Polytetrafluoroethylene‐covered stent and coronary artery aneurysms

Abstract

Angiographically detected coronary aneurysms (i.e., coronary segment greater then 1.5 times the normal artery) have an incidence of 0.3%–4.9% among patients undergoing coronary angiography and have been reported after an intervention procedure with a frequency of 2%–10%. The indication for treatment and the best modality still need to be defined. Some authors reported the successful treatment of coronary aneurysms with the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)‐covered stent implantation, supporting the role of this strategy. In our institution, from September 1997 to December 1999 eight PTFE‐covered stents were implanted to treat seven coronary aneurysms in seven patients. All aneurysms were successfully treated by the PTFE‐covered stent. In one case, there was the necessity of an additional PTFE stent to cover the aneurysm completely. In no case did the loss of stent occur. No in‐hospital MACE occurred. At 35 ± 8 (21–44) months, six patients were symptom‐free. Angiographic follow‐up was performed in all patients at 10 ± 6 months. Restenosis occurred in one patient (14%) who had repeat percutaneous coronary interventions. This preliminary experience suggests that PTFE‐covered stent may be useful in the treatment of coronary artery aneurysms. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;55:326–330.