Polymer Coating Integrity, Thrombogenicity and Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Provisional Stenting Technique in the Left Main Bifurcation Setting: Insights from an In-Vitro Model

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 14; no. 9; p. 1715
• Main Authors: Milewski, Marek, Ng, Chen Koon Jaryl, Gąsior, Pawel, Lian, Shaoliang Shawn, Qian, Su Xiao, Lu, Shengjie, Foin, Nicolas, Kedhi, Elvin, Wojakowski, Wojciech, Ang, Hui Ying
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 22.04.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: bifurcation lesions; Bifurcations; Blood clots; Computational fluid dynamics; Coronary vessels; drug-eluting stent; In vitro methods and tests; Lesions; Mathematical models; Optimization; Physiology; Polymer coatings; Polymers; polymers damage; Shear rate; side branch ostia thrombogenicity; Stents; Surgical implants; Veins & arteries; United States > US; bifurcation lesions; drug-eluting stent; polymers damage; side branch ostia thrombogenicity
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym14091715

Currently, the provisional stenting technique is the gold standard in revascularization of lesions located in the left main (LM) bifurcation. The benefit of the routine kissing balloon technique (KBI) in bifurcation lesions is still debated, particularly following the single stent treatment. We compared the latest-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) with no side branch (SB) dilatation "keep it open" technique (KIO) vs. KBI technique vs. bifurcation dedicated drug-eluting stent (BD-DES) implantation. In vitro testing was performed under a static condition in bifurcation silicone vessel models. All the devices were implanted in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations. As a result, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis demonstrated a statistically higher area of high shear rate in the KIO group when compared to KBI. Likewise, the maximal shear rate was higher in number in the KIO group. Floating strut count based on the OCT imaging was significantly higher in KIO than in KBI and BD-DES. Furthermore, according to OTC analysis, the thrombus area was numerically higher in both KIO and KBI than in the BD-DES. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis shows the highest degree of strut coating damage in the KBI group. This model demonstrated significant differences in CFD analysis at SB ostia with and without KBI optimization in the LM setting. The adoption of KBI was related to a meaningful reduction of flow disturbances in conventional DES and achieved results similar to BD-DES.