Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold outcomes following implantation with routine intravascular imaging guidance.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to describe the outcomes of BVS use from a single-center experience in which scaffold implantation was guided by intravascular imaging (ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography) to identify and treat mechanical factors potentially related to BVS failure. BACKGROUND: The Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) has been associated with an unexpectedly high incidence of thrombosis. METHODS: Between 11/2014 and 10/2016, 100 patients were treated with BVS. Intravascular imaging assessment before and after BVS implantation was performed in all cases. RESULTS: Mean age was 58.1 years; 88% were male, 31% had diabetes, and 28% presented with acute coronary syndromes. A total of 171 lesions in 141 vessels were treated with 190 BVS (mean 1.9 scaffolds/patient). Further intervention following intravascular imaging to optimize BVS implantation was required in 31% of patients. Procedure success was 100%. All patients completed a 1-year follow-up. The 1-year rate of target lesion failure was 4%, and there were no cases (0%) of scaffold thrombosis, myocardial infarction, or death. CONCLUSIONS: In this real-world experience, the use of intravascular imaging to guide BVS implantation was associated with a high 1-year event-free survival rate, with no scaffold thrombosis.

A periodized model for exercise improves the intra-hospital evolution of patients after myocardial revascularization: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare models of the postoperative hospital treatment phase after myocardial revascularization. DESIGN: A pilot randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Hospital patients in a hospital setting. SUBJECTS: Thirty-two patients with indications for myocardial revascularization were included between January 2008 and December 2009, with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50%, 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV(1)) ≥60 and forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥60% of predicted value. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly placed into two groups: one performed prescribed exercises according to the model proposed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the other according to a periodized model. MAIN MEASURES: Partial pressure of O(2) (P o (2)) and arterial O(2) saturation (Sao (2)), percentage of predicted FVC and total distance on the six-minute walking test (6MWT). RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were re-evaluated upon release from the hospital (ACSM = 14 and PP = 13). Five patients extubated for more than 6 hours in the postoperative period were excluded from the sample. In the preoperative period the variables P o (2), Sao (2), % FVC and 6MWT were similar. In the postoperative period, a reduction was observed for all parameters in both groups. Upon comparison of the groups, a difference was observed in P o (2) (ACSM = 68.0 ± 4.3 vs. PP = 75.9 ± 4.8 mmHg; P < 0.001), Sao (2) (ACSM = 93.5 ± 1.4 vs. PP = 94.8 ± 1.2%; P = 0.018) and 6MWT (ACSM = 339.3 ± 41.7 vs. PP = 393.8 ± 25.7 m; P < 0.001). There was no difference in % FVC. CONCLUSION: Patients after myocardial revascularization following a periodized model of exercise presented a better intra-hospital evolution when compared to those using the ACSM model.

Relation between leucocyte count, myonecrosis, myocardial perfusion, and outcomes following primary angioplasty.

