Impact of three-dimensional characteristics of the left main coronary artery bifurcation on outcome of crush stenting.

BACKGROUND: Crush stenting with drug-eluting stents is used to treat left main coronary artery (LMCA) bifurcations. However, the rate of restenosis at the left circumflex (LCX) artery ostium is high. The impact of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of LMCA bifurcation on the outcome of crush stenting with respect to restenosis has not been described. Objectives: This study examined the stent expansion, deformity, overlapping, and apposition after crush stenting of LMCA bifurcations. METHODS: Bare metal stents were crushed at LMCA bifurcations in a 3D model that reproduced actual angles, such that the stent deployed from the LMCA to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery crushed the stent deployed from the LMCA to the LCX, followed by kissing balloon inflation. The stents were inspected under fluoroscopy and endoscopy. The effect of the bifurcation angle on stent expansion was also examined. RESULTS: In the 3D model, one stent overlapped the other in the distal LMCA, in contrast to the nearly parallel position of the stents observed in a separate two-dimensional model. When the LAD stent overlapped the LCX stent, the latter was crushed on the myocardial side of the vessel, and an unstented segment was observed on the nonmyocardial side, at the LCX ostium. When the overlap was reversed, the LCX stent was crushed on the nonmyocardial side and an unstented segment was observed on the myocardial side. A narrow LMCA-LCX angle was associated with less expansion of the LCX stent at the ostium than more distally, and with a higher likelihood of incomplete stent apposition. CONCLUSIONS: Overlap of the LAD stent over, as opposed to under, the LCX stent was associated with close apposition of the stent to the vessel on the myocardial side, at the ostium of the LCX artery, where atherosclerotic plaques are likely to be present. The spatial plaque burden and bifurcation angle should be closely examined before crush stenting, and segments should not be left unstented over large plaques.     

Three-dimensional modeling of double-stent techniques at the left main coronary artery bifurcation using micro-focus X-ray computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Various double-stent techniques using drug-eluting stents have been proposed to treat the left main coronary artery (LMCA) bifurcation. However, use of these techniques is frequently associated with focal restenosis at the ostium of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX). OBJECTIVES: To examine the results of double-stent techniques, using a silicon model of the LMCA bifurcation and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction images created with micro-focus X-ray computed tomography (MFCT). METHODS: Crush, kissing, and modified T stentings were performed with bare metal stents in a LMCA bifurcation model. The stents were then inspected using MFCT at a minimal resolution of 0.06 mm. RESULTS: Gaps in stent apposition to the vessel were observed at the site of stent overlap in the distal LMCA with all stenting techniques. In crush stenting, when the left anterior descending artery stent overlapped the LCX stent, the latter was crushed on the myocardial side of the vessel, and a gap was observed on the nonmyocardial side, at the LCX ostium. When the overlap was reversed, the LCX stent was crushed on the nonmyocardial side and a gap was observed on the myocardial side. In the case of kissing stents, stent overlap created a gap beneath the overlapped portion of the stents. In modified T-stenting, correct positioning of the LCX stent was difficult and MFCT imaging revealed a nonmyocardial gap. CONCLUSIONS: Close apposition of the stent to the vessel at the ostium of the LCX is difficult to achieve at the LMCA bifurcation, regardless of which double-stent technique is employed, due to the site's wide bifurcation angle and complex 3D structure. The distribution of plaque and the bifurcation angle should be considered before double-stent deployment, to avoid leaving a gap over significant plaques.     

