Background: Since an inverse relationship between percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) case-load and in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) exists, we intended to evaluate the performance of low-volume PTCA operators, during the first year of our interventional program, by applying the more accurate index represented by the MACE rate within the first month.
Methods: The data relative to both the PTCA procedure and the control visit 3-4 weeks later, were retrospectively reviewed. Death, myocardial infarction and need for revascularization were the end-points evaluated, both globally and with respect to the individual operators.
Results: During 1999, 61 consecutive patients (53M, 8F; mean age: 59.9+/-10.4 years) were treated by two full-trained operators. Stable angina was the indication in 75% of cases. Comorbidities as diabetes and prior revascularization, were present in 16 and 5% of cases, respectively. Multivessel procedures were performed in 33% of cases, with a total number of lesions of 84 (77% A/B1 type). Stents were implanted in 70% of cases, as a bail-out in 12%. Procedural success rate was 93%. Overall one-month MACE rate was 3.3%, accounted for by 1 in-hospital emergency coronary surgery occurred to operator 1 (3.6% one-month MACE rate) and 1 elective coronary operation performed in a stable patient previously treated by operator 2 (3% one-month MACE rate).
Conclusions: PTCA performed in a low-volume center by low-volume operators is not necessarily associated with a poor outcome, provided that adequate selection of low-risk cases is accomplished. Although only 52% of the Italian centers met in 1999 the recommended volume standards, reaching optimal case-load should anyway be pursued. Some time should however be conceded, provided that close monitoring of one-month MACE rate shows adequate performance of both the institution and the operators.