title: Invasive assessment modalities of unprotected left main stenosis.
abstract: Among all coronary lesions, the decision-making process for the treatment of unprotected left main (ULM) stem lesions is still challenging. Indeed, the optimal therapeutic strategy for patients with ULM disease remains controversial: coronary artery bypass grafting was established as the gold standard, but it is without doubt that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) performed by experienced operators achieves good results at long term follow up, especially in cases where the ostium and/or shaft of ULM are treated. Thanks to the widespread use of invasive assessment of atherothrombotic ULM stenosis, improved selection of PCI cases and techniques of stenting, better outcomes are now possible. This review seeks to define the place of PCI in ULM disease by describing the different modalities of ULM stenosis assessment.
authors: Department of Medical Sciences and Pediatrics, Catheterization Laboratory and Cardiovascular Interventional Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital, University of Catania, Italy.
authors: Marouane
authors: M
authors: Boukhris
authors: Department of Medical Sciences and Pediatrics, Catheterization Laboratory and Cardiovascular Interventional Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital, University of Catania, Italy.
authors: Salvatore Davide
authors: SD
authors: Tomasello
authors: Department of Medical Sciences and Pediatrics, Catheterization Laboratory and Cardiovascular Interventional Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital, University of Catania, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Marzà
authors: Department of Medical Sciences and Pediatrics, Catheterization Laboratory and Cardiovascular Interventional Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital, University of Catania, Italy.
authors: Alfredo Ruggero
authors: AR
authors: Galassi
keywords: Coronary artery bypass graft; Fractional flow reserve; Intravascular ultrasound; Percutaneous coronary intervention; Unprotected left main disease