Korean Circ J.  2001 Feb;31(2):153-158. 10.4070/kcj.2001.31.2.153.

Recent 4 year trends in clinical findings and treatment modalities of the left main coronary artery stenosis

• Koo BK
• Shim WH
• Joe JR
• Choi D
• Jang Y
• Cho SY

• KMID: 1858580
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2001.31.2.153

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A stenosis of left main coronary artery has critical prognostic importance. Recent reports on successful left main stenting are now challenging traditional treatment patterns for this lesion. We evaluated recent four-year trends in incidence, clinical, angiographic findings and treatment modalities in patients with left main coronary artery stenosis(LMS).
METHODS
Patients who were diagnosed as a significant LMS at Yonsei cardiovascular hospital between 1996 and 1999 were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS
The incidence of LMS during the period of 1996 to 1999 was 3.3%(n=24) and it was significantly higher than that of previous 15 years before 1996(p<0.01). The incidence of isolated ostial lesion was 0.28% and this lesion was more prevalent in young female patients with less risk factors compared with other types of LMS(p<0.01). After exclusion of the patients with an isolated ostial lesion, patients were grouped according to the lesion site: ostium, shaft, and shaft lesion extended to distal vessels. There were no differences in clinical and hemodynamic findings among these groups. Coronary artery bypass graft was performed in 141 patients(63%) and stent implantation in 16 patients(14%).
CONCLUSION
The incidence of LMS has been increased. There was no difference in clinical and hemodynamic findings according to the types of LMS. Surgery is still a standard treatment, but in selected patients percutaneous coronary intervention can be another treatment option.

MeSH Terms

Constriction, Pathologic
Coronary Artery Bypass
Coronary Stenosis*
Coronary Vessels*
Female
Hemodynamics
Humans
Incidence
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Stents
Transplants