Stent length as a factor of restenosis developmentafter transcutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ischemic heart disease

276 patients with 302 lesions of coronary bloodstream, with MultiLink Penta stents (Abbott VD, USA) implanted successfully in 301 cases, were included in this multipurpose study aimed at determining the relation between the length of the implanted stent and the frequency of restenoses after percutaneous coronary intervention. Immediate results of the interventions proved to be better in patients with shorter stents, with residual stenosis equal to 16 % as compared to 20 % in the groups with 33 mm and 38 mm stents. In the course of observation, the groups with shorter stents also demonstrated better parameters: the degree of stenosis, minimal diameter of artery lumen, occurrence of restenoses, delayed loss of artery lumen and concurrent frequency of unanticipated adverse events (complications), particularly the occurrence of repeated revascularizations (23.8 % and 33.7 %, р = 0,048). Thus, treating coro-nary arteries with long stents is accompanied by an increase in the occurrence of side effects and is the subject of further search for new technologies.