Diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography angiography for the exclusion of coronary artery disease in candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Coronary CT angiography (CTA) is currently considered a reliable method to exclude obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) before valvular heart surgery in patients with low pretest probability. However, its role in excluding obstructive CAD before transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is less well established. Single-center retrospective study where patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis underwent both CTA and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) as part of TAVI planning. CTA exams were conducted on a 64-slice dual source scanner, with a median interval of 45 days to ICA (IQR 25-75 [13-82]). In both tests, obstructive CAD was defined as a ≥50% stenosis in an epicardial vessel ≥2 mm diameter. Per-patient, per-vessel and per-proximal segment analyses were conducted, excluding and including non-evaluable segments. The study included 200 patients (120 women, mean age 83 ± 6 years). The prevalence of obstructive CAD on ICA was 35.5% (n = 71). On a per-patient analysis (assuming non-evaluable segments as stenotic), CTA showed sensitivity of 100% (95% CI, 95-100%), specificity of 42% (95% CI, 33-51%), and positive and negative predictive values of 48% (95% CI, 44-51%) and 100% (95% CI, 92-100%), respectively. CTA was able to exclude obstructive CAD in 54 patients (27%), in whom ICA could have been safely withheld. Despite the high rate of inconclusive tests, pre-procedural CTA is able to safely exclude obstructive CAD in a significant proportion of patients undergoing TAVI, possibly avoiding the need for ICA in roughly one quarter of the cases.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Versus Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Left Main or Multivessel Coronary Disease.

Current recommendations on the optimal revascularization strategy in Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) with left main (LM) or multivessel coronary disease (MVD) are based upon randomized clinical trials conducted in stable coronary artery disease. In a real-world contemporary observational registry, we compared the long-term outcome of NSTEMI patients with LM/MVD (n = 1,104) submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or optimized medical therapy (OMT). The primary end point was 5-year all-cause mortality. Results were assessed in the entire population (CABG 289, PCI 399, and OMT 416) and in a propensity score-matched cohort of CABG (n = 159) and PCI (n = 159). Crude 5-year mortality rates in CABG and PCI were 25.3% versus 29.6%, respectively (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.2; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.9 to 1.6; p = 0.212); OMT, however, was associated with a twofold higher risk of mortality when compared with any revascularization strategy (unadjusted HR 2.0; 95% CI 1.7 to 2.5; p < 0.001). After propensity score-matching and multivariate analysis, there was a trend toward a higher incidence of the primary end point in patients who underwent PCI versus CABG (31% vs 21%; adjusted HR 1.52; 95% CI 0.93 to 2.50; p = 0.094). This was a consistent finding over subgroups deemed clinically relevant, such as in patients with LM or proximal left anterior descending disease, SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXus ≥23 and left ventricle ejection fraction <40%. In conclusion, in a real-world cohort of NSTEMI patients with LM/MVD, those selected for OMT had a dire outcome. Although adjusted 5-year mortality was statistically similar between revascularization strategies, there was a trend favoring CABG, which might be the preferred option in LM, proximal LAD, SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXus ≥23, and left ventricle ejection fraction <40% subgroups.

Predictors of Conversion from Radial Into Femoral Access in Cardiac Catheterization / Fatores Preditivos da Conversão de Acesso Radial em Femoral no Cateterismo Cardíaco

Background: Fewer bleeding complications and early ambulation make radial access a privileged route for cardiac catheterization. However, transradial (TR) approach is not always successful, requiring its conversion into femoral access. Objectives: To evaluate the rate of conversion from radial into femoral access in cardiac catheterization and to identify its predictors. Methods: Prospective dual-center registry, including 7632 consecutive patients undergoing catheterization via the radial access between Jan/2009 and Oct/2012. We evaluated the incidence of conversion into femoral access and its predictors by logistic regression analysis. Results: The patients’ mean age was 66 ± 11 years, and 32% were women. A total of 2969 procedures (38.4%) were percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), and the most used first intention arterial access was the right radial artery (97.6%). Radial access failure rate was 5.8%. Independent predictors of conversion from radial into femoral access were the use of short introducer sheaths (OR 3.047, CI: 2.380-3.902; p < 0.001), PCI (OR 1.729, CI: 1.375-2.173; p < 0.001), female sex (OR 1.569, CI: 1.234-1.996; p < 0.001), multivessel disease (OR 1.457, CI: 1.167-1.819; p = 0.001), body surface area (BSA) ≤ 1.938 (OR 1.448, CI: 1.120-1.871; p = 0.005) and age > 66 years (OR 1.354, CI: 1.088-1.684; p = 0.007). Conclusion: Transradial approach for cardiac catheterization has a high success rate and the need for its conversion into femoral access in this cohort was low. Female sex, older age, smaller BSA, the use of short introducer sheaths, multivessel disease and PCI were independent predictors of conversion into femoral access. .

