A Y-shaped bifurcation-dedicated stent for the treatment of de novo coronary bifurcation lesions: an IVUS analysis from the BRANCH trial

AIMS: The aim of this IVUS substudy was to assess the efficacy of the Y-shaped Medtronic bifurcation-dedicated stent (BDS) for the treatment of de novo coronary bifurcated lesions. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the BRANCH trial, post-procedure IVUS was performed in 45 patients. IVUS was available in both branches in 19 lesions and only the main branch (MB) in 26 lesions. IVUS analysis included four distinct locations: proximal MB, bifurcation site, distal MB, and side branch (SB). Lumen symmetry was calculated as minimum/maximum lumen diameters. The quantity of isolated stent struts across the SB ostium was used to assess inadequate strut apposition to the carina resulting in partial jailing of the SB orifice. A minimum stent area (MSA) <4 mm2 was found in 0% of proximal and distal MB, and in 15.4% of SB. In SB, MSA was located mainly at mid or distal segments (84.6%), rather than at the SB ostium. Eccentric stent expansion and edge dissection were seen primarily at proximal MB. Isolated struts were seen in only 20.9% of SB ostia with a minimum length of 0.7±0.4 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of BDS resulted in adequate stent dimensions and strut apposition at the carina and SB ostium. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00607321.