ABSTRACT
Overview Left main coronary artery disease is found in 3-5% of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization for ischemic chest pain, congestive heart failure or cardiogenic shock. Revascularization by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been proven to improve survival and is generally the preferred therapeutic option. Various studies of balloon angioplasty for left main disease have been marked by poor short-and long-term outcomes.1-9 The results of stenting of unprotected left main stenosis have now been reported for a number of series, showing acceptable procedural results and reasonable survival, although the results are strongly influenced by patient selection.10-18
Classification systems The main issues to be addressed when considering left main stenting concern:
• The presence or absence of calcification.
