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Currently, both drug-eluting stents (DES) and drug-eluting balloons are recommended in patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR) of metallic stents. However, the clinical results of repeated interventions in patients with restenosis of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) remain unsettled. We sought to assess the results of interventions in patients with BVS-ISR as compared with those obtained in patients with ISR of DES and bare-metal stents (BMS). Restenosis Intrastent: Treatment of Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffolds Restenosis (RIBS VII) is a prospective multicenter study (23 Spanish sites) that included 117 consecutive patients treated for BVS-ISR. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were similar to those of previous RIBS studies. Patients in the RIBS IV (DES-ISR, n = 309) and RIBS V (BMS - ISR, n = 189) randomized trials, were used as controls. Most patients with BVS-ISR were treated with DES (76%). Patients with BVS-ISR were younger, had larger vessels, and after interventions had higher in-segment residual diameter stenosis (19 ± 13%, 15 ± 11%, 15 ± 12%, p <0.001) than those treated for DES-ISR and BMS-ISR, respectively. At 1-year clinical follow-up (obtained in 100% of patients) target lesion revascularization (6%) was similar to that seen in patients with DES-ISR and BMS-ISR (8.7% and 3.7%, p = 0.32). Freedom from death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization (primary clinical end point) was 8.5%, also similar to that found in patients with DES-ISR and BMS-ISR (14.2% and 7.4%, p = 0.09). Results were also similar when only patients treated with DES in each group were compared and remained unchanged after adjusting for potential confounders in baseline characteristics. Time to BVS-ISR did not influence angiographic or clinical results. This study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of coronary interventions for patients presenting with BVS-ISR. One-year clinical results in these patients are comparable to those seen in patients with ISR of metallic stents (ClinicalTrials.gov ID:NCT03167424)., Competing Interests: Disclosures The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of percutaneous reintervention in patients who underwent aortic coarctation stenting at an early age., Methods and Results: From 1993 to 2018, 177 patients with aortic coarctation were treated with stent implantation at our centre; 33 of them were treated at less than 12 years of age and required reintervention because of their rate of growth. The average age of the patients at the first and second procedure was 6±3 years and 19±7 years, respectively. At the reintervention procedure, 15 (45%) patients were treated with balloon re-expansion, and 18 (55%) were treated with re-stenting. Success was obtained in 30 patients (91%). The gradient across the coarctation changed from 22±10 mmHg to 6±6 mmHg, while the minimal lumen diameter increased from 9±6 mm to 15±3 mm. There were eight occlusions of the femoral artery (after the first procedure), and two covered stents were needed because of femoral bleeding. The mean follow-up time after the second procedure was 5±4 years. A third procedure was required only in three patients (9%)., Conclusions: Patients with aortic coarctation treated with stent placement at an early age can be successfully re-treated after the completion of their somatic growth.

Introduction and Objectives: There is little evidence on the optimal strategy for bifurcation lesions in the context of a coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO). This study compared the procedural and mid-term outcomes of patients with bifurcation lesions in CTO treated with provisional stenting vs 2-stent techniques in a multicenter registry., Methods: Between January 2012 and June 2016, 922 CTO were recanalized at the 4 participating centers. Of these, 238 (25.8%) with a bifurcation lesion (side branch ≥ 2mm located proximally, distally, or within the occluded segment) were treated by a simple approach (n=201) or complex strategy (n=37). Propensity score matching was performed to account for selection bias between the 2 groups. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) consisted of a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and clinically-driven target lesion revascularization., Results: Angiographic and procedural success were similar in the simple and complex groups (94.5% vs 97.3%; P=.48 and 85.6% vs 81.1%; P=.49). However, contrast volume, radiation dose, and fluoroscopy time were lower with the simple approach. At follow-up (25 months), the MACE rate was 8% in the simple and 10.8% in the complex group (P=.58). There was a trend toward a lower MACE-free survival in the complex group (80.1% vs 69.8%; P=.08). After propensity analysis, there were no differences between the groups regarding immediate and follow-up results., Conclusions: Bifurcation lesions in CTO can be approached similarly to regular bifurcation lesions, for which provisional stenting is considered the technique of choice. After propensity score matching, there were no differences in procedural or mid-term clinical outcomes between the simple and complex strategies., (Copyright © 2017 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Limited data exist on the treatment and outcomes of patients with chronic total occlusions due to in-stent restenosis (CTO-ISR). We sought to evaluate results and clinical outcomes in percutaneous interventions over CTO-ISR., Methods and Results: We conducted a registry in 16 centres involving consecutive patients undergoing attempted percutaneous intervention over CTO-ISR. A total of 233 patients were included, 192 (82.4%) with a successful acute result. The success rate was significantly lower in patients with: lesion in the circumflex artery, ostial lesions, J score >3 and no femoral access. The presence of tandem lesions (OR 0.19, 95% CI: 0.06-0.68; p=0.01) was identified as an independent predictor for outcome. After a median follow-up of 20 months, cardiac death in the successful vs. failed groups was 3% and 8.3%, respectively (p=0.09). Independent predictors for mortality were previous CABG (HR 8, 95% CI: 1.3-50; p=0.02) and multivessel disease (HR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.2-4.3; p=0.01). In the successful group, TLR was 15%, re-occlusion 6% and definite/probable stent thrombosis 1.8%., Conclusions: Percutaneous treatment of CTO due to ISR in contemporary practice shows a high success rate, resulting in good long-term results. The angiographic and procedural predictors identified may contribute to improving procedural outcome through better patient selection.

Objectives: The study sought to investigate the long-term outcomes and predictors of adverse events of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for in-stent chronic total occlusion (IS-CTO)., Background: IS-CTO PCI has traditionally been associated with suboptimal success rates., Methods: We performed a multicenter registry of consecutive patients undergoing CTO PCI at 3 specialized centers. Patients were divided in IS-CTO and de novo CTO. The primary endpoint (major adverse cardiac events [MACE]) was a composite of cardiac death, target-vessel myocardial infarction, and ischemia-driven target-vessel revascularization (TVR) on follow-up. Independent predictors of MACE were sought with Cox regression., Results: We included 899 patients (n = 111 IS-CTO, n = 788 de novo CTO). Baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were balanced between the 2 groups. Overall mean J-CTO (Japanese-Chronic Total Occlusion) score was 1.88 ± 1.24 and mean PROGRESS-CTO (Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention-CTO) score was 1.04 ± 0.88. Antegrade wire escalation was used in 59.0% of IS-CTO and 48.1% of de novo CTO patients (p = 0.08). Procedural success was achieved in 86.5% in both groups (p = 0.99). After a median follow-up of 471 (interquartile range: 354 to 872) days, MACE were observed in 20.8% versus 13.9% in IS-CTO versus de novo CTO (p = 0.07), driven by TVR (16.7% vs. 9.4%; p = 0.03). IS-CTO was an independent predictor of MACE (hazard ratio: 2.16; 95% confidence interval: 1.18 to 3.95; p = 0.01), together with prior surgical revascularization and renal function, CTO PCI indicated for acute coronary syndrome, number of diseased vessels, and PROGRESS-CTO score., Conclusions: Procedural success was high and similar in patients with IS-CTO, as compared with de novo CTO. However, IS-CTO was independently associated with MACE (driven by TVR) on follow-up., (Copyright © 2017 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The presence of a bifurcation (BL) in the context of a coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) represents an additional difficulty. This study analyzes the incidence of BLs in CTO recanalization, the treatment, predictors of bifurcation technical success and their clinical impact., Methods and Results: BLs with a side branch (SB) ≥2.0mm located proximally, distally or within the occluded segment were observed in 130 (33%) of 391 CTO. Provisional stenting was the strategy more frequently used (94%). Bifurcation success (stenosis <30% in main vessel and TIMI flow III in both branches) was achieved in 105 patients (81%). In the remaining 25 (19%), the TIMI flow at the SB was

Introduction and Objectives: The use of the jailed guidewire technique is highly useful when treating bifurcation lesions by provisional stenting. However, at the time of withdrawal, the guidewire can suffer damage and even fracture. The aim of this study was to evaluate structural damage in both polymer-coated and nonpolymer-coated jailed guidewires., Methods: Between January 2011 and December 2012, an observational study was conducted using stereoscopic microscopy to evaluate 135 jailed guidewires (45 nonpolymer-coated and 90 polymer-coated) previously used in the percutaneous treatment of bifurcation lesions. Damage after withdrawal was classified as mild, moderate, or severe., Results: Age and sex distributions were similar in both groups of patients treated with polymer-coated and nonpolymer-coated guidewires. However, operators selected polymer-coated guidewires more frequently when treating more complex bifurcations and in diabetic patients. Some type of microscopic damage was observed in 25 of the guidewires analyzed (18%). Paradoxically, damage was more common in nonpolymer-coated guidewires (53.0% vs 1.1%; P<.001). None of the guidewires suffered complete fracture., Conclusions: Coronary guidewires that are jailed during the treatment of bifurcations using provisional stenting often suffer nonsevere microscopic damage. Although polymer-coated guidewires were used in more complex bifurcation lesions, paradoxically, they were damaged less frequently., (Copyright © 2015 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The possibility of strut fractures after bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) treatment is a new problem associated with the use of this novel technology. There is little in vivo information regarding the effects of lateral dilation on BVS. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of lateral balloon dilation after bioresorbable vascular scaffold implantation in the treatment of bifurcation lesions. From January 2012 to February 2015, 49 patients with bifurcation lesions who had been treated with BVS required balloon dilation of the side branch (SB). Optical coherence tomographic studies were performed in each of these patients. In 3 patients (6%), the optical coherence tomographic results met the criteria for rupture. Prolonged inflation using a noncompliant balloon with a diameter within the expansion limits of the device resolved the complication in all patients. The clinical course was favorable in all patients, and there were no inhospital deaths or myocardial infarctions. At 14 ± 8 months of follow-up, 2 patients with integrity of the BVS presented target lesion revascularization (4%). Another patient (2%) suffered a probable stent thrombosis 11 months after the procedure (myocardial infarction and death at home). The patients with the BVS rupture at the index procedure had a favorable clinical outcome, and the 6-month computed tomographic scan revealed maintenance of the initial good results. In conclusion, minor BVS rupture after 2.5-mm lateral balloon dilation may occur but is infrequent (6%). Prolonged balloon inflation of the main vessel may partially restore the geometry of the BVS., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: This study sought to determine whether several anatomic or evolving characteristics of the coarctation may create challenging conditions for treatment., Background: Stent repair of coarctation of aorta is an alternative to surgical correction., Methods: We analyzed our 21-year experience in the percutaneous treatment of complex coarctation of aorta. Adverse conditions for treatment were as follow: 1) complete interruption of the aortic arch (n = 11); 2) associated aneurysm (n = 18); 3) complex stenosis (n = 30); and 4) the need for re-expansion and/or restenting (n = 21). Twenty patients (33%) belonged to more than 1 group. Ten interruptions were type A and 1 was type B. The mean length of the interrupted aorta was 9 ± 11 mm. The associated aneurysms were native in 8 patients and after previous intervention in 10 patients. Aneurysm shapes were fusiform in 8 patients and saccular in 10. The following characteristics defined complex stenosis as long diffuse stenosis, very tortuous coarctation, or stenosis involving a main branch or an unusual location. Patients previously stented at an early age, required re-expansion and/or restenting after reaching 16 ± 5 years of age., Results: Two patients had died by 1-month follow-up. The remaining 58 patients did well and were followed-up for a mean period of 10 ± 6 years. Late adverse events occurred in 3 patients (5%). All remaining patients are symptom-free, with normal baseline blood pressure. Imaging techniques revealed good patency at follow-up without associated aneurysm or restenosis. The actuarial survival free probability of all complex patients at 15 years was 92%., Conclusions: Stent repair of complex coarctation of aorta is feasible and safe. Initial results are maintained at later follow-up., (Copyright © 2015 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: A simple approach is the predominant strategy for the percutaneous coronary intervention of bifurcation lesions. Performing side branch (SB) predilation in this context is currently a matter of controversy. In this study, we assess the efficacy of SB predilatation before a provisional T-stent strategy for bifurcation lesions., Methods: Between February 2009 and