title: The incidence and clinical impact of stent strut fractures developed after drug-eluting stent implantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cases of stent strut fractures (SSFs) after DES implantation have been reported, but the clinical significance is uncertain. Then we sought to define the incidence and clinical implications of SSFs developed after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We gathered SSF cases from 13 centers in Korea retrospectively. SSF was defined as angiographically visible interrupted connection of stent struts or fewer visible stent struts at the suspected site than normally looking stented area on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Furthermore, we classified the SSFs cases into three patterns (disruption, avulsion, and displacement) according to the interruption site and absence or presence of displacement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-seven SSFs (2 disruption, 7 avulsion, 28 displacement) were detected in 35 lesions in 35 patients. All fractured stents were sirolimus-eluting stents (SESs). The incidence of SSFs was 0.84% and the proportion of restenosis related with SSF was 6.3% after SES implantation driven from the data of 8 centers. The average length of stent used was 49 mm, overlapping stenting was performed in 19 lesions (54%), and the average maximal angulation in the initial coronary angiography was 67 degrees . Twenty-four fractures (65%) were associated with focal in stent restenosis and 11 fractures (30%) with target lesion revascularization. No acute coronary syndrome developed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SSF after DES implantation might be a considerable complication after DES implantation especially after SES implantation.
authors: Catholic University Saint Mary's Hospital, Youeuido-dong, Youngdeungpo-gu, Seoul, 150-713 Korea.
authors: Wook-Sung
authors: WS
authors: Chung
authors: Chul-Soo
authors: CS
authors: Park
authors: Ki-Bae
authors: KB
authors: Seung
authors: Pum-Joon
authors: PJ
authors: Kim
authors: Jong-Min
authors: JM
authors: Lee
authors: Bon-Kwon
authors: BK
authors: Koo
authors: Yang-Soo
authors: YS
authors: Jang
authors: Joo-Young
authors: JY
authors: Yang
authors: Jung-Han
authors: JH
authors: Yoon
authors: Doo-Il
authors: DI
authors: Kim
authors: Young-Won
authors: YW
authors: Yoon
authors: Jong-Seon
authors: JS
authors: Park
authors: Yoon-Haeng
authors: YH
authors: Cho
authors: Seung-Jung
authors: SJ
authors: Park
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000628:therapy; D054855:Drug-Eluting Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D020123:Sirolimus