Diffuse coronary disease: short- and long-term outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate short- and long-term results of PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) in patients with small vessel coronary artery disease and the prognostic impact of the extension and the length of coronary lesions. Methods and results All consecutive patients treated with PCI in our centre between July 2002 and December 2004 were included and divided into two groups according to the diameter of the implanted stents: small vessel disease was defined as requiring implantation of stents Conclusion Atherosclerotic involvement of small vessels in patients with CAD confers a higher short- and long-term risk of adverse outcome after PCI.