Coronary stenting with a balloon-expandable stent after the recanalization of chronic total occlusions.

To diminish the restenosis rate after successful recanalization of chronic total coronary occlusion, we have implanted the Palmaz-Schatz stent in 6 patients. All procedures were successfully done without major complications. The angiographic follow-up at 6 months showed restenosis in one asymptomatic patient who had had 2 stents implanted. Five other patients had no evidence of restenosis.