Severe coronary spasm in a COVID-19 patient.

Myocardial injury is frequently detected in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. However, up to one-third of COVID-19 patients showing ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram have angiographically normal coronary arteries. We present a case of an acute coronary syndrome due to a coronary spasm in a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patient. This pathophysiological mechanism was clearly demonstrated by intracoronary imaging techniques (optical coherence tomography) and invasive vasospasm test.

Role of optical coherence tomography for distal left main stem angioplasty.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to analyze the acute and midterm angiographic outcome of percutaneous treatment of left main coronary stem (LM-PCI) guided by optical coherence tomography (OCT). BACKGROUND: LM-PCI is a complex procedure, and several anatomical factors may impair its outcome. Intravascular imaging is emerging as a useful tool to guide the procedure. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing LM-PCI at three European centers between 2014 and 2017 with a control angiography at 6-12 months. Patients were divided into two groups: OCT-guidance (pre- and post-PCI) and control group (standard angiographic guidance with/out intravascular ultrasound [IVUS]). A blinded core lab analyzed all angiographic images. Primary endpoint was late lumen loss (LLL) after 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 112 patients entered the study, 55 in the OCT group and 57 in the control group (10 IVUS). Baseline and procedural characteristics were similar between groups. Overall, reference vessel diameter of the LM was 3.98 ± 0.65 mm. OCT guidance detected four cases of stent underexpansion (7.2%) and six cases of acute malapposition (10.9%). After a median of 207 ± 23 days, LLL of LM tended to be lower in the OCT group (0.12 ± 0.41 vs. 0.26 ± 0.52 mm, p = .10), and was significantly reduced in the distal portion of the main vessel (0.03 ± 0.45 vs. 0.24 ± 0.53 mm, p = .025). Percent diameter stenosis was also lower (14 ± 9 vs. 19 ± 16%, p = .05). Adverse event rates were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, systematic OCT guidance during LM-PCI allowed a timely detection and correction of acute stent underexpansion and malapposition, and was associated with signs of improved angiographic outcome at midterm, compared to standard practice.

Early restenosis of resorbable magnesium scaffolds: Optical coherence tomography findings.

Resorbable Magnesium Scaffolds (RMS) represent an interesting alternative to current drug-eluting stents. Current data from clinical trials seems to confirm good performance of these new devices with low rates of late device failure. Little is known about mechanisms leading to RMS failure. Herein, we present the first description of an early RMS in-scaffold restenosis. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis at implantation detected acute non-severe malapposition and underexpansion as main promoters of RMS failure. OCT during in-scaffold restenosis intervention confirmed early severe neointimal proliferation and RMS late recoil and dismantling as the main mechanisms of device failure. We hypothesize that the fast resorption process of RMS may lead to an early loss of radial strength, that could favor late recoil, acquired underexpansion, device dismantling and might interact with distribution of sirolimus. This case also illustrates that OCT is pivotal to unravel both acute and acquired mechanisms related to RMS failure.

Hemodynamic performance of self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement systems during valve deployment.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about valve hemodynamic performance during the Evolut and Neo deployment course. We aimed to evaluate transvalvular mean and peak-to-peak gradients over several intraprocedural timepoints during TAVR with Evolut PRO+ (Medtronic) and Neo (Boston Scientific) systems. METHODS: This was single-center pilot sub-study from the SavvyWire EFficacy and SafEty in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Procedures (SAFE-TAVI) trial. Participants received either the Evolut PRO+ or Neo for native valve severe aortic stenosis and the SavvyWire (OpSens Medical) was used for device delivery, pacing, and continuous left ventricular and aortic pressure measurements. For the Evolut, evaluation was done for baseline, two-thirds of valve deployment (still recapturable), 90% of valve deployment (no longer recapturable), and post-deployment hemodynamics. For the Neo, analysis was done at baseline, after the first step (top-crown deployment), and at final status. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were included (Evolut = 15; Neo = 4). There were no statistically significant changes in peak-to-peak gradients (44 mm Hg [IQR:33-69] vs 43 mm Hg [IQR:26-62], P = .41) between baseline and two-thirds of valve deployment in the Evolut patients. There was a significant decrease in mean (40 mm Hg [IQR:32-54] vs 14 mm Hg [IQR:10-18], P less than .001) and peak-to-peak (43 mmHg [IQRS:26-62] vs 9 mm Hg [IQR:8-13], P less than .001) transvalvular gradients between two-thirds and 90% of valve deployment for Evolut. Neo patients exhibited a decrease in transvalvular gradients after top-crown deployment (42.5 mm Hg baseline vs 13 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS: Transvalvular gradients did not vary between the point of "no-recapture" compared to baseline values in patients receiving the Evolut, whereas a significant reduction in transvalvular gradients was observed when the valve was deployed at 90% and fully deployed. The Neo valve was slightly obstructive after the first step of deployment.

Late bleeding events in TAVI patients receiving vitamin K antagonists or direct oral anticoagulants.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The optimal chronic antithrombotic regimen for patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains uncertain. Our aim was to compare the incidence of late bleeding events between patients on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and those on vitamin-K antagonists (VKA). METHODS: This single-center observational study included TAVI patients requiring oral anticoagulation at discharge between 2015 and 2021. The primary endpoint was any clinically significant bleeding event. Secondary endpoints were stroke, heart failure, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 702 TAVI procedures were performed, with 297 patients requiring oral anticoagulation at discharge. Among them, 206 (69.4%) received VKA and 91 (30.6%) received DOAC. Baseline clinical, procedural and in-hospital characteristics did not significantly differ between groups, except for better renal function among DOAC patients. The median length of follow-up was 2.8 years. The risk of bleeding events was higher in patients receiving DOACs than in those receiving VKA (HR, 2.27; 95%CI, 1.21-4.26; incidence of 9.7 and 4.2 events per 100 patient-years of follow-up for DOAC and VKA patients, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of stroke (HR, 1.28; 95%CI, 0.4-4.3), heart failure hospitalization (HR, 0.92; 95%CI, 0.46-1.86), or all-cause mortality (HR, 1.02; 95%CI, 0.68-1.55). CONCLUSIONS: In older patients undergoing TAVI and receiving anticoagulant therapy for atrial fibrillation, the use of DOAC was associated with a higher risk of late bleeding events than VKA.

Self-expanding TAVI using the cusp overlap technique versus the traditional technique: electrocardiogram changes and 1-year cardiovascular outcomes.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using the cusp overlap technique (COT) has shown a lower pacemaker implantation rate at 30 days. The objective of this study was to compare electrocardiogram changes and clinical outcomes between COT and the traditional technique (TT) at 1 year of follow-up. METHODS: Observational, retrospective, nonrandomized study of consecutive patients undergoing TAVI between January 2015 and January 2021. Patients were matched using a propensity score and the TT was compared with COT. The primary endpoints were electrocardiogram changes and a combined endpoint including pacemaker implantation, hospitalization, or cardiovascular death at 1 year. RESULTS: We included 254 patients. After propensity score matching, 184 patients (92 per group) remained. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics. At 1 year, COT patients showed a significant reduction in new onset left bundle branch block (49% vs 27%, P=.002) and less P wave (13.1±21.0 msec vs 5.47±12.5 msec; P=.003) and QRS prolongation (29.77±27.0 msec vs 16.38±25.4 msec, P <.001). COT was associated with a significant reduction in the occurrence of the primary endpoint (SHR, 0.39 [IC95%, 0.21-0.76]; P=.005). CONCLUSIONS: At 1 year of follow-up, COT reduced the incidence of new onset left bundle branch block and diminished QRS and P wave widening compared with the TT. COT was also associated with a statistically significant reduction in the occurrence of the combined primary cardiovascular endpoint.

Anatomical Changes after Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair in Functional MR According to MitraClip Generation.

BACKGROUND: The use of mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is rapidly increasing. Anatomical changes have been described after TEER with the MitraClip system in patients with functional mitral regurgitation (MR), although no study has yet evaluated such anatomical impacts in patients treated with the G4 MitraClip generation. METHODS: This research constituted a prospective, single-center, observational study including consecutive patients with functional MR. Mitral three-dimensional images were obtained transesophageally with echocardiography before and immediately after TEER. Patients receiving the late-generation (G4) system were compared to those receiving early-generation systems. RESULTS: A total of 116 functional MR patients were evaluated, and 40 (34.5%) and 76 (65.5%) received a late-generation (G4) or early-generation device system, respectively. The baseline clinical and echocardiographic features were well-balanced between the groups. Overall, there was a significant reduction in mitral annular size after the intervention, and greater reductions in the anteroposterior diameter (4 mm vs. 3.54 mm, p = 0.03), annular perimeter (11.07 mm vs. 5.29 mm for 3D-perimeter, p = 0.001), and annular area (1.29 cm2 vs. 1.03 cm2, p = 0.002) were found for patients receiving the late G4 device generation compared to the early-generation systems. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with functional MR, we observed significant changes in mitral valve anatomy with a reduction in anteroposterior diameter, valve perimeter, and area. In our cohort, the extent of those changes was greater with the use of the new-generation G4 MitraClip system compared to prior device generations.

Treatment of in-stent restenosis with sirolimus-eluting magnesium bioresorbable scaffolds: optical coherence tomography insights.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of sirolimus-eluting magnesium bioresorbable scaffolds (MgS) in the treatment of patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR). The better option for the treatment of patients with ISR remains unsettled. Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds represent an interesting strategy in this setting to avoid another permanent metal layer. The novel MgS is an attractive option to treat these challenging patients. METHODS: We present the results of the first prospective series of consecutive patients with ISR treated with MgS under optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients (15 lesions) were prospectively included. The mean age was 67 ± 9 years and six patients (40%) presented with an acute coronary syndrome. In 10 patients (67%), underlying neoatherosclerosis was disclosed by OCT. An excellent MgS expansion was obtained in all but two patients who showed persistent suboptimal expansion in heavily calcified vessels. Minor residual malapposition ( n = 5) and angiographically silent minor edge dissections ( n = 8) were readily recognized by OCT. After a median clinical follow-up of 30 (range, 20-54) months, no patient required repeated revascularization, suffered a myocardial infarction or device thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest a potential role for the MgS in selected patients presenting with ISR.

Stent Optimization Using Optical Coherence Tomography and Its Prognostic Implications After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background Stent underexpansion has been known to be associated with worse outcomes. We sought to define optical coherence tomography assessed optimal stent expansion index (SEI), which associates with lower incidence of follow-up major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). Methods and Results A total of 315 patients (involving 370 lesions) who underwent optical coherence tomography-aided coronary stenting were retrospectively included. SEI was calculated separately for equal halves of each stented segment using minimum stent area/mean reference lumen area ([proximal reference area+distal reference area]/2). The smaller of the 2 was considered to be the SEI of that case. Follow-up MACE was defined as a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and target lesion revascularization. Average minimum stent area was 6.02 (interquartile range, 4.65-7.92) mm2, while SEI was 0.79 (interquartile range, 0.71-0.86). Forty-seven (12.7%) incidences of MACE were recorded for 370 included lesions during a median follow-up duration of 557 (interquartile range, 323-1103) days. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified 0.85 as the best SEI cutoff (<0.85) to predict follow-up MACE (area under the curve, 0.60; sensitivity, 0.85; specificity, 0.34). MACE was observed in 40 of 260 (15.4%) lesions with SEI <0.85 and in 7 of 110 (6.4%) lesions with SEI ≥0.85 (P=0.02). Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression identified SEI <0.85 (odds ratio, 3.55; 95% CI, 1.40-9.05; P<0.01) and coronary calcification (odds ratio, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.00-6.10; P=0.05) as independent predictors of follow-up MACE. Conclusions The present study identified SEI <0.85, associated with increased incidence of MACE, as the optimal cutoff in daily practice. Along with suboptimal SEI (<0.85), coronary calcification was also found to be a significant predictor of follow-up MACE.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement using the new Evolut-Pro system: a prospective comparison with the Evolut-R device.

BACKGROUND: Evolut Pro (EVP) is a novel self-expandable aortic valve. This prosthesis consists of an external porcine pericardial wrap designed to reduce paravalvular leak (PVL), maintaining the benefits of its predecessor, the Evolut R (EVR). The aim was to compare the functional and clinical results in the short and medium term of the new EVP with the EVR system. METHODS: Consecutive patients receiving either the EVR (n=50) or the EVP (n=33) from June 2015 to October 2018 were compared. Baseline characteristics, cardiovascular imaging, procedural outcomes, short and mid-term follow-up outcomes were prospectively collected and assessed. RESULTS: Residual mild PVL was common and comparable in the two groups (EVR 79% vs. EVP 70%; P=0.4). In the EVR group, the presence of PVL was directly related to prosthesis size, but this correlation was not observed in the EVP group. Conduction abnormalities were more prevalent with the EVP, but these did not translate into a higher need of permanent pacemaker implantation. Vascular and bleeding complications were infrequent in both groups. At mid-term clinical follow-up (median survival time: EVR 11±0.3 months, EVP 12±0.2 months), the 1-year rate of adverse events was similar (EVR: 24%, EVP: 33%; P=0.3). CONCLUSIONS: Both protheses are effective for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis with excellent results at mid-term clinical follow up. The EVP remains associated with a significant rate of residual mild PVL that appears to be similar to that observed with EVR.

