A NOVEL STRATEGY FOR STENT DEPLOYMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE OR THREATENED CLOSURE COMPLICATING BALLOON CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY - USE OF SHORT OR STANDARD (OR BOTH) SINGLE OR MULTIPLE PALMAZ-SCHATZ STENTS

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate a nd long-term angiographic and clinical results of coronary stenting as a specific therapy for intracoronary dissection associated with acute or threatened closure complicating percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Background. Published reports contain conflicting result s with regard to the benefit of stent insertion for coronary dissectio n. In particular, there is a wide range in the reported rates of subac ute occlusion. Methods. Palmaz-Schatz stents were inserted in 56 patie nts who had significant dissections and acute or threatened closure co mplicating coronary angioplasty. An attempt was made to cover the enti re site of the dissection with short or standard single or multiple Pa lmaz-Schatz stents. The use of the short stent allowed complete covera ge of the dissection, specifically in situations such as marked vessel tortuosity or the need to place a stent distal to a deployed stent. R esults. A single stent was implanted in 24 patients and multiple stent s were implanted in 32 patients. A total of 138 stents (78 standard, 6 0 short stents) were implanted. The primary clinical success rate was 88% (49 of 56 patients). Complications occurred in seven patients (12. 5%): Three patients (5%) required urgent bypass surgery; two patients (4%) had a myocardial infarction; and two patients (4%) died. Subacute occlusion occurred in one patient (2%). Clinical follow-up was availa ble in all patients at a mean of 10 +/- 4 months. Thirty-nine (80%) of 49 patients were clinically asymptomatic. Angiographic restenosis was found in 15 (36%) of 42 patients on angiographic follow-up performed a mean of 5 months (median 6) after the procedure in 86% of the eligib le patients. Nine patients had successful repeat angioplasty, and two had elective bypass surgery. Conclusions. The strategy of coronary ste nting to completely cover the lesion is an effective treatment for lar ge coronary dissection complicating angioplasty, A total major complic ation rate of 12.5% may be acceptable for this high risk group.