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The role of double stenting techniques in distal bifurcation left main (LM) disease has gaining interest over the latest years. We present the 3-year multicentre registry outcomes of dual stenting using ultra-thin strut stents and the Nano-Inverted-T (NIT) technique in complex unprotected true LM bifurcation disease. We analysed the procedural and medical data of consecutive patients enrolled between 1st January 2014 and 1st December 2019 in a multicentre registry for complex LM bifurcation disease treated with the double stenting technique called NIT due contraindications and/ or refusal to surgical treatment. Target lesion failure (TLF) was defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, target-vessel MI (TVMI) and clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR). Among two hundred-ninety-five patients (138 males, mean age 70.3 ± 12.8 years), post-operative success was achieved in 100% of cases. Contrast volume, procedural time, and radiation exposure were 139.2 ± 23.4 ml, 15.3 ± 4.9 min, and 1080 ± 1034 cGy/m 2 , respectively. At a mean follow-up of 39.5 ± 0.6 months TLF rate was 6.1% (n = 18) while TLR and cardiovascular mortality rates were 3.0 (n = 9) and 2.6% (n = 8), respectively. Clinically-driven angiographic follow-up was available in 26.4% of patients at a mean time from the procedure of 7.5 ± 0.4 months. Clinically restenosis rate was 3.3%.Revascularization of complex LM bifurcation disease using the NIT double stenting technique resulted feasible and safe with a low incidence of TLF, excellent survival rate and no stent thrombosis.

To assess the procedural performance and 3-years outcomes of unprotected complex bifurcation Left Main (LM) stenting using either Culotte or the novel nano-crush techniques, consisting in the use of two ultra-thin strut stents with a 1-ring stent crushed into the LM. We analysed the records of patients with complex distal/bifurcation LM disease and contraindications and/or refusal of bypass surgery, who from 1 January 2014 to 1 November 2017, received at operators' discretion LM double stenting by means of nano-crush technique using Orsiro (Biotronik Inc, Bulack, Switzerland) or Onyx (Medtronic Inc, Galway, Ireland) stents or Culotte stenting using same stent platforms. Among 65 patients (28 females, mean age 77.2 ± 6.2 years), 32 received nano-crush while 33 patients received Culotte technique. Mean angles between left anterior descending coronary artery and left circumflex was 63.6 ± 21.3°. Post-operative success was achieved in 100% of cases. Nano-crush patients showed lower contrast medium volume and X-ray exposure, shorter fluoroscopy and procedural times compared to Culotte patients group. At a mean follow-up of 27.4 ± 10.8 months, clinical-driven target lesion revascularization, myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death were 0 versus 4/33 (12.1%, p = 0.04), 1/32 (3.1%) versus 6/33 (18.1%, p = 0.03) and 2/32 (6.2%) versus 8/33 (24.2%, p = 0.04) in nano-crush versus Culotte patients, respectively. In this single center study, the nano-crush technique was associated with less use of contrast, less procedural time and less X-ray exposure compared to the culotte technique for the treatment of unprotected left main bifurcation lesions.

Objectives: We assess the mid-term outcomes of ultrathin biodegradable polymer double stenting using a very minimal crushing (Nano-Crush) technique in large complex coronary bifurcation., Background: Complex bifurcations have been suggested to be better approached by a planned double stent technique., Methods: Two hundred and five consecutive patients (107 males and 98 females) referred for large complex coronary bifurcation percutaneous coronary interventions were enrolled. The technique was also evaluated by both a bench test with a silicon tubes phantom resembling a coronary bifurcation and a computed fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis., Results: Left main bifurcation accounted for 40.9% of cases (84 patients). Mean angles between main branch (MB) and side branch (SB) were 63.6 ± 21.3°. SB intravascular ultrasound-calculated MSA was 5.6 ± 1.5 mm 2 . Clinical follow-up was available for 100% of patients and at a mean follow-up of 16.2 ± 6.7 months 8 deaths, all due to cardiovascular reason, (3.9%, 4 patients for stroke, two for heart failure, one after surgical aortic valve substitution, and one after acute massive pulmonary embolism) and no presumptive stent thrombosis or target vessel induced ischemia were observed. Angiographic follow-up was available in 108 patients (52.7%) and showed a very low significant restenosis (5 patients, 4.6%). Bench study and CFD evaluation suggested a complete coverage of the SB ostium with a very high strut-free area at the SB., Conclusions: The revascularization of complex large coronary bifurcation disease using the Nano-crush technique appeared promising thanks to the favorable fluid dynamic profile, complete coverage of the SD ostium, and very small metal amount at the carina., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background and Aim: The purpose of this analysis was to determine the factors responsible for side branch (SB) ostial stenosis after main vessel stent implantation., Methods: Theoretical and bench-test bifurcation models with different lengths of carina were created. Bench-test experiments with a flexible bifurcation model were performed for the observation of changes in the bifurcation region after stent implantation. An angiographic analysis of 92 bifurcation lesions (84 patients) was performed to determine the role of theoretical parameters on SB compromise in practice. The theoretically predicted and actual SB compromise were compared in these patients., Results: Bench tests revealed a complex change in the bifurcation region with carina displacement, SB lateral walls stretch and main vessel - SB proximal angle decrease after main vessel stent placement. In an angiographic analysis, actually measured SB% diameter stenosis was larger than expected in 35 (38%) lesions and the measured stenosis was smaller than expected in 49 lesions. Independent predictors of difference between theoretically predicted and observed SB stenosis were carina length mismatch (OR = 2.568, CI 1.336-4.896), main branch reference diameter (OR = 0.314, CI 0.101-0.972), and proximal main vessel - SB angle change after stenting (OR = 0.926, CI 0.870-0.985). In a plot comparing the values of carina length mismatch and deviations from the prediction in SB ostial stenosis, 30% (n = 27) of cases were located in a zone with a shorter carina and more SB compromise than expected, suggesting the role of plaque shift in these cases., Conclusions: The degree of SB jailing seems to be determined by carina deformation, the length of the carina, and plaque shifting.

