Luminal recovery from six to twelve months after implantation of “thicker strut” coronary stents

A group of 50 patients with 51 de novo lesions treated with thicker strut stents (strut thickness >100 μm) was angiographically evaluated at baseline, after stenting, and at 6 and 12 months. Minimal luminal diameter (MLD) significantly increased from 6 to 12 months (6 months: 1.72 ± 0.50 mm vs 12 months: 1.81 ± 0.47 mm; p <0.01). The binary restenosis (diameter stenosis >50%) rate was 17% at 6 months and 11% at 12 months (p = NS). At multivariate analysis, lumen loss at 6 months (p = 0.018) and deployment pressure (p = 0.041) independently predicted the changes in MLD between 6 and 12 months.