Immediate and long-term clinical and angiographic results from Wiktor stent treatment for true bifurcation narrowings

From January 1996 to December 1998, 90 consecutive patients with true bifur cation lesions underwent percutaneous coronary angioplasty with Wiktor sten t implantation in our centers. In I group (group I, n = 45), a simple appro ach (main vessel stenting and balloon angioplasty of the side branch) was p ursued. In the other group (group II, n = 45), both the main vessel and the side branch were stented ("T" technique). There was no significant differe nce in clinical and angiographic characteristics between the 2 groups. Angi ographic and procedural successes were 100% and 95.6%, respectively, in bot h groups. Angiographic results for the side branch were better in group If than in group I. in-hospital and long-term (12 month) major cardiac events were similar in the 2 groups. Target lesion revascularization was 15.5% in group I and 35.5% in group II (p = 0.12). In the main vessel, restenosis ra te was 12.5% in group I and 25% in group II (p = 0.15). In the side branch, restenosis rate was 37.5% in group II and 12.5% in group I (p = <0.05; odd s ratio 2.42; 95% confidence interval 1.05 to 6.26). Event-free probability at 12 months was 61% in group If and 80% in group I (p = 0.10). When deali ng with true bifurcation lesions, a simple strategy is associated with a lo wer risk of restenosis in the side branch. In contrast, a complex approach does not appear to give any benefit in terms of early or long-term outcome or restenosis rate. (C) 2001 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.