Self-expandable sirolimus-eluting stents compared to second-generation drug-eluting stents for the treatment of the left main: A propensity score analysis from the SPARTA and the FAILS-2 registries.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness and safety of self-expandable, sirolimus-eluting Stentys stents (SES) and second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES-II) for the treatment of the unprotected left main (ULM). BACKGROUND: SES may provide a valuable option to treat distal ULM, particularly when significant caliber gaps with side branches are observed. METHODS: Patients from the multicenter SPARTA (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02784405) and FAILS2 registries were included. Propensity-score with matching was performed to account for the lack of randomization. Primary end-point was the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, a composite of all cause death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization [TLR], unstable angina and definite stent thrombosis [ST]). Single components of MACE were the secondary end-points. RESULTS: Overall, 151 patients treated with SES and 1270 with DES-II were included; no differences in MACE rate at 250 days were observed (9.8% vs. 11.5%, P = 0.54). After propensity score with matching, 129 patients treated with SES and 258 with DES-II, of which about a third of female gender, were compared. After a follow-up of 250 days, MACE rate did not differ between the two groups (9.9% vs. 8.5%, P = 0.66), as well as the rate of ULM TLR (1.6% vs. 3.1%, P = 0.36) and definite ST (0.8% vs. 1.2%, P = 0.78). These results were consistent also when controlling for the treatment with provisional vs. 2-stents strategies for the ULM bifurcation. CONCLUSION: SES use for ULM treatment was associated with a similar MACE rate compared to DES-II at an intermediate-term follow-up. SES might represent a potential option in this setting.

Effects of Hypobaric Hypoxia on Endothelial Function and Adiponectin Levels in Airforce Aviators.

Background: Hypobaric hypoxia (HH) increases the risk of high altitude-related illnesses (HARI). The pathophysiological mechanism(s) involved are still partially unknown. Altered vascular reactivity as consequence of endothelial dysfunction during HH might play a role in this phenomenon. Adiponectin exerts protective effect on cardiovascular system since it modulates NO release, antagonizing endothelial dysfunction. Aims of this study, performed in a selected population of airforce aviators, were (1) to investigate whether exposure to acute HH might be associated with endothelial dysfunction and (2) to evaluate whether adiponectin might be involved in modulating this phenomenon. Methods: Twenty aviators were exposed to acute HH in a hypobaric chamber by simulating altitude of 8000 and then 6000 m for 2 hours. Vascular reactivity was evaluated by the EndoPAT test immediately before and after the HH; salivary and blood adiponectin levels were measured. Results: EndoPAT performed immediately after HH divided pilots in two groups: 12 pilots with preserved vascular reactivity and 8 pilots with reduction of vascular reactivity, indicating that HH exposure might cause endothelial dysfunction. Salivary and blood adiponectin levels increased post-HH in a time-dependent manner in all aviators, but the significant increase was observed only in those with preserved vascular reactivity suggesting that HH stimulated release of adiponectin that, in turn, by exerting a protective effect, might reduce endothelial dysfunction. Conclusions: Acute HH may cause endothelial dysfunction due, at least in part, to reduced release of adiponectin. This phenomenon might be involved in pathophysiology of HARI.

Bioabsorbable drug-eluting vascular scaffold for the treatment of coronary in-stent restenosis: A two center registry.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR) is a clinical problem for which a satisfactory solution has not been found yet. Bioabsorbable drug eluting vascular scaffolds (BVSs) provide transient vessel scaffolding combined with prolonged drug delivery capability. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of BVS for the treatment of coronary ISR. METHODS/MATERIALS: Between January 2013 and June 2013, 27 patients (31 lesions), presenting with either stable or unstable angina due to coronary ISR, were enrolled in a single arm, prospective, open label registry. Primary end point was the occurrence of target vessel revascularization (TVR) at 12 months. Secondary end point was the composite of death, myocardial infarction and TVR at 12 months. RESULTS: A diffuse ISR pattern was present in 70% of the lesions; mean lesion length was 34.6±15. BVS was successfully implanted in all patients with no in hospital MACE. At twelve months of follow up, MACE rate was 18.5%. One patient died for non-cardiac reason, one patient died due to a possible stent thrombosis and TVR was necessary in 3 patients (11.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that BVS is safe and technically feasible for treatment of long and diffuse coronary ISR. These data could be considered hypothesis generator for a randomized clinical trial.