Coronary artery fixation at iso-arterial pressure: impacts on histologic evaluation and clinical management.

Coronary angiography is the standard imaging method for determining the site, extent, and severity of coronary artery disease. Several publications have reported discordance between the degree of coronary artery stenosis determined from post-mortem histologic evaluation and coronary angiography. While the 2-dimensional limitations of coronary angiography are well established, the determination of coronary stenosis based on histologic evaluation of passively fixed samples is also associated with significant biases. In this study, we used patients with chronic coronary artery disease to compare the stenosis severity estimates that were determined using the passive fixation method with those determined using the active fixation method. Our results showed a significant discrepancy between the stenosis in passively fixed coronary arteries when compared with coronary angiography in all major coronary vessels combined (P=.002), and in Cx (P=.045) and CD (P=.026). However, there was no mean difference when compared with perfused (actively fixed) samples when all vessels were combined or examined individually. Iso-physiologic mechanical perfusion (active) fixation yielded significantly reduced coronary artery stenosis means when compared to the passive fixation method in post-mortem evaluations during autopsies. This was evident when all vessels were combined (P=.0001) and assessed individually (Cx (P=.003), LAD (P=.025), LM (P=.056) and RC (P=.007)). Autopsies including cardiac explant patients also showed differences in estimates for all vessels combined (P=.0001) and in Cx (P=.016) and RC (P=.006). In summary, our quantitative histopathology analyses using perfused coronary artery stenosis at physiologic pressure showed significant discrepancies when compared with passive histopathology.

Hemodynamic impact of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure has become a valid alternative to anticoagulation therapy for the prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, scarce data exist on the impact of LAA closure on left atrial and ventricular function. We sought to assess the acute hemodynamic changes associated with percutaneous LAA closure in patients with paroxysmal AF. METHODS: The study population consisted of 31 patients (mean age 73 ± 10 years; 49% women) with paroxysmal AF who underwent successful percutaneous LAA closure. All patients were in sinus rhythm and underwent 2D transthoracic echocardiography at baseline and the day after the procedure. A subset of 14 patients underwent preprocedural cardiac computed tomography (CT) with 3D LA and LAA reconstruction. RESULTS: Left ventricular systolic function parameters and LA volumetric indexes remained unchanged after the procedure. No significant changes in left ventricular stroke volume (72.4 ± 16.0 vs. 73.3 ± 15.7 mL, p = 0.55) or LA stroke volume (total 15.6 ± 4.2 vs. 14.6 ± 4.2 mL, p = 0.21; passive 9.0 ± 2.8 vs. 8.3 ± 2.6 mL, p = 0.31; active 10.3 ± 5.6 vs. 10.0 ± 6.4 mL, p = 0.72) occurred following LAA closure. Mean ratio of LAA to LA volume by 3D CT was 10.2 ± 2.3%. No correlation was found between LAA/LA ratio and changes in LA stroke volume (r = 0.35, p = 0.22) or left ventricular stroke volume (r = 0.28, p = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: The LAA accounts for about 10% of the total LA volume, but percutaneous LAA closure did not translate into any significant changes in LA and left ventricular function.

Comparison of hemodynamic performance of the balloon-expandable SAPIEN 3 versus SAPIEN XT transcatheter valve.

The SAPIEN 3 valve (S3V) is a new-generation transcatheter valve with enhanced anti-paravalvular leak properties, but no data comparing with earlier transcatheter valve systems are available. We aimed to compare the hemodynamic performance of the S3V and the SAPIEN XT valve (SXTV) in a case-matched study with echo core laboratory analysis. A total of 27 patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the S3V were matched for prosthesis size (26 mm), aortic annulus area, and mean diameter measured by computed tomography, left ventricular ejection fraction, body surface area, and body mass index with 50 patients treated with the SXTV. The prosthesis size was determined by oversizing of 1% to 15% of annulus area. Doppler echocardiographic images collected at baseline and 1-month follow-up were analyzed in a central echocardiography core laboratory. The need for postdilation was higher in the SXTV group (20% vs 4%, p=0.047), and mean residual gradient and effective orifice area were similar in both groups (p>0.05). The incidence of paravalvular aortic regurgitation was greater with the SXTV (≥mild: 42%, moderate: 8%) than with the S3V (≥mild: 7%, moderate: 0%; p=0.002 for ≥mild vs SXTV). The implantation of an S3V was the only factor associated with trace or no paravalvular leak after TAVR (p=0.007). In conclusion, TAVR with the S3V was associated with a very low rate of paravalvular leaks and need for balloon postdilation, much lower than that observed with the earlier generation of balloon-expandable valve (SXTV). The confirmation of these results in a larger cohort of patients will represent a major step forward in using transcatheter valves for the treatment of aortic stenosis.

