Stenting small coronary arteries using two second-generation slotted tube stents: acute and six-month clinical and angiographic results.

This prospective study assessed the feasibility, safety, as well as clinical and angiographic outcome after 6 months in 96 patients (100 lesions) treated by stent implantation after a suboptimal balloon angioplasty result in coronary arteries < 3 mm and with a lesion length < 25 mm. The lesions were randomized to treatment with BeStent small or NIR-7. Final quantitative coronary angiography was performed off line. Baseline reference diameter was 2.58 +/- 0.22 mm. Complex lesions constituted 52%, and 23% had unstable angina. Angiographic and procedural success was achieved in 98% and 94%, respectively. At follow-up, 88.5% were free of major adverse cardiac events. The overall restenosis rate was 22.5% (89% angiographic follow-up). There were no statistically significant differences between the stents regarding predefined endpoints. Thus, provisional stent treatment of small coronary arteries using BeStent small or NIR-7 is feasible, safe, and has a favorable clinical and angiographic mid-term outcome.