Ultra Long Stent in an Aberrant Right Coronary Artery.

The prevalence of anomalous origin of right coronary artery from the left sinus is about 0.92%. A percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in such a vessel is challenging especially when maneuvering long stents. We report a case of 75-year old female patient with recent acute coronary syndrome. The angiogram showed significant lesions in the left anterior descending coronary artery and the left circumflex coronary artery with an aberrant RCA originating from the left sinus close to the origin of LMCA with multiple tight lesions. The aberrant RCA was stented with a 50 mm long stent. To the best of our knowledge, the placement of such a long stent in an aberrant coronary artery has hitherto never been reported in the literature.

Percutaneous Coronary Interventions in Chronic Total Occlusion - Profile, Technique and Outcome - The Malabar Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO) remains a challenge. The reasons being that these procedures may be lengthy and complex, with elevated radiation exposure, increased contrast load, lower procedural success rate, and a higher risk of complication when compared with non-CTO elective PCI.Clarifying the long-term clinical outcomes of CTO-PCI is very important to justify potential investments in training and technology. However, there is a paucity of data from Indian subcontinent. Hence we decided to report the outcomes from a real-life cohort of consecutive patients undergoing elective PCI for CTO at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single-center, prospective observational study. A total of 339 consecutive patients who underwent elective PCI for chronic total occlusion between Feb 2016 to Feb 2018 were included in the study. Procedural techniques, complications and clinical outcomes {all-cause death, cardiac death, major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and target vessel revascularization (TVR)} were assessed in our study population. RESULTS: 339 patients were prospectively followed up for a duration that ranged from 3 months to 36 months, with a median follow up of 24 months. Overall procedural success was achieved in 85.5% (n = 290) cases. No significant differences were noted in In-Hospital adverse events (5.5% vs. 4.1%; p 0.998). MACE rate was significantly higher in unsuccessful CTO group (36.7% vs. 8.9%, p 0.001) and was predominantly driven by Ischemia Driven (ID) - Revascularization (16.3% vs. 3.1%, p < 0.001). Cardiac death and All-cause death was not significantly different between the groups. Residual angina (26.5% vs. 10%, p 0.003) and residual dyspnoea (34.7% vs. 12.4%, p < 0.001) were significantly worse in unsuccessful CTO group. CONCLUSIONS: Procedural success in the present drug-eluting stent (DES) era is more than 80% and newer techniques and hardwares have improved the procedural success rate, especially in younger age groups. MACE rates were significantly higher in the unsuccessful CTO group. Residual angina and dyspnoea were significantly worse in the unsuccessful CTO group.

Balloon embedded stenting: A novel technique for percutaneous coronary intervention of bifurcation lesions, experience in Indian population.

BACKGROUND: Bifurcation lesions account for 15-20% of interventions carried out in a catheterization laboratory. Several techniques have been described for treating bifurcation lesions of which culotte and T-stenting and protrusion(TAP) are commonly used. Both these techniques involve recrossing the struts of primary stent, failing which the flow in second branch which can be impaired and lead to catastrophic events. In this study, we describe a novel balloon embedded stenting technique which can be incorporated with traditional culotte or TAP technique and facilitates conversion to bail out crush in case of such an event. METHODS AND RESULTS: 28 patients who were treated with balloon embedded stenting for bifurcation lesions were included in the study. Angiographic and procedural success were achieved in all the patients. Primary stent could not be recrossed in 1 patient, who was successfully converted to bail out crush using the technique. There were no complications during the procedure. Mean fluoroscopy time and contrast volume was similar to that of conventional culotte and TAP. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that incorporation of balloon embedded stenting into traditional culotte or TAP technique is achievable and can facilitate conversion to bail out crush when required.

Balloon embedded bifurcation stenting with single stent for side branch protection - Preliminary results from an Indian population.

BACKGROUND: Intervention for bifurcation lesions is associated with increased risk of adverse events and includes acute side branch (SB) occlusion during main branch (MB) stenting. This acute occlusion of side branch can often be catastrophic for the patient. We here in describe our experience in Indian population with a technique which can be incorporated into bifurcation stenting to reduce or almost eliminate the incidence of side branch occlusion. METHOD AND RESULTS: 70 patients with bifurcation lesion were included in the study and underwent a balloon embedded bifurcation stenting with a semi inflated balloon placed across the SB ostium. Angiographic and procedural success were achieved in all the patients. TIMI 3 flow was achieved in both the MB and SB in all cases and there was no incidence of dissection or acute occlusion of SB. Mean fluoroscopy time and contrast volume was similar to that of conventional bifurcation stenting. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that balloon embedded bifurcation stenting with a semi inflated balloon to protect the SB is feasible, not associated with procedural adverse events and successful in minimising or almost eliminating the incidence of acute side branch occlusion.

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.

Transradial retrograde percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting of long segment occlusion of subclavian artery.

We report a case of retrograde percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting to chronically occluded upper limb vessels in a young female with Takayasu arteritis. A self-expanding stent (Supera peripheral stent system - Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA) was tracked retrogradely via ipsilateral radial access and the procedure was successful with good results. To our knowledge this is the first report of a Supera stent being tracked retrogradely through the radial artery. .

Percutaneous closure of a giant pulmonary arteriovenous malformation using multiple devices.

Percutaneous device closure is an established method to treat pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM). This report describes the case of a 23-year-old man with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) presenting with dyspnea and hypoxia. The patient was found to have a giant left-sided PAVM. The patient underwent percutaneous closure of PAVM with multiple devices with a good outcome. At 12-month follow up, the patient was asymptomatic with near complete obliteration of the arteriovenous malformation. .

Maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women undergoing balloon mitral valvotomy for rheumatic mitral stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatic mitral stenosis constitutes a major cause of acquired heart disease complicating pregnancy in India. In the present study, we have studied the fetal and maternal outcomes of women undergoing balloon mitral valvotomy during pregnancy. METHODS AND RESULTS: 49 pregnant ladies were included in this study in whom balloon mitral valvotomy was performed. The mean age of these patients was 25.7±3.1 years. The mean gestational age was 23.5±5.2 weeks (12-36 weeks). The procedure was successful in 48 patients (95.9%). Mean two-dimensional MVA increased from baseline value of 0.93±0.17cm2 to 1.75±0.27cm2 (p value <0.0001). Pre-procedure peak pulmonary artery pressure was 43.05±15.88mmHg, which decreased to 22.31±6.36mmHg (p value <0.0001). Hemodynamic data showed pre-BMV left atrial mean pressure of 29.6±6.6mmHg, which decreased to 13.7±4.8mmHg after the procedure (p value <0.0001). Mean fluoroscopy time was 6.4±1.2min. There was no maternal mortality in our study. One procedure had to be abandoned, because of failed septal puncture. One of the patients developed cardiac tamponade and another patient developed severe mitral regurgitation, which were managed medically. The patient who developed severe mitral regurgitation later underwent mitral valve replacement. Post-procedure follow-up showed an improvement in NYHA status by at least one class in 81.3% of patients. Thirty-nine (81.3%) patients had a term normal vaginal delivery and 8 (16.7%) underwent cesarean section for obstetric indications. One of the patients had abortion on the second day of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous mitral valvotomy during pregnancy is safe and provides excellent symptomatic relief and hemodynamic improvement. This should be considered as the treatment of choice when managing pregnant women with severe mitral stenosis.

A comparative study of ivabradine and atenolol in patients with moderate mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm.

BACKGROUND: Beta-blockers are frequently used in patients with mitral stenosis to control the heart rate and alleviate exercise-related symptoms. The objective of our study was to examine whether ivabradine was superior to atenolol for achieving higher exercise capacity in patients with moderate mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm. We also evaluated their effects on left ventricular myocardial performance index (MPI). METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty-two patients with moderate mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm were randomized to receive ivabradine (n=42) 5mg twice daily or atenolol (n=40) 50mg daily for 6 weeks. Transthoracic echocardiography and treadmill test were performed at baseline and after completion of 6 weeks of treatment. Mean total exercise duration in seconds markedly improved in both study groups at 6 weeks (298.57±99.05s vs. 349.12±103.53s; p=0.0001 in ivabradine group, 290.90±92.42s vs. 339.90±99.84s; p=0.0001 in atenolol group). On head-to-head comparison, there was no significant change in improvement of exercise time between ivabradine and atenolol group (p=0.847). Left ventricular MPI did not show any significant change from baseline and at 6 weeks in both drug groups (49.8%±8% vs. 48.3%±7% in ivabradine group, 52.9%±10% vs. 50.9%±10% in atenolol groups; p=0.602). CONCLUSION: Ivabradine or atenolol can be used for heart rate control in patients with moderate mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm. Ivabradine is not superior to atenolol for controlling heart rate or exercise capacity. Left ventricular MPI was unaffected by either of the drugs.

Correlation of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure with left atrial pressure in patients with mitral stenosis undergoing balloon valvotomy.