急性下壁心肌梗死患者心电图胸前导联ST段改变的临床意义

目的探讨急性下壁心肌梗死患者心电图胸前导联ST段改变与冠状动脉造影(CAG)所见冠状动脉病变部位的关系及其临床意义。方法 187例急性下壁心肌梗死患者,按入院时18导心电图胸前导联ST段改变分为3组,ST段无变化组(47例),ST段抬高组(16例),ST段压低组(124例);所有患者均行CAG。结果急性下壁心肌梗死伴胸前导联ST段抬高时多为右冠状动脉(RCA)近段闭塞(14例,82.3%),尤其是伴圆锥支动脉闭塞,与RCA中远端闭塞(2例,5.9%)比较差异有统计学意义(P0.01),且14例(73.7%)伴有右心功能不全和血流动力学障碍。下壁心肌梗死胸前导联ST段压低者可见于RCA、回旋支(LCX)闭塞及RCA、LCX闭塞与前降支(LAD)、对角支(D)病变的不同组合,其中LCX闭塞伴RCA病变者多表现为朐前ST V_4～V_6的压低,RCA闭塞伴LAD近端病变多有胸前ST V_1～V_6的压低,RCA伴D病变胸前ST V_1～V_3压低,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论急性下壁心肌梗死合并胸前导联ST段抬高表明为RCA近段或丌口闭塞且多伴右心室心肌梗死和心功能不全;下壁心肌梗死伴胸前导联ST段压低提示为多支病变,ST V_1～V_3压低多伴有对角支严重狭窄,STV_1～V_6压低多伴有前降支的严重狭窄。     

Treatment strategies in the left main coronary artery disease associated with acute coronary syndromes

Significant left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis is not rare and reported 3 to 10% of patients undergoing coronary angiography. Unprotected LMCA intervention is a still clinical challenge and surgery is still going to be a traditional management method in many cardiac centers. With a presentation of drug eluting stent (DES), extensive use of IVUS and skilled operators, number of such interventions increased rapidly which lead to change in recommendation in the guidelines regarding LMCA procedures in the stable angina (Class 2a recommendation for ostial and shaft lesion and class 2b recommendation for distal bifurcation lesion). However, there was not clear consensus about the management of unprotected LMCA lesion associated with acute myocardial infarction (MI) with a LMCA culprit lesion itself or distinct culprit lesion of other major coronary arteries. Surgery could be preferred as an obligatory management strategy even in the high risk patients. With this review, we aimed to demonstrate treatment strategies of LMCA disease associated with acute coronary syndrome, particularly acute myocardial infarction (MI). In addition, we presented a short case series with LMCA lesion and ST elevated acute MI in which culprit lesion placed either in the left anterior descending artery or circumflex artery. We reviewed the current medical literature and propose simple algorithm for management.Abbreviations: CABG, coronary artery bypass graft; CX, circumflex artery; DES, drug-eluting stent; IVUS, intravascular ultrasonography; LAD, left anterior descending artery; LMCA, left main coronary artery; MI, myocardial infarction; PCI, percutaneous coronary interventions; RCA, right coronary artery; SYNTAX, synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXUS and cardiac surgery; TIMI, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction     

Stent thrombosis after complex multivessel stenting in an elderly patient

We report a challenging case in terms of procedural difficulty as well as long‐term patency. Multivessel stenting procedures for long subtotal occlusions in the right coronary artery (RCA) and left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) were successfully performed in an 84‐year‐old female who had complications of severe left ventricular dysfunction and a recent history of gastric ulcer bleeding. Two bare‐metal stents were successfully deployed in the mid and distal RCA. A drug‐eluting stent could only be deployed in the proximal RCA. Two drug‐eluting stents were deployed in the proximal LAD and LMT. Late stent thrombosis in the proximal RCA occurred about 3 months later. We speculated that a lack of aspirin and bare metal stent restenosis were the reasons for the late stent thrombosis. This case was very challenging in terms of balancing the risk of ischemia and bleeding after coronary stent deployment. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Prediction of acute left main coronary artery obstruction by 12-lead electrocardiography. ST segment elevation in lead aVR with less ST segment elevation in lead V(1).

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the electrocardiographic (ECG) features associated with acute left main coronary artery (LMCA) obstruction. BACKGROUND: Prediction of LMCA obstruction is important with regard to selecting the appropriate treatment strategy, because acute LMCA obstruction usually causes severe hemodynamic deterioration, resulting in a less favorable prognosis. METHODS: We studied the admission 12-lead ECGs in 16 consecutive patients with acute LMCA obstruction (LMCA group), 46 patients with acute left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) obstruction (LAD group) and 24 patients with acute right coronary artery (RCA) obstruction (RCA group). RESULTS: Lead aVR ST segment elevation (>0.05 mV) occurred with a significantly higher incidence in the LMCA group (88% [14/16]) than in the LAD (43% [20/46]) or RCA (8% [2/24]) groups. Lead aVR ST segment elevation was significantly higher in the LMCA group (0.16 +/- 0.13 mV) than in the LAD group (0.04 +/- 0.10 mV). Lead V(1) ST segment elevation was lower in the LMCA group (0.00 +/- 0.21 mV) than in the LAD group (0.14 +/- 0.11 mV). The finding of lead aVR ST segment elevation greater than or equal to lead V(1) ST segment elevation distinguished the LMCA group from the LAD group, with 81% sensitivity, 80% specificity and 81% accuracy. A ST segment shift in lead aVR and the inferior leads distinguished the LMCA group from the RCA group. In acute LMCA obstruction, death occurred more frequently in patients with higher ST segment elevation in lead aVR than in those with less severe elevation. CONCLUSIONS: Lead aVR ST segment elevation with less ST segment elevation in lead V(1) is an important predictor of acute LMCA obstruction. In acute LMCA obstruction, lead aVR ST segment elevation also contributes to predicting a patient's clinical outcome.     

