Direct coronary stenting without balloon or device pretreatment: acute success and long-term results.

Improvements in coronary stents have made planned direct coronary stenting technically feasible, though safety, acute success, cost-effectiveness, and long-term results remain to be determined. Sequential patients eligible for direct stenting were prospectively characterized and treated with either direct or secondary stenting. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) such as cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), target vessel ischemia, or revascularization (TVR) were followed for 6 months post-PCI. Enrollment included 128 direct (1.38 lesions/patient) and 69 secondary (1.39 lesions/patient) stented patients. Direct stenting was successful in 99% (with 5% crossover to secondary stenting) without major procedural complications and with a similar rate of vessel wall dissection or no-reflow phenomenon (2.3% vs. 2.1%; P > 0.05) as the secondary stenting group. There was a trend toward less postprocedural CPK-MB elevation in the nonacute MI patients with direct vs. secondary stenting (3% vs. 11%, respectively). At 6 months, there were no statistically significant differences in overall MACE. Direct stenting has a high success rate, low complication rate, and durable long-term results. Procedural cost and time savings, less contrast use and radiation exposure make direct stenting attractive in properly selected patients.     

老年冠心病患者冠状动脉内支架置入术的疗效评价

目的　评价老年冠心病患者冠状动脉内支架置入术的临床疗效和安全性。方法　对比分析 49例老年 (86支血管 )和 6 1例老年前期 (98支血管 )冠心病患者冠状动脉内支架置入术的结果。结果　老年组冠状动脉病变严重、复杂病变较多 ,在复杂病变内置入支架比率高于老年前期组 ;手术即刻成功率和临床成功率均为 98.0 % ;术前病变平均狭窄率为 (94.5± 5 .6 ) % ,术后残余狭窄率为 (7.4± 8.2 ) % ;因球囊扩张不理想置入支架的为 45 .0 % ,因经皮冠状动脉腔内成形术 (PTCA)并发夹层或濒临闭塞而置入支架的比率高于老年前期组。出现严重并发症 1例(2 .0 % )。结论　老年冠心病患者冠状动脉内支架置入术成功率高 ,并发症发生率低。     

Primary stenting of de novo lesions in small coronary arteries: A prospective,pilot study

Technical advancement and new anti-thrombotic regimens have recently shown so much improvement in the results of coronary stenting that the conventional contra-indication for stenting in small coronary arteries (<3 mm) needs to be revised. We undertook a prospective pilot study of elective Palmaz-Schatz stenting in de novo lesions located in coronary arteries of less than 3 mm diameter. Fifty consecutive patients (63 ± 9 years) with stable (n = 38) and unstable angina (n = 12) were included. Philips-DCI quantitative coronary analysis was used to measure reference diameter, minimal lumen diameter and percent diameter stenosis before PTCA, after stenting and at 6-month angiographic follow-up study. All measurements were performed after intracoronary injection of nitroglycerin (300 μg). All patients received ticlopidine (250 mg/day) and aspirin (100 mg/day). The mean lesion length was 9 ± 3 mm. The balloon size used for stent delivery was 2.75 mm in 30 patients and 2.5 mm in 20 patients and the mean balloon inflation pressure used for stent deployment was 12 ± 2 atm. All stents were deployed successfully. In-hospital complications occurred in two patients, diagonal branch occlusion at day 2 requiring emergency PTCA in one and a hematoma at the femoral puncture site requiring surgery in the other. Major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate remained 2% (nonfatal infarct in one). Follow-up angiography (n = 46, 92%) at 6 ± 3 months showed a 30% restenosis rate. Target vessel revascularization (TVR) rate was 13%. We conclude that elective stenting in small coronary arteries is feasible and involves an acceptable risk of restenosis. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 45:235–238, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Acute and long‐term clinical and angiographic outcomes of coronary stenting using Palmaz‐Schatz stent and ACS Multi‐Link stent

