title: Simultaneous kissing stent technique to treat left main stem bifurcation disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While several endovascular techniques have been developed for treating arterial bifurcation lesions, there is, as yet, no single, widely accepted technique for treating left main stem (LMS) bifurcation lesions with stents. The simultaneous kissing stent (SCS) technique seems particularly suited for such lesions. The authors describe a consecutive cohort of patients with LMS bifurcation stenosis treated with this technique and present mechanistic insights from a porcine model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty consecutive patients with LMS bifurcation stenosis +/- multivessel disease were treated with SCS technique using paclitaxel-eluting stents. The technique involves simultaneous implantation of two stents (LMS-LAD and LMS-Cx) so that the proximal end of both stents lie at the same level in the body of LMS. Symptom status was recorded and follow-up angiography was performed. In addition, four pigs underwent SCS implantation of the LMS and were studied by direct examination, histology, and scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients' mean age was 63, 26 were elective and 19 were male. Paclitaxel-eluting stents (Taxus, Boston Scientific) were used. There was one in-hospital death in a highly unstable patient. At 6-month follow-up angiography, two patients required target lesion revascularization. At 13 +/- 3 month follow-up, the remaining patients remain well, with no other major adverse cardiac events. The animals all survived with patent stents. SEM demonstrated full re-endothelialization and histology showed a thin but complete neointima covering the stent struts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SCS technique for treating LMS bifurcation disease with paclitaxel-eluting stents is safe and feasible. Medium term clinical and angiographic results are good. An endothelium and a thin neointima cover the metal struts.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Sciences (North), Cardiovascular Research Unit, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Allison C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: Anjan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siotia
authors.forename: Nadine D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Korgul
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bowles
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heppenstall
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gunn
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D015607:Stents; D013552:Swine; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017239:Paclitaxel