Fundamento: Menos complicações hemorrágicas e deambulação precoce fazem do acesso radial uma via privilegiada para cateterismo cardíaco. Entretanto, a abordagem transradial (TR) nem sempre é bem-sucedida, sendo necessária a sua conversão em acesso femoral. Objetivo: Avaliar a taxa de conversão do acesso radial em femoral no cateterismo cardíaco e identificar seus fatores preditivos. Métodos: Registro prospectivo de dois centros, incluindo 7.632 pacientes consecutivos submetidos a cateterização via acesso radial entre janeiro de 2009 e outubro de 2012. Avaliou-se a incidência de conversão em acesso femoral e seus fatores preditivos através de análise de regressão logística. Resultados: A idade média dos pacientes foi de 66 ± 11 anos, sendo 32% deles mulheres. Houve 2.969 (38.4%) intervenções coronarianas percutâneas (ICP),sendo a artéria radial direita a primeira escolha mais usada (97,6%). A taxa de insucesso do acesso radial foi de 5,8%. Fatores preditivos independentes da conversão do acesso radial em femoral foram o uso de bainhas introdutoras curtas (OR 3,047; IC: 2,380-3,902; p < 0,001), ICP (OR 1,729; IC: 1,375-2,173; p < 0,001), sexo feminino (OR 1,569;IC: 1,234-1,996; p < 0,001), doença multiarterial (OR 1,457; IC: 1,167-1,819; p = 0,001), área de superfície corporal(ASC) ≤ 1,938 (OR 1,448; IC: 1,120-1,871; p = 0,005) e idade > 66 anos (OR 1,354; IC: 1,088-1,684; p = 0,007). Conclusão: A abordagem transradial para cateterismo cardíaco tem alta taxa de sucesso e a necessidade de sua conversão em acesso femoral nesta coorte foi baixa. Os fatores preditivos independentes de sua conversão em acesso femoral foram: sexo feminino; idade mais avançada; menor ASC; uso de bainhas introdutoras curtas; doença multiarterial; e ICP. .

[Transapical aortic valve replacement: a 5-years experience]. / VÁLVULA AÓRTICA PERCUTÂNEA TRANSAPICAL: 5 ANOS DE EXPERIÊNCIA.

OBJECTIVES: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) by transapical approach is accepted for severe aortic stenosis in patients with high risk for conventional surgical therapy. Herein is reported the initial clinical results of this technique in a reference center METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal prospective single center study including 54 consecutive patients (mean age 79 ± 7.5 years, 59% male) who underwent, between November 2008 and October 2013, TAVR with Edwards Sapien valves throught transapical approach. The etiology was native aortic stenosis in 83% (mean gradient = 49 ± 18.3 mmHg and area = 0,7 cm2), 11% aortic disease and 3 patients had degenerated biological valvular prostheses, being 65% in class III/IV NYHA. The major comorbidities were coronary heart disease in 56% (status post-coronary surgery 37%), diabetes (37%), peripheral artery disease (31%) and chronic renal failure (24%). The logistic EuroSCORE was 19.8 ± 11.2 and EuroSCORE II 5.5 ± 3.5%, with STS mortality score 5.1 ± 3.7 and 23.7 ± 7.6 STS morbidity. RESULTS: Analysis following the VARC-2 criteria (Valve Academic Research Consortium), showed 30-day mortality of 5.6%; peri-procedural myocardial infarction 7.4%; disabling cerebral vascular accident 1.9%; severe haemorrhage 14.8%; major vascular complications 5.6%; pacemaker implantation 11%. Unplanned extracorporeal circulation was used in 5 cases and prosthetic dysfunction occurred in 4 patients (shift valve in 2 cases). The median hospital stay was 8.0 days, with re-hospitalization in 12.2% of cases. The composite VARC-2 endpoints were: device success = 90.7%; early safety at 30 days = 75.9% and clinical efficacy after 30 days= 83.7%. CONCLUSION: The transapical approach was found as an effective therapy for patients at high risk for conventional surgery.

Intervenção coronária percutânea utilizando Full Metal Jacket com stents farmacológicos: eventos cardíacos adversos maiores em um ano / Percutaneous coronary intervention using a full metal jacket with drug-eluting stents: major adverse cardiac events at one year

