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Stepwise layered provisional stenting (PS) is the most commonly used strategy to treat coronary bifurcation lesions (CBL). The term 'stepwise layered' emphasises the versatility of this approach that allows the adjustment of the procedure plan according to the CBL complexity, starting with stent implantation in one branch and implantation of a second stent in the other branch only when required. A series of refinements have been implemented over the years to facilitate the achievement of predictable procedural results using this approach. However, despite its simplicity and versatility, operators using this technique require full knowledge of the pitfalls of each procedural step. Part I of this 16

BACKGROUND Clinical implications of the proximal optimisation technique (POT) for bifurcation lesions have not been investigated in a randomised controlled trial. AIMS This study aimed to investigate whether POT is superior in terms of stent apposition compared with the conventional kissing balloon technique (KBT) in real-life bifurcation lesions using optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS A total of 120 patients from 15 centres were randomised into two groups - POT followed by side branch dilation or KBT. Finally, 57 and 58 patients in the POT and KBT groups, respectively, were analysed. OCT was performed at baseline, immediately after wire recrossing to the side branch, and at the final procedure. RESULTS The primary endpoint was the rate of malapposed struts assessed by the final OCT. The rate of malapposed struts did not differ between the POT and KBT groups (in-stent proximal site: 10.4% vs 7.7%, p=0.33; bifurcation core: 1.4% vs 1.1%, p=0.67; core's distal edge: 6.2% vs 5.3%, p=0.59). More additional treatments were required among the POT group (40.4% vs 6.9%, p

The 15th European Bifurcation Club (EBC) meeting was held in Barcelona in October 2019. It facilitated a renewed consensus on coronary bifurcation lesions (CBL) and unprotected left main (LM) percutaneous interventions. Bifurcation stenting techniques continue to be refined, developed and tested. It remains evident that a provisional approach with optional side branch treatment utilising T, T and small protrusion (TAP) or culotte continues to provide flexible options for the majority of CBL patients. Debate persists regarding the optimal treatment of side branches, including assessment of clinical significance and thresholds for bail-out treatment. In more complex CBL, especially those involving the LM, adoption of dedicated two-stent techniques should be considered. Operators using such techniques have to be fully familiar with their procedural steps and should acknowledge associated limitations and challenges. When using two-stent techniques, failure to perform a final kissing inflation is regarded as a technical failure, since it may jeopardise clinical outcome. The development of novel technical tools and drug regimens deserves attention. In particular, intracoronary imaging, bifurcation simulation, drug-eluting balloon technology and tailored antiplatelet therapy have been identified as promising tools to enhance clinical outcomes. In conclusion, the evolution of a broad spectrum of bifurcation PCI components has resulted from studies extending from bench testing to randomised controlled trials. However, further advances are still needed to achieve the ambitious goal of optimising the clinical outcomes for every patient undergoing PCI on a CBL.

Aims The aim of this study is to demonstrate the non-inferiority of the BiOSS LIM C sirolimus-eluting cobalt-chromium bifurcation dedicated stent against the XIENCE stent regarding the patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE) at 12 months among patients with left main coronary artery disease (LMCA). Methods and results The POLBOS LM study is a single-arm, prospective, multicentre study enrolling 260 patients (SYNTAX score ≤32) with a pre-specified performance goal based on the results of the EXCEL trial with contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for LMCA disease. Patient enrolment will comply with objective inclusion criteria of diameter stenosis ≥50% in the LMCA based on off-line quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) analysed by an independent core laboratory using dedicated bifurcation QCA software. The BiOSS LIM C is used for the treatment of LMCA disease with the same specific technical classification as for the BiOSS LIM (modified MADS classification) and the stent implantation is optimised by using pre-specified intravascular ultrasound criteria. The primary endpoint is POCE (a composite of all-cause death, stroke, any myocardial infarction, and any revascularisation) at 12 months. Conclusions The POLBOS LM study will indicate the efficacy of the BiOSS LIM C stent with contemporary PCI for distal left main bifurcation lesions in comparison with the XIENCE stent from the recent EXCEL trial, as a performance index.

AIMS Despite technical advancements, long-term outcomes after chronic total occlusion (CTO) recanalisation remain a subject of debate, especially in diabetic patients. The aim of this study, therefore, was to assess the very long-term clinical outcome of diabetic vs. non-diabetic patients in a large cohort from a high-volume CTO PCI centre according to whether or not CTO recanalisation had been successfully achieved. METHODS AND RESULTS Between 2004 and 2012, 1,320 consecutive patients underwent PCI for CTO, 27.4% (362/1320) of whom were diabetics. We compared cardiac death, target lesion revascularisation (TLR), myocardial infarction (MI) and combined major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with successful versus failed PCI (median follow-up 4.2 years). The PCI success rate was 75% (990/1,320 patients), with no significant differences between diabetics and non-diabetics (69.8% vs. 75%, respectively, p=0.07). Successful recanalisation was associated with lower cardiac death rates (13.2% vs. 17.2%, respectively, p

Aims: This analysis aimed to evaluate the incidence and predictors of the need for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation following implantation of the repositionable and fully retrievable LOTUS Aortic Valve Replacement System. Methods and results: The prospective, single-arm, multicentre REPRISE II study with extended cohort enrolled 250 symptomatic, high surgical risk patients with severe aortic stenosis for transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with a 23 mm or 27 mm LOTUS valve. Echocardiography, computed tomography, and electrocardiography data were evaluated by independent core labs. Post TAVI, 32.0% (72/225) of pacemaker-naive patients underwent new PPM implantation at 30 days. Most (59/72, 82%) patients were implanted for third-degree atrioventricular block, and >10% overstretch of the LVOT by area was observed in 59.7% (43/72) of PPM patients. Significant independent predictors of PPM at 30 days included baseline RBBB (odds ratio [OR] 12.7, 95% CI: 4.5, 36.2; p 10% (OR 3.4, 95% CI: 1.7, 6.7; p 5 mm depth from LCS; p=0.06). Conclusions: Careful attention to valve sizing and implant depth may help to reduce the rate of PPM with the LOTUS valve.

Aims: The REPRISE IIE trial aimed to evaluate outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve implantation of the fully repositionable and retrievable LOTUS valve with a unique seal designed to minimise paravalvular leak (PVL). Methods and results: This prospective, multicentre study enrolled 250 patients with severe aortic stenosis considered high-risk for surgery by a multidisciplinary Heart Team. An independent clinical events committee adjudicated events per Valve Academic Research Consortium criteria. Mean age was 84 years; 77% were in NYHA Class III/IV. LOTUS valve implantation produced significant haemodynamic improvements at one year without valve embolisation, ectopic valve deployment, or additional valve implantation. Primary endpoints were met as the 30-day mortality rate in the extended cohort (4.4%, N=250), and mean valve gradient in the main cohort (11.5±5.2 mmHg, N=120) were below (p

Aims: The use of multiple geographical sites for randomised cardiovascular trials may lead to important heterogeneity in treatment effects. This study aimed to determine whether treatment effects from different geographical recruitment regions impacted significantly on five-year MACCE rates in the SYNTAX trial. Methods and results: Five-year SYNTAX results (n=1,800) were analysed for geographical variability by site and country for the effect of treatment (CABG vs. PCI) on MACCE rates. Fixed, random, and linear mixed models were used to test clinical covariate effects, such as diabetes, lesion characteristics, and procedural factors. Comparing five-year MACCE rates, the pooled odds ratio (OR) between study sites was 0.58 (95% CI: 0.47-0.71), and countries 0.59 (95% CI: 0.45-0.73). By homogeneity testing, no individual site (X2=93.8, p=0.051) or country differences (X2=25.7, p=0.080) were observed. For random effects models, the intraclass correlation was minimal (ICC site=5.1%, ICC country=1.5%, p

Aims This study sought to investigate outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve (THV) in patients at intermediate risk for surgery. The 30-day results of the transfemoral cohort are reported. Methods and results The SAPIEN 3 European approval trial intermediate-risk cohort included a total of 101 patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis, at intermediate risk for surgery suitable for TAVI via the transfemoral route (TF). Outcomes were adjudicated by a clinical events committee. Echocardiography, computed tomography and electrocardiography exams were analysed in core laboratories. The mean STS-PROM score and logistic EuroSCORE of the study population were 5.2±1.7 and 13.2±3.8, respectively. A completely percutaneous procedure was performed in 90.1% of patients and conscious sedation and/or local anaesthesia was utilised in 54.5%. Technical success was achieved in 98.0% of patients. At 30 days, mortality was 1.0%, with stroke in 3.0% and a new permanent pacemaker in 4.0% (4.3% of patients without pre-procedural permanent pacemaker). No patients had severe aortic regurgitation after the procedure, only one patient had moderate aortic regurgitation, and 70.8% of patients had no or trace aortic regurgitation. Conclusions TF-TAVI using the SAPIEN 3 THV in patients at intermediate risk for surgery is associated with a very low risk of death and complications, including new pacemakers and paravalvular leaks. Although compelling, these initial results are being confirmed in larger global studies before expanding the indications for TAVI in severe aortic stenosis.

