Impact of Postprocedural Graft Flow on Outcomes Following Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention in Postcoronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients: A Detailed Angiographic Analysis.

Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are frequent in patients with previous coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the usual revascularization strategy. Whether or not the presence of a graft on a CTO vessel and post-PCI graft patency impacts outcomes after CTO-PCI is unknown. We sought to evaluate the impact of post-PCI graft patency on the durability of CTO-PCI. In total, 259 patients with previous CABG who underwent CTO-PCI in 12 international centers in 2019 to 2023 were categorized into "grafted" and "ungrafted" groups based on the presence of graft on a CTO vessel. The grafted group was subdivided into "graft-occluded" and "graft-patent" groups, depending on graft patency. The primary end points were (1) technical success rate, (2) target vessel failure, and (3) CTO failure rates at 1 year. CTO failure was defined as target vessel revascularization and/or significant in-stent restenosis. A total of 199 patients (77%) were in the grafted group. Grafted CTOs showed higher complexity and lower technical success rates (70% vs 80%, p = 0.004) than nongrafted CTOs. Of the grafted CTOs, 140 (70%) were in the grafted-occluded group and 59 (30%) were in the grafted-patent group. The technical success was lower in the former group (65% vs 81%, p = 0.022). An occluded graft was an independent predictor of technical failure (odds ratio 2.04, 95% confidence interval 1.03 to 4.76, p = 0.049) and persistent post-PCI graft patency was a strong independent predictor of CTO failure at 1 year (hazard ratio 5.6, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 27.5, log-rank p = 0.033). In conclusion, in patients with previous CABG who underwent CTO-PCI, post-PCI graft patency was a significant predictor of CTO failure.

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or standard care in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction: the multicentre, randomised EURO SHOCK trial.

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock (CGS) occurs in 10% of patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (MI), with in-hospital mortality rates of 40-50% despite revascularisation. AIMS: The EURO SHOCK trial aimed to determine if early use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) could improve outcomes in patients with persistent CGS following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). METHODS: This multicentre, pan-European trial randomised patients with persistent CGS 30 minutes after PPCI of the culprit lesion to receive either VA-ECMO or continue with standard therapy. The primary outcome measure was 30-day all-cause mortality in an intention-to-treat analysis. Secondary endpoints included 12-month all-cause mortality and 12-month composite of all-cause mortality or rehospitalisation due to heart failure. RESULTS: Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trial was stopped before completion of recruitment, after randomisation of 35 patients (standard therapy n=18, VA-ECMO n=17). Thirty-day all-cause mortality occurred in 43.8% of patients randomised to VA-ECMO and in 61.1% of patients randomised to standard therapy (hazard ratio [HR] 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21-1.45; p=0.22). One-year all-cause mortality was 51.8% in the VA-ECMO group and 81.5% in the standard therapy arm (HR 0.52, 95% CI: 0.21-1.26; p=0.14). Vascular and bleeding complications occurred more often in the VA-ECMO arm (21.4% vs 0% and 35.7% vs 5.6%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the limited number of patients recruited to the trial, no definite conclusions could be drawn from the available data. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of randomising patients with CGS complicating acute MI but also illustrates the challenges. We hope these data will inspire and inform the design of future large-scale trials.

iFR/FFR/IVUS Discordance and Clinical Implications: Results From the Prospective Left Main Physiology Registry.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess discordance between results of instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR), fractional flow reserve (FFR), and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in intermediate left main coronary (LM) lesions, and its impact on clinical decision making and outcome. METHODS: We enrolled 250 patients with a 40%-80% LM stenosis in a prospective, multicenter registry. These patients underwent both iFR and FFR measurements. Of these, 86 underwent IVUS and assessment of the minimal lumen area (MLA), with a 6 mm2 cutoff for significance. RESULTS: Isolated LM disease was recognized in 95 patients (38.0%), while 155 patients (62.0%) had both LM disease and downstream disease. In 53.2% of iFR+ and 56.7% of FFR+ LM lesions, the measurement was positive in only one daughter vessel. iFR/FFR discordance occurred in 25.0% of patients with isolated LM disease and 36.2% of patients with concomitant downstream disease (P=.049). In patients with isolated LM disease, discordance was significantly more common in the left anterior descending artery and younger age was an independent predictor of iFR-/FFR+ discordance. iFR/MLA and FFR/MLA discordance occurred in 37.0% and 29.4%, respectively. Within 1 year of follow-up, major cardiac adverse events (MACE) occurred in 8.5% and 9.7% (P=.763) of patients whose LM lesion was deferred or revascularized, respectively. Discordance was not an independent predictor of MACE. CONCLUSIONS: Current methods of estimating LM lesion significance often yield discrepant findings, complicating therapeutic decision-making.

