Clinical and Angiographic Results with the Multi-Link Stent Implanted under Intravascular Ultrasound Guidance (West-2...

In view of the side effects of ticlopidine, stenting with the sole use of aspirin as post-stent treatment, has been attempted under the guidance of intravascular imaging to guarantee the optimization of the deployment. It was also hypothesized that optimal stenting under IVUS guidance would subsequently reduce the restenosis rate. With these aims the WEST-2 trial using the ACS MULTI-LINK stent was designed. This stent is composed of multiple corrugated rings connected to multiple links Ñ a design that combines radial strength, flexibility and conformability. In WEST-2, between February 1996 and August 1996, 18 centers enrolled 165 patients with stable or stabilized unstable angina and a single de novo lesion in vessel sizes ³ 2.75 mm. Optimal stenting was assessed using predefined QCA (DS% post-stent ³ 15% and stent/artery ratio ³ 1) and IVUS criteria. Patients fulfilling all criteria were treated with aspirin alone. MACE (death, MI, target lesion revascularization) as well as the restenosis rate were assessed at 6 months. In view of the results it may be concluded that the use of aspirin alone as post-stent treatment is safe when preset IVUS criteria are achieved. The target lesion revascularization rate, the restenosis percentage and the incidence of MACE encountered in this registry are among the lowest observed so far.