The New ACS Multilink Coronary Stent: Single Center Experience in 103 Consecutive Patients With and Without Oral Anticoagulation

Background Since the introduction of this stent, anticoagulant regimens have changed from an aggressive protocol (aspirin, heparin, and warfarin) to a simplifed regimen (aspirin and ticlopidine). In this study our experience with this stent is reviewed, and acute and chronic outcomes with the two anticoagulant protocols are compared. All patients undergoing ACS Multilink stent implantation between July 1993 and June 1996 were included. The clinical and angiographic characteristics were documented and outcomes recorded. The two anticoagulant groups were compared: 103 patients (94 males, age range 41–80 years, mean 59) received 124 stents: 68% had Canadian Cardiac Society (CCS) grade III or IV angina prior to the procedure; and 73% underwent bail-out stenting. High pressure inflations (> 14 a) were used in 40% of cases. Eighty-four (85%) received aspirin and ticlopidine only. The initial success rate was 99%. Two patients underwent emergency surgery. There were no deaths and no cases of subacute stent thrombosis. Clinical follow-up is available on 66 patients (mean 190 days). Of these, 56 patients (54%) are in CCS grade 0 or 1. One patient has required surgical revascularization. There is one case of documented restenosis within the stented segment.