The authors analysed the long-term clinical and angiographic follow-up of patients after coronary stenting for the treatment of coronary stenosis of a native artery or vein graft. BACKGROUND The need for revascularization at 6 months and the restenosis rate were decreased after coronary stenting, compared to the conventional percutaneous angioplasty. This benefit appears to persist in the longer term. METHODS The incidence of major clinical and angiographic complications was evaluated in 129 patients with a minimum follow-up of 3 years. RESULTS At 6 months, 20% of patients presented a major clinical complication and restenosis was documented in 20% of cases. In the long-term, a major cardiac event was observed in 49% of cases (death: 16%, infarction: 5%, coronary artery bypass graft: 12% and another angioplasty: 16%). Patients treated by stenting during coronary artery bypass graft had a significantly lower survival (60% versus 88%), and a higher incidence of major clinical complications (55% versus 18%), and a higher stent revascularization rate (41% versus 16%). CONCLUSIONS The late stent revascularization rate was low. Overall survival was significantly higher in patients treated for a native vessel than in those treated for a coronary artery bypass graft. The complication rate and stent revascularization rate were also significantly lower.