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Cangrelor is the only intravenous P2Y12 receptor antagonist. It is an adenosine triphosphate analog that selectively, directly, and reversibly binds to the platelet P2Y12 receptors exerting its antiaggregatory effect. Cangrelor is characterized by linear, dose-dependent pharmacokinetics and rapid onset of action providing potent platelet inhibition exceeding 90%. Cangrelor is rapidly metabolized by endothelial endonucleotidase; thus, its half-life is 2.9 to 5.5 min, and its antiplatelet effect subsides within 60 to 90 min. Data originating from three pivotal cangrelor trials (CHAMPION PLATFORM, CHAMPION PCI, and CHAMPION PHOENIX) indicate that cangrelor reduces the risk of periprocedural thrombotic complications during percutaneous coronary intervention at the expense of mild bleedings. Its unique pharmacological properties allow it to overcome the limitations of oral P2Y12 receptor inhibitors, mainly related to the delayed and decreased bioavailability and antiplatelet effect of these agents, which are often observed in the setting of acute coronary syndrome. Subgroups of patients who could theoretically benefit the most from cangrelor include those in whom pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral P2Y12 receptor antagonists are most disturbed, namely patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, those treated with opioids, with mild therapeutic hypothermia, or in cardiogenic shock. Cangrelor could also be useful if bridging is required in patients undergoing surgery. According to the current guidelines cangrelor may be considered in P2Y12 receptor inhibitor-naïve patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in both acute and stable settings.

Background: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) are invasive procedures increasingly used in treating acute coronary syndrome (ACS)., Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of IVUS and FFR use in patients with ACS in Poland and to assess the safety of these procedures as well as their impact on short- and long-term survival., Methods and Results: This retrospective study included 103849 patients enrolled in the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes in 2017-2020. IVUS was performed in 1727 patients, FFR in 1537 patients, and both procedures in 37 patients. The frequency of performing FFR in ACS patients increased over the years from 1.3% to 1.8% (P <0.0001) and IVUS from 1.7% to 2.3% (P <0.0001). In the FFR and/or IVUS group, a similar incidence of stroke, reinfarction, target vessel revascularization, and major bleeding was observed while in-hospital mortality was lower (0% for IVUS + FFR vs. 0.9% for FFR vs. 2.3% for IVUS vs. 3.7 for no procedure; P <0.0001). FFR and IVUS did not affect the 30-day and one-year prognosis., Conclusion: In recent years, the number of FFR and IVUS procedures performed in patients with ACS in Poland has increased. There was lower in-hospital mortality in the FFR and/or IVUS group in ACS patients, and no differences in the incidence of stroke, reinfarction, target vessel revascularization, and major bleeding were observed. Performing FFR and IVUS in ACS patients does not significantly affect 30-day or one-year mortality.

Introduction: Coronary bifurcations are encountered in about 15% to 20% of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). They are considered technically challenging and associated with worse clinical outcomes than nonbifurcation lesions. The BiOSS LIM C is a dedicated bifurcation balloon expandable stent made of cobalt-chromium alloy (strut thickness 70 μm) releasing sirolimus (1.4 μg/mm) from the surface of a biodegradable coating comprised of a copolymer of lactic and glycolic acids., Conclusion: The aim of the randomized, multicenter, open-label, controlled POLBOS III trial is to compare BiOSS LIM C with limus second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) in the treatment of non-left main stem coronary bifurcations (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03548272).

Background: Katowice-Zabrze registry provides data that can be used to evaluate clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary interventions in elderly patients (≥70 y/o) treated with either first- (DES-I) or second-generation (DES-II) drug-eluting stents (DES)., Methods: The registry consisted of data from 1916 patients treated with coronary interventions using either DES-I or DES-II stents. For our study, we defined patients ≥70 years of age as elderly. We evaluated any major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE) at 12-month follow-up., Results: Coronary angiography revealed a higher incidence of multivessel coronary artery disease in this elderly patient population. There were no differences in acute and subacute stent thrombosis (0.4 vs. 0.6%, p = 0.760; 0.4 vs. 0.4%; p = 0.712). Elderly patients experienced more in-hospital bleeding complications requiring blood transfusion (2.0 vs. 0.9%; p = 0.003). Resuscitated cardiac arrests (2.0 vs. 0.9%; p = 0.084) were observed more often in this elderly patients during hospitalization. The composite in-hospital MACCE rates did not differ statistically between both groups (1.4 vs. 1.1%; p = 0.567). Data from a twelve-month follow-up disclosed that mortality was higher (7.1 vs. 1.8%; p < 0.001) in the elderly, with no difference in TVR (7.2 vs. 9.9%, p = 0.075), MI (6.0 vs. 4.8%, p = 0.300), stroke (0.8 vs. 0.6%, p = 0.600) and composite MACCE (15.0 vs. 13.4%, p = 0.324). The age of 70 years or over was an independent predictor of death [HR = 2.55 (95% CI 1.49-4.37); p < 0.001]. The use of DES-II reduced the risk of MI [HR = 0.40 (95% CI 0.19-0.82); p = 0.012] in the elderly., Conclusion: This elderly patient population had an increased risk of in-hospital bleeding complications requiring blood transfusion and a higher risk of death at 12-month follow-up. The use of new-generation DES reduced the risk of MI in the elderly population.

Aims: The aim of the POLBOS II randomised trial was to compare any regular drug-eluting stents (rDES) with the dedicated bifurcation sirolimus-eluting stent BiOSS LIM for the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions. The secondary aim was to study the effect of final kissing balloon inflation (FKBI) on clinical outcomes., Methods and Results: Between December 2012 and December 2013, 202 patients with stable coronary artery disease or non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome were randomly assigned 1:1 to treatment of the coronary bifurcation lesions either with the BiOSS LIM stent (n=102) or with an rDES (n=100). Coronary re-angiography was performed at 12 months. The primary endpoint was the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularisation (TLR) at 12 months. The target vessel was located in the left main in one third of the cases (35.3% in BiOSS and 38% in rDES). Side branch treatment was required in 8.8% (rDES) and 7% (BiOSS). At 12 months, the cumulative MACE incidence was similar in both groups (11.8% [BiOSS] vs. 15% [rDES, p=0.08]), as was the TLR rate (9.8% vs. 9% [p=0.8]). The binary restenosis rates were significantly lower in the FKBI subgroup of the BiOSS group (5.9% vs. 11.8%, p<0.05)., Conclusions: MACE rates as well as TLR rates were comparable between the BiOSS LIM and rDES. At 12 months, cumulative MACE incidence was similar in both groups (11.8% vs. 15%), as was the TLR rate (9.8% vs. 9%). Significantly lower rates of restenosis were observed in the FKBI subgroup of the BiOSS group.

Background: Coexisting anaemia is associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and bleeding complications after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), especially in patients with acute coronary syndrome., Aim: To assess the impact of anaemia in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) treated with first- and second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) on one-year MACCE., Methods and Results: The registry included 1916 consecutive patients (UA: n = 1502, 78.3%; NSTEMI: n = 283, 14.7%; STEMI/LBBB: n = 131, 6.8%) treated either with first- (34%) or second-generation (66%) DES. The study population was divided into two groups: patients presenting with anaemia 217 (11%) and without anaemia 1699 (89%) prior to PCI. Anaemia was defined according to World Heart Organisation (haemoglobin [Hb] level < 13 g/dL for men and < 12 g/dL for women). Patients with anaemia were older (69, IQR: 61-75 vs. 62, IQR: 56-70, p < 0.001), had higher prevalence of co-morbidities: diabetes (44.7% vs. 36.4%, p = 0.020), chronic kidney disease (31.3% vs. 19.4%; p < 0.001), peripheral artery disease (10.1% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.005), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction values (50, IQR: 40-57% vs. 55, IQR: 45-60%; p < 0.001). No difference between gender in frequency of anaemia was found. Patients with anaemia more often had prior myocardial infarction (MI) (57.6% vs. 46.4%; p = 0.002) and coronary artery bypass grafting (31.3% vs. 19.4%; p < 0.001) in comparison to patients without anaemia. They also more often had multivessel disease in angiography (36.4% vs. 26.1%; p = 0.001) and more complexity CAD as measured by SYNTAX score (21, IQR: 12-27 points vs. 14, IQR: 8-22 points; p = 0.001). In-hospital risk of acute heart failure (2.7% vs. 0.7%; p = 0.006) and bleeding requiring transfusion (3.2% vs. 0.5%; p < 0.001) was significantly higher in patients with anaemia. One-year follow-up showed that there was higher rate of death in patients with anaemia. However, there were no differences in MI, stroke, target vessel revascularisation (TVR) and MACCE in comparison to patients with normal Hb. There were no differences according to type of DES (first vs. second generation) in the population of patients with anaemia., Conclusions: In patients with anaemia there is a significantly higher risk of death in 12-month follow-up, but anaemia has no impact on the incidence of MI, repeat revascularisation, stroke and MACCE. There is no advantage of II-DES over I-DES generation in terms of MACCE and TVR in patients with anaemia.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and the efficacy of the novel sirolimus-eluting Prolim® stent with a biodegradable polymer in the all-comers population., Methods: We prospectively enrolled all patients with stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndrome treated with Prolim® stent between January and December 2013 in two interventional cardiology centers in Poland. Angiographic control was planned at 12 months, in which 15 % of patients (randomly chosen) underwent optical coherence tomography imaging. The primary end-point was the cumulative rate of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization at 12 months., Results: There were 204 patients enrolled, in whom 238 Prolim® stents were deployed (1.17 stent per patient). The mean age was 68 ± 10 years and 32.8 % were females. The examined stent was implanted in 5.9 % in STEMI patients, in 21.6 % - in NSTE-ACS and in 72.5 % - in patients with stable coronary artery disease. The Prolim® stent was most frequently implanted in right coronary artery (38.2 %) followed by left anterior descending artery (34.0 %). The cumulative major adverse cardiovascular events rate at 12 months was 6.9 %, and the clinically-driven target lesion revascularization rate - 5.4 %. At 12 months in quantitative coronary angiography the late lumen loss was 0.21 ± 0.18 mm, and in optical coherence tomography the mean neointima burden was 24.6 ± 8.6 %., Conclusions: Sirolimus-eluting Prolim® stent with a biodegradable polymer is a feasible device with a very good safety profile and long-term clinical effectiveness., Trial Registration Number: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02545985 .

Aim: Aim of the study was to evaluate the association between circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and angiographic outcomes after implantation of GenousTM stent in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS) (NSTE-ACS) undergoing urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Methods: Sixty patients treated with EPC-capture stent (N.=30) or bare metal stents (BMS) (N.=30) receiving 80 mg atorvastatin and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) for 12 months. Restenosis was assessed after 6 months by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and major acute coronary events (MACE) evaluated after 6 and 12 months., Inclusion Criteria: de novo lesion >70% in native vessel, diameter 2.5-4 mm, lesion length <30 mm., Exclusion Criteria: diabetes, previous revascularization, significant left main stenosis, chronic total occlusions (CTO) and multivessel disease., Results: Majority of patients in EPC-capture stent and BMS groups presented with NSTEMI (73.3% and 70%, respectively). Mean stent length was 20.1±8 and 19.9±10 mm, diameter 3±0.97 and 3.1±0.88 mm in respective groups. The binary restenosis was significantly lower in GenousTM (13 vs. 26.6%, P=0.04). Risk of MACE after 6 and 12 months were comparable in both groups. There was no stent thrombosis. Numbers of circulating EPCs were significantly approximately 2-fold higher during the ACS than after 6 months. Mobilization of EPCs during acute ischemia was significantly lower in patients who developed restenosis after 6 months (3 vs. 4.5 cells/μL, P=0.002) and it was negatively correlated with late-loss after 6 months (R=-0.42; P<0.03)., Conclusion: Use of GenousTM stents in NSTE-ACS is associated with lower restenosis rate than BMS at 6 months. There was no ST through 1 year. The number of circulating EPCs is inversely correlated with in-stent late loss (LL).

Background: The major cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is vessel thrombosis related to plaque rupture. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a feasible and effective technique to visualise a thrombus in vivo., Aim: To present the relationship between cardiac enzymes leakage before coronary angioplasty and thrombus visualised by OCT., Methods: A population of 48 consecutive patients (mean age 64.8 ± 9 years) with non ST elevation syndromes treated with primary coronary angioplasty was selected for the study. Angiographic and OCT quantitative assessment was performed for all patients, as well as qualitative thrombus assessment with a new index--the thrombus score (TS). Troponin I and creatine kinase and its MB fraction were measured for all patients at baseline and at least 6-8 hours after coronary angioplasty., Results: The troponin level assessed before coronary angioplasty was 3.42 ± 7.31 ng/dL. The mean TS assessed before coronary angioplasty was 96 ± 56, and in 17 (35.4%) patients the score was greater than 100 points. Mean artery length occupied by thrombus was 7.8 ± 3.8 mm. There was a significant correlation between troponin level and thrombus score (r = 0.44, p 〈 0.05) in the whole studied population., Conclusions: Initial troponin level may be associated with larger thrombus burden within a coronary artery. This finding may influence coronary flow and needs to taken into consideration during primary coronary intervention.