Title:The Contemporary Management of Left Main Coronary Artery Disease
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Author(s): Jonathan A. Mailey*Mark S. Spence
Affiliation:
- Cardiology Department, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, United Kingdom
Keywords:
Left main coronary artery disease, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, left main coronary interventions, intravascular imaging, revascularization of stable coronary artery.
Abstract:
The ‘gold standard’ in the management of left main coronary artery disease has historically
been coronary artery bypass surgery. Recent innovations in drug-eluting stent technology coupled
with the increasing utility of physiology and imaging guidance for procedures have led to an
evolving role of percutaneous coronary intervention in left main disease of low and intermediate
anatomical complexity. This revascularization modality carries the clear advantage of being less invasive
and significantly reduced recovery times. This practice is currently supported by international
guidelines, however, it remains a controversial topic in the field of interventional cardiology,
and the long-term outcomes of a percutaneous strategy have been questioned.
This review describes the current evidence base for the assessment and choice of intervention in
left main coronary artery disease. The percutaneous revascularization techniques and use of imaging
to optimize procedures and improve clinical outcomes have been discussed.