Guide catheter extension use are associated with higher procedural success in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary interventions.

BACKGROUND: Guide catheter extensions (GCEs) increase support and facilitate equipment delivery, but aggressive instrumentation may be associated with a higher risk of complications. AIM: Our aim was to assess the impact of GCEs on procedural success and complications in patients submitted to chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We analyzed data from the multicenter LATAM CTO Registry. Procedural success was defined as <30% residual stenosis and TIMI 3 distal flow. Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was defined as the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and stroke. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to compare outcomes with and without GCE use. RESULTS: From August 2010 to August 2021, 3049 patients were included. GCEs were used in 438 patients (14.5%). In unadjusted analysis, patients in the GCE group were older and had more comorbidities. The median J-CTO score and its components were higher in the GCE group. After PSM, procedural success was higher with GCE use (87.7% vs. 80.5%, p = 0.007). The incidence of coronary perforation (odds ratio [OR]: 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78-2.71, p = 0.230), bleeding (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: 0.41-2.41, p = 0.986), in-hospital death (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 0.54-3.62, p = 0.495) and MACCE (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.52-2.19, p = 0.850) were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: In a contemporary, multicenter cohort of patients undergoing CTO PCI, GCEs were used in older patients, with more comorbidities and complex anatomy. After PSM, GCE use was associated with higher procedural success, and similar incidence of adverse outcomes.

Outcomes of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery: Insights from the LATAM CTO registry.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with and without prior coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. BACKGROUND: Data on the outcomes of CTO PCI in patients with versus without CABG remains limited and with scarce representation from developing regions like Latin America. METHODS: We evaluated patients undergoing CTO PCI in 42 centers participating in the LATAM CTO registry between 2008 and 2020. Statistical analyses were stratified according to CABG status. The outcomes of interest were technical and procedural success and in-hospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). RESULTS: A total of 1662 patients were included (n = 1411 [84.9%] no-CABG and n = 251 [15.1%] prior-CABG). Compared with no-CABG, those with prior-CABG were older (67 ± 11 vs. 64 ± 11 years; p < 0.001), had more comorbidities and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (52.8 ± 12.8% vs. 54.4 ± 11.7%; p = 0.042). Anatomic complexity was higher in the prior-CABG group (J-CTO score 2.46 ± 1.19 vs. 2.10 ± 1.22; p < 0.001; PROGRESS CTO score 1.28 ± 0.89 vs. 0.91 ± 0.85; p < 0.001). Absence of CABG was associated with lower risk of technical and procedural failure (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.43-0.85 and OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.40-0.83, respectively). No significant differences in the incidence of in-hospital MACCE (3.8% no-CABG vs. 4.4% prior-CABG; p = 0.766) were observed between groups. CONCLUSION: In a contemporary multicenter CTO-PCI registry from Latin America, prior-CABG patients had more comorbidities, higher anatomical complexity, lower success, and similar in-hospital adverse event rates compared with no-CABG patients.

In-stent chronic total occlusion angioplasty in the LATAM-CTO registry.

OBJECTIVES: To inform about contemporary PCI practice of in-stent (IS) chronic total occlusions (CTO) from a large international registry in Latin America. BACKGROUND: IS-CTO represent a distinctive challenge for PCI, but literature is limited and restricted to high-resource regions of the world. METHODS: Patients undergoing CTO PCI enrolled in the LATAM CTO registry from 42 centers in eight countries were included. We analyzed demographics, angiographic, procedure technique, success and postprocedural outcomes between IS-CTO and non-IS-CTO PCI. RESULTS: From 1,565 patients IS-CTO was present in 181 patients (11.5%). IS-CTO patients had higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension than patients without IS-CTO. IS-CTOs had less calcification (32.5 vs. 46.7%, p < .001), lower prevalence of a proximal branch (36.3 vs. 50.1%, p < .001), more likely to be ostial (24.4 vs. 18.1%, p = .042), were longer (28.5 vs. 25.2 mm, p = .062), and had less interventional collaterals (49.1 vs. 57.3%, p = .038) compared with non-IS-CTO. CTO complexity scores were similar between both groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the initial or successful strategy between IS-CTO and non-IS-CTO PCI. Technical success rates remained high in IS-CTO (86.7%) and non-IS-CTO (83.1%, p = .230). There was no independent association between IS-CTO and technical success in multivariable analysis. There were no differences between IS-CTO and non-IS-CTO groups for in-hospital clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: In a contemporary, multicenter, and international registry from Latin America, IS-CTO PCI is frequent and has comparable technical success and safety profile compared to non-IS-CTO PCI.

Chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention in Latin America.

OBJECTIVES: To report clinical, angiographic characteristics, outcomes, and predictors of unsuccessful procedures in patients who underwent chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in Latin America. BACKGROUND: CTO PCI has been increasingly performed worldwide, but there is a lack of information in this region. METHODS: An international multicenter registry was developed to collect data on CTO PCI performed in centers in Latin America. Patient, angiographic, procedural and outcome data were evaluated. Predictors of unsuccessful procedures were assessed by multivariable analysis. RESULTS: We have included data related to 1,040 CTO PCIs performed in seven countries in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Puerto Rico). The mean age was 64 ± 10 years, and CTO PCI was performed mainly for angina control (81%) or treatment of a large ischemic area (30%). Overall technical success rate was 82.5%, and it was achieved with antegrade wire escalation in 81%, antegrade dissection/re-entry in 8% and with retrograde techniques in 11% of the successful procedures. Multivariable analysis identified moderate/severe calcification, a blunt proximal cap and a previous attempt as independent predictors of unsuccessful procedures. In-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) occurred in 3.1% of the cases, death in 1% and cardiac tamponade in 0.9% CONCLUSIONS: CTO PCI in Latin America has been performed mainly for ischemia relief. Procedures were associated with a success rate above 80% and low incidence of MACE. Predictors of unsuccessful procedures were similar to those previously reported in the literature.

DES Strut Thickness and Clinical Outcomes After CTO Recanalization: Insights From LATAM CTO Registry.

BACKGROUND: Ultra-thin strut drug-eluting stent (UTS-DES) may improve outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) but have received limited study in chronic total occlusion (CTO) PCI. AIMS: To compare of 1-year incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) between patients who underwent CTO PCI with ultrathin (≤ 75 µm) versus thin (>75 µm) strut DES in the LATAM CTO registry. METHODS: Patients were considered for inclusion only if successful CTO PCI was performed and when only one type of stent strut thickness (ultrathin or thin) was used. A propensity score matching (PSM) was computed to produce similar groups in relation to clinical and procedural characteristics. RESULTS: Between January 2015 and January 2020, 2092 patients underwent CTO PCI, of whom 1466 were included in the present analysis (475 in the ultra-thin and 991 in the thin strut DES). In unadjusted analysis the UTS-DES group had lower rate of MACE (HR: 0.63 95 % CI 0.42 to 0.94, p = 0.04) and repeat revascularizations (HR: 0.50 95 % CI 0.31 to 0.81, p = 0.02) at 1-year follow-up. After adjustment for confounding factors in a Cox regression model there was no difference in 1-year incidence of MACE between groups (HR: 1.15 95 % CI 0.41 to 2.97, p = 0.85). On PSM of 686 patients (343 in each group) the 1-year incidence of MACE (HR 0.68 95 % CI 0.37-1.23; P = 0.22) and individual components of MACE did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: One-year clinical outcomes after CTO PCI were similar with ultrathin and thin strut DES.

Validation of the OPEN-CLEAN Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Perforation Score in a Multicenter Registry.

Coronary artery perforation is one of the most common and feared complications of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We evaluated the utility of the recently presented OPEN-CLEAN (Coronary artery bypass graft, Length of occlusion, Ejection fraction, Age, calcificatioN) perforation score in an independent multicenter CTO PCI dataset. Of the 2,270 patients who underwent CTO PCI at 7 centers, 150 (6.6%) suffered coronary artery perforation. Patients with perforations were older (69 ± 10 vs 65 ± 10, p <0.001), more likely to be women (89% vs 82%, p = 0.010), more likely to have history of previous coronary artery bypass graft (38% vs 20%, p <0.001), and unfavorable angiographic characteristics such as blunt stump (64% vs 42%, p <0.001), proximal cap ambiguity (51% vs 33%, p <0.001), and moderate-severe calcification (57% vs 43%, p = 0.001). Technical success was lower in patients with perforations (69% vs 85%, p <0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the OPEN-CLEAN perforation risk model was 0.74 (95% confidence interval 0.68 to 0.79), with good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow p = 0.72). We found that the CTO PCI perforation risk increased with higher OPEN-CLEAN scores: 3.5% (score 0 to 1), 3.1% (score 2), 5.3% (score 3), 7.1% (score 4), 11.5% (score 5), 19.8% (score 6 to 7). In conclusion, given its good performance and ease of preprocedural calculation, the OPEN-CLEAN perforation score appears to be useful for quantifying the perforation risk for patients who underwent CTO PCI.

Risk Burden of Coronary Perforation in Chronic Total Occlusion Recanalization: Latin American CTO Registry Analysis.

Background Coronary perforation is a life-threatening complication of acute percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTO), but data on midterm outcomes are limited. Methods and Results Data from LATAM (Latin American)-CTO Registry (57 centers; 9 countries) were analyzed. We assessed the risk of 30-day, 1-year major adverse cardiac events of coronary perforation using time-to-event and weighted composite end point analysis having CTO PCI without perforation as comparators. Additionally, we studied the independent predictors of perforation in these patients. Of 2054 patients who underwent CTO PCI between 2015 and 2018, the median Multicenter CTO Registry in Japan and Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention-Chronic total occlusions scores were 2.0 (1.0-3.0) and 1.0 (0.0-2.0), respectively. The perforation rate was 3.7%, of which 55% were Ellis class 1. After 1-year coronary perforation had higher major adverse cardiac events rates (24.9% versus 13.3%; P<0.01). Using weighted composite end point, perforation was associated with increased bleeding and ischemic events at 6 months (P=0.04) and 1 year (P<0.01). We found as independent predictors associated with coronary perforation during CTO PCI: maximum activated clotting time (P<0.01), Multicenter CTO Registry in Japan score ≥2 (P=0.05), antegrade knuckle wire (P=0.04), and right coronary artery CTO PCI (P=0.05). Conclusions Coronary perforation was infrequent and associated with anatomical and procedural complexity, resulting in higher risk of hemorrhagic and ischemic events. Landmark and weighted analysis showed a sustained burden of major events between 6 months and 1 year follow-up.

