Stenting of Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Stenoses: Immediate and Late Outcomes

Objectives. We examined the immediate and long-term outcomes after stenting of unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenoses in patients with normal left ventricular (LV) function.Background. Left main coronary artery disease is regarded as an absolute contraindication for coronary angioplasty. Recently, several reports on protected or unprotected LMCA stenting, or both, suggested the possibility of percutaneous intervention for this prohibited area.Methods. Forty-two consecutive patients with unprotected LMCA stenoses and normal LV function were treated with stents. The post-stent antithrombotic regimens were aspirin and ticlopidine; 14 patients also received warfarin. Patients were followed very closely with monthly telephone interviews and follow-up angiography at 6 months.Results. The procedural success rate was 100%, with no episodes of subacute thrombosis regardless of anticoagulation regimen. Six-month follow-up angiography was performed in 32 of 34 eligible patients. Angiographic restenosis occurred in seven patients (22%, 95% confidence interval 7% to 37%); five patients subsequently underwent elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), and two patients were treated with rotational atherectomy plus adjunct balloon angioplasty. The only death occurred 2 days after elective CABG for treatment of in-stent restenosis. The other patients (without angiographic follow-up) remain asymptomatic.Conclusions. Stenting of unprotected LMCA stenoses may be a safe and effective alternative to CABG in carefully selected patients with normal LV function. Further studies in larger patient populations are needed to assess late outcome.     

Stent in protected and non-protected left main coronary artery: results and short-term follow-up

We examined the immediate and short-term outcomes after stenting protected and unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenoses, in patients with normal ventricular function. Left main coronary artery disease is regarded as an absolute contraindication for coronary angioplasty, because it has been associated with high procedural morbidity and poor mid-term results. Between february 1995 and february 1999, 596 procedures were performed in 468 patients. Ten patients who had disease involving the left main coronary artery were included. They were not candidates for coronary surgery. The post-stent antithrombotic regimens were aspirin and ticlopidine. The procedural success rate was 100% without episodes of subacute thrombosis. Three to six months follow-up angiography was performed in all, restenosis occurred only in two patients, there were two repeat PTCA (20%) and there were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Stenting of unprotected and protected left main coronary artery stenoses may be a safe and effective alternative to surgery in carefully selected patients with normal left ventricular function. The results of our study suggests that when patients have prohibitive surgical risks, elective LMCA angioplasty and/or stenting maybe undertaken with a high procedural success rate as an effective alternative to CABG in carefully selected patients. Further studies in larger patient populations are needed to assess late outcome.     

Immediate and long-term outcomes of stent implantation for unprotected left main coronary artery disease

Left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease is now uniformly treated with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, some patients with LMCA disease do not receive CABG because of high operative risks. The advent of stent implantation has permitted a non-operative improvement in myocardial blood flow in many patients with single- and multi-vessel coronary artery disease. However, the outcomes of stent implantation for unprotected LMCA disease are still unclear. Stent implantation was performed for unprotected LMCA disease in 13 patients; eight patients had high operative risk and five patients had refused CABG. The primary success rate was 100% (13/13 patients). One patient (8%) developed a non-Q-wave myocardial infarction after LMCA stenting. Repeat angiography was obtained in five patients (38%) with recurrent angina, and three patients (23%) received repeated percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for LMCA restenosis. In the follow-up period of 18±3 months, 12 patients (92%) remained in satisfactory condition with no further need for surgical intervention. One patient (8%) ultimately required CABG, and she died after CABG at 3 months after LMCA stenting. In conclusion, although CABG remains the standard treatment for LMCA disease, the present study demonstrates that stent implantation is a safe and clinically beneficial revascularization procedure for unprotected LMCA disease in patients who have high operative risk as well as those who refuse CABG.     

