A novel troubleshooting technique for below-the-knee artery occlusions with proximal cap ambiguity: Transpedal Retrograde Wire Just Marker Technique.

BACKGROUND: Chronic total occlusions with ambiguous proximal caps pose a challenging problem in below-the-knee artery endovascular interventions. CASE REPORT: We defined a new technique for antegrade puncture and penetration of an ambiguous proximal cap in a 52-year old male patient with a non-healing wound on his right forefoot. Anterior tibial artery (ATA) was determined as the target vessel; however, its origin and course could not be determined. A retrograde guidewire (Asahi Gladius 0.018 inch, Asahi Intecc) was advanced into the distal ATA via transpedal loop following pedal loop angioplasty. This guidewire was advanced through and parked to the tibioperoneal trunk with a small distal loop at the tip. While the looped wire was held in its position as a marker for ATA ostium, a second guidewire (Asahi Gladius 0.018 inch, Asahi Intecc) with the guidance of 4F vertebral catheter (Vert Catheter, Merit Medical) successfully penetrated the ambiguous cap and subsequent target vessel revascularization was achieved with 2.5/150 mm peripheral balloon angioplasty catheter (Minerva SC 0.018 inch, BrosMed Medical). CONCLUSION: Transpedal Retrograde Wire Just Marker Technique is a novel and practical technique which can be used in chronic total occlusions of below-the-knee arteries with ambiguous proximal caps.

Value of latent outflow obstruction to predict clinical course of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Objective The frequency, significance and prognostic value of left ventricle obstruction (LVO) induced with provocation (latent LVO) is controversial for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) patients. This study was designed to assess the value of latent LVO in predicting the clinical course in 101 patients with HC. Methods and results Patients were followed for a mean of 82 ± 48 months (range 2 to 148 months) for clinical end points defined as a composite of cardiovascular death resuscitated cardiac arrest, appropriate defibrillator shock or hospitalization due to worsening of heart failure symptoms. Presence of LVO (hazard ratio 3.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.85 to 7.12; P = 0.0001) and log NT-proBNP levels (hazard ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.14 to 1.72; P = 0.001) were the independent variables associated with an increased risk of experiencing clinical end points. HC patients with latent LVO have a trend toward decreased survival when compared with HC patients without LVO (log rank P = 0.027), but better survival than patients with resting LVO (log rank P = 0.007). HC patients with NT-proBNP levels <1,000 pg/ml had also better survival. LVO and NT-proBNP levels are the major determinants of clinical end points in patients with HC. Conclusions Evaluation of patients without resting LVO to demonstrate latent obstruction is of critical importance in respect of outcome and selection of patients for septal reduction therapies, so routine provocative testing with physiological exercise and measurement of NT-proBNP is recommended in this patient population for risk stratification.

Transradial catheterization may decrease the radial artery luminal diameter and impair the vasodilatation response in the access site at late term: an observational study.

The present study aimed to evaluate the late-term changes in radial artery luminal diameter (RAD) and vasodilatation response following transradial catheterization (TRC). TRC-inducing trauma to radial artery intima may trigger chronic phase vascular changes and lead to anatomical and functional impairment. There is controversial data whether the impairment persists or repairs later. Fifty-six consecutive patients undergoing TRC were enrolled prospectively. Baseline RAD, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and nitroglycerin-mediated dilatation (NMD) of the radial artery at the access site were measured before TRC by high-resolution ultrasound. Six months later; RAD, FMD and NMD were measured again at the same access site. RAD at the sixth month was reduced compared with pre-procedural measurements (2.85 ± 0.44 versus 2.74 ± 0.42 mm, p = 0.0001).The average FMD decreased to 5.66 ± 5.87 %, which was significantly lower than the observed pre-procedural FMD (9.45 ± 5.01 %) 6 months after TRC (p = 0.0001). Likewise, the average NMD at the sixth month was reduced compared with pre-procedural NMD (9.52 ± 6.77 versus 6.64 ± 6.51 %, p = 0.018). Logistic regression analysis indicated that pre-procedural radial artery diameter to sheath size ratio was the independent predictor of NMD reduction (95 % confidence interval, ß = -9.74, p = 0.024). TRC may lead to a significant luminal diameter reduction and impairment of vasodilatation response in the radial artery at late term.

Unusual Vascular Complications Associated with Transradial Coronary Procedures Among 10,324 Patients: Case Based Experience and Treatment Options.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to present our experience regarding the unusual vascular complications and specific treatment strategies in patients who underwent transradial coronary procedure (TRC). BACKGROUND: Transradial access provides lower vascular access site complication rates compared with transfemoral access. However, there is lack of data obtained from large study populations concerning the incidence and treatment strategies of hemorrhagic and vascular complications following a TRC in the literature. METHODS: 10,324 patients (2,652 patients with percutaneous coronary intervention and 7,672 patients with a diagnostic transradial coronary angiography) who underwent a TRC from February 2010 to December 2014 were reviewed to identify cases of large hematoma, perforation, arteriovenous fistula, and pseudoaneurysm. RESULTS: The observed incidence was 0.44% (45 patients) for all unusual vascular and hemorrhagic complications. Of these 45 patients; 32 patients (0.31%) presented with large hematoma (≥6 cm), 8 patients (0.08%) presented with perforation, 4 patients (0.04%) presented with arteriovenous fistula (AVF), and only 1 case (0.009%) presented with radial artery pseudoaneurysm. Forty-one of forty-five patients were managed with mechanical compression. Surgery was performed in only 3 cases; a patient with a brachial artery perforation leading to compartment syndrome, a patient with AVF resulting in limb ischemia, and a patient with radial artery pseudoaneurysm. A right internal mammarian artery perforation resulting in huge breast hematoma was treated via endovascular graft stent implantation. CONCLUSIONS: Hemorrhagic and vascular complications are rarely seen during TRC. However, majority of these complications could be managed conservatively without a requirement for surgical reconstruction.

Comparison of Effects of Low- versus High-Dose Heparin on Access-Site Complications during Transradial Coronary Angiography: A Double-Blind Randomized Study.

OBJECTIVES: Although heparin is highly effective in reducing the rate of radial artery occlusion after transradial catheterization, the optimal heparin dose is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two different heparin doses during transradial coronary angiography. METHODS: 490 consecutive patients undergoing transradial coronary angiography were prospectively enrolled into this double-blind randomized trial. A total of 202 patients enrolled in the low-dose (LD; 2,500 U of heparin) group and 202 patients enrolled in the high-dose (HD; 5,000 U of heparin) group were included in the final analysis. The primary endpoint of the study was radial artery occlusion. Bleeding and hematomas were the secondary outcome measures. RESULTS: At day 7, radial artery occlusion occurred in 5.9% of the patients in the LD group and in 5.4% of the patients in the HD group (p = 0.83). Bleeding during deflation of the transradial band occurred in 6.4% of the patients in the LD group and in 18.3% of the patients in the HD group; the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Higher-dose heparin was found to be an independent predictor of bleeding (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: A lower dose of heparin (i.e. 2,500 U) decreases bleeding during transradial band deflation without an increase in radial artery occlusion.

The assessment of relationship between left ventricular geometry and microvolt T-wave alternans in sustained hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) predicts increased mortality in part due to an elevated incidence of sudden cardiac death in hypertension. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation of microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) with different LV geometric patterns in patient with sustained hypertension. METHODS: This study consisted of 311 consecutive patients with sustained hypertension who were divided into four groups according to LV geometrical patterns. 90 patients were in the normal geometry group (NGG) [mean age 49.6 ± 7.8 years; 60 males (66.7%)], 99 patients were in the concentric remodeling group (CRG) [mean age 50.9 ± 6.6 years; 50 males (50.6%)], 63 patients were in the concentric hypertrophy group (CHG) [mean age 51.6 ± 7.3 years; 32 males (50.7%)] and 58 patients were in the eccentric hypertrophy group (EHG) [mean age 51.6 ± 9.0 years; 30 males (51.7%)]. Physical examination, laboratory work-up, office blood pressure measurement, transthoracic echocardiography and MTWA measurements were performed on all participants. RESULTS: MTWA positivity was significantly higher in EHG and CHG as compared to CRG and NGG (p < 0.001). Left ventricle mass index (LVMI), LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), LV end-systolic diameter (LVESD), interventricular septum diameter (IVSd), posterior wall diameter (PWd) and office systolic blood pressure (SBP) were found to be significantly positively correlated with MTWA (all p-values < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that increased LVMI is associated with an elevated MTWA positivity in sustained hypertensives. Moreover, clinically significant LV geometric patterns including both concentric and eccentric hypertrophy are related with a raised MTWA positivity, which may lead to particular predilection to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in sustained hypertension.

