Ultra-low-contrast angiography in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and previous coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe a technique for ultra-low-contrast angiography (ULCA) in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and previous coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced CKD and previous CABG are at high risk of developing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) because of the additional contrast often required to identify bypass grafts. Apart from hydration, reduced contrast administration is the only established method to minimize the risk of CIN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients underwent ULCA, whereby an intracoronary injection of saline and coronary guidewires were used instead of test injections of contrast for engagement of bypass grafts with catheters. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before and 30 days following angiography were recorded as was the need for renal replacement therapy 1 year after the procedure. RESULTS: All patients completed a diagnostic angiogram without complications. The median volume of contrast delivered was 13.5 ml (interquartile range: 10.5-17.8). The median eGFR was 18.3 ml/min/1.73 m (interquartile range: 16.5-28.2). There was no statistically significant difference in eGFR before the procedure and 30 days after the procedure (P=0.79). No patient required dialysis 30 days after the procedure. Two patients required initiation of dialysis at 1 year after the procedure. CONCLUSION: In patients with advanced CKD and previous CABG, ULCA may be performed with high procedural success and without complications, minimizing the risk of CIN in these high-risk patients.

Incidence and predictors of target lesion failure in patients undergoing contemporary DES implantation-Individual patient data pooled analysis from 6 randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Drug-eluting stents (DESs) have improved clinical outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Nevertheless, adverse events related to previously treated lesion still occur. We sought to evaluate the incidence and predictors of target lesion failure (TLF) in patients undergoing contemporary DES implantation. METHODS: Patient-level data from 6 prospective, randomized trials were pooled, and DES treatment outcomes were analyzed at up to 5 years. Primary outcome was TLF (cardiac death, target lesion revascularization, or target vessel myocardial infarction). Cox proportional-hazards model was used to identify predictors of TLF. RESULTS: Overall, 10,072 patients were included in the analysis. TLF rate was 1.7%, 4.3%, and 11.9% at 30 days, 1 year, and 5 years, respectively. The only independent predictor of TLF at 30 days was stent length (hazard ratio [HR] 1.017, 95% CI 1.011-1.024, P < .0001). Moderate/severe calcification, stent length and post procedural diameter sthenosis were predictors between 30 days to 1 year but not at 1 to 5 years. Reference vessel diameter was the only lesion-related predictor at 5 years (P = .003). Clinical predictors of TLF between 30 days and 1 year were diabetes and hypertension (P < .01 for both), and between 1 and 5 years, diabetes (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.13-1.73, P = .002), prior coronary artery bypass grafting (HR 2.52, 95% CI 1.92-3.30, P < .0001), and prior PCI (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.02-1.64, P = .04) predicted TLF. CONCLUSIONS: Predictors of TLF vary in the early, late, and very late postprocedural periods. Reference vessel diameter was the only lesion-related predictor of long-term TLF; clinical predictors were diabetes, prior coronary artery bypass grafting, and prior PCI.

Algorithmic Approach for Optical Coherence Tomography-Guided Stent Implantation During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Intravascular imaging plays a key role in optimizing outcomes for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) utilizes a user-friendly interface and provides high-resolution images. OCT can be used as part of daily practice in all stages of a coronary intervention: baseline lesion assessment, stent selection, and stent optimization. Incorporating a standardized, algorithmic approach when using OCT allows for precision PCI.