In-Stent CTO Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Individual Patient Data Pooled Analysis of 4 Multicenter Registries.

OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to examine the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for in-stent restenosis (ISR) chronic total occlusions (CTOs). BACKGROUND: The outcomes of PCI for ISR CTOs have received limited study. METHODS: The authors examined the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 11,961 CTO PCIs performed in 11,728 patients at 107 centers in Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia between 2012 and 2020, pooling patient-level data from 4 multicenter registries. In-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) included death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and tamponade. Long-term MACE were defined as the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. RESULTS: ISR represented 15% of the CTOs (n = 1,755). Patients with ISR CTOs had higher prevalence of diabetes (44% vs. 38%; p < 0.0001) and prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (27% vs. 24%; p = 0.03). Mean J-CTO (Multicenter CTO Registry in Japan) score was 2.32 ± 1.27 in the ISR group and 2.22 ± 1.27 in the de novo group (p = 0.01). Technical (85% vs. 85%; p = 0.75) and procedural (84% vs. 84%; p = 0.82) success was similar for ISR and de novo CTOs, as was the incidence of in-hospital MACE (1.7% vs. 2.2%; p = 0.25). Antegrade wiring was the most common successful strategy, in 70% of ISR and 60% of de novo CTOs, followed by retrograde crossing (16% vs. 23%) and antegrade dissection and re-entry (15% vs. 16%; p < 0.0001). At 12 months, patients with ISR CTOs had a higher incidence of MACE (hazard ratio: 1.31; 95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.70; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: ISR CTOs represent 15% of all CTO PCIs and can be recanalized with similar success and in-hospital MACE as de novo CTOs.

Impacto da técnica de dissecção/ reentrada anterógrada nas intervenções coronárias percutâneas para oclusão crônica: registro LATAM Chronic Total Occlusion / Impact of antegrade dissection and re-entry technique on coronary percutaneous interventions for chronic total occlusion: the LATAM Chronic Total Occlusion registry

Introdução: As mais novas técnicas de intervenção coronária percutânea em oclusões crônicas podem melhorar o sucesso técnico. Os objetivos deste estudo foram descrever a segurança e a eficácia da técnica de dissecção/reentrada anterógrada como estratégia inicial de revascularização. Métodos: Registro multicêntrico de países latino-americanos (LATAM Chronic Total Occlusion). Analisamos as características iniciais e os desfechos dos casos em que foi empregada dissecção/ reentrada anterógrada como estratégia primária ou de resgate após escalonamento de fios por via anterógrada. Foram excluídos os casos de abordagem retrógrada. Os médicos usaram dissecção anterógrada convencional e técnica de reentrada. Resultados: Dos 1.875 pacientes analisados, em 50 foi planejada a dissecção/reentrada anterógrada, e, em 1.825, foi planejado o escalonamento de fios por via anterógrada primário. Deu-se preferência à dissecção/reentrada anterógrada em pacientes mais idosos e com história de revascularização (revascularização do miocárdio: dissecção/ reentrada anterógrada em 33,3% e escalonamento de fios por via anterógrada primário em 13,4%, com p<0,001; intervenções coronárias percutâneas em 66,6 e 48,8%, respectivamente, com p=0,012). Oclusões crônicas mais longas (30mm [22-41] e 21mm [15-30], p<0,001) e calcificações moderadas ou graves (62 e 42,6%, com p=0,008) foram associadas à seleção da dissecção/reentrada anterógrada primária, ao invés do escalonamento de fios por via anterógrada primário. Houve correlação significativa entre o aumento do escore J-CTO (X2=37, df=5; p<0,001) e o uso da dissecção/ reentrada anterógrada. O escalonamento de fios por via anterógrada primário teve taxa de sucesso de 88,4%, e a dissecção/reentrada anterógrada, de 76,7%. Para o escalonamento de fios por via anterógrada primário e dissecção/reentrada anterógrada de resgate, o uso do dispositivo CrossBoss® foi relacionado às maiores taxas de sucesso (92,3 e 82,7%, respectivamente). Os desfechos a curto prazo foram semelhantes nos grupos. Conclusão: Na América Latina, a técnica de dissecção/ reentrada anterógrada foi segura e efetiva, tanto como estratégia primária quanto de resgate, mesmo quando utilizada em lesões de maior complexidade. O uso de dispositivos específicos foi relacionado a uma maior taxa de sucesso.

Background: The newest techniques of percutaneous coronary interventions for chronic total occlusion may improve technical success. The objectives were to describe safety and efficacy of antegrade dissection and reentry technique as initial revascularization strategy. Methods: A multicenter registry from Latin American countries (LATAM Chronic Total Occlusion). Baseline characteristics and outcomes of cases using antegrade dissection and reentry as primary strategy or bailout of antegrade wire escalation were analyzed. Retrograde approach cases were excluded. Physicians used conventional antegrade dissection and reentry technique. Results: Out of 1,875 patients analyzed, 50 were planned primary antegrade dissection and reentry and 1,825 planned primary antegrade wire escalation. Primary antegrade dissection and reentry was preferred in older patients, with a history of revascularization (coronary artery bypass graft: primary antegrade dissection and reentry in 33.3% and primary antegrade wire escalation in 13.4%; p<0.001; percutaneous coronary interventions in 66.6% and 48.8%, respectively; p=0.012). Longer chronic total occlusions (30mm [22-41] and 21mm [15-30]; p<0.001), moderate or severe calcification (62% and 42.6%; p=0.008) were associated with the selection of primary antegrade dissection and reentry, instead of primary antegrade wire escalation. There was a significant correlation between increasing J-CTO score (X2=37, df=5; p<0.001), and use of primary antegrade dissection and reentry. Primary antegrade wire escalation had a success rate of 88.4%, and primary antegrade dissection and reentry of 76.7%. For primary antegrade wire escalation and bailout antegrade dissection and reentry, the use of the CrossBoss® device was related to the highest rates of success (92.3 and 82.7%, respectively). Short-term outcomes were similar in both groups. Conclusion: In Latin America, antegrade dissection and reentry was safe and effective, both as primary or bailout strategy, even when used for higher complexity lesions. The use of dedicated devices was related to a higher success rate.

Use of drug-eluting stents for the treatment of in-stent restenosis in routine clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Although target lesion revascularization (TLR) has been dramatically decreased by using drug-eluting stents (DESs) in de-novo lesions, their efficacy for in-stent restenosis (ISR) has not yet been well established. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed patients treated for ISR with DESs from three referral hospitals. RESULTS: Eighty-seven consecutive patients, from June 2002 to April 2004, were included, with a mean age of 64+/-11 years; 83% were men, 32% had diabetes, 47% had had a previous myocardial infarction and 16% had low left ventricular ejection fraction. Angiographic characteristics were as follows: mean vessel diameter, 3.05+/-0.4 mm; lesion length, 17.8+/-7.7 mm; diameter stenosis, 84.0+/-10.7%; and complex lesion, 81%. The restenosis was focal in 45%, diffuse/proliferative in 51.3% and total occlusion in 3.7% of the cases. Sirolimus- and paclitaxel-eluting stents were used in 42 and 58% of the patients, respectively. Stent diameter was 3.1+/-0.3 mm and the length was 26.1+/-5.8 mm. Angiographic success was achieved in all patients, with one patient experiencing a post-procedural non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. At 6-month clinical follow-up, two patients had died from non-cardiac deaths, five had experienced a new TLR (5.7%, four percutaneous and one coronary artery bypass graft) and eight (9.2%) had had major adverse cardiac events. A stress test was performed in 60% of the population; target vessel ischemia was observed in one patient (3.3%). CONCLUSION: In this non-select cohort of patients, the use of DESs is a safe and effective strategy for ISR lesions.

Intravascular graft stent treatment of a ruptured fusiform dissecting aneurysm of the intracranial vertebral artery: technical case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: An innovative stenting technique to treat a difficult case of a fusiform aneurysm of the intracranial vertebral artery (VA), with restoration of the vessel lumen, is described. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old patient experienced sudden pain in the upper cervical spine, followed by a severe headache. He underwent computed tomographic evaluation, which demonstrated subarachnoid hemorrhage in the prepontine cistern. A fusiform aneurysm of the distal right VA and critical stenosis of the left VA were detected in digital subtraction angiograms. The patient experienced a new subarachnoid hemorrhaging episode, and urgent endovascular treatment was planned. INTERVENTION: The patient underwent angioplastic and stenting procedures in the left VA, with good results. Forty-eight hours later, an endovascular procedure was performed to treat the right VA aneurysm. We decided to use a graft stent (Jostent graft stent; Jomed, Conroe, TX) instead of a balloon to preserve the arterial lumen. The complete procedure was well tolerated by the patient, and he was discharged, without symptoms, 48 hours later. CONCLUSION: The patient was discharged, without neurological deficits, 48 hours after completion of the endovascular procedure, with clopidogrel (75 mg/d) and aspirin (325 mg/d) therapy. This treatment was discontinued after 4 weeks. According to our search of the medical literature, this is the first clinical case in which an intracranial fusiform aneurysm was permanently sealed with a graft stent.

Eficiencia y seguridad del acceso radial versus el acceso femoral en la angioplastia coronaria / Efficiency and Safety of Radial Access versus Femoral Access in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

