Interventions on the Coronaries: PTCA Versus CABG

The approach toward treatment of stenotic lesions in the coronary arteries is standardized. There are two principle approaches: as closed techniques, by means of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA); and open techniques, by means of direct revascularization in extracorporeal circulation. The Institute of Cardiac Survey of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts has monitored the different approaches since 1990. In Europe, an...