Localization of a gene causing cystinuria to chromosome 2p.

Cystinuria is an autosomal recessive disorder of amino acid transport. It is a common hereditary cause of kidney stones worldwide, and is associated with significant morbidity. In 17 affected families, we found linkage between cystinuria and three chromosome 2p markers. Maximal two-point lod scores between cystinuria and D2S119, D2S391 and D2S288 were 8.23 (theta = 0.07), 3.73 (theta = 0.15) and 3.03 (theta = 0.12), respectively. Analysis of recombinants and multipoint linkage data indicated that the most likely order is cen-D2S391-D2S119-cystinuria-D2S177-tel. We also observed high rates of homozygosity for markers in this chromosomal region among 11 affected offspring of consanguineous marriages. Based on its map position and function, the recently cloned SLC3A1 amino acid transporter gene is a primary candidate gene for this disease.

Multicenter evaluation of a self-expanding carotid stent system with distal protection in the treatment of carotid stenosis.

PURPOSE: Carotid artery stent placement may be limited by the embolization of atheromatous material. We evaluated the safety and feasibility of the Medtronic Self-Expanding Carotid Stent (Exponent) in combination with the Medtronic Interceptor Carotid Filter System for the treatment of carotid stenosis among patients at high risk for carotid endarterectomy. METHODS: Patients at high risk for carotid endarterectomy but amenable to percutaneous treatment with stent placement were enrolled. Clinical follow-up was performed at 30 days and 6 and 12 months postprocedure. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was assessed before and within 3 days postprocedure and at 30 days and 6 months postprocedure. Angiography was performed pre- and postprocedure, and carotid duplex scans were performed at baseline and at 30 days and 6 months. RESULTS: Fifty-two carotid procedures were performed in 51 patients (mean age, 69 years; 84% of patients were men). The major adverse event (MAE) rate (death, stroke, and myocardial infarction [MI]) at 30 days was 5.9%: 2 strokes and a single death from periprocedural MI. MAE rates after 6 and 12 months were 5.9% and 11.8%, respectively. The delivery success rate was 94.2% (49/52) for the Interceptor Filter System and 95.9% (47/49) for the Exponent Stent. The mean diameter stenosis of the target lesion was reduced from 62.4% preprocedure to 21.2% postprocedure. CONCLUSION: High delivery success rates were achieved with a low rate of MAE (death, stroke, or MI) in a high-risk population. Treatment of carotid artery disease with the Exponent Carotid Stent combined with distal protection from the Interceptor Filter System is effective and safe.

Prolonged antiplatelet therapy to prevent late thrombosis after intracoronary gamma-radiation in patients with in-stent restenosis: Washington Radiation for In-Stent Restenosis Trial plus 6 months of clopidogrel (WRIST PLUS).

BACKGROUND: Intracoronary gamma-radiation reduces recurrent in-stent restenosis. Late thrombosis (>30 days after radiation therapy) is identified as a serious complication. The Washington Radiation for In-Stent Restenosis Trial (WRIST) PLUS, which involved 6 months of treatment with clopidogrel and aspirin, was designed to examine the efficacy and safety of prolonged antiplatelet therapy for the prevention of late thrombosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 120 consecutive patients with diffuse in-stent restenosis in native coronary arteries and vein grafts with lesions <80 mm underwent percutaneous coronary transluminal angioplasty, laser ablation, and/or rotational atherectomy. Additional stents were placed in 34 patients (28.3%). After the intervention, a closed-end lumen catheter was introduced into the artery, a ribbon with different trains of radioactive (192)Ir seeds was positioned to cover the treated site, and a dose of 14 Gy to 2 mm was prescribed. Patients were discharged with clopidogrel and aspirin for 6 months and followed angiographically and clinically. All patients but one tolerated the clopidogrel. The late occlusion and thrombosis rates were compared with the gamma-radiation-treated (n=125) and the placebo patients (n=126) from the WRIST and LONG WRIST studies (which involved only 1 month of antiplatelet therapy). At 6 months, the group receiving prolonged antiplatelet therapy had total occlusion and late thrombosis rates of 5.8% and 2.5%, respectively; these rates were lower than those in the active gamma-radiation group and similar to those in the placebo historical control group. CONCLUSIONS: Six months of clopidogrel and aspirin and a reduction in re-stenting for patients with in-stent restenosis treated with gamma-radiation is well tolerated and associated with a reduction in the late thrombosis rate compared with a similar cohort treated with only 1 month of clopidogrel and aspirin.

The prognostic implications of further renal function deterioration within 48 h of interventional coronary procedures in patients with pre-existent chronic renal insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Acute deterioration in renal function is a recognized complication after coronary angiography and intervention. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to determine the impact on acute and long-term mortality and morbidity of contrast-induced deterioration in renal function after coronary intervention. METHODS: We studied 439 consecutive patients who had a baseline serum creatinine > or = 1.8 mg/dL (159.1 /micromol/L) who were not on dialysis who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in a tertiary referral center. All patients were hydrated before the procedure, and almost all received ioxaglate meglumine; 161 (37%) patients had an increase in serum creatinine > or = 25% within 48 h or required dialysis and 278 (63%) did not. In-hospital and out-of-hospital clinical events (death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization) were assessed by source documentation. RESULTS: Independent predictors of renal function deterioration were left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.02) and contrast volume (p = 0.01). In-hospital mortality was 14.9% for patients with further renal function deterioration versus 4.9% for patients with no creatinine increase (p = 0.001); other complications were also more frequent. Thirty-one patients required hemodialysis; their in-hospital mortality was 22.6%. Four patients were discharged on chronic dialysis. The cumulative one-year mortality was 45.2% for those who required dialysis, 35.4% for those who did not require dialysis and 19.4% for patients with no creatinine increase (p = 0.001). Independent predictors of one-year mortality were creatinine elevation (p = 0.0001), age (p = 0.03) and vein graft lesion location (p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency, renal function deterioration after coronary intervention is a marker for poor outcomes. This is especially true for patients who require dialysis.

Percutaneous revascularization of the internal mammary artery graft: short- and long-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the short- and long-term clinical outcomes after percutaneous revascularization of the internal mammary artery (IMA) graft. BACKGROUND: Previous reports in a relatively small number of patients have indicated the safety of balloon angioplasty for the treatment of stenoses in the IMA graft. However, the use of alternative interventional techniques and their long-term results have not yet been evaluated. METHODS: We analyzed the in-hospital and one-year clinical outcomes of 174 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous revascularization of 202 lesions located in the IMA graft, by either balloon angioplasty or stenting. RESULTS: Anastomotic lesions were evident in 128 cases (63%), and they were more commonly treated with balloon angioplasty (116/128, 91%), whereas lesions located at the ostium (n = 16, 8%) were more frequently treated with stents (11/16, 69%). Procedural success was 97% with excellent in-hospital outcome: 0.6% mortality rate, no Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) and 0.6% rate of urgent bypass surgery. Cumulative one-year rates were: mortality 4.4%, MI 2.9% and target lesion revascularization (TLR) 7.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Revascularization of the IMA graft can be performed safely, with high procedural success and a low rate of in-hospital complications. Long-term follow-up showed very low TLR rate.

Effect of plaque debulking and stenting on short- and long-term outcomes after revascularization of chronic total occlusions.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effect of plaque burden modification (debulking) on the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of patients with a totally occluded native coronary artery undergoing successful stent deployment. BACKGROUND: Although the primary success rate of crossing a chronic totally occluded coronary artery has improved with the development of new interventional devices and guidewires, the rate of acute reocclusion and restenosis remains high. METHODS: The in-hospital and late clinical outcomes of 150 patients who had undergone successful stenting of 176 chronic total occlusions were analyzed. After successful crossing of the lesion, 44 patients with 50 lesions underwent debulking by laser angioplasty, rotational or directional atherectomy followed by stenting, whereas 106 patients with 126 lesions underwent stent implantation without prior debulking. RESULTS: Baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar for the two groups, except for a higher incidence of left anterior descending coronary artery location and longer lesions in the group of patients who underwent debulking prior to stenting. In-hospital mortality, myocardial infarction and repeat angioplasty rates were similar for the two groups. At a mean 14 +/- 8 months follow-up time, there were no deaths in either group, and target lesion revascularization rates were the same (16.3% in the debulking plus stent group vs. 14.4% in the stent alone group, p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of chronic total native coronary artery occlusions with stent deployment with and without lesion modification (debulking) results in a favorable in-hospital outcome, with relatively low long-term target lesion revascularization rates.

The significance of persistent ST elevation versus early resolution of ST segment elevation after primary PTCA.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and clinical significance of early ST segment elevation resolution after primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND: Despite angiographically successful restoration of coronary flow early during AMI, adequate myocardial reperfusion might not occur in a substantial portion of the jeopardized myocardium due to microvascular damage. This phenomenon comprises the potentially beneficial effect of early recanalization of the infarct related artery (IRA). METHODS: Included in the study were 117 consecutive patients who underwent angiographically successful [Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI III)] primary PTCA. The patients were classified based on the presence or absence of reduction > or =50% in ST segment elevation in an ECG performed immediately upon return to the intensive cardiac care unit after the PTCA in comparison with ECG before the intervention. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients (76%) had early ST segment elevation resolution (Group A) and 28 patients (24%) did not (Group B). Group A and B had similar clinical and hemodynamic features before referring to primary PTCA, as well as similar angiographic results. Despite this, ST segment elevation resolution was associated with better predischarge left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (44.7 +/- 8.0 vs. 38.2 +/- 8.5, p < 0.01). Group B patients, as compared with those of Group A, had a higher incidence of in-hospital mortality (11% vs. 2%, p = 0.088), congestive heart failure (CHF) [28% vs. 19%, odds ratio (OR) = 4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1 to 15, p = 0.04], higher long-term mortality (OR = 7.3, 95% CI 1.9 to 28, p = 0.004 with Cox proportional hazard regression analysis) and long-term CHF rate (OR = 6.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 33, p = 0.016 with logistic regression). CONCLUSIONS: Absence of early ST segment elevation resolution after angiographically successful primary PTCA identifies patients who are less likely to benefit from the early restoration of flow in the IRA, probably because of microvascular damage and subsequently less myocardial salvage.

The effect of intracoronary radiation for the treatment of recurrent in-stent restenosis in patients with chronic renal failure.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to analyze the in-hospital and six-month clinical and angiographic outcomes of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) treated with intracoronary radiation for the prevention of recurrence of in-stent restenosis. BACKGROUND: Patients with CRF are at a higher risk than the general population for accelerated atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and for restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention. Previous studies have shown the effectiveness of both beta and gamma radiation in preventing recurrent restenosis in patients with in-stent restenosis. METHODS: We studied the in-hospital and six-month clinical and angiographic outcomes of 118 patients with CRF and 481 consecutive patients without CRF who were treated with intracoronary radiation for the prevention of recurrence of in-stent restenosis in native coronaries and saphenous vein grafts. RESULTS: Patients with CRF were usually older, women, hypertensive and diabetic, with multivessel disease and with reduced left ventricular function. In-hospital outcome for patients with CRF was marred by a higher incidence of death, non-Q-wave myocardial infarction and major vascular and bleeding complications. At six-month follow-up, the mortality rate was higher in patients with CRF, 7.6% compared with 1.9% in non-CRF patients (p = 0.003). Restenosis, target lesion revascularization (TLR) and target vessel revascularization (TVR) rates were similar in the two groups. In patients with CRF, radiation therapy compared to placebo reduced restenosis (53.8% vs. 22.6%, p = 0.04), TLR (71.4% vs. 15.3%, p < 0.0001) and TVR (78.6% vs. 23.7%, p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Intracoronary radiation for the prevention of recurrence of in-stent restenosis achieved similar rates of restenosis and revascularization procedures in patients with and without CRF. Despite this benefit, patients with renal dysfunction continued to have significantly higher in-hospital and six-month adverse outcomes.

Prognostic value of cardiac troponin I re-elevation following percutaneous coronary intervention in high-risk patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Troponin I is a predictive marker of short- and intermediate-term adverse cardiac events in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). These high-risk patients may benefit from early percutaneous coronary intervention. However, whether additional myocardial injury, defined as postprocedural troponin I elevation, may be associated with adverse short- and intermediate-term outcomes has not been fully explored. Accordingly, we studied 132 consecutive patients with non-ST-elevation ACS (62% with non-Q-wave myocardial infarction) and elevated troponin I levels at admission (>0.15 ng/ml) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention > or =48 hours after admission. Troponin I levels were routinely measured at 6 and 18 to 24 hours after intervention and patients were stratified according to the presence or absence of troponin I re-elevation, defined as postprocedural troponin I levels >1 times the admission levels. In-hospital and cumulative 6-month clinical outcomes were compared between groups. Patients with troponin I re-elevation (n = 51) were older (68 +/- 13 vs 64 +/- 12 years, p = 0.05) and had experienced prior myocardial infarction more frequently (92.5 vs 82.1, p = 0.09), but otherwise had similar baseline clinical characteristics. Patients with troponin I re-elevation had significantly higher in-hospital mortality (9.8% vs 0%, p = 0.016) and a higher 6-month cumulative death rate (24% vs 3.7%, p = 0.001). There was a trend for an increased 6-month myocardial infarction rate in patients with troponin I re-elevation (13.7% vs 3.7%, p = 0.11) and target vessel revascularization was similar between groups (16.7% vs 17.4%, p = 0.92). By multivariate analysis, troponin I re-elevation (odds ratio [OR] 6.2, p = 0.011) and diabetes mellitus (OR 5.7, p = 0.014) were the strongest independent predictors for increased 6-month cumulative mortality, whereas creatine kinase MB-fraction re-elevation had no prognostic value. We conclude that troponin I re-elevation after percutaneous coronary intervention in high-risk patients with ACS is associated with a substantial increase in mortality and reduced event-free survival at 6-month follow-up.

Creatine kinase-MB fraction elevation after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with chronic renal failure.

We evaluated the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of 326 consecutive patients with chronic renal failure, not on dialysis, who had creatine kinase (CK)-myocardial band (MB) fraction elevation after successful percutaneous coronary intervention in a native coronary artery. Based on peak CK-MB levels measured after intervention, patients were divided into 3 groups: no elevation (group 1, n = 184), 1 to 3 x upper normal levels (group 2, n = 72), and >3 x upper normal levels (group 3, n = 70). Baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar among the 3 groups. Angiographic success was similar among the 3 groups, although there was a significantly higher use of intra-aortic balloon pump in patients who had postprocedural CK-MB >3 x normal values and a higher rate of in-hospital complications, i.e., repeat catheterization, repeat target lesion intervention, pulmonary edema, renal function deterioration, emergency dialysis, and major bleeding complications. At 1-year follow-up, mortality rates were significantly higher in these patients (35.4% vs 22.0% for patients with CK-MB 1 to 3 x normal values and 16.7% for patients without CK-MB elevation, p = 0.007). Multivariate analysis showed that CK-MB >3 x normal (odds ratio 3.04; 95% confidence interval 1.41 to 6.57, p = 0.005) and intra-aortic balloon pump (odds ratio 1.49; confidence interval 1.15 to 1.93, p = 0.002) were independent predictors of late mortality. Therefore, patients with chronic renal failure who had CK-MB elevation >3 x the upper normal limit after a successful percutaneous coronary intervention had a higher incidence of in-hospital complications and a significantly higher mortality rate at 1-year follow-up than patients without CK-MB elevation or with <3 x normal CK-MB elevation.

Incidence, management, and outcome of coronary artery perforation during percutaneous coronary intervention.

We have analyzed the incidence, management, and outcome of 84 cases of coronary artery perforation in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention at our institution. This complication was more frequent in female patients and in patients who underwent lesion modification with atheroablative devices. A total of 8 patients (9.5%) died after the procedure. They were usually older and had a higher incidence of cardiac tamponade; a larger percentage of these patients underwent emergency surgery than those who survived.

In-hospital and long-term results of stent deployment compared with balloon angioplasty for treatment of narrowing at the saphenous vein graft distal anastomosis site.

Disease at the distal anastomosis site of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) has been successfully treated with balloon angioplasty, with a lower restenosis rate than at sites of the aortoostial or proximal portion of the SVG. The role of stents for these lesions has not been well defined. To compare the in-hospital and long-term outcome of patients who underwent treatment at this site by either balloon angioplasty or tubular stent implantation, we studied 182 consecutive patients who underwent balloon angioplasty and 77 patients who underwent stenting between January 1994 and August 1997. Baseline clinical characteristics for both groups were similar. Angiographically, SVG stenoses treated with stents were older, longer in lesion length, and more restenotic. The in-hospital outcome was similar for both groups, with 98% procedural success rates and 1% major ischemic complications. Long-term follow-up was obtained for 93% of the patients, for an average of 17 +/- 14 months. The mortality rates were similar for patients who underwent balloon angioplasty and stenting (11.6% vs 13%, p = NS). The Q-wave myocardial infarction rates were also similar (1% vs 0%, p = NS). There was a trend toward a higher rate of target lesion revascularization in the balloon angioplasty group (25% vs 14%, p = 0.058). We conclude that percutaneous revascularization of the SVG distal anastomosis site by either balloon angioplasty or stenting can be performed with a high rate of procedural success and favorable in-hospital and long-term outcomes. Stent deployment may further improve the long-term outcome of these patients by reducing the need for repeat revascularization.

Optimally deployed stents in the treatment of restenotic versus de novo lesions.

Results from earlier trials performed before the implementation of optimal stent deployment techniques suggest that stenting for restenotic lesions may be associated with a higher risk of restenosis when compared with de novo lesions. The aim of this study was to compare the short- and long-term outcome of optimal stent deployment in restenotic versus de novo lesions. In all, 1,865 consecutive patients with 2,707 de novo lesions and 489 patients with 633 restenotic lesions underwent intravascular ultrasound-guided optimal stent deployment. In-hospital outcome was similar for both groups, except for a higher incidence of non-Q-wave myocardial infarction in the de novo group (14.6% vs 8.6%, p = 0.001). At 12-month follow-up, there was no statistical significant difference in the incidence of death or myocardial infarction, but event-free survival was better in the de novo lesion group of patients (74.5% vs 63.7%, p = 0.001). There was a higher incidence of target lesion revascularization in the restenosis group (25.1% vs 13.0%, p = 0.001). By multivariate analysis, restenotic lesions, vein graft lesions, and diabetes mellitus were strong determinants of repeat revascularization, whereas larger preprocedural reference vessel minimal lumen diameter and larger final minimal lumen diameter were associated with a reduced chance of restenosis and increased event-free survival. This study shows that optimal stent deployment for restenotic and de novo lesions has favorable short- and long-term outcome. However, the incidence of target lesion revascularization was significantly greater in restenotic lesions. Saphenous vein graft lesions and diabetes mellitus were confirmed as other independent risk factors for clinical restenosis.

Intravascular radiation for the prevention of recurrence of restenosis in coronary arteries.

Despite the use of new technology and adjunctive pharmacological therapy, in-stent restenosis continues to hamper the outcome of approximately 150,000 patients who undergo stented coronary angioplasty in the US annually. While coronary stenting eliminates elastic recoil and vessel contracture by acting as a mechanical scaffold within the vessel, it is unable to inhibit excessive neointimal formation and may actually promote it. For years, the growth-inhibiting properties of ionising radiation have been used successfully to control benign proliferative disorders. Based on this experience, vascular brachytherapy, the intravascular delivery of radiation, was viewed as a viable solution to inhibit neointimal hyperplasia. A series of studies performed in animal models identified the mechanisms by which radiation may reduce restenosis. Data from these studies showed that endovascular radiation reduces restenosis by inhibiting cell proliferation and by inducing favourable remodelling. The success of these initial studies led to several double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled, randomised, clinical trials evaluating intravascular radiation, with either gamma- or beta-radiation sources, proved to be an effective solution for the prevention of neointimal proliferation and restenosis. However, an increased rate of late thrombosis in patients who had received intracoronary radiation did evolve from the initial use of this therapy. Prolonged antiplatelet therapy and a reduction in the number of new stents placed at the time of radiation has been shown to minimise these complications. Other concerns that still need to be resolved include edge effect and geographical miss. Intravascular brachytherapy is currently the only approved therapy for this complex disease. It is clear that there are still on-going concerns that will eventually be clarified when the long-term results from ongoing clinical trials around the world become available.

Novel approaches for the prevention of restenosis.

Restenosis, the re-narrowing of the lumen of the coronary artery, in the months following a successful percutaneous balloon angioplasty or stenting, remains the main limitation to percutaneous coronary revascularisation. Serial intravascular ultrasound studies have shown that restenosis after conventional balloon angioplasty represents a complex interplay between elastic recoil, smooth muscle proliferation and vascular remodelling, while restenosis after stent deployment is due almost entirely to smooth muscle hyperplasia and matrix proliferation. Despite intensive investigation in animal models and in clinical trials, most pharmacological agents have been found to be ineffective in preventing restenosis after percutaneous balloon angioplasty or stenting. Although studies frequently report success in the suppression of neointimal proliferation in animal models of balloon vascular injury, few of them have been successful in clinical trials. Lately, the advent of endovascular radiation, new antiproliferative agents, recombinant DNA, growth factor regulators and novel local drug delivery systems have shown promising results. In the past five years, intracoronary radiation with gamma- and beta-emitting sources has been evaluated intensively with very encouraging results. This is the first potent non-pharmacological approach that has been successful in a large number of patients in controlling excessive tissue proliferation. It is very likely that a combination of stents and pharmacological and/or non-pharmacological inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia will likely result in further reductions in the incidence if restenosis. The continued attractiveness of percutaneous coronary revascularisation, as an alternative to medical treatment or bypass surgery for patients with coronary artery disease, will depend upon our ability to control the restenotic process. Due to the vast literature on the subject, this review will focus mainly on clinical trials that show the most promise and will highlight those that warrant further investigation.

