Dose-reducing fluoroscopic system decreases patient but not occupational radiation exposure in chronic total occlusion intervention.

AIMS: Several novel low-dose fluoroscopic systems (LDS) developed recently, but real practice information of the net benefit for the patient and professionals is scarce. We evaluated separately patient and operator radiation exposure during percutaneous interventions of chronic total occlusions (CTO). METHODS: A total of 116 consecutive CTOs were analyzed (60 in LDS and 56 in standard-dose fluoroscopic system [SDS]). Digital dosimetry of patient and occupational (operator and scatter dose) exposure was prospectively recorded. RESULTS: Biometrics, demographics, CTO variables, and operators were distributed evenly. Patient radiation exposure was effectively decreased in LDS (dose area product [DAP] by 36%, Air Kerma [AK] by 47%). However, occupational data showed no statistical differences between LDS and SDS. The LDS uses less radiation amount but with higher energy (due to additional filtration) compared to SDS, therefore increasing the scatter dose. When comparing the C-arm scatter dose to the DAP we found higher scatter dose with the LDS (0.0139 mSv/gray (Gy)*cm2 vs. 0.0082 mSv/Gy*cm2, p < .001). This was confirmed in a larger dataset comprising 5,221 coronary procedures. CONCLUSIONS: LDS was safer for patients reducing DAP and AK compared to SDS. However, occupational doses were not lower and scatter dose higher. Radiological protection measures must be kept maximized even in LDS.

Incidence, clinical impact and predictors of thrombocytopenia after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia is a common, yet poorly understood, complication after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valve has been associated with higher incidence of thrombocytopenia, compared with self-expandable valves. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence, clinical impact and predictors of acquired thrombocytopenia in patients undergoing TAVR. METHODS: We performed an observational study from consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVR (n = 679) in a single center. Association and best cut-off point of platelet decrease with early mortality was analyzed. Patients were classified according to postprocedural percentage decrease in platelet count (PDPC), comparing clinical outcomes and analyzing predictors of platelet decrease. RESULTS: The median PDPC was 37.1 [IQR: 27.4-46.9]. PDPC was associated with early mortality (OR: 2.1, 95%IC: 1.7-2.5 for each 10% decrease, AUC:0.81, 95%CI:0.72-0.89) with an optimal cut-off point of 46%. PDPC≥46% and late nadir (≥4 days) were both independent predictors of early mortality (OR: 6.0 [IQR: 2.4-14.9] and OR: 5.1 [IQR: 2.2-11.6], respectively). The combination of both factors (PDPC≥46% and nadir ≥4 day) was associated with higher 2-year mortality (55.7%) compared to an early significant nadir (PDPC≥46% and nadir <4 day, 28.9%) and non-significant nadir (PDPC<46%, 21.0%), p < 0.001. Independent predictors of PDPC≥46% were baseline platelet count, Portico™, Abbott valve, intraprocedural major vascular complication and residual aortic regurgitation ≥grade 2. CONCLUSION: The platelet count decreased almost 40% after TAVR. Late nadir and PDPC≥46% predicted short-term clinical outcomes. Concomitant late and significant platelet decrease was associated with mid-term mortality.

Coronary lithotripsy for the treatment of underexpanded stents: the international & multicentre CRUNCH registry.

BACKGROUND: Stent underexpansion increases the risk of cardiac adverse events. At present, there are limited options to treat refractory stent underexpansion. In this context, the intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) system might be a safe and effective strategy. AIMS: We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IVL in addressing resistant stent underexpansion due to heavy underlying calcification. METHODS: This was an international multicentre registry including patients receiving IVL therapy to treat stent underexpansion from December 2017 to August 2020. Angiographic and intracoronary imaging data were collected. The efficacy endpoint was device success (technical success with a final percentage diameter stenosis <50%). The safety endpoint was in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE). RESULTS: Seventy patients were included, the mean age was 73±9.2 years and 76% were male. The median time from stent implantation to IVL therapy was 49 days (0-2,537). Adjuvant treatment with non-compliant balloon dilatations pre- and post-IVL was performed in 72.3% and 76.8% of patients, respectively, and additional stenting was performed in 22.4%. Device success was 92.3%. Minimum lumen diameter increased from 1.49±0.73 mm to 2.41±0.67 mm (p<0.001) and stent expansion increased by 124.93±138.19% (p=0.016). No IVL-related procedural complications or MACE were observed. The use of bailout IVL therapy directly after stenting and the presence of ostial underexpanded lesions negatively predicted lumen diameter gain. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary lithotripsy is safe and effective in increasing lumen and stent dimensions in underexpanded stents secondary to heavily calcified lesions.

Influence of neoatherosclerosis on prognosis and treatment response in patients with in-stent restenosis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Neoatherosclerosis is one of the causes of in-stent restenosis (ISR). Our objective was to evaluate the influence of neoatherosclerosis on prognosis and treatment response in patients with ISR. METHODS: This is a pooled analysis of the optical coherence tomography (OCT)-substudies of 2 multicenter, randomized clinical trials, RIBS IV and V, comparing treatment with paclitaxel-coated balloon vs everolimus-eluting stent in patients with ISR. OCT evaluation was performed at baseline and at 6 to 9 months. Neoatherosclerosis was defined in baseline OCT as neointima with calcified or lipid content. We evaluated the angiographic and OCT results at 6 to 9 months and the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events at 3 years of follow-up in patients with and without neoatherosclerosis treated with paclitaxel-coated balloon or everolimus-eluting stents. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients underwent OCT at the time of the index procedure. Neoatherosclerosis was documented in 23 (36%) lesions. Angiographic follow-up at 6 to 9 months showed no differences in restenosis [5 (24%) vs 6 (15%) P=.49], minimum lumen diameter (1.79±0.7 vs 1.94±0.6mm; P=.41) or late loss (0.33±0.7 vs 0.15±0.5; P=.34) in patients with and without neoatherosclerosis, respectively. Follow-up OCT confirmed the absence of differences in quantitative parameters and the characteristics of tissue coverage between the 2 groups. At 3 years of follow-up, the major adverse cardiovascular events rate was 3 (13%) vs 5 (12%) in the neoatherosclerosis and nonneoatherosclerosis groups (HR, 0.94; 95%CI, 0.22-3.93; P=.93). CONCLUSIONS: In this limited study population, OCT-defined neoatherosclerosis did not seem to influence acute and long-term outcomes in patients randomized to paclitaxel-coated balloon or everolimus-eluting stents for ISR.

Clinical outcomes of patients presenting with spontaneous coronary artery dissection versus takotsubo syndrome: a propensity score analysis.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection and takotsubo syndrome are non-atherosclerotic causes of acute coronary syndromes. They share clinical features including female predominance and frequent triggers. We compared the outcomes of patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection and patients with takotsubo syndrome with similar clinical characteristics. METHODS: Patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (n=81) or takotsubo syndrome (n=341) were 1:1 propensity matched according to age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors and clinical presentation. We compared baseline characteristics, effects on left ventricular function, and recurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events; defined as a composite of new hospitalisation for cardiac cause, clinical recurrence (spontaneous coronary artery dissection/takotsubo syndrome), myocardial infarction and death. RESULTS: Propensity score yielded 78 pairs: 85% were women, whose average age was 55.3±12.6 years, 28% had two or more cardiovascular risk factors, 37% presented with ST-segment elevation and 5% presented with cardiogenic shock. In the spontaneous coronary artery dissection group, 50% (39/78) of cases involved the left anterior descending artery and 18% (14/78) underwent revascularisation. After a median follow-up of 5 years (interquartile range 2.4-5), major adverse cardiovascular events were significantly higher in the spontaneous coronary artery dissection group (18% (14/78) vs. 8% (6/78); hazard ratio 3.40, 95% confidence interval 1.2-9.4). This was mainly driven by early readmissions for cardiac causes (17% vs. 5%, P=0.007). Spontaneous coronary artery dissection was associated with higher peak values of creatinine kinase during admission (creatinine kinase/upper limit of normality 2.49 vs. 1.21, P<0.001). Binary left ventricular systolic dysfunction was more prevalent in the takotsubo syndrome group (22% vs. 53%, P<0.001), but no significant differences were noted at follow-up (6% vs. 1%, P=0.181). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of middle-aged predominantly female patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes, the diagnosis of spontaneous coronary artery dissection compared to takotsubo syndrome conferred a worse long-term clinical outcome, mainly driven by an increased risk of rehospitalisation for cardiac causes.

Intracoronary Lithotripsy in Percutaneous Treatment of Calcific Left Main Coronary Stenoses.

Adequate plaque preparation in heavily calcific left main coronary stenoses is mandatory to ensure adequate stent implantation. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is a potential alternative to atherectomy techniques for this purpose. The authors present 2 cases treated with IVL in a successful manner in the left main coronary artery.

Safety and Feasibility of Coronary Lithotripsy Supported by Guide Extension Catheter for the Treatment of Calcified Lesion in Angulated Vessel.

We report a case of successful coronary intervention with coronary lithotripsy facilitated by guide extension catheter for the treatment of severely calcified and bent vessel. Even though lithotripsy balloon currently available is relatively bulky, the contemporary rapid exchange guide extension catheter accommodated it with ease and helped smooth delivery of it. The present case showed the usefulness of this device combination for patients with complex coronary anatomies.

