In patients with 1- or 2-vessel disease, what treatment is preferred?

In patients with 1- or 2-vessel disease, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is considered the preferred treatment option. This is largely because PCI is less invasive than coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and is associated with shorter recovery times and lower immediate procedural risks.

PCI typically involves balloon angioplasty and the placement of stents to open narrowed coronary arteries, which effectively improves blood flow to the heart muscle. For patients with limited vessel involvement, the risks and benefits of PCI can be favorably weighed, making it a viable option for revascularization without the need for a more invasive surgical procedure like CABG.

While medication management and monitoring are important for overall heart health and for patients who may not yet show significant symptoms, the presence of 1- or 2-vessel disease often indicates a need for some form of intervention to prevent future cardiac events. Treatment with only medications may not sufficiently address the underlying circulatory issues presented by narrowed arteries. Additionally, observation may be appropriate in some cases, but for symptomatic patients or those at high risk of future coronary events, PCI is generally favored.