Analysis of left main coronary artery bifurcation lesions treated with biolimus‐eluting DEVAX AXXESS plus nitinol self‐expanding stent: Intravascular ultrasound results of the AXXENT trial

Objective: To assess the efficacy of the AXXESS stent on the treatment of left main coronary artery (LMCA) bifurcation lesions using IVUS. Background: The treatment of LMCA bifurcation lesions remains challenging even with the use of drug‐eluting stents. The AXXESS system is a biolimus A9‐eluting self‐expanding stent, dedicated to the treatment of bifurcation lesions. Methods: Data were obtained from the AXXENT trial, a prospective, single‐arm, multicenter study designed to evaluate the efficacy of the AXXESS stent on the treatment of LMCA bifurcation lesions. IVUS was available in 26 cases at 6‐months follow‐up. Volumetric and cross‐sectional analyses within the AXXESS stent, and cross‐sectional analyses at the ostia of left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex coronary arteries (LCX) were performed. Results: Within the AXXESS stent, percent neointimal volume obstruction was (3.0 ± 4.1)% with a minimal lumen area of 10.3 ± 2.6 mm². AXXESS stent volume showed an 12.4% increase at follow‐up compared with postprocedure (P = 0.04). Lumen area was significantly smaller in the LCX ostium compared with the LAD ostium at follow‐up (3.6 ± 1.3 mm² vs. 5.5 ± 2.0 mm², P = 0.0112). There was greater neointimal formation in the LCX ostium compared with the LAD ostium (1.37 ± 1.20 mm² vs. 0.30 ± 0.36 mm², P = 0.0003). Conclusions: The AXXESS stent in the LMCA showed enlargement through 6‐months follow‐up and significant neointimal suppression. Greater neointimal formation and relatively inadequate stent expansion may contribute to luminal narrowing in the LCX ostium. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

246例回旋支不同节段闭塞的心电图特点

目的探讨回旋支闭塞中不同节段,不同优势型,多支病变对心电图变化的影响。方法本研究共入选246例发生急性LCX闭塞的患者（其中男187例,女59例）,根据冠脉造影结果将患者根据冠脉优势型、单支、多支、合并LAD、RCA分组,结合年龄、性别及相关危险因素,对比分析心电图改变与冠脉造影结果及临床特点的关系。结果回旋支闭塞心电图变化受不同冠脉优势型影响,Ⅱ、Ⅲ、aVF、V7~V9导联ST段抬高常见于左优势型的LCX闭塞。V1~V3导联ST段压低常见于均衡型的LCX闭塞,Ⅰ、aVL导联ST段抬高在各优势型中无特异性。在单支LCX闭塞中,V1~V3导联ST段压低常见于近段闭塞,Ⅱ、Ⅲ、aVF导联ST段抬高常见于远段闭塞,V7~V9导联ST段抬高与Ⅰ、aVL导联ST段抬高在各节段闭塞的心电图中无特异性。合并多支病变时LCX心电图变化与单纯LCX闭塞存在差异,在LCX近段闭塞中,合并多支病变的患者更易出现V7~V9导联ST段抬高,单支病变者心电图易出现V1~V3导联ST段压低,在LCX中段闭塞的患者中,单支病变与多支病变的心电图改变大致相同。在LCX远段闭塞的患者中,多支病变患者出现V1~V3导联ST段压低可能性较大。OM闭塞在单支及合并多支病变时的心电图差异无明显统计学意义。在合并LAD或RCA病变的LCX闭塞患者中,心电图改变无明显差异。结论心电图对诊断梗死相关动脉为回旋支的急性心肌梗死有重要的预测价值,结合病史及相关一般资料可对急性心肌梗死患者的预后进行评估。     