Coronary Aneurysms After Magnesium Resorbable Vascular Scaffolds: "The Dissolving Scaffold Follows the Vessel Wall".

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) may occur following virtually any coronary intervention. We present a patient developing a CAA after magnesium resorbable vascular scaffold (MRS) implantation in the left circumflex coronary artery 1 year before for an acute myocardial infarction. Intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography revealed striking images of the dissolving MRS struts, well apposed and following the CAA vessel wall, rather than the expected classical findings of late acquired malapposition. The implications of these unique findings are discussed.

Correlation between fractional flow reserve and instantaneous wave-free ratio with morphometric assessment by optical coherence tomography in diabetic patients.

Currently there is lack of data regarding the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to depict the hemodynamic relevance of coronary stenoses in diabetic patients. We sought to assess the diagnostic accuracy of OCT-derived morphologic assessment in identifying hemodynamically significant coronary lesions as determined by both, the resting instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) and the hyperemic fractional flow reserve (FFR) in diabetic patients. Diabetic patients presenting with at least one intermediate coronary lesion were prospectively and consecutively enrolled. All lesions were systematically assessed by iFR, FFR and OCT. A total of 41 intermediate lesions were analysed. Mean iFR and FFR values were 0.90 ± 0.04 and 0.81 ± 0.06, respectively (intra-class correlation coefficient 0.49; 95% CI 0.22-0.79). A moderate correlation between iFR and OCT derived minimal lumen diameter (MLD, r = 0.49) and minimal lumen area (MLA, r = 0.50) was found. Conversely, there was a poor correlation between FFR and OCT-derived MLD (r = 0.34) and MLA (r = 0.32). The diagnostic efficiency of MLA and MLD to identify iFR significant stenoses showed an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI 0.69-0.95) for MLD and 0.83 (95% CI 0.71-0.96) for MLA. A worse diagnostic efficiency was found when FFR was used as the reference with an AUC of 0.71 (95% CI 0.54-0.87) for MLD and 0.70 (95% CI 0.53-0.87). OCT-derived MLA and MLD were the strongest independent anatomic predictors of abnormal iFR and FFR values. In diabetic patients, OCT-derived MLA and MLD showed a moderate diagnostic efficiency in identifying functionally significant coronary stenoses by FFR or iFR. In diabetics, anatomic OCT measurements better predicted resting than FFR-determined physiologically significant lesions.

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Management.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a relatively infrequent cause of acute coronary syndrome that usually affects young to middle-aged women. Mainly because of its low prevalence, until recently, most of the evidence on this condition was derived from case reports and small series. Over the last 5 years, more robust evidence has become available from larger retrospective and prospective cohorts of patients with SCAD. The increase in knowledge and recognition of this entity has led to the publication of expert consensus on both sides of the Atlantic. However, new data are continuously accumulating from larger cohorts of patients with SCAD, bringing new light to this little-understood condition. The aim of this article is to update the knowledge on SCAD, including new information from recent studies published since the consensus documents from the European Society of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.

Bioresorbable scaffolds versus permanent sirolimus-eluting stents in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: vascular healing outcomes from the MAGSTEMI trial.

AIMS: The MAGSTEMI trial showed larger endothelium-independent vasodilatation with magnesium-based bioresorbable scaffolds (MgBRS) than with sirolimus-eluting stents (SES). However, restenosis was more frequent with MgBRS. The aims of this study were to compare the healing pattern between MgBRS and SES and to describe the main causes of restenosis, as assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS AND RESULTS: Ninety-five consecutive patients from the randomised MAGSTEMI trial (MgBRS=48, SES=47) underwent OCT imaging at one year. Healing and bioresorption pattern were categorised into four groups: 1) indiscernible struts were observed in 33.3% versus 0% of patients (p<0.001); 2) struts integrated into the vessel wall in 22.9% versus 63.8% (p<0.001); 3) protruding struts in 37.5% versus 31.9% (p=0.568); and 4) protruding and malapposed struts in 6.3% versus 4.3% (p=0.663), respectively. MgBRS were not suitable for strut coverage analysis; SES presented with 5.6% uncovered struts. Scaffold discontinuities were observed in 10.4% and 0%, respectively (p=0.023). MgBRS presented smaller minimal lumen area (3.92±2.02 vs 6.31±1.71 mm²; p<0.001) and larger area stenosis (52.84±18.05 vs 25.02±14.58%; p<0.001). Scaffold measurements were only feasible in 50% of MgBRS, with the expansion index being smaller than in SES (0.58±0.16 vs 0.86±0.19; p<0.001). Scaffold collapse was observed in at least 50% of cases with MgBRS restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Both MgBRS and SES exhibited a low degree of neointima healing, but lumen dimensions were smaller with MgBRS at one year. Although the advanced bioresorption state of MgBRS hampers the assessment of scaffold collapse, this seems to be the main mechanism of restenosis. Future generations of MgBRS should increase and prolong the radial force. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03234348

