ABSTRACT
Conventional methods of stenting require predilatation, which potentially increase vessel wall injury and cost of the procedure. In this study, the safety and efficacy of direct AVE-S7 [Medtronic-USA] stent placement were evaluated in 100 patients. Quantitative coronary angiography was performed at the baseline and post-stent. Clinical follow-up was done up to 9 months. In 100 patients [76 male/24 female; mean age 51+/-12 years], with stable angina [n=84; 84%] and unstable angina [n=16; 16%], 102 AVE-S7 stents [diameter 3.2 +/- 0.2 mm] were implanted for 102 stenoses. Direct stenting was successful in all stenoses. No stent was lost or damaged and all stents were implanted at the target site. Angiographic success [<30%residual stenosis] was achieved in all lesions. In the 9-month follow up, none of the patients died. Target lesion revascularization became necessary in 8 [8%] patients after 3 months and in 4 [4%] other patients after 6 months. After 6 months, 78patients [78%] and after 9 months 82patients [82%] were free of anginal symptoms and after 9 months 80% of the patients were free of the ischemic events. This study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of direct placement of the AVE-S7 stent as well as its favorable clinical and angiographic results up to the 9 months after the procedure