We examined whether leukocytosis is a negative prognostic factor in patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and, if so, determined whether it is associated with impaired myocardial perfusion. Previous studies have identified leukocytosis as a predictor of mortality in AMI. Whether this association holds in patients how have undergone primary PCI using contemporary pharmacotherapy and correlates with impaired myocardial perfusion is unknown. Clinical outcomes and reperfusion success, using Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow and myocardial blush grades, were examined according to tertiles of baseline leukocyte count in 1,268 patients who underwent primary PCI for AMI in the CADILLAC trial. Patients with higher leukocyte count were younger and more likely to be current smokers. Preprocedure TIMI grade 0 flow was more frequent in patients with higher leukocyte counts, but postprocedural TIMI grade 3 flow rates were equally high (>94%) in all 3 groups. Myocardial blush grade 2/3 was achieved at similar rates after PCI in patients with low, intermediate, and high baseline leukocyte counts (52.0% vs 51.5% vs 50.1%, p = 0.8). Higher baseline leukocyte counts were associated with greater myonecrosis (p <0.0001) and increased mortality at 1 year (2.7% vs 4.6% vs 5.4%, respectively, p = 0.047). By multivariate analysis, baseline leukocyte count (in increments of 1,000, hazard ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 1.10, p = 0.005) and peak creatine phosphokinase (hazard ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.14 to 1.29, p <0.001) were independent predictors of 1-year mortality. In conclusion, baseline leukocytosis is an independent correlate of larger infarct and increased mortality after primary PCI in AMI, an effect not explained by decreased myocardial perfusion.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on myocardial perfusion after primary angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the impact of diabetes mellitus on myocardial perfusion after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) utilizing myocardial blush grade (MBG) and ST-segment elevation resolution (STR). BACKGROUND: Diabetes is an independent predictor of outcomes after primary PCI for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Whether the poor prognosis is due to lower rates of myocardial reperfusion is unknown. METHODS: Reperfusion success in those with and without diabetes mellitus was determined by measuring MBG (n = 1,301) and STR analysis (n = 700) in two substudies of the Controlled Abciximab and Device Investigation to Lower Late Angioplasty Complications (CADILLAC) trial among patients undergoing primary PCI for AMI. RESULTS: There were no differences between those with or without diabetes with regard to postprocedural Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade 3 (>95%), distribution of infarct-related artery, and the frequency of stent deployment or abciximab administration. Patients with diabetes mellitus were more likely to have absent myocardial perfusion (MBG 0/1, 56.0% vs. 47.1%, p = 0.01) and absent STR (20.3% vs. 8.1%, p = 0.002). Diabetes mellitus (hazard ratio [HR] 1.63 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17 to 2.28], p = 0.004) was an independent predictor of absent myocardial perfusion (MBG 0/1) and absent STR (HR 2.94 [95% CI 1.64 to 5.37], p = 0.005) by multivariate modeling. CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar high rates of TIMI flow grade 3 after primary PCI in patients with and without diabetes, patients with diabetes are more likely to have abnormal myocardial perfusion as assessed by both incomplete STR and reduced MBG. Diminished microvascular perfusion in diabetics after primary PCI may contribute to adverse outcomes.

Relationship between infarct artery location, epicardial flow, and myocardial perfusion after primary percutaneous revascularization in acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The association between infarct artery location, reperfusion success, and clinical outcomes after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been characterized. We examined the infarct artery-specific impact of epicardial and myocardial flow and reperfusion after primary PCI for acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: Among 2082 patients undergoing primary PCI in the CADILLAC trial, myocardial blush grade, TIMI flow grade, ST-segment resolution, and clinical outcomes were analyzed according to the infarct artery. RESULTS: Baseline clinical characteristics did not significantly differ between patients experiencing infarction in the left anterior descending (LAD, 37%) versus left circumflex (18%) and right coronary artery (46%) distributions. Baseline left ventricular function was reduced, and collateral flow was less commonly present in patients with infarction involving the LAD. Achievement of final TIMI-3 flow, grade 3 myocardial blush, and ST-segment resolution >70% was also significantly less common in anterior infarction. Patients with anterior versus nonanterior infarction had significantly higher mortality at 30 days (3.4% vs 1.3%, P = .0006) and 1 year (6.5% vs 2.9%, P < .0001) and had increased 1-year rates of reinfarction (3.6% vs 1.7%, P = .009) and ischemic target vessel revascularization (16.1% vs 11.7%, P = .006). By multivariate analysis, LAD infarction was a powerful independent predictor of 1-year mortality (odds ratio 2.45, P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Acute myocardial infarction involving the LAD distribution is associated with reduced left ventricular function, less frequent collateral flow, impaired myocardial perfusion and decreased reperfusion success, findings associated with reduced survival, and increased major adverse cardiac events compared with other vascular territories. These data provide mechanistic insights to the adverse prognosis of patients with anterior infarction.

Intravascular brachytherapy for native coronary ostial in-stent restenotic lesions.