Right coronary artery from the left sinus of valsalva: Multislice CT and transradial PCI.

A 42-year-old-woman presented with de novo crescendo angina. Thallium-scintigraphy showed inferior ischemia. Coronary angiogram revealed a right coronary artery (RCA), originating from the left sinus of Valsalva with a severe proximal systolic compression. She underwent successful transradial percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation. Multislice-computed tomography (MSCT) is usually used to evaluate coronary artery anomalies and can effectively show the anomalous RCA and the inter-arterial trajectory between the aorta and pulmonary arteries. Anomalies of the origin of the coronary arteries are rare, but can produce specific clinicopathological entities that should be diagnosed with accuracy. This case report illustrates the role of MSCT in the detailed description of an abnormal coronary artery and the use of stenting for symptoms relief.

Giant left ventricular aneurysm mimicking myocardial bridge.

An 81-year-old woman was admitted due to acute pulmonary edema. The electrocardiogram showed new Q-waves in anterior leads with ST-elevation in anterolateral leads. Coronary angiogram showed a 100% occluded second diagonal branch with an image of systolic and diastolic compression of the mid-to-distal portion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) causing a long "bridgelike" effect. Ventriculography revealed a giant aneurysm of the anterolateral wall. A 3-dimensional volume-rendered cardiac computed tomography scan suggested that the aneurysm produced extrinsic compression of the LAD.

Left main mycotic aneurysm causing myocardial infarction.

Mycotic coronary aneurysms are rare, and simultaneous involvement of the left main, left anterior descending and circumflex arteries has never been described. In the present case, multislice computed tomography was an invaluable tool to adequately delineate the aneurysm from the surrounding structures and to plan cardiac surgery accordingly.

Percutaneous mitral valve annuloplasty for functional mitral regurgitation: acute results of the first patient treated with the Viacor permanent device and future perspectives.

BACKGROUND: There is a need to develop less invasive techniques to manage moderate or severe functional mitral regurgitation in patients at high surgical risk. OBJECTIVE: We report the acute results of the first patient treated with the permanent Viacor percutaneous transvenous mitral annuloplasty (PTMA) device in North America, introduce the PTOLEMY-2 protocol, and briefly discuss the current status of transvenous mitral valve techniques. CASE REPORT: After several episodes of pulmonary edema, an 87-year-old woman was referred for hemodynamic evaluation. Angiography revealed normal coronary arteries and severe mitral regurgitation. Baseline echocardiography showed severe (4+) functional mitral regurgitation. The coronary sinus was cannulated with a 9.5-Fr introducer from a left subclavian approach. After distal positioning of a coronary wire, the 7-Fr PTMA Viacor catheter was advanced to the anterior interventricular vein. Two 130 g/cm rods were then inserted resulting in an acute and dramatic reduction in mitral regurgitation as assessed by continuous transoesophageal echocardiography and which was associated with a sudden rise in arterial blood pressure. The next day, transthoracic echocardiogram showed a significant reduction in effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) from 41 to 10 mm(2). The patient was discharged home the day following the procedure without complication. In accordance with the PTOLEMY-2 protocol, she will undergo 3-D transthoracic echocardiograms, quality of life assessments, and 6-min walk tests at regular intervals for the next 5 years. CONCLUSION: PTMA is a promising technique for the treatment of severe mitral regurgitation in selected patients. Further ongoing research will determine the predictors of success and long-term safety and performance of this technique.