右冠状动脉狭窄程度对左冠状动脉狭窄患者左室射血分数的影响

目的研究右冠状动脉不同程度狭窄对左冠状动脉狭窄患者左室射血分数（LVEF）的影响。方法根据左冠状动脉病变部位不同,将1 000例左冠状动脉狭窄患者分为左前降支（LAD）狭窄,左回旋支（LCX）狭窄,左主干（LM）狭窄,左前降支+左回旋支（LAD+LCX）狭窄4个系列。每个系列再根据右冠状动脉（RCA）病变程度不同分为RCA正常组（直径狭窄<50%）、RCA非闭塞组（99%>直径狭窄≥50%）和RCA闭塞组（直径狭窄≥99%）,比较分析3组间LVEF的差异。结果在LAD,LCX,LM,LAD+LCX狭窄时,与RCA正常组LVEF相比,RCA非闭塞组LVEF分别下降0.9%,0.3%,3.4%和2.8%;RCA闭塞组LVEF分别下降10.9%,3.7%,6.5%和5.2%。LAD狭窄时,RCA非闭塞组和RCA闭塞组之间LVEF有统计学差异（P<0.01）。结论右冠状动脉病变可在左冠状动脉狭窄的基础上使左室射血分数进一步下降;当左冠状动脉狭窄为闭塞性病变时,影响更为明显。     

药物洗脱球囊在冠状动脉特殊病变介入治疗中的应用分析

目的分析药物洗脱球囊（DEB）在再狭窄病变、支架内闭塞病变、分叉病变及小血管病变中的应用情况。方法根据冠状动脉造影结果选择不同型号的DEB,严格按照DEB使用要求进行操作。结果 DEB在支架内再狭窄病变中应用26例（27处病变）,使用28个DEB,其中左主干（LM）1个、左前降支（LAD）12个、右冠状动脉（RCA）12个、回旋支（LCX）1个、钝缘支（OM）2个,出现1例冠状动脉夹层,给予裸金属支架置入;DEB在分叉病变中应用27例（28处病变）,使用28个DEB,其中LM至LCX开口6个、LM至LAD开口1个、LAD与第一对角支（D1）开口17个、LCX至OM 2个、RCA至左心室后支（PL）2个;DEB在小血管病变中应用13例（13处病变）,使用13个DEB,其中LCX 6个、LAD 3个、D1 2个、OM 1个、PL 1个;DEB在支架内闭塞病变中应用10例（10处病变）,使用12个DEB,其中LAD 8个、LCX 2个、OM 1个、中间支1个。术中及术后未见并发症发生,随访至今未发生主要不良心血管事件（MACE）。结论 DEB在再狭窄病变、支架内闭塞病变、分叉病变及小血管病变介入治疗过程中是安全的。     

Coronary to pulmonary artery fistulas: an incidental finding with challenging therapeutic options

We report the incidental finding of 2 coronary to pulmonary artery fistulas observed at coronary angiography performed in a 48-year-old man presenting with acute inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Coronary angiography revealed an acute thrombotic occlusion of the mid segment of the right coronary artery (RCA), which was treated with thromboaspiration and bare-metal stenting. Significant stenoses of the left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex (LCX) arteries were also observed during angiography, as well as the presence of 2 large coronary to pulmonary artery fistulas, one originating from the proximal LAD and the other from the ostial RCA. The clinical evolution was uneventful and the patient underwent successful coronary bypass grafting of the LAD and LCX lesions associated with ligation of the coronary artery fistulas 6 weeks later. The fact that 2 large coronary to pulmonary artery fistulas were observed during an acute coronary syndrome in a previously asymptomatic patient with extensive coronary artery disease is of particular interest, because it allowed early surgical correction of this rare inborn coronary anomaly before the development of late and irreversible left ventricular dysfunction.     

