title: Lesion regression after percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main trunk disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although some studies have documented the six-month angiographic outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with new devices for unprotected left main trunk disease (ULMTD), a long-term angiographic analysis is mandatory to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this procedure. This study aims to assess a long-term (one year or more) angiographic analysis after PCI for this lesion.
  
  
  METHODS
  PCI was performed for 225 ULMTD with de novo or restenotic lesions. There were 19 deaths and 12 repeat PCIs during the hospital stay. The remaining 194 lesions were followed, and 126 lesions showed no angiographic restenosis or target lesion revascularization within six months. Finally, long-term quantitative angiographic follow-up was completed in 78 lesions (mean 2.4 years, maximum 7.5 years after PCI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Minimal lumen diameter increased significantly from 2.46 +/- 0.59 mm to 2.72 +/- 0.65 mm (p < 0.0001) and percent diameter stenosis decreased significantly from 26 +/- 14% to 19 +/- 14% (p < 0.0001) between the six-month and the long-term follow-ups. No additional restenosis or new lesions were found at long-term follow-up, and significant lesion regression was ascertained in each procedure (directional coronary atherectomy, p < 0.005; ballooning, p < 0.005; stenting, p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings support the safety and effectiveness of PCI for ULMTD during the long-term period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Shiga Medical Center for Adults, Japan.
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kosuga
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamai
authors.forename: Eisho
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kyo
authors.forename: Tatsuhiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hata
authors.forename: Masaharu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Takuji
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuji
authors.forename: Shinsaku
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Yasutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inuzuka
authors.forename: Seiichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Motohara
authors.forename: Hiromu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uehata
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome