Abstract
BACKGROUND: Coronary artery perforation (CAP) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with increased mortality. Polytetrafluoroethylene covered stents (CS) are an effective approach to treat CAP, but data regarding elderly patients requiring CS implantation for CAP are limited. The aim of this study is to report clinical data for elderly CAP patients undergoing CS implantation during PCI. METHODS: Nineteen consecutive elderly patients (≥ 65 years) undergoing CS implantation due to PCI-induced CAP in a tertiary referral center from July 2003 to April 2016 were retrospectively examined. RESULTS: There were 13 men and six women, with a mean age of 75.3 ± 5.6 years (range: 65-86 years). Perforation grade was Ellis type II in five patients (26.3%), and Ellis type III in 14 patients (73.7%). Cardiac tamponade developed in six patients (31.6%), and intra-aortic balloon pumping was needed in four patients (21.1%). The overall success rate for CS implantation rate was 94.7%. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 15.8%; the in-hospital myocardial infarction rate was 63.2%. Among 16 survival-to-discharge cases, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was prescribed in 14 cases (87.5%) for a mean duration of 14 months. Overall, there were five angiogram- proven CS failures among 18 patients receiving successful CS implantation. The 1, 2 and 4 years of actuarial freedom from the CS failure were 78%, 65%, and 43% in the angiogram follow-up patients. CONCLUSIONS: CS implantation for CAP is feasible and effective in elderly patients, while CS failure remains a major concern that encourages regular angiographic follow-up in these case.