Intravascular Imaging-Guided Versus Coronary Angiography-Guided Complex PCI: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

INTRODUCTION: Trials evaluating the role of intravascular imaging in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for complex coronary artery disease have yielded mixed results. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of intravascular imaging specifically intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) with those from conventional coronary angiography in complex PCI. METHODS: Comprehensive electronic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was performed until March 2023 for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing intravascular imaging with coronary angiography in patients undergoing complex PCI. Complex PCI was defined per each study, and included PCI for American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) type B2/C lesions, unprotected left main coronary artery disease, or multivessel stenting. The primary study outcome was major adverse clinical events (MACE). RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 10 RCTs with a total of 6615 patients (3576 in the intravascular imaging group and 3039 in the coronary angiography group). The weighted mean-follow up was 28.9 months. Compared with coronary angiography, intravascular imaging reduced MACE (8% vs. 13.3%; relative risk [RR] 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54-0.73), cardiac death (RR 0.47; 95% CI 0.31-0.73), definite/probable stent thrombosis (RR 0.48; 95% CI 0.24-0.97), target vessel revascularization (RR 0.62; 95% CI 0.46-0.83), and target lesion revascularization (RR 0.61; 95% CI 0.47-0.79). There was no difference between both groups in all-cause death (RR 0.79; 95% CI 0.53-1.18) and myocardial infarction (RR 0.80; 95% CI 0.61-1.04). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing complex PCI, intravascular imaging-specifically IVUS-reduced MACE by decreasing the incidence of cardiac death, stent thrombosis, and target vessel and target lesion revascularization.

Is intra-procedure three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiogram an alternative to preprocedure multidetector computed tomography for the measurement of the aortic annulus in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement?

BACKGROUND: The role of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) vs multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in aortic annular sizing has been poorly defined in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVR). We set to determine the correlation between 3DTEE and MDCT in measuring the aortic annulus prior to TAVR. METHODS: In an observational, retrospective study, we compared aortic annular areas measured by MDCT and 3DTEE in TAVR patients. The aortic annular area was measured by planimetry of images obtained by MDCT pre-TAVR and by intra-TAVR TEE using 3D rendering of the aortic annulus followed by planimetry. Our primary outcome was degree of correlation between mean aortic annulus area by 3DTEE and MDCT. RESULTS: Of the 111 consecutive patients undergoing TAVR who had measurements from both modalities available for comparison between February 2012 and April 2015, 87 met inclusion criteria. The mean aortic annular area by MDCT was 4.44±0.88 cm2 and by 3DTEE was 4.33±0.78 cm2 . There was a strong positive linear correlation between aortic annular area measurements obtained from these two modalities with mild relative underestimation by 3DTEE (ρ=.833). This relationship can be estimated using the predictive formula: [Formula: see text] CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography measurements have a high degree of correlation with MDCT measurements and thus can assist in proper valve prosthesis selection for TAVR. Our study thus supports use of 3DTEE as a reasonable alternative imaging modality in patients undergoing TAVR.

Feasibility and prognostic value of stress echocardiography in obese, morbidly obese, and super obese patients referred for bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Stress echocardiography (SE) is clinically used in the risk stratification and prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease. Due to multiple comorbidities, obese patients have increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events perioperatively in noncardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of SE in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. METHODS: Consecutive patients referred for SE for preoperative evaluation prior to bariatric surgery from January 2002 to July 2011 formed the study cohort. Contrast was used to define the endocardial border in patients with poor acoustic windows. All-cause mortality data were obtained from Social Security Death Index. RESULTS: Six hundred fifty-two patients (47 ± 10 years, 84% females) with the mean follow-up of 3.0 ± 2.7 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 47 ± 9 kg/m² were included in this analysis. Dobutamine SE was performed in 65% of patients compared to exercise SE in 35%. Patients with higher BMI were more likely to undergo dobutamine SE (P < 0.0001). Similarly, incidence of poor acoustic windows and contrast use was higher in those with increased BMI (P < 0.001). Contrast use was higher in patients undergoing dobutamine SE (39%) versus exercise (25%), (P = 0.002). 19 patients (3%) had an abnormal SE and 8 patients (1.2%) died during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Stress echocardiography is feasible in the morbidly obese patients. Patients with higher BMI were more likely to undergo dobutamine SE and have higher incidence of poor acoustic windows and contrast use.

CMR imaging for the evaluation of myocardial stunning after acute myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis of prospective trials.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial stunning is an important sequela of acute coronary syndromes and its determination might affect decisions on defibrillator implantation and assist devices after myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) assessing myocardial stunning after acute myocardial infarction using low-dose dobutamine (LDD), end-diastolic wall thickness, and contrast delayed enhancement (DE). METHODS AND RESULTS: A systematic review of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane for all prospective trials assessing myocardial stunning by CMR following AMI was performed using a standard approach for meta-analysis for diagnostic test and a bivariate analysis. Search results revealed 9384 studies, out of which 17 met criteria. A total of 634 patients (mean age 59 years, 85% male, mean left ventricular ejection fraction: 52%) were included. DE-CMR had a weighted sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 68% to detect myocardial stunning using 50% transmurality as a cut-off, with a PPV and NPV of 83 and 72%, respectively. With an overall diagnostic accuracy of 82%, LDD-CMR had a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 81%, with a PPV and NPV of 82 and 63%, respectively. LDD showed an overall accuracy of 74%. CONCLUSION: DE-CMR has a higher sensitivity, whereas LDD-CMR has a higher specificity for the detection of viable stunned myocardium following myocardial infarction. Whether the combination of DE and LDD may improve the prediction of myocardial recovery remains to be determined.

Vascular stent fracture and migration to pulmonary artery during arteriovenous shunt thrombectomy.

PURPOSE: Endovascular stent fracture and migration is an extremely rare complication of arteriovenous shunt thrombectomy. TECHNIQUE: We report a case of endovascular stent fracture following repeat arteriovenous graft thrombectomy, which was complicated by migration of a 26 millimeter stent fragment to the left main pulmonary artery. Attempts at percutaneous transvenous retrieval were unsuccessful, and an open thoracotomy to extract the stent fragment was performed. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is no consensus for the management of endovascular stents that have migrated to the pulmonary arteries, stent retrieval may be necessary in cases where arterial flow is compromised or heavy clot burden is a concern. Moreover, steps toward prevention of stent fracture and migration should be considered in order to preclude such occurrences--avoidance of puncturing the stent for hemodialysis access, discontinuation of use of the Arrow-Trerotola device through or near stents, and consideration of short segment angioplasty for regional intrastent stenosis rather than typical long segment venous angioplasty.