The first report of a nonsurgical technique of dilating areas of obstructive atherosclerotic disease in the human arterial system was reported by Dotter and Judkins in 1964 [1 ]. The technique described was for peripheral arteries, and involved the passage of tapered dilating catheters of increasing diameter over a guidewire. This technique had a limited following and was never widely accepted as an established mode of treatment. 1n 1973 the use of a balloon dilatation catheter in humans was reported. This consisted of the passage of a double lumen dilatation catheter with a non-elastic balloon through an area of stenosis in the femora-popliteal and iliac arteries. This balloon was then inflated to dilate the stenosis [2]. The late Andreas Griintzig adapted this technique for use in human coronary arteries. 1n 1977 he first presented the experimental results of dilating coronary artery stenosis [3]. The first percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in a human was performed by Andreas Griintzig in Zurich in September 1977. This treatment modality for ischemic heart disease proved to be safe and effective and rapidly gained widespread acceptance. Since then the growth of angioplasty has been dramatic with an exponential growth pattern since its initiation in 1977. An estimated 900.000 procedures were performed worldwide in 1991. Increased experience and advances in technology have resulted in a high primary success rate (over 90%) and a low complication rate (death, non fatal myocardial infarction; 4-5%) [4]. However, the luminal narrowing process after a successful procedure still hampers the long term outcome of the procedure in a considerable percentage of patients.

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P.W.J.C. Serruys (Patrick)
Erasmus University Rotterdam
hdl.handle.net/1765/40697
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Rensing, B. (1992, April 29). Restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty : a quantitative angiographic approach.. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/40697