Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Evaluation of a Novel Laser-assisted Coronary Anastomotic Connector - the Trinity Clip - in a Porcine Off-pump Bypass Model
Published on: November 24, 2014
Clinical and Angiographic Results with the Multi-Linkª Coronary Stent System Ñ The West European Stent Trial (WEST)
Emanuelsson1, Serruys, van Der Giessen WJ
1Division of Cardiology, Orebro Medical Center, S-701 85, Orebro, Sweden.
Insights
The West European Stent Trial (WEST) found the ACS Multi-Link coronary stent safe and effective. This study showed a low rate of complications and major adverse cardiac events in patients treated with this new stent system.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Interventional Cardiology
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Coronary artery disease necessitates effective treatment strategies.
- Coronary stents are crucial for maintaining vessel patency after angioplasty.
- The ACS Multi-Link stent represents a novel option for interventional cardiologists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the ACS Multi-Link coronary stent.
- To assess bleeding, vascular complications, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE).
- To analyze 12-month clinical outcomes and angiographic results.
Main Methods:
- An open-label, non-randomized, multicenter registry.
- 102 patients with angina pectoris received the Multi-Link stent.
- Patients were treated with heparin and oral coumadin for 3 months.
Main Results:
- 98% procedural success rate.
- Low incidence of subacute stent thrombosis (1%) and major bleeds (6%).
- 85% of patients were angina-free at 12 months; 19% experienced MACE.
Conclusions:
- The ACS Multi-Link stent demonstrated a high safety and efficacy profile.
- Low complication and clinical event rates were observed during follow-up.
- Results compare favorably with existing coronary stent data.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The objectives for the West European Stent Trial (WEST) were to assess the safety and efficacy of the new ACS Multi-Linkª coronary stent system with regards to bleedings and vascular complications and incidence of major adverse cardiac events during 12 months follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS: The balloon-expandable Multi-Link stent is made from a single hypotube and is composed of 316 L stainless steel. In an open, non-randomized, multicenter registry, 102 patients with angina pectoris to be treated with this stent were recruited from 7 European centers. Following stent implantation, patients were given heparin infusion and oral coumadin treatment was maintained for 3 months. Procedural success was achieved in 100 of the 102 patients (98%). One patient had subacute stent thrombosis and 6 patients had major bleeds during the hospital stay. All patients were alive at 12 months and 85% were free of angina pectoris. Nineteen patients (19%) reached a primary clinical endpoint; four patients underwent bypass surgery (two in connection with the stent procedure), four patients suffered an acute myocardial infarction and 11 had a repeat angioplasty of the target vessel. Quantitative angiography showed that the minimum lumen diameter had decreased from 2.66 +/- 0.34 mm after stent deployment to 2.02 +/- 0.58 mm at 6 months and the percent diameter stenosis had increased from 18 +/- 7% to 33 +/- 16%. The in-stent restenosis rate was 12% and appearance of a stenosis in the target vessel outside the stent occurred in an additional 5%. CONCLUSION: The WEST study has demonstrated a high degree of safety and efficacy of the Multi-Link stent with a low incidence of complications and clinical events during follow-up. The results compare favorably with data from other stents.