International audience; Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is the most frequent genetic cardiovascular affection and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Invasive treatment of symptomatic patients with HOCM refractory to drug therapy was limited to surgical myomectomy for years. In the mid 1990s, alcohol septal ablation (ASA) emerged as a new and less invasive option for septal ablation (SA) and is now considered a good alternative with excellent short- and long-term outcomes. Besides ASA, other techniques have been promoted to treat HOCM. The present review aims to summarise current practice and evidence of catheter-based techniques from the treatment of HOCM. We also detail technical points to achieve a safe and effective procedure.

Aims We aimed to evaluate the role of drug-eluting balloon SB inflation, using the novel DANUBIO balloon, after placement of a drug-eluting stent in the main branch in patients with bifurcation lesions. Methods and results Fifty-two patients with bifurcation lesions suitable for stenting were enrolled in the DEBSIDE trial at eight French centres between May 2012 and July 2013. Two patients were excluded from the trial because of significant protocol deviations. Systematic Nile PAX stent placement was followed by final drug-eluting balloon inflation, using the DANUBIO balloon, according to the size of the side branch. Clinical follow-up was scheduled at one, six, and twelve months and an angiographic control at six months. The primary endpoint was six-month late lumen loss (LLL) at the ostium of the side branch. Secondary endpoints were main branch (MB) LLL, binary restenosis of the SB and MB, and clinically driven revascularisation rates for both branches. The procedural success rate was 100%. Angiographic control at six months post-procedure was performed in 48 patients (96%). Two patients with no reported clinical events refused the angiographic control. At six-month follow-up the primary endpoint of side branch LLL was -0.04±0.34 mm and the secondary endpoint of MB LLL was 0.54±0.60 mm. There was only one myocardial infarction (2%) and no reported cardiac deaths. Only one patient (2%) had a non-clinically driven target lesion revascularisation (TLR) at the level of the side branch combined with a main branch revascularisation. Conclusions Systematic final inflation of a DANUBIO balloon in the side branch after placement of a Nile PAX stent in the main branch for the treatment of a bifurcation lesion is safe and effective and results in very low LLL and a low restenosis rate at the side branch ostium. The DEBSIDE clinical trial was registered at the United States National Institute of Health website (NCT01485081).

The left main is the largest bifurcation of the coronary tree and is, therefore, easier to access. Nevertheless, the risks of untoward consequences associated with the loss of the side branch are much higher. Although the usual technical strategies implemented in coronary bifurcations can generally be applied to left main lesions, several inherent characteristics (the ostial position of the main branch, the size of the side branch, the amount of calcification, the angle which is often in a T shape, the use of stents of variable suitability, the crucial role of POT) need to be taken into account in order to achieve optimal acute and long-term results.

The European Bifurcation Club (EBC) is an independent, non-political and informal "think tank" of scientists with a particular interest in clinical, technical and fundamental aspects of the management of coronary artery bifurcation disease. Bifurcations account for 15-20% of all percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and remain one of the most challenging lesions in interventional cardiology in terms of procedural success rate as well as long-term cardiac events. The optimal management is, despite a fast growing scientific literature, still the subject of considerable debate, one of the main concerns being the potential increased risk of late stent thrombosis associated with treatment complexity. The EBC was initiated in 2004 and aims to facilitate an exchange of ideas on management of bifurcation disease. The EBC hosts an annual, compact meeting dedicated to bifurcations which brings together physicians, engineers, biologists, physicists, epidemiologists and statisticians for detailed discussions. Every meeting is finalised with a consensus statement which reflects the unique opportunity of combining the opinion of interventional cardiologists with the opinion of a large variety of other scientists on bifurcation management. This year the EBC celebrates its 10-year anniversary. This consensus document represents the summary of the consensus from the last ten years of the annual EBC meetings.

AIMS With newer drug-eluting stents (DES), PCI has appeared as an acceptable alternative to cardiac surgery in the treatment of unprotected left main (ULM) lesions. Using data from the French Left Main Taxus and the LEft MAin Xience registries, we compared two-year outcomes in consecutive patients from 2003-2008 using everolimus-eluting stents (EES) vs. paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES). METHODS AND RESULTS We performed a matched comparison according to SYNTAX score, distal LM stenosis, provisional side-branch T-stenting and single stent use, focusing on the primary endpoints of target vessel MI (TVMI) and target vessel failure (TVF). After propensity score matching, there were 172 patients in each group. There was no difference in gender (76.5% male), age (69.5 ± 11.3 years), diabetes (26.2% vs. 24.4%, p=0.71), NSTEMI (40.7% vs. 40.7%, p=1), or LVEF

Aims: Limited long-term data are available to support drug-eluting stent (DES) unprotected left main (LM) intervention. We sought to evaluate long-term outcomes of LM intervention with paclitaxel-eluting stents. Methods and results: In this prospective multicentre registry, 291 patients with unprotected LM stenosis underwent percutaneous revascularisation with the TAXUS® Express® stent, using a consistent technical approach for both ostial/shaft and bifurcation lesions (provisional side branch stenting). At five years (n=263), the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and cardiac death were 23.6% and 12.5%, respectively. Myocardial infarction (MI) occurred in 16 patients (6.1%), definite stent thrombosis in 0.4%, and target lesion revascularisation (TLR) was required in 10.3%. Patients with distal LM lesions requiring two-stent procedures had increased MACE compared with those with single-stent interventions (34.1% vs. 17.8%, p=0.009). This was primarily driven by an increased incidence of cardiac death (18.2% vs. 8.5%, p=0.05). Diabetes was associated with increased TLR and was an independent predictor of MACE at five years (odds ration [OR] 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-3.99, p=0.02). Conclusions: This study confirms the long-term safety and efficacy of the TAXUS® DES in unprotected LM stenting. Diabetes and need for a second stent in distal LM interventions were associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes.

Aims: Our aim was to validate patient-specific software integrating baseline anatomy and biomechanical properties of both the aortic root and valve for the prediction of valve morphology and aortic leaflet calcium displacement after TAVI. Methods and results: Finite element computer modelling was performed in 39 patients treated with a Medtronic CoreValve System (MCS; n=33) or an Edwards SAPIEN XT (ESV; n=6). Quantitative axial frame morphology at inflow (MCS, ESV) and nadir, coaptation and commissures (MCS) was compared between multislice computed tomography (MSCT) post TAVI and a computer model as well as displacement of the aortic leaflet calcifications, quantified by the distance between the coronary ostium and the closest calcium nodule. Bland-Altman analysis revealed a strong correlation between the observed (MSCT) and predicted frame dimensions, although small differences were detected for, e.g., Dmin at the inflow (mean +/- SD MSCT vs. model: 21.6 +/- 2.4 mm vs. 22.0 +/- 2.4 mm; difference +/- SD: -0.4 +/- 1.3 mm, p

AIMS To assess the procedural and long-term results of non-compliant (NC) kissing balloon inflation (KB) in patients undergoing bifurcation intervention with the provisional side branch (SB) stenting technique. Provisional SB stenting is the default strategy for coronary bifurcation intervention. Recent data have suggested that KB with compliant balloons increases the risk of SB dissection and restenosis. However, NC KB may reduce SB complications. METHODS AND RESULTS We prospectively enrolled patients undergoing provisional SB stenting at two French centres. KB was systematically performed with NC balloons. Quantitative coronary angiography and digital stent enhancement (DSE) were performed in all cases. Thirty-day and one-year major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rates were assessed. We recruited 100 patients with a mean age of 67.3±11.7 years. Diabetes mellitus was prevalent in 23%, renal dysfunction in 21%, and multivessel disease in 69%. Intervention was performed for stable angina in 48% and acute coronary syndromes in 27%. Target lesions were the left main in 15% and the left anterior descending in 51%. True bifurcation stenoses accounted for 46% of lesions (Medina class: 1,1,1/1,0,1/0,1,1). All lesions were successfully treated with NC KB. SB stenting was required in 6% (five dissections, one residual stenosis). Using DSE, a SB stent scaffold was evident in 89% following KB. The cumulative 12-month MACE rate was 4%. Target lesion revascularisation was required in 3%. No stent thrombosis occurred during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Provisional SB stenting followed by NC KB is associated with high procedural success and low rates of clinical target lesion failure.