Comparison of subclinical left and right ventricular systolic dysfunction in non-dipper and dipper hypertensives: impact of isovolumic acceleration.

UNLABELLED: Abstract Objectives: To evaluate subclinical left ventricular and right ventricular systolic impairment in dipper and non-dipper hypertensives by using isovolumic acceleration. METHODS: About 45 normotensive healthy volunteers (20 men, mean age 43 ± 9 years), 45 dipper (27 men, mean age 45 ± 9 years) and 45 non-dipper (25 men, 47 ± 7 years) hypertensives were enrolled. Isovolumic acceleration was measured by dividing the peak myocardial isovolumic contraction velocity by isovolumic acceleration time. RESULTS: Non-dippers indicated lower left ventricular (2.2 ± 0.4 m/s(2) versus 2.8 ± 1.0 m/s(2), p < 0.01) and right ventricular isovolumic acceleration values (2.8 ± 0.8 m/s(2) versus 3.5 ± 1.0 m/s(2), p = 0.012) compared with dippers. Left ventricular mass index (p = 0.001), interventricular septal thickness (p = 0.002) and myocardial performance index (p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with left ventricular isovolumic acceleration. Left ventricular septal thickness (p = 0.002), mass index (p = 0.001) and right ventricular myocardial performance index (p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with right ventricular isovolumic acceleration. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that non-dipper hypertensives have increased left and right ventricular subclinical systolic dysfunction compared with dippers. Isovolumic acceleration is the only echocardiographic parameter in predicting this subtle impairment.

Right ventricular endomyocardial fibrosis mimicking Ebstein anomaly in a patient with Behçet's disease: case report and review of the literature.

Behçet's disease is a multisystemic, chronic inflammatory disorder with diffuse clinical manifestations including the cardiovascular system. Endomyocardial fibrosis is a rarely seen complication of Behçet's disease leading to progressive heart failure. We report a case of right ventricular endomyocardial fibrosis mimicking Ebstein anomaly in a 26-year-old male Turkish patient with Behçet's disease, who had heart failure symptoms. In addition, the previously reported cases of endomyocardial fibrosis complicating Behçet's disease are reviewed in this article.

Arrhythmias following revascularization procedures in the course of acute myocardial infarction: are they indicators of reperfusion or ongoing ischemia?

OBJECTIVE: The most important step in the treatment of ST elevation myocardial infarction is to sustain myocardial blood supply as soon as possible. The two main treatment methods used today to provide myocardial reperfusion are thrombolytic therapy and percutaneous coronary intervention. In our study, reperfusion arrhythmias were investigated as if they are indicators of coronary artery patency or ongoing ischemia after revascularization. METHODS: 151 patients with a diagnosis of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction were investigated. 54 patients underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention and 97 patients were treated with thrombolytic therapy. The frequency of reperfusion arrythmias following revascularization procedures in the first 48 hours after admission was examined. The relation between reperfusion arrhythmias, ST segment regression, coronary artery patency, and infarct related artery documented by angiography were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the frequency of reperfusion arrhythmias (P = 0.355). Although angiographic vessel patency was higher in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, there was no significant difference between the patency rates of each group with and without reperfusion arrythmias. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that recorded arrhythmias following different revascularization procedures in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction may not always indicate vessel patency and reperfusion. Ongoing vascular occlusion and ischemia may lead to various arrhythmias which may not be distinguished from reperfusion arrhythmias.

Management of an iatrogenic radial artery perforation: a case report.

A 73-year-old female patient underwent transradial coronary angiography with stable angina and signs of significant myocardial ischemia revealed by exercise stress test. After insertion of a 6F radial sheath into the right radial artery and intra-arterial administration of heparin plus verapamil, the hydrophilic guidewire could not be advanced under fluoroscopic guidance. Immediately afterwards, radial angiography was performed, which displayed a radial artery perforation with significant contrast extravasation. The perforated segment was crossed meticulously with the same guidewire after additional vasodilator drug administration. Afterwards, a 5F TIG catheter was advanced to the axillary artery and held in place for 20 minutes with application of external compression with a sphygmomanometer cuff at the level of systolic blood pressure. The same maneuver was again performed following cuff deflation and completion of coronary angiography with the 5F catheter. Final angiography displayed complete sealing of the perforation without a need for neutralization of heparin. External compression was continued for two hours, and after documentation of normal triphasic radial artery flow by Doppler ultrasound (DUS), the radial sheath was removed. The patient was discharged the following day with no evidence of hand ischemia and well-palpable radial artery pulse. DUS demonstrated normal radial artery flow one month later. This unusual complication was managed successfully with a simple and easily applicable technique that can be performed in such cases.

Efficacy of Transpedal Retrograde Approach in Endovascular Treatment of Patients With Buerger's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of Buerger's disease is challenging, which usually impedes antegrade revascularization options. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of transpedal retrograde approach in patients with Buerger's disease with ambiguous proximal caps and/or previously failed endovascular intervention via antegrade approach. METHODS: Eighteen patients with the diagnosis of Buerger's disease who had previously failed antegrade endovascular interventions and/or ambiguous proximal caps were enrolled. Baseline demographic characteristics, severity of critical limb-threatening ischemia, wound scores, postprocedural pedal loop scores, and recovery or amputation rates were recorded. RESULTS: The patients presented with ischemic rest pain (n = 5, Rutherford stage 4), ischemic ulcers with minor tissue loss (n = 8, Rutherford stage 5), and severe ischemic ulcers or gangrene with major tissue loss (n = 5, Rutherford stage 6). Preprocedural wound score according to Saint Elian Wound Score System (SEWSS) was 15.72 ± 5.05. Retrograde transpedal puncture was achieved with an 89% success rate. Postintervention angiographic success rate was 100%. Postintervention Rutherford stage improved compared with preprocedural Rutherford stages (P<.01). In addition, the average SEWSS score decreased significantly after the interventions (P<.001). Postprocedural pedal loop score was found to be associated with SEWSS scores and amputation rates. CONCLUSIONS: Transpedal retrograde approach is a technically feasible and potentially effective treatment modality for Buerger's disease and may be considered as a first-line treatment option in the treatment of limb salvage, especially when proximal caps of target vessels are ambiguous or antegrade approach is unsuccessful.

Choline or CDP-choline restores hypotension and improves myocardial and respiratory functions in dogs with experimentally - Induced endotoxic shock.

Endotoxin shock is associated with severe impairments in cardiovascular and respiratory functions. We showed previously that choline or cytidine-5'-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) provides beneficial effects in experimental endotoxin shock in dogs. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of choline or CDP-choline on endotoxin-induced cardiovascular and respiratory dysfunctions. Dogs were treated intravenously (i.v.) with saline or endotoxin (LPS, 0.1 mg/kg) 5 min before i.v. infusion of saline, choline (20 mg/kg) or CDP-choline (70 mg/kg). Blood pressure, cardiac rate, myocardial and left ventricular functions, respiratory rate, blood gases, serum electrolytes and cardiac injury markers were determined before and at 0.5-48 h after endotoxin. Plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), catecholamine and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured 2 h and 24 h after the treatments. Endotoxin caused immediate and sustained reductions in blood pressure, cardiac output, pO2 and pH; changes in left ventricular functions, structure and volume parameters; and elevations in heart rate, respiratory rate, pCO2 and serum electrolytes (Na, K, Cl, Ca and P). Endotoxin also resulted in elevations in blood levels of cardiac injury markers, TNF-α, HMGB1, catecholamine and NO. In choline- or CDP-choline-treated dogs, all endotoxin effects were much smaller in magnitude and shorter in duration than observed values in controls. These data show that treatment with choline or CDP-choline improves functions of cardiovascular and respiratory systems in experimental endotoxemia and suggest that they may be useful in treatment of endotoxin shock in clinical setting.

Imaging Spectrum of TIPIC Syndrome : Validation of a new Entity with Vessel Wall Imaging.

PURPOSE: Acute neck pain can have non-vascular and vascular causes. Some patients present with distinct vascular and perivascular changes on imaging at the site of tenderness. This study aimed to evaluate the imaging findings of transient perivascular inflammation of the carotid artery (TIPIC) syndrome with an emphasis on vessel wall imaging using 3­Tesla (3-T) high-resolution (HR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Clinical data along with diagnostic and follow-up imaging of patients presenting to these hospitals with acute neck pain/tenderness and at least 1 imaging study using color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and/or MRI including vessel wall imaging from September 2013 through September 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. A total of 15 patients with no other underlying cause of pain, findings meeting the imaging criteria for TIPIC syndrome and clinical recovery (spontaneous or with treatment) were included in the study. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 43.2 years. With CDU and precontrast MRI, perivascular inflammation (PVI) of the involved artery segment was evident in all patients. Contrast enhancement of the adventitia and PVI were noted on postcontrast HR vessel wall MRI in all patients. Of the patients five had co-existing plaques at the site of tenderness. Follow-up imaging demonstrated pronounced regression or complete resolution of the findings. CONCLUSION: Imaging is useful for the establishment of TIPIC syndrome diagnosis and to rule out other conditions. The use of CDU is usually sufficient for diagnosis and follow-up but in clinically doubtful and complicated cases, vessel wall imaging with HR-MRI is very valuable. Thorough knowledge of this entity among radiologists enables a prompt diagnosis, which accelerates the clinical management.

Level of Selvester QRS score is predictive of ST-segment resolution and 30-day outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The presence of Q waves at presentation with a first acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) reflects a more advanced stage of the infarction. Resolution of ST-segment elevation indicating successful myocyte reperfusion may differ according to how far the infarction process has progressed. The Selvester QRS score measures infarct size. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of QRS score on ST-segment resolution and 30-day clinical outcomes in patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in 112 consecutive patients (mean age 57 +/- 11 years, 94 men, 18 women) with first acute STEMI of <12-hour onset who underwent successful (TIMI-3 flow) primary PCI. The Selvester QRS score was estimated on the first electrocardiogram (ECG) after hospital admission. Sum of ST-segment elevation amount in millimeters was obtained immediately before angioplasty and 60 minutes after the restoration of TIMI-3 flow. The difference between 2 measurements was accepted as the amount of ST-segment resolution and expressed as summation sigmaSTR. summation sigmaSTR <50% was accepted as ECG sign of no-reflow phenomenon. Follow-up to 30-day was performed. RESULTS: The no-reflow phenomenon was more often observed in patients with high QRS score (> or = 4) than in those with low QRS score (34.4% and 6.3%, P < .001). Thirty-day composite major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate was 14% in patients with high QRS score versus 0% in low QRS score group (P = .007). After adjusting for baseline characteristics, high QRS score remained a strong independent predictor of no-reflow (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.5-10.7, P = .005) and MACE (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.9, P = .011). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of high QRS score is an independent predictor of incomplete ST recovery and 30-day MACE in STEMI treated with primary PCI.

