The impact of percutaneous coronary intervention using the novel dynamic coronary roadmap system.

The dynamic coronary roadmap (DCR) is a novel technology that creates a dynamic, motion-compensated, real-time overlay of the coronary arteries on a fluoroscopic image. Whether the DCR reduces contrast volume and enables safe and effective treatment was examined. A total of 146 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from June 2017 to September 2017 in our hospital were retrospectively evaluated. Chronic total occlusion lesions, acute coronary syndrome, and hemodialysis patients were excluded. Patients were divided into the control group (PCI without DCR, 92 patients, 103 lesions) and the DCR group (38 patients, 43 lesions). The primary endpoint was contrast medium volume, and secondary endpoints were radiation dose, fluoroscopy time, and clinical success rate. There was no significant difference in the success rate (100% vs. 100%, P = 1.000) between the groups. Fluoroscopy time (16.3 ± 11.2 min. vs. 11.4 ± 5.5 min, P = 0.007) and contrast medium volume (152.1 ± 73.0 ml vs. 118.8 ± 49.7 ml, P = 0.006) were significantly lower in the DCR group than in the control group. DCR use during PCI was associated with a significant reduction in contrast volume and fluoroscopy time compared to a control group despite similar clinical, lesion, and procedural characteristics.

Randomized comparison between provisional and routine kissing-balloon technique after main vessel crossover stenting for coronary bifurcation lesions.

We compared the myocardial ischemic burden of provisional and routine final kissing-balloon inflation (FKI) with the 1-stent strategy using a second-generation drug-eluting stent for coronary bifurcation lesions (CBL). There are no established guidelines for side branch (SB) intervention after main vessel stenting. In total, 113 CBL patients were randomized to receive different SB intervention strategies: provisional-FKI group (n = 57; FKI only when SB flow was TIMI <3) and routine-FKI group (n = 56; mandatory FKI with aggressive treatment until SB-residual stenosis <50%). Dipyridamole-stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with 99mTc was performed after 8 months. The regional summed-difference score (r-SDS) was calculated according to the coronary territory. The primary endpoint included target vessel ischemia (TVI; r-SDS ≥ 2) at 8 months, whereas the clinical primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 3 years. The percent (%) myocardial ischemia (100 × SDS/68) was also calculated. At 8 months, TVI was identified in 11 and 4% in the provisional-FKI and routine-FKI groups, respectively (p = 0.226). SB-binary restenosis (48 vs. 4%, p < 0.001) and myocardial ischemia at the SB territory (11 vs. 0%, p = 0.030) were more common in the provisional-FKI group; however, in TVI patients, % myocardial ischemia (4.12 ± 1.23% vs. 3.68 ± 1.04%; p = 0.677) did not significantly differ. Moderate/severe ischemia (>10% myocardial ischemia) was not observed in the target vessel in either group. Long-term cumulative MACE were similar between the groups (9 vs. 14%; p = 0.358). Provisional-FKI according to TIMI-SB flow grade led to similar and acceptable myocardial ischemia, in comparison with routine-FKI, which may contribute to the identical long-term follow-up.

Mechanism of Residual Lumen Stenosis at the Side Branch Ostium After Final Kissing Balloon Inflation: A Volumetric Intracoronary Ultrasound Study of Coronary Bifurcation Lesions.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanisms of residual stenosis (RS) at side branch ostium (SBO) after final kissing balloon inflation (FKI) and clarify the impact of carina- and plaque-shifts on RS. BACKGROUND: Carina- and plaque-shift induce SBO compromise. FKI is an effective technique to treat this complication; however, RS often persist, and are associated with restenosis at SBO. METHODS: We performed serial volumetric analysis of 91 bifurcations in which crossover-stenting with FKI and pre-/post-intravascular ultrasounds (IVUS) were completed in both branches. The plaque- and carina-shifts were defined as an increase in the plaque-volume and a decrease in the vessel-volume at the SBO, respectively. RS at the SBO, defined as area stenosis >50% on IVUS, was identified in 19 lesions. RESULTS: After FKI, the plaque volume- significantly increased at the SBO, with its reduction in the proximal main vessel (MV). However, at the SBO, the volumetric lumen change correlated with vessel change (ρ = 0.690, P < 0.001), but not plaque change (P = 0.390), suggesting that RS at SBO was more likely associated with inadequate vessel stretch, not plaque increase after FKI. Carina-shift was more frequently found in cases with RS, compared to those without RS (37% vs. 11%, P = 0.013). Pre-procedure IVUS findings to predict RS at SBO after FKI were negative-remodeling at distal MV, plaque -burden at distal MV, and plaque-burden at the SBO. CONCLUSIONS: Carina-shift has a greater contribution to the formation of RS at SBO after FKI. The pre-procedure IVUS provides helpful information for predicting the RS after FKI.

Influence of hemodialysis duration on mid-term clinical outcomes in hemodialysis patients with coronary artery disease after drug-eluting stent implantation.

Accelerated atherosclerosis in prolonged maintenance hemodialysis (HD) has been recognized; however, whether HD duration is associated with poor clinical outcome in HD patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is unknown. We evaluated the impact of HD duration on clinical outcomes in HD patients with CAD after DES implantation. Between April 2007 and December 2012, 168 angina pectoris patients (320 de novo lesions) on HD were treated with DES. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and target lesion revascularization (TLR) were investigated at 3 years according to the HD duration (≤ 3 years, 83 patients; >3 years, 85 patients). The incidence of MACE was significantly higher in the long HD duration group (25.3 vs. 50.6 %; P = 0.001). Especially, sudden cardiac death (SCD) was significantly higher in the long HD duration group (3.6 vs. 16.5 %; P = 0.006). On the other hand, the rates of TLR were similar between the two groups (12.0 vs. 14.1 %; P = 0.69). Cox's proportional hazard analysis revealed that HD duration (HR 1.08 per year, 95 % CI 1.03-1.13, P = 0.002), ß-blocker use (0.28, 0.17-0.46, P < 0.001), and diabetes mellitus (2.10, 1.23-3.56, P = 0.007) were independent predictors of MACE. Longer HD duration did not affect TLR; however, SCD was significantly higher in the long HD duration group.

Clinical effect of wound depth in critical limb ischemia with tissue loss after endovascular treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Wound severity is assessed mainly by the Rutherford classification for critical limb ischemia (CLI) with tissue loss. The Rutherford classification is based on the extent of tissue loss; however, its classification criteria are ambiguous and do not include information regarding wound depth. We investigated the effects of wound depth on clinical outcomes in CLI with tissue loss after endovascular treatment (EVT). METHODS: Between April 2007 and August 2013, we enrolled 210 consecutive patients (247 limbs) who received EVT for CLI with tissue loss. In the limbs examined, 271 individual wounds existed. We evaluated wound depth using the University of Texas grade (grade 1: superficial wound not involving the tendon, capsule, or bone, n = 97; grade 2: wound penetrating the tendon or capsule, n = 124; and grade 3: wound penetrating the bone or joint, n = 50). We also investigated the wound healing rate at 12 months and limb salvage and major amputation-free survival rates 3 years after EVT. RESULTS: The wound healing rates at 12 months in Texas 1, 2, and 3 were 88%, 48%, and 24%, respectively (log-rank P < .001). The limb salvage and major amputation-free survival rates at 3 years were lower in deep wounds than in shallow wounds (limb salvage rates: 98%, 82%, and 67%, respectively; P < .001; major amputation-free survival rates: 78%, 52%, and 42%, respectively; P < .001). In only minor tissue loss, the wound healing rates at 12 months and the limb salvage and major amputation-free survival rates at 3 years were stratified according to wound depth (wound healing rates: 92% in Texas 1 and 51% in Texas 2 or 3; P < .001; limb salvage rates: 99% in Texas 1 and 86% in Texas 2 or 3; P = .001; major amputation-free survival rates: 79% in Texas 1 and 57% in Texas 2 or 3; P = .001). In only major tissue loss, deep wounds also caused poor outcomes compared with shallow wounds (wound healing rates: 70% in Texas 1 and 36% in Texas 2 or 3; P = .019; limb salvage rates: 94% in Texas 1 and 73% in Texas 2 or 3; P = .050; major amputation-free survival rates: 75% in Texas 1 and 45% in Texas 2 or 3; P = .039). CONCLUSIONS: Wound depth is an important indicator of wound status and affects the clinical outcomes of CLI with tissue loss.

Prognosis of critical limb ischemia patients with tissue loss after achievement of complete wound healing by endovascular therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients with tissue loss have been recognized to have a poor survival rate. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the prognosis of CLI patients with tissue loss improves after complete wound healing is achieved by endovascular therapy. METHODS: We treated 187 CLI patients with tissue loss by endovascular therapy from April 2007 to December 2012. Among these patients, 113 patients who achieved complete wound healing were enrolled. The primary end point was survival rate at 3 years. The secondary end points were limb salvage rate and recurrence rate of CLI at 3 years. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period after achievement of complete wound healing was 32 ± 18 months. At 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years, the survival rates were 86%, 79%, and 74%; the limb salvage rates were 100%, 100%, and 100%; the recurrence rates of CLI were 2%, 6%, and 9%, respectively. On multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, age >75 years (hazard ratio, 3.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-8.24; P = .017) and nonambulatory status (hazard ratio, 2.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-5.65; P = .035) were identified as independent predictors of death for CLI patients with tissue loss even after complete wound healing was achieved. The Kaplan-Meier curve for the overall survival rate at 3 years showed that CLI patients of older age (>75 years) had a significantly decreased survival rate compared with CLI patients of younger age (≤75 years) (58% vs 87%; log-rank test, P < .001). In addition, nonambulatory CLI patients had a significantly poor survival rate relative to ambulatory CLI patients (40% vs 93%; log-rank test, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The overall survival rate of CLI patients was acceptable and the recurrence rate of CLI was extremely low once complete wound healing was achieved. Nonambulatory status and age >75 years can serve as predictors of death even after complete wound healing is achieved.

Predictors of non-healing in patients with critical limb ischemia and tissue loss following successful endovascular therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the predictors of non-healing in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) after successful endovascular therapy (EVT). BACKGROUND: Occasionally, wound healing in patients with CLI and tissue loss cannot be achieved even after successful EVT. Patient's co-morbidities, vascular anatomy, wound features, and interventional strategies/outcomes are associated with the probability of wound healing. METHODS: Between April 2007 and October 2012, 182 patients with CLI (220 limbs) with tissue loss were treated with EVT in our institute. Of these, 164 individual wounds (130 patients, 149 limbs) out of 243 individual wounds were successfully treated. Successful EVT was defined as revascularization by achieving visible blood flow to the wounds, as evaluated by digital subtraction angiography performed just after EVT. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze predictors associated with wound healing. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 23±18 months. The wound healing rates were 40.2%, 57.3%, 62.2%, and 70.7% at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that insulin use [hazard ratio (HR), 0.541; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.329-0.890; P=0.016], dependence on hemodialysis [HR, 0.429; 95% CI, 0.272-0.678; P<0.001], and major tissue loss [HR, 0.460; 95% CI, 0.294-0.720; P=0.001] were independent predictors of non-healing after successful EVT. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin use, dependence on hemodialysis, and major tissue loss were independent predictors of non-healing after successful EVT.

