Combining short stent implantation and drug-eluting stenting for routine use yields a low restenosis rate.

Background: The feasibility of using a single short bare metal stent (BMS) (less than 9 mm) in a high proportion of coronary artery lesions was shown in a previous study, which reported a low rate of restenosis. The present study aimed to investigate immediate and long-term results of a procedure that uses a single short BMS for all lesions that can be successfully treated with this method, and an implantation of a drug-eluting stent (DES) for all other lesions.

Methods: In a series of 200 consecutive patients, 236 coronary artery lesions were treated with either a short BMS (168 of 236 [71.2%]) or with a DES (68 of 236 [28.8%]).

Results: Angiographic success was achieved in 230 of 236 lesions (97.5%) and procedural success was achieved in 194 of 200 patients (97.0%). Restenosis occurred in 15 of 153 lesions (9.8%) after using a short BMS, in three of 62 lesions (4.8%) after using a DES and in 18 of 215 of all lesions (8.4%) at angiographic follow-up after six to eight months. Target vessel revascularization was performed in 16 of 218 lesions (7.4%).

Conclusions: Most of the coronary artery lesions in this small group of consecutive patients could be treated sufficiently with a single short BMS. The differential approach of treating lesions in medium- to large-sized vessels with a single short BMS if suitable, or with a DES in all other instances resulted in a low incidence of restenosis.