SMALL VESSEL DISEASE

Abstract

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of small coronary vessels can be complicated by technically difficult access to target lesions, increased risk of major adverse cardiac events and in-stent restenosis requiring repeat revascularization. Conventional management of such lesions is based on the use of drug-eluting stents (DES), but many patients still remain symptomatic even after DES stenting. Innovations in small vessel disease (SVD) include thin-strutted stents, drug-coated balloons and biodegradable stent systems.