This study analyzes hospital case fatality associated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties (PTCA) covered by the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) and performed in hospitals in the State of Rio de Janeiro from 1999 to 2003. PTCA data were obtained from the State Health Department's database on Authorizations for Hospital Admissions. Case fatality rates were estimated according to age, gender, diagnosis, and hospital. Overall case fatality was 1.9% in 8,735 PTCAs. The lowest rate was associated with angina (0.8%) and the highest rates with acute myocardial infarction (6%) and other diagnoses (7%). In the 50-69-year bracket, case fatality was higher in women. In the over-70 group, it was almost three times that of the youngest group (4% versus 1.4%). There was great variability among PTCA case fatality rates in different hospitals (from 0 to 6.5%). Ongoing monitoring of PTCAs is thus necessary in clinical practice. In conclusion, PTCA performance was still unsatisfactory under the Unified National Health System.
Angioplasty; Myocardial Ischemia; Lethality
