Most frequently used PTCA indications by appropriateness category
| Indications | n | Appropriateness rating |
|---|---|---|
| Necessary | ||
| Patient has continuing pain between 1 and 21 days of an acute myocardial infarction while treated with “optimal” medical therapy, single vessel non-PLAD disease with a type A or B lesion, an ejection fraction > 20%, and a low to moderate operative risk | 15 | 9 |
| Severe chronic stable angina (class III/IV) treated with less than “optimal” medical therapy, with two vessel disease involving the PLAD with a type C lesion, with a very positive stress test, an ejection fraction > 20%, and a low to moderate operative risk | 13 | 8 |
| Appropriate | ||
| Severe chronic stable angina (class III/IV) treated with less than “optimal” medical therapy, with two vessel non-PLAD disease with a type A or B lesion, without a very positive stress test, an ejection fraction > 20%, and a low to moderate operative risk | 23 | 7 |
| Severe chronic stable angina (class III/IV) treated with less than “optimal” medical therapy, with one vessel coronary artery disease involving the PLAD with a type A or B lesion, with a very positive stress test, an ejection fraction > 20%, and a low to moderate operative risk | 18 | 8 |
| Uncertain | ||
| Mild or moderate chronic stable angina (class I/II) treated with less than “optimal” medical therapy, with single vessel non-proximal left anterior descending artery disease with a type A or B lesion, in a patient with a very positive stress test, an ejection fraction > 20%, who has a low to moderate operative risk | 24 | 5 |
| Severe chronic stable angina (class III/IV) on less than “optimal” medical therapy, with one vessel non-PLAD disease with a type A or B lesion, a very positive stress test, an ejection fraction > 20%, and a low to moderate operative risk | 18 | 6 |
| Inappropriate | ||
| Chronic stable angina without “significant” coronary artery disease | 54 | 1 |
| Severe chronic stable angina (class III/IV) treated with less than “optimal” medical therapy, one vessel non-PLAD disease with a type A or B lesion, without a very positive stress test, an ejection fraction > 20%, and a low to moderate operative risk | 20 | 3 |
PLAD, proximal left anterior descending.