Balloon embedded bifurcation stenting with single stent for side branch protection – Preliminary results from an Indian population

BACKGROUND: Intervention for bifurcation lesions is associated with increased risk of adverse events and includes acute side branch (SB) occlusion during main branch (MB) stenting. This acute occlusion of side branch can often be catastrophic for the patient. We here in describe our experience in Indian population with a technique which can be incorporated into bifurcation stenting to reduce or almost eliminate the incidence of side branch occlusion. METHOD AND RESULTS: 70 patients with bifurcation lesion were included in the study and underwent a balloon embedded bifurcation stenting with a semi inflated balloon placed across the SB ostium. Angiographic and procedural success were achieved in all the patients. TIMI 3 flow was achieved in both the MB and SB in all cases and there was no incidence of dissection or acute occlusion of SB. Mean fluoroscopy time and contrast volume was similar to that of conventional bifurcation stenting. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that balloon embedded bifurcation stenting with a semi inflated balloon to protect the SB is feasible, not associated with procedural adverse events and successful in minimising or almost eliminating the incidence of acute side branch occlusion.