AIMS: We sought to evaluate the correlation between PCWP and LAP and to compare transmitral gradients obtained with LAP and PCWP in MS, before and after balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV). METHODS: Consecutive patients with MS for BMV were included in this prospective cohort study. Simultaneous PCWP and LAP were recorded followed by simultaneous left atrium-left ventricular (LA-LV) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure-left ventricular (PCWP-LV) gradients before and after BMV. RESULTS: There were 30 patients with a mean age of 41 yrs (males 10 (33.3%), females 20 (66.7%)). There was no significant difference between mean LAP and mean PCWP before BMV (21.3mmHg and 22.3mmHg, respectively) or after BMV (15.3mmHg and 17.3mmHg, respectively). There was excellent correlation between mean PCWP and mean LAP before BMV (r=0.95) (p<0.001) and after BMV (r=0.85) (p<0.001). The phasic components of the pressures (a and v waves) of LAP and PCWP also showed good correlation before and after BMV. Further, transmitral gradients assessed by LA-LV and PCWP-LV pressures showed excellent correlation before BMV (r=0.95) (p<0.001) and after BMV (r=0.95) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with MS undergoing balloon valvotomy, PCWP shows good correlation with LAP. Transmitral gradients obtained with PCWP and LAP also correlate well after correction of phase lag in PCWP tracing. Hence, PCWP can be used for reliable measurement of transmitral gradient.

Echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular function in inferior wall myocardial infarction and angiographic correlation to proximal right coronary artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Presence of right ventricular (RV) infarction imposes a higher risk of adverse events in inferior wall myocardial infarction (IWMI). In this study, we attempted to correlate various indices of RV function assessed by echocardiography with presence of a proximal right coronary artery (RCA) stenosis in patients with first episode of acute IWMI. METHODS: In a prospective study, patients with first episode of acute IWMI underwent echocardiographic assessment within 24 h of symptom onset and indices of RV function viz. RV fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), myocardial performance index (MPI) and tissue Doppler velocities from RV free wall were measured. Patients who underwent coronary angiogram (CAG) within one month and they were classified into group 1 and group 2 based on the presence or absence, respectively, of a significant proximal RCA stenosis. RESULTS: There were 90 patients with first episode of IWMI of which 67 patients underwent CAG. There was significant difference between group 1 (n = 26) and group 2 (n = 41) in TAPSE (13.5 ± 1.3 vs 21.3 ± 1.7, p < 0.001), MPI by tissue Doppler (0.87 ± 0.1 vs 0.55 ± 0.2, p < 0.001) and in tissue Doppler systolic velocity from RV free wall (S' 9.8 ± 1.1 vs 15.0 ± 1.5, p < 0.001). There was a good interobserver correlation for TAPSE, MPI by TDI, and S' velocity. TAPSE ≤ 16 (sensitivity 93%, specificity 100%), MPI-TDI ≥ 0.69 (sensitivity 94.7%, specificity 93.5%), S ≤ 12.3 (sensitivity 90.3%, specificity 94.3%) were useful in predicting presence of proximal RCA stenosis. CONCLUSION: RV function indices like TAPSE, MPI-TDI and S' velocity are useful in predicting proximal RCA stenosis in first episode of acute IWMI.

Coronary sinus filling time: a novel method to assess microcirculatory function in patients with angina and normal coronaries.

OBJECTIVE: Dysfunction of the coronary microcirculation is considered as one of the factors responsible for symptoms and abnormal stress tests in patients with angina and normal coronaries (syndrome X). We sought to evaluate the usefulness of coronary sinus filling time (CSFT) to assess coronary microcirculation in this group of patients. METHODS: We compared the CSFT of patients having definite angina or atypical angina with positive treadmill electrocardiography test (angina group), with that of patients undergoing coronary angiogram (CAG) prior to balloon mitral valvuloplasty (control group). During CAG, coronary sinus was visualized in appropriate views and CSFT in seconds was derived from frame count. Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade, corrected TIMI (cTIMI) frame count, TIMI Myocardial Perfusion grade (TMP) were assessed. RESULTS: There were 41 patients in angina group and 16 in control group. Among the angina group 68.8% were females as against 81.8% in the control group. 87.8% (n = 36) had typical angina. Mean CSFT was 4.25 ± 0.72 s and 3.46 ± 0.99 s in the angina group and control group respectively (p = 0.001). No significant differences were found between the groups with respect to TMP (p = 0.68) & cTIMI frame count (p = 0.22). CONCLUSION: CSFT is a simple method to assess the transit time through coronary microcirculation. CSFT was significantly delayed in patients with angina and normal coronaries. TMP and cTIMI frame count were not significantly different between groups.