Treatment of cardiac device-related infective endocarditis utilizing the new T20 curve catheter and flow saver with the Inari mechanical aspiration system.

Emerging innovations have led to the development of tools and techniques to perform mechanical aspiration of right-sided endocarditis vegetations. However, blood loss during aspiration, the need for veno-veno bypass, and nonsteerable catheters have limited expansion of these treatment options to more patients. We present a case of pacemaker lead endocarditis treated with the Inari mechanical aspiration system utilizing the new T20 curved catheter (Inari Medical).

Orbital atherectomy of calcified coronary ostial lesions.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of coronary orbital atherectomy (OA) for the treatment of calcified ostial lesions. BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is increasingly being completed in complex patients and lesions. OA is effective for severely calcified coronary lesions; however, there is a dearth of evidence on the use of OA in ostial lesions, especially with long-term outcome data. METHODS: Data were obtained from a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent OA of heavily calcified ostial lesions followed by stent implantation from December 2010 to June 2019 at two high-volume PCI centers. Kaplan-Meier analysis was utilized to assess the primary endpoints of 30-day, 1-year, and 2-year freedom-from (FF) major adverse cardiac events (MACE: death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization), stroke, and stent thrombosis (ST). RESULTS: A total of 56 patients underwent OA to treat heavily calcified ostial coronary lesions. The mean age was 72 years with a high prevalence of diabetes (55%) and heart failure (36%), requiring hemodynamic support (14%). There was high FF angiographic complications (93%), and at 30-day, 1-year, and 2-year, a high FF-MACE (96%, 91%, and 88%), stroke (98%, 96%, and 96%), and ST (100%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the largest real-world experience of coronary OA use in heavily calcified ostial lesions with long-term outcomes over 2 years. The main finding in this retrospective analysis is that, despite the complex patients and lesions included in this analysis, OA appears to be a feasible and safe treatment option for calcified coronary ostial lesions.

Single-access during Impella hemodynamic support utilizing the Railway system.

A single-access technique during mechanical circulatory support (MCS) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been described for those patients where an additional arterial access site is not available or desired. This technique utilizes the Impella (Abiomed, Danvers, MA) 14 French (F) sheath as a single-access point, with a 7 F sheath through the 14 F sheath hemostatic valve next to the Impella catheter (Abiomed). However, this technique is limited to a 7 F sheath or smaller and can be difficult requiring multiple attempts and limit guide catheter manipulation. We describe a single-access technique utilizing the Impella (Abiomed) 14 F sheath and a standard 7 F guide catheter placed sheathless through the 14 F sheath hemostatic valve utilizing the Railway Sheathless Access System (Cortis, Santa Clara, CA).

Impact of diabetes mellitus on procedural and one year clinical outcomes following treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions with the orbital atherectomy system: A subanalysis of the ORBIT II study.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of the study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of the coronary orbital atherectomy system to treat severe coronary artery calcification (CAC) prior to stent placement in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. BACKGROUND: The ORBIT II study reported the safety and efficacy of orbital atherectomy treatment in 443 patients with severe CAC. Percutaneous coronary intervention in diabetic patients is associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) compared with non-diabetics. The outcomes of diabetic patients who undergo orbital atherectomy are unknown. METHODS: Patients were sub-grouped as either diabetic (160/443, 36.1%) or non-diabetic (283/443, 63.9%). The MACE rate, defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI; CK-MB > 3X ULN), and target vessel revascularization, was examined at 30 days and 1 year after treatment. RESULTS: Procedural success was similar in the diabetic and non-diabetic groups (89.3 vs. 88.6%, P = 0.88). There was no significant difference in the 30-day and 1-year MACE rates between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups (30 day: 8.8 vs. 11.3%; P = 0.40; 1 year: 17.1 vs. 16.7%, P = 0.97). The individual components of cardiac death (3.9 vs. 2.9%, P = 0.58), MI (9.4 vs. 11.3%, P = 0.52), and target vessel revascularization (5.9 vs. 5.8%, P = 0.99) were also similar in both groups at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The rates of adverse clinical events in diabetic patients who underwent orbital atherectomy were low and similar to non-diabetic patients. This study suggests orbital atherectomy is a reasonable treatment strategy for diabetic patients with severe CAC.

ORBIT II sub-analysis: Impact of impaired renal function following treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions with the Orbital Atherectomy System.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the safety and efficacy of the coronary Orbital Atherectomy System (OAS) to prepare severely calcified lesions for stent deployment in patients grouped by renal function. BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of severely calcified lesions is associated with increased rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target vessel revascularization (TVR) compared with PCI of non-calcified vessels. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk for MACE after PCI. The impact of CKD on coronary orbital atherectomy treatment has not been well characterized. METHODS: ORBIT II was a prospective, multicenter trial in the U.S., which enrolled 443 patients with severely calcified coronary lesions. The MACE rate was defined as a composite of cardiac death, MI, and target vessel revascularization. RESULTS: Of the 441 patients enrolled with known estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values at baseline, 333 (75.5%) patients had eGFR < 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 108 patients had eGFR ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 . The mean eGFR at baseline in the eGFR < 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 and eGFR ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 groups was 65.0 ± 0.9 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 109.1 ± 2.0 ml/min/1.73 m2 , respectively. Freedom from MACE was lower in the eGFR < 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 group at 30 days (87.4% vs. 96.3%, P = 0.02) and 1-year (80.6% vs. 90.7%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with renal impairment had a higher MACE rate through one year follow-up due to a higher rate of periprocedural MI. Interestingly, the rates of cardiac death and revascularization through 1-year were similar in patients with eGFR < 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 and eGFR ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 . Future studies are needed to identify the ideal revascularization strategy for patients with renal impairment and severely calcified coronary lesions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Techniques to overcome difficult delivery of the Impella CP device through a previously placed transcatheter aortic valve.

The utilization of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patient with previous bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement continues to increase. This is due to an aging population and increased utilization of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to treat symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS). These patients often have concurrent high complexity coronary artery disease (CAD). Various strategies are available for the management of significant CAD in patients undergoing TAVR, including PCI before or after TAVR. However, placement of the Impella (Abiomed Danvers, MA) device in the left ventricle post TAVR can be challenging based on the device interaction with the TAVR cage or angulations of the ascending aorta. We describe a case of unsuccessful delivery of the Impella device through a previously placed 26 mm Sapien 3 TAVR (Edwards Irvine, CA) valve and the techniques that lead to successful placement of the device and review the tips and techniques that operators can employ to optimize success.

Sustained Mechanical Aspiration Thrombectomy for High Thrombus Burden Coronary Vessel Occlusion: The Multicenter CHEETAH Study.

BACKGROUND: Poor myocardial reperfusion due to distal embolization and microvascular obstruction after percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Prior trials have not shown a clear benefit of routine manual aspiration thrombectomy. Sustained mechanical aspiration may mitigate this risk and improve outcomes. The objective of this study is to evaluate sustained mechanical aspiration thrombectomy before percutaneous coronary intervention in high thrombus burden acute coronary syndrome patients. METHODS: This prospective study evaluated the Indigo CAT RX Aspiration System (Penumbra Inc, Alameda CA) for sustained mechanical aspiration thrombectomy before percutaneous coronary intervention at 25 hospitals across the USA. Adults presenting within 12 hours of symptom onset with high thrombus burden and target lesion(s) located in a native coronary artery were eligible. The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, recurrent myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, or new or worsening New York Heart Association class IV heart failure within 30 days. Secondary end points included Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction thrombus grade, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow, myocardial blush grade, stroke, and device-related serious adverse events. RESULTS: From August 2019 through December 2020, a total of 400 patients were enrolled (mean age 60.4 years, 76.25% male). The primary composite end point rate was 3.60% (14/389 [95% CI, 2.0-6.0%]). Rate of stroke within 30 days was 0.77%. Final rates of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction thrombus grade 0, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow 3, and myocardial blush grade 3 were 99.50%, 97.50%, and 99.75%, respectively. No device-related serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Sustained mechanical aspiration before percutaneous coronary intervention in high thrombus burden acute coronary syndrome patients was safe and was associated with high rates of thrombus removal, flow restoration, and normal myocardial perfusion on final angiography.

Feasibility of a No-Implant Approach to Interatrial Shunts: Preclinical and Early Clinical Studies.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction represents a major unmet clinical need with limited treatment options. Recent device therapies under investigation have focused on decompression of the left atrium through an implantable interatrial shunt. Although these devices have shown favorable safety and efficacy signals, an implant is required to maintain shunt patency, which may increase the patient risk profile and complicate subsequent interventions requiring transseptal access. Methods: The Alleviant System is a no-implant approach to creating an interatrial shunt using radiofrequency energy to securely capture, excise, and extract a precise disk of tissue from the interatrial septum. Acute preclinical studies in healthy swine (n = 5) demonstrated the feasibility of the Alleviant System to repeatably create a 7 mm interatrial orifice with minimal collateral thermal effect and minimal platelet and fibrin deposition observed histologically. Results: Chronic animal studies (n = 9) were carried out to 30- and 60-day time points and exhibited sustained shunt patency with histology demonstrating completely healed margins, endothelialization, and no trauma to adjacent atrial tissue. Preliminary clinical safety and feasibility were validated in a first-in-human study in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (n = 15). All patients demonstrated shunt patency by transesophageal echocardiographic imaging at 1, 3, and 6 months, as well as cardiac computed tomography imaging at 6-month follow-up timepoints. Conclusions: Combined, these data support the safety and feasibility of a novel no-implant approach to creating an interatrial shunt using the Alleviant System. Continued follow-up and subsequent clinical studies are currently ongoing.

Orbital Atherectomy for Treatment of Severely Calcified Coronary Artery Bifurcation Lesions: A Multicenter Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of orbital atherectomy (OA) for the treatment of severely calcified coronary artery bifurcation lesions. BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of severely calcified coronary artery lesions is associated with lower procedural success and higher rates of target lesion failure compared to non-calcified lesions. OA is an effective treatment for calcified coronary artery lesions prior to stent implantation. However, there is little data regarding the safety and efficacy of OA in patients with coronary artery bifurcation lesions. METHODS: Data were obtained from analysis of patients with severe coronary artery calcification who underwent OA and coronary stent implantation at ten high-volume institutions. Data were pooled and analyzed to assess peri-procedural outcomes and 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE). RESULTS: A total of 1156 patients were treated with OA and PCI. 363 lesions were at a coronary artery bifurcation. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the bifurcation and non-bifurcation groups. In the bifurcation group, treatment involved the left anterior descending artery and its branches more frequently and right coronary artery less frequently. After propensity score matching, the 30-day freedom from MACE was not statistically significant between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In this multicenter cohort analysis, patients with severely calcified coronary bifurcation lesions had low rates of MACE and target vessel revascularization at 30 days at rates comparable to non-bifurcation lesions. This analysis demonstrates that OA is safe and effective for complex coronary lesions at both bifurcation and non-bifurcation locations.

Orbital Atherectomy for the Treatment of Long (≥25-40 mm) Severely Calcified Coronary Lesions: ORBIT II Sub-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Orbital atherectomy (OA) is an effective method of lesion preparation of severely calcified vessels prior to stent deployment. Long calcified lesions may lead to higher risk of post-procedural complications, yet the optimal treatment strategy has not been established. In this study we sought to determine the safety and efficacy of OA in patients with long (≥25-40 mm) calcified target lesions. METHODS: ORBIT II was a single-arm trial that enrolled 443 patients at 49 U.S. sites. De novo, severely calcified coronary lesions were treated with OA prior to stenting. Patients treated with the OA device were stratified into two groups according to target lesion length as visually estimated by the investigator: those with short (<25 mm; N = 314) vs. long (≥25-40 mm; N = 118) lesions. Lesions >40 mm were excluded per protocol. The primary endpoint was the 3-year major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate, defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target vessel revascularization (TVR). RESULTS: The 3-year MACE rates in patients with short (<25 mm) vs. long (≥25-40 mm) lesions were 21.1% vs. 29.9% respectively (p = 0.055). The rate of cardiac death (6.5% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.592) and TVR (8.5% vs. 13.7%, p = 0.153) did not significantly differ. The rate of MI (CK-MB > 3× ULN) at 3 years was significantly higher in patients with long (≥25-40 mm) lesions (9.0% vs. 17.0%, p = 0.024), with the majority occurring in-hospital (7.0% vs. 13.6%, p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with long (≥25-40 mm) calcified target lesions had similar outcomes in terms of MACE at 3 years despite higher rates of MI, which mostly occurred in-hospital. Using the more contemporary SCAI definition of MI, there was no significant difference in rates of MI between the short (<25 mm) and long (≥25-40 mm) groups. Further studies are warranted to determine how OA compares to focal force balloon angioplasty, rotational atherectomy and other novel treatment options for long severely calcified lesions. SUMMARY FOR ANNOTATED TABLE OF CONTENTS: Percutaneous coronary intervention of long calcified lesions is inherently more complex and higher risk and may require more intensive lesion preparation. This sub-analysis of ORBIT II revealed that orbital atherectomy treatment of longer (≥25-40 mm) lesions was associated with a higher rate of MACE at 30 days, but not at 3 years. This difference, however, was driven primarily by a higher in-hospital non-Q-wave MI rate; using the more contemporary SCAI definition of MI, there was no significant difference in rates of MI between the short (<25 mm) and long (≥25-40 mm) groups.

Outcomes after Atherectomy Treatment of Severely Calcified Coronary Bifurcation Lesions: A Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Coronary bifurcation and calcified lesions account for 15-20% and 6%-20% of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), respectively. Treatment of these lesions is associated with high periprocedural complication rates and unfavorable long-term clinical outcomes, including high rates of revascularization. This retrospective, single-center study evaluated the outcomes of atherectomy treatment for heavily calcified coronary bifurcation lesions. METHODS: Patients who underwent a coronary atherectomy procedure to treat a heavily calcified lesion between January 2010 and March 2016 at Metropolitan Heart and Vascular Institute (Minneapolis, MN) were included in this retrospective study. Data were stratified to compare atherectomy treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions vs non-bifurcation lesions. Additionally, data were compared based on type of atherectomy utilized during the index procedure, either orbital (OAS) or rotational (RA) atherectomy. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target vessel revascularization (TVR), were assessed at 30 days post-procedure. RESULTS: Among the 177 patients treated with atherectomy, 72 patients had bifurcation lesions. Compared to patients with non-bifurcation lesions, patients with bifurcation lesions were more likely to have a history of prior PCI or coronary artery bypass grafting. Bifurcation lesions required a higher volume of contrast. There were similar low rates of slow flow/no-reflow (2.8% bifurcations vs 1.0% non-bifurcation; p = 0.355). The 30-day rates of death (1.4% vs 1.9%; p = 0.794), MI (0% vs 0%; p = NA), and TVR (0% vs 1.0%; p = 0.406) were similar in patients with bifurcation lesions versus those without, respectively. An atherectomy sub-analysis (OAS vs RA) of the patients with bifurcation lesions showed that OAS utilization was associated with shorter procedure time (81 min vs 109 min; p = 0.026) and fluoroscopy time (18 min vs 27 min; p = 0.007) compared to RA, respectively-no significant differences in baseline demographic or lesion characteristics were noted in the bifurcation atherectomy sub-groups, except for higher beta/calcium blocker use in RA bifurcation subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that atherectomy treatment in patients with heavily calcified coronary bifurcation lesions is feasible, resulting in similar low 30-day MACE rates as compared to patients with non-bifurcation lesions. In addition, in this study OAS utilization versus RA in bifurcation lesions was associated with significantly shorter procedure and fluoroscopy time. Further studies are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of atherectomy in patients with severely calcified bifurcation lesions. SUMMARY FOR ANNOTATED TABLE OF CONTENTS: This retrospective, single-center study evaluated the outcomes of orbital and rotational atherectomy treatment for heavily calcified coronary bifurcation lesions as compared to non-bifurcation lesions. The results demonstrate that atherectomy treatment in patients with heavily calcified coronary bifurcation lesions is feasible, resulting in similarly low 30-day MACE rates as compared to patients with non-bifurcation lesions. In addition, in this study OAS utilization versus RA in bifurcation lesions was associated with significantly shorter procedure and fluoroscopy time.

