经桡动脉行复杂冠状动脉病变的介入治疗

目的探讨经桡动脉行复杂冠状动脉病变介入治疗的可行性。方法将178例左主干开口病变、分叉病变、慢性闭塞病变、长度≥30mm的长病变、纡曲成角病变及严重钙化病变等复杂冠状动脉病变患者经桡动脉途径进行PCI。结果经桡动脉PCI完成率97.2%。因导引导管支撑力不够,采用双导丝技术18例,采用子母导管技术5例,微导管技术6例,锚技术3例。左主干开口病变8处即刻全部成功。左主干分叉病变双支架置入17例,单支架置入9例。其他分叉病变67处,单支架置入47处,双支架置入20处。双支架置入后对吻球囊扩张成功率100%。34处慢性闭塞病变PCI成功27处。长度≥30mm的长病变91处、纡曲成角病变23处、严重钙化病变27处全部PCI成功。术中支架内血栓2例,住院期间亚急性血栓形成2例。死亡1例。穿刺处并发症:桡动脉闭塞8例,前臂肿胀4例,无血肿及神经损伤。结论经桡动脉途径进行冠状动脉复杂病变的PCI有较高的成功率。     

Acute and long-term outcomes of the novel side access (SLK-View) stent for bifurcation coronary lesions: a multicenter nonrandomized feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate technical feasibility and procedural safety of SLK-View stent for treating bifurcation lesions. BACKGROUND: Percutaneous treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions represents a technical challenge. Several stenting techniques and dedicated devices have proven unsuccessful, with high rates of side branch occlusion at index procedure and follow-up. METHODS: Eighty one patients with 84 de novo coronary artery lesions involving a major side branch underwent SLK-View (Advanced Stent Technologies, Inc., Pleasanton, CA) stent implantation with subsequent kissing balloon post dilatation. SLK-View stent is a new scaffolding device incorporating a side aperture that allows access to the side-branch of a bifurcation after deployment of the stent in main vessel. All patients underwent angiographic follow-up at 6 months. Procedural, in-hospital, and 6-month follow-up outcomes were examined. RESULTS: The lesions were located in left main (n = 11), left anterior descending (n = 50), left circumflex (n = 8), right coronary artery (n = 7), and 1 ramus intermedius. The most frequent lesions (44.1%) were true bifurcations. Successful stent delivery to bifurcation was accomplished in 82/84 of the cases (97.6%). Technical success was obtained in 99 and 94% of main vessel and side branches, respectively. Stenting in side-branch was performed in 21 lesions (25%). Side-branches were accessed effectively in 100% of bifurcations postprocedurally. Binary restenosis rate at 6-month follow-up was 28.3% and 37.7% for main vessel and side-branch, respectively. TLR rate at 6-month follow-up was 21% and CABG rate of 6%. CONCLUSION: In this consecutive multicenter series of patients with coronary bifurcation lesions, this novel side-branch access stent proved feasible, with a high procedural success rate, while maintaining side-branch access.     

国产雷帕霉素药物洗脱支架在冠状动脉分叉病变介入治疗中的应用

目的探讨国产雷帕霉素药物洗脱支架[DE(SFirebirdTM)]在冠状动脉分叉病变介入治疗中应用的安全性和有效性。方法对47例冠心病患者的53处冠状动脉分叉病变行介入治疗,共置入FirebirdTM68枚。结果46例介入治疗成功,失败1例。分叉病变部位:左主干远端前降支和回旋支分叉病变2处,前降支和对角支分叉病变23处,回旋支和钝缘支分叉病变17处,左心室后侧支和后降支11处。术中发生边支血管闭塞4例,边支血管狭窄加重6例,边支血管发生慢血流3例。住院期间发生急性非ST段抬高型心肌梗死3例,ST段抬高型心肌梗死1例,心绞痛5例,1例于术后2天死于心源性休克。随访6个月,7例复发心绞痛而再次住院治疗,无其余主要不良心脏事件发生。结论DE(SFirebirdTM)在冠状动脉分叉病变介入治疗中应用是可行、安全有效的。     

The Frontier stent registry: safety and feasibility of a novel dedicated stent for the treatment of bifurcation coronary artery lesions

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and performance of the Multi-Link Frontier coronary bifurcation stent system (Guidant Corp., Santa Clara, California), a novel dedicated device designed for permanent side branch (SB) access, stent delivery by simultaneous kissing balloon inflation, and optimal main branch (MB) and SB ostium scaffolding. BACKGROUND: The treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions remains challenging, and various approaches using stents have been proposed. METHODS: The primary end point was the 180-day incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) per intent-to-treat analysis. Secondary end points included device success, 30-day MACE, angiographic restenosis, and target lesion revascularization (TLR) rates at 180 days. RESULTS: After a learning phase of two cases per center, 105 patients were prospectively included in 11 centers. The left anterior descending coronary artery/diagonal bifurcation was the target in 80% of cases. The Frontier stent was successfully implanted in 96 patients (91%), and procedural success was obtained in 93%. Two patients suffered in-hospital myocardial infarction (MI) secondary to SB occlusion, and one patient underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting. At 30 days and 6 months, the MACE rates were 2.9% and 17.1% (no death, no subacute stent thrombosis, Q-wave MI 1.0% and 1.9%, non-Q-wave MI 1.0% and 1.9%, TLR 1.0% and 13.3%). The MB in-stent restenosis was 25.3%, in-segment 29.9%. The SB restenosis was 29.1%. The overall restenosis rate for any branch was 44.8%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this Frontier registry demonstrate the safety and performance of this dedicated stent system for the treatment of bifurcation lesions. The device can be successfully implanted in more than 90% of all cases, with a high procedural success rate and low 30-day and 6-month MACE rates.     

Long-term outcomes of bifurcation lesions after implantation of drug-eluting stents with the "mini-crush technique".

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate clinical and angiographic long-term outcome of "the mini-crush" technique for treating bifurcation lesions. BACKGROUND: Despite proven efficacy of drug-eluting stent (DES) within most lesions subsets, bifurcation lesions continue to exhibit high restenosis rate using current DES stenting technique. METHODS: We report a new stenting technique which was employed in 45 consecutive patients (52 lesions) between April 2004 and July 2005 to treat true bifurcation lesions using DES in both branches. RESULTS: Using this technique procedural success was obtained in 100% of cases, without complications and with excellent angiographic result in 96.1% and 98.1% of main vessel and side branch. Preprocedure reference vessel diameter and minimal lumen diameter (MLD) were 2.68 +/- 0.48 and 0.90 +/- 0.55 mm for the main branch, respectively and 2.28 +/- 0.34 and 1.14 +/- 0.47 mm for the side branch, respectively. Postprocedure MLD was 2.56 +/- 0.39 mm for the main branch and 2.16 +/- 0.29 mm for the side branch. There were no in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE). At 72 days after procedure there was one case of side branch stent thrombosis (2.2%), which resulted in non Q-wave MI. Angiographic follow up was obtained in 100% of patients at 7.5 +/- 1.3 months. Target lesion revascularization (TLR) was 12.2%; no death and Q-wave MI were observed; reference vessel diameter and MLD for the main branch were 2.79 +/- 0.51 and 1.99 +/- 0.65 mm respectively and for the side branch 2.28 +/- 0.40 and 1.63 +/- 0.48 mm respectively. Restenosis rate in the main branch was 12.2% while in the side branch was 2.0%. CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital outcome indicates that the mini-crush technique for bifurcation lesions with DES can be easily performed. It provides very low total MACE rate and restenosis at 8-month follow-up. These results confirmed the advantage of this specific technique to give complete coverage of the ostium of the side branch using two stents technique.     

Novel self‐expanding stent system for enhanced provisional bifurcation stenting: Examination by StentBoost and intravascular ultrasound

A 62‐year‐old man underwent percutaneous coronary intervention of a bifurcation lesion (Medina type 010) involving the mid‐left anterior descending coronary artery and an important first diagonal branch with a novel stent specifically designed for bifurcations, the Stentys coronary bifurcation system. This is a self‐expanding nitinol stent, with Z‐shaped struts linked by interconnections that can be disconnected (in prespecified points every 1.5 mm all around the circumference and the length of the stent) at the level of the ostium of the side branch, simply by inflating an angioplasty balloon tracked to the ostium of the side branch, through the stent struts. The steps required for deployment of the stent and the final result obtained were evaluated by intravascular ultrasound examination and StentBoost Subtract, a specific X‐ray stent‐enhancing visualization technique. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

冠心病分叉病变介入治疗中边支闭塞的预防及处理

目的分析冠心病介入治疗中边支闭塞发生机制,并探讨其预防处理方法。方法回顾性分析1999年~2004年350例冠心病分叉病变患者行介入治疗后并发边支闭塞的原因和处理过程。结果在350例冠心病分叉病变中共有53例术中发生边支闭塞,发生率为15.1%。分叉病变部位:前降支和对角支处分叉病变29例,回旋支和钝缘支处分叉病变16例,左心室后侧支与后降支处分叉病变8例。闭塞边支血管直径<2mm 15例;直径2~2.5mm 20例;直径>2.5mm 18例。分叉病变类型Ⅰ型2例;Ⅱ型12例;Ⅲ型39例。其中16例仅行药物治疗(闭塞边支血管直径<2mm),14例行边支球囊扩张术,23例行边支支架置入术。术中1例发生急性左心功能衰竭,1例出现心源性休克。住院期间非Q波心肌梗死18例,Q波心肌梗死1例。无死亡、急诊冠状动脉旁路移植术(CABG)等其它并发症。结论冠心病分叉病变介入治疗中边支闭塞较为常见,其发生率约为15.1%,以Ⅲ型分叉病变多见。常见原因为斑块移位、痉挛、血栓形成等所致。细小分叉病变可不必处理或予药物治疗,大的分支应积极介入治疗。     

Simultaneous kissing drug-eluting stent technique for percutaneous treatment of bifurcation lesions in large-size vessels.

Treatment of bifurcation lesions is associated with high procedural complications and restenosis rate due to plaque shift, suboptimal angiographic results, difficulty in crossing the stent struts, and incomplete coverage of the side-branch ostium. The simultaneous kissing stent (SKS) technique involves two stents, one in main vessel (MV) and one in the side branch (SB) with overlapping stents in the MV proximally, extending proximally the carina of bifurcation. We analyzed our first 200 consecutive patients (202 lesions) who underwent SKS technique for true bifurcation lesions using sirolimus eluting stents, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Procedural success was 100% for MV and 99% for SB using SKS technique, with clinical success rate of 97%. In-hospital and 30-day major adverse cardiac events were 3% and 5%, respectively, with a procedure time of 36 +/- 14 min. At mean follow-up of 9 +/- 2 months, the incidence of target lesion revascularization was 4% in the entire group. Therefore, SKS technique using sirolimus-eluting stents may become an effective treatment strategy for large-size bifurcation lesions. However, in order to establish its superiority, SKS technique needs to be compared in a randomized manner with conventional stent techniques.     

Randomized comparison of the coil-design Crossflex and the tubular NIR stent.

The purpose of this study was to compare the angiographic outcome of implantation of the coil-design Crossflex stent with the tubular NIR stent for treatment of coronary artery stenoses. Two hundred twenty-three patients with one genuine coronary artery lesion were randomized to implantation with a 15 mm Crossflex stent (n = 112) or a 16 mm NIR stent (n = 111). The patients had angiographic follow-up after 6 months. Primary endpoint was minimal luminal diameter (MLD) after 6 months. There was a similar clinical outcome in the two groups. At 6-month follow-up, the MLD was significantly lower in the Crossflex group (1.94 +/- 0.79 mm) than in the NIR group (2.37 +/- 0.84 mm; P < 0.001). Early gain was the same in the two groups. Late loss and percent diameter stenoses were significantly higher in the Crossflex group. The binary restenoses rate was 26% and 17% in the Crossflex and the NIR groups, respectively (P = NS). The coil-design Crossflex stent was found to be inferior to the tubular NIR stent concerning late loss and MLD at 6-month follow-up.     

A Novel guide extension assisted stenting technique for coronary bifurcation lesions

A challenging technical scenario frequently encountered in a percutaneous coronary intervention of a coronary bifurcation lesion(CBL) is stent implantation of only the stenosed segment without compromising the other two normal segments in non-true bifurcation lesions. Another is precise stent implantation covering the side branch ostium without leaving excessive stent metal at the other two segments of a bifurcation lesion in complex true bifurcation lesions. The aim of this study was to describe a novel stenting technique for both non-true and true CBLs by using a guide extension catheter(GuideLiner). With the assistance of a guide extension catheter mounted on both the main and the side-branch guidewires and with its intubation down to the bifurcation carina, a stent can be implanted in the side branch segment or distal main segment of the bifurcation lesion appropriately without compromising the other two segments of the coronary bifurcation. Stent implantation is described in three bifurcation lesions in three cases and shown in detail with illustrative figures. The technique facilitates side-branch only stenting in side-branch mono-ostial(medina 0, 0, 1) CBL or only the distal main segment in distal mono-ostial(medina 0, 1, 0) CBL without compromising the other two remaining segments when using the onestent technique in non-true CBLs without leaving unnecessary excessive stent metal at the bifurcation site and when using a two-stent technique in complex true bifurcation lesions(tri-ostial or medina 1, 1, 1). Consequently, through optimizing stent deployment, the technique may have the potential to reduce the risk of subacute stent thrombosis and future in-stent restenosis. The most appropriate lesions suitable for the technique, and some other practical tips are also described.     

改良T支架技术治疗左冠状动脉主干末端分叉病变的临床疗效

目的探讨左冠状动脉主干末端分叉狭窄患者行择期改良T支架技术冠状动脉介入（PCI）治疗的安全性和可行性。方法回顾分析白求恩国际和平医院心内科2004年1月～2007年11月间,行改良T支架技术治疗的16例左冠状动脉主干末端分叉狭窄患者的临床情况、冠状动脉病变特点、介入治疗特点、住院期间主要心脏不良事件和术后6个月心绞痛和生活质量情况。结果16例患者年龄46～68岁,男性13例,合并糖尿病7例,有心肌梗死病史6例。左冠状动脉主干直径3．5～5．0mm,前降支（taD）直径2．75～3．5mm,回旋支（LCX）直径2．75～3．5mm,LAD病变长度13—22mm,LCX病变长度13～20mm。LAD支架释放压力12—20个大气压,LCX支架释放压力12～18个大气压,对吻球囊技术100％,2例经桡动脉途径、14例经股动脉途径成功完成改良T支架置入术,PCI即刻成功率为100％,手术时间40～60（平均48）min。住院期间无严重并发症发生,术后6个月临床随访心绞痛显著缓解,生活质量显著提高。结论改良T支架技术治疗左冠状动脉主干末端分叉病变,成功率高,安全有效。     

Jailed 球囊保护在冠状动脉分叉病变处理中的初步应用

目的：探讨Jailed球囊技术在冠状动脉分叉病变主支血管支架加分支血管备选T-支架处理中的作用。方法对57例接受主支血管支架加分支血管备选T-支架治疗的患者临床资料和冠状动脉介入治疗过程记录的DICOM格式的造影录像进行分析,测定治疗前后主支血管病变处与分支血管开口的最小直径、主支与分支血管夹角,计算术前和术后变化差值,并作Jailed球囊与Jailed导丝组之间的比较。结果共有57例60个分叉病变接受Jailed导丝（39例）或Jailed球囊（18例）分支保护下的主支血管支架植入手术。Jailed导丝组发生分支血管闭塞3例,TIMI血流≤2级的5例,Jailed球囊组分支血管闭塞1例。分支血管开口最小直径术后与术前变化差值Jailed导丝组为（-0.34±0.39）mm,Jailed球囊组为（0.08±0.64）mm,差异有显著统计学意义（t=3.144,P＜0.01）。分叉血管夹角术后Jailed导丝组缩小,Jailed球囊组增大,变化值差异有显著统计学意义[（-3.82±9.04）°、（3.54±7.76）°;t=3.102,P＜0.01]。结论在冠状动脉分叉病变主支血管支架加分支血管备选T-支架治疗中,Jailed球囊技术有利于防范分支血管开口严重挤压甚或闭塞的发生。     

经皮高速旋磨治疗冠状动脉钙化分叉病变：单中心经验

目的 评价旋磨术在冠状动脉钙化分叉病变治疗中的作用.方法 选择2006年7月至2013年1月大庆油田总医院旋磨治疗冠状动脉分叉病变患者48例,术后观察冠状动脉造影和治疗结果、住院期间和12个月的主要不良心血管事件（包括心源性死亡、介入治疗相关心肌梗死和靶血管再次血运重建）以及心绞痛的发生情况.结果 43例（89.6％）只旋磨主支,4例（8.3％）同时旋磨主支和边支,1例（2.1％）只旋磨边支.1例旋磨术中发生急性闭塞,1例旋磨术中出现慢血流;43例（89.6％）只在主支置入支架,4例（8.3％）采用双支架术,1例（2.1％）只在边支置入支架.主支置入支架后3例边支发生急性闭塞,1例边支次全闭塞,边支闭塞后球囊扩张边支,血流均恢复TIMI Ⅲ级.住院期间无死亡和靶血管再次血运重建病例,共有6例（12.5％）发生介入治疗相关心肌梗死.术后12个月随访1例非心源性死亡,1例靶血管再次血运重建,无心源性死亡、心肌梗死病例.结论 经皮冠状动脉内旋磨术是治疗分叉病变的安全、有效方法.     

Use of R ™ stent in the percutaneous coronary intervention of coronary bifurcation lesions

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) of coronary bifurcation lesion is technically quite demanding. It has been associated with a lower procedural success, higher rates of complication and restenosis. Side-branch occlusion and plaque shifting or 'snow plow' effect are not uncommon. Stenting of the main vessel may cause 'stent jail' of the side-branch. Modern stent design may allow passage of a balloon or stent into the side-branch through the struts of the stent placed in the main vessel. A newly developed 316 stainless steel tubular stent, the R? stent is uniquely designed to provide flexibility, radial strength on deployment and conformability. Its large cell size facilitates PCI of bifurcation lesion. AIM: To assess the feasibility of R ? stent in the treatment of symptomatic patients with bifurcation coronary lesions. The main objective was to assess the ease of deployment, side-branch access and overall success of the R ? stent in this group of patients without any major adverse events. METHODS: Between December 1998 and September 2000 the R ? stent was used as a main stent in 28 consecutive patients with coronary bifurcation lesions, 46% of which had unstable angina. The mean age was 59 &#45 10 and 89% were male. Adjunctive medical therapy included clopidrogel, aspirin and intraprocedure heparin. Abciximab (ReoPro) was given to 9 patients. RESULTS: Successful stent deployment was achieved in all patients. Thirty-four R Stents and 16 other stents were used. Two patients had post-procedure rise in cardiac enzymes. There were no major adverse events at 30 days. LAD/D1 with LAD/diagonal was the target lesion in the majority of patients. Stenting of the side-branch was done in 18 and balloon dilatation in 9 patients. At 3-23 months (mean 11.8) follow-up, repeat angiography was done in 18 patients with restenosis in 4, two of them had repeat PCI and one had coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). CONCLUSION: Coronary bifurcation lesions are not uncommon. Current advances in stent technology offer a safe and effective revascularisation strategy for such complex lesions. The R ? stent appears to be a suitable device that provides good wall coverage, radial strength, conformability and easy side-branch access.     

