Angioplasty versus Minimally Invasive Bypass Surgery

The modern treatment of coronary artery disease began with the development of coronary bypass surgery more than three decades ago, which was followed by the development of coronary angioplasty more than two decades ago. Conventional bypass surgery offers patients excellent long-term revascularization, but it is a highly invasive procedure. By contrast, angioplasty offers minimally invasive revascularization whose effects are tempered by high rates of restenosis. In the past decade, both techniques have evolved, as attempts have been made to decrease the invasiveness of bypass surgery and to decrease the restenosis rate associated with angioplasty.Currently available data, including the results . . .