Late incomplete apposition after drug-eluting stent implantation: incidence and potential for adverse clinical outcomes

ABSTRACT

Aim Late acquired incomplete stent apposition (ISA) has been documented after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation; However, its clinical consequences of late ISA after implantation sirolimus - (SES) or paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) in a non-elected population. Methods and Results From our database, we analysed 195 consecutive patients who underwent DES placetement(175 with SES and 20 with PES) into native artery lesions and had serial intravascular ultrasound studies (IVUS) performed at index procedure and after 6-8 months. They were clinically followed for 29 +- 15 mounths (median of 24.3 months, interquartile range 18.1 - 31.6 months. They were clinically followed for a separation of at least one stent strut from the vessel wall in a segment without a side-branch and where the immediate post-implantation IVUS revealed complete apposition of stent struts...