Abstract
BACKGROUND: A simple stenting strategy with provisional side-branch (SB) stenting or crossover stenting has been recommended as the default approach for most coronary bifurcation lesions (CBLs). The proximal optimization technique (POT) and POT-associated techniques (POTAs) were introduced to optimize the ostium of SB. However, these techniques are unable to remove the jailed struts or completely diminish vessel damage. In this study we developed a novel branch ostial optimization technique (BOOT) and assessed its efficacy and safety by a propensity score matching comparison (PSM) with POT-associated techniques (POTA). METHODS: From June 2016 to March 2018, a total of 203 consecutive patients with true CBLs were treated with BOOT (50 patients) or POTA stenting (153 patients). We performed PSM to correct for confounders from clinical and lesion characteristics. The primary endpoint was cumulative major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 12 months including cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and target vessel/lesion revascularization (TVR/TLR) or target vessel/lesion thrombosis (ST). RESULTS: After PSM, there were 43 patients in each group. Follow-up coronary angiography was performed in 77 (89.5%) patients. At 12 months, the angiographic restenosis rate was significantly different between the BOOT group and the POTA group after PSM (proximal main branch: 20.01 ± 11.33% vs. 26.81 ± 14.02%, p = 0.003; distal main branch: 18.07 ± 3.71% vs. 23.44 ± 10.78%, p = 0.006; side branch: 23.53 ± 10.12% vs. 39.01 ± 10.29%, p < 0.001, respectively). The incidence of MACE at 12 months was not different between the BOOT group before PSM (8.0% vs. 11.8%, p = 0.604), but less frequent after PSM (4.7% vs. 23.3%, p = 0.026) when compared with the POTA group, mainly due to TVR/TLR (2.3% vs. 20.9%, p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CBLs, BOOT is feasible for optimization of the SB ostium and may be superior to POTAs in terms of the angiographic measurements and long-term clinical outcomes at 12 months follow-up.