Kissing balloons are used to prevent jailing of which vessel territory during bifurcation stenting?

• A. The bifurcation ostium or side branch.
• B. The main vessel only.
• C. A vein graft.
• D. The left atrial appendage.

Answer: (A)

Kissing balloons address the side-branch territory at a bifurcation. When a stent is placed in one branch across a bifurcation, the opening of the side branch (the ostium) can be covered by stent struts, a problem called jailing. Using kissing balloons—inflating balloons in both the main vessel and the side branch together—helps mold the stent and carina so the side-branch ostium remains open and accessible. This protects the bifurcation area where the two vessels meet, rather than the main vessel alone, a vein graft, or the left atrial appendage.