Effects of coronary stenting on restenosis and occlusion after angioplasty of the culprit vessel in patients with recent myocardial infarction.
BACKGROUND
PTCA of an infarct-related lesion is associated with a high rate of restenosis and/or vessel occlusion. Recent studies have shown that coronary stenting in patients with stable or unstable angina is associated with a significant reduction in the restenosis rate compared with conventional balloon angioplasty. However, no information is available concerning the long-term effect of coronary stenting at infarct-related lesions compared with balloon angioplasty alone.


RESULTS
One hundred consecutive patients undergoing stent implantation at an infarct-related lesion and systematic 6-month angiographic follow-up were matched for major pre-PTCA clinical and angiographic variables with a group of patients undergoing conventional angioplasty. Preprocedural, postprocedural, and 6-month follow-up angiograms were analyzed with quantitative angiography. Coronary stenting was performed as a bailout procedure after failed balloon angioplasty in 20%, for a suboptimal result after balloon angioplasty in 71%, and electively in 9%. Stent implantation was associated with a higher acute gain than balloon angioplasty. At follow-up, the minimal lumen diameter was significantly (P<.0001) larger in the stent group (1.72+/-0.69 versus 1.23+/-0.72 mm). Restenosis (>50% DS at follow-up) occurred in 27% of the stent group versus 52% of the balloon group (P<.005). At follow-up, total occlusion at the dilated site occurred in 1% of the stent group versus 14% of the balloon group (P<.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Coronary stenting of infarct-related lesions is associated with a highly beneficial effect on 6-month angiographic outcome compared with balloon angioplasty alone. Further studies are needed to establish whether the beneficial effect of coronary stenting on long-term vessel patency is associated with an improvement in left ventricular function or in clinical outcome.
Bauters
C
C
Service de Cardiologie B et Hémodynamique, Hôpital Cardiologique, Lille, France.
Lablanche
J M
JM
Van Belle
E
E
Niculescu
R
R
Meurice
T
T
Mc Fadden
E P
EP
Bertrand
M E
ME
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents