Current and evolving stent evaluation by coronary computed tomographic angiography.

Objectives: To demonstrate the variety of stent abnormalities that may be evaluated by coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA).
Background: The application of CTA to the evaluation of coronary stents has focused almost entirely on the detection of in-stent restenosis.
Methods: All CTA performed for stent evaluation at a single institution were reviewed.
Results: In addition to in-stent restenosis, stent fracture, and overlap failure, a multiplicity of stent-related problems not previously addressed by CTA was categorized and illustrated: late stent thrombosis, jailed branches, edge stenosis, bifurcation stents, inadequate stent expansion, stent aneurysms, peri-stent plaque, and stenting into bridged myocardium.
Conclusions: CTA may be used to evaluate the full range of stent-related problems. This work provides the framework for future studies validating these applications.
(Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)