Long-term clinical outcomes for bifurcation treatment using a provisional T-stenting and double proximal optimization technique with Absorb bioresorbable scaffolds

<p><strong>Aim.</strong> The article presents long-term outcomes of treatment of coronary artery bifurcation lesions by using bioresorbable vascular scaffolds and provisional T-stenting combined with double proximal optimization. <br /><strong>Methods.</strong> 14 patients aged 44-80 years (mean age 61±6 years) including 8 (57.14 %) males underwent endovascular treatment of coronary artery bifurcation lesions by using Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS). Clinical/instrumental analysis was carried out after 23.7±4.12 months. Angiographic examination was performed in 12 cases (85.71 %). 7 patients (50 %) underwent optical coherent tomography. <br /><strong>Results.</strong> 11 patients (78.57) were free of angina during long-term follow-up. 1 patient (7.14 %) developed BVS thrombosis and received a drug-eluting stent. A neointimal layer of the main branch increased during long-term follow-up to 29.23±7.82%, that of the lateral branch – up to 19.2±7.48%. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) shows that all strata are fully covered with neointima, the number of strata with malappositions is minimal and the loss of the main branch diameter (16.9±4.9%) is insignificant. <br /><strong>Conclusion.</strong> The use of Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffolds implanted by means of provisional T-stenting combined with double proximal optimization when treating coronary artery bifurcation lesions is a safe and efficient procedure.</p><p>Received 2 February 2017. Accepted 10 March 2017.</p><p><strong>Financing:</strong> The study did not have sponsorship.<br /><strong>Conflict of interest:</strong> The authors declare no conflict of interest.</p>