Acute and long‐term (≥ 3 years) outcomes of coronary artery stenting using Palmaz‐Schatz and Multi‐Link stent implantations between November 1995 and October 1999 were analyzed. There were 655 Palmaz‐Schatz stent implantations in 577 lesions on 477 patients (group A) and 428 Multi‐Link stent implantations in 381 lesions on 326 patients (group B). The baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. Group B had more complex lesions, longer stenotic lesions, and larger reference vessel sizes than group A. However, both groups had a similar in‐hospital cardiac events. Four hundred and two patients with 488 lesions in group A and 260 patients with 307 lesions in group B underwent a 6‐month follow‐up coronary angiography. The restenotic rate per lesion was 16% in both groups (P = 0.872). A 3‐year angiographic follow‐up was performed in 262 patients of group A (301 lesions) and 139 patients of group B (162 lesions), and restenosis was noted in only 3 patients (1.36%) in group A and 5 patients (4%) in group B, in which the lesion was patent at the 6‐month angiographic follow‐up. Significant increase in minimal luminal diameter was noted from 2.23 ± 0.66 mm at 6 months to 2.33 ± 0.64 mm in group A (P < 0.01), and insignificant increase from 2.23 ± 0.77 to 2.28 ± 0.82 mm was noted in group B (P = 0.27). No differences were noted between the two groups in mortality, reinfarction, recurrent angina, target lesion angioplasty, or elective coronary artery bypass surgery during a follow‐up period of 60 ± 3 months. Forty‐five patients (9.4%) in group A and 18 patients (5.5%) in group B received additional stenting procedures for newly developed lesions. The overall cardiac event‐free survival was 66% in group A and 72% in group B (P = 0.844). In conclusion, the procedural success rate, in‐hospital morbidity, 6‐month angiographic results, and long‐term (≥ 3 years) clinical and angiographic outcomes were similar with coronary stenting using either Palmaz‐Schatz or Multi‐Link stent. The stented lesions were stable; however, late regression of minimal luminal diameter was noted in both groups, and progression of atherosclerotic change in the nonstented site was noted during long‐term follow‐up. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;62:453–460. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

冠状动脉造影后即刻支架术与择期支架术的临床研究

目的比较冠状动脉造影后即刻支架术与择期支架术的成功率和并发症发生率，从而探讨即刻支架术的临床应用价值。方法对2005年1—12月在我科行冠状动脉造影后即刻支架术（即刻组，n=115例）和择期支架术（择期组，n=172例）患者的资料进行分析。结果A型和B型病变的成功率和并发症率两组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05），而C型病变的成功率即刻组低于择期组（P〈0．01），而并发症率高于择期组（P=0．05）。结论A型和B型病变冠状动脉造影后即刻支架术是临床可行的，而C型病变不宜冠状动脉造影后即刻支架术。因此，冠状动脉造影后即刻支架术有一定的临床应用价值。     

Acute profound thrombocytopenia after use of eptifibatide for coronary stenting.

This is a case report of a patient who developed profound thrombocytopenia during treatment with eptifibatide after PCI of the mid right coronary artery.     

预扩张支架术和直接支架术治疗老年冠心病患者比较观察

目的 比较采用充分预扩张支架术、有限预扩张支架术和直接支架术治疗老年冠心病患者的优缺点及远期疗效。方法 选择具有如下特点的病例进入观察:①临床诊断不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)或非ST段抬高性心肌梗死(NSTEMI)。②年龄≥65岁。③无糖尿病史。④冠状动脉(冠脉)病变狭窄程度≥75％但≤95％,长度≤30mm,参考直径≥3.0mm,成角≤45°。⑤透视下病变钙化程度中度以下。对人选病例的病变随机分为3组:①充分预扩张支架组,采用与病变参考血管直径1:1的球囊充分预扩张后置入支架。②有限预扩张支架组,采用比病变参考血管直径小30％左右的球囊作有限预扩张后置入支架。③直接支架组,不经过预扩张直接置入支架。全组病例术后常规服用噻氯匹定4周,联合应用β-阻滞剂、钙拮抗剂、血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂和他汀类降脂药物。每半年随访症状和心电图,对有胸痛症状和缺血检查结果者复查冠脉造影。结果 共入选198例患者(263个病变),男/女为122/76,年龄(72±11)岁。3组病变分组情况及介入治疗结果:①充分预扩张支架组,87个病变(63例),支架全部放置成功,支架直径(3.3±0.7)mm,长度(2.68±0.7)mm,预扩张后33个病变(37.9％)出现夹层,其中11个(33.3％)需采用长支架或补放支架处理。②有限预扩张支架组88个病变(69例),支架全部放     

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.     

