Lung ultrasound in congestion assessment of patients with advanced heart failure referred for heart transplant: Correlations with right heart catheterization findings.

Background: In advanced heart failure (HF), diagnostic performance of physical exam may be poor. Physical examination associated with lung ultrasound (LUS) may be an important tool to facilitate congestion screening. Objective: To evaluate performance of LUS for congestion screening in advanced HF referred for transplant, as compared to findings of right heart catheterization (RHC). Methods: Prospective study of 23 subjects with advanced HF referred for RHC. LUS was performed in association with clinical congestion score (CCS), analogue-visual dyspnea scale (AVDS) and presence of trepopnea/bendopnea prior to catheterization. Congestion was assessed by the number of B-lines in the LUS, and by findings of physical examination as well as by NT-proBNP serum values. Results: Congestion was present in 43.4 % of patients by LUS (B-lines ≥ 15), as compared to 21.7 % by CCS (score greater than or equal to 5), 56.5 % by NT-proBNP (>1000 pg/ml), and 60.8 % by pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) (>15 mm Hg). The number of B-lines was correlated to cardiac index (CI) (rho = -0.619; p 0.002), but not with PCWP (rho 0.190; p 0.386), RAP (rho -0.244; p 0.262), CCS (rho 0.198; p 0.36) and neither with NT-proBNP (rho 0.282; p 0.193). Otherwise, NT-proBNP was correlated with PCWP (rho = 0.636; p = 0.001) and with CI (rho -0.667 p 0.001). Conclusions: In advanced HF patients referred for transplant, number of B-lines in LUS was not correlated with PCWP or RAP. Advanced HF patients seem to have increased filling pressures, but no interstitial pulmonary congestion that LUS could detect.

Pancreatitis as a Potential Trigger for Severe Accelerated Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy Early Post Heart Transplant: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: We present a case of severe accelerated cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), an infrequent finding usually related to dismal prognosis, in a heart recipient with recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 38-year-old male was transplanted owing to advanced heart failure related to nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. On the fifth day after transplantation, a nonbiliary acute ischemic pancreatitis occurred. Recurrent relapses ensued within the following year requiring hospital readmissions for both supportive and pain management. The patient developed graft dysfunction by the 18th month post-transplant with severe multivessel CAV. A trial of bortezomib and percutaneous coronary interventions with drug-eluting stents at coronary arteries were attempted but the patient died suddenly, before the scheduled staged percutaneous coronary intervention for the coronary total occlusion was performed. DISCUSSION: The causal mechanisms of aggressive accelerated CAV are unclear, but it is suggested that important inflammatory and/or humoral responses may play a pivotal role in this life-threatening disease pathogenesis. Increased levels of biomarkers have been linked to advanced CAV, as well as pancreatitis pathogenesis, related to cytokine activation with remarkable systemic inflammatory response. Some of those inflammatory mediators have been reported as central in both pancreatitis and CAV, more specifically interleukin-6. CONCLUSION: A pro-inflammatory state due to recurrent acute pancreatitis early after transplantation may have contributed to severely accelerated CAV development in the presented case. Comprehensive evaluation of risk factors may assist in close surveillance and targeted therapies in the management of this challenging post-heart transplant scenario.

Post Heart Transplantation Coronary Artery Fistula and Coronary Artery Aneurysm Successfully Managed With the Implantation of Covered Stents.

Coronary-to-cardiac chamber fistulae and coronary aneurysms are potential complications after heart transplantation. In the setting of exercise intolerance and large fistulae at major coronary vessels, covered stents may provide an effective interventional strategy.

Inter-observer variation of Syntax score among cardiac surgeons, clinical and interventional cardiologists.

BACKGROUND: Despite the complexity of SYNTAX score (SS), guidelines recommend this tool to help choosing between coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with left main of three-vessel coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to compare the inter-observer variation in SS performed by clinical cardiologists (CC), interventional cardiologists (IC), and cardiac surgeons (CS). METHODS: Seven coronary angiographies from patients with left main and/or three-vessel disease chosen by a heart team were analyzed by 10 CC, 10 IC and 10 CS. SS was calculated via SYNTAX website. RESULTS: Kappa concordance was very low between CC and CS (k = 0.176), moderate between CS and IC (k = 0.563), and moderate between CC and IC (0.553). There was a statistically significant difference between CC, who classified more cases as low complexity (70%), and CS, who classified more cases as moderate complexity (80%) (p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: Concordance between SS analyzed by CC, CS and IC is low. The usefulness of SS in decision-making of revascularization strategy is undeniable and evidence supports its use. However, this study highlights the importance of well-trained professionals on calculating the SS. It could avoid misclassification of borderline cases.

