Bifurcation PCI With a Hybrid Strategy With Drug Eluting Balloons Versus a Stepwise Provisional Two-stent Strategy

The optimal treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions is complex and remains subject of current research. There is ongoing debate about the optimal strategy for bifurcations with upfront two-stent strategy or provisional one-stent strategy. Current European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines advise a provisional approach with optional stepwise two-stent strategy in case of suboptimal result of the side branch (SB). However, a two-stent strategy (either upfront and stepwise) caries technical difficulties and is associated with increased procedure duration and costs and higher exposure of the patient to radiation and contrast. Therefore there is upcoming interest in the use of a drug-eluting balloon (DEB) in the side branch of bifurcation lesions after provisional approach. Drug-eluting balloons are conventional semi-compliant angioplasty balloons covered with an anti-proliferating drug, which is released into the vessel wall during inflation.

Several small pilot studies have successfully investigated a hybrid approach with use of DEB in addition to the provisional strategy. This hybrid approach has shown to be safe and feasible, however no large trials have been performed comparing this with current two-stent bifurcation strategies.

The aim of this randomized controlled, single blinded, multicenter trial is to investigate whether a hybrid DEB approach is non-inferior to a stepwise provisional two-stent strategy in patients with de novo bifurcation lesions and a suboptimal result of the SB after provisional approach.

Patients included in this study will receive PCI using provisional approach (implantation of drug-eluting stent (DES) in the main branch). Patients with an unsatisfactory result of the SB after provisional PCI (≥ 70% residual stenosis and/or diminished flow \< Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) III) will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive the Hybrid DEB approach or the two-stent strategy. Patients with a satisfactory result of the side branch after provisional PCI will be included in a registry.

Follow-up will be performed at 12 months and at the anticipated median 2 year follow-up with a minimum follow-up of 1 year in each subject by either a phone call or outpatient clinic visit. During follow-up information regarding cardiovascular drug use, hospitalizations, invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tests, angina status and SAE's is obtained.