Long stenting in native coronary arteries: Relation between vessel size and outcome

Procedural and 6-mo clinical outcomes were evaluated in 34 consecutive patients who had stenting (<40 mm) of a long segment of coronary artery. Procedural success was achieved in 32 (96%) patients. Before stenting, 32 (96%) patients had Canadian Cardiovascular Society Class 3 or 4 angina compared to 7 (21%) at 6-mo follow-up (^P<0.001). Eleven patients (32%) suffered either acute/subacute stent thrombosis (n=4) or restenosis (n=7). On logistic regression distal reference diameter <2.5 mm (odds ratio 26, ^P<0.01) and previous cardiac intervention (odds ratio 9.0, ^P<0.01) were independent predictors of a major adverse event during follow-up. There was no significant association between outcome and indication for stenting, type of stent, or use of ticlopidine and aspirin. These results indicate that distal vessel diameter <2.5 mm is a powerful predictor of subacute thrombosis or restenosis after long coronary artery stenting. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 44:170-174, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Comparative trial of stent-like balloon angioplasty versus coronary stenting for acute myocardial infarction.

Primary PTCA has been shown to be superior to any thrombolytic regimen and offers higher reperfusion rates and better coronary flow grades. Its limitations include recurrent ischemia (10%-15%), infarct-related artery reocclusion (5%-10%), angiographic restenosis (35%-50%), and need to perform repeat PTCA or CABG at 6-month follow-up (20%). Thus, the current role of coronary stenting for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is very promising. From December 1995 through January 1997, 335 patients underwent primary angioplasty during the first 12 hr from symptom onset at our institution. We performed a retrospective study comparing the in-hospital and 6-month follow-up outcome of 61 patients who underwent coronary stenting (stent group) against 61 patients with optimal (residual lesion stenosis < 30%) balloon-only primary angioplasty (stent-like group). Patients were routinely treated with aspirin, and ticlopidine was given only to the stent group. In-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rate was 11.5% without statistical differences between the groups. Cardiac death rate was similar in both groups (4.9 vs. 6.6%; P = 1.0) and only two (3.3%) patients from the stent group and none from the PTCA group had nonfatal myocardial reinfarction. At 6-month follow-up, the rate of recurrent angina was higher in the stent-like group (30.9 vs. 7.1%; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that only stenting of the infarct-related artery was a borderline independent predictor for MACE (OR = 0; 95% CI = 0-1; P = 0.057). Primary stenting for AMI reduces the rate of recurrent angina or symptoms and MACE at 6-month follow-up.     

Procedural outcomes of repeated transradial coronary procedure.

We evaluated the changes in radial arterial diameter and the procedural outcomes of repeated transradial procedures through the same radial artery in 117 cases. No significant differences were found in the mean diameter of the radial artery between preprocedure and 1 day after procedure on initial and repeated procedures. However, the mean radial arterial diameter was significantly decreased from 2.63 +/- 0.35 to 2.51 +/- 0.29 mm during follow-up after the initial procedure (P = 0.01). There was no significant difference in the vascular access times of the initial and repeated procedures (2.9 +/- 3.1 vs. 3.3 +/- 3.6 min; P = 0.08), and procedural success of repeated procedure was similar to those of the initial procedure. However, the incidence of radial arterial occlusion was higher for repeated procedures (2.6% vs. 0%; P = 0.01). We conclude that the repeated use of the radial artery is feasible in most patients with a high procedural success rate and low vascular complications.     

