The elective use of the seven-cell NIR stent in coronary arteries < 2.75 mm in diameter: Clinical and angiographic results at 6-month follow-up

The outcome of interventional procedures has been improved by the use of co ronary stents in vessels > 3.0 mm in diameter. We report a single-center pr ospective study of elective coronary stenting in 39 consecutive patients wi th de novo lesions and reference diameters < 2.75 mm. Seven-cell NIR stents were deployed with standard antiplatelet therapy, but without routine use of IIb/IIIa inhibitors or intravascular ultrasound. There was one case of a cute stent thrombosis, but no cases of subacute thrombosis. The binary rest enosis rate was 27.8% (10/36 lesions) and the target lesion revascularizati on rate was 19.4%. Symptoms improved markedly as judged by Canadian Cardiov ascular Society and questionnaire scores and the use of antianginal therapy . This pilot study suggests that the elective use of coronary stents in ves sels < 2.75 mm in diameter is safe with acceptable long-term results. A ran domized trial comparing outcomes after stents and balloon angioplasty in sm all vessels is required. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.