Working Group Report Recommendations for training and quality control in coronary angioplasty

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has become one of the most common medical interventions of industrialised countries since its introduction into clinical medicine in 1977. Although its impact on longevity is minor, it has a strongly beneficial influence on quality of life. Overall, it is a complement to coronary artery bypass surgery and medical treatment but in some areas it is in competition with these alternative therapies and selection is dependent on logistics as well as preferences of referring physicians, operators, and patients. Worldwide, over 80% of PTCA procedures are single-vessel interventions. PTCA in multivessel disease is common but subject to careful patient selection. In true triple-vessel disease, involving all large arteries, the role of coronary bypass surgery is largely unchallenged. The application of PTCA in high risk patients in whom surgical risk is deemed even higher than that of PTCA has to be considered but is still controversial.