'Bail out' stenting: case closed.
Since the first description of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), the number of patients who have undergone this procedure has rapidly increased. Two problems have plagued PTCA: acute vessel closure and restenosis. Acute vessel closure following PTCA increases the incidence of in-hospital death, myocardial infarction and coronary bypass grafting. The advent of intracoronary stenting for acute closure has had a profound impact on these complications. Complications following intracoronary stenting have declined with modification of anticoagulation post-stenting and an improved understanding of stent mechanics. Further refinement of these devices and continued improvement in our understanding of them should lead to further reduction of post-stent complications and improved patient outcomes.
Dean
L S
LS
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294, USA. LDEAN@CARDIO.THT.UAB.EDU
Roubin
G S
GS
D000208:Acute Disease; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D015995:Prevalence; D012086:Reoperation; D015607:Stents