post-dilatation
Balloon inflation performed after stent deployment to optimize stent expansion, apposition, and ensure adequate final result.
Full Definition
Post-dilatation refers to the technique of inflating a balloon within a deployed stent to optimize its expansion, improve wall apposition, and correct any residual stenosis or geometric irregularities. This procedure typically employs non-compliant balloons at higher pressures than the initial stent deployment balloon, allowing precise control of final stent dimensions. Post-dilatation is guided by angiographic appearance, intravascular imaging findings, or physiological assessment results. The technique is particularly important in complex lesions, calcified vessels, or when intravascular imaging reveals suboptimal stent expansion or apposition. Proper execution reduces the risk of stent thrombosis and restenosis while optimizing long-term clinical outcomes.
Usage
Usage note: Specify balloon size and pressure when documenting; distinguish from initial stent deployment in procedural reports.
In Context
- "Post-dilatation with a 4.0mm non-compliant balloon at 20 atmospheres optimized the stent result." — Procedural detail
- "IVUS guidance prompted post-dilatation to address incomplete stent expansion in the calcified segment." — Image-guided intervention