Transradial approach for carotid artery stenting: A position paper from the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (SICI-GISE).

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a valid and effective alternative to endoatherectomy when performed by experienced operators. The conventional approach used is the transfemoral one, but in the last 10 years a transradial (TR) approach, the standard access for cardiac catheterization, became widely adopted for peripheral vascular interventions, included the extracranial carotids. Preliminary experiences suggest this approach as safe and effective, especially in specific anatomical and clinical settings that have been shown to be associated with high risk of complications from the femoral route. Lacking international guidelines, this document, promoted by the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology - Gruppo Italiano Studi Emodinamici (SICI-GISE), was drawn-up by a panel of interventional cardiologists with a documented experience on the subject, focusing on the indications, techniques and materials that should be used for this type of intervention and the most recent literature on the subject.

BIOSOLVE-IV-registry: Safety and performance of the Magmaris scaffold: 12-month outcomes of the first cohort of 1,075 patients.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the safety and performance of the Magmaris sirolimus-eluting bioresorbable magnesium scaffold in a large patient population. BACKGROUND: Magmaris has shown good outcomes in small-sized controlled trials, but further data are needed to confirm its usability, safety, and performance. METHODS: BIOSOLVE-IV is an international, single arm, multicenter registry including patients with a maximum of two single de novo lesions. Follow-up is scheduled up to 5 years; the primary outcome is target lesion failure (TLF) at 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 1,075 patients with 1,121 lesions were enrolled. Mean patient age was 61.3 ± 10.5 years and 19.2% (n = 206) presented with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Lesions were 3.2 ± 0.3 mm in diameter and 14.9 ± 4.2 mm long; 5.1% (n = 57) were bifurcation lesions. Device success was 97.3% (n = 1,129) and procedure success 98.9% (n = 1,063). The Kaplan-Meier estimate of TLF at 12 months was 4.3% [95% confidence interval, CI: 3.2, 5.7] consisting of 3.9% target lesion revascularizations, 0.2% cardiac death, and 1.1% target-vessel myocardial infarction. Definite/probable scaffold thrombosis occurred in five patients (0.5% [95% CI: 0.2, 1.1]), thereof four after early discontinuation of antiplatelet/anticoagulation therapy. CONCLUSION: BIOSOLVE-IV confirms the safety and performance of the Magmaris scaffold in a large population with excellent device and procedure success and a very good safety profile up to 12 months in a low-risk population.

Fluid-Structure Interaction and In Vitro Analysis of a Real Bileaflet Mitral Prosthetic Valve to Gain Insight Into Doppler-Silent Thrombosis.

Prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) is a serious complication affecting prosthetic heart valves. The transvalvular mean pressure gradient (MPG) derived by Doppler echocardiography is a crucial index to diagnose PVT but may result in false negatives mainly in case of bileaflet mechanical valves (BMVs) in mitral position. This may happen because MPG estimation relies on simplifying assumptions on the transvalvular fluid dynamics or because Doppler examination is manual and operator dependent. A deeper understanding of these issues may allow for improving PVT diagnosis and management. To this aim, we used in vitro and fluid-structure interaction (FSI) modeling to simulate the function of a real mitral BMV in different configurations: normally functioning and stenotic with symmetric and completely asymmetric leaflet opening, respectively. In each condition, the MPG was measured in vitro, computed directly from FSI simulations and derived from the corresponding velocity field through a Doppler-like postprocessing approach. Following verification versus in vitro data, MPG computational data were analyzed to test their dependency on the severity of fluid-dynamic derangements and on the measurement site. Computed MPG clearly discriminated between normally functioning and stenotic configurations. They did not depend markedly on the site of measurement, yet differences below 3 mmHg were found between MPG values at the central and lateral orifices of the BMV. This evidence suggests a mild uncertainty of the Doppler-based evaluation of the MPG due to probe positioning, which yet may lead to false negatives when analyzing subjects with almost normal MPG.

Impact of an intra-cycle motion correction algorithm on overall evaluability and diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography coronary angiography.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a novel intra-cycle motion correction algorithm (MCA) on overall evaluability and diagnostic accuracy of cardiac computed tomography coronary angiography (CCT). METHODS: From a cohort of 900 consecutive patients referred for CCT for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), we enrolled 160 (18 %) patients (mean age 65.3 ± 11.7 years, 101 male) with at least one coronary segment classified as non-evaluable for motion artefacts. The CCT data sets were evaluated using a standard reconstruction algorithm (SRA) and MCA and compared in terms of subjective image quality, evaluability and diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: The mean heart rate during the examination was 68.3 ± 9.4 bpm. The MCA showed a higher Likert score (3.1 ± 0.9 vs. 2.5 ± 1.1, p < 0.001) and evaluability (94%vs.79 %, p < 0.001) than the SRA. In a 45-patient subgroup studied by clinically indicated invasive coronary angiography, specificity, positive predictive value and accuracy were higher in MCA vs. SRA in segment-based and vessel-based models, respectively (87%vs.73 %, 50%vs.34 %, 85%vs.73 %, p < 0.001 and 62%vs.28 %, 66%vs.51 % and 75%vs.57 %, p < 0.001). In a patient-based model, MCA showed higher accuracy vs. SCA (93%vs.76 %, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MCA can significantly improve subjective image quality, overall evaluability and diagnostic accuracy of CCT. KEY POINTS: Cardiac computed tomographic coronary angiography (CCT) allows non-invasive evaluation of coronary arteries. Intra-cycle motion correction algorithm (MCA) allows for compensation of coronary motion. An MCA improves image quality, CCT evaluability and diagnostic accuracy.

Carotid Artery Stenting With Proximal Embolic Protection via a Transradial or Transbrachial Approach: Pushing the Boundaries of the Technique While Maintaining Safety and Efficacy.

PURPOSE: To compare the feasibility and safety of proximal cerebral protection to a distal filter during carotid artery stenting (CAS) via a transbrachial (TB) or transradial (TR) approach. METHODS: Among 856 patients who underwent CAS between January 2007 and July 2015, 214 (25%) patients (mean age 72±8 years; 154 men) had the procedure via a TR (n=154) or TB (n=60) approach with either Mo.MA proximal protection (n=61) or distal filter protection (n=153). The Mo.MA group (mean age 73±7 years; 54 men) had significantly more men and more severe stenosis than the filter group (mean age 71±8 years; 100 men). Stent type and CAS technique were left to operator discretion. Heparin and a dedicated closure device or bivalirudin and manual compression were used in TR and TB accesses, respectively. Technical and procedure success, crossover to femoral artery, 30-day major adverse cardiovascular/cerebrovascular events (MACCE; death, all strokes, and myocardial infarction), vascular complications, and radiation exposure were compared between groups. RESULTS: Crossover to a femoral approach was required in 1/61 (1.6%) Mo.MA patient vs 11/153 (7.1%) filter patients mainly due to technical difficulty in engaging the target vessel. Five Mo.MA patients developed acute intolerance to proximal occlusion; 4 were successfully shifted to filter protection. A TR patient was shifted to filter because the Mo.MA system was too short. CAS was technically successful in the remaining 55 (90%) Mo.MA patients and 142 (93%) filter patients. The MACCE rate was 0% in the Mo.MA patients and 2.8% in the filter group (p=0.18). Radiation exposure was similar between groups. Major vascular complications occurred in 1/61 (1.6%) and in 3/153 (1.96%) patients in the Mo.MA and filter groups (p=0.18), respectively, and were confined to the TB approach in the early part of the learning curve. Chronic radial artery occlusion was detected by Doppler ultrasound in 2/30 (6.6%) Mo.MA patients and in 4/124 (3.2%) filter patients by clinical assessment (p=0.25) at 8.1±7.5-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: CAS with proximal protection via a TR or TB approach is a feasible, safe, and effective technique with a low rate of vascular complications.

Serial intravascular ultrasound analysis of complex bifurcation coronary lesions treated with the Tryton Bifurcation Stent in conjunction with an everolimus-eluting stent: IUVANT (Intravascular Ultrasound Evaluation of Tryton Stent) study.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the treatment of complex bifurcation lesions (BL) with the Tryton Bifurcation Stent (TBS) paired with an everolimus-eluting stent (EES). BACKGROUND: Complex BL are associated with higher procedural complications and poorer long-term outcomes. The TBS is a dedicated side-branch (SB) stent designed to be used in conjunction with a standard drug-eluting stent. METHODS: Prospectively identified, consecutive patients underwent TBS+EES stenting of BL using a protocol which included TBS postdilation and simultaneous final kissing balloon inflations (FKBI). All lesions were systematically evaluated with coronary angiography and IVUS, obtained at procedure completion and at 9 months, and were assessed by independent core laboratories. RESULTS: Thirty-three BL were treated in 32 patients presenting primarily (87.5%) with stable angina and complex BL with angiographic apparent disease in the main vessel (MV) and SB in 87.9% and 75% by site and core evaluation, respectively. Procedural success was 100% and high postprocedure percent stent expansion (MV 96 [93, 109]%, SB 88 [77, 100]%, carina MV 135 [99, 166]%, carina SB 116 [91, 130]%) was demonstrated by IVUS. At 9-month angiographic follow-up (n = 28 patients), one MV in-segment restenosis and one SB in-stent restenosis were observed. SB in-stent late lumen loss was 0.41 ± 0.27 mm. IVUS assessment revealed the absence of stent recoil; percent carinal neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) was 1.8 [0.0,11.2]% in MV and 15.0 [6.7,23.5]% in SB, with NIH volume obstruction of 2.0 [0.7,4.3]% in MV and 14.2 [7.5,29.6]% in SB. CONCLUSIONS: Stenting of complex BL with the TBS+EES provides high acute success with sustained clinical, angiographic, and IVUS results at 9 months. These excellent results are likely due to the extent of stent expansion at the carina.

Carotid artery stenting in patients with left ICA stenosis and bovine aortic arch: a single-center experience in 60 consecutive patients treated via the right radial or brachial approach.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of carotid artery stenting (CAS) of the left internal carotid artery (LICA) from a right radial/brachial approach in patients with bovine aortic arch. METHODS: Among 505 consecutive CAS patients treated at our facility between June 2007 and December 2012, 60 (11.9%) patients (44 men; mean age 73±9 years) with LICA stenosis and bovine arch were treated from a right radial (n=32) or brachial (n=28) approach. Three quarters of the patients had characteristics qualifying them at high surgical risk; 52 were asymptomatic. The types of cerebral protection (a distal filter or proximal MO.MA system), stent, and technique were at the operation's discretion. RESULTS: The radial/brachial approach was successful in 59 (98.3%) of 60 procedures; 1 case was converted to a femoral approach. Proximal protection was used in 15 cases (11 brachial, 4 radial) with severe, soft plaques, although the MO.MA system proved too short in a tall patient having a radial approach and a filter was used. Clinical success with no adverse events was 96.7% owing to 1 retinal embolism and 1 minor stroke. Vascular complications occurred in 2 (3.3%) brachial group patients. No major bleeding was encountered. Over a mean follow-up of 18.7±17.5 months, midterm event-free survival was 93%. No target vessel revascularization was necessary. CONCLUSION: CAS via a right radial or brachial approach is safe and effective in patients with LICA stenosis and types 1 or 2 bovine arch.

Erectile dysfunction in the cardiovascular patient.

