stent underexpansion
Inadequate stent expansion after deployment, often due to calcification or sizing issues, requiring additional intervention.
Full Definition
Stent underexpansion refers to the failure of a coronary stent to achieve adequate expansion after deployment, resulting in suboptimal luminal dimensions relative to the reference vessel diameter. This condition is commonly caused by heavily calcified lesions, vessel recoil, inadequate balloon pressure, or stent undersizing. Stent underexpansion is associated with increased risk of stent thrombosis, restenosis, and poor long-term clinical outcomes. Intravascular imaging techniques like IVUS and OCT are essential for detecting underexpansion and guiding corrective measures, which may include high-pressure balloon post-dilatation, non-compliant balloon inflation, or additional stent placement.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate as compound noun; distinguish from malapposition which refers to strut separation from vessel wall.
In Context
- "IVUS revealed significant stent underexpansion requiring high-pressure post-dilatation." — Intravascular imaging report
- "The calcified lesion resulted in stent underexpansion despite nominal pressure inflation." — Procedural assessment