title: The STENTYS® paclitaxel-eluting stent in the treatment of unprotected distal left main.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vessel tapering represents an important limitation of the balloon-expandable drug-eluting stent (DES) in the treatment of distal unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) lesions. In this study, we assessed the suitability of the STENTYS DES((P)) , a self-apposing nitinol paclitaxel-eluting stent, for use in the treatment of distal ULMCA lesions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From February 2012 to September 2013, 75 consecutive patients with tapered (that is a >1 mm difference in the diameter from the proximal to the distal main vessel) distal ULMCA lesions were treated with the STENTYS DES((P)) (STENTYS-DES group) at the Clinica Mediterranea (Naples, Italy). A matched-group of 75 patients treated with second-generation DES in the same period (Control group) was selected from the database of New Tokyo Hospital (Chiba, Japan). The result was assessed by both quantitative coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Although the final balloon diameter was larger in the Control group (4.51 ± 0.51 vs. 3.62 ± 0.49 mm; P < 0.001), the IVUS analysis showed a larger final minimal lumen area in the STENTYS-DES group than in the Control group (left main: 17.45 ± 3.45 vs. 14.84 ± 3.45 mm(2) ; P < 0.001; polygon of confluence: 15.74 ± 3.28 vs. 12.55 ± 5.45 mm(2) ; P < 0.002; ostial left anterior descending artery: 11.73 ± 1.97 vs. 8.56 ± 1.80 mm(2) ; P < 0.001). At 12 ± 5 months, major adverse cardiac events (including death, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization) occurred in seven patients in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study suggests that the self-apposing properties of the STENTYS DES((P)) offer a valid alternative for the treatment of the distal ULMCA lesions.
authors: Laboratory of Interventional Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Clinica Mediterranea, Naples, Italy.
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Briguori
authors: Laboratory of Interventional Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Clinica Mediterranea, Naples, Italy.
authors: Gabriella
authors: G
authors: Visconti
authors: Laboratory of Interventional Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Clinica Mediterranea, Naples, Italy.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Donahue
authors: Laboratory of Interventional Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Clinica Mediterranea, Naples, Italy.
authors: Amelia
authors: A
authors: Focaccio
authors: Interventional Cardiology Unit, New Tokyo Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
authors: Satoru
authors: S
authors: Mitomo
authors: Interventional Cardiology Unit, New Tokyo Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
authors: Hiroyoshi
authors: H
authors: Kawamoto
authors: Interventional Cardiology Unit, New Tokyo Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
authors: Sunao
authors: S
authors: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000497:Alloys; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D054855:Drug-Eluting Stents; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; C013616:nitinol; D017239:Paclitaxel
keywords: bifurcation lesion; coronary artery disease; left main; stent