T-stenting and small protrusion (TAP stenting) in coronary bifurcations

T-stenting and small protrusion (TAP stenting) in coronary bifurcations

T-stenting and small protrusion technique (TAP Stenting) is used to enhance side branch ostial coverage. It is an intentional protrusion of side branch stent within the main branch during coronary bifurcation stenting which ensures side branch ostial coverage and facilitates final kissing balloon inflation. This technique has been introduced by Francesco Burzotta, Hyeon-Cheol Gwon, Joo-Yong Hahn, Enrico Romagnoli, Jin-Ho Choi, Carlo Trani and Antonio Colombo [1] because the conventional T-stenting method is associated with the risk of incomplete side branch ostial coverage, especially when the angle between the main branch and the side branch is acute. In TAP stenting, the position of the side branch stent is adjusted to fully cover the proximal (or upper) part of the side branch ostium. This causes a small protrusion of side branch stent in the lower part of the ostium. This is leveled off by the final kissing inflation.

Reference

1. Francesco Burzotta, Hyeon-Cheol Gwon, Joo-Yong Hahn, Enrico Romagnoli, Jin-Ho Choi, Carlo Trani, Antonio Colombo. Modified T-stenting with intentional protrusion of the side-branch stent within the main vessel stent to ensure ostial coverage and facilitate final kissing balloon: the T-stenting and small protrusion technique (TAP-stenting). Report of bench testing and first clinical Italian-Korean two-centre experience. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2007 Jul 1;70(1):75-82.