Procedural and Long-Term Ischemic Outcomes of Tight Subtotal Occlusions Treated with Orbital Atherectomy: An ORBIT II Subanalysis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Orbital atherectomy is an effective treatment strategy to modify severely calcified coronary lesions prior to stent placement. Traversing a severely calcified subtotal occlusion with the crown may be more challenging compared with a less severely stenotic lesion. The purpose of this ORBIT II subanalysis was to evaluate outcomes post-orbital atherectomy (OA) treatment of lesions with ≥95% stenosis. METHODS/MATERIALS: ORBIT II, a single-arm, prospective, multicenter trial, enrolled 443 subjects with severely calcified coronary lesions. Patients with chronic total occlusions were excluded from the trial. Subjects with the OA device activated were stratified based on pre-procedure percent stenosis: ≥95% stenosis (N = 91) and <95% stenosis (N = 341). Procedural success and 3-year major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rates were compared. RESULTS: The severe angiographic complications rates were 6.6% and 6.7% in the ≥95% and <95% stenosis groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in procedural success (94.5% vs. 88.3%, p = 0.120). 3-year MACE rates were similar (27.1% vs. 22.5%, p = 0.548), as were the rates of cardiac death (5.7% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.665) and MI (7.9% vs. 12.1%, p = 0.244). The TVR rate was higher in the ≥95% stenosis group (19.1% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In ORBIT II, OA treatment of lesions with ≥95% stenosis resulted in a high rate of procedural success. Although the 3-year revascularization rate was higher in the ≥95% stenosis group, it is not unexpected given the challenge of treating such complex lesions. The results of this analysis suggest that OA may be a reasonable treatment strategy for tight, severely calcified subtotal occlusions. SUMMARY: The purpose of this ORBIT II subanalysis was to evaluate outcomes post-orbital atherectomy (OA) treatment of lesions with ≥95% stenosis. In ORBIT II, OA treatment of lesions with ≥95% stenosis resulted in a high rate of procedural success. Although the 3-year revascularization rate was higher in the ≥95% stenosis group, it is not unexpected given the challenge of treating such complex lesions. The results of this analysis suggest that OA may be a reasonable treatment strategy for tight, severely calcified subtotal occlusions.

Direct Stenting in Patients Treated with Orbital Atherectomy: An ORBIT II Subanalysis.

BACKGROUND: Direct stenting offers many potential advantages in appropriately selected lesions. Coronary artery calcification increases the complexity and risk of adverse events associated with percutaneous coronary intervention. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of direct stenting after treatment with orbital atherectomy (OA). METHODS: ORBIT II was a single-arm trial enrolling 443 subjects with de novo severely calcified coronary lesions treated with OA; direct stenting was utilized in 59.0% of cases. Procedural outcomes and 3-year major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rates were compared in subjects treated with pre-stent balloon dilatation versus direct stenting after OA. RESULTS: Procedural success (84.2% vs. 93.3%; p = 0.004) was significantly higher in the direct stenting cohort. 3-year MACE occurred less frequently in the direct stenting cohort (29.9% vs. 19.1%; p = 0.006), driven by lower rates of myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularization. In a propensity matched analysis, procedural success and 3-year MACE rates were similar in the pre-stent balloon dilatation and direct stenting groups (85.0% vs. 91.8%; p = 0.122 and 28.2% vs. 19.6%; p = 0.078, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Orbital atherectomy facilitates direct stenting and is associated with high procedural success and favorable 3-year outcomes in carefully selected patients. Randomized studies are needed to assess the optimal strategy after lesion preparation with OA.

North American Expert Review of Rotational Atherectomy.

Rotational atherectomy (RA) is an established tool in interventional cardiology for treatment of calcified coronary lesions. Over 3 decades of clinical experience and research, techniques have matured and outcomes have improved. Heterogeneity exists, however, in RA utilization and technique. We assembled a group of experienced RA operators and device experts to summarize and critique key elements of contemporary RA technique, to identify areas of consensus and controversy, and to offer recommendations for optimal performance for the practicing interventional cardiologist. Evolution in RA strategy toward a focus on lesion modification to facilitate balloon angioplasty and stenting has underpinned major advances in procedural safety, including opportunity to use smaller caliber equipment and radial access. Optimal technique and improved safety have permitted exploratory use of RA for different lesion types and reevaluation of procedural requirements, including flush solution composition and transvenous pacing. Preparedness to manage complications remains paramount and recommendations for operators and institutions are outlined.

