title: Angiographic follow-up after coronary implantation of the Multilink stent: a prospective observation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A growing variety of coronary stents is becoming available on the market. Results of randomized trials may be difficult to apply to less selected patients, and experience with every device cannot be obtained in every center. Detailed information about the immediate and long-term results achieved with one device can be a helpful reference for interventional cardiologists. The aim of this study was to test the applicability and the clinical and angiographic results, both immediate and at 6 months, of the Multilink coronary stent in a cohort of unselected patients undergoing coronary angioplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 1997 to June 1998 coronary angioplasty was performed in 391 patients in our center, with the use of stents in 339 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred and seventeen Multilink stents were successfully implanted in 295 lesions in 277 patients; an acute coronary syndrome was present in 209 cases (75%), and lesion types B2 and C accounted for 30% of lesions. In 7 cases (2.4%) the Multilink stent did not cross the lesion, and another device was implanted. Subacute stent occlusion occurred in 1 patient (0.36%) after primary angioplasty. After 6 months from the procedure, clinical follow-up data were available for 252 out of 254 patients: none had died, and angina or myocardial ischemia occurred in 25 patients (9.9%). A control angiogram was performed in 239 out of 254 patients (94%) at 178 +/- 34 days. Restenosis occurred in 44/239 patients (18.4%) and in 48/247 lesions (19.4%). In patients with vs without restenosis the original lesion was longer (p = 0.009), and diabetes mellitus was more frequent (p = 0.002), as was the use of multiple stents (p = 0.005). In single 15, 25 and 35 mm long stents restenosis occurred in 13.9, 15.5 and 46.2% of cases, respectively (p = NS).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Multilink stent showed a low rate of subacute occlusion (0.36%) and could be used safely also in patients with acute coronary syndromes. The use of a single, 15 or 25 mm long Multilink stent was associated with a low angiographic recurrence rate (14-16%).
authors.affiliation: Catheterization Laboratory, Division of Cardiology, Hospital S. Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Steffenino
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dellavalle
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ribichini
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vado
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Uslenghi
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents