Search

Killip classification has been used to stratify the risk of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). There were many reports that Killip class 3 or 4 is closely associated with poor clinical outcomes. In other words, Killip class 1 or 2 is associated with favorable clinical outcomes in patients with AMI, especially when patients received primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, some patients with Killip class 1/2 suffer from serious in-hospital complications. This study aimed to identify factors associated with serious in-hospital complications of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients with Killip class 1/2. The primary endpoint was serious in-hospital complications defined as the composite of in-hospital death and mechanical complications. We included 809 patients with STEMI, and divided them into the non-complication group (n = 791) and the complication group (n = 18). In-hospital death was observed in 14 patients (1.7%), and mechanical complications were observed in 4 patients (0.5%). Final TIMI flow ≤ 2 was more frequently observed in the complication group (33.3%) than in the non-complication group (5.4%) (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serious in-hospital complication was associated with final TIMI flow grade ≤ 2 (Odds ratio 6.040, 95% confidence interval 2.042–17.870, p = 0.001). In conclusion, serious in-hospital complication of STEMI was associated with insufficient final TIMI flow grade in patients with Killip class 1/2. If final TIMI flow grade is suboptimal after primary PCI, we may recognize the potential risk of serious complications even when patients presented as Killip class 1/2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although serum troponin level is the gold standard under the universal definition of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), serum creatinine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) is still measured in clinical practice as the compliment of troponin level. The purpose of this retrospective study is to illustrate the dramatic change of CK-MB/CK ratio by comparing CK-MB/CK ratio in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) among ≤ 24 h before reaching peak CK, peak CK, ≤ 24 h after reaching peak CK, and 24–48 h after reaching peak CK. We included 502 patients with STEMI. We calculated each average CK-MB/CK ratio at ≤ 24 h before reaching peak CK, peak CK, ≤ 24 h after reaching peak CK, and 24–48 h after reaching peak CK. The average values were compared using Friedman test. The average CK-MB/CK ratio at ≤ 24 h before reaching peak CK, peak CK, ≤ 24 h after reaching peak CK, and 24–48 h after reaching peak CK was 0.096 (9.6% of CK), 0.098 (9.8% of peak CK), 0.076 (7.6% of CK), and 0.028 (2.8% of CK), respectively. The Friedman test suggested that the CK-MB/CK ratio significantly declined after reaching peak CK (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the CK-MB/CK ratio was around 0.1 (10% of CK) until CK-MB and CK reached the peak, but dropped sharply after reaching peak CK. The CK-MB/CK ratio less than 0.1 (10% of CK) cannot be used to rule out the possibility of AMI, when the onset of symptom is unclear or late presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) have been widely used in endovascular therapy for femoropopliteal arteries with atherosclerotic lesions. Vascular response after DCBs remains unclear. This mini-review proposes a possible mechanism of restenosis after the DCB strategy. Balloon dilatation including DCBs expands the vascular lumen by producing dissections, which is composed of the original vascular lumen and the cavity surrounded by dissected flaps. The cavity surrounded by dissected flaps is eventually replaced with the thrombus in the healing process after balloon dilatation. However, the thrombus may propagate to the expanded vascular lumen through the entry point of the dissection. Subsequently, the thrombus both in the cavity and the expanded lumen would be organized over time. The vascular lumen in the chronic-phase after DCBs may be influenced by the propagated thrombus from the cavity surrounded by dissected flaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical complication (MC) is a rare but serious complication in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Although several risk factors for MC have been reported, a prediction model for MC has not been established. This study aimed to develop a simple prediction model for MC after STEMI. We included 1717 patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Of 1717 patients, 45 MCs occurred after primary PCI. Prespecified predictors were determined to develop a tentative prediction model for MC using multivariable regression analysis. Then, a simple prediction model for MC was generated. Age ≥ 70, Killip class ≥ 2, white blood cell ≥ 10,000/µl, and onset-to-visit time ≥ 8 h were included in a simple prediction model as "point 1" risk score, whereas initial thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade ≤ 1 and final TIMI flow grade ≤ 2 were included as "point 2" risk score. The simple prediction model for MC showed good discrimination with the optimism-corrected area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.850 (95% CI: 0.798–0.902). The predicted probability for MC was 0–2% in patients with 0–4 points of risk score, whereas that was 6–50% in patients with 5–8 points. In conclusion, we developed a simple prediction model for MC. We may be able to predict the probability for MC by this simple prediction model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many techniques and concepts have been developed in the field of percutaneous coronary intervention to chronic total occlusion (CTO). Parallel wire technique (PWT) is still an important technique in antegrade approach. The purpose of this study was to identify the determinants of successful PWT in coronary CTO. We reviewed consecutive 451 CTO lesions that were treated with PCI in our medical center. The overall success rate of PCI to CTO during the study period was 92.2 % (416/451). Of 451 CTO lesions, we excluded 333 CTO lesions in which PTW was not performed. We included 118 CTO lesions in which PWT was performed, and divided them into the successful PWT group (n = 65) and the unsuccessful PWT group (n = 53) according to the procedure success of PWT. Multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to find the determinants of successful PWT. The prevalence of the sufficient clarity of CTO exit site was significantly higher in the successful PWT group (46.2 %) than in the unsuccessful PWT group (11.3 %) (p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the J-CTO score was inversely associated with successful PWT (OR 0.66, 95 % CI 0.44–0.99, P = 0.04), whereas the sufficient clarity of CTO exit site was associated with successful PWT (OR 5.16, 95 % CI 1.75–15.20, P < 0.01). The J-CTO score was inversely associated with successful PWT, whereas the sufficient clarity of CTO exit site was associated with successful PWT. The low J-CTO score and the sufficient clarity of CTO exit site may be the determinants of successful PWT. • Parallel wire technique (PWT) is still an important technique in PCI to CTO. • The sufficient clarity of CTO exit site was associated with successful PWT. • The J-CTO score was inversely associated with successful PWT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although the clinical outcomes for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have improved significantly, some patients still experience poor clinical outcomes. The available risk classifications focus on the short-term outcomes, and it remains important to find high-risk features among patients with STEMI. In Japan, the 200 m walk electrocardiogram (ECG) test is widely performed before discharge. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the excessive increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) following a 200 m walk and the long-term clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI. Methods: We included 680 patients with STEMI and divided those into an excessive increase in SBP group (n = 144) and a non-excessive increase in SBP group (n = 536) according to the SBP increase after a 200 m walk ECG test. We defined an excessive increase in SBP as SBP ≥ 20 mmHg either just after or 3 min after a 200 m walk ECG test. The primary endpoint consisted of major cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as the composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, readmission for heart failure, and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization. Results: The median follow-up duration was 831 days. MACE was more frequently observed in the excessive increase in SBP group (24.3%) than in the non-excessive increase in SBP group (15.1%). Multivariate Cox hazard analysis revealed that the excessive increase in SBP was significantly associated with MACE (HR 1.509, 95% CI: 1.005–2.267, p = 0.047) after controlling for multiple confounding factors. Conclusion: An excessive increase in SBP after the 200 m walk ECG test was significantly associated with MACE in patients with STEMI. The 200 m walk ECG test is simple and low-cost, but may help to identify high-risk patients with STEMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently, the nutritional status of patients has drawn attention in an aging society. Early studies have reported that nutritional status is related to long-term outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, it is not necessarily simple to evaluate the nutritional status of patients with AMI. We hypothesized that appetite before discharge can be a predictor for long-term adverse cardiovascular events in patients with AMI. This retrospective study aimed to investigate whether appetite is related to long-term adverse outcomes in patients with AMI. Methods: This study included 1006 patients with AMI, and divided them into the good appetite group (n = 860) and the poor appetite group (n = 146) according to the percentage of the dietary intake on the day before discharge. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE), which were defined as a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal MI, and re-admission for heart failure, were set as the primary outcome. Results: The median follow-up duration was 996 days, and a total of 243 MACE was observed during the study period. MACE was more frequently observed in the poor appetite group than in the good appetite group (42.5% versus 21.0%, p < 0.001). In the multivariate COX hazard model, poor appetite was significantly associated with MACE (Hazard ratio 1.698, 95% confidence interval 1.243–2.319, p < 0.001) after controlling for multiple confounding factors. Conclusion: Appetite at the time of discharge was significantly associated with long-term clinical outcomes in patients with AMI. Patients with poor appetite should be carefully followed up after discharge from AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peak C-reactive protein (CRP) levels following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are associated with left ventricular thrombus formation or cardiac rupture. However, the impact of peak CRP on long-term outcomes in patients with STEMI is not completely understood. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the long-term all-cause death after STEMI between patients with and without high peak CRP levels. We included 594 patients with STEMI, and divided them into the high CRP group (n = 119) and the low-moderate CRP group (n = 475) according to the quintile of peak CRP levels. The primary endpoint was all-cause death after the discharge of the index admission. The mean peak CRP level was 19.66 ± 5.14 mg/dL in the high CRP group, whereas that was 6.43 ± 3.86 mg/dL in the low-moderate CRP group (p < 0.001). During the median follow-up duration of 1045 days (Q1 284 days, Q3 1603 days), a total of 45 all-cause deaths were observed. The Kaplan–Meier curves showed that all-cause death was more frequently observed in the high CRP group than in the low-moderate CRP group (p = 0.002). The multivariate Cox hazard analysis revealed that high CRP was significantly associated with all-cause death (hazard ratio 2.325, 95% confidence interval 1.246–4.341, p = 0.008) after controlling for confounding factors. In conclusion, high peak CRP was significantly associated with all-cause death in patients with STEMI. Our results suggest that peak CRP may be useful to stratify patients with STEMI for the risk of future death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) would develop delirium, which is associated with poor prognosis. The purpose of this retrospective study was to identify factors associated with ICU delirium in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We included 753 AMI and divided those into the ICU-delirium group (n = 110) and the non-ICU-delirium group (n = 643) according to the presence of ICU delirium. The ICU delirium was evaluated by confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared between the 2 groups, and factors associated with ICU delirium were sought by multivariate analysis. The prevalence of female sex was significantly higher in the ICU-delirium group (43.6%) than in the non-ICU-delirium group (20.2%) (p < 0.001). The incidence of in-hospital death was significantly higher in the ICU-delirium group (17.3%) than in the non-ICU-delirium group (0.5%) (p < 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age [every 10 years increase: odds ratio (OR) 1.439, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.127–1.837, p = 0.004], female sex (OR 2.237, 95%CI 1.300–3.849, p = 0.004), triple vessel disease (OR 2.317, 95%CI 1.365–3.932, p = 0.002), body mass index < 18.5 kg/m2 (OR 2.910, 95%CI 1.410–6.008, p = 0.004), use of mechanical support (OR 2.812, 95%CI 1.500–5.270, p = 0.001), respiratory failure (OR 5.342, 95%CI 3.080–9.265, p < 0.001), and use of continuous renal replacement therapy (OR 5.901, 95%CI 2.520–13.819, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with ICU delirium. In conclusion, ICU delirium was associated with in-hospital death. Older age, female sex, triple vessel disease, leanness, use of mechanical support, respiratory failure, and continuous renal replacement therapy were significantly associated with the occurrence of ICU delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-hospital mortality of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated with cardiogenic shock (CS) remains high. Also, in-hospital mortality of AMI complicated with cardiac arrest (CA) has been reported to be highest among any AMI. However, there were few reports that compared in-hospital mortality directly between AMI complicated with CS and complicated with CA. The purpose of this study was to compare in-hospital outcomes between AMI complicated with CS and complicated with CA. We retrospectively included 195 AMI patients complicated by CS or CA, and divided those into the CA group (n = 109) and the CS group (n = 86). We also subdivided the CA group into CA with persistent CS (n = 83) and CA without persistent CS (n = 26). One-third of the study population died during the index admission. In-hospital death was more frequently observed in the CA group (45.0%) than in the CS group (20.9%) (p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was highest in the CA with persistent CS group (68.7%), followed by the CS group (20.9%), and least in the CA without persistent CS group (11.5%) (p < 0.001). Favorable neurological function was more frequently observed in the CA without persistent CS group (76.9%) and the CS group (74.4%) than in the CA with persistent CS group (27.7%) (p < 0.001). In conclusion, in-hospital mortality was higher in AMI patients with CA than in those with CS. However, when we divided AMI patients with CA into those with and without persistent CS, in-hospital mortality was lowest in CA without persistent CS, followed by CS, and highest in CA with persistent CS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a rare but critical complication following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The risk of AIS or transient ischemic attack (TIA) may be amplified by invasive procedures, including primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with in-hospital AIS/TIA in patients with STEMI who required primary PCI. Methods: We included 941 STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI and divided them into an AIS/TIA group (n = 39) and a non-AIS/TIA group (n = 902), according to new-onset AIS/TIA. The primary interest was to find the factors associated with AIS/TIA by multivariate logistic regression analysis. We also compared clinical outcomes between the AIS/TIA and non-AIS/TIA groups. Results: The incidence of in-hospital deaths was significantly higher in the AIS/TIA group (46.2%) than in the non-AIS/TIA group (6.3%) (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that cardiogenic shock (OR 3.228, 95% CI 1.492–6.986, p = 0.003), new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) (OR 2.280, 95% CI 1.033–5.031, p = 0.041), trans-femoral approach (OR 2.336, 95% CI 1.093–4.992, p = 0.029), use of ≥4 catheters (OR 3.715, 95% CI 1.831–7.537, p < 0.001), and bleeding academic research consortium (BARC) type 3 or 5 bleeding (OR 2.932, 95% CI 1.256–6.846, p = 0.013) were significantly associated with AIS/TIA. Conclusion: In STEMI patients with primary PCI, new-onset AIS/TIA was significantly associated with cardiogenic shock, new-onset AF, trans-femoral approach, the use of ≥4 catheters, and BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding. We should recognize these modifiable and unmodifiable risk factors for AIS/TIA in the treatment of STEMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) often allows us to observe reverberations behind calcification in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to heavily calcified lesions. However, clinical significance of reverberations remains unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of reverberations on stent expansion and clinical outcomes after PCI with rotational atherectomy (RA) to heavily calcified lesions. We considered 250 calcified lesions that underwent IVUS-guided PCI with RA. According to the number of reverberations (NR), those lesions were divided into the high NR (≥3) group (n = 36) and the low NR (≤2) group (n = 214). Stent expansion and the cumulative incidence of ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization (ID-TLR) were compared between the high and low NR groups. The high NR group showed significantly smaller stent expansion rate than the low NR group (67.7% vs. 75.9%, respectively, p= 0.02). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high NR and calcified nodule were significantly associated with stent underexpansion. The incidence of ID-TLR was significantly higher in the high NR group than in the low NR group (p= 0.03). In multivariate Cox hazard analysis, high NR and acute coronary syndrome were significantly associated with ID-TLR. High NR was significantly associated with stent underexpansion and ID-TLR. When high NR was detected by IVUS, the PCI strategy was be planned carefully to avoid stent underexpansion. The follow-up program of the patients with high NR might need to be scheduled prudently because of the high risk of TLR. [Display omitted] • Impact of reverberations on PCI to calcified coronary lesions remains unclear. • High number (≥3) of reverberations showed significantly smaller stent expansion. • Target lesion revascularization was significantly associated with the high number of reverberations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low ankle-brachial index (ABI) is an established risk factor for long-term cardiovascular outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) may also be a risk factor. However, there is a significant overlap between low ABI and high ba-PWV. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine whether increased ba-PWV was associated with long-term clinical outcomes in AMI patients with normal ABI.Methods: We included 932 AMI patients with normal ABI and divided them into the high PWV group (≥1,400 cm/s; n=646) and the low PWV group (<1400 cm/s; n=286) according to the ba-PWV values measured during the AMI hospitalisation. The primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as the composite of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and hospitalisation for heart failure.Results: During the median follow-up duration of 541 days (Q1: 215 days-Q3: 1,022 days), a total of 154 MACE were observed. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that MACE was more frequently observed in the high PWV group than in the low PWV group (p<0.001). The multivariate Cox hazard analysis revealed that high ba-PWV was significantly associated with MACE (hazard ratio [HR] 1.587; 95% CI 1.002-2.513; p=0.049) after controlling multiple confounding factors.Conclusions: High ba-PWV was significantly associated with long-term adverse events in AMI patients with normal ABI. Our results suggest the usefulness of PWV as a prognostic marker in AMI with normal ABI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary collateral flow is an important prognostic marker in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion. However, the role of collateral flow to the culprit lesion of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has not been fully established yet. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the association between collateral flow and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with AMI. We included 937 patients with AMI, and divided those into the no-collateral group (n = 704) and the collateral group (n = 233) according to the presence or absence of collateral flow to the culprit lesion of AMI. The primary endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), which was defined as a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal MI, re-admission for heart failure, and ischemia driven target vessel revascularization. The median follow-up duration was 473 days (Q1: 184 days- Q3: 1027 days), and a total of 263 MACE was observed during the study period. The incidence of MACE was significantly greater in the no-collateral group than in the collateral group (29.8% vs. 22.3%, p = 0.027). In the multivariate COX hazard model, the presence of collateral flow was inversely associated with MACE (HR 0.636, 95% CI 0.461–0.878, p = 0.006) after controlling multiple confounding factors. In conclusion, the presence of collateral flow to the culprit lesion of AMI was inversely associated with long-term adverse outcomes. Careful observation of collateral flow may be important in emergent coronary angiography to stratify a high-risk group among various patients with AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) can provide useful information in patients undergoing complex percutaneous coronary intervention with rotational atherectomy (RA). The association between IVUS findings and slow flow following rotational atherectomy (RA) has not been investigated, although slow flow has been shown to be an unfavorable sign with worse outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the IVUS-factors associated with slow flow just after RA. We retrospectively enrolled 290 lesions (5316 IVUS-frames) with RA, which were divided into the slow flow group (n = 43 with 1029 IVUS-frames) and the non-slow flow group (n = 247 with 4287 IVUS-frames) based on the presence of slow flow. Multivariate regression analysis assessed the IVUS-factors associated with slow flow. Slow flow was significantly associated with long lesion length, the maximum number of reverberations [odds ratio (OR) 1.49; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–2.07, p = 0.02] and nearly circumferential calcification at minimal lumen area (MLA) (≥ 300°) (OR, 2.21; 95% CI 1.13–4.32; p = 0.02). According to the maximum number of reverberations, the incidence of slow flow was 2.2% (n = 0), 11.9% (n = 1), 19.5% (n = 2), 22.5% (n = 3), and 44.4% (n = 4). In conclusion, IVUS findings such as longer lesion length, the maximum number of reverberations, and the greater arc of calcification at MLA may predict slow flow after RA. The operators need to pay more attention to the presence of reverberations to enhance the procedure safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stent edge dissection (SED) is a well-known predictor of worse clinical outcomes. However, impact of SED after current-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation remains unknown since there was no study using only current-generation DES to assess impact of SED. This study aimed to investigate a relationship between SED detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and clinical outcomes after current-generation DES implantation. Methods: This study enrolled 175 patients receiving OCT after current-generation DES implantation. The SED group was compared with the non-SED group in terms of the primary study endpoints which was the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiac event (MACE) composed of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI), and clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR). Results: Of 175 patients, SED detected by OCT was observed in 32 patients, while 143 patients did not show SED. In the crude population, the SED group showed a significantly higher incidence of CD-TLR, definite stent thrombosis, TV-MI and cardiac death relative to the non-SED group. After adjustment by an inverse probability weighted methods, the SED group showed a significantly higher incidence of MACE compared with the non-SED group (hazard ratio 3.43, 95% confidence interval 1.09–10.81, p = 0.035). Fibrocalcific or lipidic plaques, greater lumen eccentricity, and stent-oversizing were the predictors of SED. Conclusions: SED detected by OCT after the current-generation DES implantation led to unfavorable outcomes. Aggressive post-dilatation around the stent edge might worse clinical outcomes due to SED, although achievement of optimal stent expansion is strongly encouraged to improve clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to the culprit lesion of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), unsuccessful guidewire crossing causes immediate poor outcomes. It is important to determine the factors associated with unsuccessful guidewire crossing in AMI lesions. The purpose of this study was to find factors associated with difficulty in crossing the culprit lesion of AMI. We defined the difficult group when the guidewire used to cross the culprit lesion was a polymer jacket type guidewire or a stiff guidewire. We included 937 patients, and divided those into the non-difficult group (n = 876) and the difficult group (n = 61). Proximal reference diameter was significantly smaller in the difficult group than in the non-difficult group (p < 0.001), and degree of calcification was severer in the difficult group than in the non-difficult group (p < 0.001). In the multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis, proximal reference diameter [odds ratio (OR) 0.313, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.185–0.529, p < 0.001)], previous PCI (OR 3.065, 95% CI 1.612–5.830, p = 0.001), moderate-severe calcification (OR 4.322, 95% CI 2.354–7.935, p < 0.001), blunt type obstruction (OR 12.646, 95% CI 6.805–23.503, p < 0.001), and the presence of collateral to the culprit lesion (OR 2.110, 95% CI 1.145–3.888, p = 0.017) were significantly associated with difficulty in crossing the culprit lesion. In conclusion, previous PCI, calcification, blunt type obstruction, and the presence of collateral were associated with difficulty in crossing the culprit lesion, whereas proximal reference diameter was inversely associated with difficulty. Our study provides a reference to recognize the difficulty in crossing the culprit lesions of AMI for PCI operators, especially junior operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complications such as slow flow are frequently observed in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with rotational atherectomy (RA). However, it remains unclear whether the high incidence of slow flow results in the high incidence of periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI), reflecting real myocardial damage. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of PMI between PCI with versus without RA using propensity score-matching. We included 1350 elective PCI cases, which were divided into the RA group (n = 203) and the non-RA group (n = 1147). After propensity score matching, the matched RA group (n = 190) and the matched non-RA group (n = 190) were generated. The primary interest was to compare the incidence of PMI between the matched RA and non-RA groups. Before propensity score matching, the incidence of slow flow and PMI was greater in the RA group than in the non-RA group. After matching, the incidence of slow flow was still greater in the matched RA group than in the matched non-RA group (16.8% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.048). However, the incidence of PMI was similar between the matched RA and matched non-RA group (7.4% vs. 5.3%, p = 0.528, standardized difference: 0.086). In conclusion, although use of RA was associated with greater risk of slow flow, use of RA was not associated with PMI after a propensity score-matched analysis. The fact that RA did not increase the risk of myocardial damage in complex lesions would have an impact on revascularization strategy for severely calcified coronary lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High-degree atrioventricular block (HAVB) is a prognostic factor for survival in patients with inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, there is little information about factors associated with temporary pacing (TP). The aim of this study was to find factors associated with TP in patients with inferior STEMI. Methods: We included 232 inferior STEMI patients, and divided those into the TP group (n = 46) and the non-TP group (n = 186). Factors associated with TP were retrospectively investigated using multivariate logistic regression model. Results: The incidence of right ventricular (RV) infarction was significantly higher in the TP group (19.6%) than in the non-TP group (7.5%) (p = 0.024), but the incidence of in-hospital death was similar between the 2 groups (4.3% vs. 4.8%, p = 1.000). Long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), which were defined as a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), target vessel revascularization (TVR) and readmission for heart failure, were not different between the 2 groups (p = 0.100). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, statin at admission [odds ratio (OR) 0.230, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.062–0.860, p = 0.029], HAVB at admission (OR 9.950, 95% CI 4.099–24.152, p<0.001), and TIMI-thrombus grade ≥3 (OR 10.762, 95% CI 1.385–83.635, p = 0.023) were significantly associated with TP. Conclusion: Statin at admission, HAVB at admission, and TIMI-thrombus grade ≥3 were associated with TP in patients with inferior STEMI. Although the patients with TP had the higher incidence of RV infarction, the incidence of in-hospital death and long-term MACE was not different between patients with TP and those without. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although several groups reported the risk factors for slow flow during rotational atherectomy (RA), they did not clearly distinguish modifiable factors, such as burr-to-artery ratio from unmodifiable ones, such as lesion length. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the modifiable and unmodifiable factors that were associated with slow flow. Methods: We included 513 lesions treated with RA, which were classified into a slow flow group (n = 97) and a non-slow flow group (n = 416) according to the presence or absence of slow flow just after RA. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to find factors associated with slow flow. Results: Slow flow was inversely associated with reference diameter [Odds ratio (OR) 0.351, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.205–0.600, p<0.001], primary RA strategy (OR 0.224, 95% CI 0.097–0.513, p<0.001), short single run (≤15 seconds) (OR 0.458, 95% CI 0.271–0.776, p = 0.004), and systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140 mmHg (OR 0.501, 95% CI 0.297–0.843, p = 0.009). Lesion length (every 5 mm increase: OR 1.193, 95% CI 1.093–1.301, p<0.001), angulation (OR 2.054, 95% CI 1.171–3.601, p = 0.012), halfway RA (OR 2.027, 95% CI 1.130–3.635, p = 0.018), initial burr-to-artery ratio (OR 1.451, 95% CI 1.212–1.737, p<0.001), and use of beta blockers (OR 1.894, 95% CI 1.004–3.573, p = 0.049) were significantly associated with slow flow. Conclusions: Slow flow was positively associated with several unmodifiable factors including lesion length and angulation, and inversely associated with reference diameter. In addition, slow flow was positively associated with several modifiable factors including initial burr-to-artery ratio and use of beta blockers, and inversely associated with primary RA strategy, short single run, and systolic blood pressure just before RA. Application of this information could help to improve RA procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to atherosclerotic lesions in the right coronary artery (RCA), coronary artery dissection in the ostium of the RCA is a rare but fatal complication. Stent implantation to the ostium of RCA may be selected for the prevention of aorto-ostial dissection. Aim: To find factors associated with aorto-ostial stent coverage to mild to moderate ostial stenosis during the treatment of severely narrowed non-ostial RCA lesions. Material and methods: The primary interest was to find factors associated with ostial stent coverage using multivariate regression analysis. We included 236 patients who underwent intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI to severely narrowed RCA lesions with mild to moderate ostial stenosis, and divided those into the ostial-coverage group (n = 52) and the non-coverage group (n = 184). Results: The prevalence of continuous ostial plaque detected by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was significantly greater in the ostial-coverage group (84.6%) than in the non-coverage group (52.9%) (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that continuous ostial plaque detected by IVUS (OR = 5.398, 95% CI: 2.322-12.553, p < 0.001) was significantly associated with ostial stent coverage after controlling confounding factors. Ischaemia-driven target vessel revascularization was less frequently observed in the ostial-coverage group than in the non-coverage group, without reaching statistical significance (p = 0.069). Conclusions: Continuous ostial plaque detected by IVUS was significantly associated with ostial stent coverage to the mild to moderate stenosis when PCI to non-ostial, severely narrowed RCA lesions was performed. The use of IVUS may enhance the safety but may increase the total stent length in PCI to RCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Careful auscultation is the first step to diagnose aortic stenosis (AS). The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) between the patients primarily diagnosed by heart murmur and those diagnosed by other reasons. We retrospectively included 258 patients who underwent TAVI in our medical center, and divided those into the murmur group (n = 81) and the other-reason group (n = 177) according to the primary reason for AS diagnosis. The primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), which was defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, hospitalization due to acute decompensated heart failure, and disabling stroke. The murmur group included younger patients than the other-reason group (82.8 year-old vs. 84.0 year-old, P = 0.02). History of AF was more frequently observed in the other-reason group than in the murmur group (21.5% vs. 7.4%, P <0.01). STS score and logistic EuroSCORE were lower in the murmur group than in the other-reason group (STS: 4.7% vs. 7.2%, P <0.01, logistic EuroSCORE: 8.3% vs. 11.2%, P <0.01). The median follow-up period was 562 days. MACCE was more frequently observed in the other-reason group than in the murmur group (27.7% vs. 9.9%, Log Rank P <0.01). The multivariate COX hazard analysis revealed that the AS patients primarily diagnosed by heart murmur was inversely associated with MACCE (HR 0.38, 95%CI 0.17–0.86, P = 0.020). Among AS patients who underwent TAVI, the patients primarily diagnosed by heart murmur were significantly associated with favorable long-term clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current Japanese guideline for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) recommends 500-m walk electrocardiogram (ECG) test for patients with STEMI during hospitalization. However, little is known regarding the association between acute phase 500-m walk ECG test and clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between 500-m walk ECG test and mid-term clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI. A total of 313 STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary interventions were included, and were divided into the successful 500-m group (n = 263) and the unsuccessful 500-m group (n = 50). The primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), which were defined as the composite of all cause death, acute myocardial infarction, readmission for heart failure, and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (TVR). During the follow-up period (median 223 days), a total of 55 MACE were observed. The log-rank test revealed that MACE, all cause death, readmission for heart failure, and ischemia-driven TVR were more frequently observed in the unsuccessful 500-m group than the successful 500-m group. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, the unsuccessful 500-m walk ECG test was significantly associated with MACE (OR 5.62, 95% CI 3.08–10.08, P < 0.01) after controlling confounding factors such as age, and serum creatinine levels. In conclusion, the unsuccessful 500-m walk ECG test was significantly associated with poor mid-term outcomes in patients with STEMI. Our results suggest the usefulness of 500-m walk ECG test to stratify the high-risk group from patients with STEMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the mid-term clinical outcomes of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-calcified nodules between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with and without rotational atherectomy (RA). Background: There has been a debate whether to use RA for the revascularization of calcified nodule. Although RA can ablate the calcified structure within calcified nodule and may facilitate adequate stent expansion, RA may provoke severe coronary perforation, because calcified nodule typically shows eccentric calcification. Methods: We included 204 lesions with IVUS-calcified nodule, and divided into 73 lesions treated with RA (RA group) and 131 lesions without RA (non-RA group). After propensity-score matching, 42 lesions with RA (matched RA group) and 42 lesions without RA (matched non-RA group) were selected. We compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes between the 2 groups before and after propensity-score matching. The primary endpoint was ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (TVR) within 1 year. Results: Acute lumen area gain on IVUS was comparable between the matched RA group and matched non-RA group (3.9 ± 2.1 mm2 vs. 3.4 ± 1.6 mm2, p = 0.18). The stent malapposition at calcified nodules was frequently observed in both groups. The ischemia-driven TVR was not different between the 2 groups before (p = 0.82) and after propensity score-matching (p = 0.87). Conclusions: The use of RA could not reduce the incidence of ischemia-driven TVR in lesions with IVUS-calcified nodule. Our results do not support the routine use of RA for lesions with IVUS-calcified nodule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent guidelines for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) recommended the door-to-balloon time (DTBT) <90 minutes. However, some patients could have poor clinical outcomes in spite of DTBT <90 minutes, which suggest the importance of therapeutic targets except DTBT. The purpose of this study was to find factors associated with poor clinical outcomes in STEMI patients with DTBT <90 minutes. Methods: This retrospective study included 383 STEMI patients with DTBT <90 minutes. The primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as the composite of all-cause death, acute myocardial infarction, and acute heart failure requiring hospitalization. Result: The median follow-up duration was 281 days, and the cumulative incidence of MACE was 16.2%. In the multivariate Cox hazard model, low body mass index (< 20 kg/m2) (vs. >20 kg/m2: HR 2.80, 95% CI 1.39–5.64, p = 0.004), history of previous myocardial infarction (HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.06–5.37, p = 0.04), and Killip class 3 or 4 (vs. Killip class 1 or 2: HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.30–4.40, p = 0.005) were significantly associated with MACE. In another multivariate Cox hazard model, flow worsening during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (HR 3.24, 95% CI 1.79–5.86, p<0.001) and use of mechanical support (HR 3.15, 95% CI 1.71–5.79, p<0.001) were significantly associated with MACE, whereas radial approach (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.32–0.92, p = 0.02) was inversely associated with MACE. Conclusion: Low body mass index, Killip class 3/4, history of previous myocardial infarction, use of mechanical support, and flow worsening were significantly associated with MACE, whereas radial-access was inversely associated with MACE. It is important to avoid flow worsening during primary PCI even when appropriate DTBT was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since the long fluoroscopy time in primary PCI for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) could be an indicator of delayed reperfusion, it should be important to recognize which types of lesions require longer fluoroscopy-time in primary PCI. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of the long fluoroscopy-time with clinical factors in primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Methods: A total of 539 patients who underwent primary PCI were divided into the conventional fluoroscopy-time group (Q1-Q4: n = 434) and the long fluoroscopy-time group (Q5: n = 105) according to the quintile of the total fluoroscopy time in primary PCI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to find associations between clinical variables and the long fluoroscopy-time. Results: In univariate logistic regression analysis, prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hemodialysis, and previous CABG were significantly associated with the long fluoroscopy-time. In addition, complex lesion characteristics such as lesion length, lesion angle, tortuosity, and calcification were associated with the long fluoroscopy-time. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, lesion length [per 10 mm incremental: odds ratio (OR) 1.751, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.397–2.195, P<0.001], moderate-excessive tortuosity (vs. mild tortuosity: OR 4.006, 95% CI 1.498–10.715, P = 0.006), and moderate to severe calcification (vs. none-mild calcification: OR 1.865, 95% CI 1.107–3.140, P = 0.019) were significantly associated with the long fluoroscopy-time. Conclusions: In primary PCI for STEMI, diffuse long lesion, tortuosity, and moderate-severe calcification were associated with the long fluoroscopy-time. These complex features require special attention to reduce reperfusion time in primary PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the usefulness of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in rotational atherectomy (RA) has been widely recognized, an IVUS catheter may not cross the target lesion because of severe calcification. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of slow flow following RA between IVUS-crossable versus IVUS-uncrossable calcified lesions. We included 284 RA lesions, and divided into an IVUS-crossable group (n = 150) and an IVUS-uncrossable group (n = 134). The primary endpoint was slow flow just after RA. The incidence of slow flow (TIMI flow grade ≤ 2) was significantly greater in the IVUS-uncrossable group than in the IVUS-crossable group (26.1% vs. 10.7%, p = 0.001). The incidence of severe slow flow (TIMI grade ≤ 1) was also greater in the IVUS-uncrossable group than in the IVUS-crossable group (9.7% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.022). The multivariate logistic regression model showed a significant association between slow flow and pre-IVUS uncrossed lesions (vs. crossed lesions: odds ratio 2.103, 95% confidence interval 1.047–4.225, p = 0.037). In conclusion, the incidence of slow flow/severe slow flow just after RA was significantly greater in the IVUS-uncrossable lesions than in the IVUS-crossable lesions. Our study suggests the possibility that the IVUS-crossability can be used as a risk stratification of severe calcified lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently, the importance of chronic total occlusion (CTO)-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been emphasized with greater success rates. In the antegrade wire based approach, it is generally considered that the guidewire would not advance from the subintimal space to the intimal space without dissection re-entry device. However, it is sometimes observed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) that the guidewire within the subintimal space advanced into the distal true lumen. The purpose of this study was to investigate specific conditions or characteristics which were associated with "antegrade true-sub-true" phenomenon in CTO-PCI. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive 320 CTO lesions that underwent CTO-PCI in our institution. Among them, 16 lesions in which the IVUS confirmed the "antegrade true-sub-true" phenomenon were categorized as the true-sub-true group, whereas 27 lesions that resulted in unsuccessful CTO-PCI were categorized as the unsuccessful group. We compared the clinical, lesion, and procedural characteristics between the true-sub-true group and the unsuccessful group. Results: The prevalence of bifurcation with abrupt type in CTO exit-sites was significantly higher in the true-sub-true group in comparison to the unsuccessful group (75.0% vs. 25.9%, p = 0.002). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that bifurcation with abrupt type in CTO exit-site (OR 8.017; 95%CI: 1.484–43.304; p = 0.016) was independent predictor of the antegrade true-sub-true phenomenon. Conclusions: In CTO-PCI, the antegrade true-sub-true phenomenon is rare, but can be a last chance for successful PCI. Bifurcation with abrupt type in CTO exit-site was significantly associated with the antegrade true-sub-true phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the manufacturer recommends that excessive speed reduction (>5000 rpm) be avoided during rotational atherectomy (RA) for safety, excessive speed reduction is sometimes observed in clinical practice. The purpose of the present study was to examine the factors associated with excessive speed reduction during RA.Methods: Lesions (n = 300) treated by RA were divided into 3 groups: a mild speed reduction group (≤5000 rpm) (n = 182), a moderate speed reduction group (>5000-≤10,000 rpm) (n = 97), and a severe speed reduction group (>10,000 rpm) (n = 21). Two multivariate logistic regression analyses was performed to investigate the factors associated with >5000 rpm speed reduction, and factors associated with >10,000 rpm speed reduction.Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that an ostial right coronary artery (RCA) lesion (OR 6.13, 95% CI 1.82-20.70, P = 0.004) and total ablation time (every 10 s increase: OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.05-1.14, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with >5000 rpm speed reduction. An ostial RCA lesion (OR 14.17, 95% CI 3.85-52.23, P < 0.001), use of intra-aortic balloon pump support (OR 4.19, 95% CI 1.18-14.87, P = 0.03), and systolic blood pressure just before RA (every 10 mmHg increase: OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.02-1.52, P = 0.03) were significantly associated with >10,000 rpm speed reduction.Conclusions: RA of ostial RCA lesions was significantly associated with excessive speed reduction during RA, which implies that RA of ostial RCA lesions is technically more difficult than RA of non-ostial RCA lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the amount of contrast media during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is closely related to the exacerbation of renal function, it should be important to reduce the dose of contrast media during PCI. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the association of less-contrast media with clinical factors in elective PCI. A total of 709 patients were divided into the less-contrast media group (n = 142) and the conventional-contrast media group (n = 567) according to the quintile of total contrast volume. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to find associations between the clinical variables and the less-contrast media group. The intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) use rate in the study population was considerably high (94.9%). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, an eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 without hemodialysis was significantly associated with the less-contrast media group [odds ratio (OR) 43.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 14.05–136.09, P < 0.001]. Left main-left anterior descending artery lesion (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.17–0.48, P < 0.001), bifurcation lesion (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.16–0.92, P = 0.03), chronic total occlusion (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.06–0.90, P = 0.03) were inversely associated with the less-contrast media group. In conclusion, complex lesion characteristics were inversely associated with the less-contrast media in elective PCI. Since operators could access patients' renal function before elective procedure, an eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 was most significantly associated with the less-contrast media. Our results suggest the possibility that the amount of contrast media is controllable in current PCI under IVUS-guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin radiation injuries, especially radiation ulcers, are serious side effects caused by ionizing radiation during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Because skin radiation injuries are closely associated with the peak skin dose, it is important to minimize the peak skin dose. The aim of the present study was to investigate the determinants of greater peak skin dose in current PCI.Methods: We included 707 consecutive coronary artery lesions, and divided them into an excess radiation group (n = 26; defined as peak skin dose ≥2 Gy) and a standard radiation group (n = 681; defined as peak skin dose <2 Gy). Clinical, lesion, and procedural characteristics were compared between the 2 groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify determinants of the excess radiation group.Results: A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that body surface area (BSA) [0.1 m2 increase: odds ratio (OR) 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-1.71, P < 0.01], PCI to a right coronary artery (RCA) (OR 3.11, 95% CI 1.35-7.17, P < 0.01), and PCI to a chronic total occlusion (CTO) (OR 6.69, 95% CI 2.65-16.87, P < 0.01) were significantly associated with the excess radiation group.Conclusions: Greater BSA, PCI to RCA lesions, and PCI to CTO lesions were significantly associated with excess radiation dose. The first step in the prevention of radiation injuries in current PCI will be to recognize these risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because living alone is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in men but not women, living alone may be a risk factor of cardiovascular events after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in diabetic men. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between living alone and mid-term clinical outcomes after AMI in diabetic men. We conducted a single center, retrospecitve study. The primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as the composite of all cause death, AMI, and target vessel revascularization. A total of 253 AMI men with diabetes mellitus were included from our hospital records, and divided into the living together group (n = 203) and the living alone group (n = 50). Median follow-up duration was 239 days (Q1: 94 days, Q3: 451 days). A total of 66 MACE was observed during the study period, and Kaplan–Meier curves were constructed to compare the MACE. The MACE was more frequently observed in the living alone group than the living together group (P = 0.041). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the living alone group was significantly associated with the MACE (Odds ratio: 1.770, 95% confidence interval 1.018–3.077, P = 0.043) after known clinical risk factors. In conclusion, living alone was significantly associated with the mid-term MACE after AMI in diabetic men. It may be important to provide multiple interventions including lifestyle guidance as well as sufficient acute medical care for such high-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of severe complications such as burr entrapment or perforation is considerable with rotational atherectomy (RA). Halfway RA is a novel strategy, in which an operator does not advance the burr to the end of a continuous calcified lesion, and performs balloon dilatation to treat the remaining part of the calcified lesion. The purpose of this study was to compare complications after halfway and conventional RA. Methods: We included 307 consecutive lesions that were divided into a conventional RA group (n = 244) and halfway RA group (n = 63). In analysis 1, the incidence of complications was compared between the conventional RA and halfway RA groups. Propensity-score matching was used to match the intentional halfway RA and conventional RA. In analysis 2, the incidence of complications was compared between the matched conventional RA and intentional halfway RA groups. Results: Burr entrapment (0.4%) and major perforation (0.8%) were observed in the conventional RA group, whereas there was no burr entrapment or perforation in the halfway RA group. The success rate of halfway RA was 90.5%, which required switching from halfway RA to conventional RA. The incidences of slow flow and periprocedural myocardial infarction with slow flow were similar between the intentional halfway RA and matched conventional RA groups. Conclusions: There was no burr entrapment or vessel perforation following halfway RA. The incidences of slow flow and periprocedural myocardial infarction were similar between the intentional halfway RA and the matched conventional RA, indicating the safety of halfway RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), revascularization to the main branch is considered to be more important than that to the side branch. The purpose of the present study was to compare in-hospital clinical outcomes between sufficient and insufficient diagonal flow in patients with anterior ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction. A total of 229 left anterior descending artery (LAD)-AMI with final Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI)-3 LAD flow were included, and divided into the sufficient diagonal flow group (TIMI-3 diagonal flow: n = 170) and the insufficient diagonal flow group (TIMI ≤ 2 diagonal flow: n = 59). The primary endpoint was the incidence of mechanical complication. The secondary endpoints were incidences of in-hospital death, heart failure at discharge, and left ventricular thrombus. There were no significant differences in the primary endpoint (the sufficient diagonal flow group: 1.2%, the insufficient diagonal flow group: 0%, P = 0.403). In-hospital death was more frequently observed in the insufficient diagonal flow group (8.5%) than the sufficient diagonal flow group (2.9%) without reaching statistical significance (P = 0.073). The incidence of heart failure at discharge, and thrombus in left ventricular were not different between the two groups. In conclusion, in-hospital outcomes were not significantly different between the sufficient and insufficient diagonal flow groups. We may not stick to the diagonal flow in LAD-STEMI, as long as the LAD flow is maintained by PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe dissection and hematoma following stent implantation can cause acute vessel closure, which requires an immediate bailout procedure. However, bailout from such a situation may not be easy, especially when the hematoma extends to the distal segment of a coronary artery. We present a case of 73-year-old woman with effort angina who underwent PCI to the right coronary artery (RCA). Following stent implantation, there was a massive hematoma from the distal edge of the stent. We tried to create re-entry at the distal part of the hematoma, but were not successful. We managed her conservatively without additional stent placement or creating re-entry. Follow-up coronary angiography on day 68 showed excellent coronary flow. Intravascular ultrasound demonstrated complete healing of the hematoma. A hematoma caused by edge dissection is a challenging complication. Additional stent implantation to cover the entire length of the hematoma and/or cutting balloon dilatation to create re-entry are options; however, these procedures may worsen the situation. Our case clearly showed healing of dissection and hematoma without creating re-entry or additional stent implantation. Conservative management should be considered an option for severe edge dissection and hematoma following stent implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The guide extension catheter is frequently used in current percutaneous coronary intervention, and the GuideLiner (Vascular Solutions Inc., Minneapolis, MN) has been the standard guide extension catheter. Recently, the Guideplus (Nipro, Osaka, Japan) has emerged as a new guide extension catheter. The aim of the present study was to compare device performance between the Guideplus and GuideLiner. Methods We compared the purpose of guide extension catheter and the device unsuccessful rate between the Guideplus and GuideLiner. We classified the purpose of guide extension catheter into 4 categories: (1) to advance devices into the target lesion, (2) to engage guide catheter into the ostium, (3) to support the small profile balloon crossing the CTO or 99% stenosis that the microcatheter could not cross, and (4) others. Results Ninety-two lesions were classified as the Guideplus group, whereas 103 lesions were classified as the GuideLiner group. The purpose of guide extension catheter was significantly different between the 2 groups (P < 0.001). The Guideplus was frequently used to support the small profile balloon crossing the CTO or 99% stenosis (20.7%), whereas the GuideLiner was not used (0%). The device unsuccessful rate was significantly less in the Guideplus (8.7%) than in the GuideLiner (20.4%) (P = 0.022). Conclusions The purpose of guide extension catheter was significantly different between the Guideplus and GuideLiner. The Guideplus was more frequently used to support the small profile balloon crossing the CTO or 99% stenosis. The device unsuccessful rate was less in the Guideplus, which may suggest the better performance as the guide extension catheter. Highlights • The guide extension catheter is frequently used in current percutaneous coronary interventions. • The GuideLiner has been the standard, whereas the Guideplus has emerged as a new guide extension catheter. • The device unsuccessful rate was less in the Guideplus, which may suggest the better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is more frequently observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) than in patients without CKD. Initial treatment strategy for AMI includes primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), which requires substantial amount of contrast media. We hypothesized that the clinical outcomes are comparable or worse in patients with AMI and advanced CKD off chronic hemodialysis as compared to patients with AMI and advanced CKD on chronic hemodialysis. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with AMI and advanced CKD on hemodialysis versus off hemodialysis. A total of 148 patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 on admission were included and were divided into the HD group (n = 68) and non-HD group (n = 80). The length of hospitalization was significantly less in the HD group (15.7 ± 14.8 days) than in the non-HD group (22.4 ± 21.3 days) (P = 0.01). In-hospital death was significantly less in the HD group (10.3%) than in the non-HD group (25.0%) (P = 0.02). While the non-HD group was not significantly associated with in-hospital death after controlling clinical covariates, the non-HD group (odd ratio 2.89, 95% confidence interval 1.03-8.12, P = 0.04) was significantly associated with long hospitalization even after controlling clinical covariates. In conclusion, as compared to advanced CKD on chronic hemodialysis, advanced CKD off hemodialysis had higher morbidity and mortality in patients with AMI. Advanced CKD off hemodialysis was closely associated with long hospitalization even after controlling clinical factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), especially medical devices, consume large amounts of medical resources. It is important to know which type of lesions requires high device costs among current PCI. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between lesion characteristics and medical device costs in current PCI.Methods: We identified 593 coronary artery lesions in our PCI database between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015. The total PCI cost was calculated for each lesion. The highest quartile (Q1) of total PCI costs was defined as the highest cost group, whereas the other quartiles (Q2, Q3, Q4) were defined as the low-intermediate cost group.Results: The mean PCI cost in the highest cost and low-intermediate cost groups was ¥1,032,943 ± 211,912 and ¥532,547 ± 112,127, respectively. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, lesion length (10 mm increase: OR 2.93, 95% CI 2.25-3.82, P < 0.001), left main lesion (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.02-8.60, P = 0.046), moderate to severe calcification (OR 16.43, 95% CI 7.97-33.88, P < 0.001), chronic total occlusion (CTO) (OR 5.83, 95% CI 2.07-16.39, P = 0.001), and bifurcation (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.08-3.75, P = 0.027) were significantly associated with the highest cost group.Conclusions: Lesion characteristics including CTO, diffuse long lesion, calcification, and bifurcation were significantly associated with the highest device cost. Non-CTO complex lesions including bifurcation and calcification as well as CTO lesions require higher PCI device costs than non-complex lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) have been developed to improve clinical outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In primary PCI, the door-to-balloon time (DTBT) is closely associated with mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to find determinants of short and long DTBT. From our hospital record, we included 214 STEMI patients, and divided into the short DTBT group (DTBT < 60 min, n = 60), the intermediate DTBT group (60 min ≤ DTBT ≤ 120 min, n = 121) and the long DTBT group (DTBT > 120 min, n = 33). In-hospital mortality was highest in the long DTBT group (24.2%), followed by the intermediate DTBT group (5.8%), and lowest in the short DTBT group (0%) (< 0.001). Transfers from local clinics or hospitals (OR 3.43, 95% CI 1.72-6.83, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with short DTBT, whereas Killip class 3 or 4 (vs. Killip class 1 or 2: OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.06-0.64, P = 0.007) was inversely associated with short DTBT in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, transfer from local clinics/hospitals was associated with short DTBT. Our results may suggest the current limitation of ambulance system, which does not include pre-hospital ECG system, in Japan. The development of pre-hospital ECG system would be needed for better management in STEMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is mainly used in PCI to treat complex lesions, such as left main bifurcation, chronic total occlusion and calcified lesions. Although IVUS yields useful information such as the presence of napkin-ring calcification, the role of IVUS in rotational atherectomy (RA) is not fully appreciated. Recently, since the deliverability and crossability of IVUS catheters have improved, IVUS should be attempted before RA. Even if the IVUS catheter cannot cross the lesion, IVUS provides information just proximal to the target lesion, which would be useful in the selection of the appropriate guidewire and burr size. IVUS can be repeated following RA, which may influence the decision to continue RA with larger burrs. Circumferential calcification is a good indication for RA, since RA can create a calcium crack that facilitates balloon dilatation. However, if the distribution of calcification is not circumferential, the indication for RA can more safely be determined based on IVUS images than angiographic information alone. Because RA burrs usually follow the route taken by the IVUS catheter, the positional relationship between the IVUS imaging core and calcification would be similar to that between the RA burrs and calcification. The relationship between the RA burrs and distribution of calcification is discussed in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slow flow is a serious complication in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI may improve clinical outcomes after drug-eluting stent implantation. The purpose of this study was to seek the factors of slow flow following stent implantation, including factors related to IVUS-guided primary PCI. The study population consisted of 339 ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients, who underwent stent deployment with IVUS. During PCI, 56 patients (16.5%) had transient or permanent slow flow. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed age (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.07, P = 0.01), low attenuation plaque on IVUS (OR 3.38, 95% CI 1.70–6.72, P = 0.001), initial Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade 2 (vs. TIMI 0: OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.20–0.99, P = 0.046), and the ratio of stent diameter to vessel diameter (per 0.1 increase: OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.84–3.77, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with slow flow. A ratio of stent diameter to vessel diameter of 0.71 had an 80.4% sensitivity and 56.9% specificity to predict slow flow. There was no significant difference in ischemic-driven target vessel revascularization between the modest stent expansion (ratio of stent diameter to vessel diameter <0.71) and aggressive stent expansion (ratio of stent diameter to vessel diameter ≥0.71) strategies. Unlike other variables, the ratio of stent diameter to vessel diameter was the only modifiable factor. The modest stent expansion strategy should be considered to prevent slow flow following stent implantation in IVUS-guided primary PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Percutaneous coronary interventions to ostial left anterior descending artery (LAD)-acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were challenging, especially in crossover stenting from left main trunk (LMT) to LAD. The clinical outcomes of ostial LAD-AMI that needed crossover stenting were not well investigated. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of LMT crossover stenting with those of ostial LAD just proximal (jp) stenting. Between January 2009 and March 2016, 1499 patients were diagnosed as AMI in our institution. Among them, 76 ostial LAD-AMIs were included in this study, and divided into 30 LMT crossover stenting (the crossover group) and 46 jp stenting (the jp stenting group). The primary endpoint was major cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as the composite of cardiac death, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stent thrombosis (ST), target lesion revascularization (TLR) and target vessel revascularization (TVR). The frequency of MACE was comparable between the 2 groups (16.7% in the crossover group and 21.7% in the jp stenting group, P = 0.587). Similarly, the frequency of cardiac death was comparable between the 2 groups (6.7% in the crossover group and 13.0% in the jp stenting group, P = 0.376). The frequencies of TLR (6.7% in the crossover group and 6.5% in the jp stenting group, P = 0.980) and TVR (10.0% in the crossover group and 8.7% in the jp stenting group, P = 0.848) were not significantly different between the 2 groups. In conclusion, the clinical outcomes of the crossover stenting were comparable to the jp stenting in the stenting strategy for ostial LAD-AMI. LMT-LAD crossover stenting would be the acceptable strategy for ostial LAD-AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overall mortality and neurologic outcome of patients treated by veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) was still not satisfactory. The aim of this study was to clarify the determinants of survival and favorable neurologic outcomes in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) treated by V-A ECMO. We identified IHD patients who received V-A ECMO, and divided those patients into the survived and the in-hospital death group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the determinants of survival and favorable neurologic outcomes. Fifty-eight patients were divided into the in-hospital death group ( n = 35) and the survived group ( n = 23). Cardiogenic arrest for the reason for V-A ECMO introduction (vs. non-cardiac arrest: OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.002-0.65, P = 0.03) and final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI-3) flow grade (vs. TIMI ≤2 flow grade: OR 17.44, 95% CI 1.65-184.04, P = 0.02) were determinants of in-hospital survival. Time from collapse to initiation of V-A ECMO was inversely associated with favorable neurologic function (10 min increase; OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.28-0.89, P = 0.02), while final TIMI-3 flow grade was not associated with favorable neurologic function. In conclusion, the rapid establishment of V-A ECMO system as well as obtaining TIMI-3 flow grade should be sought for better survival with maintaining neurological function in IHD patients who requires V-A ECMO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message It is of utmost importance to minimize the door-to-balloon time for the initial treatment of ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction. In this case report, we made all kinds of efforts to minimize procedures in the emergency department (ED minimization) as well as in the catheter laboratory without sacrificing safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Side branch occlusion, which was one of the common complications in percutaneous coronary interventions, was closely associated with cardiac death and myocardial infarction. Clinical guidelines also support the importance of preservation of physiologic blood flow in SB during PCI to bifurcation lesions. In order to avoid side branch occlusion during stent implantation, we often performed the jailed wire technique, in which a conventional guide wire was inserted to the side branch before stent implantation to the main vessel. However, the jailed wire technique could not always prevent side branch occlusion. In this case report, we described a case of 72-year-old male suffering from angina pectoris. Coronary angiography revealed the diffuse calcified stenosis in the proximal and middle of left anterior descending coronary artery, and the large diagonal branch originated from the middle of the stenosis. To prevent side branch occlusion, we performed a novel side branch protection technique by using the Corsair microcatheter (Asahi Intecc, Nagoya, Japan). In this case report, we illustrated this "Jailed Corsair technique", and discussed the advantage compared to other side branch protection techniques such as the jailed balloon technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While rotational atherectomy (RA) is used for complex lesions in percutaneous coronary intervention, there are several contraindications such as unprotected left main stenosis or left ventricular dysfunction. We previously reported that the incidence of in-hospital complications was significantly greater in off-label as compared to on-label use RA. However, the mid-term clinical outcomes between off-label and on-label RA have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare the mid-term clinical outcomes between off-label ( n = 156) and on-label RA ( n = 94). The primary endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as the composite of ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (TVR), non-fatal MI, and all-cause death. We also identified 154 patients who underwent RA and follow-up angiography within 1 year, and compared quantitative coronary analysis between the off-label group ( n = 96) and on-label group ( n = 58). There was no significant difference in late luminal loss between the groups (0.03 ± 0.53 mm in the off-label and −0.05 ± 0.44 mm in the on-label groups, P = 0.57). However, the incidence of MACE was less in the on-label group (3.2 %) as compared to the off-label group (9.0 %) without reaching statistical significance ( P = 0.08). In conclusion, mid-term clinical outcomes tended to be worse in the off-label group than in the on-label group. We may have to follow-up the patient who underwent off-label RA more carefully than the patient who underwent on-label RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message : The scrotum hematoma following femoral artery puncture is a rare complication. The bleeding from the puncture site drained through the inguinal canal into the scrotum. The present case may indicate the importance of quick observation of the scrotum, when the puncture of femoral artery was performed. The scrotum hematoma following femoral artery puncture is a rare complication. The bleeding from the puncture site drained through the inguinal canal into the scrotum. The present case may indicate the importance of quick observation of the scrotum, when the puncture of femoral artery was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therefore, the clinical significance of the preexisted collateral artery or arterio-arteriolar anastomosis may be different between patients with severe coronary artery stenosis and patients with AMI. Furthermore, such prescreening may be focused on patients with diabetes or women, because diabetes and female gender were independent factors for poor coronary collateral vessels development in patients with severe coronary artery stenosis [[2]]. Keywords: Acute myocardial infarction; Coronary collateral vessels EN Acute myocardial infarction Coronary collateral vessels 138 138 1 01/05/23 20230101 NES 230101 The authors' reply, We thank you for your interest in our study [[1]]. [Extracted from the article]

Background Treatment options for patients with coronary artery disease at high risk for bleeding complications are limited. The aim of the current preclinical study was to evaluate neointimal coverage, endothelial recovery, inflammation and thrombogenicity in a novel thin-strut (71 μm thickness) Cobalt Chromium (CoCr) stent modified with a nano-thin Polyzene®-F (PzF) surface coating. Methods and results Twenty-eight single PzF nano-coated stents and 20 bare metal control stents (BMS) were implanted in the coronary arteries of 24 pigs, with scheduled 5- (n = 5), 28- (n = 13), and 90-day (n = 6) follow-up in addition to overlapping configuration (n = 6 each), examined at 28-days. Histomorphometric analysis showed significantly lower neointimal thickness in PzF nano-coated stents than BMS controls at both 28- and 90-days (p = 0.023 and 0.005) and reduced inflammation (p = 0.06 and 0.13). Endothelial coverage over luminal surfaces at all time points was similar between nano-coated stents and BMS controls. We conducted supplementary in-vitro experiments using human monocytes and an ex-vivo swine carotid-jugular arterio-venous shunt model to better understand the healing properties afforded by the PzF nano-coating. Overall, the PzF-nano-coating showed reduced monocyte adhesion and thrombus formation compared to the un-coated controls. Conclusions Stents modified with a nano-thin PzF-coating implanted in healthy swine indicate favorable vascular healing properties shown by reduced neointimal hyperplasia and inflammation, along with resistance to thrombus formation in an ex-vivo shunt model over unmodified stents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case of a patient who needed rapid switch from intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) to percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS)/venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. It is difficult to switch from IABP to PCPS, because 0.035-inch guidewires cannot pass the IABP guidewire lumen (0.025-inch compatible), and the IABP sheath needs to be removed together with the IABP catheter. First, a 0.025-inch guidewire was inserted into the IABP wire lumen, and then the IABP catheter together with the 8 Fr IABP sheath was removed, leaving the 0.025-inch guidewire in place. We used the Perclose ProGlide for safe and rapid exchange of the 0.025-inch guidewire for a 0.035-inch guidewire. This allowed insertion of a PCPS cannula and the prompt initiation of PCPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]