Elective percutaneous coronary intervention leads to significant changes in serum resistin, leptin, and adiponectin levels regardless of periprocedural myocardial injury: an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: Bioactive roles of adipokines in coronary atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndromes have been demonstrated previously. However, there is a lack of data regarding the relationship between serum adipokines and periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) following elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between serum adipokines and PMI related to elective PCI. METHODS: In total, 153 consecutive patients (aged 60.6±8.2 years, 98 men) with stable angina pectoris undergoing elective PCI were enrolled in this observational cross-sectional study. Serum resistin, leptin, adiponectin, and high-sensitive Troponin T (hscTnT) levels were measured immediately before PCI and after 12-h PCI. The no-injury, PMI, and type 4a myocardial infarction (type 4a MI) groups were defined as groups consisting patients with post-procedural hscTnT concentrations <14 ng/L, between 14-70 ng/L, and >70 ng/L, respectively. RESULTS: Serum hscTnT, resistin, and leptin concentrations significantly (p<0.001) increased while serum adiponectin levels decreased (p<0.001) after 12-h elective PCI. However, no correlation was found between post-procedural hscTnT concentrations and resistin, leptin, and adiponectin levels. The no-injury group consisted of 65 patients (42.4%), whereas PMI and type 4a MI were observed in 70 (45.8%) and 18 (11.8%) patients, respectively. The average pre-procedural and post-procedural resistin, leptin, and adiponectin levels did not show any significant difference in the no-injury, PMI, and type 4a MI groups. CONCLUSION: There is no correlation between serum adipokine levels and post-procedural troponin elevations reflecting PMI or type 4a MI. However, serum resistin and leptin levels increase, whereas adiponectin levels decrease significantly after elective PCI.

Rise of serum troponin levels following uncomplicated elective percutaneous coronary interventions in patients without clinical and procedural signs suggestive of myocardial necrosis.

INTRODUCTION: The new definition of periprocedural myocardial infarction (type 4a MI) excludes patients without angina and electrocardiographic or echocardiographic changes suggestive of myocardial ischemia even though significant serum troponin elevations occur following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). AIM: To evaluate the incidence and predictors of serum troponin rise following elective PCI in patients without clinical and procedural signs suggestive of myocardial necrosis by using a high-sensitivite troponin assay (hsTnT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred and four patients (mean age: 60.8 ±8.8 years, 204 male) undergoing elective PCI were enrolled. Patients with periprocedural angina, electrocardiographic or echocardiographic signs indicating myocardial ischemia or a visible procedural complication such as dissection or side branch occlusion were excluded. Mild-moderate periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) and severe PMI were defined as post-PCI (12 h later) elevation of serum hsTnT concentrations to the range of 14-70 ng/l and > 70 ng/l, respectively. RESULTS: The median pre-procedural hsTnT level was 9.7 ng/l (interquartile range: 7.1-12.2 ng/l). Serum hsTnT concentration elevated (p < 0.001) to 19.4 ng/l (IQR: 12.0-38.8 ng/l) 12 h after PCI. Mild-moderate PMI and severe PMI were detected in 49.3% and 12.2% of patients, respectively. Post-procedural hsTnT levels were significantly higher in multivessel PCI, overlapping stenting, predilatation and postdilatation subgroups. In addition, post-procedural hsTnT levels were correlated (r = 0.340; p < 0.001) with the stent lengths. CONCLUSIONS: High-sensitivite troponin measurements indicate a high incidence of PMI even though no clinical or procedural signs suggestive of myocardial ischemia exist. Multivessel PCI, overlapping stenting, predilatation, postdilatation and longer stent length are associated with PMI following elective PCI.

Safety of Early Discharge After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

In contrast to ST-elevation myocardial infarction treatment, there is no clear definition for when and which patient to discharge. Our study's main goal was to test the hypothesis that an early discharge strategy (within 48 to 56 hours) in patients with successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is as safe as in patients who stay longer. The Early Discharge after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention trial was designed in a prospective, randomized, multicenter fashion and registered with http://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01860079). Of 900 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, the study randomized 769 eligible patients to the early or the standard discharge group. The study's primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and readmission at 30 days. We considered assessment of functional status and health-related quality of life to be secondary outcomes. The early discharge group had significantly shorter length of hospital stay compared with the standard discharge group (45.99 ± 9.12 vs 114.87 ± 63.53 hours; p <0.0001). Neither all-cause mortality nor readmissions were different between the 2 study groups (p = 0.684 and p = 0.061, respectively). Quality-of-life measures were not statistically different between the 2 study groups. Our study reveals that discharge within 48 to 56 hours after successful PPCI is feasible, safe, and does not increase the 30-day readmission rate. Moreover, the patients perceived health status at 30 days did not differ with early discharge.

Subintimal angioplasty and stenting in chronic total femoropopliteal artery occlusions: Early- and mid-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the initial and mid-term patency rates of chronic total femoropopliteal artery (FPA) occlusions treated by subintimal angioplasty (SIA) and stenting. METHODS: From March 2010 to February 2013, 74 patients were included in the study. Seventy two patients with total occlusion of the FPA and good distal runoff (2 or 3 patent vessels) were treated with percutaneous SIA and stenting. All patients had severe claudication or critical limb ischemia. In all cases, the procedure was performed with a contralateral approach. Follow-up was done at 6 months with clinical evaluation and color-Doppler. If it was necessary, peripheric angiography was performed. RESULTS: Immediate technical success was achieved in 72 (97%) patients. Two (3%) distal embolizations, 2 (3%) groin hematomas, 1 (1%) femoral pseudoaneurysm and 1 (1%) rupture of the junction-external iliac-superficial femoral artery occurred. All of the complications were treated successfully. Total occlusion in 1 patient and critical occlusion in 3 patients were showed at the 6th month. Patency rate at the sixth month was 94% with a stent length of 13.4 ± 8.2 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous SIA and stenting for chronic total of the FPA occlusion showed good initial and mid-term patency rates, with few periprocedural complications.

Assessment of the relationship between nondipping phenomenon and microvolt T-wave alternans.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) as a marker of myocardial electrical instability in normotensive and hypertensive individuals with either nondipper or dipper-type circadian rhythm of blood pressure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group included a total of 181 patients: 118 hypertensive patients and 63 normotensive healthy volunteers [mean age 46 ± 8; 34 men (54%)]. The patients with hypertension were divided into two groups on the basis of their results of 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring: 61 patients with dipper hypertension [mean age 46 ± 6; 32 men (52.5%)] and 57 patients with nondipper hypertension [mean age 48 ± 10; 36 men (63.2%)]. The MTWAs of all patients were analyzed using the time-domain modified moving average method by means of a treadmill exercise stress test. RESULTS: MTWA positivity was statistically significantly different between all groups. Left ventricular mass index, E/E', interventricular septum, posterior wall, 24-h systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, and night-time systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were correlated positively with MTWA. Left ventricular mass index and the presence of nondipper hypertension were determined to be independent predictors of MTWA positivity. CONCLUSION: The blunting of the nocturnal decrease in blood pressure was associated with MTWA positivity in hypertensive patients.

Predictive Value of the No-Reflow Phenomenon and Epicardial Adipose Tissue for Clinical Outcomes After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

INTRODUCTION: The determinants of clinical outcomes in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are still being debated. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of the no-reflow phenomenon and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness for clinical outcomes in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for STEMI. METHODS: The present study prospectively included 114 consecutive patients (mean age 54 ± 10 years, 15 women) who underwent successful pPCI. Patients were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of the no-reflow phenomenon and further subdivided according to the tertile of EAT thickness (Group I <5.1 mm, Group II ≥5.1 mm). We assessed the composite and separate occurrence of major adverse cardiac events. RESULTS: Throughout the 3-year follow up, the number of admissions for heart failure was significantly higher in patients with no-reflow (n=5 [20%] vs. n=1 [1%], p=0.003) and in female patients (n=4 [26%] vs. n=2 [2%], p=0.004). In the subgroup analysis, group I patients with no-reflow showed a higher frequency of admission for heart failure (n=4 [44%] vs. n=1 [6%], p=0.04). However, multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only no-reflow and female sex independently predicted admission for heart failure (OR: 19.3, 95%CI: 1.4-269.7, p=0.03, and OR: 24.9, 95%CI: 2.2-288.8, p=0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: No-reflow and female sex are independent predictors of admission for heart failure in the longterm follow up of patients with STEMI. However, EAT thickness is not associated with clinical outcomes after pPCI.