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed the effects of vascular brachytherapy (VBT) on ostial in-stent restenosis (ISR). BACKGROUND: In-stent restenosis has a high recurrence rate after percutaneous reintervention. The recurrence rate of ostial ISR lesions and the impact of VBT remain unknown. METHODS: We evaluated 133 patients with native coronary ostial ISR from a pooled database of 990 patients enrolled in randomized VBT trials. Independent quantitative angiography was performed at baseline and follow-up in 45 gamma, 27 beta, and 61 placebo patients. RESULTS: Binary restenosis was significantly higher in placebo than radiated patients (75.4% vs. 17.8% in gamma vs. 22.2% in beta, p < 0.0001). The treatment effect of both gamma (odds ratio [OR] 0.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.02 to 0.17) and beta VBT (OR 0.10; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.31) was maintained after controlling for differences in baseline lesion length. Proximal and distal radiation edge restenosis rates were similar among the groups. Vascular brachytherapy of true aorto-ostial lesions (n = 34) was similarly beneficial: restenosis rates of placebo versus gamma or beta patients of 83.3% versus 6.7% versus 28.6%, p = 0.0002. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional treatment of ostial ISR is associated with a recurrence rate of over 75%. Vascular brachytherapy with either gamma or beta sources results in significant and similar reductions in restenosis compared with placebo. Similar benefits after VBT prevail in true aorto-ostial lesions.

Frequency, correlates, and clinical implications of myocardial perfusion after primary angioplasty and stenting, with and without glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition, in acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the prognostic importance of myocardial reperfusion after various contemporary interventional strategies in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND: The frequency, correlates, and clinical implications of myocardial perfusion after primary angioplasty in AMI have not been examined in a large-scale prospective study. Similarly, whether glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors and/or stents improve myocardial perfusion beyond balloon angioplasty has not been investigated. METHODS: Tissue-level perfusion assessed by the myocardial blush grade was evaluated in 1,301 patients with AMI randomized to balloon angioplasty versus stenting, each with or without abciximab. RESULTS: Despite Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 3 restoration in 96.1% of patients, myocardial perfusion was normal in only 17.4% of patients, reduced in 33.9%, and absent in 48.7%. Myocardial perfusion status post-coronary intervention stratified patients into three distinct risk categories, with 1-year mortality rates of 1.4% (normal blush), 4.1% (reduced blush), and 6.2% (absent blush) (p = 0.01). Among patients randomized to angioplasty, angioplasty + abciximab, stenting, and stenting + abciximab, normal myocardial perfusion was restored in 17.7%, 17.0%, 17.5%, and 17.6%, respectively (p = 0.95), which was associated with similar 1-year rates of mortality in patients randomized to stenting versus angioplasty (4.5% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.91) and abciximab versus no abciximab (4.3% vs. 5.0%, p = 0.63). CONCLUSIONS: Restoration of normal tissue-level perfusion is a powerful determinate of survival after primary PCI in AMI and is achieved in a minority of patients. Neither stents nor GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors significantly enhance myocardial perfusion compared to balloon angioplasty alone, underlying the similar long-term mortality with these different mechanical reperfusion strategies.

Usefulness of the angiographic pattern of in-stent restenosis in predicting the success of gamma vascular brachytherapy.

The prognostic role of the angiographic pattern of in-stent restenosis after gamma vascular brachytherapy was assessed from a pooled data set of 4 clinical trials comprising 295 irradiated patients with matched baseline and follow-up angiograms. The binary angiographic restenosis rate increased with worsening in-stent restenosis patterns; however, target lesion revascularization and major adverse cardiac event rates increased for focal, diffuse, and proliferative patterns of in-stent restenosis but not for total occlusions.

Comparison of the angiographic outcomes after beta versus gamma vascular brachytherapy for treatment of in-stent restenosis.

This study was designed to compare the angiographic outcomes of beta versus gamma vascular brachytherapy (VBT). We reviewed the angiographic results of 636 lesions (212 that underwent beta and 212 that underwent gamma VBT, and 212 that received placebo) with native coronary in-stent restenosis matched for lesion length, vessel size, preprocedure minimum lumen diameter (MLD), and time to angiographic follow-up in the various randomized clinical trials and studies. Baseline lesion complexity was similar in these 3 groups. Final MLD was smaller in the beta VBT group than in the gamma VBT or placebo group. At follow-up, beta and gamma VBT significantly reduced both angiographic restenosis (34.4% for beta VBT, 26.4% for gamma VBT, and 50.9% in the placebo group; p <0.0001) and recurrent lesion length (9.2 mm for beta VBT, 8.4 mm for gamma VBT, and 15.5 mm placebo, p <0.0001) compared with placebo. Gamma VBT was associated with a greater reduction in restenosis outside the stent than beta VBT. By multivariable analysis, independent angiographic predictors of treated segment restenosis included beta or gamma VBT, lesion length, and vessel size. In matched lesions, beta and gamma VBT achieved similar reductions in treated segment restenosis and recurrent lesion length compared with placebo.

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting versus stenting for patients with proximal left anterior descending coronary artery disease.

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of stenting and minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) in patients with proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery disease. The Patency, Outcome, Economics of Minimally invasive direct coronary bypass (POEM) study demonstrated that MIDCAB had similar safety and long-term efficacy for LAD revascularization compared with conventional coronary artery bypass grafting. Although LAD stenting is superior to conventional balloon angioplasty, whether it is comparable to MIDCAB is not known. We identified a matched population of 429 consecutive patients with 1-vessel disease who underwent elective proximal LAD stenting and compared their clinical outcomes with those of the 152 patients in the MIDCAB group of the POEM study. The in-hospital event rate was similar in both groups, except for a shorter length of hospital stay with LAD stenting compared with MIDCAB (2.68 vs 4.07 days, p <0.0001). At 6-month follow-up, the incidence of death and Q-wave myocardial infarction or that of cerebrovascular accident was not significantly different between these 2 groups. However, target vessel revascularization was significantly higher with LAD stenting than MIDCAB (13.3% vs 6.6%, p = 0.045). In the subgroup of patients without diabetes, all clinical events were similar in both groups, and the benefit of a shorter hospital stay associated with stenting was maintained. Compared with MIDCAB, LAD stenting is associated with higher repeat revascularization rates but offers the advantage of shorter hospitalization. For nondiabetics with proximal LAD disease, stenting may be the revascularization strategy of choice.

Implications of myocardial reperfusion on survival in women versus men with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary coronary intervention.

We evaluated the effects of myocardial perfusion after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on gender-based mortality rates. Research has demonstrated a gender-specific response of cardiomyocytes to ischemia and a potential increase in myocardial salvage in women compared with men. Myocardial blush grade (MBG), an angiographic surrogate of myocardial perfusion, is an independent predictor of early and late survival after AMI. Whether the incidence and prognosis of myocardial perfusion differs according to gender among patients with AMI undergoing PCI is unknown. MBG and short- and long-term mortality were evaluated in 1,301 patients (male = 935; female = 366) with AMI randomized to primary angioplasty ± abciximab versus stent ± abciximab. Following PCI, >96% of patients achieved final Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 3 flow, of which MBG 2/3 was present in 58.3% of women versus 51.1% of men (p = 0.02). Worse MBG was an independent predictor of mortality in women at 30 days (7.4% for MBG 0/1 vs 2.4% for MBG 2/3, p = 0.04) and at 1-year (11.0% for MBG 0/1 vs 3.4% for MBG 2/3, p = 0.01); however, MBG was not associated with differences in mortality for men. In conclusion, impaired myocardial perfusion following PCI for AMI, indicated by worse MBG, is an independent predictor of early and late mortality in women but not in men. These findings imply an enhanced survival benefit from restoring myocardial perfusion for women compared with men during primary angioplasty and may have clinical implications for interventional strategies in women.

Efeito cardiovascular superior do modelo periodizado para prescrição de exercícios comparado ao convencional em coronariopatas / Superior cardiovascular effect of the periodized model for prescribed exercises as compared to the conventional one in coronary diseases

O exercício físico melhora a sobrevida e a qualidade de vida de pacientes coronarianos, mas a maneira ideal de prescrevê-lo é ainda controversa. Criar um modelo periodizado para prescrição de exercícios para pacientes coronarianos e compará-lo com o modelo convencional. Randomização de 62 pacientes coronarianos em tratamento farmacológico em dois grupos: treinamento convencional, não periodizado (GNP, n = 33) e periodizado (GP, n = 29). Os dois grupos foram submetidos aos mesmos exercícios durante as 36 sessões do programa, mas prescritos de maneira diferente. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à seguinte avaliação: consulta médica admissional, teste de esforço cardiopulmonar, teste de 1 repetição máxima (1RM) e avaliação da composição corporal. O VO2 pico melhorou nos dois grupos, embora de maneira mais efetiva no GP (4% versus 1,7%, p < 0,001). Além disso, a capacidade funcional do GP aumentou em 13%, tendo havido significativa redução no percentual de gordura corporal (2,1%, p < 0,005) e no peso corporal (1,9 kg, p < 0,005). A força muscular nos dois grupos melhorou como diagnosticado pelo teste de 1RM para seis diferentes grupos musculares (quádriceps, isquiotibiais, bíceps, tríceps braquial, peitoral e grande dorsal), mas sem diferença significativa entre os grupos, tendo os dois modelos a mesma eficiência. O presente estudo mostrou que a periodização do treinamento de pacientes cardíacos pode melhorar a capacidade cardiorrespiratória e reduzir a porcentagem de gordura corporal mais efetivamente do que o modelo convencional

Physical exercise improves the survival and quality of life of coronary patients, but the ideal way of prescribing these exercises is still controversial. To create a new periodized model for the prescription of exercises for coronary patients and compare it with a conventional model. 62 coronary patients under pharmacological treatment were randomized into two groups: conventional (NPG, n = 33) and periodized (PG, n = 29) training. The two groups were submitted to the same exercises during the 36 sessions making up the program, but prescribed in different ways. All patients underwent an evaluation consisting of: medical admission consultancy, cardiopulmonary endurance testing, 1 maximum repetition test (1MR) and body composition evaluation. The VO2 peak improved in both groups, although more effectively in the PG (4% against 1.7%, p < 0.001). In addition, the functional capacity of this group improved by 13%, and there was a significant reduction in the percent body fat (2.1%, p < 0.005) and body weight (1.9 kg, p < 0.005). The muscle strength of both groups improved as diagnosed by the 1RM test for six different muscle groups (quadriceps, hamstrings, brachial biceps, brachial triceps, pectoral and large dorsal), and showed no significant difference between the groups, evidencing that the two models had the same efficiency. The present study showed that periodization of the training of cardiac patients can improve their cardiorespiratory capacity and reduce the percent body fat more effectively than the conventional one

[Prevalence and prognostic impact of diastolic dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis]. / Prevalência e impacto prognóstico da disfunção diastólica na doença renal crônica em hemodiálise.

BACKGROUND: Diastolic dysfunction (DD) is frequent in patients on hemodialysis (HD), but its impact on the clinical evolution is yet to be established. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and prognostic impact of left ventricular (LV) advanced diastolic dysfunction (ADD) in patients on hemodialysis. METHODS: The echocardiograms were performed during the first year of HD therapy, in patients with sinus rhythm, with no evidence of cardiovascular disease, excluding those with significant valvopathy or pericardial effusion. The combined assessment of the Doppler echocardiographic data classified the diastolic dysfunction as: 1) normal diastolic function; 2) mild DD (relaxation alteration) and 3) ADD (pseudonormalization and restrictive flow pattern). The assessed outcomes were general mortality and cardiovascular events. RESULTS: A total of 129 patients (78 males), aged 52 +/- 16 years, with a DD prevalence of 73% (50% with mild DD and 23% with ADD) were included in the study. The group with ADD was older (p < 0.01) and presented higher systolic (p < 0.01) and diastolic BP (p = 0.043), LV mass (p < 0.01), left atrial volume index (p < 0.01) and number of diabetic patients (p = 0.019), as well as lower ejection fraction (EF) (p < 0.01). After 17 +/- 7 months, the general mortality was significantly higher in individuals with ADD, when compared to those with normal function and mild DD (p = 0.012, log rank test). At Cox multivariate analysis, ADD was predictive of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 2.2; confidence interval: 1.1-4.3; p = 0.021) after adjusted for age, gender, diabetes, LV mass and EF. CONCLUSION: The subclinical ADD was identified in approximately 25% of the patients undergoing hemodialysis and had a prognostic impact, regardless of other clinical and echocardiographic data.

