Guiding Principles for Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have improved because of advancements in equipment and techniques. With global collaboration and knowledge sharing, we have identified 7 common principles that are widely accepted as best practices for CTO-PCI. 1. Ischemic symptom improvement is the primary indication for CTO-PCI. 2. Dual coronary angiography and in-depth and structured review of the angiogram (and, if available, coronary computed tomography angiography) are key for planning and safely performing CTO-PCI. 3. Use of a microcatheter is essential for optimal guidewire manipulation and exchanges. 4. Antegrade wiring, antegrade dissection and reentry, and the retrograde approach are all complementary and necessary crossing strategies. Antegrade wiring is the most common initial technique, whereas retrograde and antegrade dissection and reentry are often required for more complex CTOs. 5. If the initially selected crossing strategy fails, efficient change to an alternative crossing technique increases the likelihood of eventual PCI success, shortens procedure time, and lowers radiation and contrast use. 6. Specific CTO-PCI expertise and volume and the availability of specialized equipment will increase the likelihood of crossing success and facilitate prevention and management of complications, such as perforation. 7. Meticulous attention to lesion preparation and stenting technique, often requiring intracoronary imaging, is required to ensure optimum stent expansion and minimize the risk of short- and long-term adverse events. These principles have been widely adopted by experienced CTO-PCI operators and centers currently achieving high success and acceptable complication rates. Outcomes are less optimal at less experienced centers, highlighting the need for broader adoption of the aforementioned 7 guiding principles along with the development of additional simple and safe CTO crossing and revascularization strategies through ongoing research, education, and training.

The Effects of Aquatic Exercise Training on Functional and Hemodynamic Responses in Patients With Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impacts of water exercise training on functional and hemodynamic responses in HF patients. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted until February 15, 2024, using multiple databases. Mean difference (MD) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: Sixteen studies, comprising 349 participants with HF, were included. Water exercise led to enhancements in peak VO2 (MD, 2.85 mL/kg/min; 95% CI, 1.89 to 3.80; p < .00001) and resting heart rate (MD, -4.16 bm; 95% CI, -6.85 to -1.46; p = .002) compared to no exercising controls. Water plus land exercise reduced resting heart rate (MD, -1.41 bm; 95% CI, -2.13 to -0.69; p = .0001) compared to land exercise alone. Furthermore, acute water exercises decreased resting heart rate (MD, -3.85 bm; 95% CI, -6.49 to -1.21; p = .004) and increased stroke volume (MD, 14.68 mL/beat; 95% CI, 8.57 to 20.79; p < .00001) and cardiac output (MD, 0.5 L/min; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.73; p < .00001) compared to baseline. Conclusion: These findings suggest that water exercise holds promise as an effective intervention for enhancing functional capacity and hemodynamic parameters in individuals with HF, highlighting the importance of further research to optimize its implementation and elucidate long-term benefits.

Global Chronic Total Occlusion Crossing Algorithm: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

The authors developed a global chronic total occlusion crossing algorithm following 10 steps: 1) dual angiography; 2) careful angiographic review focusing on proximal cap morphology, occlusion segment, distal vessel quality, and collateral circulation; 3) approaching proximal cap ambiguity using intravascular ultrasound, retrograde, and move-the-cap techniques; 4) approaching poor distal vessel quality using the retrograde approach and bifurcation at the distal cap by use of a dual-lumen catheter and intravascular ultrasound; 5) feasibility of retrograde crossing through grafts and septal and epicardial collateral vessels; 6) antegrade wiring strategies; 7) retrograde approach; 8) changing strategy when failing to achieve progress; 9) considering performing an investment procedure if crossing attempts fail; and 10) stopping when reaching high radiation or contrast dose or in case of long procedural time, occurrence of a serious complication, operator and patient fatigue, or lack of expertise or equipment. This algorithm can improve outcomes and expand discussion, research, and collaboration.

Global coronary arteries spasm in a young patient.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery spasm is a transient narrowing of coronary arteries that slows or stops blood flow through the artery. CASE REPORT: We present a 42-year-smoker man without any medical problem who developed syncope. Coronary angiography revealed diffuse significant narrowing of proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD), 90% osteal stenosis of large obtuse marginal (OM), 90% diffuse narrowing of proximal right coronary artery (RCA), which was relieved by intracoronary administration of nitrate. He was discharged on calcium channel blockers and nitrates but one month later developed syncope again and died. CONCLUSION: Multivessel coronary artery spasm should be considered in young smoker patients without any other coronary risk factors who present with syncope.