Incidence and Characteristics of Late Catch-Up Phenomenon Between Sirolimus-Eluting Stent and Everolimus-Eluting Stent: A Propensity Matched Study.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated and compared the incidence and characteristics of late catch-up phenomenon (LCU) between everolimus-eluting stent (EES) and sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantations. BACKGROUND: Late catch-up phenomenon after everolimus-eluting stent (EES) implantation has not yet been evaluated sufficiently. METHODS: Between April 2007 and May 2011, 1,234 patients with coronary artery disease were treated with SES and 502 patients with EES. Following propensity score matching, we evaluated 495 SES-treated patients and 495 ESS-treated patients. The incidences of LCU (i.e., late target lesion revascularization [TLR] [1-3 years]) were compared. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of TLR at 3 years was 11.9% in the SES group and 6.1% in the EES group (P = 0.001). The incidence of late TLR was 7.5% in the SES group and 3.4% in the EES group (P = 0.004). Even though not statistically significant, intravascular ultrasound showed a higher tendency of stent fracture (SF) in late restenosis lesions in the SES group than in the EES group (37.0% vs 7.7%; P = 0.052). Moreover, the SF rate tended to increase in late restenosis compared with early restenosis (within 1 year) in the SES group compared with the EES group (SES: 37.0% vs 22.2%; P = 0.293, EES: 7.7% vs 10.0%; P = 0.846), although the increase was not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: EES was superior to SES in terms of LCU. SF may be associated with LCU after SES implantation.

Intravascular ultrasound measurements after drug-eluting stent placement in femoropopliteal lesions: determining predictors of restenosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between postprocedure intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) findings and restenosis after placement of drug-eluting stents (DES) for femoropopliteal lesions. METHODS: Between July 2012 and May 2013, DES were placed in 64 patients with 88 de novo femoropopliteal lesions. In 40 patients (mean age 74.2±9.4 years; 27 men), DES were placed in 50 lesions under IVUS guidance, and restenosis was monitored for 1 year. All patients were symptomatic (Rutherford 2-6), and 17 patients (43%) suffered from critical limb ischemia. IVUS findings after stenting were compared for patients with vs without restenosis, which was defined as a peak systolic velocity ratio >2.4 on duplex ultrasonography or >50% diameter stenosis on angiography. RESULTS: Ten patients (14 lesions) developed restenosis, while 30 patients (36 lesions) did not. There were no significant differences in the frequency of diabetes or dialysis between the 2 groups. Female patients were predominant in the restenosis group (p<0.003). There were no significant differences of the percentage of TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus C/D lesions or stent edge dissection. Multivariate analysis indicated that cilostazol use [odds ratio (OR) 0.13; p=0.046], distal lumen cross-sectional area (CSA) (OR 0.86; p=0.035), and axial symmetry index (OR 0.60; p=0.045) were independent predictors of restenosis. Using receiver operator characteristic analysis, the best cutoff values of the distal lumen CSA and axial symmetry index for predicting restenosis were 17.1 cm(2) and 0.6, respectively. CONCLUSION: IVUS guidance of DES placement in femoropopliteal lesions can offer useful predictors of restenosis at 1 year. The utility of distal lumen CSA and the axial symmetry index in the prediction of restenosis after femoropopliteal DES placement should be confirmed in a larger cohort.

Development and validation of a new scoring system to predict wound healing after endovascular therapy in critical limb ischemia with tissue loss.