Oclusão percutânea do apêndice atrial esquerdo: exequibilidade, segurança e efeito nos parâmetros ecocardiográficos de anatomia e função cardíaca / Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion: feasibility, safety and effect on echocardiographic parameters of cardiac function and anatomy / Oclusión Percutánea de la Orejuela Auricular Izquierda: Ejecutabilidad, Seguridad y Efecto sobre los Parámetros Ecocardiográficos de Anatomía y Función Cardíaca

Fundamento: A oclusão percutânea do Apêndice Atrial Esquerdo (AAE) representa estratégia alternativa para a prevenção de acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico na Fibrilação Atrial (FA) de alto risco.Objetivo: Avaliar exequibilidade, segurança e efeito sobre parâmetros ecocardiográficos da oclusão do AAE com o dispositivo Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP).Métodos: Foram incluídos no estudo portadores de FA paroxística ou permanente, não valvar, com escore de risco CHADS2 ≥ 2 e contraindicação ao anticoagulante oral. Sob monitorização do Ecocardiograma Transesofágico (ETE), o ACP foi implantado no AAE de acordo com as medidas ecocardiográficas apropriadas. Controle clínico e ecocardiográfico foi realizado no segundo e no oitavo meses.Resultados: O grupo foi constituído por 11 pacientes (7 homens), com idade 73 ± 8 anos e escore CHADS2 médio 3 ± 1. O procedimento foi realizado com sucesso em todos os pacientes, com alta hospitalar após 7 ± 3 dias. O ETE não mostrou interferência com estruturas adjacentes ou embolização do dispositivo. Houve dois tamponamentos cardíacos, tratados com boa evolução clínica. Após o acompanhamento, não houve nenhum evento clínico, embora dois pacientes tenham apresentado mínimo fluxo residual pelo ACP e um paciente mostrado trombo recobrindo o dispositivo. Não houve diferenças no tamanho e na fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo, nem na dimensão e no volume do átrio esquerdo.Conclusão: A oclusão percutânea do AAE com o ACP é tecnicamente viável e não interfere nos parâmetros usuais de anatomia e função cardíacas. Entretanto, complicações sérias podem advir e a segurança e a eficácia clínica devem ser testadas em estudos prospectivos randomizados.

Background: Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion is an alternative strategy for the prevention of stroke in patients with high-risk atrial fibrillation (AF).Objective: To assess the feasibility and safety of LAA occlusion with the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP) as well as the effect on echocardiographic parameters.Methods: Patients with nonvalvular paroxysmal or permanent AF, with CHADS2 risk score ≥ 2 and contraindication to oral anticoagulation were included in the study. Under monitoring of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), the ACP device was implanted in the AAE, according to appropriate echocardiographic measurements. Clinical and echocardiographic controls in the second and eighth months were performed. Results: The group consisted of 11 patients (7 men), aged 73 ± 8 years and CHADS2 score 3 ± 1. The procedure was successfully performed in all patients with hospital discharge after 7 ± 3 days. TEE showed no interference with adjacent structures or device embolization. There were two cardiac tamponade, treated with good clinical outcome. After follow-up, there was no clinical event, although two patients have shown minimal residual flow through the ACP, and one patient shown thrombus covering the device. There were no differences in the left ventricular dimension and ejection fraction, or the left atrial size and volume.Conclusion: The percutaneous LAA closure with ACP is technically feasible and does not interfere with usual parameters of cardiac anatomy and function. However, serious complications can arise and their clinical safety and efficacy must be tested in randomized prospective studies.

