Direct stent implantation without predilatation using the MultiLink stent

The standard coronary stent implantation technique requires routine predilatation of the target lesion with a balloon catheter. In this study, we prospectively studied the feasibility and efficiency of elective coronary stent implantation without predilatation. In 94 patients who presented with various ischemic syndromes, direct implantation of 100 balloon expandable ACS MultiLink stents (7 over-the-wire, 93 rapid exchange) was attempted in 100 coronary lesions selected to have favorable characteristics. The stent crossed the lesion without predilatation in 97 cases (97%) and was successfully deployed in 93 (95.8%). In 4 patients, adjunctive high-pressure postdilatation was necessary to achieve optimal stent expansion. Reference vessel diameter was 3.12+/-0.77 mm and lesion length 8.8+/-2.7 mm. Minimal luminal diameter increased from 0.95+/-0.38 mm to 2.98+/-0.28 mm and diameter stenosis decreased from 71+/-11% to 8+/-11% after stenting. One occlusive dissection was treated by a second stent. There were no major in-hospital complications. At 1 month follow-up, 1 subacute thrombotic occlusion occurred. These results indicate that in a carefully selected coronary lesion subset, elective stent implantation without predilatation can be safely and effectively performed. The long-term results of this approach and possible advantages over the conventional implantation techniques remain unclear and need to be evaluated in further clinical studies.