| Individuals with angina pectoris may remain stable for varying lengths of time, develop worsening symptoms (unstable angina), or progress to myocardial infarction or death. The prognosis for individuals treated only with medication depends on the severity and extent of ischemia, the presence or absence of complex cardiac arrhythmia, the site of vascular obstruction, the number of coronary vessels involved, how well the heart is functioning, and the extent that risk factors can be modified.
Individuals who undergo PTCA and/or implantation of a self-expanding device into the vessel at the site of occlusion (coronary stent) have a very low mortality rate associated with these procedures (1% to 3%). Many individuals show marked improvement and no longer experience angina a year later. However, in a significant number of individuals (~30%), the PTCA/stent-treated vessel will become blocked again (restenosis) and these individuals may need the procedure repeated. Alternatively, they may undergo a CABG. This procedure has a mortality rate of less than 3% and is highly effective in alleviating anginal pain. However, different institutions vary widely in their complication rate depending on the expertise of the surgeons. Without risk factor modification such as ceasing to smoke, correcting high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia, and weight reduction the vessel may again become blocked after CABG. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor