Near-infrared spectroscopy-derived lipid core burden index predicts adverse cardiovascular outcome in patients with coronary artery disease during long-term follow-up.

Aims: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is able to quantify cholesterol within coronary arteries by the lipid core burden index (LCBI). We studied the prognostic value of NIRS-derived LCBI in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) for adverse cardiac outcome during long-term follow-up. Methods and results: During 2009-2013, NIRS was performed in a non-culprit artery of 275 patients undergoing coronary angiography for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or stable angina. LCBI was quantified by an independent corelab for the region of interest (LCBIROI) and the 4 and 10 mm long segment with the maximum LCBI (MaxLCBI4mm and MaxLCBI10mm). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as the composite of all-cause death, non-fatal ACS, or unplanned revascularization. Hazard ratios (HR) were adjusted for age, gender, clinical risk factors, and segment plaque burden based on intravascular ultrasound. During a median follow-up of 4.1 years, 79 patients (28.7%) had MACE. There was a statistically significant and independent continuous relationship between higher MaxLCBI4mm values and a higher risk of MACE. Each 100 units increase of MaxLCBI4mm was associated with a 19% increase in MACE [hazard ratios (HR) 1.19, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 1.07-1.32, P = 0.001]. Continuous MaxLCBI4mm remained independently associated with MACE after exclusion of target lesion-related events (HR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.08-1.35), as well as after exclusion of adverse events related to the NIRS-imaged coronary segment (HR 1.19, 95% CI: 1.06-1.34). Results for MaxLCBI10mm were comparable. Conclusion: NIRS-derived LCBI is associated with adverse cardiac outcome in CAD patients during long-term follow-up independent of clinical risk factors and plaque burden.

Potentially increased incidence of scaffold thrombosis in patients treated with Absorb BVS who terminated DAPT before 18 months.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) termination on late and very late scaffold thrombosis (ScT) in patients treated with the Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from the registries of three centres were pooled (808 patients). To investigate the effect of DAPT termination on ScT after a minimum of six months, we selected a subgroup ("DAPT study cohort" with 685 patients) with known DAPT status >6 months and excluded the use of oral anticoagulants and early ScT. In this cohort, definite/probable ScT incidence for the period on DAPT was compared to ScT incidence after DAPT termination. ScT incidence was 0.83 ScT/100 py with 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.34-1.98. After DAPT termination, the incidence was higher (1.77/100 py; 95% CI: 0.66-4.72), compared to the incidence on DAPT (0.26/100 py, 95% CI: 0.04-1.86; p=0.12) and increased within the month after DAPT termination (6.57/100 py, 95% CI: 2.12-20.38; p=0.01). No very late ScT occurred in patients who continued on DAPT for a minimum of 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of late and very late definite/probable ScT was acceptable. The incidence was low while on DAPT but potentially higher when DAPT was terminated before 18 months.

Mid- to Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Patients Treated With the Everolimus-Eluting Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold: The BVS Expand Registry.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to report on clinical outcomes beyond 1 year of the BVS Expand registry. BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have proven feasibility and safety of the Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California). However, data on medium- to long-term outcomes are limited and available only for simpler lesions. METHODS: This is an investigator-initiated, prospective, single-center, single-arm study evaluating performance of the BVS in a lesion subset representative of daily clinical practice, including calcified lesions, total occlusions, long lesions, and small vessels. Inclusion criteria were patients presenting with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, stable/unstable angina, or silent ischemia caused by a de novo stenotic lesion in a native previously untreated coronary artery. Procedural and medium- to long-term clinical outcomes were assessed. Primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events, defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. RESULTS: From September 2012 to January 2015, 249 patients with 335 lesions were enrolled. Mean number of scaffolds per patient was 1.79 ± 1.15. Invasive imaging was used in 39%. In 38.1% there were American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association classification type B2/C lesions. Mean lesion length was 22.16 ± 13.79 mm. Post-procedural acute lumen gain was 1.39 ± 0.59 mm. Median follow-up period was 622 (interquartile range: 376 to 734) days. Using Kaplan-Meier methods, the MACE rate at 18 months was 6.8%. Rates of cardiac mortality, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization at 18 months were 1.8%, 5.2%, and 4.0%, respectively. Definite scaffold thrombosis rate was 1.9%. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, BVS implantation in a complex patient and lesion subset was associated with an acceptable rate of adverse events in the longer term, whereas no cases of early thrombosis were observed.

The TandemHeart, percutaneous transseptal left ventricular assist device: a safeguard in high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions. The six-year Rotterdam experience.

AIMS: Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in high-risk cardiac patients are preferentially referred to specialised myocardial intervention centres (MIC). Included in this group are patients with a haemodynamic collapse or high likelihood of haemodynamic collapse, either during balloon inflation or with acute vessel closure. The TandemHeart, a percutaneous transseptal left ventricular assist (PTVA) that can be introduced using standard catheterisation laboratory techniques, offers interesting perspectives to reduce procedural risks. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between September 2000 to July 2006, The TandemHeart, supported the circulation of 23 patients (age: range 46-74, mean 59) admitted to our centre for high risk, either emergency or elective, PCI. Successful implantation was achieved in 100% of patients. The mean time for implementation of circulatory support was 35 minutes (range 16-62). The index PCI was successful in all patients except two. A pump flow up to 4L/min was achieved with significant reduction of left ventricular filling pressures, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and with significant increase of systemic arterial pressures. Duration of support ranged from 1-222 hours (mean 31+/-49.8 hours). Five patients died with the TandemHeart in place, four of whom were in irreversible cardiogenic shock at admission. Mild to moderate access site bleeding was seen in 27% of patients. One patient experienced a loge syndrome of the leg. Core temperature (Ct) decreased to <36.5 degrees C in six patients, profound hypothermia (Ct <35 degrees C) was observed in two patients. There was no technical device failure. CONCLUSIONS: The TandemHeart - PTVA provides effective, total left ventricular support in very high risk PCI settings. The rate of device related cardiac and vascular complications was acceptable.