Present status of coronary bifurcation stenting

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for bifurcation lesions is technically limited by the risk of side branch occlusion. In comparison with nonbifurcation interventions, bifurcation interventions have a lower rate of procedural success, higher procedural costs and a higher rate of clinical and angiographic restenosis. The recent introduction of drug-eluting stents (DES) has resulted in reduced incidence of main vessel restenosis compared with historical controls. However, side-branch ostial residual stenosis and long-term restenosis still remain problematic. In the era of DES, techniques employing two stents have emerged that allow stenting of the large side branch in addition to the main artery. Stenting of the main vessel with provisional side branch stenting seems to be the prevailing approach. This paper reviews outcome data with different treatment modalities for this complex lesion with particular emphasis on the use of DES as well as potential new therapeutic approaches.