Impact of various intravascular ultrasound criteria for stent optimization on the six-month angiographic restenosis

We evaluated the impact of different intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) criteria on 6-month angiographic restenosis in 511 patients with 560 lesions. Seven IVUS criteria were evaluated in this study; stent area at lesion segment 1) greater than or equal to 100% of distal reference lumen area, 2) greater than or equal to 90% of distal reference lumen area, 3) greater than or equal to 80% of average reference lumen area, 4) greater than or equal to 90% of average reference lumen area, 5) greater than or equal to 55% of average reference vessel area, 6) greater than or equal to 7 mm(2), and 7) greater than or equal to 9 mm(2). Using the relative measurement (criteria 1-5), the angiographic restenosis rate was not statistically different. However, absolute measurement of stent area : 7 or 9 mm(2) (criteria 6 and 7) were associated with significantly lower restenosis rate (14.8% vs. 30.9%, P = 0.001, and 13.5% vs. 24.6%, P = 0.006, respectively). In conclusions, using the relative measurement of IVUS criteria, the occurrence of angiographic restenosis might not be predicted. The absolute measurement of IVUS stent area was the predictor of angiographic restenosis. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.