Long-term multimodality imaging follow-up of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with bioresorbable vascular scaffold: advantages and challenges.

Abstract

Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) offers a non-invasive method of imaging bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS). To investigate the advantages and challenges using MSCT in the follow-up after BRS implantation. The BRS cohort consisting of 31 patients in the 'BRS in STEMI' trial was examined by multimodality imaging and followed long-term. Minimum lumen area (MLA) and average lumen area (ALA) were examined 12 and 36 months after BRS implantation with MSCT. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) at 12 months was used as a reference. Measured by MSCT, the mean MLA was 0.05 ± 1.32 mm² ( P = 0.85), but ALA was 1.32 (±2.59 mm², P = 0.015) greater than by OCT. ALA and MLA did not change significantly from 12 to 36 months. MSCT identified all cases of restenosis but missed one patient with massive malapposition. Our data support using MSCT in the follow-up after BRS implantation. Invasive investigation should still be considered for patients with unexplained symptoms.