Dedicated bifurcation devices

Coronary bifurcation lesions are a common challenge for interventional cardiologists, for which there is no clear consensus on optimal treatment. The side branch (SB) ostium has become the focus of new treatment strategies because it is a common site of restenosis. In comparison, restenosis and reintervention rates in the main branch are acceptably low, reflecting improved techniques and greater use of drug-eluting stents. Many different companies are evaluating dedicated bifurcation devices that are designed to offer easy access to the SB, but that differ in concept and in the degree of coverage provided to the SB ostium. Some are bare metal stents, whereas several are drug-eluting iterations based on platforms used in conventional stents. The promise of these dedicated bifurcation devices is illustrated by early results from single-arm clinical studies.