Long-term follow-up study of elderly patients with covered stent implantation after coronary perforation

Objective To evaluate the long-term efficacy of covered stent implantation in the treatment of elderly patients with coronary perforation while undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods From June 2004 to June 2012, our center has followed ten elderly patients (age ≥ 60 years) who sustained coronary perforation during PCI. The major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were observed as well. The patients were advised to take 75 mg/d Clopidogrel for two years, and indefinite use of 100 mg/d enteric-coated aspirin. Results Six out of the 10 patients aged from 60 to 76 years old (mean 68.6 ± 5.2 years) were male, four were female. The average diameter of the implanted stents was 3.3 ± 0.3 mm, and the average length was 22.1 ± 3.7 mm. All the ruptures were successfully sealed without intra-procedural death. The follow-up duration ranged from 0.6 to 67 months (mean 31.7 ± 24.5 months). One patient died of multiple organ failure due to lung infection in 19 days after PCI; one died of cardiac sudden death in 13 months after PCI; one had angina pectoris in 53 months after PCI; one underwent multi-slice CT examination in six months after PCI, and no in-stent restenosis was found. The other four patients received angiography follow-up, and the results showed that three patients had no intra-stent restenosis, while one had left anterior descending (LAD) restenosis in the covered stent in 67 months after PCI. The in-hospital mortality was 10% (1/10). The MACE rate in 12 months after PCI was 10% (1/10). During the entire followed-up period, the restenosis rate in target vessels was 20% (1/5), mortality was 20% (2/10), and the MACE rate was 40% (4/10). Conclusion Treatment of coronary perforation by using covered stents can achieve favorable long-term results; a two-year dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after PCI can effectively prevent intra-stent thrombosis.