ACS Q&A – Dr. Fileccia: What Are Long-term Results of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention?

Percutaneous coronary intervention, also known as PCI, is the procedure used to open blocked arteries. It is also commonly referred to as coronary angioplasty or angioplasty with stenting.

One of the most common questions that patients ask is, “How long do the results last?”

For most patients, percutaneous coronary intervention is a very effective procedure with long-lasting results. Most people who undergo PCI receive a stent. However, a small number of patients are treated with balloon angioplasty alone without a stent.

When angioplasty is performed without a stent, the treated artery has about a 65% to 70% chance of remaining open over a five-year period.

When a stent is placed (especially a drug-coated or drug-eluting stent), the treated artery has a greater than 95% chance of remaining open for five years or longer.