A prospective study of elective stenting in unprotected left main coronary disease

The standard treatment of left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease has been bypass surgery (CABG). Recent reports suggested that stenting of LMCA disease might be feasible. From January 1995 to April 1998, we carried out a prospective study of elective stenting of unprotected LMCA disease to evaluate its immediate and long-term results. Of 61 consecutive patients with unprotected LMCA disease, 6 were excluded. Acute procedural success was 100% for the remaining 55 patients, without any complications such as stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, CABG, or death. During a mean follow-up of 16.1 ± 9.6 months, 11 patients (20%) had symptomatic recurrence, between 2 to 6 months after their procedure. Seven patients underwent CABG, two had repeat intervention, one continued with medical therapy, and one died before planned angiography. There was no late sudden death. Forty-four patients (80%) remained asymptomatic. We conclude that elective stenting may be a safe alternative to CABG in unprotected LMCA disease. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 46:153–159, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Immediate and Remote Results of Endovascular Recanalization of Chronic Coronary Artery Occlusions

We compared early and long-term follow-up results of balloon angioplasty and stenting of chronic coronary occlusions. The initial success rate was 75% (82 of 109 patients). Proportion of patients free of angina was 57 and 69% after successful balloon angioplasty and stenting, respectively. Stenting of coronary occlusions yielded better immediate angiographic results than did balloon angioplasty: residual stenosis and minimal diameter of artery after stenting were 13.5-12.4% and 2.7-0.2 mm, respectively; those after balloon angioplasty were 23.2-15.6% and 2.3-0.2 mm, p<0,05, respectively. Four-year clinical outcome was better in stenting than in angioplasty group: free of angina were 52 and 22% of patients in stenting and angioplasty group, respectively (p<0,05). There was no difference at follow-up between two groups in the rate of myocardial infarction, death, repeat revascularization. Repeat coronary angiography was performed after 38-24 months in 44% of patients. The rate of 'late' restenosis was 32% in stenting and 73% in balloon angioplasty group (p<0,05); mean stenosis and minimal diameter of artery after stenting were 43.5-12.4% and 1.7-0.6 mm, respectively; those after balloon angioplasty were 67.5-15.6% and 0.72+0.5 mm, respectively (p<0,05).     

Unprotected left main coronary artery stenting: correlates of midterm survival and impact of patient selection.

BACKGROUND: The study served to present the in-hospital and six-month clinical outcome and also the long-term survival data of a consecutive series of patients undergoing stenting for unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease. METHODS: Revascularization with coronary bypass surgery has been generally recommended for treatment of left main coronary stenosis. Improvements in angioplasty and coronary stent techniques and equipment may result in the wider applicability of a percutaneous approach. A total of 92 consecutive patients underwent unprotected LMCA stenting between March 1994 and December 1998. For the initial 39 patients (group I) angioplasty was performed only when surgical revascularization was contraindicated. The remaining 53 patients (group II) also included patients in whom surgery was feasible. Patients were followed for 7.3 +/- 5.8 months (median 239 days; range 49 to 1,477 days). RESULTS: Compared to group I, group II patients had higher left ventricular ejection fraction (60 +/- 12% vs. 51 +/- 16%, p < 0.01), less severe LMCA stenosis (68 +/- 12% vs. 80 +/- 10%, p < 0.001), lower surgical risk score (13 +/- 7 vs. 20 +/- 7, p < 0.001), and had angioplasty more often performed via the radial approach (88% vs. 23%, p < 0.001) with smaller guiding catheters (6F: 49% vs. 15%; 8F: 2% vs. 77%, p < 0.001). The procedural success rate was 100%. In-hospital mortality was 4% (4 deaths, 3 cardiac). During follow-up there were six deaths, 13 patients required repeat percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (4 LMCA), and two required coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Estimated survival (+/- SEE) was 89 +/- 6.3% at 500 days and 85 +/- 12% at 1,000 days post-stenting. Overall mortality was 3.8% in group II and 20.5% in group I (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary stenting can be performed safely in high-risk individuals with acceptable intermediate-term outcome. It may be feasible to broaden the application of this technique in selected patients needing revascularization for left main coronary disease.     

Stenting of the left main coronary artery. Local experience in Liège

We examined the immediate and long-term outcome after stenting of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) in 41 consecutive patients who had been considered unsuitable for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). The procedure was elective in thirty-two patients (78%) with a protected LMCA in 24 patients and non-protected LMCA in 8 patients; the procedure was acute in the setting of myocardial infarction or complication of a diagnostic angiography in 9 patients (22%). The mean follow-up duration was 19 +/- 13 months. There were 5 in-hospital and 3 late deaths; repeat angioplasty was performed in 5 cases, but only one for LMCA restenosis. Results varied considerably depending on the clinical presentation. For acute patients, technical success was achieved in 89%, survival at hospital discharge was 44% and there was no cardiac event at the late follow-up. For elective patients, technical success was achieved in 100%, survival at hospital discharge was 96% and 90% at follow-up. The results of our study suggest that when patients have surgical risks, elective LMCA stenting either protected or unprotected may be undertaken with a high procedural success rate and a favourable clinical late follow-up.     

