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Serial angiographic follow-up of sirolimus-eluting stents for unprotected left main coronary artery revascularization
Matthew J Price1, Ecaterina Cristea, Neil Sawhney
1Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
Objectives:
This study was performed to evaluate the clinical and serial angiographic outcomes of patients undergoing sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation for unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis.
Background:
The efficacy of SES has led to their expanded use for off-label indications, including LMCA disease.
Methods:
Unprotected LMCA intervention with SES was attempted in 50 patients. Surveillance angiography was performed at three and nine months' follow-up.
Results:
The target lesion involved the distal LMCA in 47 patients (94%). In-lesion restenosis occurred in 21 patients (42%), was focal in 85% of cases, and in 82% involved the branch ostia, sparing the LMCA itself. Target lesion revascularization (TLR) occurred in 19 patients (38%) over a mean follow-up of 276 +/- 57 days; TLR was ischemia-driven in 7 patients (14%). Late loss was significantly greater within the left circumflex (LCX) ostium compared to the parent vessel (PV) of the LMCA bifurcation (0.83 +/- 0.89 mm vs. 0.49 +/- 0.72 mm, p = 0.04). Late loss continued to increase between three- and nine-month follow-up. Final minimal luminal diameter and maximal balloon pressure were independent predictors of restenosis of the PV.
Conclusions:
Restenosis is a frequent finding when serial angiographic follow-up is performed after SES implantation for unprotected distal LMCA lesions. Restenosis is usually focal, most often involves the LCX ostium, and often occurs without symptoms.