[The pros and cons of angioplasty in stable coronary artery disease].

American research demonstrated that 1 out of 4 patients undergoes diagnostic coronary angiography without clear evidence of symptoms or objective signs of ischaemia, leading to unnecessary angioplasties in a substantial number of patients. A second study, published simultaneously, demonstrated that proper patient education could decrease the rates of angioplasty in patients with stable coronary artery disease significantly. In the present editorial we critically assess both publications and put them in perspective to current clinical practice in the Netherlands along with the European guidelines for myocardial revascularization.