Isolated Coronary Artery Stenoses (CAS) involving the ostium of the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery is very challenging, especially in a setting of primary Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction (PAMI). Intimal atherosclerosis in the Left Main Coronary Artery (LMCA) bifurcation is primarily in area of low shear stress which is the lateral wall, close to the LAD and Left Circumflex (LCx). Thus, carina is usually free of disease, which can explain why single-stent strategy can be successful. However, precise stent placement is often difficult due to unwanted stent movement within vessel or its proximity to side branches. A decision must be made at the outset, to decide on the approach to be employed, to treat osteal LAD lesions. Limited data is available on patients undergoing primary PCI of osteal LAD lesions. Here, we present our experience and problems encountered during the management of osteal LAD lesions in the setting of PAMI.
Stenting of "unprotected" left main coronary artery stenoses: early and late results
