Intravascular ultrasound predictors of target lesion revascularization after stenting of protected left main coronary artery stenoses

We evaluated the predictors of late clinical outcomes after stenting of protected left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenoses. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guided stenting of protected LMCA stenoses was performed in 87 consecutive patients between January 1994 and December 1996. Results were evaluated using conventional (clinical, angiographic, and IVUS) methodology. Late (12 month) clinical follow-up information was obtained in all patients. Initial procedural success was achieved in 86 patients (99%). There was 1 in-hospital death (in the 1 patient with a procedural failure). There were no other in-hospital complications, including Q-wave myocardial infarction, emergency bypass surgery, or repeat coronary angioplasty. The overall target lesion revascularization (TLR) rate was 13%. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, the only independent predictor of TLR was the postintervention lumen area by IVUS. A final lumen area ≥7.0 mm2 was obtained in 74 patients (86%); the TLR rate for these patients was 7%. This was compared with patients with a final lumen area <7.0 mm2 in whom the TLR rate was 50% (p = 0.0011). Stenting of protected LMCA stenoses is safe and effective with acceptable long-term clinical outcomes. The most important factor determining long-term success was the postintervention lumen area by IVUS.