Long-Term Clinical Outcome After Alcohol Septal Ablation and Its Periprocedural Predictive Factors in Japan　- A Retrospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence is limited regarding long-term clinical outcomes after alcohol septal ablation (ASA) for patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and its periprocedural predictive factors in Japan.Methods and Results: This retrospective observational study included 44 patients who underwent ASA between 1998 and 2022 in a single center. We evaluated the periprocedural change in variables and long-term clinical outcomes after the procedure. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure. The secondary outcome was all-cause death. Using multivariable Poisson regression with robust error variance, we predicted underlying periprocedural factors related to primary outcome development. ASA decreased the median pressure gradient at the left ventricular outflow tract from 88 to 33 mmHg and reduced moderate or severe mitral regurgitation (MR), present in 53% of patients before ASA, to 16%. Over a median 6-year follow-up, the cumulative incidence of the primary outcome at 5 and 10 years was 16.5% and 25.6%, respectively. After multivariable analysis, moderate or severe MR after ASA was significantly associated with the primary outcome (relative risk 8.78; 95% confidence interval 1.34-57.3; P=0.024). All-cause mortality after ASA was 15.1% and 28.9% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents long-term clinical outcomes after ASA in Japan. Moderate or severe MR after ASA was significantly associated with the composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure.

Comparison of the OPTIVUS-Complex PCI Multivessel Cohort With the Historical CREDO-Kyoto Registry Cohort-3.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data on the effect of optimal intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with standard PCI or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with multivessel disease.Methods and Results: The OPTIVUS-Complex PCI study multivessel cohort was a prospective multicenter single-arm study enrolling 1,021 patients undergoing multivessel PCI including the left anterior descending coronary artery using IVUS aiming to meet the prespecified criteria for optimal stent expansion. We conducted propensity score matching analyses between the OPTIVUS group and historical PCI or CABG control groups from the CREDO-Kyoto registry cohort-3 (1,565 and 899 patients) fulfilling the inclusion criteria for this study. The primary endpoint was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or any coronary revascularization. In the propensity score-matched cohort (OPTIVUS vs. historical PCI control: 926 patients in each group; OPTIVUS vs. historical CABG control: 436 patients in each group), the cumulative 1-year incidence of the primary endpoint was significantly lower in the OPTIVUS group than in the historical PCI control group (10.4% vs. 23.3%; log-rank P<0.001) or the historical CABG control group (11.8% vs. 16.5%; log-rank P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: IVUS-guided PCI targeting the OPTIVUS criteria combined with contemporary clinical practice was associated with superior clinical outcomes at 1 year compared with not only the historical PCI control, but also the historical CABG control.

Association between cancer history and second-generation drug-eluting stent thrombosis: insights from the REAL-ST registry.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-associated thrombosis is a frequent complication of cancer; however, little evidence is available regarding the association between cancer history and coronary artery stent thrombosis (ST). We aimed to investigate the relationship between cancer history and second-generation drug-eluting stent thrombosis (G2-ST). METHODS: From the REAL-ST (Retrospective Multicenter Registry of ST After First- and Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation) registry, this study evaluated 1265 patients (G2- ST cases, n = 253; controls, n = 1012) with cancer-related information available. RESULTS: The prevalence of patients with cancer history was higher (12.3% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.065), and that of currently diagnosed and currently treated cancer was significantly higher in ST cases than controls (3.6% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.021; 3.2% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.037, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that cancer history was associated with late ST (odds ratio [OR]: 2.80, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.92-8.55, p = 0.071) and very late ST (OR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.02-5.65, p = 0.046), but not with early ST (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.51-2.00, p = 0.97). During the median follow-up period of 872 days after the index ST events, patients with cancer history showed a higher mortality than those without, among both ST cases (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.06-3.51, p = 0.031) and controls (HR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.09-3.40, p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: A post hoc analysis of REAL-ST registry revealed that patients with G2-ST had a higher prevalence of currently diagnosed and currently treated cancer. Notably, cancer history was associated with the occurrence of late and very late ST, but not with early ST.

Predictors of success and puncture site complications in the distal radial approach.

The distal radial approach (DRA) has been proposed as an alternative approach for coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, the predictors of DRA failure and puncture site complications are unclear. Among 7153 consecutive patients undergoing CAG or PCI between November 2018 and January 2021, 3610 patients undergoing CAG or PCI with DRA were analyzed. The primary endpoint of this study was the procedural success, and the secondary endpoint of this study was puncture site complications during procedure. Puncture site complications during procedure were defined as a composite of major bleeding, minor bleeding, arteriovenous fistula, pseudoaneurysm, and neuropathy. The DRA success rate and the puncture site complication rate were 90.4% and 7.7%, respectively. The predictors of DRA failure were low body weight and dual antiplatelet therapy; those of DRA success were PCI and ultrasonography-guided DRA; those of puncture site complications during procedure were low body weight, peripheral arterial disease, dual antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulant therapy, and PCI; and that of no puncture site complications were previous PCI and ultrasonography-guided DRA. The negative predictors of DRA success with no puncture site complication during procedure were low body weight and dual antiplatelet therapy. The positive predictor of DRA success with no puncture site complication during procedure was ultrasonography-guided DRA. We identified the predictors of DRA failure and puncture site complications during procedure in patients undergoing CAG and PCI with DRA. Ultrasonography-guided DRA was associated with a high DRA success rate and a low puncture site complication rate in patients undergoing CAG or PCI with DRA.

Comparison and Validation of Long-Term Bleeding Events for Academic Bleeding Risk (ARC-HBR) Criteria and Contemporary Risk Scores for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With a Second-Generation Drug Eluting Stent.

BACKGROUND: The Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (ARC-HBR) defined a consensus clinical criterion for patients at HBR undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to validate and compare the ARC-HBR criteria and the contemporary risk score for long-term bleeding outcomes using a cohort of patients undergoing PCI.Methods and Results: This study analyzed 3,410 patients who underwent PCI between 2010 and 2013. The endpoint was defined as incidence of The Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 3 or 5 bleeding events. In addition to ARC-HBR, this study validated the predictability of the Predicting Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Stent Implantation and Subsequent Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (PRECISE-DAPT) score, Patterns of non-adherence to Anti-platelet Regimens In Stented patients (PARIS) bleeding score, and Coronary Revascularization Demonstrating Outcome Study in Kyoto (CREDO-Kyoto) bleeding scores for bleeding events. There was a trend toward an increase in bleeding events, as the risk score increased for all bleeding risk scores used in this study. The ARC-HBR criteria had higher diagnostic sensitivity for bleeding events than other bleeding risk scores. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a higher number of risk factors in each of the four bleeding risk scores had a higher risk of long-term bleeding events. In comparison to other contemporary risk scores, the ARC-HBR criteria were more sensitive in the identification of patients with bleeding events in the long-term.

Gastrointestinal and Intracranial Bleeding Events After Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation　- Their Association With High Bleeding Risk, Predictors, and Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and intracranial bleeding (ICB) are frequently observed as major bleeding events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, there are few reports on these predictors and their association with the Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (ARC-HBR).Methods and Results: The study included 3,453 patients who underwent PCI with second-generation drug-eluting stents between 2010 and 2013. Mean follow up was 2,663±596 days. The cumulative incidences of GIB and ICB were significantly higher in the HBR group than in the non-HBR group (6.3% vs. 1.9%, P<0.001, 5.5% vs. 2.3%, P<0.001). Older age, oral anticoagulant (OAC), and severe chronic kidney disease were independent predictors of GIB (hazard ratios [HR], 1.64; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.11-2.41; P=0.012; HR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.23-3.05; P=0.004; HR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.02-3.19, P=0.043 respectively), and low body weight, OAC, and left main coronary artery stenting were independent predictors of ICB by multivariate logistic regression analysis (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.20-2.80; P=0.005; HR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.31-3.19; P=0.002; HR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.18-2.70; P=0.006 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ARC-HBR was consistently associated with GIB and ICB within a 7-year period. GIB and ICB had three predictors each. Of these, only OAC administration was common, and the other two were different.

Concomitant Mitral Regurgitation in Severe Aortic Stenosis　- A Report From the CURRENT AS Registry.

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of concomitant mitral regurgitation (MR) has not been well addressed in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).Methods and Results:We analyzed 3,815 patients from a retrospective multicenter registry of severe AS in Japan (CURRENT AS registry). We compared the clinical outcomes between patients with moderate/severe MR and with none/mild MR according to the initial treatment strategy (initial aortic valve replacement [AVR] or conservative strategy). The primary outcome measure was a composite of aortic valve-related death or heart failure hospitalization. At baseline, moderate/severe MR was present in 227/1,197 (19%) patients with initial AVR strategy and in 536/2,618 (20%) patients with a conservative strategy. The crude cumulative 5-year incidence of the primary outcome measure was significantly higher in patients with moderate/severe MR than in those with none/mild MR, regardless of the initial treatment strategy (25.2% vs. 14.4%, P<0.001 in the initial AVR strategy, and 63.3% vs. 40.7%, P<0.001 in the conservative strategy). After adjusting confounders, moderate/severe MR was not independently associated with higher risk for the primary outcome measure in the initial AVR strategy (hazard ratio [HR] 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67-1.83, P=0.69), and in the conservative strategy (HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.93-1.37, P=0.22). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant moderate/severe MR was not independently associated with higher risk for the primary outcome measure regardless of the initial treatment strategy.

Outcomes at 1 Year of Non-Left Main Trunk Bifurcation Lesions Treated With a 2-Stent Strategy Using Newer-Generation Everolimus-Eluting Stents.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary bifurcation lesions using the 2-stent strategy remains a challenging procedure for interventionalists because of the higher incidence of in-stent restenosis (ISR) and adverse events. ISR predictors in patients treated with newer-generation everolimus-eluting stents (EES) and the 2-stent strategy remain unknown. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the 1-year clinical and angiographic outcomes of non-left main trunk (LMT) bifurcation lesions treated with the 2-stent strategy using newer-generation EES.Methods and Results:The study sample consisted of 262 non-LMT bifurcation lesions treated using culotte or T-stenting with EES between 2010 and 2018. One-year post-procedural angiographic and clinical examinations were conducted in 208 (79.4%) and 260 (99.2%) lesions, respectively. The primary outcome measure was the 1-year post-procedural ISR rate, which was found to be 15.9%. Independent predictors of 1-year post-procedural ISR were long side branch lesions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-5.23; P=0.04) and 3-link EES implantation (aOR 2.45; 95% CI 1.07-5.61; P=0.03). The 1-year cumulative incidence of target lesion revascularization was 3.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The 1-year clinical outcomes of non-LMT bifurcation lesions treated with the 2-stent strategy using EES were acceptable. Long side branch lesions and lesions treated with 3-link EES were independent predictors of 1-year post-procedural ISR.

Three-dimensional optical coherence tomography versus intravascular ultrasound in percutaneous coronary intervention for the left main coronary artery.

We aimed to compare the intravascular imaging findings, and clinical outcomes between three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (OCT)- and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for the left main coronary artery (LMCA). We enrolled 331 patients underwent OCT- or IVUS-guide single crossover stenting across the side branch (SB) and subsequent kissing balloon inflation (KBT) for LMCA bifurcation. Primary endpoint was defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. Of 331 patients, 58 patients (17.5%) underwent OCT-guide PCI. OCT-guide PCI associated with higher frequency of proximal optimization technique (POT) (98.3% vs 85.3%, P = 0.013) and smaller balloon size of POT (4.29 ± 0.44 mm vs 4.43 ± 0.42, P = 0.02) than IVUS-guide PCI. Although maximal stent area at LMCA and minimal stent area at main vessel were significantly smaller in OCT-guide PCI in intravascular imaging (P = 0.01, and P = 0.002, respectively), the restenosis rate at follow-up angiography was comparable in both groups (15.2% vs. 9.4%, P = 0.387). Cumulative rate of primary endpoint was not significantly different between 2 groups both before and after propensity score adjustment (7.0% vs. 7.4%, P = 0.98 and 2.6% vs. 7.3%, P = 0.18). In conclusion, the clinical outcomes at 1 year were comparable, suggesting OCT- and IVUS-guided PCI for LMCA were similarly feasible. The balloon size of POT in OCT-guide PCI might be influenced by the limited visibility in the proximal LMCA.

Impact of high-dose statin on cardiovascular outcomes in real-world patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction.

Little is known about the impact of a high-dose statin on cardiovascular outcomes after ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) in real-world Japanese patients. Between July 2011 and June 2017, 1110 consecutive STEMI patients underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention at our hospital and were discharged. A high-dose statin was administered in 117 patients (10.5%) and non-high-dose statin was administered in 947 patients (85.3%). The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was significantly higher in the high-dose statin group at admission (129.8 ± 44.9 vs. 110.4 ± 32.7, p < 0.0001), but the levels were not significantly different at follow-up (86.7 ± 25.7 vs. 85.0 ± 25.0, p = 0.52). The cumulative 2-year incidence of a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and any unplanned coronary revascularization was significantly lower in the high-dose statin group (6.2% vs. 16.9%, log-rank p = 0.004). Propensity score matched analysis indicated similar results. Among the types of coronary revascularization, a high-dose statin was significantly correlated with a lower rate of de novo lesion revascularization (hazard ratio 0.31; 95% confidence interval 0.08-0.83; p = 0.02). The results of our analyses indicate that administration of a high-dose statin may result in better cardiovascular outcomes after STEMI mainly by reducing the rate of revascularization for de novo lesions regardless of the achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in real-world patients.

Prevalence of the Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk Criteria and Prognostic Value of a Simplified Definition.

BACKGROUND: The Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (ARC-HBR) criteria have been suggested as the standard definition of HBR. However, the prevalence of individual criteria and their prognostic value for long-term bleeding events after percutaneous coronary intervention are scarcely studied.Methods and Results:The study population comprised 1,193 patients treated with everolimus-eluting stents between 2010 and 2011. Data on all 17 major and minor criteria of the ARC-HBR definition were retrospectively collected, and applied to this study population. Major bleeding was defined as the occurrence of a BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding event. A simplified definition was developed by excluding the low-frequency criterion, and the prognostic value was assessed by a receiver-operating characteristic curve. Mean follow-up was 2,996±433 days and there were 656 HBR patients (55.0%). The cumulative incidence of major bleeding was significantly higher in the HBR group than in the non-HBR group (16.2% vs. 5.7% at 8 years, P<0.001). The frequencies of 6 of the 17 criteria were less than 1%. The prognostic value of the simplified definition made by excluding these 6 criteria for major bleeding was comparable to that of the original (c-statistic=0.598 and 0.600, P=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Some risk criteria of the ARC-HBR definition are observed infrequently. Our simplified definition identified patients with long-term bleeding risk as successfully as the original definition.

Clinical Outcomes and Angiographic Results of Bailout Stenting for Guide Catheter-Induced Iatrogenic Coronary Artery Dissection　- Impact of Stent Type.

BACKGROUND: Guide catheter-induced iatrogenic coronary artery dissection is a rare but feared complication. When it occurs, bailout stenting is widely performed; however, its prognosis and the impact of stent type remains unclear.Methods and Results:The study population consisted of 77,257 consecutive patients (coronary angiography, 55,864; percutaneous coronary intervention, 21,393) between 2000 and 2015. We investigated the incidence, clinical outcomes, and angiographic results after bailout stenting and compared by stent type: bare-metal stent (BMS) and drug-eluting stent (DES). Iatrogenic coronary artery dissection occurred in 105 patients (incidence rate, 0.14%). All cases of iatrogenic coronary artery dissection that were recognized as requiring bailout procedure could be managed by stent implantation, and no patients died during bailout procedure. The 5-year cumulative incidences of cardiac death, target lesion revascularization, and major adverse cardiac events were 11.3%, 10.3%, and 21.0%, respectively. The binary restenosis rate was 10.4%, and it was not significantly different between BMS and DES implantation. In lesions with preprocedural stenosis, however, it was significantly lower in the DES group than in the BMS group. On the other hand, coronary artery dissection recurred in 8 patients, which was observed only after DES implantation. CONCLUSIONS: The immediate and long-term outcomes of bailout stenting for iatrogenic coronary artery dissection were acceptable. Although DES may be favorable for stenotic lesions, coronary artery dissection can recur after DES implantation.

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics of Stent Thrombosis Between the Right Coronary Artery and the Left Coronary Artery　- A Subanalysis of the REAL-ST Registry.

BACKGROUND: Stent thrombosis (ST) remains a severe complication following stent implantation. We previously reported the risk factors for ST after 2nd-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) in the REAL-ST (Retrospective Multicenter Registry of ST After First- and Second-Generation DES Implantation) registry.Methods and Results:In this subanalysis, we aimed to reveal the difference in ST between right coronary (RCA) and left (LCA) coronary arteries. A total of 307 patients with ST were divided into the RCA-ST group (n=93) and the LCA-ST group (n=214). Multivariate analysis revealed younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93-0.99, P=0.01), ostial lesion at the time of index percutaneous coronary intervention (OR 4.37, 95% CI 1.43-13.33, P=0.01), bifurcation lesion at the time of index PCI (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.02-0.12, P<0.01), chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesion at the time of index PCI indication (OR 4.19, 95% CI 1.05-16.71, P=0.04), and use of prasugrel at the time of ST (OR 7.30, 95% CI 1.44-36.97, P=0.02) were significantly associated with RCA-ST. CONCLUSIONS: Younger age, ostial or CTO lesion, and use of prasugrel at the time of ST were prominent factors in RCA-ST, whereas bifurcation lesion was associated with LCA-ST. We should pay attention to the differences between RCA-ST and LCA-ST to prevent ST.

Long-Term Incidence and Details of Bleeding Events After Everolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation　- 7-8-Year Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: To date, the long-term incidence and details of major bleeding (MB) and coronary thrombotic events (CTE) in patients with everolimus-eluting stent (EES) implantation have not been made clear.Methods and Results:The study population comprised 1,193 patients treated with EES without in-hospital events between 2010 and 2011. MB was defined as the occurrence of a Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 3 or 5 bleeding event. The mean follow-up period was 2,996±433 days. Cumulative rate of MB was 7.4% and 10.8% at 5 and 8 years, respectively. Of 46 patients with intracranial bleeding, 20 had trauma-related intracranial bleeding. Cumulative rates of definite stent thrombosis and CTE at 8 years were 0.4% and 5.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed low body mass index (<23) (hazard ratio (HR), 1.57; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-2.36; P=0.03) and concomitant use of oral anticoagulants (HR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.30-3.50; P=0.004) as independent risk factors of MB and previous PCI (HR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.29-1.00; P=0.006) as the factor for CTE. CONCLUSIONS: MB is not uncommon and is a long-term hazard, but the occurrence of stent thrombosis is very low after EES implantation. Approximately half of the cases involving intracranial bleeding were associated with trauma.

Effect of 1-Month Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Followed by Clopidogrel vs 12-Month Dual Antiplatelet Therapy on Cardiovascular and Bleeding Events in Patients Receiving PCI: The STOPDAPT-2 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Very short mandatory dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with a drug-eluting stent may be an attractive option. Objective: To test the hypothesis of noninferiority of 1 month of DAPT compared with standard 12 months of DAPT for a composite end point of cardiovascular and bleeding events. Design, Setting, and Participants: Multicenter, open-label, randomized clinical trial enrolling 3045 patients who underwent PCI at 90 hospitals in Japan from December 2015 through December 2017. Final 1-year clinical follow-up was completed in January 2019. Interventions: Patients were randomized either to 1 month of DAPT followed by clopidogrel monotherapy (n=1523) or to 12 months of DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel (n=1522). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, definite stent thrombosis, or major or minor bleeding at 12 months, with a relative noninferiority margin of 50%. The major secondary cardiovascular end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, MI, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, or definite stent thrombosis and the major secondary bleeding end point was major or minor bleeding. Results: Among 3045 patients randomized, 36 withdrew consent; of 3009 remaining, 2974 (99%) completed the trial. One-month DAPT was both noninferior and superior to 12-month DAPT for the primary end point, occurring in 2.36% with 1-month DAPT and 3.70% with 12-month DAPT (absolute difference, -1.34% [95% CI, -2.57% to -0.11%]; hazard ratio [HR], 0.64 [95% CI, 0.42-0.98]), meeting criteria for noninferiority (P < .001) and for superiority (P = .04). The major secondary cardiovascular end point occurred in 1.96% with 1-month DAPT and 2.51% with 12-month DAPT (absolute difference, -0.55% [95% CI, -1.62% to 0.52%]; HR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.49-1.29]), meeting criteria for noninferiority (P = .005) but not for superiority (P = .34). The major secondary bleeding end point occurred in 0.41% with 1-month DAPT and 1.54% with 12-month DAPT (absolute difference, -1.13% [95% CI, -1.84% to -0.42%]; HR, 0.26 [95% CI, 0.11-0.64]; P = .004 for superiority). Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients undergoing PCI, 1 month of DAPT followed by clopidogrel monotherapy, compared with 12 months of DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel, resulted in a significantly lower rate of a composite of cardiovascular and bleeding events, meeting criteria for both noninferiority and superiority. These findings suggest that a shorter duration of DAPT may provide benefit, although given study limitations, additional research is needed in other populations. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02619760.

