Lesions with a high degree of calcium deposition within the vessel wall, especially if the calcium is circumferential, are considered to be hard to dilate in regards to balloon angioplasty. Complex lesions are one of the key predictors of poor outcome in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI),[31] hence calcium lesion modification is needed before implantations of stents. The aim is to create cracks in the calcium within the vessel wall in order to increase the likelihood of successful expansion of the stenosis and delivery of the final stent.[32][33] This is traditionally achieved by balloon angioplasty or debulking strategies including rotational, orbital and laser atherectomy. However, coronary intravascular lithotripsy using acoustic shockwaves is a novel approach for treating superficial and deep calcium in the vessel wall.[34]
Recovery and rehabilitation
For many patients the stenting procedures does not require an in-hospital stay. Much of the time spent in immediate recovery post stenting is to ensure the access site is not bleeding. The patient is generally monitored using ECG etc. Medications to prevent a blood clots from forming generally and in the stent are given directly after the stenting procedure, commonly in the form of an immediate loading dose of the potent anticoagulant (blood thinner) Plavix administered as a tablet. Other anticoagulant medicines are also used and the combination of aspirin and Plavix is a typical anticoagulant practice. For patients who have had a heart attack, the length of hospitalization is largely dependent on the muscle damage caused by the event.[35]
If a stent has been placed as part of the PCI procedure, the patient will be given a 'medical device card' (US) with information about the implanted stent such as a medical device serial number, this is important as it informs clinicians performing future potential medical procedures, this is also the case with arterial closure systems which are also medical devices.[36]
There is usually significant soreness at the point of entry into the arterial system, and fairly large hematomas (significant bruising) are very common, this soreness usually improves after a week or so. Patients are generally advised to 'take it easy' for a week or two and are instructed to be cautious not to lift any substantial weight, this is primarily to ensure the access site heals. Follow up appointments within a week or two of the procedure with a cardiologist or primary care provider/GP are a standard global practice.[3]
It is a standard practice to have further follow-up examinations every three to six months for the first year, though these practices do vary by region and practitioners. Further diagnostic coronary angiography is not routinely indicated after coronary stent implantation. If progression of heart disease is suspected, a stress test will be performed; patients who develop symptoms or show evidence of ischemia in a stress test may undergo diagnostic cardiac re-catheterization.[35]
Physical examinations play an important role after PCI-stenting procedures. Those patients at high risk of suffering from complications and those with more complexed coronary issues, angiography may be indicated regardless of the findings of non-invasive stress tests.[36]
Cardiac rehabilitation activities are dependent on many factors, but largely are connected to the degree of heart muscle damage prior to the PCI/DES procedure. Many patients who undergo this procedure have not had a heart attack, and may have no notable damage to their hearts. Others may have had a serious heart attack and the amount of damage to their heart's ability to supply the body with oxygenated blood might be impaired. Rehabilitation activities are prescribed to fit each individuals needs.[37]
Usage
Percutaneous coronary angioplasty is one of the most common procedures performed during U.S. hospital stays; it accounted for 3.6% of all operating room procedures performed in 2011.[38] Between 2001 and 2011, however, its volume decreased by 28%, from 773,900 operating procedures performed in 2001 to 560,500 procedures in 2011.[39]
Comparison to CABG
Conflicting data exists relating to clinical outcomes comparing PCI/Stenting and CABG surgery. The preponderance of studies do suggest that CABG offers advantages in reducing death and myocardial infarction in people with multivessel blockages compared with PCI.[40] The assessments are complicated by considerations such as the fact that PCI is a minimally invasive procedure and CABG is significant surgery.[41] Different modeling studies have come to opposing conclusions on the relative cost-effectiveness of PCI and CABG in people with myocardial ischemia that does not improve with medical treatment.[42][43][44]
↑ Meier B (2001-01-11). "冠動脈形成術を受けた最初の患者 - 23年間の追跡調査" . New England Journal of Medicine . 344 (2): 144– 145. doi : 10.1056/NEJM200101113440217 . ISSN 0028-4793 . PMID 11188421 .
↑ Yang EH、Gumina RJ、Lennon RJ、Holmes DR、Rihal CS、Singh M (2005)。「経皮的冠動脈インターベンションに対する緊急冠動脈バイパス手術:1979年から2003年までの発生率、臨床的特徴、および適応の変化」。Journal of the American College of Cardiology。46 ( 11): 2004–2009。doi : 10.1016 / j.jacc.2005.06.083。PMID 16325032。
↑ Kazmi SH (2025年3月28日). 「心筋梗塞および多血管冠動脈疾患患者における完全血行再建術と原因血管のみの血行再建術を比較したランダム化試験の最新メタアナリシス」 . Journal of the American College of Cardiology . 85 (12_Supplement). doi : 10.1016/S0735-1097(25)02434-9 .
↑Patel MR, Dehmer GJ, Hirshfeld JW, Smith PK, Spertus JA (2009). "ACCF/SCAI/STS/AATS/AHA/ASNC 2009 Appropriateness Criteria for Coronary Revascularization". Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 53 (6): 530–553. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2008.10.005. PMID19195618.
↑Desai NR, Bradley SM, Parzynski CS, Nallamothu BK, Chan PS, Spertus JA, Patel MR, Ader J, Soufer A, Krumholz HM, Curtis JP (2015). "Appropriate Use Criteria for Coronary Revascularization and Trends in Utilization, Patient Selection, and Appropriateness of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention". JAMA. 314 (19): 2045–53. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.13764. ISSN0098-7484. PMC5459470. PMID26551163.
↑ Kolata G (2017-11-02). "「信じられない」:心臓ステントが胸痛の緩和に失敗。ニューヨーク・タイムズ。ISSN 0362-4331 。 2019年11月11日閲覧。
↑ Bernard R Chaitman、Maria Mori Brooks、Kim Fox、Thomas F Lüscher。「ORBITA再考:その真の意味とそうでない意味とは?」European Heart Journal、第39巻、第11号、2018年3月14日、963~965ページ、 https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehx796