[Coronary stents]

Abstract

Coronary stents are widely used in percutaneous revascularisation and are associated with excellent primary results in the majority of cases. The anti GPIIb/IIIa molecules and the association of ticlopidine and aspirin are part of the pharmacological environment which contributes to the short-term success of these procedures. The essential problem remains restenosis which, in its diffuse form, is difficult to treat. Physicians should be vigilant with respect to the quality of the stents which they use and should enforce the conditions which the working group of the European Society of Cardiology recently proposed. Finally, in indications not yet validated or in the process of validation, they should be very careful and good results of balloon angioplasty should be respected.