Drug‐Eluting vs. Conventional Balloon for Side Branch Dilation in Coronary Bifurcations Treated by Provisional T Stenting

Abstract Objective The origin of the side branch (SB) is the most common site for restenosis in coronary bifurcations. The end‐point is to compare the results of SB dilation with drug‐eluting balloon (DEB group) versus conventional balloon (BAL group) in bifurcations treated with provisional T stenting . Methods and Results Each group included 50 patients. In DEB, the origin of SB was dilated with a Sequent ® Please balloon. In both groups, a Taxus Liberté ® stent was implanted in the main vessel, with kissing balloon postdilation. If the outcome for the SB was suboptimal, a Taxus stent was implanted in BAL and a bare stent in DEB group. An angiographic follow‐up and IVUS were scheduled for 12 months later. Adverse events (MACE) were 24% in BAL versus 11% in DEB (P = 0.11), with greater revascularization (TLR) in the BAL group (22% vs. 12%, P = 0.16). At angiographic follow‐up, there was a lower percentage of SB restenosis in the DEB group (20% vs. 7%, P = 0.08), with less late loss (0.40 mm vs. 0.09 mm, P = 0.01) . Conclusion Side branch dilation with a drug‐eluting balloon resulted in better angiographic outcomes than with a conventional balloon, with less late loss and restenosis at the 12‐month follow‐up . (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:454‐462)