Stenting for left main coronary artery occlusion in adolescent: A case report

Acute total or subtotal occlusion of left main coronary artery (LMCA) is a catastrophic and mostly fatal event. Patients may present with cardiogenic shock and die whenever this event occurs. Survival is strongly dependent on the presence of collateral blood flow to the left coronary artery or a dominant right coronary artery, and emergency intervention for preserving the left ventricular function. Here, we present a case of a 14-year-old boy with subtotal occlusion of the LMCA accompanying acute myocardial infarction probably caused by congenital syphilis according to his positive serum syphilis antibody. His survival was closely associated with a dominant right coronary artery and timely thrombolytic therapy. Finally, he was treated with angioplasty and paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation. He was followed up after stenting and was doing quite well at the time when we wrote this paper.     

Correspondence between left ventricular 17 myocardial segments and coronary arteries.

AIMS: The last guidelines recommend a standardized 17-segment model for tomographic imaging of the left ventricle. The aim of this study is to analyse the correspondence of the 17 left ventricular segments with each coronary artery by myocardial perfusion SPECT studies. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty patients selected for percutaneous revascularization of one coronary artery [24 left anterior descending (LAD), 15 right coronary artery (RCA), and 11 left circumflex (LCX)] were included. The (99m)Tc-labelled compound was injected immediately after the inflation of the balloon during percutaneous coronary angioplasty. At least 90 s of complete occlusion time was required. Maximal contour of regions of hypoperfusion corresponding to each coronary artery occlusion were delineated over the polar map of 17 segments. Nine segments corresponded to only one coronary artery: eight to LAD (basal anterior, basal anteroseptal, mid-anterior, mid-anteroseptal, apical anterior, apical septal, apical lateral, and apex) and one to LCX (basal anterolateral). Basal inferoseptal, mid-inferoseptal, and apical inferior segments could correspond to LAD or RCA. Basal inferior, basal inferolateral, mid-inferior, and mid-inferolateral segments could correspond to RCA or LCX, whereas the mid-anterolateral segment could correspond to LAD or LCX. CONCLUSION: The most specific segments (anterior, anteroseptal, and all apical segments except the infero-apical) correspond to LAD but no segment can be exclusively attributed to the RCA. Inferoseptal segments can be attributed to LAD or RCA, inferior and inferolateral segments to RCA or LCX, and mid-anterolateral segment to LAD or LCX.     

Coronary stenting with cardiogenic shock due to acute ascending aortic dissection

A 65-year-old man developed chest pain under cardiogenic shock. Coronary angiography revealed severe stenosis from the ostium of the left main coronary artery(LMCA) to the left anterior descending artery(LAD). Intravascular ultrasound(IVUS) identified a large hematoma that originated from the aorta and extended into the LAD, thereby compressing the true lumen. Type A aortic dissection(TAAD) that involved the LMCA was diagnosed by IVUS. Coronary stenting was performed via the LMCA to the proximal LAD, which resulted in coronary blood flow restoration and no further propagation of dissection. Elective surgical aortic repair was performed 2 wk after the stenting. LMCA stenting under IVUS guidance is effective for prompt diagnosis and precise stent deployment in patients with cardiogenic shock due to TAAD with LMCA dissection.     

93例急性心肌梗死患者的心电图及冠脉造影分析

目的探讨急性心肌梗死患者心电图sT改变的导联与冠状动脉罪犯血管的关系。方法对93例急性心肌梗死患者心电图ST段改变与选择性冠状动脉造影结果进行对比分析。结果心电图V1-V4sT抬高伴Ⅱ、Ⅲ、aVFST段下移的罪犯血管主要为左前降支（LAD）,少数前壁心肌梗死伴下壁sT段抬高;Ⅱ、Ⅲ、aVFST抬高伴V1-V4 ST段下移的主要罪犯血管为右冠状动脉（RCA）,少部分为左回旋支（LCX）,极少部分为LAD;胸前导联T高尖与ST抬高导联不一致可排除LAD;高侧壁Ⅰ、AVLST段抬高多数罪犯血管为LCX。结论心电图ST改变的导联对急性心肌梗死罪犯血管能进行初步预测。     

