Treatment of stable angina: Coronary angioplasty versus medical treatment.

Stable angina is a common clinical condition in everyday practice. Several studies (ACME, MASS, RITA 2) compared the efficacy of angioplasty with medi cal management in this context with concordant results : significant reduct ion in the frequency of angina and improved exercise capacity, without redu ction in the number of serious events (death, infarction). Even though developments in the field of angioplasty have provided better c linical results, especially with the use of stents, the indication of dilat ation should be clearly defined by a series of clinical and angiographic pa rameters. Although resistance to well conducted medical treatment is an ind ication for revascularisation when possible, the indications should be reco nsidered if persistent ischaemia with medical therapy has not been proved.