Immediate Results and Long-Term Clinical Outcome of Patients With Unprotected Distal Left Main Restenosis

Objectives The goal of this study was to assess the immediate and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for in-stent restenosis (ISR) in an unprotected distal left main coronary artery (UDLM). Background PCI for UDLM-ISR can be complex. Limited information is available on procedural and clinical outcomes. Methods Between May 2002 and February 2011, UDLM-ISR after drug-eluting stent implantation was observed in 79 of 1,102 patients (7%). Seventy-five were treated by repeat PCI using a simple approach (balloon/in-stent implantation) or a complex strategy (additional stent/double-stenting technique). A diagnosis of mild or severe restenosis was considered depending on the number of bifurcation segments affected (1 vs. >1). Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as cardiac death, target lesion revascularization, and myocardial infarction. Results ISR treatment was performed using a simple approach in 44 (58%) patients, and using a complex strategy in 31 (42%). After 46 ± 26 months, the MACE rate was 22%. Patients treated with a simple approach had a lower incidence of MACE at follow-up compared with patients treated with a complex strategy, regardless of the restenosis extent (mild restenosis: 93% vs. 67%, p Conclusions PCI for UDLM-ISR is safe and feasible, with a high rate of procedural success and an acceptable long-term MACE rate. A simple strategy, when applicable, appears to be a good treatment option, associated with a lower event rate at follow-up.