RESULTS OF PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL ANGIOPLASTY OF THE LEFT MAIN CORONARY-ARTERY

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) carries relatively high rates of immediate and long-term morbidity and mortality.1 Patients with LMCA stenosis can be divided into 2 groups: protected (defined as the existence of at least 1 patent bypass graft to the left anterior descending or circumflex artery), and unprotected. A recent report by an American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association task force regards PTCA of unprotected LMCA absolutely contraindicated.2 Yet, for critically ill patients whose operative risk is prohibitive, PTCA of unprotected LMCA may be a "last resort" option. We report our immediate and long-term follow-up results. © 1991.