RESUMEN Introducción: El acceso radial se ha asociado a numerosos beneficios en angioplastia coronaria en comparación con el acceso femoral. Sin embargo, múltiples registros internacionales han reportado una escasa adherencia a esta técnica. Objetivos: Evaluar la seguridad, la eficacia y la eficiencia operativa de la angioplastia coronaria según la vía de acceso utilizada y el cuadro clínico del paciente. Métodos: Análisis de registro, unicéntrico y retrospectivo de los pacientes con enfermedad coronaria tratados con angioplastia coronaria desde marzo de 2009 a junio de 2018, según el acceso vascular. Se aplicó un modelo de regresión de Cox ajustado para evaluar la relación entre la vía de acceso y el riesgo de eventos cardiovasculares mayores y un modelo de regresión logística para evaluar la relación con el sangrado mayor y las complicaciones del acceso vascular. La eficiencia operativa se evaluó mediante la medición del tiempo de internación total y los costos totales asociados a esta. Resultados: Se incluyeron 8155 angioplastias coronarias (seguimiento promedio 1448,6 ± 714,1 días), mediante acceso radial (n = 5706) o acceso femoral (n = 2449). A los 30 días, el riesgo de eventos cardiovasculares mayores se redujo significativamente con el acceso radial (HR 0,66 [0,5-0,88], p = 0,004), a expensas de una reducción de la mortalidad total. A su vez, el acceso radial redujo significativamente el riesgo de sangrado mayor (HR 0,33 [0,16- 0,67], p = 0,002) y de complicaciones del acceso vascular (HR 0,72 [0,53-0,98], p = 0,038). Se observó una interacción significativa entre la vía de acceso y el riesgo de eventos según el cuadro clínico al ingreso. Se observó una reducción significativa del tiempo total de internación (≈30%) y de sus costos totales (≈15%) mediante el uso del acceso radial. Conclusiones: El uso del acceso radial en angioplastia coronaria es seguro y eficaz en comparación con el acceso femoral, con menores tasas de eventos cardiovasculares mayores a los 30 días, como, así también, un menor riesgo de sangrado mayor y complicaciones del acceso vascular. Asimismo, el acceso radial se asoció con una mayor eficiencia operativa durante la internación.

ABSTRACT Background: Radial access has been associated with many advantages in percutaneous coronary intervention compared with femoral access. However, many international registries have reported poor adherence to this technique. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy and operational efficiency of percutaneous coronary intervention according to the access site and the clinical presentation of the patient. Methods: A single-center, retrospective registry of patientis with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention was conducted from March 2009 to June 2018 according to the vascular access. A Cox proportional-hazards model was used to analyze the association between vascular access and risk of major cardiovascular eventis, and a logistic regression model was applied to assess the relationship between major bleeding and access site complications. Total hospital stay and total hospitalization costis were measured to evaluate the operational efficiency. Resultis: A total of 8,155 percutaneous coronary interventions (mean follow-up of 1,448.6±714.1 days), via radial access (n=5,706) or femoral access (n=2,449), were included in the study. At 30 days, the risk of major cardiovascular eventis was significantly lower with the radial access (HR 0.66 [0.5-0.88], p=0.004), at the expense of a reduction in all-cause mortal-ity In addition, radial access significantly reduced the risk of major bleeding (HR 0.33 [0.16-0.67], p=0.002) and access site complications (HR 0.72 [0.53-0.98], p=0.038). A significant interaction was observed between the vascular access site and the risk of eventis according to the clinical presentation at admission. Use of radial access was associated with a significant reduction in the length of total hospital stay (≈30%) and total hospitalization costis (≈15%). Conclusions: The use of radial access in percutaneous coronary intervention was safe and effective compared with the femoral access, with lower rates of major cardiovascular eventis at 30 days, lower risk of major bleeding and of access site complications. Moreover, radial access was associated with greater operational efficiency during hospitalization.

Impacto de la diabetes mellitus en pacientes tratados con angioplastia coronaria / Impact diabetes mellitus in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

RESUMEN Introducción: La diabetes mellitus (DM) se ha asociado a un incremento en los resultados adversos en pacientes tratados con angioplastia coronaria (ATC), en comparación con los pacientes no diabéticos. Objetivos: Evaluar el riesgo de eventos cardiovasculares mayores en los pacientes diabéticos, estratificados según el tratamiento recibido (no insulinorrequirientes o insulinorrequirientes), en una población de pacientes no seleccionada tratados con angioplastia coronaria. Material y métodos: Análisis de registro, unicéntrico y retrospectivo de pacientes con enfermedad coronaria tratados con ATC desde marzo 2009 a junio 2018, según la presencia de DM estratificada de acuerdo con el tratamiento establecido para el control del desorden metabólico en: DM insulino-requirientes (DM-IR) y DM no insulino-requirientes (DM-NIR). Se aplicó un modelo de regresión de Cox ajustado para evaluar la relación entre la presencia de diabetes y el riesgo de eventos cardiovasculares mayores. Resultados: Se incluyeron 6.313 pacientes (seguimiento promedio 4,1 ± 1,8 años), con una prevalencia global de DM del 22,8% (DM-NIR 19,1%; DM-IR 3,8%). Los pacientes diabéticos presentaron un perfil de riesgo elevado, particularmente los DM-IR. Al seguimiento promedio, el riesgo ajustado de eventos cardiovasculares mayores fue similar entre los pacientes No-DM y los DM-NIR (HR 1,02 [0,81-1,27], p 0,85). En relación con los pacientes DM-IR, se observó un riesgo elevado comparados con los No-DM (HR 1,73 [1,20-2,49], p 0,003) y con los DM-NIR (HR 1,65 [1,10-2,48], p 0,015). Se observó una interacción significativa entre el estado diabético y el riesgo de eventos según la indicación de la angioplastia coronaria al ingreso (pint 0,045). Conclusiones: En nuestra serie de pacientes tratados con angioplastia coronaria y con seguimiento a largo plazo, los pacientes diabéticos presentaron alto riesgo de eventos cardiovasculares mayores. Este riesgo se observó particularmente incrementado en pacientes DM-IR. Sin embargo, no se evidenciaron diferencias significativas en el riesgo de eventos entre los pacientes DM-NIR y los No-DM.

ABSTRACT Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been associated with an increase in adverse outcomes in patients treated with coronary angioplasty, compared to non-diabetic patients. Objective: To evaluate the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in diabetic patients, stratified according to the treatment (non-insulin dependent or insulin-dependent), in a population of unselected patients treated with coronary angioplasty. Methods: Registry-based analysis of patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention from March 2009 to June 2018, according presence of DM stratified according to the established treatment for the metabolic disorder: insulin-dependent DM (ID -DM) and non-insulin dependent DM (NID -DM). An adjusted Cox regression model was applied to evaluate the relationship between the diabetic status and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. Results: A total of 6313 patients were included (mean follow-up 4.1 ± 1.8 years), with a global prevalence of DM of 22,8% (non-insulin dependent DM 19,1%, insulin-dependent DM 3,8%). Diabetic patients showed a higher risk profile, particularly those with ID-DM. At the average follow-up, the adjusted risk of MACE was similar between Non-DM patients and the NIR-DM patients (HR 1,02 [0,81-1,27], p 0.85). In relation to DM-IR patients, it was observed a higher risk of MACE in comparison to Non-DM (HR 1,73 [1,20-2,49], p 0.003) and NIR-DM (HR 1,65 [1,10-2,48], p 0.015). A significant interaction was observed between the diabetic status and the risk of MACE according to the indication of the percutaneous coronary artery intervention (pint 0.045). Conclusions: In our registry of patients undergoing PCI, with long-term follow-up, DM patients had a higher risk of MACE. The risk of MACE was particularly increased in ID-DM patients. However, there were no significant differences in the risk of MACE between DM-NIR and non-DM patients.

StentBoost Visualization for the Evaluation of Coronary Stent Expansion During Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.

INTRODUCTION: Inadequate stent implantation is associated with stent thrombosis and restenosis. StentBoost can enhance stent visualization and evaluate stent expansion. Currently, there are limited comparison studies between StentBoost and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). We aimed to test the correlation and agreement between IVUS and StentBoost measurements. METHODS: From December 2010 to December 2011, 38 patients (54 stents) were analyzed using IVUS and StentBoost. Minimal stent diameter and proximal and distal edge stent diameter were compared between imaging techniques using Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman scatter plot. RESULTS: There was good correlation between StentBoost and IVUS measurements regarding minimal stent diameter (p < 0.001 in all stent portions) and an optimal agreement between IVUS and StentBoost, while lesser agreement was found between IVUS and quantitative coronary angiography. CONCLUSION: The assessment of stent implantation using StentBoost showed an adequate correlation and agreement with IVUS. This easily applicable angiographic technique can be used to guide stent implantation.

Implementación de un programa de angioplastia coronaria ambulatoria en pacientes con riesgo incrementado / Implementation of an Ambulatory Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Program in Higher Risk Patients

RESUMEN: Introducción: La hipercolesterolemia familiar es una hiperlipidemia primaria. Se trata de un trastorno genético autosómico dominante del metabolismo de las lipoproteínas, caracterizado por concentraciones plasmáticas elevadas de colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad y presencia de xantomas tendinosos, y está asociado con el desarrollo prematuro de enfermedad cardiovascular. Objetivos: Investigar la presencia de mutaciones en el principal gen asociado al desarrollo de hipercolesterolemia familiar (LDLR) en un grupo de pacientes identificados como "casos índices", de entre aquellos que concurren al Servicio de Lípidos del Hospital Universitario Fundación Favaloro con diagnóstico clínico de hipercolesterolemia familiar. Determinar la composición ancestral de la población estudiada. Material y métodos: Se estudió una población de 38 pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de hipercolesterolemia familiar. La región codificante y las zonas intrónicas adyacentes del gen LDLR se secuenciaron automáticamente por el método de Sanger. Se investigó el componente ancestral de la población estudiada a partir del análisis de 46 marcadores informativos de ancestralidad (AIM-Indel). Resultados: Se identificaron 50 variantes diferentes, de las cuales el 48% se consideraron patogénicas. Se logró establecer una correlación genotipo-gravedad del fenotipo en el 60,5% de los pacientes estudiados. El componente ancestral de la población estudiada fue predominantemente europeo, seguido de un componente nativo-americano y, en menor proporción, africano. Conclusiones: El análisis genético por secuenciación del gen LDLR en pacientes identificados como "casos índices" con diagnóstico clínico de hipercolesterolemia familiar permite correlacionar el dato genético con la gravedad del fenotipo observado clínicamente y efectuar un diagnóstico en cascada en los miembros de la familia que presentan los criterios de inclusión considerados.