A new quantitative analysis system for the evaluation of coronary bifurcation lesions: comparison with current conventional methods.

BACKGROUND: Objective conventional quantitative angiographic systems are designed to automatically follow the contours of straight vascular segments and not of bifurcations. Recently a new analysis method was specifically developed for bifurcation lesions, able to automatically divide the lesion into three separate segments. In this study, we aimed to assess whether the smaller interaction required by the analyst could reduce the analysis time and inter and intra observer variability when compared with a conventional analysis. METHOD: We used a dedicated system (QVA-CMS V. 6.0 with the Bifurcation Module, MEDIS, Leiden, The Netherlands) applying a minimum cost algorithm tuned to detect the contours of the proximal main vessel (PMV), distal main vessel (DMV), and side-branch (SB). We assessed the intra- and the interobserver agreement in measurements of minimal lumen diameter (MLD) and percentage diameter stenosis (%DS) of the PMV and DMV, as well as of the SB ostium in 30 angiograms of patients before and after percutaneous coronary angioplasty with stenting of both branches. The consensus between measurements by two observers and by the same observer was analyzed using the intra- and interclass correlation coefficient and the reliability coefficients for all measurements. Bland-Altman plots before and after PCI were also generated to assess the relationship between variability and absolute measurements. RESULTS: Before PCI, intra- and interobserver variabilities were consistently lower for the new QVA system, with a significant difference for lesion length in the SB. Post-PCI data showed a greater variability in the assessment of diameter stenosis with both techniques. The time for analysis was significantly lower both before and after PCI for QVA compared with quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) (4.7 +/- 1.1 min versus 6.2 +/- 1.3 min, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that this new quantitative bifurcation analysis system can be consistently applied to the analysis of bifurcation lesions before and after angioplasty, with an intra- and interobserver reproducibility equal to or better than the conventional analysis system with a significantly shorter analysis time.     

Difference in security of stent jail between Palmaz-Schatz, NIR, and Multi-Link stents: the effect of balloon inflation through stent struts.

After placing a stent in the main vessel of a bifurcation lesion, it is often necessary to perform further balloon inflation or stent placement through the stent struts in order to treat a lesion of the secondary vessel or side branch. This balloon inflation with dilatation through the cells of the stent in the main vessel results in stent strut disfigurement. This disfigurement causes various degrees of stenosis within the main vessel secondary to stent strut deformity. The degree of strut deformity, and therefore stenosis, may vary significantly depending on stent design and structure. A model of a bifurcation lesion with an angle of 45 degrees was created from acrylic resin. The diameters of the main vessel and the secondary vessel were both 3.5 mm. Deployment of the Palmaz-Schatz stent (PS, n = 5), NIR stent (n = 5), or Multi-Link stent (n = 5) was performed in the main vessel with a 3.5-mm balloon catheter inflated to 6 atm. A second 3.5-mm balloon catheter was then inflated to 6 atm through the stent struts of the main vessel and into the ostium of the secondary vessel. The minimal lumen diameter (MLD) and cross-sectional area (CSA) at the ostium of the side branch and the stenosis within the main vessel were then measured, taking into account the stent deformity that occurred. Kissing balloon dilatation with two 3.5-mm balloon catheters was then performed and the stenosis secondary to stent deformity in the main vessel was remeasured. The MLD of the Multi-Link stent at the side-branch ostium was greater compared with those of the Palmaz-Schatz stent or the NIR stent (2.4 +/- 0.1, 1.6 +/- 0.1, 1.7 +/- 0.1 mm, P < 0.01) and CSA (4.9 +/- 0.5, 2.7 +/- 0.3, 2.5 +/- 0.3 mm(2), P < 0.01). Balloon inflation through the stent struts caused stent deformity that resulted in some degree of stenosis within the stent of the main vessel in all three stent types. Kissing balloon inflation reduced, but never eliminated, this stenosis. The percent stenosis in the main vessel secondary to stent deformity (PS 34% +/- 9%, NIR 25% +/- 8%, Multi-Link 34% +/- 7%, NS) and residual stenosis postkissing balloon inflation (PS 12% +/- 1%, NIR 10% +/- 3%, Multi-Link 14% +/- 3%, NS) were not significantly different among these three stents. At the side-branch ostium, the MLD and CSA were significantly greater for the Multi-Link stent compared with those of the Palmaz-Schatz or NIR stent. Balloon inflation through the stent struts caused stent deformity that resulted in stenosis within the stent in the main vessel. Kissing balloon inflation reduced this stenosis, but some residual stenosis always remained. The stenoses within the main vessel did not differ among the three stent types. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 48:230-234, 1999.     

