3-dimensional optical coherence tomography assessment of jailed side branches by bioresorbable vascular scaffolds: A proposal for classification

Objectives The purpose of this study is to assess jailing of side branches (SB) by the everolimuseluting, bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) with 3-dimensional (3D) optical coherence tomography (OCT) reconstruction. Background Because BVS struts at the SB orifice are suspected of being bioresorbed and/or forming a neointimal bridge, OCT has been used to evaluate the struts in detail at that particular site. Our understanding of the 3D relationship of the strut and the SB orifice is limited by the use of 2-dimensional OCT images. Fourier-domain OCT enables reliable 3D reconstruction of coronary vessels. Methods The ABSORB Cohort B (A Clinical Evaluation of the Bioabsorbable Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System in the Treatment of Patients With de Novo Native Coronary Artery Lesions) trial is a multicenter single-arm trial to assess the safety and performance of the BVS. Fourier-domain OCT pullbacks (C7-XR system, LightLab Imaging Inc., Westford, Massachusetts) are obtained at pullback speed of 20 mm/s and 3D renderings are performed. The orifices of the SB are assessed visually. The area of SB orifice and the number of strut-free compartments delineated by the BVS struts are evaluated. Results Fifty-one OCT pullbacks were acquired: 33 pullbacks were imaged with Fourier-domain OCT and 27 treated segments had 46 side branches. Three-dimensional assessment was feasible in 87% (40 of 46) of pullbacks. The mean area of the SB orifice was 1.16 ± 1.02 mm². The mean number of strut-free compartments was 2.0 ± 1.1. The classification of the overhanging struts is proposed. Conclusions This study demonstrates that 3D OCT reconstruction is feasible to evaluate the orifices of SB jailed with BVS.