Mechanisms of Stent Failure: Lessons from IVUS and OCT

AbstractPurpose of ReviewDespite significant advances in stent design and procedural technique, stent failure remains the “Achilles’ heel” of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It is important to understand the mechanism of stent failure to prevent major adverse events and improve clinical outcomes.Recent FindingsTwo-dimensional angiography alone is insufficient for elucidating the etiology of stent failure. Intracoronary imaging modalities, including intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) have evolved to guide optimal stent placement during PCI, and have enabled identification of the etiology behind stent failure.SummaryIn this review, we discuss the mechanisms of stent failure, use and limitations of intracoronary imaging (IVUS and OCT) to assess its etiology, and future directions for its use in patients undergoing coronary stent implantation.
Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - Category: Radiology Source Type: research