[Indications in angina pectoris: balloon dilatation].

Nine years after the introduction of transluminal coronary angioplasty by Andreas Grüntzig, large medical centers all over the world report on an acute success rate between 85 and 90%. Complications leading to an emergency bypass operation are observed in 3-7%. The mortality rate is less than 1%. The technical progress with the development of new guiding catheters and steerable balloon systems led to an extension of indications. Probably prognostical aspects of indication may become more important in the future.