Sequential vs. kissing balloon angioplasty for stenting of bifurcation coronary lesions.

Coronary angioplasty of bifurcation lesions remains a technical challenge and is believed to result in low procedural success associated with the risk of side-branch occlusion. Furthermore, long-term results are associated with a high rate of reintervention. The aim of the study was to evaluate the immediate and long-term clinical and angiographic results of sequential vs. simultaneous balloon angioplasty (kissing balloon technique) for stenting of bifurcation coronary lesions. Between December 1999 and January 2001, 59 patients underwent coronary angioplasty because of symptomatic bifurcation lesions type III (i.e., side branch originates from within the target lesion of the main vessel, and both main and side branch are angiographically narrowed more than 50%). Twenty-six patients were treated with simultaneous and 33 patients with sequential balloon angioplasty. Main-vessel stent placement was mandatory; side-branch stenting and platelet IIb/IIIa antagonists were allowed at the discretion of the operator. Kissing balloon technique offered no advantage in terms of procedural success or need for repeat target vessel revascularization due to restenosis at 6-month follow-up. Using sequential balloon angioplasty, permanent or transient side-branch compromise rate (TIMI flow < 3) was significantly higher than after kissing balloon technique (33% vs. 0%, respectively; P = 0.003). Major clinical events in-hospital or at 6-month follow-up, however, showed no significant differences. Kissing balloon angioplasty reduces the rate of transient side-branch occlusion compared to sequential PTCA but does not improve immediate or long-term outcome compared to sequential PTCA for stenting of bifurcation lesions.     

Analysis of bifurcation lesions treated with novel drug-eluting dedicated bifurcation stent system: intravascular ultrasound results of the AXXESS PLUS trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) study was to assess the efficacy of the AXXESS Plus stent system for the treatment of bifurcation coronary lesions. BACKGROUND: The AXXESS Plus is a novel bifurcation drug-eluting stent, comprised of a self-expanding flare-shaped stent platform and bioabsorbable polymer coating that releases Biolimus A9. METHODS: Data were obtained from the AXXESS PLUS trial, a prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, single-arm study to evaluate safety and efficacy. Six-month follow-up IVUS analysis was available in 49 cases. Volumetric analysis using Simpson's method within the AXXESS stent, and cross-sectional analysis at the ostium of main branch and/or side branch was performed. Impact of bifurcation angle on stent expansion at the carina was also evaluated. Results: Within the AXXESS stent, neointimal volume obstruction percentage was 2.3% +/- 2.2%, with a minimum lumen area of 7.9 +/- 2.6 mm(2). Lumen area was 5.2 +/- 1.7 mm(2) at main branch ostium, and 4.0 +/- 1.5 mm(2) at side branch ostium. In two cases, incomplete stent apposition was observed at the proximal edge of the AXXESS stent. In one case, a gap between the AXXESS stent and an additional stent was observed. Greater bifurcation angle inversely correlated with smaller stent area at side branch ostium (r = -0.54, P = 0.03) but not at main branch ostium (r = -0.2, P = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS: This novel self-expanding, drug-eluting bifurcation stent demonstrated effective lesion coverage along with significant neointimal suppression equivalent to current generation balloon-expandable drug-eluting stent technology.     

