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The safety and efficacy of elective drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty for unrestrictive de novo coronary stenosis in daily practice is not fully understood, especially in comparison to those of drug-eluting stents (DESs). A total of 588 consecutive de novo coronary stenotic lesions electively and successfully treated with either DCB (n = 275) or DESs (n = 313) between January 2016 and December 2019 at our medical center were included. The primary safety endpoint was the incidence of target lesion failure (TLF), comprising cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. The secondary angiographic efficacy endpoint was angiographic restenosis frequency, defined as a follow-up percent diameter stenosis of >50. The endpoints were compared after baseline adjustment using propensity score matching. In addition, the frequency and predictors of late lumen enlargement (LLE), defined as minus late luminal loss, were examined in 201 crude angiographic follow-up lesions after DCB angioplasty. A total of 31 baseline parameters were adjusted to analyze 177 lesions in each group. The TLF frequencies (DCB group: 9.6 % during a mean observational interval of 789 ± 488 days vs. DES group: 10.2 %, 846 ± 484 days, p = 0.202) and cumulative TLF-free ratios of both groups were not significantly different (p = 0.892, log-rank test). The angiographic restenosis frequency in the DCB group (6.3 %, n = 128) was not significantly different from that of the DES group (10.1 %, n = 100, p = 0.593). LLE was observed in 45.3 % of entire lesions, and a type-A dissection was a significant predictor of LLE among 23 variables (odds ratio: 3.02, 95 % CI: 1.31–6.95, p = 0.010). The present single-center retrospective study revealed statistically equivalent midterm clinical safety and angiographic efficacy among both elective DCB angioplasty and DESs placements in the treatment of unrestrictive de novo coronary lesions. In our daily practice environment, LLE was achieved in approximately half after DCB angioplasty. The serial processes of drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty and late lumen enlargement (LLE) are shown. Upper (A) and lower (B) figures show the long and short axes of the targeted coronary vessels, respectively. In 1 (left side), the target de novo coronary plaque with the significant stenosis is shown. In 2 (middle left), DCB was inflated in the lesion. White color shows the powder of drug. In 3 (middle right), plaque suppression with final type-A dissection is shown. Type-A dissection in the lower side plaque (A) corresponded to the tear in 5 o'clock direction (B). In 4 (right side), the vessel remodeling (enlargement) and the plaque regression are shown. Dissection formed after DCB angioplasty (3) was sealed. LLE was established by combining these factors. In these DCB angioplasty processes, the step of lesion preparation (described in the text) is not shown. [Display omitted] • Efficacy of drug-coated balloon (DCB) for de novo coronary lesions was examined. • Baselines were statistically adjusted in DCB and drug-eluting stent (DES) arms. • Frequencies of target lesion failure in both groups were statistically equivalent. • Mean late luminal loss was 0.07 mm with 45 % of late lumen enlargement in DCB group. • DCB angioplasty for adjusted de novo coronary lesions is feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Progress in coronary angioplasty has enabled outpatients treatment with rates of immediate complications below 1%. This shows a clear improvement in patient's comfort and it represents an important medical and economic gain. Considering the demographic evolution of the population, there is an increasing number of calcified coronary lesions which represent, according to the series, up to a quarter of angioplasties. However, their care is more delicate with a greater risk of complications and procedural failure. In fact, with the difficulties of crossing and with the vascular intrusions related to pre-dilation or sub-dilation stent deployment, the complication risk increases by almost 10% in these cases of angioplasties. Similarly, the death rate at 30 days goes from 4.7% in angioplasty in general up to 24.4% in calcified lesions. Several devices for atherectomy and plaque preparation have been developed in order to better overcome the lesions and better prepare the stent installation at the cost of a risk of complications between 2 and 10%. The three most frequent complications are dissection (1.8 to 7%), slow/no-flow (0.1 to 3%) and coronary perforation (0.2 to 4%). Nevertheless, despite this procedural increased risk, ambulatory angioplasty of calcified complex lesions can become a reality subject to 4-6 hours monitoring in a specialized unit with dedicated protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Percutaneous treatment of heavily calcified coronary lesions remains a challenge for interventional cardiologists with increased risk of incomplete lesion preparation, suboptimal stent deployment, procedural complications, and a higher rate of acute and late stent failure. Adequate lesion preparation through calcium modification is crucial in optimising procedural outcomes. Several calcium modification devices and techniques exist, with rotational atherectomy the predominant treatment for severely calcified lesions. Novel technologies such as intravascular lithotripsy are now available and show promise as a less technical and highly effective approach for calcium modification. Emerging evidence also emphasises the value of detailed characterisation of calcification severity and distribution especially with intracoronary imaging for appropriate device selection and individualised treatment strategy. This review aims to provide an overview of the non-invasive and invasive evaluation of coronary calcification, discuss calcium modification techniques and propose an algorithm for the management of calcified coronary lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) are reported in up to 5% of patients undergoing coronary angiography. Treatment of CAAs with covered stents has been reported in several case reports, however there is limited evidence available on the effectiveness and safety of this interventional practice.Purpose: To evaluate the current practice and outcomes of elective treatment of coronary artery aneurysms with covered stents.Methods: We conducted a systematic review of published case reports and case series of patients presenting with CAA that have been treated with covered stents in a non-emergency setting.Results: A total of 63 case reports and 3 case series were included in the final analysis comprising data from 81 patients. The treated CAA was situated in a native coronary artery in 92.6%, and in a saphenous vein graft in 7.4%. Procedural success was achieved in 95.1%. The types of stents used were mainly polytetrafluoroethylene (75.3%) and Papyrus (11.1%). In 11.0% of cases additional abluminal drug eluting stents (DES) and in 6.8% additional adluminal DES were implanted. After a mean follow up of 13.4 months overall major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, stent thrombosis and target lesion revascularization were reported in 26.2, 0.0, 7.6, 0.0, 4.6 and 18.5% of cases, respectively.Conclusions: The use of covered stents for elective treatment of CAA appears to be effective and reasonably safe. Nevertheless, it is associated with higher MACE rate, driven mainly by higher target lesion revascularization. Further studies, particularly in form of randomized trials and controlled registries are warranted to identify patients who might profit the most from this procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intra coronary thrombus is frequently encountered during acute coronary syndromes revascularisation procedures. It can also be encountered during angioplasty procedures in a stable angina context, although at a much lesser frequency.In both situations, it harbors a risk of poor angiographic result and poor prognosis. Intracoronnary thrombus may cause coronary occlusion at the angioplasty site or distal embolic flow obstruction. Per procedure thrombus prevention rests on an prior optimal anti thrombotic treatment and in some circumstances the choice to defer the revascularisation procedure in the complex high risk setting. Treating the initiated thrombus remains controversial concerning thrombectomy and GPIIBIIIa inhibitors which are still in use in common practice. No reflow phenomenon is a particularly complex setting during cornary angioplasties, partially but not solely related to a thrombotic complication. It's treatment remains unclear in the absence of related oriented studies.The current mechanical and pharmacological antithrombotic therapies must remain common practice and used appropriately as of the clinical and angiographic setting, until further scientific outbrakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary catheterization after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR) may be challenging. The main objective of the study is to assess the feasibility of coronary catheterization and angioplasty according to each type of valve. We retrospectively studied coronary angiography or percutaneous angioplasty procedures after TAVR in two different centers. The catheterization success of coronary artery was evaluated according to the quality of engagement in ostium and opacification of the artery. Other indicators were collected including catheters used, fluoroscopy and angiography times, DAP and the volume of the contrast agent. Among 1512 TAVR procedures, 33 patients were included. The Sapien 3® valve was implanted in 22 patients and the Evolut® in 11 patients (7 Evolut-R® and 4 Evolut Pro®). Coronary angiography with selective or partially selective catheterization has been successfully performed in all patients with a Sapien 3® valve. In the Evolut® group we identified 3 cases of non-selective catheterization for the right coronary and 1 case for the left coronary. Standard Judkins catheters seem to be the most suitable for both types of valve with very good efficiency. The results of our study is promising for the future of TAVR with a coronary catheterization success rate close to 100% with some difficulties for the Evolut® supra-annular valves. Special attention should be paid to the technique of implantation and orientation of cups in the aortic sinus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) represents the best therapeutic option for type-1 myocardial infarction (T1MI) in the majority of clinical settings; its role in the treatment of type-2 myocardial infarction (T2MI), however, remains unclear. We therefore sought to assess in a meta-regression analysis the impact of PCI rates on mortality in patients with T2MI according to available observational studies.Methods: We performed a meta-regression analysis including all the studies involving in-patients affected by T2MI. We excluded studies not reporting the rate of T2MI patients undergoing PCI and not specifying absolute in-hospital or 1-year all-cause mortality. In the meta-regression analysis we used the in-hospital mortality and 1-year mortality as dependent variables and the rate of PCI as independent; regression was weighted for studies' size.Results: After careful examination, 8 studies were selected for the assessment of in-hospital mortality and 8 for 1-year-mortality. We included 3155 and 3756 in-patients for in-hospital and 1-year mortality respectively. At meta-regression analysis, a borderline correlation between PCI rate and in-hospital mortality (p 0.05) and a statistically significant correlation with 1-year mortality (p < 0.01) in T2MI patients were found.Conclusions: In a meta-regression analysis higher rates of PCI on T2MI in-patients were associated with lower mortality rates both in-hospital and at 1 year. Whether this association is related to the direct effect of PCI or better general conditions of T2MI patients undergoing a PCI still remains unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early post-percutaneous coronary intervention chest pain (EPPCP) appears to be a common clinical phenomenon. EPPCP has not been fully explained or studied in the literature despite the abundance of clinical trials on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The objective of this questionnaire-based survey is to assess the current perception of EPPCP among practicing interventional cardiologists nationwide.Methods: A survey questionnaire was designed utilizing the Survey Monkey tool to address the perceptions and current practices regarding key aspects of EPPCP among interventional cardiologists. The survey was sent to the interventional cardiologists via email.Results: The survey questionnaire regarding EPPCP was provided to 2615 practicing interventional cardiologists and resulted in 623 total survey responses, with 503 of those respondents completing all eight survey questions. A total of 50.2% of the interventional cardiologists perceive that the incidence of EPPCP is 5-10%, and 57.5% consider that repeat angiography or PCI is rarely needed (1 in 1000 cases). A total of 47.1% of the participants think that EPPCP is due to transient microvascular dysfunction, while 39% perceive it as a different entity requiring a different approach. When asked about developing a standardized labeling for the phenomenon of EPPCP, 34.8% of responders indicated that they believe EPPCP should be labeled as a benign form of chest pain/angina, and 28% preferred to describe EPPCP in non-standardized terms. Among interventional cardiologists, 80% thought that the treatment of this entity is a combination of reassurance and vasodilators and, without ischemic ECG changes, medical management is appropriate.Conclusion: A total of 72% of interventional cardiologists in our survey preferred to label EPPCP as standard nomenclature to facilitate communication between healthcare providers, patients and families in a consistent way. There is a diversity of opinion regarding EPPCP, no standard nomenclature, and no guideline to standardize practice. Further large-scale prospective studies are needed to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms, optimal management strategies, prognostic implications, and clinical reporting of EPPCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Calcific coronary lesions can be so resistant to prevent symmetric stent dilatation with high risk of ISR/thrombosis. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of super high-pressure dilatation (>30-to-45Atm) using a dedicated NC-balloon (OPN, SIS-Medical-AG, Winterthur-Switzerland).Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 326 consecutive undilatable lesions in which conventional NC-balloons failed to achieve adequate post-dilatation luminal gain. After the failed attempt an OPN-balloon was inflated up to achieve a uniform balloon expansion (maximal dilatation pressure of 45-50 Atm). Lesions were divided into two groups according to the final inflation pressure: Group-I: lesion responsive to 30-40Atm and Group-2:>40 Atm. Angiographic success was defined as residual angiographic stenosis<30% assessed by visual estimation with TIMI3-flow. Procedural success was defined as the achievement of angiographic success without any MACE.Results: Angiographic success was achieved in 97.5%, procedural success in 96.6%; 53% of the lesions were responsive to a slower inflation pressure (Group I) while in the remaining 47%, the optimal expansion required a pressure > 40ATM (Group II). In 3 patients coronary rupture occurred after balloon inflation and was successfully treated with stent implantation with a final TIMI3-flow. The OPN alone was able to achieve adequate expansion in >90%. 0.9% days MACE were reported.Conclusion: The OPN-dedicated high-pressure balloon provides an effective and safe strategy for treatment of severe resistant coronary lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé Les ectasies et anévrysmes coronaires sont des pathologies relativement rares, parfois intriquées et mal connues. Leur étiologie chez l’adulte en Europe est le plus souvent athéromateuse. Réputées de mauvais pronostic, ces anomalies exposeraient au risque de thrombose intracoronaire pas stase sanguine, mais le plus souvent est retrouvée une association à des lésions sténosantes semblant être le facteur pronostique prépondérant. Nous rapportons une série de 47 cas avec évaluation des caractéristiques cliniques comme angiographiques ainsi que des choix thérapeutiques effectués et faisons une revue de la littérature concernant ce type de lésions. La thrombose intrinsèque ne semble pas le mécanisme physiopathologique principalement mis en cause et nous retenons qu’il s’agit, dans la population étudiée, d’une forme particulière d’athérome coronarien posant probablement des problèmes techniques en termes de revascularisation avec une indication de traitement médical seul majoritairement retenue (57,4 % des cas), mais rarement l’introduction d’un anticoagulant au long cours (4,25 % des cas), sauf en cas de syndrome coronarien aigu où une revascularisation est effectuée le plus souvent (70,6 % des cas) comme attendu habituellement dans la population générale. La présentation angiographique complexe de ces lésions est probablement une explication au faible nombre de revascularisations effectuées. Ectasias and coronary aneurysms are uncommon coronary artery diseases, can coexist and are poorly known. Their principal etiology in adults is coronary atherosclerosis. It has been suggested that these abnormalities would have poor prognosis and that slow flow could lead to in situ thrombosis and distal embolisation. However, ectasias and aneurysms are most often associated with coronary stenosis. We report a series of 47 cases of ectasias and coronary aneurysms with evaluation of the clinical and angiographic characteristics, the therapeutic choices and we review the literature concerning these lesions. In situ thrombosis does not seem to be the usual pathophysiological mechanism. We retain that this is a particular form of coronary atherosclerosis in this population and present technical problems in case of revascularization with an predominant indication of medical treatment (57.4 % of the cases), but rarely the introduction of anticoagulants (4.25 % of the cases), except in acute coronary syndromes where revascularization is most common (70.6 % of cases) as is usually expected in the general population. The complex angiographic presentation of these lesions is probably an explanation for the low numbers of revascularizations performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data on a large patient population regarding very long-term outcomes after bare metal stent (BMS) implantation in diabetic patients are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the very long-term (8-17 years) clinical and 6-month angiographic outcomes of BMS implantations in patients with and without type 2 diabetes.Methods and Results: A total of 2391 patients (579 with and 1812 without diabetes) who received BMS implantations between November 1995 and May 2004 were enrolled from the Cardiovascular Atherosclerosis and Percutaneous TrAnsluminal INterventions (CAPTAIN) registry into this study. During a mean follow-up period of 152±53months, the diabetic patients had higher rates of all-cause mortality (28% vs. 15%, p<0.001), re-infarction (6% vs. 5%, p=0.284), target lesion revascularization (13% vs. 10%, p=0.049), and a lower cardiovascular event-free survival rate (42% vs. 56%, p<0.001) compared to the patients without diabetes. The diabetic patients also had a higher restenosis rate (26% vs. 18%, p<0.001) at 6-month angiographic follow-up. The multivariate analysis of risk factors for cardiac event-free survival included age (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.011; p=0.001), hypertension (HR: 1.168; p=0.011), diabetes mellitus (HR: 1.353; p<0.001), pre-existing coronary artery disease (HR: 1.341; p<0.001), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HR: 0.992; p=0.002) (Table 7). The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant difference in cardiovascular event-free survival rate between the two groups (p<0.001).Conclusion: The clinical and angiographic outcomes of diabetic patients with BMS implantations were worse than those of patients without diabetes after a very long-term follow-up period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The study aimed to report the results from an all-comers registry of patients undergoing coronary angioplasty and treated with bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS). Methods Fifty-five consecutive patients with type B/C coronary lesions according to the AHA classification and treated with BVS were enrolled in the study. The clinical and procedural characteristics of enrolled patients were recorded. Fifty-five consecutive subjects with coronary lesions type B/C treated with everolimus eluting stent (EES) were used as control group. Results The incidence of adverse events was not statistically significant comparing subjects treated with BVS with those treated with EES. Non significant differences were also found in the follow-up considering the presence of diabetes, multivessel disease, use of more than one stent at the same time, diagnosis (STEMI vs UA/NSTEMI), use of coronary stents in overlapping. The differences were significant considering the type of lesion (Log-Rank p < 0.05), stenoses treated in correspondence of a coronary bifurcation ( p < 0.05), the SYNTAX score (cut off 22) ( p < 0.001); after multivariable correction for age and gender, however, differences remained significant only for SYNTAX score. Conclusions The use of BVS in an all-comers registry of patients undergoing coronary angioplasty on complex coronary lesions is associated with a safety profile comparable to that obtained with EES; the use of BVS in particular conditions, such as very high SYNTAX score, should be further assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Revista Española de Cardiología (18855857) is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Española de Cardiología (18855857) is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Résumé Nous présentons ici le cas d'un infarctus de type 2 survenu immédiatement après une dénervation rénale chez un patient souffrant d'hypertension artérielle résistante. L'hypotension secondaire au geste a engendré une nécrose myocardique inférieure révélant une sténose pré occlusive de l'artère coronaire droite. Abstract We report the case of a type-2 myocardial infarction immediately after renal denervation. The patient was followed for coronary artery disease. Low blood pressures were responsible for inferior acute myocardial infarction that revealed a sub occlusive stenosis of the right coronary artery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine variations in coronary artery disease (CAD) clinical presentation, interventions, and outcomes in patients with diabetes vs without, a prospective study was performed. Successive patients with predominantly acute coronary syndromes who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled from January 2018 to March 2021. Patients with diabetes were compared to those without diabetes to determine differences in clinical and angiographic features and outcomes. In-person and telephonic follow-up were performed. Primary outcome was cardiovascular death and co-primary were major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, stroke). Cox-proportional hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. 5181 patients (men 4139,women 1042) were enrolled. Acute coronary syndrome(ACS) was in 4917 (94.9%) and diabetes in 1987 (38.4%). Patients with diabetes were older (61.1 ± 9.6 vs 59.7 ± 11.5years), with more hypertension (71.1 vs 45.5%), chronic kidney disease (3.0 vs 1.7%), previous PCI (13.5 vs 11.0%), past coronary artery bypass graft surgery (4.9 vs 2.4%), non ST-elevation myocardial infarction (59.6 vs 51.6%) and triple vessel disease (20.3 vs 17.2%) (p < 0.01). Duration of hospitalization was more in diabetes (4.2 ± 2.6 vs 4.0 ± 2.1 days, p = 0.023) with no difference in in-hospital deaths (1.4 vs 1.0%, p = 0.197). Follow up was performed in 1202 patients (diabetes 499,41.5%) enrolled from April 2020 to March 2021 (median 16.4 months). In diabetes there were more cardiovascular deaths (multivariate adjusted HR 2.38, CI 1.13–5.02) and all-cause deaths (HR 1.85, CI 1.06–3.22). CAD patients with diabetes undergoing PCI have more hypertension, chronic kidney disease, non ST-elevation myocardial infarction and triple vessel disease. At medium-term follow-up the incidence of cardiovascular and all-cause deaths is significantly more in these patients. • There are no follow-up studies in India on outcomes following PCI in CAD patients with diabetes. • We enrolled consecutive CAD patients with and without diabetes undergoing PCI. • CAD patients with diabetes had more hypertension, chronic kidney disease, NSTEMI and triple vessel disease. • At 16 months follow-up, cardiovascular and all-cause deaths were more in CAD patients with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the most common modality of revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease. Understanding the readmission rates and reasons for readmission after PCI is important because readmissions are a quality of care indicator, in addition to being a burden to patients and healthcare services. Methods A literature review was performed. Relevant studies are described by narrative synthesis with the use of tables to summarize study results. Results Data suggests that 30-day readmissions are not uncommon. The rate of readmission after PCI is highly influenced by the cohort and the healthcare system studied, with 30-day readmission rates reported to be between 4.7‐% and 15.6%. Studies consistently report that a majority of readmissions within 30 days are due to a cardiac-related disorders or complication-related disorders. Female sex, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, renal failure and non-elective PCI are predictive of readmission. Studies also suggest that there is greater risk of mortality among patients who are readmitted compared to those who are not readmitted. Conclusion Readmission after PCI is common and its rate is highly influenced by the type of cohort studied. There is clear evidence that majority of readmissions within 30 days are cardiac related. While there are many predictors of readmission following PCI, it is not known whether targeting patients with modifiable predictors could prevent or reduce the rates of readmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background In-stent restenosis and poor re-endothelization usually follow percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, even using drug-eluting stents, due to inflammation and oxidative stress. Medical ozone has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has not been evaluated in this context. Objectives To evaluate whether ozonotherapy might reduce restenosis following bare metal stents implantation in relation to the redoxin system in pigs. Methods Twelve male Landrace pigs (51 ± 9 kg) underwent percutaneous transluminal circumflex coronary arteries bare metal stent implantation under heparine infusion and fluoroscopical guidance, using standard techniques. Pigs were randomized to ozonetherapy (n = 6) or placebo (n = 6) treatment. Before stenting (24 h) and twice a week for 30 days post-stenting, venous blood was collected, ozonized and reinfused. Same procedure was performed in placebo group except for ozonation. Both groups received antiplatelet treatment. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry studies were performed. Results Severe inflammatory reaction and restenosis with increase in the immunohistochemical expression of thioredoxin-1 were observed in placebo group 30 days after surgery. Oppositely, ozonetherapy drastically reduced inflammatory reaction and restenosis, and showed no increase in the Trx-1 immunohistochemical expression 30 days after surgery. Immunolabeling for Prx-2 was negative in both groups. Ozonated autohemotherapy strikingly reduced restenosis 30 days following PTCA with BMS implantation in pigs. Conclusions Stimulation of the redoxin system by ozone pretreatment might neutralize oxidative damage from the start and increase antioxidative buffering capacity post-injury, reducing further damage and so the demand for antioxidant enzymes. Our interpretation agrees with the ozone oxidative preconditioning mechanism, extensively investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background A multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach for decision-making in patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD) is now a class IC recommendation in the European and American guidelines for myocardial revascularisation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation and consistency of Heart Team HT decision-making in complex coronary revascularisation. Methods We prospectively evaluated the data of 399 patients derived from 51 consecutive MDT meetings held in a tertiary cardiac centre. A subset of cases was randomly selected and re-presented with the same clinical data to a panel blinded to the initial outcome, at least 6 months after the initial discussion, in order to evaluate the reproducibility of decision-making. Results The most common decisions included continued medical management (30%), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (26%) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (17%). Other decisions, such as further assessment of symptoms or evaluation with further invasive or non-invasive tests were made in 25% of the cases. Decisions were implemented in 93% of the cases. On re-discussion of the same data (n = 40) within a median period of 9 months 80% of the initial HT recommendations were successfully reproduced. Conclusions The Heart Team is a robust process in the management of patient with complex CAD and decisions are largely reproducible. Although outcomes are successfully implemented in the majority of the cases, it is important that all clinical information is available during discussion and patient preference is taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Archives of Cardiovascular Diseases is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim An innovative xenon–chlorine (excimer) pulsed laser catheter (ELCA X80) has been recently used for the treatment of complex coronary lesions, as calcified stenosis, chronic total occlusions and non-compliant plaques. Such complex lesions are difficult to adequately treat with balloon angioplasty and/or intracoronary stenting. The aim of this study was to examine the acute outcome of this approach on a cohort of patients with coronary lesions. Methods and Results Eighty patients with 100 lesions were enrolled through four centers, and excimer laser coronary angioplasty was performed on 96 lesions (96%). Safety and effectiveness data were compared between patients treated with standard laser therapy and those treated with increased laser therapy. Laser success was obtained in 90 lesions (93.7%), procedural success was reached in 88 lesions (91.7%), and clinical success in was obtained in 87 lesions (90.6%). There was no perforation, major side branch occlusion, spasm, no-reflow phenomenon, dissection nor acute vessel closure. Increased laser parameters were used successfully for 49 resistant lesions without complications. Conclusions This study suggests that laser-facilitated coronary angioplasty is a simple, safe and effective device for the management of complex coronary lesions. Furthermore, higher laser energy levels delivered by this catheter improved the device performance without increasing complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Española de Cardiología (18855857) is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim To compare inflammatory response accompanying acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with that following coronary plaque rupture caused by coronary angioplasty (PCI). Methods Twenty-seven consecutive subjects with either ACS or treated with PCI in the subacute phase of ACS underwent serial evaluation of circulating interleukin (IL)-2, IL-8, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor-necrosis-factor (TNF)-α levels. Blood samples were drawn immediately before angioplasty ( T 0 ) in the PCI group or at admission in the ACS group, 12 h ( T 1 ) and 24 h later ( T 2 ). Results Differences between cytokine levels were substantially not statistically significant when comparing PCI, non-ST-elevation-ACS, and ST-elevation-ACS groups, especially 24 h after plaque rupture ( T 2 , Type-II error 85–94%). Conclusions Inflammatory activation during the first 24 h of ACS or after PCI is comparable, regardless of myocardial damage in terms of troponin levels. Coronary plaque rupture may be presumed as being the main responsible for increased circulating cytokine levels in this early phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with poor outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of the study was to compare zotarolimus- and everolimus-eluting stents used during primary PCI in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and CKD. Methods: We selected 8 5 4 consecutive ST-elevation MI patients with CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60mL/min/1.73m2 ) undergoing primary PCI who were followed up for 12 months. They were divided into two groups based on type of stents implanted: (1) zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES) and (2) everolimus-eluting stent (EES). The study end point was the 12-month major adverse cardiac events (MACE) which included all-cause death, non-fatal MI, target lesion revascularization (TLR), and target vessel revascularization (TVR). Results: The average number of stents used per vessel was 1.4 ± 0.7. A total of 433 patients received ZES and 421 patients received EES. There was no significant difference in the incidence of 12-month MI, TLR, or TVR. All-cause death was found to be borderline significant between two groups (2.8% in ZES vs 0.9% in EES, p = 0.05 ). The incidence of 12-month MACE in ZES and EES was 5.7% and 2.6% respectively, p = 0.022. Stent thrombosis did not differ between groups (p = 0.677). Kaplan-Meier analysis did not show significant difference for 12-month MACE-free survival between groups (log-rank p = 0.158) . It remained the same even after propensity adjustment for multiple confounders in Cox model (p = 0.326) . Conclusions: Implantation of ZES or EES provided comparable clinical outcomes with similar risk of 12- month MACE and death in STEMI patients with CKD undergoing primary PCI, [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are at high risk for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), a complication that has been demonstrated to negatively affect outcomes. It has been suggested that, when compared to males, female patients present higher incidence of CIN and higher mortality after primary PCI. However, the specific role of gender in this setting remains ill-defined given its complex interplay with several co-morbidities and clinical characteristics. We investigated the relationship of patients' variables, including gender, with CIN and mortality after primary PCI. Methods: In a single center study in 323 consecutive patients undergoing primary PCI, the development of CIN and mortality during an 18-month median follow-up period was assessed. CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine (≥25% or ≥0.5mg/dl) from baseline occurring at any time during the first 3 post-procedural days. Results: CIN occurred in 23 female and 26 male patients (25.0% vs 11.2%, p =0.003), while cumulative mortality was 10.6%. Women presented unfavorable basal characteristics and underwent myocardial reperfusion less quickly. At multivariable analysis, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (odds ratio [OR] 7.32 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.60–21, p <0.001) and female gender (OR 2.49 95%CI 1.22–5.07, p =0.01) predicted CIN, whereas the occurrence of CIN (hazard ratio [HR] 3.65 95%CI 1.55–8.59, p =0.003) and a Mehran risk score (MRS) ≥6 (HR 1.76 95%CI 1.13–2.74, p =0.01) independently predicted long-term mortality. Conclusions: After primary PCI, female gender and LVEF are associated with an increased risk of CIN, whereas MRS and development of CIN predict long-term mortality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: Autopsy studies show that dynamic coronary thrombosis leads to infarction. We studied intracoronary thrombus age in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and its relationship with clinical presentation and epicardial reperfusion grade. Methods and results: Intracoronary thrombectomy was performed in 131 STEMI patients within 24 h after symptom onset, and material sufficient for pathological analysis was retrieved from 81 patients. Thrombus age was classified as fresh (<1day), lytic (1 to 5 days), or organized (>5days). A fresh thrombus was found in 48 patients (60%), whereas the thrombus showed lytic or organized changes in 33 patients (40%). Both thrombus and plaque material were aspirated in 40% of cases. Lytic or organized thrombi were aspirated in one third of the cases early (<12h) after symptom onset, and fresh thrombi were also aspirated in one third of STEMI of>12h evolution. In multivariable analysis, fresh thrombus was associated with both persistent ST-segment elevation (even after 12 h of onset) during percutaneous coronary intervention [odds ratio (OR) 4.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–17.42, P =.042) and a previous history of ischemic heart disease (OR 4.54, 95% CI 1.41–14.64, P =.011). There were no associations between thrombus composition and epicardial reperfusion grade or the presence of the no-reflow phenomenon. Plaque components were found in all cases of distal embolization (5%). Conclusion: Intracoronary thrombi aspirated in STEMI frequently show more than one stage of maturation. Fresh thrombi predominate in patients with known ischemic heart disease or persistent ST-segment elevation. Summary: In STEMI, thromboaspiration revealed thrombi at different stages of maturation, supporting a dynamic process of rupture and repair of the atherosclerotic plaque. Fresh thrombi were present more frequently within 12 h of infarction onset but also in patients with symptoms beyond 12 h. When containing plaque material, thrombi were often associated with macroscopic distal embolization during angioplasty. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report the case of a 77-year-old male patient who was admitted to our institution for non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography showed a sub-occlusive lesion of the distal left anterior descending artery (LAD) in the context of a diffuse atherosclerotic disease involving a very long segment of the vessel (about 80mm in length by visual estimation). Pre-dilatation was performed in the mid calcified segment of the LAD with a non-compliant balloon inducing vessel dissection. An everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (EEBVS) was then advanced in the LAD but the first delivery attempt at the distal site failed because of friction between the EEBVS struts and the calcified vessel wall. In order to facilitate EEBVS delivery, a 5Fr catheter system (Heart Rail II, Terumo, Tokyo, Japan) was advanced in the mid LAD within a standard 6Fr guiding catheter facilitating a non-traumatic deep intubation up to the mid LAD. This strategy increased back-up support facilitating the delivery, beyond the site of resistance, of four EEBVS implanted in overlap. This case demonstrated the successful use of a guide catheter extension system to deliver multiple EEBVS in a patient with a long, calcified LAD lesion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Revista Española de Cardiología (18855857) is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Española de Cardiología (18855857) is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: Background: This work evaluates the vectorcardiographic dynamic changes in ischemic patients before and during Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA). Methods: Four QRS-loop parameters were computed in 51 ischemic and 52 healthy subjects with the objective of assessing the vectorcardiographic differences between both groups: maximum vector magnitude (QRS mVM), planar area (QRS PA), maximum distance between centroid and loop (QRS mDCL) and perimeter (QRS P).The conventional ST-change vector magnitude (STC VM), QRS-vector difference (QRS VD) and spatial ventricular gradient (SVG) were also calculated. Results: Statistical minute-by-minute PTCA comparison against a healthy population showed that ischemic patients monitoring is greatly enhanced when all the QRS-loop parameters, in combination with the standard STC VM, QRS VD and SVG indexes, are used in the classification. Sensitivity and Specificity, in turn, reached rather high values, 95.4% and 95.2%, respectively. Conclusions: These new vectorcardiographic set of complementary QRS-loop parameters, when combined with the classics STC VM, QRS VD and SVG indexes, increase sensitivity and specificity for acute ischemia monitoring. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Transradial coronary angiography (CA) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are gaining worldwide popularity due to the low incidence of major vascular complications and early mobilization of patients post procedures. Although post transradial access site complications are generally considered as minor in nature, they are not being routinely recorded in clinical settings. Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of access site complications and level of puncture site pain experienced by patients undergoing transradial coronary procedures and to examine factors associated with access site complications occurrence and puncture site pain severity. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study of 85 Chinese speaking adult patients scheduled for elective transradial CA and or PCI. Ecchymosis, bleeding, hematoma and radial artery occlusion (RAO) were assessed through observation, palpation and plethysmographic signal of pulse oximetry after coronary procedures. Puncture site pain was assessed with a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale. Factors that were related to access site complications and puncture site pain were obtained from medical records. Results: Ecchymosis was the most commonly reported transradial access site complication in this study. Paired t-test showed that the level of puncture site pain at 24 h was significantly (p < 0.001) lower than that at 3 h after the procedure. Stepwise multivariable regression showed that female gender and shorter sheath time were found to be significantly associated with bleeding during gradual deflation