November 2012, 372 patients with true bifurcation lesions were randomized to either predilation of the SB (n = 187) or no predilatation (n = 185) before main branch (MB) stent implantation and a subsequent SB provisional stent strategy., Results: There were no significant differences between the patient groups regarding the baseline characteristics. After MB stent implantation, the TIMI flow of the SB was higher in the patients with SB predilation: TIMI flow 0 to 1; 2 (1%) versus 18 (10%), P < .001; and TIMI flow III; 179 (96%) versus 152 (82%), P < .001. Side branch stenting rates were 4% versus 3%, P = not significant. In addition, 60 patients (32%) from the SB predilation group presented SB residual stenosis by visual inspection <50%, and TIMI flow ≥III did not require any additional treatment. The failure rate of SB rewiring, the time of rewiring, the number of wires used, and the incidence of major events were similar in both groups of patients., Conclusions: Predilation of the SB resulted in improved TIMI flow after MB stenting and less indication to subsequently treat the SB. If rewiring of the SB is required, predilation did not hinder this maneuver., (Copyright © 2014 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Provisional side-branch stenting is currently the most widely accepted percutaneous technique for the treatment of bifurcation lesions. However, abrupt closure of the side branch may occur after main vessel stent implantation. Resolving side-branch stenosis under these conditions may pose major technical difficulties. We describe a new technique to resolve uncrossable side-branch occlusion following main-vessel stent implantation during provisional side-branch stenting. The technique consists of using the jailed wire to dilate the occluded side branch. We first use a low profile, 1.25-mm diameter balloon catheter. A regular balloon is then inflated through the same wire to open the side branch, crushing the proximal part of the main vessel stent. At this point, a second stent is implanted at the side-branch, finishing the procedure as an inverted crush stenting. The described strategy may be useful in cases of uncrossable side-branch occlusion causing severe hemodynamic impairment that cannot be swiftly managed with conventional methods., (Copyright © 2010 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

We report our experience with the Venture wire-control catheter in 20 patients with bifurcation lesions in which it was impossible to access the side branch using conventional techniques. This device was always used as a last resort and was employed during different stages in the treatment of the bifurcation lesions (i.e. initially, after stenting of the main vessel or both). In 17 patients (85%), use of the Venture catheter resulted in the success of the procedure. Only one complication associated with a monorail catheter was recorded. It was resolved successfully. One patient died from heart failure 10 days after the procedure and two patients, in whom it was impossible to access the side branch, had non-Q-wave myocardial infarctions. In conclusion, the Venture catheter was effective and safe, and enabled the side branches of complex bifurcation lesions to be accessed.

Background: Drug-eluting stents have been shown to reduce restenosis in many types of lesions. The purpose of this article is to assess the efficacy of sirolimus- and paclitaxel-eluting stents in patients with bifurcation lesions., Methods: Between June 2003 and October 2004, 205 patients were enrolled in a prospective randomized trial; 103 patients were assigned to sirolimus stents and 102 patients to paclitaxel stents. All patients were treated by provisional T-stenting., Results: There were no differences between groups in terms of age, risk factors, clinical condition, location of the bifurcation lesion, or other technical factors. Angiographic data and immediate results were also similar in both groups. Three patients developed inhospital non-Q-wave acute myocardial infarction (2 from the sirolimus group and 1 from the paclitaxel group). Follow-up angiography was obtained in 109 patients (53%). In the sirolimus group, 5 patients developed restenosis (9%): 1 at the main vessel, 2 at the side branch, and 2 in both branches. In contrast, 16 patients from the paclitaxel group had restenosis (29%): 6 at the main vessel, 5 at the side branch, and 5 in both branches. Target lesion revascularization at 24 +/- 5 months post stenting occurred in 4 patients from the sirolimus group (4%) and in 13 from the paclitaxel group (13%) (P < .05). Late loss at the main vessel in the sirolimus group patients was 0.31 +/- 0.59 versus 0.60 +/- 0.77 mm in patients from the paclitaxel group (P < .05)., Conclusions: Patients with bifurcation lesions treated by sirolimus showed significantly lower rates of late loss, restenosis and target lesion revascularization than patients treated with paclitaxel-eluting stents.

Introduction and Objectives: In vitro studies show that stents deform when dilated laterally to access a side branch. This phenomenon may be avoided by use of a kissing balloon at the end of the procedure. However, to date, no in vivo data are available. Our objectives were to investigate the main vessel stent using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) at six-month follow-up in 55 patients with bifurcation lesions treated using rapamycin-eluting stents and to examine the effect of technical factors., Patients and Method: All patients were treated using provisional or T stents. At 6 months, IVUS measurements were made in the main vessel at both proximal and distal ends of the stent, in reference segments, immediately below the side branch ostium, and at the points where the lumen was smallest and where stent expansion was greatest., Results: The lumen area immediately below the side branch ostium was significantly smaller than that at the point of maximum stent expansion (6.7 [1.8] vs 5.1 [1.3] mm2; P<.05). Underexpansion was not influenced by use of a kissing balloon (stent area immediately under the side branch ostium: 5.5 [0.9] vs 5.6 [1.6] mm2; P=NS) and only one patient experienced restenosis at this point. The lumen areas at the proximal and distal edges of the stent were almost identical in patients who did or did not undergo balloon dilation beyond the ends of the stent., Conclusions: Stent underexpansion below the side branch ostium was frequently found following provisional or T stenting of bifurcation lesions. This minor stent deformity was not prevented by use of a kissing balloon nor by any specific side branch treatment and had no significant impact on the restenosis rate.

This article summarizes 20 years of percutaneous interventional cardiology for coronary angioplasty. During this period, interventional cardiology has evolved faster than any other type of treatment in the field of cardiovascular diseases. We describe the early results of interventional cardiology, the increase in primary success rates and the reduction in complication rates for percutaneous techniques during this period, which coincided with the introduction of technological advances. In the early 1990s, primary success rates for the treatment of coronary lesions stood at 86%-88%, with a restenosis rate of 30%-40% at 6-month follow-up. Current primary success rates have risen to over 95% with a restenosis rate of under 10%, even for many types of lesions classically considered complex. Currently the main limitations in interventional cardiology remain coronary segments that cannot be accessed due to chronic total occlusion, or severe proximal tortuosity or calcification. Rapid improvements have led to broader clinical indications for percutaneous revascularization procedures, and have made frequent updates of clinical practice guidelines necessary. Meanwhile, comparative studies involving other modes of surgical revascularization have become extremely difficult because percutaneous methods used in long-term studies begun 5 to 10 years have become obsolete.

Background: Rapamycin-eluting stents (RES) have been shown to reduce restenosis in many types of lesions. However, the ideal strategy for the treatment of coronary bifurcated lesions has not been established to date. This randomized study compares 2 strategies for the RES treatment of bifurcation lesions: a simple approach (stenting the main vessel and balloon dilatation for the side branch [SB]) versus a complex approach (stents for both vessels)., Methods: To compare both strategies, a randomized study was conducted in 91 patients with true coronary bifurcation lesions. All patients received an RES at the main vessel, covering the SB. Patients from group A (n = 47) were assigned to balloon dilation of the involved SB (simple strategy); patients in group B (n = 44) were randomized to receive a second stent at the SB origin (complex strategy). There were no differences between groups regarding baseline clinical and angiographic data., Results: Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 3 patients from group A (2 non-Q-wave myocardial infarctions and 1 target lesion revascularization). Six-month angiographic reevaluation was obtained in 80 patients (88%). Restenosis of the main vessel was observed in 1 (2%) patient from group A and in 4 (10%) from group B. Restenosis of the SB appeared in 2 (5%) patients from group A and in 6 (15%) from group B., Conclusions: Both strategies are effective in reducing the restenosis rate, with no differences in terms of clinical outcome. Elective SB stenting seems to provide no advantages over the simpler stent jail followed by SB balloon dilation.

