Longitudinal stent compression of everolimus-eluting stent: A report of 2 cases

Abstract

Second generation drug eluting stents (DES) have shown better safety and efficacy in comparison to first generation DES, because of thinner struts, nondurable polymers and coating with better anti-proliferative drugs. The newer DES with cobalt alloy base have demonstrated a greater trackability, deliverability, conformability, flexibility and radio-opacity. However, these thin strut stents have a downside of poor longitudinal axial strength, and therefore get easily deformed/compressed at their end with a slight trauma during exchange of various catheters. We hereby report two cases of “longitudinal stent compression (LSC)” of everolimus-eluting stent, which happened during percutaneous coronary intervention of right coronary artery. Both the cases were successfully managed with non-compliant balloon dilatation. Various reasons for LSC and its management are discussed in the article.