC OUTCOME OF PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL ANGIOPLASTY PERFORMED ON INTERNAL MAMMARY ARTERY GRAFTS

Objective - To estimate the initial outcome and incidence of restenosi s of angioplasty of internal mammary artery grafts in a retrospective study. Methods - The study population consisted of 46 patients (48 les ions) who underwent first balloon angioplasty within the internal mamm ary artery graft. Most (37/48) were at the distal anastomosis. A few ( 8/48) were in the graft body. Six patients with the evidence of angiog raphic restenosis underwent a second angioplasty. Results - The succes s rate and the restenosis rate of the first angioplasty was 73% and 30 % respectively. Of the 34 patients (35 lesions) with a successful firs t angioplasty, 30 underwent follow up angiography with a restenosis ra te of 30% (9/30). A second angioplasty was performed on six of the nin e restenotic lesions, with a success rate of 83% and no restenoses. Th e percent diameter stenosis of the recipient native coronary artery wa s significantly greater in the restenosis group, at 75 (SD 27)% v 89 ( 17)%, p < 0.05. Conclusions - First angioplasty of 46 patients (48 les ions) within an internal mammary artery graft was performed with a suc cess rate of 73% and a restenosis rate of 30% (follow up rate of 88%). The extent of the stenosis of the recipient native coronary artery ma y affect the restenosis rate.