A Double Rarity: Lost intravascular Catheter Guidewire in Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava and Coronary Sinus - A Case Report.

Guidewire loss is a rare complication of central venous catheterization. A 65-year-old male was hospitalized in a high-dependency unit for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, erythrocytosis, and clinical signs of heart failure. Upon admission, after an unsuccessful right jugular approach, a left jugular central venous catheter was placed. The next day, chest radiography revealed the catheter located in the left parasternal region, with suspected retention of the guidewire, visually confirmed by the presence of its proximal end inside the catheter. The left parasternal location of the catheter and the typical projection of the guidewire in the coronary sinus, later confirmed by echocardiography, raised suspicion of a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC). Agitated saline injected into the left antecubital vein confirmed bubble entry from the coronary sinus into the right atrium. After clamping the guidewire, the catheter was carefully retrieved along with the guidewire without any complications. This is the first reported case of guidewire retention in PLSVC and coronary sinus. It underscores the potential causes of guidewire loss and advocates preventive measures to avoid this potentially fatal complication.

NASCI case of the month: "Unroofed coronary sinus without persistent left-sided superior vena cava".

Unroofed sinus is categorized into four subtypes. Types I and II represent complete unroofing with or without an LSVC, respectively [1]. Types III and IV are partial unroofing involving the mid-CS (type III) or near the LA appendage and left superior pulmonary vein (type IV) [1]. CT has advantages over echocardiography in detection of this anomaly (illustrated in this case) as well as in precise delineation of defect and associated findings (presence or absence of LSVC). Short axis reconstructions at the level of CS are helpful in diagnosis. Considerations for repair include location of CS defect, presence of LSVC and other abnormalities as well as comorbidity risks [2].

Treatment of primary cardiac diffuse large B-cell lymphoma involving the coronary sinus with R-EPOCH: a case report and literature review.

Primary cardiac lymphomas (PCLs) are a rare clinical entity, in which treatment guidelines remain to be established. Rituximab, etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin (R-EPOCH) has been proposed, given that it involves a continuous infusion of anthracycline, reducing the risk of a cardiotoxicity and therefore the theoretical risk of perforation. However, the literature on this method of treatment is scarce. Herein, we present a unique case of a 75-year-old male, diagnosed with primary cardiac diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with relatively unusual involvement of the coronary sinus, treated first with one cycle of R-EPOCH, followed by three cycles of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) to reduce said risk. To our knowledge, this is one of two cases, in which a patient with PCL was treated this way.

Surgical management of multiple coronary artery to coronary sinus fistulas with giant left circumflex artery and multivalvular infective endocarditis.

Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is characterized as a congenital or acquired abnormal communication between a coronary artery and any of the four chambers of the heart (coronary-cameral fistula) or great vessels (coronary arteriovenous fistula) bypassing the capillaries within myocardium. CAF is a rare disease, challenging to diagnose and treat depending on the anatomical location and type of the fistula and accompanying diseases. This study aims to report a case with multiple coronary artery to coronary sinus (CS) fistulas with giant left circumflex artery and multivalvular infective endocarditis.

A rare case of isolated persistent left superior vena cava diagnosed by echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: The persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is an infrequent vascular variant. PLSVC with absent right superior vena cava, also known as isolated PLSVC, is an exceptionally rare entity. In this case we present a patient with isolated PLSVC draining to coronary sinus, diagnosed incidentally during echocardiography. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old man underwent a transthoracic echocardiography which showed an enormously dilated coronary sinus. Hand-agitated saline was injected via peripheral intravenous cannulas. The contrast appeared firstly in the coronary sinus before it opacified the right atrium. Since this was also visible by the right antecubital saline injection, it indicated an extremely rare case of PLSVC with the absence of right superior vena cava which was confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of a distinctively dilated coronary sinus in echocardiography led us to further investigation using agitated saline that revealed an infrequent anomaly termed isolated PLSVC. The in-depth diagnosis of this vascular variant is crucial considering that it may lead to important clinical implications, such as difficulties with central venous access, especially in the current era of a rapid development of cardiac device therapies.

