ABSTRACT
Analysis of pooled data of randomized trials addressing different lesion groves cannot substitute for a true specifically designed trial for small vessels.
Few prospective studies of coronary stenting in vessels <3.0 mm have been performed, and most of these studies are still in progress or definitive results are pending. Koning et al29 have published results of primary stenting in small arteries (mean reference diameter 2.66 mm) using the Palmaz-Schatz stent manually crimped on low compliant or non-compliant balloons of 2.5 mm or non-compliant balloons of 2.75 mm. Stent deployment was successful in all cases, with only one case of subacute thrombosis. At 6-month angiographic follow-up, the restenosis rate was 30%.