Aims: We report the clinical and angiographic results of the OPEN I study, a multicentre prospective single-arm study evaluating both the drug-eluting and bare metal STENTYS (R) stents in the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions. Methods and results: The STENTYS (R) stent is a provisional, self-expanding, nitinol stent with small interconnections that can be disconnected by balloon angioplasty in between the stent struts to provide access to the side branch (SB) and full ostium coverage. In nine European centres, 60 stents (33 BMS, 27 DES) were implanted in 63 patients (procedural success of 95.2%). Angiographic QCA and IVUS were used to measure acute gain and late loss. The Medina classification showed 35 patients (58%) had disease affecting the SB (true bifurcations) and 19 patients (32%) had disease in all three arms. The average bifurcation angulation pre-stenting was 60 degrees +/- 21 degrees. Post-stenting, disconnection was performed on 90% of the stents implanted. In 18 cases, disconnection was followed by SB stenting with all SB stents successfully implanted. Post-stenting, the bifurcation angle was 51 degrees. The primary clinical endpoint, cumulative MACE at six months, was low for DES (3.7%) but higher for BMS (27.3%) with the latter driven exclusively by clinically-driven TLR rates (3.7% vs. 24.2%). No cardiac deaths were recorded at six months and one patient had a non-Q wave infarct. The secondary angiographic endpoint of late luminal loss (LLL) was measured for both DES (paclitaxel) and BMS stents in the proximal main branch (MB), MB, distal MB as well as the SB. The values for DES were 0.39 mm, 0.42 mm, 0.40 mm and 0.16 mm, respectively. The values for BMS were 0.86 mm, 0.87 mm, 0.85 mm and 0.54 mm, respectively. Observed results using matched IVUS analysis at six months revealed an increase in mean stent area (mm(2)) for DES from 7.52 +/- 1.86 at baseline to 12.32 +/- 2.90 at six month follow-up (p

Aims Long-term administration of statin therapy has been shown to reduce major coronary events and cardiac mortality within randomised clinical trials. Statins favourably affect platelet adhesion, thrombosis, endothelial function, inflammation, plaque stability, and ventricular arrhythmia, which may potentially improve outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and shock. Therefore, we hypothesised that statin therapy has an early beneficial effect among patients undergoing PCI for STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock. Methods and results We retrospectively collected data of consecutive patients undergoing emergency PCI for STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock between January 2000 and June 2008. Baseline, procedural, and in-hospital data of statin-treated and non-statin-treated patients were compared. Propensity score and multivariate survival analysis were used to adjust for heterogeneity between the two groups. Of 111 patients who comprised the study population, 30/111 (27%) were treated with statin at the time of the procedure. Statin therapy was associated with an in-hospital mortality reduction (46.7% versus 70.4%; odds ratio, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.11-0.89; P=0.029). After adjusting for the propensity to receive statin therapy before the procedure and other confounders, statin therapy remained an independent predictor for in-hospital survival after coronary intervention (odds ratio, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.88; P=0.026). Conclusions In this study cohort, statin therapy among patients undergoing emergency PCI for STEMI and cardiogenic shock is associated with a significant mortality advantage at early follow-up.

Aims: This first human use (FHU) study in bifurcation lesions evaluated safety and feasibility of the TAXUS Petal paclitaxel-eluting dedicated bifurcation stent. Methods and results: This prospective, single-arm, multicentre study had a composite primary endpoint of 30-day death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target vessel revascularisation (TVR). Angiographic and intravascular ultrasound follow-up was at six months with clinical follow-up through five years. Mean age (N=28) was 60.9±9.3 years and 17.9% of patients had medically treated diabetes. Main branch (MB) lesion length was 13.8±5.9 mm with 4.4±2.5 mm in the side branch (SB). TAXUS Petal was successfully implanted in 89.3% of patients (25/28). On a per device basis, 73.5% (25/34) of Petal deployments were successful. The primary endpoint occurred in one patient (3.7%, in-hospital non–Q-wave MI). Through one year, TVR was 11.1%, target lesion revascularisation was 7.4%, and there were no deaths, Q-wave MIs, or stent thromboses. In-segment late loss (n=21) was 0.47±0.45 mm (proximal MB), 0.41±0.57 mm (distal MB), and 0.18±0.39 mm (SB). Conclusions: The requirement for rotational alignment made delivery of this first generation TAXUS Petal stent challenging and accounted for the relatively low device delivery success. Clinical and angiographic outcomes were satisfactory when successful delivery was achieved.