Randomised comparison of coronary stenting with and without balloon predilatation in selected patients

BACKGROUND—The SWIBAP (stent without balloon predilatation) prospective randomised trial was designed to compare direct coronary stenting with stenting preceded by lesion predilatation with an angioplasty balloon.
OBJECTIVE—To determine the feasibility and safety of direct stenting in non-complex coronary lesions in a prospective study.
PATIENTS AND DESIGN—All patients < 76 years of age scheduled to undergo angioplasty of a non-complex, non-calcified lesion in a coronary artery of > 3.0 mm, who granted their informed consent, were randomised into the trial. In group I, the stent was placed without balloon predilatation, while in group II stent implantation was preceded by balloon predilatation. The primary end point was the angiographic result according to procedure assigned by randomisation. An intravascular ultrasound substudy was performed in 60 patients.
RESULTS—Stent implantation was successful without predilatation in 192 of the 197 group I patients (97.5%), and with predilatation in 197 of the 199 group II patients (99%) (NS). No in-hospital stent thrombosis or death occurred. Overall procedural times, fluoroscopy times, and volumes of contrast agent given (mean (SD)) in group I v group II were 23.50 (13.54) min v 27.96 (15.23) min (p = 0.002), 6.04 (4.13) min v 6.67 (3.65) min (NS), and 135 (65) ml v 157 (62) ml (p < 0.001), respectively. No major adverse cardiovascular events had occurred by 30 days.
CONCLUSIONS—The feasibility and safety of direct stenting of selected and non-complex coronary lesions is confirmed. This technique was as successful as the conventional approach and was associated with a minor reduction in fluoroscopic exposure and procedure time and the administration of less contrast agent.


Keywords: coronary artery angioplasty; stent; coronary artery ultrasound     

Evolution in the practice of primary angioplasty: effect of adjunctive coronary stenting and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors on long-term outcomes.

Primary angioplasty strategies have evolved dramatically, including increasing adjunctive use of stents and glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors. The purpose of this study was to examine the specific effects of these adjunctive therapies on long-term outcomes after primary angioplasty. From 1996 to 1998, 257 unselected, consecutive patients underwent primary PTCI at our institution. In-hospital mortality was 5.4% (2.9% for patients without cardiogenic shock). The remaining 243 patients were followed for 2.0 +/- 0.7 years. Adjunctive stenting was associated with increased late mortality (8.7% vs. 2.3%, P = 0.02). GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors were associated with reduced late mortality among patients receiving stents (6.9% vs. 21.4%, P = 0.07), but not in those patients treated with balloon angioplasty alone (2.9% vs. 0%, P > 0.20). Coronary stenting remained a significant predictor of late mortality (hazard ratio 5.6, 95% CI 1.5-21.2) after adjustment for other established risk factors. In this unselected series, adjunctive coronary stenting was associated with higher late mortality among hospital discharge survivors. Concomitant GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors partially corrected for this increase. These results are limited by the small sample size and retrospective design of this study. Additional long-term studies are required to test these findings and evaluate for possible mechanisms.     

Saphenous vein covered stenting for right coronary artery lesion containing thrombus

Vein covered stenting to close coronary pseudoaneurysm and perforation and in the setting of acute myocardial infarction have been described. This case report describes saphenous vein covered stenting to exclude a large thrombus in a right coronary artery lesion. Vein covered stenting may be considered as an option when dealing with a thrombus containing lesion. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 42:427–429, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

ISR II study: a long-term evaluation of sirolimus-eluting stent in the treatment of patients with in-stent restenotic native coronary artery lesions.

