ABSTRACT
Patients were aged 54±9 years on average, and 17 (85%) were men. Diabetes mellitus was present in 1 patient (5%), hypercholesterolemia in 12 (60%), current smoking in 8 (40%), hypertension in 7 (35%). There was a history of previous acute myocardial infarction in 5 (25%), and prior coronary angioplasty in 6 (30%). No patient had previous coronary artery bypass surgery. Of the 20 patients, 7 (35%) were treated for at least one additional severely stenotic lesion (>50% diameter stenosis) during the same procedure. Clinical presentation was stable angina pectoris in 12 (60%) and unstable angina pectoris in the remaining 8 (40%). The 23 lesions were treated with implantation of 26 SESs, with direct stent implantation in 21 lesions (91%). Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor therapy was used in 4 patients (20%). The decision to treat was based on a good history of stable angina pectoris in 5 patients (25%), a positive thallium scan in 3 patients (15%), presentation with an acute coronary syndrome (with ECG changes and/or troponin elevation) thought to relate to the target lesion in 4 patients (20%), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination documenting a minimum lumen area <4.0 mm2 in 4 patients (20%), a fractional flow reserve ≤0.75 in 3 patients (15%), and a positive methergine test in 1 patient (5%).
