[Immediate results of coronary endoprosthesis in threatening or occlusive dissections complicating angioplasty; the Geneva experience].

Between April 1988 and September 1993, 123 patients (average age 60.4 +/- 8.9 years) underwent coronary stenting for threatening or occlusive dissection complicating angioplasty. The anterograde coronary flow was disturbed in 51% of cases (TIMI-0-2). The artery concerned was the left anterior descending in 59% of cases, the right coronary in 28% of cases, the circumflex in 12% and a coronary bypass graft in 1% of cases. Technically, the stenting was successful in 118 cases (98%) and, in 21 cases, complete stenting of the dissection required the insertion of several stents. The minimal coronary diameter after expansion of the stent was 3.1 +/- 0.6 mm. During hospital follow-up, 3 deaths (3%) and 7 Q-wave infarcts were observed. Twenty-eight patients (23%) developed a haemorrhagic complication, including 2 retroperitoneal and 2 intracerebral bleeds. Eight patients (6%) underwent coronary bypass grafting, as an emergency in 4 cases and semi-electively in another 4 cases. One hundred and five patients (89%) survived the intra-hospital period without major complications (death, Q-wave infarction, emergency coronary bypass surgery or severe haemorrhage). Coronary stenting for threatening or occlusive dissection complicating angioplasty seems to be a reasonable solution and a usually definitive one. The frequency of haemorrhagic complications underlines the need for strict clinical and biological surveillance.