Screening of extra-coronary arteriopathy with magnetic resonance angiography in patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection: a single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Current consensus recommends extended vascular investigation in patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). We here report our experience with the use of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for screening extra-coronary arteriopathy in patients presenting with SCAD. METHODS: Patients presenting with SCAD in a Spanish centre underwent prospective contrast-enhanced MRA to assess the cephalic and abdominopelvic arterial territories. Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) was diagnosed following European consensus criteria. Other vascular abnormalities were recorded separately. Two vascular radiologists supervised the acquisitions and independently analysed the results for all cases. RESULTS: Forty patients with SCAD [mean age 50.9±8.6 years, 90% (n=36) women] were included in the study, 12 patients declined to participate and 5 were excluded (metallic implanted devices). All enrolled patients underwent the screening protocol without complications. MRA demonstrated at least one extra-coronary vascular abnormality in 16 patients (40%): 5 (12.5%) were diagnosed with FMD, 6 (15%) showed arterial tortuosity, 3 (7.5%) had non-FMD focal stenoses, and 2 (5%) were found to have small aneurysms at the celiac trunk and splenic artery. No intracranial aneurysms were detected. At a mean follow-up of 4±3 years from the index episode, two cases experienced SCAD recurrences, one in a patient with FMD and the other one in a patient with arterial tortuosity. No deaths or strokes occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic extended vascular study with MRA was feasible and demonstrated associated extra-coronary arteriopathy in a substantial proportion of patients presenting with SCAD; however, none required additional intervention or led to vascular events. MRA, being a radiation-free modality, may be the preferred method for screening extracoronary arteriopathy in SCAD, a condition primarily affecting young and middle-age women sensitive to the risks of radiation.

Influencia de la neoateroesclerosis en el pronóstico y la respuesta al tratamiento de los pacientes con reestenosis en el stent / Influence of neoatherosclerosis on prognosis and treatment response in patients with in-stent restenosis

Introducción y objetivos La neoateroesclerosis es una de las causas de la reestenosis en el stent (RS). Nuestro objetivo es evaluar la influencia de la neoateroesclerosis en el pronóstico y la respuesta al tratamiento de los pacientes con RS. Métodos Se trata de un análisis conjunto de los subestudios de tomografía de coherencia óptica (OCT) de los RIBS IV y V, 2 ensayos clínicos aleatorizados y multicéntricos que comparan el tratamiento con un balón recubierto con paclitaxel frente al stent liberador de everolimus en pacientes con RS. La evaluación con OCT se realizó basalmente y a los 6-9 meses. La neoateroesclerosis se definió en la OCT basal como una neoíntima con contenido calcificado o lipídico. Se evaluaron los resultados angiográficos y por OCT a los 6-9 meses y la aparición de eventos adversos cardiovasculares mayores a los 3 años de seguimiento en pacientes con y sin neoateroesclerosis tratados con balón recubierto con paclitaxel o stent liberador de everolimus. Resultados Se estudió mediante OCT a 64 pacientes en el momento del procedimiento. Se documentó neoateroesclerosis en 23 lesiones (36%). El seguimiento angiográfico a los 6-9 meses no mostró diferencias entre los pacientes con y sin neoateroesclerosis en reestenosis (5 [24%] frente a 6 [15%]; p=0,49), diámetro luminal mínimo (1,79±0,7 frente a 1,94±0,6 mm; p=0,41) o pérdida tardía (0,33±0,7 frente a 0,15±0,5; p=0,34). El seguimiento con OCT confirmó la ausencia de diferencias en los parámetros cuantitativos y las características del tejido de recubrimiento entre los 2 grupos. A los 3 años de seguimiento, la incidencia de eventos fue de 3 (13%) frente a 5 (12%) en los grupos con y sin neoateroesclerosis respectivamente (HR=0,94; IC95%, 0,22-3,93; p=0,93). Conclusiones En este estudio con una pequeña muestra de pacientes aleatorizados a tratamiento con balón recubierto con paclitaxel o stent liberador de everolimus por RS, ... (AU)

Introduction and objectives Neoatherosclerosis is one of the causes of in-stent restenosis (ISR). Our objective was to evaluate the influence of neoatherosclerosis on prognosis and treatment response in patients with ISR. Methods This is a pooled analysis of the optical coherence tomography (OCT)-substudies of 2 multicenter, randomized clinical trials, RIBS IV and V, comparing treatment with paclitaxel-coated balloon vs everolimus-eluting stent in patients with ISR. OCT evaluation was performed at baseline and at 6 to 9 months. Neoatherosclerosis was defined in baseline OCT as neointima with calcified or lipid content. We evaluated the angiographic and OCT results at 6 to 9 months and the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events at 3 years of follow-up in patients with and without neoatherosclerosis treated with paclitaxel-coated balloon or everolimus-eluting stents. Results Sixty-four patients underwent OCT at the time of the index procedure. Neoatherosclerosis was documented in 23 (36%) lesions. Angiographic follow-up at 6 to 9 months showed no differences in restenosis [5 (24%) vs 6 (15%) P=.49], minimum lumen diameter (1.79±0.7 vs 1.94±0.6mm; P=.41) or late loss (0.33±0.7 vs 0.15±0.5; P=.34) in patients with and without neoatherosclerosis, respectively. Follow-up OCT confirmed the absence of differences in quantitative parameters and the characteristics of tissue coverage between the 2 groups. At 3 years of follow-up, the major adverse cardiovascular events rate was 3 (13%) vs 5 (12%) in the neoatherosclerosis and nonneoatherosclerosis groups (HR, 0.94; 95%CI, 0.22-3.93; P=.93). Conclusions In this limited study population, OCT-defined neoatherosclerosis did not seem to influence acute and long-term outcomes in patients randomized to paclitaxel-coated balloon or everolimus-eluting stents for ISR. (AU)