心电图对老年急性下壁心肌梗死冠状动脉病变部位的预测价值

目的　探讨急性下壁心肌梗死心电图与冠状动脉病变的关系 ,以揭示体表心电图对梗死相关动脉及病变节段的预测价值。方法　对 15 6例老年急性下壁心肌梗死患者的体表心电图和冠状动脉造影资料进行对比分析。结果　梗死相关动脉为右冠状动脉占 79.5 % ,左回旋支占 2 0 .5 %。单纯急性下壁心肌梗死病变节段多发生在第一右心室支开口以远 (77.6 % ) ,合并右心室心肌梗死病变节段多发生在第一右心室支开口前 (87% )。STⅢ 抬高 /STⅡ 抬高 >1,STⅠ、aVL下移≥ 1mm ,提示右冠状动脉为梗死相关动脉的敏感性分别为 87.9%、89.5 % ,特异性分别为 84 .4 %、81.2 % ,阳性预告值分别为 95 .6 %、94 .8% ,两者差异无显著性意义 (P >0 .0 5 )。ST段V1、V2 下移≥ 1mm ,提示左回旋支为梗死相关动脉的敏感性 ,特异性和阳性预告值分别为 84 .4 %、91.9%、73.0 %。结论　急性下壁心肌梗死时心电图对判断梗死相关动脉及病变节段有重要的预测价值     

Fractional flow reserve for the assessment of complex multivessel disease in a patient after hybrid coronary revascularization

We present a case of a 43‐year‐old woman with history of hybrid coronary revascularization [endoscopic atraumatic coronary artery bypass (ACAB)] of left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and stent implantation in right coronary artery (RCA), who presented 6 years later with recurrent atypical angina. Coronary angiography revealed patent LIMA to LAD and RCA stent, with a new lesion in an obtuse marginal artery and significant progression of disease in the proximal/mid LAD proximal to LIMA touchdown. To further evaluate the hemodynamic significance of these new disease segments, the patient underwent fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessment of the left coronary system with subsequent stent implantation in the proximal/mid LAD. This case illustrates (1) the critical value of FFR assessment in determining the ischemia provoking lesions in this post ACAB patient with complex multivessel coronary artery disease; and (2) the accelerated progression of atherosclerosis in bypassed segments as compared to segments proximal to stents. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

急性左主干病变的心电图分析

目的探讨急性左主干（LMCA）病变的心电图改变。方法分析因急性心肌梗死住院的76例患者（后经冠状动脉造影证实16例为左主干病变,60例为前降支病变）的心电图特点,按病变冠脉分为左主干组和前降支（LAD）组。结果STaVR↑发生率、STaVR↑〉STv1↑的发生率、STaVR↑伴STv1～STv3↑不明显的发生率、STaVR与STaVL均抬高的发生率、STv6↑／STv1↑≥1的发生率,LMCA组明显高于LAD组,二者差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。STaVR↑幅度,STaVR↑伴STⅡ、STⅢ、STaVF↓幅度,LMCA组明显高于LAD组,二者差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论左主干心电图表现为STaVR↑、STaVR↑〉STv1↑、STaVR↑伴STv1-v3↑不明显、STvVR与STaVL均抬高、STv6↑／STv1↑≥1。     

Proximal coronary artery intervention: Stent thrombosis,restenosis and death

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of lesions in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) may confer a worse prognosis compared with the proximal right coronary artery (RCA) and left circumflex coronary artery (LCX).

Methods

From May 2005, to May 2011 we identified all PCIs for proximal, one-vessel coronary artery disease in the Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR). We evaluated restenosis, stent thrombosis (ST) and mortality in the LAD as compared to the RCA and LCX according to stent type, bare metal (BMS) or drug-eluting stents (DES).

Results

7840 single vessel proximal PCI procedures were identified. Mean follow-up time was 792 days. No differences in restenosis or ST were seen between the LAD and the RCA. The frequency of restenosis and ST was higher in the proximal LAD compared to the proximal LCX (restenosis: hazard ratio (HR) 2.28, confidence interval (CI) 1.56–3.34 p < 0.001; ST: HR 2.32, CI 1.11–4.85 p = 0.024). We found no difference in mortality related to coronary artery. In the proximal LAD, DES implantation was associated with a lower restenosis rate (HR 0.39, CI 0.27–0.55 p < 0.001) and mortality (HR 0.58, CI 0.41–0.82 p = 0.002) compared with BMS. In the proximal RCA and LCX, DES use was not associated with lower frequency of clinical restenosis or mortality.

Conclusions

Following proximal coronary artery intervention restenosis was more frequent in the LAD than in the LCX. Solely in the proximal LAD we found DES use to be associated with a lower risk of restenosis and death weighted against BMS.