Imaging Characteristics of Mismatch Lesions: An Angiographic and Intravascular Ultrasound Analysis of 1369 Coronary Lesions.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the angiographic and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) characteristics of coronary mismatch lesions. BACKGROUND: Better understanding about the characteristics of mismatch lesions may help to achieve more accurate lesion assessment and, thereby, to improve the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Angiographic and IVUS data from 1369 lesions were analyzed. Mismatch lesion was defined as the difference between proximal and distal reference lumen diameters of ≥1.0 mm or ≥30% of the distal reference lumen diameter. RESULTS: The incidence of mismatch lesions was 20.1% (275/1369). Compared to nonmismatch group, mismatch group had longer lesions (21.3 [6.4] mm vs 18.4 [6.4] mm, P < .001) with smaller minimum lumen diameter (0.87 [0.29] mm vs 1.10 [0.31] mm, P < .001) and more severe diameter stenosis (78.8% [9.2%] vs 66.3% [10.3%], P < .001). On IVUS, mismatch group had larger lumen area (18.7 [5.0] vs 15.8 [5.1] mm2, P < .001) but lower plaque burden at the proximal reference segment (41.0% [9.2%] vs 45.7% [9.9%], P < .001) and smaller lumen area (4.83 [1.89] vs 7.36 [2.89] mm, P < .001) but higher plaque burden at the distal reference segment (42.9% [10.4%] vs 41.4% [10.1%], P = .023). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that mismatch lesions were frequently accompanied by diffuse lesions (odds ratio [OR] = 2.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.83-3.40; P < .001), bifurcation lesions (OR = 5.83; 95% CI: 4.40-7.74; P < .001), and lesions with a low TIMI flow grade (OR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.08-2.67; P = .022) or severe diameter stenosis (OR = 3.05; 95% CI: 2.10-4.43; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Mismatch lesions are quite common and characterized by greater lesion complexity compared with nonmismatch lesions. Further studies may be necessary to address the impact of this lesion type on the outcome of PCI.

Percutaneous closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect using patent ductus arteriosus occluders.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (PmVSD) using patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occluders. BACKGROUND: Widespread use of conventional PmVSD closure devices has been limited by unacceptable high rate of complete heart block (CHB). The elegant design of PDA occluders is supposed to ease implantation, increase closure rate and minimize damage to adjacent structures. Thus, PDA occluders may reduce complications, especially the CHB, and offer a good alternative for PmVSD closure. METHOD: From September 2008 to October 2015, patients who underwent attempted percutaneous VSD closure using PDA occluders were included in the study. Patient demographics, echocardiography measurements, procedure details and follow-up data until October 2017 were collected. RESULTS: In total, 321 patients with a mean age of 15.5±12.6 years and mean a weight of 33.3±20.5 kg were included in this study. The mean defect size was 4.8±2.1 mm. Implantation was successful in 307 (95.6%) patients. The median follow-up time was 63 months (24 to 108 months). The closure rates were 89.5%, 91.5%, and 99.3% after the procedure 24 hours, 6 months and 2 years, respectively. Major complications occurred in 5 (1.7%) patients during the procedure and follow-up, including persistent CHB in 2 (0.7%) patients and device embolization in 3 (1.0%) patients. No death, disability, or other major complication was detected. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous closure of PmVSD using PDA occluders is feasible, safe and efficacious in selected patients.

Nit-Occlud Lê VSD coil versus Duct Occluders for percutaneous perimembranous ventricular septal defect closure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Nit-Occlud Lê VSD Coil versus Duct Occluders for percutaneous closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD). INTRODUCTION: VSD closure using conventional pmVSD occluders has been largely abandoned because of an unacceptable high rate of complete heart block (CHB). The advantages of Duct Occluders and VSD Coil are supposed to reduce the drawbacks of previous devices, especially CHB complications. METHOD: Patients underwent percutaneous pmVSD closure were divided into Coil group (using VSD Coil, n = 71) and DO group (using Duct Occluders, n = 315). Patient demographics, clinical presentations, echocardiography measurements, procedure details and follow-up data were collected. RESULT: The procedure success rate was high in both DO group (95.6%) and Coil group (97.2%, P = .53). The closure rate immediately after procedure in the DO group was higher than that in the Coil group (76.8% vs. 58.0%, P < .01). After 6 months, the closure rate was not significantly different between the 2 groups (DO group 91.3% vs. Coil group 84.1%, P = .07). The mean follow-up time was 61.4 ± 24.1 months. The major complication rate was low in both groups (DO group 1.9% vs. Coil group 1.4%, P = .78). Two patients (0.7%) in the DO group and one patient (1.4%) in the Coil group with CHB needed permanent pacemaker (P = .5). Device embolization (3 patients, 1.0%) and endocarditis (1 patient, 0.3%) occurred only in the DO group. There was no death, disability or other major complications detected in either group. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous pmVSD closure using either Nit-Occlud Lê VSD Coil or Duct Occluders is feasible, safe and efficacious in selected patients. The main problems of Duct Occluders are unsuitable defect anatomy and device embolization while VSD Coil disadvantages are residual shunt and hemolysis.

