Longitudinal compression of ultrathin-strut stent leading to uncrossable iatrogenic mechanical stenosis: Best is enemy of good!

Abstract

Changing any element of a stent structure can alter certain aspects of how a stent can function. Although thinner struts and lower metal-to-artery ratio enhance the stent delivery, the disadvantage is lower radial force. Decreasing the number of fixed connectors between cells and changing the geometric and spatial distribution of these connectors improve flexibility and conformability, but at the cost of the longitudinal strength of the stent structure. Never as a standard parameter has the longitudinal strength or compressibility of coronary stents been published nor previously considered important. We discuss a case detailing that, particularly in the contemporary practice of interventional cardiology, stent longitudinal strength is a very significant and important feature of these devices.

Keywords

• drug-eluting stents
• longitudinal stent deformation
• percutaneous coronary intervention/complications
• stent design