EFFECTS OF CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY ON LEFT-VENTRICULAR FUNCTION

It is well known that myocardial revascularization after successful co ronary bypass surgery results in improved left ventricular function. C oronary angioplasty also results in successful revascularization, favo rably affecting both stunned and hibernating myocardium. We studied 22 patients with chronic stable angina who underwent successful angiopla sty for an isolated narrowing of the proximal or midportion of the lef t anterior descending artery. These patients also performed isometric exercises before and after angioplasty, which can be used td character ize left ventricular function. Revascularization after angioplasty ind uced an immediate improvement in left ventricular function in those pa tients with dysfunction secondary to hibernating myocardium. Further s tudies are needed to assess the possibility of the myocardial stunning phenomenon occurring after angioplasty in those patients without left ventricular improvement.