Erectile dysfunction is common in the patient with cardiovascular disease. It is an important component of the quality of life and it also confers an independent risk for future cardiovascular events. The usual 3-year time period between the onset of erectile dysfunction symptoms and a cardiovascular event offers an opportunity for risk mitigation. Thus, sexual function should be incorporated into cardiovascular disease risk assessment for all men. A comprehensive approach to cardiovascular risk reduction (comprising of both lifestyle changes and pharmacological treatment) improves overall vascular health, including sexual function. Proper sexual counselling improves the quality of life and increases adherence to medication. This review explores the critical connection between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease and evaluates how this relationship may influence clinical practice. Algorithms for the management of patient with erectile dysfunction according to the risk for sexual activity and future cardiovascular events are proposed.

Patent Foramen Ovale Occlusion in Elderly Patients: Is It Worth It? A Large, Single-Center Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is often diagnosed in patients with cryptogenic stroke, aged > 60-65 years, but few data report the outcomes of PFO closure in elderly patients. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing PFO closure at a single institution between January 2006 and December 2011 were included. Baseline clinical features and cerebral imaging data were collected, and a RoPE score was calculated for each patient. Procedural data were recorded as well as medical therapy upon discharge. All-cause death, ischemic stroke, TIA and systemic embolism recurrence at long-term follow-up were investigated, as well as new atrial fibrillation onset. Results: Overall, 462 patients were included, of whom 64 (13.8%) were aged ≥ 65 years. Female gender was slightly more prevalent in the younger group while hypertension was more frequent among elderly patients. Previous stroke/TIA was the indication for PFO closure in 95.3% of older patients and 80.4% of younger patients, whereas other indications were more frequent among younger patients. RoPE scores were lower in older patients (median RoPE score of 5 vs. 7), and atrial septal aneurysm was more frequently detected among elderly patients. All procedures were technically successful. Procedural or in-hospital complications equally occurred in 5 (7.8%) older patients (4 AF and 1 device embolization) and 30 (7.5%) young patients (29 AF or other supraventricular arrhythmias and 1 device embolization). The follow-up duration was longer among younger patients. All-cause mortality was higher in older patients (16 deaths vs. 4 at follow-up, log-rank p < 0.001), no recurrent strokes occurred, and 2 TIAs were reported among non-elderly patients. New-onset atrial fibrillation occurred in three elderly and eight young patients. Conclusions: PFO closure is a safe procedure in patients aged ≥ 65 years, associated with favorable long-term follow-up and the prevention of ischemic neurologic recurrences.

The heart-mind relationship in women cardiovascular primary prevention: the role of depression, anxiety, distress and Type-D personality in the 10-years cardiovascular risk evaluation.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among women. Prevention programmes underscore the need to address women-specific risk factors. Additionally, mental well-being is a significant aspect to consider when grappling with cardiovascular disease in women, particularly depression, anxiety, distress, and personality traits. This study aimed to create "at-risk" psychological profiles for women without prior cardiovascular disease history and to evaluate the association between anxiety, depression, distress, and Type-D personality traits with increased cardiovascular risk over 10 years. Methods: 219 women voluntarily participated in the "Monzino Women's Heart Centre" project for primary prevention and early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. Psychological profiles were developed utilising cluster analysis. Results: The primary finding indicating that belonging to the "at-risk" psychological cluster was associated with a surge in the 10-year cardiovascular risk prediction score, despite the number of comorbid risk factors (Psychological "at-risk" cluster: ß = .0674; p = .006; Risk factors: ß = .0199; p = .242). Conclusions: This finding suggests that psychological well-being of women should be assessed from the very beginning of cardiovascular prevention programmes.

Diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction for reduction of cardiovascular risk.

PURPOSE: We established erectile dysfunction as an often neglected but valuable marker of cardiovascular risk, particularly in younger men and men with diabetes. We also reviewed evidence that lifestyle change, combined with informed prescribing of pharmacotherapies used to mitigate cardiovascular risk, can improve overall vascular health and sexual functioning in men with erectile dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a PubMed® search for articles and guidelines pertinent to relationships between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular and all cause mortality, and pharmacotherapies for dyslipidemia and hypertension. The clinical guidance presented incorporates the current literature and the expertise of the multispecialty investigator group. RESULTS: Numerous cardiovascular risk assessment tools exist but risk stratification remains challenging, particularly in patients at low or intermediate short-term risk. Erectile dysfunction has a predictive value for cardiovascular events that is comparable to or better than that of traditional risk factors. Interventional studies support lifestyle changes as a means of improving overall vascular health as well as sexual functioning. Statins, diuretics, ß-blockers and renin-angiotensin system modifiers may positively or negatively affect erectile function. Furthermore, the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors used to treat erectile dysfunction may have systemic vascular benefits. CONCLUSIONS: Erectile dysfunction treatment should be considered secondary to decreasing cardiovascular risk. However, informed prescribing may prevent worsening sexual function in men receiving pharmacotherapy for dyslipidemia and hypertension. As the first point of medical contact for men with erectile dysfunction symptoms, the primary care physician or urologist has a unique opportunity to identify those who require early intervention to prevent cardiovascular disease.

The 'Trawl Fishing' Technique: A Quick Engagement of the Left Common Carotid Artery With the Simmons Catheter During Carotid Artery Stenting From the Right Radial Approach.

BACKGROUND: Transradial approach for carotid artery stenting (TRCAS) is an established technique in specific anatomies potentially associated with high periprocedural event rate from femoral catheterization. The engagement of left common carotid artery originating from the aortic arch is the most challenging scenario requiring specific catheters and techniques. METHODS: Among 542 consecutive TRCAS 66 had left, non-bovine carotid stenosis as the target vessel. We retrospectively compared the feasibility, safety, efficacy, fluoroscopy time and radiation exposure of two different techniques, the standard (ST) and the 'trawl-fishing' (TFT), to engage the LCCA with the 5F, 125 cm-long Simmons-2 catheter. RESULTS: The ST was initially used in 20 patients with a technical success of 85 % (17/20). In the following 46 patients, the TFT was successfully tested first as bailout after ST failure in 12 cases and as first option in the remaining 34 patients. Full technical success was obtained in all patients at the first attempt. No MACCEs or vascular complications occurred in all patients. Fluoroscopy time and radiation exposure were significantly lower with the TFT vs. ST (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TFT represents a definite improvement in the technique of LCCA engagement during TRCAS.

Comparison of acute versus stable coronary syndrome in patients treated with the Magmaris scaffold: Two-year results from the Magmaris Multicenter Italian Registry.

BACKGROUND: The magnesium Magmaris scaffold is the latest resorbable technology with low thrombogenicity, short scaffolding time, and almost complete resorption at 12 months (95 %). As compared with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD), acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is associated with increased risk of adverse clinical outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention. We analyzed the data of the Magmaris Multicenter Italian Registry to compare clinical outcomes in SCAD versus ACS patients. METHODS: We evaluated the 24-month rates of target lesion failure (TLF) and scaffold thrombosis (ST). Device implantation procedures were performed according to the manufacturer's recommendations (proper patient/lesion selection, pre-dilatation, proper scaffold sizing, and post-dilatation). Dual antiplatelet therapy was terminated after 12 months. RESULTS: Data from 207 patients (145 SCAD and 62 ACS) were collected from July 2016 to June 2018. The 2-year follow-up compliance was 92.8 % (192 patients). At 2 years, TLF rates were 7.4 % in the SCAD group and 8.8 % in the ACS group (p = 0.7); ST rates were 0 % in the SCAD group and 1.8 % in the ACS group (p = 0.1). CONCLUSION: The 2-year clinical results from the Magmaris Multicenter Italian Registry are favorable in terms of TLF and ST, indicating the safety and effectiveness of the Magmaris scaffold in both SCAD and ACS patients.

One- and two-year clinical outcomes of treatment with resorbable magnesium scaffolds for coronary artery disease: the prospective, international, multicentre BIOSOLVE-IV registry.

BACKGROUND: Bioresorbable scaffolds have been developed to overcome the limitations of drug-eluting stents and to reduce long-term adverse events. AIMS: We aimed to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of a sirolimus-eluting resorbable magnesium scaffold to ensure its safe rollout into clinical routine. METHODS: BIOSOLVE-IV is a prospective, international, multicentre registry including more than 100 centres in Europe, Asia, and Asia-Pacific. Enrolment started directly after the commercialisation of the device. Follow-up assessments are scheduled at 6 and 12 months, and annually for up to 5 years; we herein report the 24-month outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, 2,066 patients with 2,154 lesions were enrolled. Patients were 61.9±10.5 years old, 21.6% had diabetes, and 18.5% had non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Lesions were 14.8±4.0 mm long with a reference vessel diameter of 3.2±0.3 mm. Device and procedure success were 97.5%, and 99.1%, respectively. The 24-month target lesion failure (TLF) rate was 6.8%, mainly consisting of clinically driven target lesion revascularisations (6.0%). Patients with NSTEMI had significantly higher TLF rates than those without (9.3% vs 6.2%; p=0.025), whereas there were no significant differences observed for patients with diabetes or with type B2/C lesions (a 24-month TLF rate of 7.0% and 7.9%, respectively). The 24-month rate of definite or probable scaffold thrombosis was 0.8%. Half of the scaffold thromboses occurred after premature discontinuation of antiplatelet/anticoagulation therapy, and only one scaffold thrombosis occurred beyond the 6-month follow-up, on day 391. CONCLUSIONS: The BIOSOLVE-IV registry showed good safety and efficacy outcomes, confirming a safe rollout of the Magmaris into clinical practice.

Patent foramen ovale closure with the Occlutech Figulla flex II device: A long-term (up to 10-years) follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous closure represents the first line of treatment in patients with cryptogenic stroke and documented patent foramen ovale (PFO). Scarce data report the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing PFO closure with the Figulla Flex II device (Occlutech, Germany). METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing PFO closure with a Figulla Flex II device at a single, high-volume Institution were included. Baseline clinical and procedural features were collected and patients were followed up for up to 10 years. The device's long-term safety was assessed, as well as mortality, recurrent cerebrovascular events, new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) and residual shunt. RESULTS: Overall, 442 patients were included. The main indication for PFO closure was cryptogenic stroke/transitory ischemic attack (65.5%), followed by migraine (21.7%), silent lesions at MRI (10.8%), and decompression disease (2.0%). Atrial septal aneurysm was present in 20.8% of cases, Eustachian valve in 9.0%, Chiari network in 19.9%. The most frequently implanted device was the 23/25 mm (49.5% of cases). One procedural failure due to device embolization; in-hospital complications occurred in 15 cases (3.4%; 4 minor access site complications, 11 transient supraventricular tachycardias (SVT)/AF). After a follow-up of 9.2 years, 2 patients suffered recurrent TIA (with no residual R-L shunt detected). A moderate or severe residual shunt was observed in 3 patients after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Figulla Flex II devices for PFO closure are associated with high procedural success and low incidence of adverse events even at long-term follow-up.

The SALINE Technique for the Treatment of the No-Reflow Phenomenon during Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in STEMI.