PURPOSE: To develop a scoring system to predict wound healing in critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients treated with endovascular therapy (EVT). METHODS: Between July 2007 and January 2013, 184 patients (118 men; mean age 73.0 years) with CLI (217 limbs) and tissue loss underwent EVT. From this cohort 236 separate wounds were divided into development (n = 118) and validation (n = 118) groups. Predictors of wound healing were identified using multivariable analysis. Each predictor was assigned a score based on its regression coefficient, and total scores were calculated, ranging from 0 to 1 for low risk up to ≥ 4 for high risk of a nonhealing wound. The performance of the scoring system in the prediction of wound healing was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. RESULTS: By multivariable analysis, a University of Texas grade ≥ 2 (HR 0.524, 95% CI 0.288-0.951, p = 0.034), an infected wound (HR 0.497, 95% CI 0.276-0.894, p = 0.020), dependence on hemodialysis (HR 0.459, 95% CI 0.259-0.814, p = 0.008), no visible blood flow to the wound (HR 0.343, 95% CI 0.146-0.802, p = 0.014), and major tissue loss (HR 0.322, 95% CI 0.165-0.630, p = 0.001) predicted a non-healing wound. The 1-year rates of wound healing in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups were 94.6%, 67.6%, and 9.1%, respectively, in the development group (p < 0.001) and 92.3%, 70.5%, and 31.3%, respectively, in the validation sample (p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve was 0.922 in the development group and 0.808 in the validation sample. CONCLUSION: This scoring system reliably predicts wound healing in CLI patients after endovascular revascularization and is potentially helpful in deciding if additional adjuncts or revascularization should be considered.

Simultaneous occlusion of left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries by very late stent thrombosis: vascular response to drug-eluting stents assessed by intravascular ultrasound.

Very late stent thrombosis (VLST) is a catastrophic complication after implantation of a drug-eluting stent (DES). It has been reported that VLST is associated with pathological changes, which often include late acquired incomplete stent apposition (LAISA) with thrombus formation. In addition, the vascular response to the stent (evaginations, neointimal growth, and thrombosis) and the incidence of LAISA are reported to vary among the different types of DES. We experienced a patient with cardiogenic shock induced by simultaneous VLST of both the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the left circumflex artery (LCX) at 3 years after implantation of two sirolimus-eluting stents. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) showed LAISA of both arteries. A paclitaxel-eluting stent, which had been implanted in the right coronary artery 3 years earlier, did not show such a finding. IVUS revealed "different vascular reactions" to "different types of DES" in this patient.

A sheathless retrograde approach via the popliteal artery is useful and safe for treating chronic total occlusions in the superficial femoral artery.

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and success of a retrograde approach using a microcatheter vs. a sheath in the treatment of superficial femoral artery (SFA) chronic total occlusions (CTOs). METHODS: From April 2007 to December 2012, 188 consecutive patients underwent EVT for 229 de novo SFA CTOs using the retrograde approach in 68 patients (35 men; mean age 72 years). This cohort was divided into cases performed with a 4-F or 6-F sheath (n=28, 36 limbs) and those with a 2.1-F microcatheter (n=35, 49 limbs). The primary outcomes were mean time to hemostasis and number of intra- and postoperative puncture site complications, as well as the success of popliteal artery puncture, lesion crossing, and reperfusion. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between two groups in baseline characteristics. PA puncture was successful in all limbs, and the success in crossing the lesion with the wire was not significantly different (91.9% in the sheath group vs. 89.8% in the microcatheter group). Mean time to hemostasis was 8.9±8.8 minutes in the microcatheter group vs. 47.7±13 minutes in the sheath group (p<0.0001). There was a significant difference in intraoperative and postoperative complications (22.2% in the sheath group vs. 2.0% in the microcatheter group, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Based on this retrospective analysis, the use of a microcatheter for SFA CTO retrograde access appears to be superior to 4-F or 6-F sheaths in terms of shorter time to hemostasis and fewer complications.

Vascular elastography: a novel method to characterize occluded lower limb arteries prior to endovascular therapy.

