clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00091637.

Complex bifurcation lesions had higher rates of 1-year MACE and ST. The 2-stent and PS techniques were overall equivalent in 1-year MACE. However, 2-stent techniques for complex lesions elicited a lower rate of cardiac death and in-hospital MACE but higher rates of in-hospital ST and revascularization at 1 year for simple lesions.

Objective-To review the eYcacy of intraaortic balloon counterpulsation (IABCP) in medically refractory ventricular arrhythmia. Design-Retrospective analysis of the outcome of patients with ventricular arrhythmia treated with IABCP after transfer between 1992 and 1997. Setting-Tertiary cardiac referral centre. Patients-21 patients (mean age 58 years) who underwent IABCP for control of ventricular arrhythmia. All had significant left ventricular impairment (mean ejection fraction 28.6%); 18 had coronary artery disease. Results-Before IABCP, 10 patients had incessant monomorphic ventricular tachycardia and 11 had paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia and/or ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF). IABCP resulted in suppression of ventricular arrhythmia in 18 patients, of whom 13 were weaned from IABCP. After stabilisation of ventricular arrhythmia, 10 patients were maintained on medical treatment alone and one underwent endocardial resection. IABCP was maintained until cardiac transplantation in five patients. One patient had a fatal arrest before discharge and one died from progressive heart failure. IABCP failed to control ventricular arrhythmia in three patients and was subsequently discontinued. A cardiac assist device was employed in one of these until cardiac transplantation; the other two were eventually stabilised on medical treatment. Nineteen patients were discharged from hospital. Overall survival was 95% at mean follow up of 25.7 months. Conclusions-IABCP can be an eVective means of controlling refractory ventricular arrhythmia, allowing time for the institution of more definitive treatment. (Heart 1999;82:96-100)

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Stent deformation/pseudofracture of the 7 crown Endeavor/Micro Driver platform occurred in 1.8% of cases that were post-dilated. Of these, 36% experience MACE. Deformation can be reproduced on the benchtop. Operators should be aware of the complication, and develop strategies to deal with it.