Introduction:

 

Bifurcation coronary lesions are commonplace, but present a difficult challenge to the interventional cardiologist, with a high complication rate in both the long and short term1. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) are significantly higher in bifurcation versus non- bifurcation lesions and this is chiefly attributable to target vessel re-vascularisation rather than death or myocardial infarction.

 

The first meeting of the European Bifurcation Club took place on 15th to 16th September, 2005 in Bordeaux and was organised by Drs. Thierry Lefèvre, Yves Louvard, Remo Albiero, Olivier Darremont, Manuel Pan and Goran Stankovic.

 

The aim was to bring together an invited faculty of European cardiologists involved in this field to discuss optimal strategies for treating bifurcation coronary artery disease and also to interact with the industry.

 

After 36 hours of discussions an attempt was made to reach a consensus view, and this manuscript reflects the results of these discussions.

 

The following topics were considered:

– Definitions

– Pharmacology

– Imaging and QCA of bifurcation lesions – Plaque modification

– Technique

– Lesion location

– Philosophy

– Physiology

– Dedicated bifurcation devices

 

Download pdf: 1st EBC Consensus