The aim of this pilot study was to determine the safety and long-term efficacy of treating intrastent restenosis (ISR) with the slow-release sirolimus-eluting stent Bx Velocity (Cypher stent) without intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance. Of patients who received a bare metal stent implantation and presented an ISR, 30-80% of the patients will develop a second restenosis within the stent, at the stent edges or both. To date, intravascular brachytherapy using beta- and gamma-radiation has been the only effective treatment for ISR. Twenty-three patients with ISR and evidence of ischemia were treated with Cypher stent. Clinical information was collected 1, 8, 12, and 24 months after stent implantation. During the first 8 months of the study, in-stent lumen diameter remained essentially unchanged from postprocedure in 80% of the case. The target lesion repeat revascularization (TLR) was 17%, of which 50% were oculostenotic reflexes. Only one patient presented a restenosis greater than 70%. During the 2-year study period, the TLR rate was 17%; the major adverse coronary event rate was 26%, and the non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) rate was 9%. There were no reports of death, coronary artery bypass grafting, or Q-wave MI during the study. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using sirolimus-eluting stents without IVUS guidance for the treatment of ISR, providing long-term stability of immediate results.     

Combined coronary and bilateral carotid stenting: A case report

We describe a patient who underwent stenting of both internal carotid arteries and two coronary arteries. Two combined carotid and coronary procedures were done 4 wk apart to revascularize the patient. The first procedure was complicated by a minor stroke with good recovery. At 6 mo of follow-up, he is asymptomatic and without angiographic restenosis. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 40:202–206, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Stent deployment failure: reasons, implications, and short- and long-term outcomes.

Stents have revolutionized percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), impacting on both acute and long-term results. However, despite improvements in stent design, stent deployment failure is not an unusual event. The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency and causes of stent deployment failure, as well as the outcome of these patients. Between 1997 and 2001, a total of 3,537 patients underwent stent-assisted PCI and delivery of 5,275 stents was attempted. In the majority of patients (118; 78.1%), stenting was performed as provisional; in the remaining 33 (21.8%) as a bailout procedure. A total of 175 (3.3%) stents in 151 (4.3%) patients failed. Failure to deliver the stent to the lesion site was the main cause in 139 patients (92%) and failure either to expand adequately the stent or premature disengagement of the stent from the balloon in only 12 patients (8%). Peripheral stent embolization occurred in 10 (0.3%) patients. Deployment of a different stent in place of the failed one was attempted in 122 patients and was successful in the majority (108; 88.5%). In-hospital major adverse cardiac events were observed in six patients (4%): three patients required emergency coronary artery bypass surgery, two had a myocardial infarction (MI), and one patient underwent urgent repeat coronary intervention. At a mean follow-up of 32.2 +/- 17.7 months, 22 major adverse cardiac event occurred in 17 patients (11.2%): 1 cardiac death, 3 patients had an MI, and 18 patients required target vessel revascularization. One-year event-free survival for the whole group was 91.2%. Patients with stent embolization did not have any major adverse cardiac or vascular events. Thus, the rate of stent deployment failure in our series was 3.3%, mainly due to failure to deliver the stent to the site. Another stent was successfully deployed in the majority of cases and these patients had favorable short- and long-term outcomes.     

Direct coronary stenting without predilatation: A new therapeutic approach with a special balloon catheter design

Coronary stenting is the primary therapeutic option for many coronary lesions, after the risk of subacute stent thrombosis and bleeding complications has been reduced by antithrombotic regimens and improved stent expansion. It would be desirable to shorten the procedure and the duration of ischemia, and to reduce the risk of ischemic complications during balloon inflation by implanting the stent without previous dilatation of the lesion. This is not possible with the presently available stent delivery systems. This new therapeutic concept was tested with a specially designed balloon catheter, on which slotted-tube stents can be fixed between two conical radiopaque markers. Sixty-one patients elegible for angioplasty underwent direct stent implantation without predilatation. Four procedures were performed for acute myocardial infarction, and two as high-risk PTCA. Single slotted-tube stents (Palmaz-Schatz, NIR, or JOStent) of 14–16-mm length were mounted between the conical radiopaque markers of a special balloon which provided a fixation for the crimped stent. The direct implantation was successful in 80% of all patients, while in 10% the stent could be deployed after predilatation of the lesion. In 10% of lesions a stent could not be implanted with this and any other delivery system. When patients with successful direct stenting were compared with those with indirect (after predilatation) or unsuccessful stent deployment, the presence of angiographically visible calcification was higher in the unsuccessful cases (75% vs. 19%; P < 0.01), and the patients were older (72 ± 8 vs. 61 ± 12 years; P < 0.01). Radiation exposure time was only 8.7 ± 5.1 min as compared with 12.6 ± 7.6 min in conventional stent procedures with predilatation (P < 0.05). The number of balloons used per lesion was also lower than with conventional stenting. Stent dislocation was observed in 5%, and no embolization occurred. The new therapeutic approach of direct stenting without predilatation proved to be a safe and successful procedure in this initial series of coronary angioplasties. When calcified coronary lesions are avoided, it provides a way to rationalize stent implantation with shorter radiation exposure times, fewer balloons, and the potential advantage of fewer ischemic complications as no balloon predilatation is required. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 43:245–252, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Coronary stenting in patients with depressed left ventricular function: acute and long-term results in a selected population.

Percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in patients with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is associated with increased acute and late mortality; in contrast to plain PTCA, results of stenting in these patients have not been characterized. To assess the current outcome of stenting in patients with LV dysfunction, results from 80 patients procedures were analyzed. Intervention for acute myocardial infarction (MI) was excluded; 21% of patients had unstable angina and 30% had a recent MI. Mean LVEF was 40 +/- 9% (range, 25-45%). Multivessel revascularization was done in 25 patients (31%), with a total of 114 lesions treated. Prophylactic intra-aortic balloon pump was used in only two patients. Angiographic and clinical success was achieved in 79/80 patients (99%). There were no in-hospital deaths, one patient (1%) had a non-Q-wave MI, and no patients required emergency bypass surgery (CABG). All patients completed at least 6 months follow-up (mean, 30 +/- 14 months): 64 patients (80%) remained asymptomatic, 4 (5%) had acute MI, and 5 (6%) died. In-stent restenosis occurred in five patients (6%); of these, three required repeat PTCA, three patients (4%) underwent subsequent elective CABG. Including patients with repeat intervention, 67 patients (84%) are clinically improved; actuarial event-free survival was 87% at 56-month follow-up. Thus, stenting in patients with impaired LVEF is associated with excellent outcome and lower mortality than previously reported for balloon angioplasty alone. Whether coronary stenting may be a therapeutic strategy equivalent to surgery in selected patients needs to be investigated in prospective randomized trials.     

Incidence, retrieval methods, and outcomes of stent loss during percutaneous coronary intervention: a large single-center experience.

Our goal was to examine the incidence and consequences of stent loss during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and the retrieval techniques used. We retrospectively reviewed 11,773 consecutive PCI cases involving stents performed at our institution between January 1994 and March 2004 to identify cases of stent loss. Stent loss occurred in 38 of 11,773 PCI procedures involving stents (0.32%; 95% CI = 0.23-0.44%). Mean age of the patients was 67 +/- 11 years and 82% were men. Stent loss occurred more frequently in lesions with calcification and/or significant proximal angulation. In three patients, the stent was crushed and covered with another stent without attempting retrieval. Stent retrieval was attempted in 35 of 38 cases and was successful in 30 (86%). The following retrieval methods were used (more than one method was used in some cases): advancing a balloon through the stent, inflating the balloon, and withdrawing the stent (45%); twirling two wires around the stent (5%); loop snare (26%); biliary forceps (12%); Cook retained fragment retriever (10%); and basket retrieval device (2%). Patients in whom stent loss occurred had a higher incidence of bleeding requiring transfusion (24% vs. 7%; P < 0.001) and more often required emergency coronary artery bypass surgery (5% vs. 0.4%; P < 0.001). No patients in whom the stent was crushed or deployed in the coronary artery had any major cardiac complication. Stent loss during PCI occurs infrequently. Lost stents can be successfully retrieved in the majority of cases using a variety of retrieval techniques, yet stent loss is associated with an increased risk of complications. Stent deployment or crushing may be a good alternative to retrieval.