Double stenting: a method for treating acute stent recoil and luminal filling defects

Acute stent recoil and luminal filling defects can result in a suboptimal angiographic result following stent deployment and are associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the effect of double stenting, deployment of a second stent within the first, in the treatment of these conditions and to review the literature on this procedure.Thirteen cases of double stenting performed by a single operator at the Manchester Royal Infirmary over a three year period were identified and quantitative coronary angiography was performed. The indication for double stenting was acute stent recoil in eight cases, luminal filling defects in three cases and a combination of recoil and filling defects in two cases. There was a high frequency of target vessel calcification (77%) and ostial lesions (23%). Following double stenting, mean minimum lumen diameter increased significantly from 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm (p <0.001). There were no procedural complications. At mean clinical follow-up of 19 months (range six to 37 months), there were no major adverse cardiac events.Double stenting can significantly improve angiographic outcome in cases of acute stent recoil and luminal filling defects, with excellent clinical results in the medium term.