CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY VERSUS CORONARY SURGERY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ANGINA

Until 1977, coronary revascularization was only possible using open su rgical techniques. Approximately 10 years after the introduction of co ronary angioplasty, a series of major clinical trials comparing the ou tcome of patients treated by surgery and angioplasty were planned and executed. The results of these trials are now becoming available and s how that in patients with symptomatic disease affecting one, two, or t hree vessels, angioplasty is a viable alternative to surgery. From a p urely medical point of view, the advantages and disadvantages of the t wo techniques are so finely balanced that patient preference has becom e an important parameter in selection of a primary intervention.