Fate of side branches after coronary arterial sirolimus-eluting stent implantation

The sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) is emerging as a potential solution for the prevention of restenosis. Although the outcome of side branches after stenting with an uncoated metal stent (UMS) has been reported, the fate of side branches after SES implantation is unknown. Furthermore, the absence of spontaneous recanalization of occluded side branches following intracoronary brachytherapy has been previously described and has been related to a delayed healing process. We assessed the procedural and 6-month follow-up angiograms of 238 patients enrolled in the RAVEL study, a double-blind controlled trial of the SES versus the UMS. Any side branch seen on the preprocedure angiogram and subsequently covered by the stent was evaluated. The side branch Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade was assessed at baseline and at follow-up by 2 observers. One hundred twenty-eight patients with ≥1 side branches were identified (63 patients in the SES group with 118 side branches, 65 patients in the UMS group with 124 side branches). Side branch occlusion occurred after stenting in 12 branches (10%) in the SES group and in 9 branches (7%) in the UMS group (p = NS). Of these occluded branches, spontaneous recanalization was observed in 11 branches (92%) in the SES group and in 6 branches (67%) in the UMS group at follow-up angiography (p = NS). Thus, the fate of side branches after SES implantation is favorable and at least as good as after UMS implantation.