无保护左主干病变经皮冠状动脉介入治疗的近期和远期疗效

目的　探讨无保护左主干病变 (UPLMT)经皮冠状动脉介入治疗 (PCI)的近、远期疗效。方法　自 1992年 12月至 2 0 0 2年 12月期间 ,对 174例UPLMT行PCI,其中定向斑块旋切术 (DCA) 12 1例 ,支架术 5 3例。其中 85例被列为不能耐受冠状动脉旁路移植术 (CABG)或外科手术高危。术后半年内每月至少门诊复查一次 ,以后定期随诊、电话随访。术后 3、6、12月行冠状动脉造影复查。结果　PCI术均获血管造影成功。住院期间主要不良心脏事件 (MACE) 16例 (9 2 % ) ,15 8例 (90 8% )获操作成功。术后半年随访发现死亡 17例 (9 8% ) ;其中心源性死亡 8例 (4 6 % ) ,均发生于不能耐受CABG或外科手术高危组。半年内有 15 2例患者接受冠状动脉造影复查 ,其中有 36例 (2 3 7% )行血管重建。Kaplan Meier生存分析显示 :PCI术后 1年、3年生存率 (免于死亡 )分别为 89 7%、84 5 % ,术后 1年、3年免于心脏事件的生存率分别为 6 3 8%、5 7 5 %。结论　对UPLMT ,尤其是开口部、体部病变 ,PCI的近期疗效可以接受 ,但术后主要心脏事件 (如血管重建、心肌梗死、死亡等 )有待进一步减少。     

Stenting for Unprotected and Protected Left Main Stem Disease: A Comparison of Short- and Long-term Outcome

Left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis is usually treated with coronary artery bypass surgery. However, in high risk surgical patients, coronary stenting may be advantageous. We reviewed the records of all 16 patients who had undergone this procedure in our institution. Group I (nine patients, eight males, mean age 64.6 years) had protected LMCA disease. Group II (seven patients, six males, mean age 69.5 years) had unprotected LMCA disease. Procedural success was achieved in 15 patients. Outcome was divided into short-term (in hospital), and long-term events. The mean follow-up for both groups was 16.9 months and 9 months respectively. Three patients died (two in group II). Three patients had repeat revascularization procedure (group I). Six patients were asymptomatic (two in group I), and four had a significant improvement in angina symptoms. LMCA stenting is a relatively safe and effective revascularization procedure for patients with either protected or unprotected LMCA disease at high risk for surgery.     

Unprotected left main stenting,short- and long-term outcomes

Abstract

Background: Coronary bypass surgery is recommended for the treatment of left main coronary stenosis. Recently a percutaneous approach has been described as a feasible option. Objectives: To present the in-hospital and long-term clinical and angiographic outcome of a consecutive group of patients undergoing stenting for unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease, and to compare the clinical and angiographic outcomes of drug-eluting stent (DES) versus metal stent (BMS). Methods: 238 consecutive patients underwent unprotected LMCA stenting. 165 received BMS and 73 received DES. Most patients (88.7%) presented with acute coronary syndrome. Clinical (100%) and angiographic (84%) follow-up was obtained. Results: Patients’ presentation: STEMI (7.2%), non-STEMI (13.5%), unstable angina (67.6%), stable angina (11.7%). Procedural success rate was 100%. In-hospital mortality was 2.1%, all in patients presented with unstable hemodynamic conditions. None of the patients needed emergent CABG. In the long-term follow-up (average three years) there were 12 deaths (5%), 3 patients required CABG and 25 patients required TVR. The overall angiographic LM restenosis rate show a trend toward lower rate in the DES group than the BMS group (9.6% versus 13.8%, P = 0.08). There was no difference in one year mortality (4.1% versus 4.2%) and AMI (2.7% versus 2.8%) between DES and BMS. Conclusions: Stenting for LM stenosis can be performed safely with acceptable in hospital and long-term outcome. Reconsideration of current guidelines should be considered. Drug-eluting stent implantation for unprotected LMCA stenosis appears safe with regard to acute and long-term complications and is more effective in preventing restenosis compared to BMS implantation.     

Long-term (three-year) outcomes after stenting of unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis in patients with normal left ventricular function

The purpose of this study was to analyze long-term follow-up information from patients treated with stenting for unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis. Stenting of unprotected LMCA stenosis is often performed in selected patients, but the long-term safety of this therapy is not yet established. Between January 1995 and September 2000, 270 consecutive patients with unprotected LMCA stenosis and normal left ventricular function who underwent treatment at 4 clinical centers were included in this study. Data were forwarded to the coordinating center using a standard case report form. The procedural success rate was 98.9%. There were no deaths, 3 stent thromboses, and 3 Q-wave myocardial infarctions during the hospitalization. Angiographic follow-up was performed in 237 patients (follow-up rate 87.8%), and the restenosis rate was 21.1%. The reference size was an independent predictor of binary restenosis (odds ratio 0.543, 95% confidence interval 0.308 to 0.957, p = 0.03). During the follow-up period (32.3 +/- 18.5 months), there were 20 deaths (8 cardiac, 12 noncardiac) and 5 nonfatal myocardial infarctions. Target and new lesion revascularizations were required in 45 (16.7%) and 31 (11.5%) patients, respectively. The cumulative probabilities free from major adverse cardiac events were 81.9 +/- 2.4%, 78.4 +/- 2.6%, and 77.7 +/- 2.7%, respectively, at 1, 2, and 3 years. Combined coronary artery disease and postprocedural minimal luminal diameter were the significant predictors of major adverse cardiac events. Thus, the long-term prognosis of patients after stenting of unprotected LMCA stenosis was favorable in selected patients with normal left ventricular function.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary artery bypass graft surgery for the treatment of unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis: in-hospital and one year outcome after emergent and elective treatments

This study attempts to compare the risks and benefits of provisional stenting with drug eluting stents and bypass surgery for left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis. Recent improvements in interventional technologies have increased interest in percutaneous treatment of LMCA stenosis. However, application of percutaneous techniques to LMCA has been sporadic and controversial. In-hospital and one year outcomes of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) cases were compared. From September, 2003 to June, 2005, a total of 59 consecutive patients with de novo unprotected LMCA stenosis were treated with either CABG or PCI. Twenty patients received non-intravascular ultrasound-guided PCI with a stent in the LMCA. Thirty-nine patients underwent CABG. At 30-day follow-up, the major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACE) rates of mortality, myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular accident, and target vessel revascularization were 25.6% in the CABG group and 5% in the PCI group (P=0.054). At one year follow-up, the MACE rates were 33.3% in the CABG group and 5% in the PCI group. One year MACE for the CABG group significantly differed from that of the PCI group (P=0.015). The odds ratio (OR) of one year MACE-free survival was 0.75 (P<0.001) in the CABG group versus the PCI group. Further analysis demonstrated there was a significant difference in in-hospital MACE and one year MACE between the elective CABG group and elective PCI group (P=0.045). However, there was no significant difference between the emergent CABG group and emergent PCI group (P=1.000 for in-hospital MACE; P=0.486 for one year MACE). PCI on unprotected LM offers an alternative option in patients with high surgical risk and appropriate lesion morphology.     

Elective stenting of unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis: effect of debulking before stenting and intravascular ultrasound guidance

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate: 1) the long-term outcomes of 127 selected patients receiving unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenting; and 2) the impact of the debulking procedure before stenting and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance on their clinical outcomes. BACKGROUND: The long-term safety of stenting of unprotected LMCA stenoses has not been established yet. METHODS: A total of 127 consecutive patients with unprotected LMCA stenosis and normal left ventricular function were treated by elective stenting. The long-term outcomes were evaluated between two groups: IVUS guidance (n = 77) vs. angiographic guidance (n = 50); and debulking plus stenting (debulking/stenting; n = 40) vs. stenting only (n = 87). RESULTS: Angiographic restenosis was documented in 19 (19%) of 100 patients. The lumen diameter after stenting was significantly larger in IVUS-guided group (p = 0.003). The angiographic restenosis rate was significantly lower in the debulking/stenting group (8.3% vs. 25%, p = 0.034). The reference artery size was the only independent predictor of angiographic restenosis. During follow-up (25.5 +/- 16.7 months), there were four deaths, but no nonfatal myocardial infarctions occurred. The survival rate was 97.0 +/- 1.7% at two years. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that stenting of unprotected LMCA stenosis might be associated with a favorable long-term outcome in selected patients. Guidance with IVUS may optimize the immediate results, and debulking before stenting seems to be effective in reducing the restenosis rate. However, we need a large-scale, randomized study.     