Mortality in STEMI Patients With Cardiogenic Shock: Results From a Nationwide PCI Registry and Focus on Left Main PCI.

BACKGROUND: The study aims to assess real-life short- and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated with cardiogenic shock (CS). Outcome after left main (LM) PCI is of particular interest. METHODS: Procedural, 30-day, and >30-day mortality rates were assessed in 2744 CS-STEMI patients enrolled between 2012 and 2019 in a nationwide registry involving 49 centers. RESULTS: Procedural, 30-day, and >30-day mortality rates were 6.9%, 39.8%, and 12.6%, respectively. The mortality rates were significantly higher in the 348 patients (12.7%) who underwent LM-PCI (13.5%, 59.5%, and 18.4%, respectively). LM-PCI, a suboptimal PCI result, and transfemoral access were independent predictors of procedural and 30-day mortality. Operator experience was an independent predictor of procedural mortality, but not 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality remains high in CS-STEMI patients, especially within the first month. Patients undergoing LM-PCI are particularly at risk. Operator experience is predictive of procedural mortality.

Practice and long-term outcome of unprotected left main PCI: real-world data from a nationwide registry.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is increasingly performed in significant left main (LM) lesions. Left untreated, the prognosis is poor, but PCI and coronary bypass surgery (CABG) behold risks as well. Additional long-term outcome data might guide future treatment decisions. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2019, all 6783 patients who underwent LM PCI were prospectively enrolled in a national registry. Patients with prior CABG or prior LM PCI, and patients presenting in cardiogenic shock or after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were excluded. From the remaining 5284 patients, baseline and procedural data as well as long-term survival were assessed. RESULTS: The annual rate of LM PCI increased from 422 (2.2% of PCIs) in 2012 to 868 in 2018 (3.0%). By 2018, 71% of the interventional cardiologists performed at least 1 LM PCI a year, though only 5 on average. Use of transradial access (TRA) in LM PCI increased from 20.4% in 2012 to 59.5% in 2019. All-cause mortality was 6.0% at 30 days and 18.5% at a mean follow-up of 33.5 months. Independent predictors of higher long-term mortality were older age, diabetes, multivessel disease, an urgent indication, a suboptimal angiographical result, and non-exclusive use of drug-eluting stents. TRAand higher operator and centre LM PCI experience were independent predictors of a lower long-term mortality. CONCLUSION: LM PCI is associated with high short- and long-term mortality. Use of TRA and higher expertise in LM PCI were associated with better survival.

Life-Saving Emergency Adrenalectomy in a Pheochromocytoma Crisis with Cardiogenic Shock.

Cardiogenic shock during a pheochromocytoma crisis is a life-threatening disorder. This case report illustrates a 49-year-old male with profound cardiogenic shock, extreme hemodynamic instability (systolic blood pressure ranging from 45 up to 290 mmHg in a cyclic pattern), and progressive multiple organ failure in the presence of a unilateral adrenal mass. Emergency adrenalectomy led to rapid hemodynamic stabilization. Histological investigation confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. This case indicates that emergency adrenalectomy, although usually not considered first choice, is a valid option in cardiogenic shock and extremely fluctuating hemodynamics due to a pheochromcytoma-induced catecholamine storm.