Erratum to spontaneous coronary artery dissection: from expert consensus statements to evidence-based medicine.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2018.07.10.].

Calcified neoatherosclerosis causing in-stent restenosis: prevalence, predictors, and implications.

BACKGROUND: Neoatherosclerosis has emerged as a major cause of in-stent restenosis (ISR). Although this entity has been described as a unique process, optical coherence tomography (OCT) enables depiction of distinct morphologic patterns, including the presence of calcified sheets within the stent. We sought to assess prevalence, predictors, and implications of calcified neoatherosclerosis (cNA) as the cause of ISR. METHODS AND RESULTS: From January 2014 to August 2016, 75 consecutive patients with 81 ISR lesions with a clinical indication for revascularization were evaluated by OCT before reintervention. In 13 (16%) lesions, cNA was the predominant pattern of ISR, all of them presenting as very-late (>3 years) ISR. Patients with cNA were older (71±9 vs. 66±10 years, P=0.0157), had worse low-density lipoprotein control (97±29 vs. 81±30 mg/dl, P=0.0746), and received treatment with statins (54 vs. 85%, P=0.006) and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEi/ARB) (31 vs. 65%, P=0.003) less frequently compared with patients with other patterns of ISR. Time from stent implantation to ISR [odds ratio (OR)=1.3; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-1.6; P=0.01] and absence of treatment with statins (OR=11.3; 95% CI: 1.7-74; P=0.012) or ACEi/ARB (OR=7.4; 95% CI: 1.3-43; P=0.026) were associated independently with the presence of cNA. During reinterventions, ISR lesions with cNA obtained poorer angiographic (postintervention minimal lumen diameter 1.8±0.4 vs. 2.2±0.5 mm, P=0.0174) and OCT (final stent expansion 83±11 vs. 88±9%, P=0.0896) results. CONCLUSION: In our cohort of consecutive patients with clinical ISR, one-sixth showed underlying cNA as the predominant substrate of restenosis. This unique underlying substrate is related to the time elapsed from stent implantation and the absence of previous treatment with statins or ACEi/ARB and is associated with poorer acute results after reintervention.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: from expert consensus statements to evidence-based medicine.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) represents an increasingly recognized cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), especially in young females. Novel diagnostic insights obtained from intracoronary imaging and the frequent association with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), have recently enriched our understanding of this unique clinical entity. Recently, two scientific statements from both sides of the Atlantic, summarizing the available information on SCAD, have been simultaneously published. These should help to guide the clinical management of these challenging patients. Major collaborative research efforts are required to move from expert-based recommendations to evidence-based [corrected] medicine.

Reliability of physiological assessment of coronary stenosis severity using intracoronary pressure techniques: a comprehensive analysis from a large cohort of consecutive intermediate coronary lesions.

AIMS: We sought to assess the reliability of the most frequently used intracoronary physiologic indices (including intravenous adenosine FFR [IV-FFR], intracoronary low-dose adenosine FFR [LD-IC-FFR], intracoronary high-dose adenosine FFR [HD-IC-FFR], Pd/Pa and iFR). We also sought to analyse factors affecting their reproducibility in a real-world patient population. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 91 lesions in 86 consecutive patients were included. Measurements of all physiological indices were repeated within a systematic standardised prospective protocol. All measured indices showed excellent test-retest reliability, with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) over 0.96. IV-FFR showed the highest coefficient of variation (CV) values among the studied measurements (Pd/Pa: 0.05; iFR: 0.10; LD-IC-FFR: 0.10; HD-IC-FFR: 0.08; IV-FFR: 0.12). Pd/Pa was significantly less variable than the other indices. On multivariate analysis, female gender, distal lesion location, history of hypertension or kidney failure, as well as presentation as an acute coronary syndrome, were associated with more variability in all physiological intracoronary measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The reliability of most frequently used intracoronary physiologic indices is high. Clinical and anatomic factors significantly influence the reliability of these physiologic indices.