ABSTRACT: Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia is a primary hyperlipidemia. It is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder of lipoprotein metabolism, characterized by elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and presence of tendon xanthomas, and is associated with early cardiovascular disease. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of mutations in the main gene associated with the development of familial hypercholesterolemia (LDLR) in a group of patients identified as "index cases" attending the Lipid Clinic of the Hospital Universitario Fundación Favaloro with clinical diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia. The ancestral composition of the study population was determined. Methods: We evaluated 38 patients with clinical diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia. Mutation screening of the LDLR gene coding regions and adjacent intronic areas was performed using Sanger sequencing. The ancestral component of the study population was investigated using 46 ancestry inference markers (AIM-Indel). Results: Fifty different variants were identified, 48% of which were considered pathogenic. A genotype-phenotype severity correlation was established in 60.5% of the patients evaluated. The ancestral component of the study population was predominantly European, followed by native-American and African in lower proportion. Conclusions: Genetic testing by LDLR gene sequencing in patients identified as "index cases" with clinical diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia allows the correlation between the genetic information and the severity of the clinical phenotype to a cascade testing of the family members presenting the inclusion criteria considered.

Eficacia y seguridad del implante valvular aórtico percutáneo por vía transfemoral bajo anestesia general vs. anestesia local más sedación consciente / Efficacy and Safety of Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement under General Anesthesia versus Local Anesthesia with Conscious Sedation

RESUMEN: Introducción: Actualmente no hay consenso sobre el manejo anestésico más adecuado en el implante valvular aórtico percutáneo por vía transfemoral. Aunque se ha demostrado la factibilidad de concretar el procedimiento bajo anestesia local con sedación consciente o sin esta, los resultados clínicos reportados son controvertidos. Objetivos: Evaluar la seguridad y eficacia del implante valvular aórtico percutáneo por vía transfemoral realizado bajo anestesia general versus anestesia local con sedación consciente. Material y métodos: Análisis unicéntrico y retrospectivo de los pacientes con estenosis aórtica grave sintomática con alto riesgo quirúrgico sometidos a un implante valvular aórtico percutáneo por vía transfemoral desde marzo de 2009 a diciembre de 2016, según el manejo anestésico. Los desenlaces de seguridad y eficacia fueron evaluados a 30 días según las definiciones del Valve Academic Research Consortium-2. Además, se evaluaron los principales tiempos durante la internación. Resultados: Se incluyeron 121 pacientes (Edad 83,2 ± 5,7 años, hombres 48,8%), tratados con un implante valvular aórtico percutáneo por vía transfemoral bajo anestesia general (n = 55, 45,5%) o anestesia local con sedación consciente (n = 66, 54,5%). No se observaron diferencias significativas en los resultados intraprocedimiento ni en los desenlaces de seguridad y eficacia a 30 días. La mortalidad a 30 días fue del 7,3% en el grupo AG y del 3% en el grupo anestesia local con sedación consciente 3%, p log-rank 0,28 (mortalidad global 5%). La necesidad de conversión a anestesia general se presentó en 2 pacientes (3%), por complicaciones vasculares mayores durante el procedimiento. El grupo anestesia local con sedación consciente presentó menor tiempo total de procedimiento, internación en unidad de cuidados intensivos e internación total. Conclusión: El implante valvular aórtico percutáneo por vía transfemoral realizado bajo anestesia local con sedación consciente, parece ser una alternativa segura y eficaz al uso de anestesia general.

Abstract: Background: Currently, there is no consensus about the most adequate anesthetic management in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Although it has been shown that local anesthesia (LA) with or without conscious sedation is feasible, clinical results are controversial. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement performed under general anesthesia versus local anesthesia with conscious sedation. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective study of high risk patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement between March 2009 and December 2016. The population was divided according to anesthetic management. Safety and efficacy outcomes were evaluated at 30-days and were classified according to definitions of the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2. In addition, key times during hospitalization were evaluated. Results: A total of 121 patients undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement under general anesthesia (n=55, 45.5%) or local anesthesia with conscious sedation (n=66, 54.5%). were included in this analysis. Mean age was 83.2±5.7 years and 48.8% were men. There were no differences in either the procedural result or in the 30-day efficacy and safety outcomes. The rate of death at 30-days was 7.3% in the group with general anesthesia and 3% in the local anesthesia with conscious sedation group (log-rank p 0.28). The need of conversion to general anesthesia was 3% (2 patients), in all cases due to major vascular complications during the procedure. In the local anesthesia with conscious sedation group shorter procedural time, intensive care unit and hospital length of stay were observed. Conclusions: Transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement performed under local anesthesia with conscious sedation seems to be a safe and effective alternative to the use of general anesthesia.

