The relationship between unique gut microbiome-derived lipid metabolites and subsequent revascularization in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Studies have recently revealed the linoleic acid metabolic pathway of Lactobacillus plantarum, the representative gut bacterium in human gastrointestinal tract, and the anti-inflammatory effects of metabolites in this pathway. However, no clinical trials have evaluated the association between these metabolites and revascularization in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent PCI with subsequent revascularization or coronary angiography (CAG) without revascularization. Patients with frozen blood samples at the index PCI and revascularization or follow-up CAG were enrolled. RESULTS: Among 701 consecutive patients who underwent PCI, we enrolled 53 patients who underwent subsequent revascularization and 161 patients who underwent follow-up CAG without revascularization. Patients who underwent revascularization showed significantly lower plasma 10-oxo-octadecanoic acid (KetoB) levels (720.5 [551.6-876.5] vs. 818.4 [641.1-1103.6 pg/mL]; p = 0.01) at index PCI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that decreased plasma KetoB levels at the index PCI were independently associated with subsequent revascularization after PCI (odds ratio; 0.90 per 100 pg/mL increase, 95% confidence interval; 0.82-0.98). Additionally, in vitro experiments showed that the addition of purified KetoB suppressed the mRNA levels of IL-6 and IL-1ß in macrophages and IL-1ß mRNA in neutrophils. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma KetoB level at index PCI was independently associated with subsequent revascularization after PCI, and KetoB could act as an anti-inflammatory lipid mediator in macrophages and neutrophils. The assessment of gut microbiome-derived metabolites may help predict revascularization after PCI.

Prediction of the debulking effect of rotational atherectomy using optical frequency domain imaging: a prospective study.

This study determined the predictive accuracy of optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) on debulking effects of rotational atherectomy (RA) and compared the predictive accuracy of OFDI catheter-based with Rota wire-based prediction methods. This prospective, single-center, observational study included 55 consecutive patients who underwent OFDI-guided RA. On pre-RA OFDI images, a circle, identical to the Rota burr was drawn at the center of the OFDI catheter (OFDI catheter-based prediction method) or wire (wire-based prediction method). The area overlapping the vessel wall was defined as the predicted ablation area (P-area). The actual ablated area (A-area) was measured by superimposing the OFDI images before and after RA. The overlapping P-area and A-area were defined as overlapped ablation area (O-area), and the predictive accuracy was evaluated by %Correct area (O-area/P-area) and %Error area (A-area - O-area/A-area). The median %Correct and %Error areas were 47.8% and 41.6%, respectively. Irrelevant ablation (low %Correct-/high % Error areas) and over ablation (high %Correct-/high % Error areas) were related to deep vessel injury and intimal flap outside the P-area. The predictive accuracy was better in the OFDI catheter-based prediction method than the wire-based prediction method in the cross sections where the OFDI catheter and wire came in contact. However, it was better in the latter than the former where the OFDI catheter and wire were not in contact. OFDI-based simulation of the RA effect is feasible though accuracy may be affected by the OFDI catheter and wire position. OFDI-based simulation of RA effect might reduce peri-procedural complications during RA.

Angioscopic Comparison of Early- and Mid-Term Vascular Responses Following Treatment of ST-Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction With Biodegradable vs. Durable Polymer Everolimus-Eluting Stents　- A Prespecified Subanalysis of the MECHANISM AMI RCT.

BACKGROUND: The vessel healing process after implantation of biodegradable polymer (BP) and durable polymer (DP) everolimus-eluting stent (EES) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) lesions remains unclear.Methods and Results: We conducted a multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial to compare early (2 weeks) and mid-term (12 months) vascular responses after implantation of BP-EES vs. DP-EES in STEMI patients. In this prespecified subanalysis, serial coronary angioscopy (CAS) analysis was performed in 15 stents in the BP-EES arm (n=10 patients) and 14 stents in the DP-EES arm (n=10 patients). At the 2-week follow-up, there was no significant difference in the estimated marginal means of the neointimal coverage grade (primary endpoint) between the 2 arms (mean [±SE] 0.00±0.00 in both arms; P>0.999). There were no significant differences between the BP-EES and DP-EES groups in the yellow color grade (1.046±0.106 vs. 0.844±0.114, respectively; P=0.201) or the presence of thrombus (77.8% vs. 88.8%, respectively; P=0.205). At 12 months, competent strut coverage, defined as yellow color grade ≤1, no thrombus, and a neointimal coverage grade ≥1 was achieved more frequently in the BP-EES than DP-EES arm (85.2% vs. 53.1%; adjusted odds ratio 2.11 [95% confidence interval 1.26-3.53]; P=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Neointimal coverage 2 weeks after implantation of BP-EES and DP-EES in STEMI lesions was comparable on CAS evaluation. However, at 1 year, BP-EES was independently associated with competent strut coverage.

Techniques for reducing air bubble intrusion into the left atrium during radiofrequency catheter and cryoballoon ablation procedures: An ex vivo study with a high-resolution camera.

BACKGROUND: Air embolisms are serious complications during catheter ablation procedures. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present study were to determine when air bubbles enter the left atrium (LA) during catheter ablation procedures and to identify techniques that reduce air bubble intrusion. METHODS: An ex vivo study was performed to monitor air bubbles using a silicone heart model and a high-resolution camera. In total, 280 radiofrequency catheter and cryoballoon ablation processes were tested. RESULTS: Small and large air bubbles were often observed during catheter ablation processes. Many small air bubbles arose during sheath flushing at fast speeds (15 mL/2 s) (median bubble number [quartiles]: 35 [20-53] for SL0, 35 [23-44] for Agilis, and 98 [91-100] for FlexCath) and during initial cryoballoon inflation/freezing/deflation (34 [22-47]). Large (≥1.5 mm) air bubbles were observed during Lasso catheter insertion (1 [0-1]), cryoballoon insertion (2 [1-2]), and initial inflation/freezing/deflation (1 [1-3]). Massive air bubbles were observed during Optima catheter insertion into the sheath using an inserter (10 [2-15]). Sheath flushing at slow speeds (15 mL/5 s) significantly reduced the number of air bubbles. Before cryoballoon insertion, temporary balloon inflation and air bubble removal from the inflated surface were most effective in reducing air bubble intrusions. Optima catheter insertion without an inserter significantly reduced large air bubble intrusion. CONCLUSION: Air bubbles entered the LA at specific times. Techniques such as sheath flushing at slow speeds, temporary cryoballoon inflation before insertion, inserting the Optima catheter without an inserter, and avoidance of negative pressure in the LA could reduce air bubble intrusion.