PURPOSE: To examine the effectiveness of vascular elastography (VE) for the assessment of totally occluded lower limb arteries prior to endovascular treatment (EVT). METHODS: Of 812 consecutive patients who underwent EVT between April 2010 and April 2012, VE was used to evaluate the hardness of chronic total occlusions of the femoropopliteal segment prior to EVT in 65 consecutive patients (48 men; mean 73.9 years, range 63-86). Elastograms of the CTOs proximally and distally were scored using a 5-point scale, and outcomes in limbs with hard lesions (VE score 0-2) were compared to those with soft lesions (VE score 3-4) according to lesion length. The interventionists who performed the endovascular procedures were not informed of the VE score results. RESULTS: CTO characteristics could be evaluated in all cases. A VE score ≤2 was found in 14 of the 23 lesions <150 mm in length. A flexible guidewire was sufficient for recanalization in more of the soft lesions than in the hard lesions [6/9 vs. 2/14, respectively]. In 39 lesions >150 mm, a VE score of 3 was recorded in most lesions proximally, while lesions distally were hard in many cases (VE score 1 or 2). A flexible guidewire alone was sufficient in many soft CTOs (8/13, p<0.01). In 16 cases, hard calcified plaque was indicated by difficulty in penetrating the lesion even with a stiff guidewire; all these cases had a VE score of 1 or 2. A retrograde approach was required only in hard CTOs (p<0.01). The procedure time was significantly longer for the hard lesion group (152.9±63.2 vs. 87.0±29.8 minutes, p=0.001). In 11 in-stent occlusions, only VE scores of 3 (n=4) or 4 (n=7) were recorded, indicating soft thrombus, which was aspirated under distal protection in 7 cases. CONCLUSION: VE may be a useful method for determining the hardness of CTO lesions noninvasively before endovascular therapy, providing information that can help plan the procedure.

Wound healing and wound location in critical limb ischemia following endovascular treatment.

BACKGROUND: The differences in wound healing according to wound location remain unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between April 2007 and October 2011, 138 patients (166 limbs) with critical limb ischemia with tissue loss were treated with endovascular treatment. On these limbs, 177 individual wounds were identified on the foot and were evaluated for wound healing rates and time to healing according to their locations. Wound locations were divided into 3 groups: group T (Toe wounds, n=112), group H (Heel wounds, n=25), and group E (Extensive wounds extending onto the fore- or mid-foot along with dorsum or plantar surfaces, n=40). The mean follow-up period was 23±19 months. At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, wound healing rates were 51%, 64%, 75%, and 75%, respectively, in group T; 12%, 36%, 36%, and 52%, respectively, in group H; and 0%, 5%, 8%, and 13%, respectively, in group E. The median time to healing was 64 days (interquartile range 25-156 days) in group T, 168 days (interquartile range 123-316 days) in group H, and 267 days (interquartile range 177-316 days) in group E (P=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Extensive wounds extending onto the fore- or mid-foot along with dorsum or plantar surfaces were the most difficult type of wound to heal.

Five-year outcomes of self-expanding nitinol stent implantation for chronic total occlusion of the superficial femoral and proximal popliteal artery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the 5-year patency rates and predictors of restenosis after self-expanding nitinol stent implantation for chronic total occlusion (CTO) in superficial femoral and proximal popliteal artery (SFPA) lesions. BACKGROUND: Outcomes and long-term patency rates after self-expanding nitinol stent for CTO in the SFPA lesions have not been clarified. METHODS: From January 2004 to December 2009, 861 serial arteriosclerosis obliterans patients, 1,017 limbs, underwent endovascular therapy with implantation of a self-expanding nitinol stent for SFPA lesions at four institutions in Japan. Of the cohort, 352 patients, 383 limbs, had self-expanding nitinol stents implanted for CTOs in the SFPA and were followed for 5 years. We retrospectively investigated patency rate and multivariate predictors associated with restenosis. RESULTS: Mean age was 72 ± 9 years and 31% were female patients. In total, 58% of the patients had diabetes mellitus and 25% were patients with critical limb ischemia. Occluded length was 194 ± 89 mm, mean total stent length was 198 ± 7 mm, and mean stent diameter was 7.1 ± 0.9 mm. Five-year primary and secondary patency rates were 51.8 and 79.5%, respectively, and the rates of freedom from bypass surgery, major or minor amputation, and all-cause death were 96.1, 96.2, and 78.4%, respectively. Female gender (odds ratio, 1.95; P = 0.0051) and mean stent diameter (odds ratio, 0.77; P = 0.0324) were factors strongly associated with restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Women and patients requiring small stents failed to maintain primary patency when treated with self-expanding nitinol stents for CTO lesions in the SFPA. Although primary patency was low, the secondary patency rate was acceptable.

