CCTA-Guided Invasive Coronary Angiography in Patients With CABG: A Multicenter, Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in patients with post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) has a high diagnostic accuracy for visualization of grafts. Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in patients with CABG is associated with increased procedural time, contrast agent administration, radiation exposure, and complications, compared with non-CABG patients. The aim of this multicenter, randomized controlled trial was to compare the strategy of CCTA-guided ICA versus classic ICA in patients with prior CABG. METHODS: Patients with prior CABG were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to have a CCTA before ICA (CCTA-ICA, group A) or not (ICA-only, group B). The primary end point of the study was the total volume (milliliters) of the contrast agent administered. RESULTS: A total of 251 patients were randomized, and 225 were included in analysis; 110 in group A and 115 in group B. The total contrast volume was higher in group A (184.5 [143-255] versus 154 [102-240] mL; P=0.001). The contrast volume administered during the invasive procedure was lower in group A (101.5 [60-151] versus 154 [102-240]; P<0.001). Total fluoroscopy time was decreased in group A (480 [259-873] versus 594 [360-1080] seconds; P=0.027), but total effective dose was increased (24.1 [17.7-32] versus 10.8 [5.6-18] mSv; P<0.001). The rate of contrast-induced nephropathy, periprocedural complications, and major adverse cardiac events during 3 to 5 and 30 days did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: A CCTA-directed ICA strategy for patients with CABG is associated with expedition of the invasive procedure, and less fluoroscopy time, at the cost of higher total contrast volume and effective radiation dose, compared with the classic ICA approach. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04631809.

Chronic Thoracic Aortic Dissection: How to Treat, When to Intervene.

Thoracic aortic dissection (AD) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Acute aortic syndrome is the first presentation of the disease in most cases. While acute AD management follows concrete guidelines because of its urgent and life-threatening nature, chronic AD is usually overlooked, although it concerns a wide spectrum of patients surviving an acute event. Acute AD survivors ultimately enter a chronic aortic disease course. Patients with chronic thoracic AD (CTAD) require lifelong surveillance and a proportion of them may present with symptoms and late complications demanding further surgical or endovascular treatment. However, the available data concerning the management of CTAD is sparse in the literature. The management of patients with CTAD is challenging as far as determining the best medical therapy and deciding on intervention are concerned. Until recently, there were no guidelines or recommendations for imaging surveillance in patients with chronic AD. The diagnostic methods for imaging aortic diseases have been improved, while the data on new endovascular and surgical approaches has increased significantly. In this review, we summarize the current evidence in the diagnosis and management of CTAD and the latest recommendations for the surgical/endovascular aortic repair of CTAD.

Electrophysiologic study and catheter ablation of a supraventricular tachycardia in a patient with inferior vena cava congenital anomaly.

Electrophysiologic procedures are performed widely nowdays, for the successful treatment of several cardiac arrhythmias. In this case report, we describe a rare congenital anomaly of the inferior vena cava, as an incidental finding during a scheduled electrophysiologic procedure for a supraventricular tachycardia ablation. The patient is a 32 year old male with an unremarkable medical history, suffering from sustained episodes of paroxysmal tachycardia. The electrophysiological maneuvers confirmed the presence of atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia, followed by a successful slow pathway ablation. We provide imaging details and guidance on the successful catheter positioning. In cases like this, the prognosis is excellent, while the follow up of our patient was unremarkable.