Diffuse coronary lesions (length > 20 mm) are still considered high risk for percutaneous intervention even in the current stent era. We compared the 2-year outcome of patients with long diffuse stenosis treated by three different stent strategies. In addition, we also analyzed the possible factors influencing a favorable late outcome. Our series is constituted by 232 patients with 247 long lesions treated between May 1994 and April 1999; 82 patients received one single long stent (group 1), 71 patients were treated by overlapped multiple stents (group 2), and 79 with multiple nonoverlapped stents (group 3). The mean age was 59 +/- 11 years. There were not significant differences between groups in terms of age, risk factors, clinical presentation, type of lesion, or adjunctive medical therapy. Patients from group 1 had shorter lesions (29 +/- 10 mm) than patients from groups 2 (41 +/- 15 mm) and 3 (36 +/- 14; P < 0.05). Major cardiac events (death, acute myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization) at 24 +/- 12 months follow-up took place in 39 patients (17%). The probabilities of being free of major events at follow-up were 71%, 78%, and 80% for group 1, 2, and 3 respectively (P = NS). Only three variables were identified as significant predictors of these late events: smaller vessel size, smaller minimal lumen diameter after stenting, and the type of lesion being restenotic as compared with native stenosis. Patients with diffuse lesions treated by single long stents did not have a better late outcome than those who received multiple stents. The best late outcome was observed in those patients who had bigger vessel size, larger poststent lumen dimensions and native lesions, regardless of the stent deployment strategy used., (Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (CPS) has proven to be a technique of value in high-risk coronary patients undergoing percutaneous balloon angioplasty. Since May 1994, we have combined the use of CPS and coronary stent revascularization in 92 patients. In 68 of them, the CPS was used as a prophylactic procedure (group 1); in the remaining 24, the CPS was used as an emergency procedure to stabilize and even resuscitate patients with acute myocardial infarction and circulatory collapse, in order to attempt urgent percutaneous coronary stent treatment (group 2). Primary success was achieved in 66 patients from group 1 (97%). One patient died and another had a myocardial infarction. After 28 +/- 19 months of follow-up, 20 patients (30%) from group 1 had a major adverse cardiac event. The remaining 46 patients (68%) are alive, with persistent clinical benefit. In group 2, reperfusion and stent treatment was always achieved. However, 14 patients had an in-hospital death. Five patients from group 2 had a major adverse event at follow-up (47 +/- 20 months). Nine patients (38%) remain at present in functional class I-II. Percutaneous CPS provides safe conditions to accomplish stent coronary revascularization in high-risk patients and those with acute myocardial infarction and failing heart. Long-term follow-up of survivors shows persistent benefit in most patients., (Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Several observational studies have shown a better late outcome in patients with coronary bifurcation lesions treated with stents in whom the side branch was not stented. Balloon dilation and provisional stenting for the side branch seem an attractive strategy to manage these challenging types of lesions. This study evaluated the results of a three-step phase strategy in the stent treatment of bifurcated coronary lesions. We treated 126 patients, 58 +/- 11 years old, with major coronary bifurcation stenosis. The therapeutic procedure was undertaken following three phases; progression through each phase was triggered by the failure of one procedure to achieve a <50% residual stenosis at the side branch: in the first step, balloon angioplasty of the side branch followed by stenting of the parent vessel; in the second, balloon redilation of the side-branch origin across the metallic structure of the stent; in the third, stenting of the side-branch origin. Immediate success was achieved in 116 patients (92%). Angiographic results in each phase were as follows: in the first step, 35 patients (28%) had procedural success, 3 patients had failure, and 88 crossed to the next step; in the second, 76 patients (86%) had procedural success, 7 patients had failure, and 5 crossed to the next step; in the third, all 5 patients had procedural success. The overall major cardiac event-free probability at 15 months was 78%. Target vessel revascularization took place in 19 patients (15%) and when stratified by phases were 13% of patients treated in the first step, 16% of patients in the second step, and 20% of patients in the third step. Patients with coronary stenosis at major bifurcations may be treated following an unitary stepwise approach. This attitude may avoid side-branch stent implantation in most patients, providing good immediate and long-term results., (Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)