Tratamiento del seudoaneurisma femoral mediante la inyección local de trombina / Femoral Pseudoaneurysm Treatment by Local Thrombin Injection

Introducción: El seudoaneurisma es una complicación ocasional (0,05-0,5%) de los procedimientos intervencionistas cuando se utiliza el acceso femoral. El cierre con inyección local de trombina como alternativa al tratamiento quirúrgico luego de compresión manual fallida cuenta con escasos registros. Objetivo: Evaluar la seguridad y eficacia del cierre del seudoaneurisma femoral iatrogénico mediante la inyección local de trombina guiada por ecografía Doppler. Material y métodos: Entre marzo de 2007 y junio de 2016 se incluyeron 32 pacientes para tratamiento con inyección de trombina. Resultados: La edad media fue de 64,3 ± 10,2 años. La mayoría de los seudoaneurismas estuvieron asociados con la realización de cateterismos coronarios diagnósticos o terapéuticos (59,3%). Siete pacientes habían recibido tratamiento anticoagulante y 21 doble antiagregación plaquetaria. En todos los casos se intentó previamente el cierre por compresión manual. La media del diámetro mayor de los seudoaneurismas fue de 38 mm. Luego del tratamiento, la trombosis inmediata del saco ocurrió en 28 pacientes (87,5%), mientras que 4 pacientes requirieron una segunda inyección, lo que determinó un éxito del 96,8%. En un solo paciente este tratamiento no fue efectivo, con posterior conversión a reparación quirúrgica programada. La dosis media de trombina fue de 450 unidades. Un único paciente presentó complicación trombótica venosa que requirió terapia anticoagulante, con buena evolución clínica. Conclusión: El tratamiento del seudoaneurisma con inyección local de trombina guiada con eco-Doppler fue una alternativa terapéutica segura y eficaz para pacientes con seudoaneurisma femoral refractarios a la compresión manual.

Background: Pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication (0.05-0.5%) after interventional procedures using femoral access. There are few registries of local thrombin injection for pseudoaneurysm closure as an alternative treatment to surgery after failed manual compression. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of iatrogenic femoral pseudoaneurysm closure with Doppler ultrasound-guided local thrombin injection. Methods: Thirty-two patients were included for thrombin injection treatment between March 2007 and June 2016. Results: Mean age was 64.3±10.2 years. Most pseudoaneurysms were associated with diagnostic or therapeutic cardiac cath-eterizations (59.3%). Seven patients had received anticoagulant treatment and 21, double antiplatelet therapy. In all cases, prior closure was attempted by manual compression. Mean pseudoaneurysm major diameter was 38 mm. Following treatment, immediate pseudoaneurysm sac thrombosis occurred in 28 patients (87.5%), while 4 patients required a second injection, resulting in 96.8% success rate. Treatment was not effective in only one patient, with subsequent conversion to programmed surgical repair. Mean thrombin dose was 450 units. Only one patient presented with venous thrombosis complication requir-ing anticoagulant therapy, with good clinical outcome. Conclusion: Doppler ultrasound-guided local thrombin injection was a safe and effective therapeutic alternative for pseudoa-neurysm treatment in patients with femoral pseudoaneurysm refractory to manual compression.

Quality of myocardial reperfusion according to ischemic time and infarcted territory.

BACKGROUND: The relationship of the ischemic time to primary angioplasty and the quality of myocardial reperfusion according to infarcted territory among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is unclear. METHODS: This study consisted of 140 patients with STEMI within 12 h from the symptom onset and undergoing a primary angioplasty from the Protection of Distal Embolization in High-Risk Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Trial. ST-segment resolution (STR) at 60 min was analyzed by an independent corelab using continuous ST monitoring. Patients were divided according to anterior (n=74) and nonanterior (n=64) locations and according to ischemic time in quartiles (<90, 90-148, 148-241, and 241-635 min). RESULTS: Although there was no significant decrement in the extent of STR with the ischemic time in the entire population (74, 51, 72, and 51%, respectively, P=not significant), patients with anterior location have a significant reduction in the extent of STR after 90 min compared with those coming after 90 min (70.6 vs. 29.2% of complete STR, P=0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with anterior STEMI seem to have a stronger impact of ischemic time on the quality of myocardial reperfusion compared with patients with nonanterior location.

Time to stable ST-segment recovery following primary angioplasty is predictive of regional wall motion score and clinical outcome.

We report the time to stable ST-segment reperfusion (TSTR) after primary angioplasty and its relationship with the clinical results; 137 patients who underwent primary angioplasty were included as part of the analysis. All patients had 24 hours ST-segment monitoring. Time to stable STR was defined as the beginning of ST-segment reperfusion (STR) lasting >4 hours without ST-segment reelevation. Six-month mortality was associated with slower TSTR (median 166.5 vs 6 minute, P = .001). Time to stable STR cutoff value of 136.5 minutes was identified as the best mortality predictor (area under the curve: 0.86, P = .001). Multivariate analysis identified Killip class > or = 2 (P = .042), TSTR cutoff value (P = .002), and final thrombolysis myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade III (P = .067) as predictors of 6-month mortality. Time to stable STR may be a novel continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) parameter following primary angioplasty, which can identify high-risk patients that need to be considered for additional treatments.

Transient left midventricular ballooning without apical involvement.

We present a case of a 51-years-old woman with acute chest pain and ECG showing diffuse ST segment deviation who was transferred to our hospital to perform an urgent coronary angiography. There were no significant obstructions and left ventriculography (LVG) showed a midventricular ballooning without the apical dysynergy described previously in Tako-Tsubo or stress-induced cardiomyopathy. She had a favourable hospital course and a new LVG at 30 days showed total normalization of contractility. This recently described new pattern of transient left ventricular dysfunction was probably induced by a great mental stress state that the patient described in the preceding 24-48 h and the intrinsic mechanism could be a direct catecholamine myocardial damage or a microcirculation spasm.