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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 to be safe and effective. This study showed a low incidence of complications and major adverse cardiac events in patients receiving the Multi-Link stent.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Coronary artery disease management often involves percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation.
- The ACS Multi-Link stent is a balloon-expandable system made from 316 L stainless steel.
- Evaluating novel stent systems for safety and efficacy is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and efficacy of the ACS Multi-Link coronary stent system.
- To evaluate bleeding, vascular complications, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) over 12 months.
- To compare the performance of the Multi-Link stent against existing data.
Main Methods:
- An open-label, non-randomized, multicenter registry study.
- 102 patients with angina pectoris underwent stent implantation.
- Patients received heparin and oral coumadin for 3 months post-procedure.
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, with a 12% in-stent restenosis rate.
Conclusions:
- The WEST study demonstrates the ACS Multi-Link stent's high safety and efficacy.
- The stent system shows a favorable profile regarding complications and clinical events.
- Results suggest the Multi-Link stent is a viable option in coronary interventions.
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.

