Longitudinal stent compression of everolimus-eluting stent: A report of 2 cases

Second generation drug eluting stents (DES) have shown better safety and efficacy in comparison to first generation DES, because of thinner struts, nondurable polymers and coating with better anti-proliferative drugs. The newer DES with cobalt alloy base have demonstrated a greater trackability, deliverability, conformability, flexibility and radio-opacity. However, these thin strut stents have a downside of poor longitudinal axial strength, and therefore get easily deformed/compressed at their end with a slight trauma during exchange of various catheters. We hereby report two cases of "longitudinal stent compression (LSC)" of everolimus-eluting stent, which happened during percutaneous coronary intervention of right coronary artery. Both the cases were successfully managed with non-compliant balloon dilatation. Various reasons for LSC and its management are discussed in the article.