Percutaneous coronary intervention in a case of afibrinogenemia.

Congenital afibrinogenemia is a rare autosomic recessive blood disorder. A 30-year-old lady, known to have congenital afibrinogenemia, presented with acute anterior myocardial infarction. We managed her with dual antiplatelet therapy and atorvastatin, but her chest pain did not subside and she was transferred to the catheterization laboratory. A proximal left anterior descending artery occlusion was crossed with a floppy wire. Angioplasty was performed successfully with a bare metal stent, and her symptoms resolved completely.

Clinical outcome, and survival between primary percutaneous coronary intervention versus fibrinolysis in patients older than 60 years with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the short-term and 6-month clinical outcome, and survival in patients older than 60 years with ST-elevation myocardial infarction randomized to either primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) or thrombolysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 82 patients with STEMI older than 60 years were randomized to either primary PCI or thrombolysis from September 2006 to August 2008. Angiograms were reviewed by two interventionalists not involved in the study. Patients randomized to primary PCI received Aspirin and 600 mg Clopidogrel. Heparin was administered in conjunction with PCI. Patients randomized to thrombolysis received Aspirin followed by streptokinase infusion for one hour. Rescue PCI was considered if there was ongoing pain and ST-segment resolution was <50% at 90 min. after initiation of thrombolysis or chest pain recurred with ST-segment elevation within 24 hours. All patients were followed up for 6 months. End points were reinfarction and cardiac death using competing-risks regression estimation. RESULTS: The mean time from hospital admission to start of streptokinase infusion was 31 ± 15 min and door to balloon time was 70 ± 25 min. There was no significant difference between the groups in the number of deaths and reinfarctions at 6 months. As expected, the fibrinolysis group had a higher rate of revascularization and heart failure. CONCLUSION: The higher rates of heart failure and need for revascularization in the fibrinolysis group reinforces benefits of PPCI in patients older than 60 years. PPCI in those who are 60 years and above with AMI is safe and cost effective.

Effect of vitamin C on parathyroid hormone in hemodialysis patients with mild to moderate secondary hyperparathyroidism.

INTRODUCTION: In end-stage renal disease, there is a high incidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism. It is proposed that increasing vitamin C levels by dietary supplementation results in a decrease of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in vitamin C-deficient hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. The aim of this study was the evaluation of vitamin C administration for reduction of serum PTH level in hemodialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one hemodialysis patients with serum PTH levels less than 550 pg/mL (but more than 200 pg/mL) were administered intravenous vitamin C, 200 mg, 3 times per week for 3 months. Blood samples for measurement of PTH were obtained at the beginning of the hemodialysis session every month for three months. RESULTS: The mean level of serum biointact PTH was 333.3 ± 141.3 pg/mL (reference range, 7 pg/mL to 82 pg/mL) at baseline, and it decreased to 256.5 ± 137.2 pg/mL at 1 month (P = .03). The mean PTH level was also lower than the baseline value at 2 months (260.1 ± 123.2 pg/mL, P = .03), while it increased to 328.9 ± 176.0 pg/mL at 3 months, which was still slightly lower than the baseline level (P = .13). In 15 patients (71.4%), serum levels of PTH were lower than the baseline at months 1 to 2, while in the remaining 6 (28.6%), it was higher than the baseline value. At 3 months, 5 of the 15 patients with lower PTH levels up to the 3rd month experienced an increase in these levels again. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of intravenous vitamin C in hemodialysis patients noticeably decreased level of PTH, but its effect gradually diminished.

Depression and Anxiety in a Cardiovascular Outpatient Clinic: A descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac diseases are psycho-somatic disorders, and psychological aspects play an essential role in their initiation and exacerbation. The aim of this study was to gain appropriate knowledge in the epidemiology of co-morbid depression and anxiety disorder in cardiovascular outpatients. METHOD: This study is descriptive with a sample of patients attending a cardio-vascular clinic. 238 individuals were included in this study using a consecutive sampling method. The study instrument was Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire, which is a clinical scale for assessing anxiety and depression. RESULTS: Of the 238 participants in this study, 93(38.7%) were male and 146 (61.3%) female. 28.5% of patients suffered from anxiety disorders, and 41.9% had depression. Regarding comorbid diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and hypertension, the severity of depression was just related to hypertension. There was a meaningful relationship between gender and symptoms of anxiety so that symptoms were more severe in women. CONCLUSION: Considering the high prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients suffering from cardio-vascular diseases, it is necessary to screen psychological disorders in patients with cardio-vascular diseases and improve their cardio-vascular health and quality of life as mush as possible.