Evaluating long-term outcomes of coronary angioplasty with or without post-dilatation

Introduction: Post-dilatation is associated with a simultaneous expansion of the stents that enhances the angioplasty outcomes. However, increased risk of mortality and morbidity has been reported in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) which has provoked considerable controversies concerning its efficiency. Materials and Methods: During a two-year period, all patients underwent angioplasty with or without post-dilatation procedure, due to clinical features of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including unstable angina, non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction, and AMI, were included. The patients underwent 12 months of follow-ups after the angioplasty with or without post-dilatation. The primary endpoint was the TIMI flow of coronary artery after intervention. However, mortality, readmission due to ACS, need for revascularization, and incidence of AMI during 12 months, were secondary endpoints. Results: No significant difference was observed in terms of demographic data between the groups with and without post-dilatation. Comparing mortality rate, the prevalence of AMI, intervention for revascularization and incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during the follow-up period showed no significant difference between the study groups. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, balloon post-dilation was not associated with a reduction in MACE incidence. However, post-dilation may improve the TIMI flow in these patients.