After removing the anchor wire in the Szabo technique, what is the next step?

• A. Redeploy balloon at high ATM to ensure correct apposition
• B. Remove the balloon completely
• C. Re-anchor with a second anchor
• D. Remove the stent

Answer: (A)

In the Szabo technique, the anchor wire holds the stent position during deployment by threading through a stent cell into the side branch. Once you remove that anchor wire, you must confirm and optimize the final result by post-dilating with a noncompliant balloon at high pressure across the stented segment. This high-pressure inflation improves stent expansion and apposition, especially at the ostial region, and helps ensure the side branch remains protected without malapposition or edge issues. The other options aren’t appropriate at this stage: there’s no need to re-anchor, you would not just remove the balloon, and removing the stent isn’t part of the process.