Direct bioresorbable vascular scaffold implantation: Feasibility and midterm results.

Objectives: To analyze the feasibility and safety of direct bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) implantation without previous balloon dilation.

Background: Lesion preparation through predilation is recommended before BVS implantation. There is no information on the routine use of direct BVS implantation.

Predictors of ostial side branch damage during provisional stenting of coronary bifurcation lesions not involving the side branch origin: an ultrasonographic study.

Aims: To analyse the ultrasound anatomy of bifurcation lesions {1,1,0},{0,1,0} and {1,0,0} of the Medina classification in order to identify predictors of angiographic side branch (SB) damage after main branch (MB) stenting.

Methods And Results: One hundred and ten patients with Medina classification bifurcation lesions of {1,1,0},{0,1,0} and {1,0,0} were recruited. An intravascular ultrasound study (IVUS) was performed on the MB before treatment, after stent implantation and after SB intervention.

Ultrasound study of the prevalence of plaque at the carina in lesions that affect the coronary bifurcation. Implications for treatment with provisional stent.

Introduction And Objectives: The plaque distribution patterns in coronary bifurcation lesions are not well understood. It has been speculated that carina is free of plaque partly because of high wall shear stress providing an atheroprotective effect. To study plaque distribution with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in the coronary bifurcation and the prevalence of carina involvement.

Vulnerable carina anatomy and ostial lesions in the left anterior descending coronary artery after floating-stent treatment.

Introduction And Objectives: Percutaneous coronary intervention for ostial lesions of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) remains a complex procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a method of treatment that we have termed the floating-stent approach.

Methods: The study involved 71 patients with ostial LAD lesions who underwent implantation of a drug-eluting stent in the LAD, which totally or partially covered the ostium of the circumflex artery.

Ultrasound findings during percutaneous treatment of bifurcated coronary lesions.

Introduction And Objectives: Provisional stenting has been shown to be effective in the treatment of bifurcated coronary lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the geometry of the main vessel stent following side branch (SB) dilatation and kissing balloon (KB) inflation.

Methods: The study involved 23 patients with a bifurcated coronary lesion.

[Double-wire technique for implanting a left ventricular venous lead in patients with complicated coronary venous anatomy].

Introduction And Objectives: Occasionally, implanting a left ventricular pacing electrode for cardiac resynchronization therapy via the coronary sinus may be complicated by the presence of anatomical structures that obstruct the access to the target vein. Our objective was to report on experience using a double-wire technique for implanting left ventricular venous leads gained at the Dr Negrín Hospital in Gran Canaria, Spain.

Methods: In 20 (12%) of 170 consecutive patients (67 [9] years, 72% male) undergoing implantation of a cardiac resynchronization device, a second parallel hydrophilic guidewire had to be used during lead implantation in the target vein as implantation was impossible without using this technique.

Drug-eluting stents for the treatment of bifurcation lesions: a randomized comparison between paclitaxel and sirolimus stents.

Background: Drug-eluting stents have been shown to reduce restenosis in many types of lesions. The purpose of this article is to assess the efficacy of sirolimus- and paclitaxel-eluting stents in patients with bifurcation lesions.

Methods: Between June 2003 and October 2004, 205 patients were enrolled in a prospective randomized trial; 103 patients were assigned to sirolimus stents and 102 patients to paclitaxel stents.

Sirolimus-eluting stents for treatment of in-stent restenosis: immediate and late results.

We analyzed the clinical, angiographic, and late intravascular ultrasonographic findings from 140 patients whose in-stent restenosis was treated with sirolimus-eluting stents. In-stent restenosis remains the main limitation to percutaneous coronary revascularization and has a high recurrence rate after bare stent implantation. From May 2002 through July 2003, we studied 140 patients with clinical restenosis after bare-stent treatment.

Rapamycin-eluting stents for the treatment of bifurcated coronary lesions: a randomized comparison of a simple versus complex strategy.

Background: Rapamycin-eluting stents (RES) have been shown to reduce restenosis in many types of lesions. However, the ideal strategy for the treatment of coronary bifurcated lesions has not been established to date. This randomized study compares 2 strategies for the RES treatment of bifurcation lesions: a simple approach (stenting the main vessel and balloon dilatation for the side branch [SB]) versus a complex approach (stents for both vessels).

Rapamycin-eluting stents for the treatment of unprotected left main coronary disease.

Background: Conventional bare stents have been used to treat unprotected left main (LM) coronary artery stenosis. However, restenosis remains the main limitation. Since rapamycin-eluting stents (RES) appear to inhibit neointimal proliferation, their application to this specific site seems promising.

Successful stent ablation with rotational atherectomy.

We describe the findings from two patients with coronary artery disease treated with stents who had unexpandable rings after deployment. These covered rings were successfully ablated with rotational atherectomy. The treated segment was then scaffolded with a new stent.

Influence of stent treatment strategies in the long-term outcome of patients with long diffuse coronary lesions.

Diffuse coronary lesions (length > 20 mm) are still considered high risk for percutaneous intervention even in the current stent era. We compared the 2-year outcome of patients with long diffuse stenosis treated by three different stent strategies. In addition, we also analyzed the possible factors influencing a favorable late outcome.