Background: The unsatisfactory side branch (SB) ostial strut coverage remains a problem in coronary bifurcation stenting. Both the surplus and lack of struts at SB ostium may be the causative mechanism. We propose that the inability of available stents to cover the "extension distance" of the bifurcation region is the cause of in-stent restenosis., Methods: The extension distance (ED) is defined as the maximal distance at the carina tip, which must be covered by the stent struts to ensure optimal coverage of the main branch (MB) and SB openings. A mathematical model was created, representing the key factors that govern geometrical reconfigurations after stent implantation in bifurcations. There are two options--with and without bifurcation region deformation. The theoretical assumptions were tested on a bifurcation model (soft polyvinylchloride polymer tubes) permitting free wall deformations and the following parameters: Parent Vessel, MB, SB diameters of 3.5, 3.0, and 2.5 mm, respectively, with an angle of 45 degrees between the MB and SB. After stenting, final KBI with 3.5 mm and 3.0 mm balloons was performed up to 20 atm., Results: After the carina displacement, the ED, which has to be covered, is considerably smaller if the suboptimal result (DS >50%) at the SB ostium is acceptable. The maximal EDs from the bench test measurements are: Vision, Abbott Vascular - 5.62 mm +/- 0.04; Liberte, Boston Scientific Corp. - 5.2 mm +/- 0.03; Chopin2, Balton - 4.58 mm +/- 0.05; Volo, Invatec - 4.41 mm +/- 0.04; Driver, Medtronics - 4.39 mm +/- 0.04; BxSonic, Cordis, J&J - 4.48 mm +/- 0.05. The theoretical maximal ED of the model is 6.91 mm-28-62% larger than actually observed with different stents., Conclusions: The achievement of perfect ostial coverage of the SB is unsatisfactory with most of the currently available stents, especially when poststenting excessive dilation of the ostium of the SB is performed.

Background and Aim: This study explores predictors of side branch (SB) compromise in the main vessel only stenting group and its influence on long-term follow-up of the patients., Methods: We hypothesised that the geometric factors determining plaque distribution in branching regions influence SB compromise. Angiographic analysis of bifurcation lesions (all Medina types) was performed before, immediately after, and 9-12 months after the procedure. Control angiography was performed when clinically indicated. Specific attention was given to the influence of angle alpha - the angle between main vessel and SB axes., Results: Fifty-five patients (62 lesions) formed the study group. The LAD lesions were dominant (73%). Drug-eluting stents were used in 48% and kissing balloon inflation in 31%. The value of angle alpha was associated with significant SB stenosis. There was significant worsening of ostial SB stenosis (from 48% to 69%) after main vessel stenting, with the only independent predictor angle alpha. For SB ostial MLD independent predictors were angle alpha, SB vessel diameter and MB reference diameter. Predictors of SB occlusion (6.5%) were angle alpha <30 degrees and age >82 years. At follow-up (mean 11 months) SB restenosis rate was 52%, but was associated with symptoms only if the main vessel was affected (8/55, 15%). Angle alpha and main vessel reference diameter, main branch minimal diameter after stenting and stent type were predictors of target vessel revascularisation rate (25%)., Conclusion: Angle alpha predicts SB compromise after main vessel stenting and is the main predictor of restenosis in the main vessel.