One-year clinical outcomes of protected and unprotected left main coronary artery stenting.

AIMS: To evaluate outcomes for left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenting and compare results between protected (left coronary grafted) and unprotected LMCA stenting in the current bare-metal stent era. METHODS: We reviewed outcomes among 142 consecutive patients who underwent protected or unprotected LMCA stenting since 1997. All-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), target-lesion revascularization (TLR), and the combined major adverse clinical event (MACE) rates at one year were computed. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients (70%) underwent protected and 43 patients (30%) underwent unprotected LMCA stenting. In the unprotected group, 86% were considered poor surgical candidates. Survival at one year was 88% for all patients, TLR 20%, and MACE 32%. At one year, survival was reduced in the unprotected group (72% vs. 95%, P<0.001) and MACE was increased in the unprotected patients (49% vs. 25%, P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In the current era, stenting for both protected and unprotected LMCA disease is still associated with high long-term mortality and MACE rates. Stenting for unprotected LMCA disease in a high-risk population should only be considered in the absence of other revascularization options. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of stenting for unprotected LMCA disease.     

药物洗脱支架在冠心病无保护左主干病变中的应用

目的评价药物洗脱支架治疗经选择冠心病无保护左主干病变的安全性和有效性。方法2003年1月~2005年6月间,共有48例经选择的冠心病患者,年龄39~81岁,经冠状动脉造影证实为无保护左主干病变(左主干狭窄均≥75%)行介入治疗置入药物洗脱支架。结果48例患者介入治疗均获得成功,共置入药物洗脱支架75枚(51 Cypher,18 Taxus,6 Firebird)。其中左主干开口部狭窄5例(10.4%,5/48),体部狭窄6例(12.5%,6/48),远端分叉部位狭窄37例(77.1%,37/48)。37例远端分叉部位狭窄患者中,主支支架加边支经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)10例,双支架术27例,最后成功对吻球囊扩张30例(81.1%,30/37)。所有患者治疗后临床症状明显缓解或消失,住院及6个月随访期间无严重心血管事件发生,43例患者术后6个月行冠状动脉造影随访,2例患者再狭窄(均为分叉病变)行冠状动脉旁路移植术(CABG),冠状动脉造影随访率89.6%,再狭窄率4.7%。结论药物洗脱支架介入治疗冠心病无保护左主干病变安全有效,近中期效果良好。     

Left main intervention revisited: Early and late outcome of PTCA and stenting

We reviewed our experience with 28 unselected, consecutive patients undergoing left main coronary artery (LMCA) angioplasty who had been considered unsuitable for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Fourteen patients (50%) had a protected LMCA circulation. Balloon angioplasty was performed in 11 patients (39.3%), and stents were implanted in 17 patients (60.7%). The procedure was elective in 22 patients (78.6%) and acute in the setting of myocardial infarction/cardiogenic shock in (21.4%). The mean follow-up duration was 15.9 ± 12 months. There were 5 early (before hospital discharge) and 4 late deaths (total 32.1%), 1 myocardial infarction (3.6%), 6 repeat angioplasties (21.4%), and 3 subsequent CABG (10.7%). All 5 early deaths occurred in patients with cardiogenic shock and unprotected circulation. The results of our study suggest that when patients have prohibitive surgical risks, elective LMCA angioplasty and/or stenting may be undertaken with a high procedural success rate. However, our data do not support intervention in the presence of acute myocardial infarction/cardiogenic shock. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 41:21–29, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Stent implantation for the unprotected left main coronary artery. The long-term outcome of 62 patients

