Strategies for coronary stenting

Abstract

Most percutaneous coronary revascularisation procedures involve remodelling of the vessel lumen with balloon dilatation. Although stent implantation as an adjunct to balloon angioplasty has proven valuable for several types of devices and for a range of clinical indications, the use of stents in other settings is still uncertain. For example, more data are needed to support the current high rate of stent usage in vessels of small or large calibre (diameter <2·5 mm or >3·5mm).There is also uncertainty about the most effective strategy for clinical application.