Coronary sinus reducer for the treatment of refractory angina (ORBITA-COSMIC): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The coronary sinus reducer (CSR) is proposed to reduce angina in patients with stable coronary artery disease by improving myocardial perfusion. We aimed to measure its efficacy, compared with placebo, on myocardial ischaemia reduction and symptom improvement. METHODS: ORBITA-COSMIC was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial conducted at six UK hospitals. Patients aged 18 years or older with angina, stable coronary artery disease, ischaemia, and no further options for treatment were eligible. All patients completed a quantitative adenosine-stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance scan, symptom and quality-of-life questionnaires, and a treadmill exercise test before entering a 2-week symptom assessment phase, in which patients reported their angina symptoms using a smartphone application (ORBITA-app). Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either CSR or placebo. Both participants and investigators were masked to study assignment. After the CSR implantation or placebo procedure, patients entered a 6-month blinded follow-up phase in which they reported their daily symptoms in the ORBITA-app. At 6 months, all assessments were repeated. The primary outcome was myocardial blood flow in segments designated ischaemic at enrolment during the adenosine-stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance scan. The primary symptom outcome was the number of daily angina episodes. Analysis was done by intention-to-treat and followed Bayesian methodology. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04892537, and completed. FINDINGS: Between May 26, 2021, and June 28, 2023, 61 patients were enrolled, of whom 51 (44 [86%] male; seven [14%] female) were randomly assigned to either the CSR group (n=25) or the placebo group (n=26). Of these, 50 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis (24 in the CSR group and 26 in the placebo group). 454 (57%) of 800 imaged cardiac segments were ischaemic at enrolment, with a median stress myocardial blood flow of 1·08 mL/min per g (IQR 0·77-1·41). Myocardial blood flow in ischaemic segments did not improve with CSR compared with placebo (difference 0·06 mL/min per g [95% CrI -0·09 to 0·20]; Pr(Benefit)=78·8%). The number of daily angina episodes was reduced with CSR compared with placebo (OR 1·40 [95% CrI 1·08 to 1·83]; Pr(Benefit)=99·4%). There were two CSR embolisation events in the CSR group, and no acute coronary syndrome events or deaths in either group. INTERPRETATION: ORBITA-COSMIC found no evidence that the CSR improved transmural myocardial perfusion, but the CSR did improve angina compared with placebo. These findings provide evidence for the use of CSR as a further antianginal option for patients with stable coronary artery disease. FUNDING: Medical Research Council, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, National Institute for Health and Care Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, St Mary's Coronary Flow Trust, British Heart Foundation.

Pressure-Controlled Intermittent Coronary Sinus Occlusion (PiCSO) in Acute Myocardial Infarction: The PiCSO-AMI-I Trial.

BACKGROUND: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) has improved clinical outcomes in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. However, as many as 50% of patients still have suboptimal myocardial reperfusion and experience extensive myocardial necrosis. The PiCSO-AMI-I trial (Pressure-Controlled Intermittent Coronary Sinus Occlusion-Acute Myocardial Infarction-I) evaluated whether PiCSO therapy can further reduce myocardial infarct size (IS) in patients undergoing pPCI. METHODS: Patients with anterior ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow 0-1 were randomized at 16 European centers to PiCSO-assisted pPCI or conventional pPCI. The PiCSO Impulse Catheter (8Fr balloon-tipped catheter) was inserted via femoral venous access after antegrade flow restoration of the culprit vessel and before proceeding with stenting. The primary end point was the difference in IS (expressed as a percentage of left ventricular mass) at 5 days by cardiac magnetic resonance. Secondary end points were the extent of microvascular obstruction and intramyocardial hemorrhage at 5 days and IS at 6 months. RESULTS: Among 145 randomized patients, 72 received PiCSO-assisted pPCI and 73 conventional pPCI. No differences were observed in IS at 5 days (27.2%±12.4% versus 28.3%±11.45%; P=0.59) and 6 months (19.2%±10.1% versus 18.8%±7.7%; P=0.83), nor were differences between PiCSO-treated and control patients noted in terms of the occurrence of microvascular obstruction (67.2% versus 64.6%; P=0.85) or intramyocardial hemorrhage (55.7% versus 60%; P=0.72). The study was prematurely discontinued by the sponsor with no further clinical follow-up beyond 6 months. However, up to 6 months of PiCSO use appeared safe with no device-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: In this prematurely discontinued randomized trial, PiCSO therapy as an adjunct to pPCI did not reduce IS when compared with conventional pPCI in patients with anterior ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. PiCSO use was associated with increased procedural time and contrast but no increase in adverse events up to 6 months. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03625869.

Giant coronary sinus aneurysm: an incidental discovery in a case of acute coronary syndrome.

Coronary sinus (CS) anomalies, although infrequent, are increasingly diagnosed with advances in interventional procedures and imaging techniques. Most cases are asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed. We present a case of an elderly male without comorbidities who presented with acute angina. Coronary catheterisation revealed a double-vessel disease, but incidentally, sequential angiograms captured contrast filling in the levophase of CS, revealing a giant CS. Primary percutaneous angioplasty of the right coronary artery was performed successfully. Echocardiography confirmed the aneurysm, and a CT scan showed an aneurysmally dilated CS and other coronary veins alongside a normal-sized persistent left superior vena cava draining to the right atrium through CS. CS aneurysms may lead to complications such as thrombosis, embolic events, arrhythmias and heart failure, stressing the importance of vigilant monitoring and timely intervention. This case underscores the significance of recognising CS anomalies in cardiac procedures, even when asymptomatic, for proper management.

Snare technique failure in extracting an embolized coronary sinus reducer to the pulmonary artery.

We report the case of a 79-year-old male patient who benefited from the implantation of a coronary sinus reducer (CSR) (Reducer; Neovasc, Inc.) in the management of typical angina with mild exertion with optimal medical treatment.

A Surgical Case of Partially Unroofed Coronary Sinus Atrial Septal Defect in an Elderly Patient Diagnosed by Preoperative Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography.

Unroofed coronary sinus syndrome is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly, involving some anatomical variations. Approximately 60% of patients with unroofed coronary sinus syndrome have a concomitant atrial septal defect, which is termed unroofed coronary sinus atrial septal defect (CSASD). The precise detection of these abnormalities has been usually difficult with conventional echocardiography, mostly due to its small and complex structures. Herein, we report a case with unroofed coronary sinus atrial septal defect, in which preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was useful in the operative decision making. We successfully repaired the defective roof of the coronary sinus with a bovine patch, while eliminating the inter-atrial shunt. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful with no residual shunt.

Ablation of epicardial ventricular focus through coronary sinus using pulsed-field ablation. A case report.

INTRODUCTION: With the entry of pulsed-field ablation (PFA) into electrophysiology, new possibilities for ablation of different substrates such as epicardial foci of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) from coronary venous system (CVS) have been opened. METHODS: This article focuses on a case of a 27-year-old patient with frequent monomorphic PVCs of epicardial origin, treated by radiofrequency ablation, followed by PFA. RESULTS: After unsuccessful focus ablation through CVS with RFA, successful ablations from the same region with PFA were achieved. CONCLUSION: This is the first described case of successful ablation of epicardial PVCs using PFA, which we hope will help in defining indications for this novel technology and enhance quality of treatment for patients with different arrhythmias.

Coronary Sinus Narrowing Improves Coronary Microcirculation Function in Patients With Refractory Angina: A Multicenter Prospective INROAD Study.

BACKGROUND: The underlying mechanisms responsible for the clinical benefits following coronary sinus narrowing and pressure elevation remain unclear. The present study aims to investigate whether coronary sinus narrowing improves the indexes of coronary microcirculatory function. METHODS: Patients with refractory angina who had a clinical indication for reducer implantation underwent invasive physiological assessments before and 4 months after the procedure. The primary outcome was the change in the values of the index of microcirculatory resistance. Secondary end points included changes in coronary flow reserve and the resistive resistance ratio values. Angina status was assessed with the Canadian Cardiology Society class and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients with a history of obstructive coronary artery disease and prior coronary revascularization (surgical and percutaneous) treated with reducer implantation were enrolled, and 21 of them (87%) underwent repeated invasive coronary physiological assessment after 4 months. The index of microcirculatory resistance values decreased from 33.35±19.88 at baseline to 15.42±11.36 at 4-month follow-up (P<0.001; mean difference, -17.90 [95% CI, -26.16 to -9.64]). A significant (≥20% from baseline) reduction of the index of microcirculatory resistance was observed in 15 (71.4% [95% CI, 47.8%-88.7%]) patients. The number of patients with abnormal index of microcirculatory resistance (≥25) decreased from 12 (57%) to 4 (19%; P=0.016). Coronary flow reserve increased from 2.46±1.52 to 4.20±2.52 (mean difference, 1.73 [95% CI, 0.51-2.96]). Similar findings were observed for resistive resistance ratio values. Overall, 16 patients (76.1%) had an improvement of 1 Canadian Cardiology Society class. Seattle Angina Questionnaire summary score increase of around 3 points (3.01 [95% CI, 1.39-4.61]). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary sinus reduction implantation is associated with a significant improvement in the parameters of coronary microcirculatory function. These findings provide insights into the improvement of angina symptoms and may have implications for the treatment of coronary microvascular dysfunction. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT05174572.