Impact of age following treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions with the orbital atherectomy system: 3-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the safety and efficacy of coronary orbital atherectomy to treat severely calcified lesions prior to stenting based upon age. BACKGROUND: The ORBIT II study reported the safety and efficacy with orbital atherectomy in 443 patients with severely calcified lesions. Elderly patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention may be at increased risk for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and death compared with younger patients. METHODS: Patients were stratified according to age (≥75 year old [174/443, 39.3%] vs. <75 year old [269/443, 60.7%]). The MACE rate, defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction (CK-MB > 3X ULN), and target vessel revascularization, was examined at 30-day and 3-year follow-up. RESULTS: Elderly and non-elderly groups had similar rates of procedural (87.9% vs. 89.5%, p = 0.64) and angiographic success (91.4% vs. 91.4%, p = 1.00). Severe angiographic complications were also similar in both groups (6.9% vs. 7.4%, p = 1.00). There was no statistically significant difference in MACE rates in the elderly and younger groups at 30 days (10.9% vs. 10.1%; p = 0.76) and 3 years (27.8% vs. 20.7%, p = 0.13). The individual endpoints of cardiac death (9.1% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.14), myocardial infarction (13.4% vs. 9.7%, p = 0.27), and target vessel revascularization (10.6% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.91) were also similar in both groups at 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: The rates of adverse clinical events in elderly patients who underwent orbital atherectomy were low and similar to the non-elderly patients, suggesting that it could be a reasonable treatment strategy for elderly patients with severely calcified lesions.

Orbital atherectomy treatment of severely calcified native coronary lesions in patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting: Acute and one-year outcomes from the ORBIT II trial.

AIMS: Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), with a history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), may be at increased risk for mortality and repeat revascularization, compared with patients without prior CABG. In this post-hoc analysis of the ORBIT II trial, safety and efficacy of coronary orbital atherectomy (OA) to modify severe coronary artery calcium, prior to stent placement, was evaluated in subjects based on history of CABG. METHODS AND RESULTS: Comorbidities: diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and history of myocardial infarction (MI) were more prevalent in the CABG group. The in-hospital major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate, defined as a composite of cardiac death, MI (CK-MB>3× ULN), and target vessel revascularization (TVR), was higher in the CABG group (16.9% vs. 8.5%, p=0.04), driven primarily by a higher incidence of MI (16.9% vs. 8.0%, p=0.03); however, Q-wave rates were low at 1.5% vs 0.5%, (p=0.38). There was no significant difference in rates of cardiac death (6.2% vs. 2.7%, p=0.17) and TVR (7.9% vs. 5.5%, p=0.47). CONCLUSIONS: Low rates of TVR, cardiac death, and Q-wave MI, suggest OA treatment to facilitate stent delivery is successful and provides durable outcomes in subjects with and without prior CABG. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: Patients with history of CABG have extensive coronary artery disease. Those who undergo PCI may be at increased risk for mortality and repeat revascularization, compared with patients without prior CABG. This post-hoc analysis of ORBIT II trial evaluated safety and efficacy of coronary OA to modify severe coronary artery calcium, prior to stent placement, based on subject history of CABG. The MACE rate was higher in the CABG group, driven by higher incidence of MI; however, Q-wave rates were low. OA treatment to facilitate stent delivery is successful, but higher incidence of non-Q-wave MI in CABG patients warrants further study.

Orbital atherectomy for the treatment of small (2.5mm) severely calcified coronary lesions: ORBIT II sub-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the safety and efficacy of orbital atherectomy to modify severely calcified coronary plaque prior to stent implantation in patients with small vessel (2.5mm) disease. BACKGROUND: Severe coronary artery calcification increases the risk of adverse clinical events during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients who undergo PCI of small vessels have worse clinical outcomes including higher rates of perforation and dissection. The outcomes of orbital atherectomy of small diameter vessels (2.5mm) are unknown. METHODS: ORBIT II was a single-arm, multicenter trial which prospectively enrolled patients with severely calcified coronary lesions treated with orbital atherectomy prior to stenting in 49U.S. sites. The primary endpoint was the 3year rate of major adverse cardiac events, which was the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. RESULTS: Of the 443 patients, 55 (12.4%) had reference vessel diameters (RVD) of 2.5mm and 388 (87.6%) had RVD >2.5. The rates of severe angiographic complications were similar in both groups. The primary endpoint was similar in both groups (30.6% vs. 22.5%, p=0.22), as were the rates of cardiac death (9.8% vs. 6.3%, p=0.33) and myocardial infarction (12.8% vs. 10.9%, p=0.67). Target vessel revascularization was numerically higher in the small vessel group (16.8% vs. 9.3%, p=0.13). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with small coronary vessel disease had comparable clinical outcomes compared to the larger diameter group following orbital atherectomy. Subsequent studies are required to establish the optimal revascularization approach for such patients with small coronary vessel disease burdened by heavily calcified lesions.

The clinical evaluation of the CADence device in the acoustic detection of coronary artery disease.

The noninvasive detection of turbulent coronary flow may enable diagnosis of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) using novel sensor and analytic technology. Eligible patients (n = 1013) with chest pain and CAD risk factors undergoing nuclear stress testing were studied using the CADence (AUM Cardiovascular Inc., Northfield MN) acoustic detection (AD) system. The trial was designed to demonstrate non-inferiority of AD for diagnostic accuracy in detecting significant CAD as compared to an objective performance criteria (sensitivity 83% and specificity 80%, with 15% non-inferiority margins) for nuclear stress testing. AD analysis was blinded to clinical, core lab-adjudicated angiographic, and nuclear data. The presence of significant CAD was determined by computed tomographic (CCTA) or invasive angiography. A total of 1013 subjects without prior coronary revascularization or Q-wave myocardial infarction were enrolled. Primary analysis was performed on subjects with complete angiographic and AD data (n = 763) including 111 subjects (15%) with severe CAD based on CCTA (n = 34) and invasive angiography (n = 77). The sensitivity and specificity of AD were 78% (p = 0.012 for non-inferiority) and 35% (p < 0.001 for failure to demonstrate non-inferiority), respectively. AD results had a high 91% negative predictive value for the presence of significant CAD. AD testing failed to demonstrate non-inferior diagnostic accuracy as compared to the historical performance of a nuclear stress OPC due to low specificity. AD sensitivity was non-inferior in detecting significant CAD with a high negative predictive value supporting a potential value in excluding CAD.

ACIST-FFR Study (Assessment of Catheter-Based Interrogation and Standard Techniques for Fractional Flow Reserve Measurement).

BACKGROUND: Measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR) to guide coronary revascularization lags despite robust supportive data, partly because of the handling characteristics of traditional coronary pressure wires. An optical pressure-monitoring microcatheter, which can be advanced over a traditional coronary guidewire, facilitates FFR assessment but may underestimate pressure wire-derived FFR. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this prospective, multicenter trial, 169 patients underwent FFR assessment with a pressure wire alone and with a pressure microcatheter over the pressure wire. An independent core laboratory performed quantitative coronary angiography and evaluated all pressure tracings. The primary end point was the bias or difference between the microcatheter FFR and the pressure wire FFR, as assessed by Bland-Altman analysis. The mean difference between the microcatheter and the pressure wire-derived FFR values was -0.022 (95% confidence interval, -0.029 to -0.015). On multivariable analysis, reference vessel diameter (P=0.027) and lesion length (P=0.044) were independent predictors of bias between the 2 FFR measurements. When the microcatheter FFR was added to this model, it was the only independent predictor of bias (P<0.001). The mean FFR value from the microcatheter was significantly lower than from the pressure wire (0.81 versus 0.83; P<0.001). In 3% of cases (95% confidence interval, 1.3%-6.7%), there was clinically meaningful diagnostic discordance, with the FFR from the pressure wire >0.80 and that from the microcatheter <0.75. These findings were similar when including all 210 patients with site-reported paired FFR data. CONCLUSIONS: An optical, pressure-monitoring microcatheter measures lower FFR compared with a pressure wire, but the diagnostic impact appears to be minimal in most cases. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02577484.

Orbital atherectomy for the treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions: evidence, technique, and best practices.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of severe coronary artery calcification is associated with higher rates of angiographic complications during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), as well as higher major adverse cardiac events compared with non-calcified lesions. Incorporating orbital atherectomy (OAS) for effective preparation of severely calcified lesions can help maximize the benefits of PCI by attaining maximal luminal gain (or stent expansion) and improve long-term outcomes (by reducing need for revascularization). Areas covered: In this manuscript, the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of coronary artery calcification on PCI are reviewed. Based on current data and experience, the authors review orbital atherectomy technique and best practices to optimize lesion preparation. Expert Commentary: The coronary OAS is the only device approved for use in the U.S. as a treatment for de novo, severely calcified coronary lesions to facilitate stent delivery. Advantages of the device include its ease of use and a mechanism of action that treats bi-directionally, allowing for continuous blood flow during treatment, minimizing heat damage, slow flow, and subsequent need for revascularization. The OAS technique tips reviewed in this article will help inform interventional cardiologists treating patients with severely calcified lesions.