Prevention of no-reflow phenomenon in culprit lesions involving a large side branch.

No-reflow/slow-flow phenomenon (NF) is a poor prognostic factor in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Distal protection devices (DPDs) prevent myocardial injury due to microembolic debris. When the target lesion involves a large side branch, DPDs can only protect the main vessel but not the side branch. In the present report, we describe the use of a two-step deflation in kissing-balloon technique for preventing NF in 4 patients (M/F = 4/0, 65 ± 6 years) in which the culprit lesions with NF risk involved a bifurcation. The procedures were uneventful and the 4 patients were discharged ≤24 h without ECG change and elevation of serum level of creatine kinase. The sequential deflation of kissing-balloon technique may constitute a possible solution for the NF related with the side branch on bifurcation lesions.