[Endovascular devices for severely calcified peripheral lesion preparation: state of the art]. / Dispositivi per la preparazione delle lesioni calcifiche del distretto periferico: stato dell'arte.

Over the last few decades, endovascular revascularization techniques have revolutionized the treatment of peripheral artery disease, offering a less invasive alternative to surgery. However, the successful treatment of heavily calcified lesions is often compromised by various vascular complications, including recoils, dissections, and the need for target vessel reinterventions. This has prompted the development of several tools for lesion preparation, with the aim of achieving better procedural outcomes. This review aims to summarize the main characteristics and current evidence related to the available devices for preparing severely calcified peripheral lesions.

Periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients undergoing complex versus noncomplex percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on the risk of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) in patients undergoing complex versus noncomplex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We assessed the risk of periprocedural MI according to the fourth Universal definition of myocardial infarction (UDMI) and several other criteria among patients undergoing elective PCI in a prospective, single-center registry. Complex PCI included at least one of the following: 3 coronary vessels treated, ≥3 stents implanted, ≥3 lesions treated, bifurcation with 2 stents implanted, total stent length >60 mm, treatment of chronic total occlusion, and use of rotational atherectomy. RESULTS: Between 2017 and 2021, we included 1010 patients with chronic coronary syndrome, of whom 226 underwent complex PCI (22.4%). The rate of periprocedural MI according to the fourth UDMI was significantly higher in complex compared to noncomplex PCI patients (26.5% vs. 14.5%, p < 0.001). Additionally, periprocedural MI was higher in the complex PCI group using SCAI (4% vs. 1.1%, p = 0.009), ARC-2 (13.7% vs. 8.0%, p = 0.013), ISCHEMIA (5.8% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.002), and EXCEL criteria (4.9% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.032). SYNTAX periprocedural MI occurred at low rates in both groups (0.9% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.657). Complex PCI was an independent predictor of the fourth UDMI periprocedural MI (odds ratio [OR] 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-2.27, p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic coronary syndrome undergoing elective PCI, complex PCI is associated with a significantly higher risk of periprocedural MI using multiple definitions. These findings highlight the importance of considering upfront this risk in the planning of complex PCI procedures.

Management of Non-Culprit Lesions in STEMI Patients with Multivessel Disease.

Multivessel disease is observed in approximately 50% of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Data from randomized clinical trials has shown that complete revascularization in the STEMI setting improves clinical outcomes by reducing the risk of reinfarction and urgent revascularization. However, the timing and modality of revascularization of non-culprit lesions are still debated. PCI of non-culprit lesions can be performed during the index primary PCI or as a staged procedure and can be guided by angiography, functional assessment, or intracoronary imaging. In this review, we summarize the available evidence about the management of non-culprit lesions in STEMI patients with or without cardiogenic shock.

Impact of biomarker type on periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients undergoing elective PCI.

BACKGROUND: Periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) according to the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) criteria has prognostic relevance among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, it is unclear whether the type of cardiac biomarker used for the diagnosis of periprocedural MI plays a role in terms of event frequency and outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To compare the characteristics of SCAI periprocedural MI based on creatine kinase-myocardial band fraction (CK-MB) vs. high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) in patients undergoing elective PCI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 2017 and 2021, periprocedural MI was assessed in a prospective study. The primary clinical outcome of interest was all-cause death at 1-year follow-up. A total of 1010 patients undergoing elective PCI were included. SCAI periprocedural MI based on CK-MB vs. hs-cTnI occurred in 1.8 and 13.5% of patients, respectively. hs-cTnI periprocedural MI in the absence of concomitant CK-MB criteria was associated with lower rates of ancillary criteria, including angiographic, ECG, and cardiac imaging criteria. At 1-year follow-up, periprocedural MI defined by CK-MB (adjusted hazard ratio, HR, 4.27, 95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.23-14.8; P = 0.022) but not hs-cTnI (adjusted HR 2.04, 95% CI 0.94-4.45; P = 0.072) was associated with a higher risk of all-cause death. Hs-cTnI periprocedural MI was not predictive of death unless accompanied by CK-MB criteria (adjusted HR 4.64, 95% CI 1.32-16.31; P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: In the setting of elective PCI, using hs-cTn instead of CK-MB resulted in a substantial increase in SCAI periprocedural MI events, which were not prognostically relevant in the absence of concurrent CK-MB elevations.

Impact of chronic kidney disease on platelet aggregation in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

AIMS: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased thrombotic events and seems to influence platelet reactivity. Conflicting results have been published on platelet response in CKD patients with stable coronary artery disease. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of CKD on platelet aggregation in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy, included the more potent P2Y12 inhibitors. METHODS: We enrolled 206 patients with ACS, divided in two groups, according to the presence or the absence of moderate/severe CKD. Platelet aggregation was performed with light transmission aggregometry and results are expressed as percentage of maximum platelet aggregation. High residual platelet reactivity (HRPR) was defined as maximum platelet aggregation more than 59%. RESULTS: Patients with CKD [estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m, n = 28] were prevalent older, diabetic, had previous coronary revascularization. In these patients, platelet aggregation was significantly higher than in those with eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m (ADP 10 µmol/l: 28.46 ±â€Š26.19 vs. 16.64 ±â€Š12.79, P < 0.001; ADP 20 µmol/l: 30.07 ±â€Š25.89 vs. 17.46 ±â€Š12.82, P < 0.001). HRPR was observed in 4.4% of patients, with higher prevalence in those with eGFR less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m [21.4 vs. 1.7%, P < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 15.91 (3.71-68.17), P < 0.001]. At multivariate analysis, after correction for baseline confounders, eGFR [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 0.95 (0.91-0.98), P = 0.007], together with the use of clopidogrel [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 23.59 (4.01-138.82), P < 0.001], emerged as determinants of HRPR. CONCLUSION: In patients with ACS receiving dual antiplatelet therapy, CKD is associated with an increasing ADP-induced platelet aggregation and higher prevalence of HRPR, which is mainly correlated to clopidogrel use.