INTRODUCTION: Stent implantation for the unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) is regarded as controversial and coronary heart disease with LMCA stenosis still remains a basic indication for bypass surgery. Although there is no doubt that the risk of stent implantation for LMCA lesions is low, there are still limited data on long-term outcomes. There have been no reports so far answering the question whether ULMCA stenting ensures adequate coronary blood flow in the vessel. AIM: Assessment of the effect of LMCA flow restoration with stenting on the coronary flow reserve assessed by an exercise test, as well as on left ventricular function and angina in patients followed for 12 months after the procedure. METHODS: The study population included 62 patients (17 women and 45 men) aged 61.4+/-11.1 (35-84 years) who underwent coronary angioplasty with elective ULMCA stenting. In all patients, serial echocardiography (before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure) and the exercise test according to the Bruce protocol (1, 3, 6, 12 months after the procedure) were carried out. Routine coronary angiography was performed 3 to 6 months after the procedure. Fifty-nine patients (95.2%) survived a 12-month period. In 24 (38.7%) patients major adverse cardiac events (MACE) occurred. In-stent restenosis was observed in 13 patients; in 11 of them repeated PCI was performed and 2 of them underwent CABG. One patient after repeated PCI required CABG. RESULTS: Severity of angina, evaluated according to the CCS scale, decreased significantly in the 12-month follow-up period as compared with the preprocedural period (p <0.00001). The mean baseline left ventricular ejection fraction was 51.6+/-12.5%. It increased to 53.8+/-12.8% (p <0.02) at 6 months and remained at this level at 12 months. The mean exercise test time was 7.0+/-3.4 minutes in the first month after ULMCA stenting, and in the sixth and the twelfth month of follow-up it increased to 7.6+/-3.4 minutes (p <0.002) and 7.8+/-3.2 minutes (p <0.05), respectively. The metabolic equivalent task (MET) value did not change significantly during the observation period. CONCLUSIONS: Restoration of the physiological blood flow in the unprotected left main coronary artery with stent implantation is associated with a significant reduction of angina, significant improvement of the left ventricular systolic function and preservation of exercise capacity in long-term follow-up.     

Early recognition of catheter‐induced left main coronary artery vasospasm: Implications for revascularization

Catheter‐induced left main coronary artery (LMCA) vasospasm is a rare complication of coronary angiography that confounds the decision for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. We report two cases of catheter‐induced LMCA vasospasm. The first case was a 68‐year‐old woman who presented 6 years after CABG for presumed severe LMCA atherosclerotic disease. Coronary angiography demonstrated totally occluded CABGs and normal native coronary arteries, including a normal LMCA. The second case was a 56‐year‐old man with severe LMCA stenosis, who was scheduled for unprotected LM percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Repeat angiography 2 days later showed no stenosis. These cases emphasize the need for meticulous technique and a high index of suspicion of LMCA vasospasm. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) at the time of angiography may help to identify minimal atherosclerotic disease suggesting vasospasm. Alternatively, noninvasive testing, such as Computed Tomography (CT) angiography, may diagnose LM spasm in these patients prior to CABG surgery. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Life saving angioplasty of left main coronary artery in a high risk patient

A case a of a life-saving angioplasty of left main coronary artery (LMCA) is presented. A 75 year old patient with a history of diabetes, previous CABG and carotid surgery was admitted to our hospital with symptoms of early post-infarct angina. Coronary angiography revealed significant stenosis of LMCA, in addition to previously known multi-vessel diffuse CAD. Taking into consideration a very high risk of repeat CABG surgery a decision was made to perform an angioplasty. The intervention was carried out with good angiographic effect and the patient was discharged home few days later, free from angina. In 9 month follow-up angiography there was no restenosis in LMCA. In patients to whom cardiac surgery presents very high risk, an angioplasty of LMCA can be life-saving, with good long term effects.     

Angioplasty of the unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis with standby cardiopulmonary support--a case report

Stenosis of the unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) is a classical indication for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of LMCA may be an alternative to surgical treatment if atherosclerosis of distal segments is very advanced. The periprocedural risk is high, especially if comorbidities are present. However, long-term results remain unclear. The ongoing Syntax trial will clarify whether angioplasty of LMCA with drug-eluting stents can be equivalent to CABG. We present a case of a patient with occluded right coronary artery, severe stenoses of the LMCA, left anterior descending artery and left circumflex artery, and poor left ventricular ejection fraction in whom PCI for stenosis of unprotected LMCA with standby cardiopulmonary support was performed.