Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: initial Mayo Clinic experience.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is a promising new method of treatment for patients with coronary artery disease. Inflation of a balloon located at the tip of a catheter is used to dilate stenoses. In the first year of the use of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty at the Mayo Clinic, it was applied in 34 selected patients whose severe angina pectoris was related to a single, high-grade coronary artery stenosis.

In favor of the Y-graft for aortocoronary bypass.

The technique of multiple coronary artery bypass grafting has included separate conduits, snake grafts, and Y-grafts. Against the Y-graft have been reports of lesser patency and several theoretical objections. The theory is discussed and a laboratory model presented which demonstrates a flow difference of 2 ml/5 sec or less between Y-grafts and single grafts.