Prevalence and prognostic significance of left ventricular myocardial late gadolinium enhancement in severe aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial fibrosis occurs in aortic stenosis (AS) as part of the hypertrophic response. It can be detected by LGE, which is associated with an adverse prognosis in the form of increased mortality and morbidity. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of LGE patterns using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in severe AS patients and to study its prognostic significance. METHODS: Patients enrolled into the study from June 2012 to November 2014. All the patients underwent CMR and various patterns of LGE studied. These patients if symptomatic were advised AVR and others were managed conservatively. All patients were followed up and watched for outcomes like mortality, heart failure/hospitalization for cardiovascular cause, fall in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥20% and arrhythmia. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients (mean age-57.7±12.5yrs) underwent CMR with 63 males. These patients were followed up for a mean of 13 months. Among 38 patients who underwent AVR, 6 died (5-cardiovascular cause, 1-non cardiovascular). 71 patients were managed conservatively out of which 18 died (17-cardiovascular cause, 1-non cardiovascular cause). LGE patterns were seen in 46 patients (43%); mid myocardial enhancement was seen in 31.1% of cases (33 patients). No LGE pattern was seen in 57%(63 patients). Basal and mid regions were maximally involved with mid myocardial enhancement in 66% & 68.3% respectively. LV ejection fraction (p=0.002), peak aortic systolic velocity (p=0.01) and peak aortic systolic gradient (p=0.02) were the main predictors of LGE. Main predictors of primary outcome were NYHA class [OR- 13.4(2.8-26.1), p≤0.001], age- 62± 9.6yrs(p=0.001), EF simpson-50.9±13%(p≤ 0.001), LGE[OR 2.8 (1.27-6.47),p=0.01], number of segments involved [2.37±2.1,P≤0.001] & CMR LV mass (151.73±32gms, p=0.007). LGE predicted heart failure/hospitalization for cardiovascular cause [OR- 3.8(1.2-11.9), p=0.01] and fall in LVEF [OR- 5.8(1.5-22.5), p=0.005]. Patients with LGE had 2.87 times risk of adverse outcomes and patients with more than 3 segment LGE involvement had again increased chances for adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: LGE was detected by CMR in 43% of patients with severe AS. It predicted recurrent heart failure, hospitalization for cardiovascular cause and fall in LV ejection fraction. Our study has laid a path to larger prospective studies with long term follow up to assess the prognostic impact of CMR in patients with severe AS.

24h and 30 day outcome of Perclose Proglide suture mediated vascular closure device: An Indian experience.

INTRODUCTION: Advantages of vascular closure device over manual compression include patient comfort, early mobilisation and discharge, avoidance of interruption of anticoagulation, avoidance of local compression and its sequelae and less time constraint on staff. No published Indian data exist regarding Perclose Proglide suture mediated vascular closure device (SMC). AIM: To study the 24h and 30 day outcome of Perclose Proglide SMC retrospectively. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study conducted in the Department of Cardiology, Government Medical College, Calicut, Kerala from June 2013 to June 2015. METHODOLOGY: All consecutive patients with Perclose Proglide SMC deployment done by a single operator for achieving access site haemostasis where 24h and 30 day post-procedure data were available were included. Major and minor complications, procedure success, device failure were predefined. RESULTS: 323 patients were analysed. Procedure success rate was 99.7% (322/323). Transient oozing occurred in 44 patients (13.6%), minor and major complications occurred in 2% and 1.5% of patients respectively. Major complication included one case of retroperitoneal bleed, one access site infection, one pseudo aneurysm formation and two access site arterial stenosis. There was no death or complication requiring limb amputation. "Preclose" technique was used successfully in six patients. Primary device failure occurred in 12 cases which were tackled successfully with second Proglide in all except one. CONCLUSION: Perclose Proglide SMC is a safe and effective method to achieve haemostasis up to 22F with less complication rate.

'A twist in the heart' - Echocardiographic diagnosis of criss-cross heart.

Criss-cross heart is an extremely rare congenital anomaly seen in less than 0.1% of all congenital heart diseases. We present a case of criss-cross heart in a 13-year-old boy. Suspicion of criss-cross heart occurred when all the four chambers of the heart could not be profiled in a single four-chamber view and a vertical septum was noticed in parasternal short-axis view. In this patient there was a ventricular septal defect along with this anomaly. Criss-cross heart usually presents with atrioventricular concordance and ventriculoarterial discordance. This case is unique and rare with atrioventricular and ventriculoarterial concordance. .