Sidebranch compromise during percutaneous coronary interventions.

Justified concerns exist about coronary balloon angioplasty and stent deployment when a sidebranch is within the vicinity of the interventional site. Assessment of the jeopardized sidebranch for the risk of compromise can be made by evaluating the sidebranch diameter, the myocardial territory supplied, the relationship to the parent vessel lesion and the presence of ostial disease. This can help in the decision-making process of the proposed intervention, allowing a strategy to be pre-planned in the event of sidebranch compromise. Sidebranch compromise associated with flow reduction in a branch vessel that is of medium or large diameter and serving moderate or large territory is often associated with a cardiac enzyme rise. It is now recognized that any cardiac enzyme rise after intervention is associated with increased long-term risk and such compromised sidebranches may be considered for re-opening to help preserve the myocardium. A variety of balloon angioplasty and stenting techniques are described for sidebranch compromise with some short-term success. Long-term outcomes and effect of sidebranch intervention have not yet been fully evaluated.