Percutaneous treatment of coronary bifurcations: lesion preparation before provisional bare metal stenting and subsequent immunosuppression with oral prednisone. The IMPRESS-Y study

Aim of the study was to assess the clinical and angiographic efficacy of oral treatment with prednisone at immunosuppressive dosage after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in patients with bifurcation lesions treated with elective bare metal stent (BMS) implantation in the main-branch (MB) and provisional stenting in the side-branch (SB). Twenty-five patients were treated on 29 bifurcation lesions (58 vessel segments). Lesion preparation before stenting was performed with atherectomy in 7 cases, and balloon PCI over double wires in all other cases; none was treated directly with stents. The mean length of stents implanted in the MB was 19.6 +/- 4.9 mm (10-30 mm). Balloon PCI was successful in 23 of 29 SB and provisional stenting was needed in 6 SB (21%). All patients received oral prednisone according to the immunosuppressive protocol previously reported (1 mg/kg/day/10 days, 0.5 mg/kg/day/20 days, 0.25 mg/kg/day/15 days). At 12 months, one patient had recurrence of angina (4%) and two patients underwent repeated target lesion revascularization (8%). No patient died or had stent thrombosis. Quantitative coronary analysis was performed in all patients at 8 months. Global restenosis rate per vessel was 8.6% (5/58), and 17.2% (5/29) per lesion. The restenosis rate and late lumen loss were 3.4% and 0.36 +/- 0.6 mm, and 13.8% and 0.47 +/- 0.46 mm in the MB and the SB, respectively. Single stent implantation in the MB and provisional stenting of the SB is feasible in most cases after adequate lesion preparation. The systemic treatment with oral prednisone after BMS implantation offers good clinical and angiographic results even in the difficult setting of bifurcation lesions.     

Bifurcation coronary lesions treated with the "crush" technique: an intravascular ultrasound analysis

OBJECTIVES: We report intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) findings after crush-stenting of bifurcation lesions. BACKGROUND: Preliminary results with the crush-stent technique are encouraging; however, isolated reports suggest that restenosis at the side branch (SB) ostium continues to be a problem. METHODS: Forty patients with bifurcation lesions underwent crush-stenting with the sirolimus-eluting stent. Postintervention IVUS was performed in both branches in 25 lesions and only the main vessel (MV) in 15 lesions; IVUS analysis included five distinct locations: MV proximal stent, crush area, distal stent, SB ostium, and SB distal stent. RESULTS: Overall, the MV minimum stent area was larger than the SB (6.7 +/- 1.7 mm2 vs. 4.4 +/- 1.4 mm2, p < 0.0001, respectively). When only the MV was considered, the minimum stent area was found in the crush area (rather than the proximal or MV distal stent) in 56%. When both the MV and the SB were considered, the minimum stent area was found at the SB ostium in 68%. The MV minimum stent area measured <4 mm2 in 8% of lesions and <5 mm2 in 20%. For the SB, a minimum stent area <4 mm2 was found in 44%, and a minimum stent area <5 mm2 in 76%, typically at the ostium. "Incomplete crushing"--incomplete apposition of SB or MV stent struts against the MV wall proximal to the carina--was seen in >60% of non-left main lesions. CONCLUSIONS: In the majority of bifurcation lesions treated with the crush technique, the smallest minimum stent area appeared at the SB ostium. This may contribute to a higher restenosis rate at this location.