Unstable angina patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention in the new millennium: what characterizes them?
OBJECTIVE
To identify clinical and angiographic profiles of patients with unstable angina seen at a tertiary hospital and treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).


METHODS
Study of a consecutive series of 1413 patients, selected from a computerized database, who underwent percutaneous revascularization in the three-year period of 2002-2004. There were no inclusion/exclusion criteria.


RESULTS
Systemic arterial hypertension (74%) and hypercholesterolemia (65%) were the classical risk factors for coronary disease most frequently observed. Coronary artery bypass grafting and history of myocardial infarction were found in 24% and 28% of the cases, respectively. The subgroups most commonly treated were the IIB (48%) and IIIB (28%). Clopidogrel was prescribed for 51% of the patients and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, for 7%. Multivessel disease evidenced by coronary angiography was detected in 42% of the cases. Type B2 or C lesions were treated in 64%, 94% of which in native vessels. Restenotic lesions were dilated in 5% of the patients. All interventions were performed using coronary stents, the majority of which (67%) were standard bare-metal stents.


CONCLUSIONS
1) Subgroups IIB and IIIB were the most frequently treated (76%); 2) Clopidogrel was the most prescribed antithrombotic agent (51%); 3) Multivessel coronary artery disease was found in 42% of the cases, most of which were complex target lesions located in native vessels; 4) Coronary stent implantation was the chief dilation technique used.
Peixoto
Daniele da Silva
Dda S
Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Tanajura
Luiz Fernando Leite
LF
Sousa
Amanda G M R
AG
Centemero
Marinella Patrizia
MP
Chaves
Aurea Jacob
AJ
Maia
Júlio de Paiva
Jde P
Fonseca
Alberto Gomes Taques
AG
Piva e Mattos
Luiz Alberto
LA
Feres
Fausto
F
Sousa
José Eduardo M R
JE
D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy*; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006493:Heparin