Dilatation of Coronary Artery Bifurcation Stenosis Using the Original Palmaz-Schatz Stent

Abstract

Stenosis of a coronary artery bifurcation is a difficult interventional problem. The principle problem is the risk of damaging the ostium of one vessel while dilating the other. The “kissing” balloon technique and progress in stent technology have made available a number of approaches. The gap opposite the articulation bridge of the Palmaz-Schatz 153 stent can be used to gain access to an important vessel at a bifurcation. We report a case with significant stenosis involving the left main stem extending to the ostia of anterior descending and circumflex arteries. A stent was inserted into the left main stem and circumflex ostium, and through the gap the left anterior descending artery ostium was successfully dilated by battoon angioplasty.