of compression device. Only longer sheath time was significantly associated with RAO. Female gender and larger volume of compression air were associated with the presence of ecchymosis and puncture site pain at 3 h after procedure, respectively. Conclusions: The study findings suggest that common access site complications post transradial coronary procedures among Chinese population are relatively minor in nature. Individual puncture site pain assessment during the period of hemostasis is important. Nurses should pay more attention to factors such as female gender, sheath time and volume of compression that are more likely to be associated with transradial access site complications and puncture site pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Española de Cardiología (18855857) is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Española de Cardiología (18855857) is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT, i.e. aspirin+thienopyridine) has been shown to reduce the risk of stent thrombosis (ST) and myocardial infarction (MI) after coronary stent implantation. Data regarding alternative antiplatelet therapy in patients with allergy or intolerance to aspirin are lacking. Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with adverse reactions to aspirin who received an alternative combination of DAT (indobufen, trapidil, or triflusal in association with a thienopyridine) after elective implantation of either drug-eluting (DES) or bare-metal stents (BMS). Endpoints analyzed were cardiac death, MI, ST and bleeding. Results: A total of 127 patients undergoing stenting of 267 lesions (DES 84%, BMS 16%), were identified between June''99 and November''08. Reasons for not taking aspirin included gastrointestinal intolerance (53.5%), allergy (39.4%), non-gastrointestinal bleeding (5.5%) and others (1.6%). Aspirin was substituted with indobufen (64.6%), trapidil (26.8%), triflusal (6.3%), or a combination of indobufen+trapidil (2.4%). Median duration of DAT was 369days [IQR 273–1053] after DES and 46.5days [IQR 30–699] after BMS implantation. Only 3.1% of patients prematurely discontinued DAT. During a median follow-up of 1161days [IQR 781–1538], rates of cardiac death and MI were 3.1% and minor bleeding occurred in 1.5%. There was 1 very late definite ST occurring 2days after DAT discontinuation and no probable ST. Conclusions: In this cohort of patients with aspirin intolerance undergoing coronary stent implantation, the combination of a thienopyridine with indobufen, trapidil, or triflusal was associated with a low rate of cardiac death, ST and MI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of the study was to identify and quantify the potential improvement of left ventricular contractility after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) using 4-dimensional (4D) speckle tracking echocardiography (4D STE). We investigated 41 patients with coronary disease by 4D STE pre- and 24 hours postcoronarography with (n = 18) or without (n = 23) PTCA. The 4D STE visualizes in real time the myocardium strain on 2- and 4-chamber apical views and on 3 transverse views of the left ventricle. Average and total strain of the left ventricle were measured. Of the 18 PTCA patients, 15 showed significant increase in left ventricle mean (+15 ± 6) and total strain (240 ± 100), which corresponded to an increase of 93% ± 55% from precoronarography, whereas the remainder showed no change. The total strain corresponded to 33% ± 10% (before PTCA) and 59% ± 11% (post PTCA) of the estimated normal strain for each patient. Strain improved in 70% of the segment downstream from the stent, and there was a negative correlation between the amplitude of the mean and total strain improvements after 24 hours and the mean and total strain values before PTCA. In the non-PTCA group, 21 of the 23 patients showed no changes in strain, whereas 2 showed improvement. The 4D STE showed significant improvements in left ventricular contractility in more than 70% of the areas downstream from the PTCA segment. This corresponded to an increase in the initial contractility by approximately 93% ± 55%; however, the myocardium contractility remained approximately 59% of normal level. No changes were seen in patients without PTCA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An increase of biomarkers of myocardial necrosis is observed frequently after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) even when the procedure seems angiographically successful and otherwise uncomplicated. The recently updated Universal Definition of Myocardial infarction (MI) arbitrarily defined periprocedural MI (type 4a) by elevation of cardiac troponin (cTn) values >5 × the upper reference limit (URL) in patients with normal baseline values or a rise of cTn values >20% if the baseline values are elevated, together with either angina or new ECG changes or angiographic loss of patency of a coronary artery or a side branch or persistent slow or no-flow or embolization, or imaging demonstration of new loss of viable myocardium. Most frequent causes of such event are side-branch closure and/or plaque microembolization. The present review is focused on the prognostic implication of periprocedural necrosis. The risk related to a PCI-induced MI is significantly lower as compared to a spontaneous event where a similar increase of biomarkers is detected. Moreover, although an association between CK-MB elevations and adverse prognosis after PCI has been documented, existing data do not support the statement that an isolated elevation of troponins after PCI is associated with an adverse prognosis after PCI; increased troponin levels before PCI seem far more predictive of future events than a peri-procedural itself. Caution should be paid in the interpretation of clinical trials using type 4a MI as a primary endpoint. Nevertheless, patients with periprocedural myocardial damage should be treated as a higher-risk cohort, carefully monitored and receive an intensified secondary prevention program. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Revista Española de Cardiología (18855857) is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)