[Balloon dilatation and coronary vascular stent implantation]

To avoid acute complications and restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty coronary stents were developed. For the first time in 2 patients with severe lesions of the left anterior descending coronary artery 3 Palmaz-Schatz stents were implanted after application and fixation by balloon inflation. The vessels showed larger diameters with smoother surface and smaller gradients compared to balloon angioplasty as related to a blockade of the elastic properties of the vessel and suggested fixation of intima or media dissection. The implantation of the coronary stents was without complications. The control after 24 hours showed an open vessel with unchanged diameter. The patients were without symptoms during control after 4 weeks. Based on this and previous work the implantation of coronary stents seems to open a new dimension for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty because vessel occlusions are prevented and restenosis possibly reduced. The newly designed stents show elementary constructive alternatives to currently used types.