Very long-term follow-up of patients with coronary bifurcation lesions treated with bioresorbable scaffolds

Backgrounds: The data concerning the use of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) in coronary bifurcation lesions are limited. Aims: The objective of the study was to evaluate the early and very long-term clinical outcomes of bifurcation stenting with ABSORB BVS. Methods: One hundred consecutive patients with coronary bifurcation lesions treated with BVS were included. A total of 124 BVS were implanted. Provisional side branch stenting was performed in 66 patients, distal main stenting in 14 patients, systematic T stenting in 2, and T with minimal protrusion (TAP) in 5 patients. Side branch ostial stenting was performed in additional 12 patients. Results: The procedural success was achieved in 98% of patients. In long-term follow-up, the rate of cardiac death was 4.0%, target vessel myocardial infarction was 5.0%, and target vessel revascularization (TVR) was 11%. The cumulative incidence of definite/probable scaffold thrombosis (ST) was 2% at long-term follow-up. Comparison with the historical drug-eluting stents (DES) group revealed higher mortality and major adverse cardiac events rate in the ABSORB group. Conclusions: Stenting of coronary bifurcation lesions of low-to-moderate complexity with BVS was feasible with good acute performance and acceptable results. However, the risk of death and major adverse cardiovascular events was higher as compared with DES.