Justificación: La Oclusión Percutánea de la Orejuela de la Aurícula Izquierda (AAE) representa estrategia alternativa para la prevención de accidente cerebrovascular isquémico en la Fibrilación Auricular (FA) de alto riesgo. Objetivo: Evaluar la ejecutabilidad, seguridad y efecto sobre los parámetros ecocardiográficos de la oclusión de la AAE con el dispositivo Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP). Métodos: Se incluyeron en el estudio, los portadores de FA paroxística o permanente, no valvular, con score de riesgo CHADS2 ≥ 2 y contraindicación para la anticoagulación oral. Bajo monitorización de la Ecocardiografía Transesofágica (ETE), el ACP fue implantado en la AAE de acuerdo con las medidas ecocardiográficas apropiadas. El Control clínico y ecocardiográfico se realizó en el segundo y octavo mes. Resultados: El grupo está formado por 11 pacientes (7 varones), con edad de 73 ± 8 años y score CHADS2 medio 3 ± 1. Se ha realizado el procedimiento con éxito en todos los pacientes, con alta hospitalaria después de 7 ± 3 días. El ETE no mostró interferencia con estructuras adyacentes o embolización del dispositivo. Hubo dos taponamientos cardíaco, tratados con buena evolución clínica. Después del seguimiento, no hubo ningún evento clínico, aunque dos pacientes hayan presentado un flujo mínimo residual por el ACP, además de ello un paciente mostró trombo que recubre el dispositivo. No hubo diferencias en el tamaño y en la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo, ni en la dimensión y en el volumen de la aurícula izquierda.Conclusión: La oclusión percutánea de la AAE con el ACP es técnicamente factible y no interfiere en los parámetros habituales de anatomía y función cardíacas. Sin embargo, complicaciones severas pueden surgir y la seguridad y la eficacia clínica deben probarse en estudios prospectivos aleatorizados

The -374A allele of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) gene promoter is a protective factor against cardiovascular lesions in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphisms of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) gene have been associated with diabetes, coronary artery disease (CAD) and inflammatory processes. The -374T >A RAGE gene promoter polymorphism was shown to affect gene transcription. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the -374T >A polymorphism with the severity of CAD in patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: We studied 246 Euro-Brazilians with angiographically defined CAD (stenosis >50%), comprising type 2 diabetic (n=98) and non-diabetic subjects (n=148). Genotyping was performed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism using Tsp509I restriction enzyme. RESULTS: The AA genotype was associated with a significant decrease in CAD severity estimated by the number of diseased vessels (1.43+/-0.5 vs. 2.49+/-1.1; p=0.002) and the Duke score (27.3+/-10.8 vs. 49.3+/-20.1; p=0.001) only in the group of CAD subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The protective effect of the AA genotype against severity of CAD was not observed in the non-diabetic group. CONCLUSION: This result confirms that the -374AA genotype of the RAGE gene promoter is a protective factor against the severity of CAD lesions in type 2 diabetic patients.

Possible predictors of target lesion revascularization after drug-eluting stent implantation.

BACKGROUND: A small number of patients still need target lesion revascularization (TLR) after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. It is important for the management of coronary artery disease to assess the predictors of TLR after DES implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-seven patients (325 lesions) were treated with Cypher sirolimus-eluting and/or TAXUS paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation at four centers in Japan and Brazil. Among these centers, 20 patients (24 lesions) needed clinically driven TLR. The clinical and angiographic characteristics of TLR patients were compared to those of non-TLR patients. Hemodialysis, prior myocardial infarction (MI) and prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were more frequent in TLR patients than in non-TLR patients. An ostial stenosis was more frequent in the TLR group than in the non-TLR group (41.7% vs 19.9%, p=0.012). In addition, post-procedure in-stent percentage diameter stenosis (%DS) was higher in TLR patients (21.9% vs 13.3%, p = 0.002). Stepwise logistic regression analysis indicated that all of these variables were independent predictors of TLR after DES implantation. CONCLUSIONS: Hemodialysis, prior MI, prior CABG, ostial lesion location and high in-stent %DS may be independent predictors of TLR after DES implantation.