The OAT trial and its angiographic substudy TOSCA-2, along with a number of published commentaries, represents examples of over-interpretation of clinical study results. A study that achieved no statistically significant result for any of the study endpoints can only claim to have proven that their null hypothesis cannot be rejected. The lack of power due to a reduction of patient numbers by one third, and an unexpected low event rate, makes it not unlikely that another trial would be able to disprove the null hypothesis. These statistical facts should be accepted by the authors and commentators. Instead, the inconclusive results were interpreted in such a way that they might apply to patient populations which had not been represented in the original trial (like CTOs without prior MI, or with viable myocardium), or for patients who could have been included, such as multivessel high risk patients, but had not been so by the investigators choice. Furthermore, major problems of the study are ignored, such as accepting TIMI 2 flow as a procedural success.

To report clinical and angiographic follow-up at 6 months after implantation of the Tryton Side-Branch Stent™ dedicated to bifurcation, in conjunction with standard workhorse drug-eluting stent (DES). Methods and results: Patients having angina or silent myocardial ischaemia with de novo bifurcation lesions were enrolled at three sites. The Tryton™ stent was first placed in the side-branch and a standard DES subsequently implanted in the main-branch. The primary endpoint was freedom from in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) following procedural success. Angiographic and clinical follow-up was performed at 6-months. Quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) was analysed with a new dedicated bifurcation software. Thirty patients were enrolled. At six months clinical follow-up was available in 100% with angiographic follow-up performed in 78%. The primary endpoint was met in 93.3%. The MACE rate at 6 months was 9.9%. QCA analysis demonstrated late luminal loss of 0.17 mm with no restenosis in the side branch. Conclusions: In conjunction with a workhorse DES to treat bifurcation lesions, the Tryton™ side-branch stent demonstrated acceptable clinical outcome and low side-branch late loss at six months.

Elevation of biomarkers and ischaemia after coronary stenting of a bifurcation is not uncommon due to side branch (SB) occlusion. Hence, it is important to understand the relation between the lumen calibre of the SB and the myocardial mass affected. The objective of this proof of concept perspective is to provide a formulation for the relation between the SB calibre and perfused myocardial mass based on experimentally-validated scaling laws. A lumen calibre-mass scaling law provides a nearly linear relation between cross-sectional area of SB and the myocardial mass at risk. It is clinically known that the larger the diameter of the SB the more myocardial mass is at risk. The present analysis formulates this notion quantitatively and provides a simple relation where the %infarct can be determined directly from the angiographic cross-sectional area of SB. This relation can help guide the decision for bifurcation stenting where the SB may be at risk for occlusion. This brief proof of concept perspective provides a basis for future human studies that may demarcate the calibre (and hence myocardial mass) in relation to cardiac biomarkers as a cut-off for treatment of SB.

France was chosen to be one of the six first pilot countries of the "Stent for Life" European initiative. First, a prospective registry was set up in five representative French regions, including all admissions within the first 48 hours of ST-elevated acute cardiac syndrome between 1st and 30th November 2010. The second step was to improve results. The main objective was to encourage members of the public experiencing chest pain to call immediately the SAMU's direct line (phone number "15"). Another action was to organise medical meetings in order to improve the management of these patients. Letters were also sent to general physicians to alert them to the issue and to the Stent for Life project. The third step consisted of creating a new registry, in November 2011, to assess the impact of the above actions on an area basis. It has resulted in streamlining the networks and bringing the rate of non-reperfusion down below the 10% threshold. Much remains to be done to improve public awareness of life-saving actions.

Where we began The first attempts to dilate a coronary bifurcation stenosis were carried out in the 1980s, with kissing balloon techniques being performed via two separate guiding catheters! This technique was associated with a poor outcome as well as high complication and restenosis rates. A broad variety of bifurcation stenting techniques were described in the 90s during the bare metal stent (BMS) era, one of the initial strategies being the placement of the famous PS 153 Cordis stent bridge in front of a side branch. Most of these techniques originated in the creative mind of Antonio Colombo in an attempt to adapt the treatment strategies to the various types of coronary anatomy. Although the use of stents increased the safety of these techniques, high restenosis and re-intervention rates were still reported. Despite the absence of randomised trials, the first clinical and bench studies on stent deployment led to the idea of using a single stent to treat a coronary bifurcation whenever possible. Since 2000, the use of drug-eluting stents (DES) has considerably decreased the risk of restenosis and re-intervention after bifurcation stenting, but this at the price of a potential higher risk of stent thrombosis as in non-bifurcated lesions. The improvement in outcome prompted the development of many new techniques which were designed to address the problem of side branch restenosis by achieving enhanced coverage of the whole bifurcation.