BACKGROUND: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) performed for STEMI may be complicated by the "no-reflow" phenomenon. AIMS: A super-selective intracoronary injection of saline solution through a thrombus aspiration catheter (SALINE technique), was investigated for the treatment of no-reflow as compared with the standard care of therapy (SCT). METHODS: Among the 1471 patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI between May 2015 and June 2020, 168 patients developed no-reflow. Primary endpoints were the incidence of ST-segment resolution (STR) ≥ 70% at 90 min after PCI and the rate of flow restoration (TIMI flow grade 3 with an MBG > 1). The secondary endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events at 3 years follow-up. RESULTS: After propensity score matching analysis, patients treated with SALINE showed STR ≥ 70% in twelve out of the sixteen patients (75.0%), compared to only three patients out of the sixteen in the SCT control group (19.0%), (p < 0.004). SALINE was associated with a higher probability of final TIMI flow grade 3 with an MBG > 1, as shown in fourteen out of sixteen patients (87.5%), as compared to only seven out of sixteen patients in the SCT group (43.8%), (p < 0.03). MACCE at 3 years follow-up occurred in only one patient (6.3%) in the SALINE group, as compared to eight patients (50%) in the SCT group (p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: The SALINE technique showed to be a safe and effective strategy to reduce "no-reflow" in STEMI patients as assessed by significant STR, improvement of TIMI flow grade, and better 3-year outcomes.

Pre-TAVI aortic annulus sizing: comparison between manual and semi-automated new generation software measurements in operators with different experience.

OBJECTIVES: Aim of the study is to compare manual and semi-automatic measurements for aortic annulus assessment among different operators. METHODS: Eighty patients who underwent TAVI were retrospectively enrolled. The measurements manually performed by an experienced reader for aortic annulus (minimum and maximum diameters, perimeter, area), annulus-to-coronary ostia distance and time needed for the whole evaluation, were collected. The same operator (observer 1) and two less experienced readers (observer 2 and 3, with >5 years and 1 year of experience, respectively) assessed the same measurements using a semi-automatic software. Differences between manual and semi-automatic measurements, reading time and suggested valves size derived by CT were compared. RESULTS: Very good correlations were found between manual and software-aided measurements for aortic annulus area and perimeter in comparison with standard measurements for the three readers (ICC range 0.81-0.98). Good correlations were found for the distance with coronary ostia(0.75-0.79). The same area-derived prosthesis size for manual and semi-automatic measurements was selected in 96% of cases for observer 1; very good correlations were also found for observer 2 and 3 (ICC = 0.89 and 0.88, respectively). Using semi-automatic measurements, the mean time needed for CT images was significantly lower for observers 1 and 2 (1.50 and 1.72versus 3.14 min), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-TAVI CT using semi-automatic software allows accurate and reproducible measurements, reducing reconstruction time up to 50% and is reliable even for operators with different experience. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: The use of semi-automatic dedicated software for CT in TAVI planning is reliable even for operators without long time experience and allows accurate and reproducible measurements improving pre-TAVI workflow.

Coronary in-stent restenosis: assessment with CT coronary angiography.

PURPOSE: To compare accuracy and radiation exposure of a new computed tomographic (CT) scanner with improved spatial resolution (scanner A) with those of a CT scanner with standard spatial resolution (scanner B) for evaluation of coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR) by using invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and intravascular ultrasonography (US) as reference methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Written informed consent was obtained and study protocol was approved by institutional ethics committee. A total of 180 consecutive patients (154 men [mean age ± standard deviation, 66 years±12; range, 51-79 years] and 36 women [mean age, 70 years±12; range, 55-83 years]) scheduled to undergo ICA for suspected ISR were enrolled. Ninety patients were studied with scanner A (group 1: 72 men [mean age, 65 years±11; range, 52-79], 18 women [mean age, 68 years±12; range, 55-83 years]) and 90 with scanner B (group 2: 74 men [mean age, 64 years±10; range, 51-77 years], 16 women [mean age, 68 years±11; range, 55-82 years). Examination with the two scanners was compared with ICA and intravascular US. Radiation dose exposure was estimated. To compare stent evaluability between the two groups, χ2 test was used. RESULTS: Stent evaluability was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (99% vs 92%, P=.0021). A significantly lower rate of beam-hardening artifact was observed in group 1 (two cases) than group 2 (12 cases, P<.05). For stent-based analysis, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of multidetector CT for ISR identification were 96%, 95%, and 96% in group 1 and 90%, 91%, and 91% in group 2, respectively, without statistically significant differences. The correlation between percent ISR evaluated at multidetector CT versus intravascular US was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (r=0.89 vs r=0.58; P=.019). The correlations of diameter and area measurements at reference site and stent maximal lumen narrowing site between multidetector CT and intravascular US were higher in group 1 than in group 2. Radiation dose was low in both multidetector CT groups (1.9 mSv±0.2). CONCLUSION: Scanner A, with improved spatial resolution, allowed reliable detection and quantification of coronary ISR with low radiation exposure.

Prognostic utility of erectile dysfunction for cardiovascular disease in younger men and those with diabetes.

Multiple published studies have established erectile dysfunction (ED) as an independent risk marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In fact, incident ED has a similar or greater predictive value for cardiovascular events than traditional risk factors including smoking, hyperlipidemia, and family history of myocardial infarction. Here, we review evidence that supports ED as a particularly significant harbinger of CVD in 2 populations: men <60 years of age and those with diabetes. Although addition of ED to the Framingham Risk Score only modestly improved the 10-year predictive capacity of the Framingham Risk Score for myocardial infarction or coronary death data in men enrolled in the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, other epidemiologic studies suggest that the predictive value of ED is quite strong in younger men. Indeed, in the Olmstead County Study, men 40 to 49 years of age with ED had a 50-fold higher incidence of new-incident coronary artery disease than those without ED. However, ED had less predictive value (5-fold increased risk) for coronary artery disease in men 70 years and older. Several studies, including a large analysis of more than 6300 men enrolled in the ADVANCE study, suggest that ED is a particularly powerful predictor of CVD in diabetic men as well. Based on the literature reviewed here, we encourage physicians to inquire about ED symptoms in all men more than 30 years of age with cardiovascular risk factors. Identification of ED, particularly in men <60 years old and those with diabetes, represents an important first step toward CVD risk detection and reduction.

Cardiometabolic risk and female sexual health: the Princeton III summary.

INTRODUCTION: Female sexual function is dependent, in part, upon normal endothelial function within the genital arterial (hypogastric-cavernosal) vascular bed. The first two Princeton Consensus Conferences were focused on relationships between male sexual function and cardiovascular health, and development of contemporary clinical guidelines for dysfunction management. AIM: The third Princeton Consensus Conference updated recommendations and assessed, for the first time, the association between female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and presence of systemic vascular endothelial dysfunction and its consequences in women. This report focuses on the association between cardiometabolic risk factors and female sexual health. METHODS: A panel of experts reviewed multinational data concerning associations between several cardiometabolic risks in women (hypertension, dyslipidemia and/or hyperlipemia, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome/obesity) and sexual health. Literature was reviewed concerning associations between FSD and presence or absence of cardiovascular disease, predictive association of FSD with cardiovascular events, and the possibility of vascular risk factor treatment modifying FSD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Main outcome measures used were cardiometabolic risk factors and female sexual health, specifically genital arousal. RESULTS: Women treated for hypertension have more FSD than normotensives. Women with hyperlipidemia but without cardiovascular disease have more FSD than women without hyperlipidemia. Women with metabolic syndrome/obesity have more FSD than those without. Cardiometabolic risk factors, diabetes, and coronary heart disease are associated with more FSD. Data support that treatment of metabolic syndrome/obesity is associated with less FSD. Currently, there are no data to support that FSD is a predictor of future cardiovascular events. CONCLUSION: Female sexual health is complex: there is relative independence between subjective and objective aspects of arousal and desire, with numerous contributing factors (hormonal, psychological, interpersonal, and social). Based on limited current data, there appears to be an association between female sexual health and vascular risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome/obesity, diabetes, and coronary heart disease). More research is needed.