The impact of coronary stenting on immediate procedural complication and long-term clinical restenosis at Waikato Hospital.
OBJECTIVE
Clinical data on coronary stenting from within New Zealand is scarce and, in particular, the impact of current stent technologies is unknown. We reviewed all angioplasties undertaken at Waikato Hospital over a two year period to determine the clinical effect of coronary stenting on the local population.


METHODS
Data from all patients who underwent coronary angioplasty at Waikato Hospital between July 1, 1995 and July 1, 1997 were included. Stents were deployed either to remedy sub-optimal results, or were electively used for saphenous vein grafts or restenotic lesions. Patient follow-up was obtained through a combination of database review, chart search and GP or patient contact.


RESULTS
662 lesions were dilated in 441 patients. 91 lesions were stented, 52.7% for sub-optimal results following balloon angioplasty. 98% of patients were followed up at six months. Whilst procedural success rate was higher in stented patients compared to unstented patients (96.7% vs 87.5% respectively, p=0.009) the in-hospital sub-acute occlusion rate was also increased (6.8% vs 1.9% respectively, p=0.007). At six months, coronary restenosis requiring repeat angioplasty was infrequent (10.9% overall) with no significant difference between the two groups (8.1% vs. 11.2% for stented vs unstented patients respectively, p=NS).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of stents appears effective in improving immediate procedural success rates. Despite stented patients being at higher risk initially, their complication and six month clinical restenosis rates were similar.
Wickham
H
H
Department of Cardiology, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton.
Nunn
C
C
McAlister
H
H
Devlin
G
G
Charleson
H
H
Fisher
R
R
Heald
S
S
Wade
C
C
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome