Initial results of the implantation of coronary stents

Abstract

With the successful implantation in 1986 of the first intracoronary Stent (St), the dilatation at high pressures and the new platelet antiaggregants, the frequency of acute and subacute occlusions and restenosis has decreased significantly. In Cuba, we have a modest experience on this regard due to its high cost. The results of the implantation of stents are studied at the CIMEQ (Medical and Surgical Research Center). A retrospective study was conducted from January, 1998, to March,1999, that included all the patients who received a stent of a total of 150 that underwent coronary surgery in our laboratory. Of the total of patients, 62 were implanted St (41,3%) and of l77 lesions 70 St (79%) were placed. The most common clinical diagnosis was stable angina (54,8%). The most treated artery was the anterior descending (51,4%) followed by the right coronary (28,6%), circumflex (12,8%), intermediate (2,9%), saphenous vein bypass (2,9%) and trunk of left coronary (1,4%). The most used St was the tubular MULTILINK (57,1%). 55,7% was electively implanted, 18,6% by suboptimal results, 17,1% by arterial dissection and 8.6% by acute occlusion. A primary success was attained in all patients. The commonest intrahospital complications was pseudoaneurism of the femoral artery (4,8%). Only a death was reported (1,6%). The results were considered as appropiate due to the high primary success obtained and to the low incidence of complications.