The absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold in coronary bifurcations: insights from bench testing

This study sought to evaluate the feasibility of performing contemporary bifurcation techniques with the Absorb everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California) (BVS).

The feasibility of using the BVS in bifurcation lesions is unknown.

We performed bifurcation stenting procedures including main-vessel stenting with ballooning of the side branch through the BVS struts, T-stenting and crush and culotte procedures, in a synthetic arterial model. Low-pressure final kissing balloon (FKB) inflation was performed to complete the procedures.

Single-stent procedures optimally opened the side-branch ostium without deforming the main vessel BVS. T-stenting completely covered the side-branch ostium. In crush cases, we could easily re-cross the crushed BVS with the wire and balloon and achieve good results after deployment of the main-vessel BVS and FKB inflation. A 2-BVS culotte resulted in good paving of the main vessel. Disruption of 1 BVS strut was observed after FKB inflation with the 2 balloons inflated beyond the recommended limit of the BVS, as calculated by Finet's law.

Intervention of bifurcation lesions using the Absorb BVS using modern bifurcation techniques appears feasible in a coronary bifurcation model. Provisional stenting is recommended in the majority, with sequential balloon inflations and FKB inflation only when necessary. T or T-stenting and small protrusion stenting with a metal drug-eluting stent is preferable in case of crossover. A2-BVS, T-stent technique can be performed in a high-angle bifurcation; otherwise, crush or culotte should be considered, using metal DES in the side branch. Two-BVS crush and culotte require careful evaluation, and should only be considered in patients with large-caliber main vessels.