Ultrasound-guided antecubital vein approach for right heart catheterisation in a Brazilian tertiary centre.

Objective: As a parallel to the radial approach for left heart catheterisation, forearm veins may be considered for the performance of right heart catheterisation. However, data regarding the application of this technique under ultrasound guidance are scarce. The current study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of right heart catheterisation through ultrasound-guided antecubital venous approach in the highly heterogeneous population usually referred for right heart catheterisation. Methods: Data from consecutive right heart catheterisations performed at an academic centre in Brazil, between January 2016 and March 2017 were prospectively collected. Results: Among 152 performed right heart catheterisations, ultrasound-guided antecubital venous approach was attempted in 127 (84%) cases and it was made feasible in 92.1% of those. Yet, there was no immediate vascular complication with the antecubital venous approach in this prospective series. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided antecubital venous approach for the performance of right heart catheterisation was feasible in the vast majority of cases in our study, without occurrence of vascular complications.

Superdominant Circumflex Thrombosis With Occluded LAD and Absent RCA Ostium.

To our knowledge, this is the first report of primary percutaneous coronary intervention in a patient with a superdominant left circumflex artery, in which the entire right coronary artery myocardium territory is provided by the left circumflex. Coronary angiographic images of our 80-year-old male patient illustrate this anomaly. Single coronary arteries are among the most rare anatomic coronary anomalies, and the absence of right coronary artery ostium has been described as the rarest of these anomalies. Coronary events in such cases can be catastrophic due to the large amount of myocardium at risk.

Multiple Culprit Coronary Artery Thrombosis in a Patient with Coronary Ectasia.

We here report a case of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to simultaneous acute coronary artery occlusions of two major coronary arteries in a patient with coronary ectasia. The patient had been previously submitted to percutaneous coronary angioplasty with bare metal stent implantation in both culprit vessels. Very late stent thrombosis could be the cause of the first occlusion, triggering the event in the other vessel. In addition, concomitant embolic sources were not identified. Although routine aspiration thrombectomy in STEMI was not proven to be beneficial in randomized clinical trials, it was of great value in this case. We also discuss the relation between coronary ectasia, chronic inflammatory status, and increased platelet activity which may have caused plaque disruption in another already vulnerable vessel.

Acute Myocardial Infarction Caused by an Anomalous Right Coronary Artery Occlusion Presenting with Precordial ST Elevation.

Acute coronary syndrome with precordial ST segment elevation is usually related to left anterior descending artery occlusion, although isolated right ventricular infarction has been described as a cause of ST elevation in V1-V3 leads. We present a case of a patient with previous inferior wall infarction and new acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to proximal right coronary thrombotic occlusion resulting in right ventricular infarction with precordial ST elevation and sinus node dysfunction. The patient was treated with successful rescue angioplasty achieving resolution of acute symptoms and electrocardiographic abnormalities.

Cateterismo cardíaco direito por acesso venoso antecubital guiado por ultrassonografia / Right heart catheterization through ultrasound-guided antecubital vein approach

Introdução: As complicações no cateterismo cardíaco direito estão quase sempre relacionadas ao local de acesso. As veias do antebraço podem ser um alvo para reduzir tais complicações durante o procedimento. No entanto, dados relativos à ampla aplicação desta técnica são escassos. Métodos: Série de casos que relata nossas primeiras experiências com o cateterismo cardíaco direito por acesso venoso antecubital. Resultados: Tentamos realizar o cateterismo cardíaco direito em 20 pacientes com abordagem antecubital em janeiro de 2016. A abordagem antecubital foi bem-sucedida em 19 casos (95,0%). Todos os acessos venosos foram obtidos guiados por ultrassonografia. Os cateterismos cardíacos direito e esquerdo foram realizados simultaneamente em 12 casos (60,0%). O cateterismo cardíaco esquerdo foi realizado através da artéria radial direita em 11 casos (91,7%), e da artéria braquial direita em 1 caso (8,3%). O acesso antecubital foi obtido pela veia basílica em 18 (94,7%) casos, e pela veia cefálica em 1 (5,3%) caso. Conclusões: O cateterismo cardíaco direito através das veias da prega antecubital parece ser viável e seguro. Outros estudos controlados são necessários para estabelecer o melhor local de acesso para realizar o cateterismo cardíaco direito

Background: Complications in right heart catheterization are almost all access-site related. Forearm veins may be a target to reduce access-site complications during the procedure. However, data regarding wide application of this technique is scarce. Methods: This is a case-series that reports our first experiences in right heart catheterization through the antecubital approach. Results: We attempted to perform right heart catheterization in 20 patients using antecubital approach on January 2016. The antecubital approach was successful in 19 (95.0%) cases. All venous access were obtained with ultrasound guidance. Simultaneous right and left heart catheterization was performed in 12 cases (60.0%). Left heart catheterization was performed through right radial artery in 11 cases (91.7%) and through the right brachial artery in 1 case (8.3%). Antecubital access was obtained through the basilic vein in 18 (94.7%) cases and through the cephalic vein in 1 (5.3%) case. Conclusions: Right heart catheterization through the antecubital fossa veins appears to be feasible and safe. Further controlled studies are required to establish the best access site to perform right heart catheterization

Associação entre remodelamento vascular e núcleo necrótico em artérias coronárias: análise por ultrassom intracoronário com Histologia Virtual® / Association between vascular remodeling and necrotic core in coronary arteries: Virtual Histology intravascular ultrasound analysis

INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos anatomopatológicos sugerem a associação de remodelamento vascular positivo e placas coronárias vulneráveis. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se existe correlação entre o grau de remodelamento vascular positivo e o porcentual de núcleo necrótico em lesões ateroscleróticas coronárias. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 270 cortes transversais obtidos pela Histologia Virtual® de 30 pacientes, os quais apresentavam remodelamento positivo em segmento de artéria coronária com lesão > 50%, identificada pela angiografia coronária. Foram avaliados 7 cortes transversais por segmento de artéria coronária, incluindo o corte transversal com o maior índice de remodelamento arterial, denominado corte transversal de interesse (corte transversal 4). RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi de 60,8 ± 8,8 anos, 80% eram do sexo masculino e 30% diabéticos. Angina instável foi a apresentação clínica mais frequente (56,6%) e a artéria descendente anterior foi o vaso mais analisado (43%). A área de referência do vaso foi de 15,5 ± 4,9 mm² e o índice de remodelamento no corte transversal 4 foi de 1,2 ± 0,1. Análise de variância de medidas repetidas mostrou maior porcentual de núcleo necrótico no corte transversal de interesse (P < 0,001). Observamos correlação positiva do remodelamento arterial coronário com o núcleo necrótico (r = 0,79; P < 0,001). CONCLUSÕES: O remodelamento positivo da artéria coronária está associado à presença de núcleo necrótico, o qual caracteriza placas ateromatosas vulneráveis. A pesquisa de remodelamento arterial positivo pode ser estratégia útil para a detecção de placas vulneráveis antes de sua ruptura.

BACKGROUND: Anatomopathological studies suggest an association of positive vascular remodeling and vulnerable coronary plaques. The objective of this study was to verify whether there is a correlation between positive vascular remodeling and necrotic core in atherosclerotic coronary lesions. METHODS: We studied 270 cross sections obtained by Virtual Histology® in 30 patients who had positive remodeling in coronary artery segments with lesions > 50%, identified by coronary angiography. Seven cross sections were assessed per segment of coronary artery, including the cross section with the highest remodeling index, denominated cross section of interest (cross section 4). RESULTS: Mean age was 60.8 ± 8.8 years, 80% were male and 30% were diabetic. Unstable angina was the most frequent clinical presentation (56.6%) and the left anterior descending artery was the most analyzed vessel (43%). The vessel reference area was 15.5 ± 4.9 mm² and the remodeling index in cross section 4 was 1.2 ± 0.1. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed a higher percentage of necrotic core in the cross section of interest (P < 0.001). We observed a positive correlation of coronary artery remodeling and necrotic core (r = 0.79; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Positive coronary artery remodeling is associated to the presence of necrotic core, which characterizes vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. The search for positive arterial remodeling may be a useful strategy for detecting vulnerable plaques before rupture.

Local delivery of sirolimus nanoparticles for the treatment of in-stent restenosis.

