Initial and Late Results of Freedom Coronary Stent

OBJECTIVES: Initial and late results after implantation of Freedom stents, a balloon expandable stainless steel coil stents were evaluated. METHODS: From Jun. 1996 to Nov. 1997, we implanted 123 Freedom stents in 122 lesions in 117 patients and performed follow-up coronary angiograms at 7.0 ± 3.6 months after stents placement. Clinical courses after stenting and follow-up coronary angiographic findings were evaluated. Comparison of clinical, angiographic, and procedural factors according to the presence or absence of restenosis was performed. RESULTS: In 117 patients who underwent stents implantation, major complications were not observed. Follow-up coronary angiograms were performed in 47 stents in 41 patients (35%). Among 47 stents, angiographic significant restenosis (percent diameter stenosis > 50%) was observed in 13 (28%). Mean age in 41 patients was 59 ± 9 years, with 27 male patients (66%). Indications for stents implantation were de novo lesions in 18 (38%), suboptimal results after PTCA in 18 (38%), bail-out lesions in 4 (9%) and restenotic lesions in 7 (15%). Lesion types by AHA/ACC classification were A in 1 (1%), B(1) in 10 (21%), B(2) in 17 (36%), and C in 19 (40%). Average lesion length was 13.7 ± 9.0mm, stent diameter 3.0 ± 0.3mm, and stent length 24.6 ± 9.0 mm. There were no significant differences of the clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics according to the presence or absence of restenosis. CONCLUSION: Freedom coronary stents implantation is safely performed in various morphology of coronary lesions and no significant predictive factors on restenosis in follow-up coronary angiogram were observed.