A modified balloon crush approach improves side branch access and side branch stent apposition during crush stenting of coronary bifurcation lesions.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the advent of drug eluting stents and newer interventional techniques designed to treat the main vessel and side branch in bifurcation stenoses, optimal treatment of the side branch remains problematic. We aimed to assess the feasibility of a modified balloon crush technique for percutaneous treatment of coronary bifurcation stenoses.

BACKGROUND: Use of the crush technique in bifurcation stenoses remains limited by access to the side branch after main vessel stent deployment, as well as limitations of side branch stent deployment. The modified balloon crush technique aims to improve side branch access and stent apposition.

METHODS: The modified balloon crush is similar to the previously described balloon crush technique. Following side branch stent deployment, a balloon positioned in the main vessel is deployed to crush the proximal side branch stent. A guide wire is then placed into the side branch with a subsequent high-pressure balloon inflation at the side branch ostium. This opens the stent struts at the ostium of the side branch, facilitating future passage of the guide wire following main vessel stent deployment, prior to kissing balloon inflation.

RESULTS: We performed this modification of the crush technique safely in 10 patients. We were successful in obtaining side branch access in nine of ten patients following initial main vessel stent deployment. In the only failure, there was a 90 degrees angle between the main vessel and side branch.

CONCLUSIONS: The modified balloon crush technique can be safely performed, while optimizing side branch access and side branch stent apposition.