title: The "mini-crush technique" for the treatment of coronary trifurcation lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent evidence suggest that coronary bifurcation lesions might be treated by DES using "the mini-crush technique" with low rate of MACE and restenosis both at main and side branches. However, the treatment of a coronary trifurcation lesion is more problematic. Here we assess the feasibility of the "mini-crush technique" for treating trifurcation lesions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report on the treatment of trifurcation lesions using DES in all branches by the mini-crush technique in five consecutive patients (65+/-11.5 years) from December 2004 till March 2006. Independently, from the anatomical type of trifurcation, the mini-crush procedure was performed in all cases. After predilatation of all branches, positioning of stents in both side branches at a distance of 1-2 mm proximally to the carina of the trifurcation was performed. Side-branch stents were then deployed sequentially and crushed at the same time by a balloon positioned in the main branch. Afterwards, the main branch stent was advanced to cover the ostium of both side branches and deployed. The jailed wire technique was employed in all cases, and if possible in both branches. Final triple kissing balloon was employed in all cases. The "mini-crush technique" was performed safely in all the five patients obtaining an excellent angiographic result at 8.0+/-1.0 months follow-up angiography.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The "mini-crush technique" with DES can be safely performed giving complete coverage of the ostium of side branches and optimising side branch access.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Systemic Disease, Clinical Division of Cardiology, Ferrarotto Hospital, University of Catania, Italy. argalassi@virgilio.it
authors.forename: Alfredo R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Galassi
authors.forename: Salvatore D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Tomasello
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sacchetta
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Seminara
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Canonico
authors.forename: Corrado
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tamburino
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000379:methods*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome