Coronary angioplasty: can you refer older patients?

Analyzing data of PTCA performed at our institution on people above age 65, we have been encouraged by its safety and the initially favorable angiographic and hemodynamic result. Projecting from Jang et al's data regarding relative cost effectiveness of PTCA and coronary bypass surgery at various major medical centers, PTCA was less costly by a factor of 2 to 5. This cost differential may actually be higher in the elderly.