Optical Coherence Tomography Predictors for Recurrent Restenosis After Paclitaxel-Coated Balloon Angioplasty for Drug-Eluting Stent Restenosis.

BACKGROUND: Little is known of the relationship between optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings and recurrent restenosis after paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB) angioplasty for drug-eluting stent in-stent restenosis (DES-ISR). To identify the predictors of recurrent restenosis after PCB angioplasty, we investigated quantitative and qualitative OCT findings during PCB angioplasty for DES-ISR. Methods and Results: In all, 222 DES-ISR lesions treated by PCB angioplasty with OCT assessment and followed-up angiographically at 6 months were divided into restenotic and non-restenotic lesions on the basis of the presence or absence of restenosis at follow-up. There was a significantly higher proportion of the heterogeneous tissue pattern in restenotic than non-restenotic lesions (26.5% vs. 11.0%, respectively; P=0.02). The OCT-derived post-procedural minimal lumen and stent areas were significantly smaller in restenotic lesions, but the intima area was similar in both groups. Post-procedural stent underexpansion, defined as a stent diameter : size of the previous stent ratio <1.0, was more frequently observed in restenotic than non-restenotic lesions (33.3% vs. 17.4%, respectively; P=0.02). Multivariate analysis identified a heterogeneous tissue pattern (odds ratio [OR] 2.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32-6.47; P=0.006) and post-procedural stent underexpansion (OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.15-4.85; P=0.04) as independent predictors of recurrent restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: The heterogeneous tissue pattern and insufficient post-procedural minimal lumen area, caused primarily by stent underexpansion, may be associated with restenosis after PCB angioplasty for DES-ISR.

Two-Year Outcomes and Predictors of Target Lesion Revascularization for Non-Left Main Coronary Bifurcation Lesions Following Two-Stent Strategy With 2nd-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents.

BACKGROUND: Data on outcomes of non-left main coronary bifurcation lesions treated with the 2-stent strategy using 2nd-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) are insufficient.Methods and Results:The 2-year outcomes and predictors of target lesion revascularization (TLR) in 356 patients with 364 non-left main coronary bifurcation lesions treated with the 2-stent strategy using 2nd-generation DES were retrospectively evaluated. The primary outcome measure was defined as TLR. The median follow-up duration was 3.6 years (interquartile range, 2.7-4.9 years). A 2-year clinical follow-up was achieved in 99.2%. The 2-year cumulative incidence of TLR was 9.2%. Multiple stents implanted in either the main branch (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37-6.62; P=0.006) or the side branch (adjusted OR 4.55; 95% CI: 1.99-10.4; P<0.001) and the culprit in the left anterior descending artery and its diagonal branch (adjusted OR 0.33; 95% CI: 0.15-0.75: P=0.008) were independent predictors of TLR within 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: The 2-year outcomes for the 2-stent strategy using 2nd-generation DES in non-left main coronary bifurcation lesions were acceptable. Coronary bifurcation location in the left anterior descending artery and its diagonal branch is protective against TLR, whereas multiple stents implanted in either the main branch or the side branch was associated with TLR.

Acute Coronary Syndrome With Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Culprit　- An Observation From the AOI-LMCA Registry.

BACKGROUND: Data on the clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the clinical outcome of patients with ACS who underwent PCI for LMCA culprit lesion.Methods and Results:Of 1,809 patients enrolled in the Assessing Optimal Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for the LMCA (AOI-LMCA) registry (a retrospective 6-center registry of consecutive patients undergoing LMCA stenting in Japan), the current study population consisited of 1,500 patients with unprotected LMCA stenting for LMCA ACS (ACS with shock: 115 patients, ACS without shock: 281 patients) and stable CAD (1,104 patients). The cumulative 180-day incidence of death was markedly higher in the ACS with shock group than in the other groups (49.5%, 8.6%, and 3.3%, respectively; P<0.0001), but mortality beyond 180-day was not significantly different among the 3 groups (30.2%, 20.4%, and 19.5%, respectively; P=0.65). In the ACS with shock group, the initial TIMI flow grade did not affect 5-year mortality (57.1% and 62.2%, P=0.99), but in the ACS without shock group, 5-year mortality was significantly higher in patients with initial TIMI flow grade ≤1 than in patients with TIMI flow grade ≥2 (44.4% and 23.7%, respectively; P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with LMCA ACS, survival correlates with baseline hemodynamic and coronary flow status.

Impact of Stent Type and Presence of Vasospastic Angina on Long-Term Prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the impact of stent type on the prognosis of vasospastic angina (VSA) in patients who undergo stent implantation.Methods and Results:We evaluated consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography with positive (n=650; VSA) and negative (n=2,872; non-VSA) ergonovine testing. Among them, 304 patients undergoing stent implantation for organic stenosis were classified for comparison into 3 respective VSA and non-VSA groups based on stent type (68 and 78 with bare-metal stent [BMS]; 21 and 49 with sirolimus-eluting stent [SES]; 26 and 62 with newer generation drug-eluting stent [N-DES]). The primary outcome was defined as target lesion revascularization, target vessel revascularization, emergency coronary angiography, and cardiac death. The 2-year cumulative incidence of the primary outcome was significantly higher in the VSA group than non-VSA group after SES implantation (38.1% vs. 16.1%, P=0.03), whereas there were no differences between the 2 groups after both BMS implantation and N-DES implantation. The difference in the percent diameter stenosis from mid-term to late-term follow-up was significantly higher in the VSA group than non-VSA group (10.0% vs. 2.3%, P=0.045) after SES implantation, whereas there were no differences between the 2 groups after both BMS implantation and N-DES implantation. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of VSA on clinical and angiographic outcomes was observed only in SES implantation, but not after N-DES or BMS implantation.

In-Hospital Bleeding and Utility of a Maintenance Dose of Prasugrel 2.5 mg in High Bleeding Risk Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Data on bleeding events in Japanese patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are insufficient. In addition, the efficacy and safety of a maintenance dose of prasugrel 2.5 mg/day in high bleeding risk patients are unknown.Methods and Results:We prospectively enrolled 1,167 consecutive patients with suspected ACS and undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The maintenance dose of prasugrel 2.5 mg/day was prescribed for patients with a low body weight (≤50 kg), elderly (≥75 years), or renal insufficiency (eGFR ≤30 mL/min/1.73 m2). In-hospital events were assessed in 992 ACS patients treated with drug-eluting stents. Excluding 29 in-hospital deaths, out-of-hospital events were assessed in 963 ACS patients. The primary safety outcome measure was major bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium types 3 and 5). The incidence of in-hospital major bleeding was 3.4%. Multivariate analysis showed that being elderly, low body weight, renal insufficiency, stroke history, femoral approach, and mechanical support usage were independent predictors of in-hospital major bleeding. The cumulative 1-year incidence of out-of-hospital major bleeding was not significantly different between the prasugrel 2.5 mg/day (n=284) and 3.75 mg/day (n=487) groups (1.6% vs. 0.7%, log-rank P=0.24). That of out-of-hospital definite or probable stent thrombosis was 0% in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The maintenance dose of adjusted prasugrel 2.5 mg/day seems to be one option in ACS patients at high bleeding risk.