Design Rules for Treatment of Coronary Bifurcation Lesions

Coronary bifurcations are of significant interest clinically because of their predilection to atherosclerosis and plaque, which can lead to ischemic heart disease. Although the percutaneous treatment (i.e., stenting) of non-bifurcation segment lesions has good outcomes, the same is not the case for coronary bifurcations, where restenosis rates after intervention are significantly higher than non-bifurcated segments. Hence, there is a need for fundamental physical and physiological principles that guide percutaneous coronary intervention of bifurcation lesions to reduce restenosis and improved clinical outcomes.