Intravascular imaging and physiologic lesion assessment to define critical coronary stenoses.

Despite the fact that the coronary angiogram is the gold-standard in assessing a coronary artery stenosis for the purposes of clinical decision making, it has many limitations. Alternative methods are available. This article discusses three of these: intravascular ultrasound, coronary flow reserve, and fractional flow reserve.

Cerebral embolization and coma after hysterosalpingography with oil-soluble contrast medium.

A case of coma due to embolization after HSG, using oil-soluble contrast medium is presented. The patient was in a comatose state 11 days and then spontaneously regained full consciousness. The safety of oil-contrast medium for HSG is questionable.

Dermatomyositis in a patient with malignant melanoma.

The association between dermatomyositis and malignancy has been a controversial issue discussed in the literature. We will describe a rare case of a 34-year-old woman with a 6-year history of malignant melanoma and new onset dermatomyositis. To the best of our knowledge only 8 such cases have been previously reported in the literature.

Coronary artery stents: appropriate use of adjunctive pharmacotherapy to prevent stent thrombosis.

In 1986, the first metallic stent was implanted inside a human coronary artery in order to reduce the incidence of abrupt vessel occlusion and restenosis after percutaneous coronary balloon angioplasty. Little was known at that time regarding the adequate anticoagulation regimen needed and the initial enthusiasm was soon marred by a high rate of thrombotic stent closure that usually occurred 2 days to 4 weeks after stent implantation. Antithrombotic drugs such as heparin, aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), low molecular weight heparins, dextran, dipyridamole and warfarin (coumadin) were incorporated in a series of trials which reduced the risk of stent thrombosis, but increased substantially the rate of bleeding complications and the length of hospitalisation. The greatest breakthrough came with the improvement in stent deployment techniques using intravascular ultrasound-guided, high-pressure balloon inflation inside the stent, and the understanding of the central role of platelet activation in stent thrombosis. These 2 factors have led to 'optimal stent deployment' with high-pressure ballooning after stent deployment and the simultaneous use of more potent antiplatelet agents in conjunction with aspirin. Newly developed selective inhibitors of the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor and new stent designs have also recently been integrated into clinical practice and are currently being evaluated in clinical trials.

One-year clinical follow-up with the serpentine balloon expandable stent: report of the first 100 patients.

BACKGROUND: We recently reported a high technical and 30-day clinical success rate among the first 100 patients treated with the tubular, serpentine design, stainless steel, balloon-expandable stent (beStent) in Israel. The present study examined the clinical results in these patients after the first year. METHODS: Seventy-eight men and 22 women were included in the study. Previous myocardial infarction, bypass surgery and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty had occurred in 52%, 12% and 26% of the patients, respectively. Diabetes mellitus was present in 30 patients and hypertension in 34 patients. One hundred and forty-eight stents of 15, 25, and 35 mm lengths were used. The indications for stenting were suboptimal results (n = 85), bailout conditions (n = 10) or for the prevention of restenosis (n = 8), and lesion types were A (n = 10), B1 (n = 29), B2 (n = 20), and C (n = 44). All patients were clinically monitored with regular visits at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. RESULTS: Overall, the 12-month event-free survival rate was 82%. Subacute thrombosis occurred in two patients. There were two non-cardiac deaths, one O-wave myocardial infarction, six elective bypass surgeries and 12 target lesion revascularizations. Event-free survival was significantly higher for those with lesions shorter than 15 mm than for those with lesions longer than 15 mm (90% versus 67%, P = 0.003), and for women compared with men (96% versus 78%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The initial experience with the beStent shows favorable long-term results with an overall event rate of 18% for this subset of relatively complex lesions; higher event rates were observed for longer lesions.