OBJECTIVES: To test the local delivery of sirolimus nanoparticles following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to treat in-stent restenosis (ISR) in a swine model. BACKGROUND: Coronary bare-metal stent (BMS) implantation reduces major adverse cardiac events when compared with PTCA; however, ISR rates remain high. METHODS: Eighteen swine underwent BMS deployment guided by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Of these, 16 developed ISR (1 stent/swine) and underwent angioplasty with a noncompliant balloon (PTCA-NC). The animals were then randomized into four groups for local infusion of sirolimus nanoparticles through a porous balloon catheter, as follows: (1) PTCA-NC alone (control); (2) PTCA-NC + (polylactic acid)-based nanoparticle formulation (anionic 1); (3) PTCA-NC + (polylactic-co-glycolic acid)-based nanoparticle formulation (anionic 2); and (4) PTCA-NC + Eudragit RS nanoparticle formulation (cationic). Coronary angiography and IVUS follow-up were performed 28 days after ISR treatment. RESULTS: There was one episode of acute coronary occlusion with the cationic formulation. Late area loss was similar in all groups at 28 days according to IVUS. However, luminal volume loss (control = 20.7%, anionic 1 = 4.0%, anionic 2 = 6.7%, cationic = 9.6%; P = 0.01) and neointimal volume gain (control = 68.7%, anionic 1 = 17.4%, anionic 2 = 29.5%, cationic = 31.2%; P = 0.019) were significantly reduced in all treatment groups, especially in anionic 1. CONCLUSIONS: PTCA-NC followed by local infusion of sirolimus nanoparticles was safe and efficacious to reduce neointima in this model, and this strategy may be a promising treatment for BMS ISR. Further studies are required to validate this method in humans.

Friable but treatable: coronary artery dissections in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a rare connective tissue disorder associated with arterial dissection or rupture. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is often critical in patients with this syndrome because their coronary arteries are prone to dissection, enhancing the risk of stent borders dissection when conventional stent deployment pressures are used. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) treatment for these patients may also raise concerns because the left internal mammary artery is probably friable. Therefore, coronary artery revascularization in vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome either using PCI or CABG is challenging due to the arteries friability. A small number of cases have been published describing the friability of the vessels and associated complications; nevertheless, the optimum treatment remains unclear. We report the case of a 54-year-old woman treated successfully with PCI and CABG in two different acute coronary syndrome episodes, in which specific technical issues related to both procedures were decisive.

Identificação de genes envolvidos na síntese de proteínas de células musculares lisas com expressão aumentada em placas ateromatosas associados a hiperplasia neointimal após implante de stents não-farmacológicos: estudo GENESIS-R / Identification of genes involved in smooth muscle cell protein synthesis with increased expression in atheromathous plaques associated to neointim al hyperplasia after bare-metal stenting: GENESISI-R Study

Introdução: A reestenose coronária é um fenômeno pouco compreendidoe que permanece como um desafio mesmo na era dos stents farmacológicos. Este estudo tem como objetivo identificar genes envolvidos na síntese de proteínas estruturais e funcionais de células musculares lisas com expressão aumentada em placas ateromatosas de humanos associadosa hiperplasia neointimal após o implante de stents não-farmacológicos. Métodos: Placas ateromatosas foram obtidasmediante aterectomia direcionada, previamente ao implante do stent. A análise da expressão dos genes foi realizada utilizando-se o sistema Affymetrix GeneChip. Os pacientes foramsubmetidos a ultrassom intracoronário 6 meses após o procedimento para análise volumétrica intrastent. Foi avaliada a correlação entre a expressão gênica de placas ateromatosas e o porcentual de hiperplasia intimal intrastent. Resultados: A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo masculino (85,7%), com60,2 ± 11,4 anos de idade, 35,7% eram diabéticos e o porcentual de hiperplasia intimal intrastent foi de 29,9 ± 18,7%.Não houve variação do porcentual de hiperplasia intimal intrastent entre os pacientes com ou sem diabetes (29,5% vs. 30,7%; P = 0,89). Não houve correlação entre a extensão do stent e o porcentual de hiperplasia intimal intrastent (r = -0,26; P = 0,26) ou entre o diâmetro do stent e o porcentual dehiperplasia intimal intrastent (r = 0,14; P = 0,56). Oito genes envolvidos na síntese de proteínas estruturais e funcionais de células musculares lisas apresentaram correlação positiva como porcentual de hiperplasia intimal intrastent. Conclusões: As lesões coronárias de novo apresentam expressão aumentada de genes relacionados com a síntese de proteínas estruturais e funcionais de células musculares lisas associados a futurahiperplasia neointimal intrastent significativa, surgindo como novos alvos terapêuticos.

First-in-man study of simvastatin-eluting stent in de novo coronary lesions: the SIMVASTENT study.

BACKGROUND: Statins have anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties irrespective of their cholesterol-lowering effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a simvastatin-eluting stent (SimvES) in the treatment of de novo coronary lesions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-two patients with de novo coronary artery lesions were assigned to SimvES, bare-metal stent (BMS) or everolimus-eluting stent (EES) implantation followed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) for neointimal quantitative analysis. Six months later, quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and IVUS were repeated. QCA showed no binary restenosis, a mean in-stent late loss of 1.05 ± 0.25 mm (BMS, 1.12 ± 0.48 mm; EES, 0.20 ± 0.16 mm) and a diameter stenosis of 33.5 ± 7.1% (BMS, 35.5 ± 15.30%; EES, 7.2 ± 3.12%). Control IVUS showed a mean in-stent obstruction of 18.3 ± 9.4% (BMS, 32.8 ± 19.1%; EES, 9.8 ± 2.4%) and a neointimal volume index of 1.58 ± 0.75 mm(3)/mm (BMS, 2.93 ± 1.76 mm(3)/mm; EES, 0.80 ± 0.16 mm(3)/mm). Thrombus, late incomplete apposition and major adverse cardiac events were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of patients with de novo coronary lesions, the use of a SimvES was not related to major adverse cardiac events, but it was associated with a higher level of neointimal proliferation than expected.

Perfil da intervenção coronária percutânea no infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST no Brasil de 2006 a 2010: Registro CENIC / National profile of percutaneous coronary intervention in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction in Brazil from 2006 to 2010: the CENIC Registry

Introdução: O infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) persiste comoimportante causa de morbidade e mortalidade. Este estudo visa a delinear o panorama nacional da intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP) no cenário do IAM, analisando diferentes períodos e regiões do Brasil, com enfoque na ICP primária e nos tratamentos adjuntos farmacológicos e mecânicos.Métodos: Foram analisados dados de 20.004 pacientes com diagnóstico de IAM com supradesnivelamento dosegmento ST (IAMCSST) e submetidos a ICP, provenientes do Registro CENIC (Central Nacional de Intervenções Cardiovasculares), de janeiro de 2006 a dezembro de 2010. Esses dados são oriundos de 252 centros localizados em22 Estados das cinco regiões do País. Resultados: A ICP primária correspondeu a 57,8% das ICPs realizadas no contexto do IAM, seguida de ICP eletiva pós-IAMCSST (35,7%), ICP de resgate (6,1%) e ICP facilitada (0,4%). A evolução ao longo dos anos evidencia aumento progressivo do número de ICPs primárias no Brasil, partindo de 56,7% do total em 2006 para 71,6% em 2010. O tempo médio porta-balão da ICP primária no Brasil nesse período foi de 2 horas. A aspiração de trombos aumentou de 0,4%em 2006 para 8,2% dos casos em 2010. A taxa média de sucesso do procedimento foi de 93,8%, enquanto a de óbito hospitalar foi de apenas 2,8%. Conclusões: A ICP no cenário do IAMCSST vem apresentando avanços de 2006 a 2010, embora de maneira heterogênea nas diferentes regiões doBrasil, mediante aumento das taxas de ICP primária e maior utilização de dispositivos de aspiração de trombo, osquais ainda não foram incorporados na rotina. Investimentos em recursos humanos e implementação de protocolos de atendimento constituem elementos essenciais para a otimização do tempo porta-balão e para a melhora dos resultados clínicos.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aims to outline the national profile of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) in the setting of AMI, analyzing different time periods and geographic regions, with focus on primary PCI and adjunctive pharmacological and mechanical treatments. Methods: Data from 20,004 patients with ST elevationmyocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing PCI and included in the CENIC Registry (National Center of Cardiovascular Interventions) from January 2006 to December 2010 wereincluded in this study. Data were obtained from 252 centers located in 22 states from five different geographic regions in the country. Results: Primary PCI accounted for 57.8% of PCI performed in the setting of AMI, followed by elective PCI after STEMI (35.7%), rescue PCI (6.1%) and facilitated PCI (0.4%). The evolution over time showed a progressiveincrease in the number of primary PCIs in Brazil, from 56.7% in 2006 to 71.6% in 2010. The mean door-to-balloon timeof primary PCI in Brazil during this period was 2 hours. Thrombus aspiration increased from 0.4% in 2006 to 8.2%of cases in 2010. Procedural success rate was 93.8%, while in-hospital mortality was only 2.8%. Conclusions: PCI in the setting of STEMI has improved from 2006 to 2010, althoughheterogeneously in the different regions of Brazil, due to increased primary PCI rates and higher use of thrombusaspiration devices, which have not been incorporated in the routine practice. Investments in staff training and implementation of clinical protocols are essential to optimize the door-to-balloon time and improve clinical outcomes.