Deployment of self-expandable stents for complex proximal superficial femoral artery lesions involving the femoral bifurcation with or without jailed deep femoral artery.

OBJECTIVE: To (1) compare the outcome of self-expandable stents with versus without jailed deep femoral artery (DFA) for proximal superficial femoral artery (SFA) lesions, and to (2) ascertain the fate of jailed DFA. BACKGROUND: Complex SFA lesions involving the femoral bifurcation (FB) was mostly treated surgically, and the role played by endovascular procedures is uncertain. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 104 consecutive, de novo lesions involving the SFA ostium, stented between April 2005 and September 2010. Depending on the proximal stent edge location, the sample was divided between 60 distal common femoral artery (CFA) stenting with jailed DFA and 44 ostial SFA stenting without jailed DFA. The FB was the segment beginning in the distal CFA, 10 mm proximal to the DFA ostium and ending in the SFA and 10 mm distal to the carina. Stented CFA lesions proximal to the FB were excluded. The bifurcation was classified as patent when free of restenosis and repeat revascularization. RESULTS: The overall 12-month bifurcation and primary patency rates were 72.5% and 52.0%, respectively. Predictors of loss of bifurcation patency were ostial SFA stenting and a small stent in the FB. Bifurcation patency (83.3% vs. 56.3%; P < 0.01) and primary patency of the SFA (56.2% vs. 37.5%; P = 0.088) were higher after distal CFA than after ostial SFA stenting. In 95.7% of distal CFA and 100% of ostial SFA stenting, DFA remained patent at 12-month follow-up (P = 0.237). CONCLUSIONS: The 12-month fate of jailed DFA after distal CFA stenting was acceptable, and the bifurcation patency rate was higher than after ostial SFA stenting.

Changing strategies of the retrograde approach for chronic total occlusion during the past 7 years.

OBJECTIVE: We reviewed the technical changes and results achieved with the retrograde approach since we introduced it 7 years ago. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 1,268 patients who were treated for CTO between January 2004 and December 2010. They were investigated with respect to the success rate, the frequency of employing the retrograde approach and its outcome, and other factors. RESULTS: The retrograde approach was employed in ∼30% of chronic total occlusion (CTO) patients (n = 281) and the retrograde guidewire success rate was 81.1%. The kissing wire technique was substituted for the retrograde approach in 126 of the 281 patients, with antegrade crossing of a guidewire being successful in 88 of them (70%). The retrograde approach was combined with the CART and reverse controlled antegrade retrograde tracking (CART) techniques in 22 and 21 patients, respectively. Among 83 patients treated with Corsair catheters, crossing of the CTO was achieved in 63. The overall procedural success rate was 79.7% (224 patients). Complications of the retrograde approach included collateral channel dissection (2.1%), channel perforation (1.7%), CTO perforation (1.7%), and donor artery occlusion (1.1%). CONCLUSION: The success rate and safety of the retrograde approach are both satisfactory if the appropriate devices and techniques are selected.

Predictors of Poor Very Early Diuretic Response and Effectiveness of Early Tolvaptan in Symptomatic Acute Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Diuretic response (DR) in patients with symptomatic acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) has an impact on prognosis. This study aimed to identify predictive factors influencing acute 6 h poor DR and to assess DR after early administration of tolvaptan (TLV). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included 1670 patients who were admitted for ADHF and received intravenous furosemide within 1 h of presentation in clinical scenario 1 or 2 defined based on initial systolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg with severe symptoms (New York Heart Association class III or IV (n = 830). The score for the poor DR factors in the very acute phase was calculated in patients treated with furosemide-only diuretics (n = 439). The DR to TLV administration was also assessed in patients who received an additional dose of TLV within 6 h (n = 391). RESULTS: The time since discharge from the hospital for a previous heart failure < 3 months (odds ratio [OR] 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-5.83; p = 0.006), loop diuretics at admission (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.74-5.36; p < 0.0001), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.58-5.74; p = 0.0007) were independent determinants of poor DR. The frequency of poor DR according to the risk stratification group was low risk (no risk factor), 18.9%; middle risk (one risk factor), 33.1%; and high risk (two to three risk factors), 58.0% (p < 0.0001). All risk groups demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of poor DR with early TLV administration: 10.7% in the early TLV group versus 18.9% in the loop diuretics group (p = 0.09) of the low-risk group; 18.4% versus 33.1% (p = 0.01) in the middle-risk group, and 20.2% versus 58.0% (p < 0.0001) in the high-risk group. CONCLUSION: Early administration of TLV in patients with predicted poor DR contributed to a significant diuretic effect and suppression of worsening renal function.

Impact of the time-to-target rate of urine volume concept on the outcome of acute decompensated heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Early decongestion with diuretics could improve clinical outcomes. This study aimed to examine the impact of the time-to-target rate of urine volume (T2TUV) concept on the outcome of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included 1670 patients with ADHF who received diuretics within 24 h of admission. T2TUV was defined as the time from admission to the rate of urine volume of 100 ml/h. The primary outcomes were in-hospital death, mortality, and re-hospitalization for 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 789 patients met the inclusion criteria (T2TUV on day 1, n = 248; day 2-3, n = 172; no target rate UV, n = 369). In-hospital mortality in the day 1 group was significantly lower (2.7% vs. 5.9% vs. 11.1%; p < 0.001) than that of other groups. The mortality and re-hospitalization for 1 year in the day 1 group was significantly lower (event-free rate: 67.7% vs. 54.1% vs. 56.9%; log-lank p = 0.004) than that of other groups. In multivariate analysis, predictors of T2TUV at day 1 were age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.04, p = 0.007), previous hospitalized heart failure (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: [1.03-2.12], p = 0.03), N-terminal-pro B type natriuretic peptide per 1000 pg/ml (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04, p = 0.007), carperitide (OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.48-0.99, p = 0.05), and early administration of tolvaptan (OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.42-0.85, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: T2TUV of less than day 1 was associated with lower in-hospital mortality and decreased mortality and re-hospitalization at 1 year.

Natural history of side branches jailed by drug-eluting stents.

BACKGROUND: Stent deployment across side branch (SB) ostium is common in daily practice. The present study investigated the natural history of SBs jailed by drug-eluting stents (DES). METHODS: The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades of 271 consecutive SBs jailed by DES in 196 patients was assessed immediately after the procedure and at 9 months of follow-up. Patients receiving any SB intervention were excluded. RESULTS: Of 271 jailed SBs, occlusion occurred in 6.27% and deterioration of flow occurred in 6.27% immediately after stenting. In patients with these SB changes, periprocedural myocardial infarction was more likely than in those without (10.0% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.017), while there was no increase of cardiac death or life-threatening complications such as stent thrombosis and Q-wave myocardial infarction (Q MI) during follow-up. At 9 months, angiography showed that one-third of the initially obstructed SBs were still occluded. In contrast, flow was maintained in almost all (98.6%) SBs with early TIMI flow grade 3 and there was no delayed occlusion of these branches. Multiple regression analysis showed that lesion complexity (Medina bifurcation class, calcification, and preprocedural TIMI grade 2 flow in the SB) and technical factors (jailing by overlapping stents) were related to SB occlusion or flow deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: Jailed SBs showing good flow after stenting had a favorable angiographic and clinical outcome after 9 months of follow-up. However, preprocedural lesion complexity and technical factors should be considered to avoid SB occlusion/flow deterioration associated with periprocedural myocardial infarction.