Abnormal glucose tolerance, not small vessel diameter, is a determinant of long-term prognosis in patients treated with balloon coronary angioplasty

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Abstract
Aims We sought to find out what factors are important for long-term prognosis, the small vessel itself or abnormal glucose tolerance, in patients treated with coronary angioplasty. Background Patients with coronary artery disease with diabetes mellitus often show diffuse and small cornary artery narrowing. Impaired glucose tolerance has also been reported to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Methods Among 584 patients who underwent first elective balloon coronary angioplasty, diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance were present in 197 patients. Large and small vessels were defined by reference vessel diameter before coronary angioplasty as either larger or smaller than 2·5mm. Patients were categorized into the following four groups: 175 patients with normal glucose tolerance and reference diameter Conclusions An important determinant for long-term prognosis after coronary angioplasty is a presence of abnormal glucose tolerance per se and not small vessel diameter.