Angioplasty Progress

Dear CCF,

Many cardiologists follow their angioplasty patients with yearly thallium stress tests or pet scans.  Are yearly tests of this kind with normal results sufficient to follow angioplasty patients or should they be done more often or should other tests also be considered?  How long following a successful angioplasty with thallium stress tests and/or pet scans with normal results is an angioplasty considered as good as bypass?

Thanks - Tim

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Generally yearly is adequate unless there are other circumstances.  Most venous bypass grafts are expected to last 5 - 10 years.  Arterial grafts may last 20+ years.