PCI in the long lesion
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Resistance to coronary blood flow in a coronary vessel is not only due to the severity of a focal stenosis, but also to the length of that stenosis. Long lesions that are moderate in nature may therefore cause a significant resistance to flow.
Treatment
If a bare metal stent is placed, it should be remembered that the risk of restenosis proportional to the length of the bare-metal stent placed in the segment.
Complications
Long lesions are associated with a greater plaque burden and as such are likewise associated with a greater risk of no reflow. Longer lesions are also associated with an increased risk of side branch occlusion.