FUNDAMENTO: O benefício clínico de intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP) para lesões coronárias longas é incerto; além disso, foram levantadas dúvidas questões sobre a sua segurança. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os preditores de eventos cardíacos adversos maiores (ECAM) associados à ICP utilizando Full Metal Jacket (FMJ), definido como a sobreposição de stents farmacológicos (SF) medindo >60 mm de comprimento, para lesões muito longas. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos 136 pacientes consecutivos com lesões coronárias longas, requerendo FMJ em nosso cadastro de centro único. O desfecho primário incluiu a ocorrência combinada de todas as causas de morte, infarto do miocárdio (IM) e revascularização do vaso alvo (RVA). Variáveis demográficas, clínicas, angiográficas e de procedimento foram avaliadas por meio de análise de regressão de Cox para determinar os preditores independentes de desfecho. RESULTADOS: O comprimento médio do stent por lesão foi de 73,2 ± 12,3 mm e o diâmetro médio do vaso de referência foi de 2,9 ± 0,6 mm. O sucesso angiográfico foi de 96,3%. A ausência de ECAM foi de 94,9% em 30 dias e 85,3% em um ano. No acompanhamento de um ano, a taxa de mortalidade por todas as causas foi de 3,7% (1,5% por mortes cardíacas), a taxa de IM foi de 3,7%, e a incidência de trombose de stent (TS) definitiva ou provável foi de 2,9%. O gênero feminino [risco relativo (RR), 4,40; intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC), 1,81-10,66, p = 0,001) e ICP de artéria coronária não direita (RR, 3,49; p = 0,006; IC 95%, 1,42-8,59) foram preditores independentes de ECAM em um ano. A ausência de eventos adversos em um ano foi maior em pacientes com angina estável submetidos à ICP (RR, 0,33; IC 95% 0,13-0,80, p = 0,014). CONCLUSÕES: A ICP utilizando FMJ com SF para lesões muito longas foi eficaz, mas associada a uma alta taxa de TS em acompanhamento de um ano. No entanto, a taxa de mortalidade cardíaca, IM não relacionado a procedimento, e ECAM foi relativamente baixa. ICP de vaso coronário alvo, apresentação clínica, e gênero feminino são novos fatores clínicos contemporâneos que parecem apresentar efeitos adversos sobre o resultado da ICP utilizando FMJ para lesões longas.

BACKGROUND: The clinical benefit of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for long coronary lesions is unclear; furthermore, concerns have been raised about its safety. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the predictors of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) associated with PCI using a full metal jacket (FMJ), defined as overlapping drug-eluting stents (DES) measuring >60 mm in length, for very long lesions. METHODS: We enrolled 136 consecutive patients with long coronary lesions requiring FMJ in our single-center registry. The primary endpoint included the combined occurrence of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target vessel revascularization (TVR). Demographic, clinical, angiographic, and procedural variables were evaluated using stepwise Cox regression analysis to determine independent predictors of outcome. RESULTS: The mean length of stent per lesion was 73.2 ± 12.3 mm and the mean reference vessel diameter was 2.9 ± 0.6 mm. Angiographic success was 96.3%. Freedom from MACE was 94.9% at 30 days and 85.3% at one year. At the one-year follow-up, the all-cause mortality rate was 3.7% (1.5% cardiac deaths), the MI rate was 3.7%, and the incidence of definite or probable stent thrombosis (ST) was 2.9%. Female gender [hazard ratio (HR), 4.40; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.81-10.66; p = 0.001) and non-right coronary artery PCI (HR, 3.49; 95%CI, 1.42-8.59; p = 0,006) were independent predictors of MACE at one year. Freedom from adverse events at one year was higher in patients with stable angina who underwent PCI (HR, 0.33; 95%CI, 0.13-0.80; p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: PCI using FMJ with DES for very long lesions was efficacious but associated with a high rate of ST at the one-year follow-up. However, the rate of cardiac mortality, nonprocedure-related MI, and MACE was relatively low. Target coronary vessel PCI, clinical presentation, and female gender are new contemporary clinical factors that appear to have adverse effects on the outcome of PCI using FMJ for long lesions.

Five-year clinical results of coronary angioplasty with drug-eluting stents. National initiative in strategic innovation, iNOS.

INTRODUCTION: The use of drug-eluting stents (DES) is beneficial in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and there is particular interest in long-term follow-up. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess and characterize early DES use in Portugal during 2003 and patient follow-up over a 5-year period. We developed a web-based database to collect and organize patient and procedural data from PCI performed in ten cardiovascular interventional centers sharing the same database. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective study that included 1833 consecutive angiographically successful coronary angioplasties in which a DES was implanted in 2003. A subgroup of patients with 5-year clinical follow-up after the initial procedure was selected for which there was at least a 90% follow-up rate during one quarter of 2003. Demographic, clinical and angiographic characteristics of the entire population were assessed. In the clinical follow-up cohort, the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE)--death, myocardial infarction and surgical or percutaneous target lesion revascularization--was analyzed by survival curves and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the total population, 23% were female, and mean age was 62 +/- 11 years (25-92). The main risk factors were hypertension (60.5%), dyslipidemia (42.9%), smoking (45.1%) and diabetes (23.9%, of whom 13.2% were on insulin therapy). There was a history of myocardial infarction, PCI or bypass surgery respectively in 23.1%, 25.1%, and 9.7% of the patients. Multivessel disease was present in 59.9% of patients (mean of 1.86 +/- 0.81 vessels). PCI was performed on average in 1.24 +/- 0.48 lesions, and complete revascularization in 58.8%. A total of 2058 stents were used (mean of 1.62 +/- 0.84) in 1271 patients. The longitudinal substudy included only 320 PCIs, for which follow-up was achieved in 319 (99%; median: 1875 days, P25: 1457 days, P75: 2045 days). Thirty-seven deaths (11.6%) and 61 MACE (19.1%) occurred in this group, with no differences between insulin-treated and other diabetic patients. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to analyze the early Portuguese experience with drug-eluting stents. The clinical results compare favorably with the first published international registries. The on-line platform used was successful in collecting data in a standardized format on the clinical experience of multiple centers.