Early and long-term results of percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main trifurcation disease.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to conduct a retrospective cohort study focusing on our 5-year experience in the percutaneous treatment of unprotected left main (ULM) trifurcation disease.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous treatment of ULM trifurcation remains a challenging and rare procedure for most interventional cardiologists. Moreover, data on long-term outcomes are lacking.

METHODS: We retrieved all patients with ULM trifurcation disease treated percutaneously at our Institution since 2002, and adjudicated baseline, procedural, and outcome data. The primary end point was the long-term rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, i.e., cardiac death, myocardial infarction, bypass surgery, or target vessel revascularization).

RESULTS: A total of 27 patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation for ULM trifurcation disease, with 14 (52%) cases of true trifurcations, i.e., with concomitant significant stenoses of the distal ULM/ostial left anterior descending plus ostial ramus intermedius and ostial circumflex. Bare-metal stents were implanted in 8 (29%) patients and drug-eluting stents (DES) in 26 (96%), with a main branch stent only strategy in 11 (40%), T stenting in 9 (33%), and V stenting in 6 (27%). Procedural and clinical success occurred in 26 (96%), with one postprocedural death. Angiographic follow-up was obtained in 22 patients (81%), and clinical follow-up was completed in all subjects after a median of 28 +/- 17 months, showing overall MACE in 9 (33%), with cardiac death in 4 (15%), myocardial infarction in 1 (4%), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 4 (15%), and percutaneous target vessel revascularization in 5 (19%). Definite stent thrombosis was adjudicated in 1 (3%) patient. Treatment of a true trifurcation lesion and recurrence of angina during follow-up were significantly associated with an increased risk of MACE (P = 0.029 and P = 0.050, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous treatment of ULM trifurcation disease is feasible, associated with favorable mid-term results, and may be considered given its low invasiveness in patients at high surgical risk or with multiple comorbidities.