Prosthetic Aortic Valve Thrombosis Complicated by Left Main Coronary Artery Bifurcation Embolism: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Coronary embolism due to prosthetic valve thrombosis is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome. We report the challenging case of a 66-year-old female patient with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction caused by left main coronary artery bifurcation embolism in the setting of mechanical aortic valve thrombosis. The patient was treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Four hours later, she suffered an anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction due to left anterior descending artery embolization. Repeat coronary angiogram showed complete disappearance of the LMCA embolus with only distal LAD occlusion. The patient was further treated medically with excellent outcome.

Physiology-Based Revascularization of Left Main Coronary Artery Disease.

It is of critical importance to correctly assess the significance of a left main lesion. Underestimation of significance beholds the risk of inappropriate deferral of revascularization, whereas overestimation may trigger major but unnecessary interventions. This article addresses the invasive physiological assessment of left main disease and its role in deciding upon revascularization. It mainly focuses on the available evidence for fractional flow reserve and instantaneous wave-free ratio, their interpretation, and limitations. We also discuss alternative invasive physiological indices and imaging, as well as the link between physiology, ischemia, and prognosis.

The evolution of the CTO-PCI landscape in Belgium and Luxembourg: a four-year appraisal.

BACKGROUND: To chart the evolution of the CTO-PCI landscape in Belgium and Luxembourg, the Belgian Working Group on Chronic Total Occlusions (BWGCTO) was established in 2016. METHODS: Between May 2016 and December 2019, patients undergoing a CTO-PCI treatment were prospectively and consecutively enrolled. Twenty-one centres in Belgium and one in Luxembourg participated. Individual operators had mixed levels of expertise in treating CTO lesions. Demographic, angiographic, procedural parameters and incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were systematically registered. RESULTS: Over a four-year enrolment period, 1832 procedures were performed in 1733 patients achieving technical success in 1474 cases (80%), with an in-hospital MACCE rate of 2.3%. Fifty-nine (3%) cases were re-attempt procedures of which 41 (69%) were successful. High-volume centres treated more complex lesions (mean J-CTO score: 2.15 ± 1.21) as compared to intermediate (mean J-CTO score: 1.72 ± 1.23; p < 0.001) and low-volume centres (mean J-CTO score: 0.99 ± 1.21; p = 0.002). Despite this, success rates did not differ between centres (p = 0.461). Overall success rates did not differ over time (p = 0.810). High-volume centres progressively tackled more complex CTOs while keeping success rates stable. In all centres, the most applied strategy was antegrade wire escalation (83%). High-volume centres more often successfully applied antegrade dissection and re-entry and retrograde techniques in lesions with higher complexity. CONCLUSION: With variable experience levels, operators treated CTOs with high success and relatively few complications. Although AWE remains the most used technique, it is paramount for operators to be skilled in all contemporary techniques in order to be successful in more complex CTOs.

iFR uncovers profound but mostly reversible ischemia in CTOs and helps to optimize PCI results.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to demonstrate through instant wave-free ratio (iFR) measurements that myocardium distal to a chronic total occlusion (CTO) is ischemic, that ischemia is reversible by PCI, and that iFR assessment after PCI can be used to optimize PCI results. BACKGROUND: The greatest benefit of revascularization is found in patients with low fractional flow reserve. In patients with CTOs, iFR measurement may be more appropriate to evaluate ischemia as it does not require maximal microvascular vasodilation, which may be hampered by microvascular dysfunction. METHODS: The iFR was measured in 81 CTO patients, both pre- and post-PCI in 63 patients, and only post-PCI in the following 18 patients. A pressure wire pullback was performed post-PCI if iFR ≤0.89. RESULTS: The first 63 patients all had significant ischemia distal to the CTO with a median iFR of 0.33 [0.22; 0.44], improving significantly post-PCI to a median iFR of 0.93 [0.89;0.96] (p < .001). In the complete cohort, the median iFR post-PCI was 0.93 [0.86;0.96] but still ≤0.89 in 23 patients (30%). 12 of these patients had further PCI optimization because of a residual focal pressure gradient on pullback, after which only two had a final iFR ≤0.89. CONCLUSIONS: In CTO patients with an indication for PCI, iFR consistently demonstrated profound myocardial ischemia. Successful PCI immediately relieved ischemia in 70% of patients. In the remaining 30% of cases, a manual iFR pullback proved helpful in guiding further optimization of the PCI result.

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with cardiogenic shock: rationale and design of the randomised, multicentre, open-label EURO SHOCK trial.

AIMS: Cardiogenic shock (CGS) occurs in 6-10% of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Mortality has fallen over time from 80% to approximately 50% consequent on acute revascularisation but has plateaued since the 1990s. Once established, patients with CGS develop adverse compensatory mechanisms that contribute to the downward spiral towards death, which becomes difficult to reverse. We aimed to test in a robust, prospective, randomised controlled trial whether early support with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) provides clinical benefit by improving mortality and morbidity. METHODS AND RESULTS: The EURO SHOCK trial will test the benefit or otherwise of mechanical cardiac support using VA-ECMO, initiated early after acute percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for CGS. The trial sets out to randomise 428 patients with CGS complicating ACS, following primary PCI (P-PCI), to either very early ECMO plus standard pharmacotherapy, or standard pharmacotherapy alone. It will be conducted in 39 European centres. The primary endpoint is 30-day all-cause mortality with key secondary endpoints: 1) 12-month all-cause mortality or admission for heart failure, 2) 12-month all-cause mortality, 3) 12-month admission for heart failure. Cost-effectiveness analysis (including quality of life measures) will be embedded. Mechanistic and hypothesis-generating substudies will be undertaken. CONCLUSIONS: The EURO SHOCK trial will determine whether early initiation of VA-ECMO in patients presenting with ACS-CGS persisting after PCI improves mortality and morbidity.

Alternative Approach for the Surgical Treatment of Left Main Coronary Artery Aneurysm.

Left main coronary artery (LMCA) aneurysm is a very rare condition that usually requires surgical treatment. Although there is no consensus on the standard surgical technique, aneurysmal ligation with coronary artery bypass grafting is commonly used. This report presents a case of a giant LMCA aneurysm for which an alternative surgical approach was performed. The aneurysm was incised and partially resected. An interposition right internal thoracic artery graft from the LMCA to the left circumflex coronary artery was placed together with a left internal thoracic artery and free right internal thoracic artery graft. Postoperative imaging showed good patency of all grafts. This case demonstrates an effective approach for the surgical treatment of LMCA aneurysm that offers an alternative when other techniques are not desirable.

Exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmia due to bilateral coronary to pulmonary artery fistulas.

Ischemic polymorphic ventricular ectopy was documented during exercise testing in a 65-year-old Caucasian male patient. Coronary angiogram revealed four coronary to pulmonary artery fistulas (CPAFs) originating from the right and left coronary artery, leading to myocardial ischemia due to steal phenomenon. The three dominant fistulas were coiled percutaneously, while one small fistula was left untreated. During follow-up, no significant residual ventricular arrhythmia was detected.

Comparison of radial access versus femoral access with the use of a vascular closure device for the prevention of vascular complications and mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Radial access (RA) and vascular closure devices (VCD) have been shown to be superior to transfemoral access (TFA) with regard to the prevention of vascular complications after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluates whether RA is associated with less vascular complications and a lower mortality than VCD. METHODS: A total of 6999 consecutive PCI patients were studied through a single-centre prospective registry from January 2011 to August 2015. RA was applied in 1385 patients (20%), VCDs with Angio-Seal were implanted in 2145 patients (30%) and manual compression of TFA was performed in 3468 patients (50%). RESULTS: RA and VCD patients had comparable baseline risk profiles. The overall vascular complication rate was 2.0% (n = 137) and was composed of false aneurysms (n = 85), clinically relevant haematomas (n = 27), arteriovenous fistulas (n = 12), arterial occlusions (n = 11) and local infections (n = 2). Vascular complications occurred in 0.6% of RA patients, 1.8% of VCD patients and 2.6% of TFA patients (p < .01). In-hospital mortality was 0.8% in RA patients, 0.8% in VCD patients and 3.8% in TFA patients (p < .01). In a multivariate logistic regression model, RA, compared to VCD, was found to be independently associated with a lower rate of vascular complications (OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.16-0.75), but not with lower mortality rates (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 0.51-2.85). CONCLUSION: In this large all-comers PCI population, the radial approach, compared to the femoral approach with VCD use (Angio-Seal), was independently associated with a reduction of vascular complications, but not with lower mortality rates.

