T/TAP Stents

The T/TAP stenting approach can be an independent stenting technique or used as a bailout approach when a Provisional stent does not leave enough flow to the side branch. As a main stenting approach, they are commonly used with side branches at an angle over 70 degrees, up to 90. A T procedure is best deployed at 90-degree angle branches and does not leave any struts (protrusions) from the second stent in the main vessel. Due to better alignment of the end of the stent with a "flat" side angle there is minimal stent on stent interaction. When part of the side branch stent is left in the main vessel due to vessel angle, these procedures are called T and Protrusion (TAP). These approaches start with a Provisional approach before adding in the side branch stent following a Kissing Balloon opens the struts into the side branch.