NEW METHOD FOR PLACEMENT OF INTRACORONARY STENTS IN ORDER TO AVOID THEIR EMBOLIZATION IN THE INTRAVASCULAR SPACE

Stent dislodgment from the delivery catheter is a well-known complicat ion of angioplasty with stent implantation. The aim of our study was t o investigate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of a new tech nique of intracoronary stent implantation in order to avoid stent loss in the intravascular space. Fifty consecutive patients were candidate s for angioplasty and stent placement, During angioplasty, a technique was followed according to which the guide wire ''hindered'' the dislo dgment of the stent from the balloon catheter. Successful angioplasty and stent placement were performed in 46 out of 50 patients (92% succe ss rate), In three cases of failure of stent implantation, the stent m oved onto the balloon catheter; however, this was impeded by the guide wire. One non-Q-wave myocardial infarction occurred. No major complic ations (Q-wave myocardial infarction, CABG, or death) were observed. I n conclusion, the technique applied was feasible enough, safe, and eff ective. However, the appropriate modification of its ''hardware'' will render it even more feasible and user-friendly. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.