A higher volume of fibrotic tissue on virtual histology prior to coronary stent implantation predisposes to more pronounced neointima proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Since neointima smooth muscle cells (SMC) mainly originate from the vessel wall, we investigated whether atherosclerotic plaque composition influences subsequent in-stent neointima proliferation and restenosis. METHODS: We performed intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) with virtual histology in 98 patients prior to elective bare-metal stent (BMS) implantation in de novo coronary artery lesions. Virtual histology variables pre-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were related to in-stent neointima proliferation six months after implantation assessed as late luminal loss of 0.88 mm (interquartile range (IQR) 0.37-1.23 mm) on angiography and as maximal percentage area stenosis of 42% (IQR 33-59%) and percentage volume intima hyperplasia of 27% (IQR 20-36%) on IVUS. A ridge-trace based multiple linear regression model was constructed to account for multicollinearity of the virtual histology variables and was corrected for implanted stent length (18 mm, IQR 15-23 mm), stent diameter (3.0 mm, IQR 2.75-3.5 mm) and lesion volume (146 mm³, IQR 80-201 mm³) prior to PCI. RESULTS: Fibrous tissue volume prior to PCI (49 mm³, IQR 30-77 mm³) was significantly and independently related to late luminal loss (p = .038), maximal percentage area stenosis (p = .041) and percentage volume intima hyperplasia (p = .004). Neither absolute nor relative amounts of fibrofatty, calcified or necrotic core tissue appeared related to any of the restenosis parameters. Subgroup analysis after exclusion of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients yielded similar results. CONCLUSION: Lesions with more voluminous fibrotic tissue pre-PCI show more pronounced in-stent neointima proliferation, even after correction for lesion plaque volume.

Smartphone Apps Using Photoplethysmography for Heart Rate Monitoring: Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Smartphone ownership is rising at a stunning rate. Moreover, smartphones prove to be suitable for use in health care due to their availability, portability, user-friendliness, relatively low price, wireless connectivity, far-reaching computing capabilities, and comprehensive memory. To measure vital signs, smartphones are often connected to a mobile sensor or a medical device. However, by using the white light-emitting diode as light source and the phone camera as photodetector, a smartphone could be used to perform photoplethysmography (PPG), enabling the assessment of vital signs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the available evidence on the use of smartphone apps to measure heart rate by performing PPG in comparison with a validated method. METHODS: PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge were searched for relevant studies published between January 1, 2009 and December 7, 2016. The reference lists of included studies were hand-searched to find additional eligible studies. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Diagnostic Test Study checklist and some extra items were used for quality assessment. A fixed effects model of the mean difference and a random effects model of Pearson correlation coefficient were applied to pool the outcomes of the studies. RESULTS: In total, 14 studies were included. The pooled result showed no significant difference between heart rate measurements with a smartphone and a validated method (mean difference -0.32; 99% CI -1.24 to 0.60; P=.37). In adults, the Pearson correlation coefficient of the relation between heart rate measurement with a smartphone and a validated method was always ≥.90. In children, the results varied depending on measuring point and heart rate. The pooled result showed a strong correlation that was significant (correlation coefficient .951; 95% CI 0.906-0.975; P<.001). The reported limits of agreement showed good agreement between a smartphone and a validated method. There was a moderately strong significant negative correlation between the year of publication of the included studies and the mean difference (r=-.69; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone apps measuring heart rate by performing PPG appear to agree with a validated method in an adult population during resting sinus rhythm. In a pediatric population, the use of these apps is currently not validated.