A randomized comparison of balloon angioplasty and stent implantation in the percutaneous treatment of coronary bifurcations.
OBJECTIVE
A prospective randomized multicentre pilot trial, comparing stenting with balloon angioplasty as a treatment for coronary lesions, located in a bifurcation was performed.


RESULTS
After balloon dilatation, with a < 30% residual stenosis in the main vessel and < 50% residual stenosis in the side branch, patients were randomized to stay in a "balloon-only" group or to stenting. The stents used were the AVE S 670 for the main vessel and the Bestent, if needed, for the side branch. The primary end point was the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 6 months, secondary end points were in-hospital MACE, acute angiographic results, use of materials and duration of the procedure. One hundred eleven patients were randomized: 55 in the balloon group, 56 in the stent group. No differences in MACE-rates were found at 6 months (22% versus 20%, p = 0.78). The target vessel revascularization rate was 16% in the balloon group and 12.5% in the stent group (p = 0.56). The acute angiographic results were significantly better in the stent group (residual stenosis 8% versus 26% [p < 0.05]). More materials were used, with a near doubling of the duration of the procedure in the stent group (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Although stenting resulted in better immediate angiographic results during percutaneous treatment of lesions located in a bifurcation, as compared to balloon angioplasty alone, clinical events were comparable in the two treatment arms.
Dens
Joseph
J
UZ Gasthuisberg Leuven, Belgium. Joseph.Dens@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Dubois
Christophe
C
Vermeersch
Paul
P
Coussement
Patrick
P
Vrolix
Mathias
M
Janssens
Luc
L
Desmet
Walter
W
Piessens
Jan
J
D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome