Retrospective analysis on diameters of drug-coated balloons and predilatation balloons in infra-inguinal endovascular treatment (RABBIT study).

This multicenter retrospective study assessed the clinical outcomes of endovascular therapy (EVT) using a drug-coated balloon (DCB) that was larger than the predilatation balloons for femoropopliteal artery lesions. We analyzed 1140 cases with symptomatic peripheral artery disease that underwent EVT with DCB for femoropopliteal lesions between 2017 and 2021. The primary endpoint was procedural failure, defined as a composite of deteriorated dissection and bailout stenting. The secondary endpoints included deteriorated dissection, bailout stenting, restenosis, and target lesion revascularization. We performed propensity score matching to compare the clinical outcomes between EVT with a DCB which was larger than the predilatation balloon (larger DCB) and EVT with a DCB which was not (nonlarger DCB). We assigned 276 cases to the larger DCB group and 864 cases to the nonlarger DCB group. Procedural failure was observed in 75 cases, whereas restenosis occurred in 282 cases during a mean follow-up period of 12.7 ± 9.7 months. Propensity score matching extracted 273 pairs with no intergroup difference in baseline characteristics, except the predilatation balloon size. Procedural failure (9.2% versus 6.1%, P = 0.11), deteriorated dissection and bailout stenting proportion (both P > 0.05), and 1-year rates of freedom from restenosis (82.4% versus 84.1%, P = 0.59) and target lesion revascularization (89.7% versus 90.4%, P = 0.83) showed no significant difference between the larger and nonlarger DCB groups. Irrespective of whether the DCB size was larger than the predilatation balloon, no difference was observed in either procedural or clinical outcomes.

Imaging Biomarker for Early-Stage Alzheimer Disease: Utility of Hippocampal Histogram Analysis of Diffusion Metrics.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Biomarkers have been required for diagnosing early Alzheimer disease. We assessed the utility of hippocampal diffusion parameters for diagnosing Alzheimer disease pathology in mild cognitive impairment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with mild cognitive impairment underwent both CSF measurement and multi-shell diffusion imaging at 3T. Based on the CSF biomarker level, patients were classified according to the presence (Alzheimer disease group, n = 35) or absence (non-Alzheimer disease group, n = 34) of Alzheimer disease pathology. Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging and diffusion tensor imaging parametric maps were generated. Two observers independently created the hippocampal region of interest for calculating histogram features. Interobserver correlations were calculated. The statistical significance of intergroup differences was tested by using the Mann-Whitney U test. Logistic regression analyses, using both the clinical scale and the image data, were used to predict intergroup differences, after which group discriminations were performed. RESULTS: Most intraclass correlation coefficient values were between 0.59 and 0.91. In the regions of interest of both observers, there were statistically significant intergroup differences for the left-side neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging-derived intracellular volume fraction, right-side diffusion tensor imaging-derived mean diffusivity, left-side diffusion tensor imaging-derived mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity (P < .05). Logistic regression models revealed that diffusion parameters contributed the most to discriminating between the groups. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the regions of interest of observers A/B were 0.69/0.68, 0.69/0.68, 0.73/0.68, 0.71/0.68, and 0.68/0.68 for the left-side intracellular volume fraction (mean), right-side mean diffusivity (mean), left-side mean diffusivity (10th percentile), axial diffusivity (10th percentile), and radial diffusivity (mean). CONCLUSIONS: Hippocampal diffusion parameters might be useful for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer disease.

Multicenter Registry of Common Femoral Artery Disease Treated With Endovascular Revascularization Using Interwoven Nitinol Stents: An Observational Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: Surgical thromboendarterectomy has been the gold standard treatment for common femoral artery (CFA) disease. However, endovascular therapy (EVT) is conducted in certain patients with CFA lesions because of multiple comorbidities. The interwoven nitinol stent (IWS) has been developed to prevent stent fracture. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of EVT using IWS for CFA lesions in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective multicenter registry analyzed patients who had symptomatic lower-extremity artery disease due to CFA lesions and underwent EVT using IWS between 2019 and 2021. The primary endpoint was restenosis 2 years after EVT. RESULTS: This study enrolled a total of 177 patients with 196 CFA lesions. The 2-year estimate of freedom from restenosis was 88.0%. The 2-year freedom rates from the target-lesion revascularization, major amputation, and all-cause death were 92.9%, 99.0%, and 75.2%, respectively. The clinical features significantly associated with restenosis risk were the reference vessel diameter (RVD, per 1.0 mm, hazard ratio [HR], 0.24 [0.08-0.70]; p=0.009), external iliac artery (EIA) involvement (HR=4.03 [1.56-10.4]; p=0.004), superficial femoral artery (SFA) involvement (HR=3.05 [1.00-9.25]; p=0.049), body mass index (BMI; per 1.0, HR=0.85 [0.73-0.99]; p=0.032), occlusion of deep femoral arteries (DFAs) at baseline (HR=7.89 [2.04-30.5]; p=0.003), and chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI, HR=2.63 [1.02-6.78]; p=0.045). Their significant association was also confirmed by the random survival forest analysis. During a median follow-up of 12.0 months, guiding sheaths were inserted via CFAs implanted IWSs in 73 cases (37.2%), and no patients had cannulation-related complications, such as failed hemostasis, fracture of IWS, and stent occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular therapy using IWS in CFA lesions showed acceptable 2-year patency rates at 88.0% and might preserve the arterial access via the ipsilateral CFAs. Small RVD, involving EIA and SFA lesions, emaciation, occluded DFA, and CLTI are associated with poor 2-year patency rates following EVT, thus, IWS implantation in CFA lesions may be an option for patients unsuitable for surgical revascularization. CLINICAL IMPACT: This retrospective multicenter registry enrolled 177 patients with 199 CFA lesions treated with EVT using interwoven nitinol stents, because surgical thromboendarterectomy was difficult due to their multiple comorbidities. The 2-year estimate of freedom from restenosis was acceptable at 88.0%. The 2-year freedom rate from major amputation was also high at 99.0%. Moreover, during a median follow-up of 12.0 months, guiding sheaths were inserted via CFAs implanted IWSs in 73 cases, and no patients had cannulation-related complications such as failed hemostasis, fracture of IWS, and stent occlusion.

Review of Bleeding and Thrombotic Risks Associated With Antithrombotic Therapy After Transcatheter Structural Heart Interventions.

Transcatheter structural heart interventions have drastically evolved over the past 2 decades. However, most catheterization procedures require the deployment of devices in the body; therefore, the adhesion of thrombi to those devices is a major problem, resulting in the requirement of a period of postprocedural antithrombotic regimen. However, in recent years, bleeding associated with these antithrombotic therapies has also become a major concern, attracting the attention of investigators. This is complicated by the fact that patients at high thrombotic risk are also at high bleeding risk, making the issue of administrating antithrombotic therapy challenging. The objective of this review was to identify the important issues and summarize the current status of postoperative antithrombotic therapy and assessment of the bleeding risk following transcatheter structural heart interventions such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement, transcatheter edge-to-edge repair, and transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion.

Clinical feasibility of endovascular recanalization with intravascular ultrasound-guided wiring for chronic total occlusion of below-the-knee arteries.

BACKGROUND: Revascularization with endovascular therapy (EVT) for complex below-the-knee (BTK) chronic total occlusion (CTO) remains a challenging problem. The Japanese-BTK (J-BTK) CTO score is reported as an indicator of the difficulty of BTK CTO, with the guidewire (GW) passage success rate decreasing as the grade increases. We previously reported an effective GW crossing method for the intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided parallel wiring of complex BTK CTO. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of EVT using IVUS-guided wiring for BTK CTO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single center, retrospective study analyzed 65 consecutive BTK CTO vessels in which IVUS-guided wiring was attempted after the failure of a conventional antegrade wiring approach from November 2020 to November 2022. The primary endpoint was the clinical success of the target CTO vessel. The secondary endpoints were the GW success rate per grade based on the J-BTK CTO score, number of GW used for CTO crossing, fluoroscopy time, and complications. RESULTS: Target vessels were the anterior tibial artery (66.2% of cases), peroneal artery (9.2%), and posterior tibial artery (24.6%). Blunt type CTO entry was performed in 55.4% of cases, calcification of entry was observed in 24.6% of cases, the mean occlusion length was 228.2 ± 93.7 mm, mean reference vessel diameter was 2.1 ± 0.71 mm, and outflow was absent in 38.5% of cases. J-BTK CTO scores of 0/1 (grade A), 2/3 (grade B), 4/5 (grade C), and 6 (grade D) were seen in 18.5%, 43.1%, 36.3%, and 1.5% of cases, respectively. The clinical success rate was 95.4%. The GW success rate by J-BTK CTO grade was as follows: grade A (100%), B (100%), C (91.7%), and D (0%). The mean number of GW used was 3.4 ± 1.4, the mean fluoroscopy time was 72.3 ± 32.5 min, and complications occurred in 7.7% of cases. CONCLUSION: This study showed a very high clinical success rate despite the difficulty of BTK CTO. IVUS-guided EVT might be a feasible strategy for complex BTK CTO.

Low-Dose vs High-Dose Drug-Coated Balloon for Symptomatic Femoropopliteal Artery Disease: The PROSPECT MONSTER Study Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Randomized trials have shown comparable outcomes between second-generation low-dose drug-coated balloons (LD-DCBs) and first-generation high-dose drug-coated balloons (HD-DCBs); but the trial patients had low clinical complexity, and there were no comparisons in medically complex populations. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare outcomes between an LD-DCB (Ranger; 2.0 µg/mm2) and an HD-DCB (IN.PACT; 3.5 µg/mm2) in patients with symptomatic femoropopliteal artery disease. METHODS: PROSPECT MONSTER (Prospective Comparison of Second-Generation Low-Dose Drug-Coated Balloon With High-Dose Drug-Coated Balloon) was a prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized trial that prospectively collected data from 581 patients who underwent endovascular therapy with the LD-DCB (n = 370) or the HD-DCB (n = 211) for symptomatic femoropopliteal artery disease (Rutherford classes 2-5). The primary outcome was the 1-year primary patency of the LD-DCB in comparison with that of the HD-DCB, as evaluated using propensity score matching. The incidence of impaired flow after drug-coated balloon application was also evaluated. RESULTS: Propensity score matching extracted 163 pairs (358 and 163 patients in the LD-DCB and HD-DCB groups, respectively), with no significant intergroup difference in baseline characteristics. The 1-year primary patency rates in the matched population were similar between the LD-DCB and HD-DCB groups (87.0% [95% CI: 82.5%-91.7%] vs 81.3% [95% CI: 74.8%-88.5%]; HR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.55-1.59; P = 0.79), as was the incidence of impaired flow (13.6% vs 9.8%; OR: 1.46; 95% CI: 0.78-2.73; P = 0.24). No baseline characteristics had any significant interaction effects on the association of the LD-DCB vs the HD-DCB and 1-year restenosis risk. CONCLUSIONS: LD-DCBs demonstrate efficacy and safety comparable with HD-DCBs in patients with complex clinical backgrounds, suggesting that drug-coated balloon treatment using a lower dose may be possible.

Neutral Silylyne Complex of Molybdenum: Synthesis, Properties, and Access to Silaiminoacyl Complexes via [2+3] Cycloaddition.

A neutral silylyne complex of molybdenum was synthesized by the stepwise dehydrogenation method and its properties were compared with those of the tungsten analog. The complex takes a dimeric form as crystals but afford a monomer-dimer equilibrium in solution. The replacement of the central metal from W to Mo led to a monomer dominant (~98 %) solution at room temperature. The monomer-dimer dynamics was investigated based on thermodynamic parameters. The molybdenum silylyne complex underwent [2+2] cycloaddition with alkynes much faster than the tungsten analog. The reactions with organic azides led to the formation of the first example of silaiminoacyl complexes through [2+3] cycloaddition. The structures and bonding aspects of the products were clarified by multiple measurements and DFT calculations.

Clinical outcome of endovascular therapy using a VIABAHN VBX-covered stent for complex aortoiliac artery disease: the AVOCADO II study.

Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of a balloon-expandable covered stent (CS) for aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD). However, the real-world clinical outcomes and the underlying factors remain unclear. We assessed the clinical outcomes and factors associated with primary patency after implantation of a balloon-expandable CS for patients with complex AIOD. This prospective multicenter observational study enrolled 149 consecutive patients undergoing VIABAHN® VBX-CS (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) implantation for complex AIOD (age, 74 ± 9 years; male, 74%; diabetes mellitus, 46%; renal failure on dialysis, 23%; chronic limb-threatening ischemia, 26%). The primary study endpoint was 1-year primary patency, and the secondary endpoints were procedural complications, freedom from occlusion, clinical-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR), and surgical revision at 1 year. Risk factors for restenosis were explored using random survival forest analysis. The median follow-up period was 13.1 months (interquartile range 9.7-14.0 months). Procedural complications were observed in 6.7% of the patients. The 1-year primary patency was 94.8% (95% confidence interval 91.0-98.6%), while the 1-year freedom rate from occlusion, CD-TLR, and surgical revision rates were 96.5% (93.5-99.5%), 94.7% (90.9-98.6%), and 97.8% (95.4-100%), respectively. The presence of chronic total occlusion, aortic bifurcation lesion, the number of disease regions, and TASC-II classification was significantly associated with the restenosis risk. In contrast, the calcification severity, IVUS use, IVUS parameters were not associated with restenosis risk. We observed excellent 1-year real-world outcomes after implantation of a balloon-expandable CS for complex AIOD; only a few perioperative complications occurred.

Multicenter, retrospective registry of isolated atherosclerotic popliteal arteries treated with endovascular revascularization.

Isolated atherosclerotic popliteal lesions (IAPLs) have been considered challenging. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of endovascular therapy (EVT) using the newer devices for IAPLs. This retrospective multicenter registry analyzed patients with lower extremity artery disease having IAPLs who underwent EVT using the newer devices between 2018 and 2021. The primary outcome was primary patency 1 year after EVT. A total of 392 consecutive patients undergoing EVT for IAPLs were enrolled. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the primary patency and the freedom from target lesion revascularization were 80.9% and 87.8% 1 year after EVT, respectively. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that the clinical features that were independently associated with restenosis risk were drug-coated balloon (DCB) use for younger age (< 75 years old; adjusted hazard ratio, 3.08 [95% confidence interval 1.08-8.74]; P = 0.035), non-ambulatory status (2.74 [95% confidence interval 1.56-4.81]; P < 0.001), cilostazol use (0.51 [95% confidence interval 0.29-0.88]; P = 0.015), severe calcification (1.86 [95% confidence interval 1.18-2.94]; P = 0.007), and small external elastic membrane (EEM) area measured by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) (< 30 mm2) (2.07 [95% confidence interval 1.19-3.60]; P = 0.010). From the univariate analysis, among patients treated with DCB, younger patients (n = 141) were associated with more comorbidities including smoking (P < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (P < 0.001), end-stage renal disease (P < 0.001), history of revascularization (P = 0.046) and small EEM area (P = 0.036), compared to older patients (n = 140). Moreover, smaller post-procedural minimum lumen area measured by IVUS after DCB dilatation was observed in younger patients (12 ± 4 vs. 14 ± 4 mm2, P = 0.033). This retrospective study demonstrated that the current EVT provided an acceptable 1-year primary patency rate in patients with IAPLs. The primary patency was lower following DCB in younger patients, likely due to the higher rates of comorbidities in this patient population.

Efficacy and Safety of Percutaneous Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Decannulation Using Endovascular Balloon Dilation and Perclose ProGlide Closure Device: Results from the Multicenter SKYLINE Study.

BACKGROUND: The venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) cannula can be surgically removed, but postoperative complications and surgical staffing issues can be problematic. We previously reported a method of percutaneously removing the arterial cannula of VA-ECMO by combining intravascular balloon dilation and the Perclose ProGlide (PP) closure device. In this study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of this percutaneous decannulation of the VA-ECMO. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study involved consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous VA-ECMO decannulation at 2 cardiovascular centers from September 2019 to December 2021. We analyzed 37 patients in whom the VA-ECMO cannula was removed by the percutaneous procedure with balloon dilation and the PP. The primary end point was procedural success of hemostasis. The secondary end points were the procedural time, procedure-related complications, and rate of surgical conversion. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 65.4 years. The approach site of the endovascular therapy (EVT) procedures were the transradial approach (56.8%), transfemoral approach (27.8%), and transbrachial approach (18.9%). The mean balloon diameter was 7.3 ± 0.68 mm, and the mean balloon inflation time was 14.8 ± 7.3 min. The mean procedure time was 58.5 ± 27.0 min. The procedure success rate was 94.6%, procedure-related complication rate was 10.8%, procedure-related death and postprocedural infection rate was 0.0%, surgical conversion rate was 0.0%, and EVT access site complication rate was 2.7%. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that percutaneous VA-ECMO decannulation using a combination of intravascular balloon dilation in EVT and the PP appears to be a safe, minimally invasive, and effective procedure.

Impact of calcification on clinical outcomes after drug-coated balloon angioplasty for superficial femoral artery disease: Assessment using the peripheral artery calcification scoring system.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether the severity of calcification assessed by the peripheral artery calcification scoring system (PACSS) was associated with clinical outcomes of drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty for femoropopliteal lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 733 limbs with intermittent claudication of 626 patients, who underwent DCB angioplasty for de novo femoropopliteal lesions between January 2017 and February 2021 at seven cardiovascular centers in Japan. The patients were categorized using the PACSS classification (grades 0-4: no visible calcification of the target lesion, unilateral wall calcification < 5 cm, unilateral calcification ≥ 5 cm, bilateral wall calcification < 5 cm, and bilateral calcification ≥ 5 cm, respectively). The main outcome was primary patency at 1 year. The Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to explore whether the PACSS classification was an independent predictor of clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The distribution of PACSS was grade 0 in 38%, grade 1 in 17%, grade 2 in 7%, grade 3 in 16%, and grade 4 in 23%. The 1-year primary patency rates in these grades, respectively, were 88.2%, 89.3%, 71.9%, 96.5%, and 82.6%, respectively (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis disclosed that PACSS grade 4 (hazard ratio: 1.82, 95% confidence interval 1.15-2.87, p = 0.010) was associated with restenosis. CONCLUSION: The PACSS grade 4 calcification was independently associated with poor clinical outcomes after DCB angioplasty for de novo femoropopliteal lesions.

Two-year results of endovascular therapy for femoropopliteal artery disease in Japan during the introduction of drug-eluting devices.

Although various devices and strategies were introduced into endovascular therapy, factors associated with chronic outcomes remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to build preliminary data of Japanese femoropopliteal lesions in a period of transition from non-drug to drug technology. This research was a multicenter, prospective, and observational study. A total of 1003 consecutive patients with a mean age of 73.6 ± 8.3 years from 67 institutes were registered from February 2017 to June 2018 in Japan. In addition to the baseline data, angiographic findings affecting primary patency were studied. Lesion length was 16.4 ± 9.6 cm, and chronic total occlusion was found in 42%. Calcified lesions were found in 75% of patients. The 1-year and 2-year freedom from target lesion revascularization were 81% and 75%, respectively, and maximum walking distance showed improvement over the two years (pre; 234 m ± 211 m, 1-year; 402 m ± 241 m, 2-year; 428 m ± 231 m). The independent predictors for primary patency were pre-procedure ankle-brachial index, history of minor amputation, ostium lesion, and drug-coated balloon use. Angiographic analysis revealed that only lesion length and full cover stent were related to primary patency. Two-year freedom from target vessel revascularization was 75% in the Japanese transitional period of drug-eluting devices. Maximum walking distance was improved and well maintained for up to 2-year.

Retrospective multicenter registry for endovascular treatment with newer devices in over 25-cm femoropopliteal artery disease: A retrospective observational study.

Background and Aims: Endovascular therapy (EVT) is recommended in femoropopliteal (FP) lesions shorter than 25 cm by current guidelines; however, diffuse FP lesions remains challenging for EVT. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of EVT with the latest devices for FP lesions longer than 25 cm. Methods: This retrospective multicenter registry analyzed patients presented peripheral artery disease (PAD) having FP lesions longer than 25 cm who underwent EVT using the latest devices between 2017 and 2021. The primary outcome was restenosis 1 year after EVT. Results: The present study enrolled a total of 504 PAD patients with 614 lesions undergoing EVT for diffuse FP lesions. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the rates of freedom from restenosis and clinically-driven target lesion revascularization were 79.3% and 82.4% 1 year after EVT, respectively. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that clinical features associated independently with restenosis risk were cilostazol use (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.49 [0.32-0.74]; p = 0.001), reference vessel diameter (RVD) (0.72 [0.58-0.89] per 1-mm increase; p = 0.002), and P3 segment involvement (2.08 [1.33-3.26]; p = 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier analysis was conducted to compare the primary patency between cases with and without a small RVD, P3 involvement, and/or lack of cilostazol; any risk factors were related to a worse primary patency rate, compared with cases without risk factors. Conclusion: In the current EVT era, the primary patency at 1 year was acceptable at 79.3% in patients with FP lesions longer than 25 cm. A small vessel and P3 segment involvement might be associated with a poor 1-year patency rate after EVT, whereas cilostazol administration might contribute to reducing restenosis.

Impact of Postoperative Lumen Gain on the Reduction of Restenosis Risk after Endovascular Treatment using Drug-coated Balloon for Femoropopliteal Lesions Assessed by Intravascular Ultrasound.

AIM: This study aimed to reveal whether a larger postprocedural minimum lumen area (MLA) would reduce restenosis risk after endovascular therapy (EVT) using drug-coated balloons (DCBs) in femoropopliteal (FP) lesions. METHODS: This retrospective, nonrandomized, single-arm, and multicenter registry analyzed patients with FP lesions undergoing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided EVT with DCB between 2017 and 2021. The primary outcome was restenosis 1 year after EVT. The association between IVUS-based MLA and restenosis risk was investigated using a generalized propensity score (GPS) method to address imbalance of baseline covariates. The dose-response function of IVUS-measured MLA for restenosis risk was developed using the GPS-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: This study enrolled consecutive 489 patients with 595 lesions undergoing DCB treatment. The median MLA (interquartile range) was 13.20 (9.90-16.91) mm2. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that freedom from restenosis was 84.4% at 1 year. The GPS-adjusted dose-response function showed that MLA was inversely associated with restenosis risk. The upper limit of 95% confidence interval (CI) of the slope was lower than 0 between 10.6 and 17.0 mm2 of MLAs. The 1-year cumulative incidence of restenosis was estimated to be 9.8% (95% CI, 5.8%-13.7%) for the 3rd quartile of MLA (16.91 mm2) versus 18.5% (12.3%-24.1%) for the 1st quartile (9.90 mm2), with a hazard ratio of 0.51 (95% CI, 0.39-0.67; p＜0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present GPS analysis suggested that larger IVUS-measured MLA might be associated with lower risk of 1-year restenosis after DCB treatment for FP lesions.

A series of (E)-1,2-diaryldigermenes incorporating bulky Eind groups: structural characteristics and absorption properties.

A series of (E)-1,2-diaryldigermenes, (Eind)ArGeGeAr(Eind) [Ar = phenyl (2), thiophen-2-yl (3), 9,9-dimethyl-2-fluorenyl (4) and 2,2'-bithiophen-5-yl (5)], supported by the fused-ring bulky 1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7-octaethyl-s-hydrindacen-4-yl (Eind) groups, have been obtained as yellow-orange to red crystalline solids by the reaction of 1,2-dibromodigermene, (Eind)BrGeGeBr(Eind) (1), with ArLi. In the crystals of 2-5, the digermene cores show a flexible nature adopting a trans-bent geometry with the trans-bent angles (θ) between the Ge-Ge vector and the CEind-Ge-CAr plane of 34.04(12)° (2), 38.3(3)° and 38.8(3)° (3), 33.69(12)° (4) and 39.30(13)° (5). In the UV-vis spectra, strong π-π* absorptions have been observed with an absorption maximum at 451 nm (ε = 1.3 × 104) (2), 455 nm (ε = 9.7 × 103) (3), 480 nm (ε = 1.3 × 104) (4) and 497 nm (ε = 1.4 × 104) (5), retaining the GeGe double bond in solution. The absorption data and DFT calculations provide evidence for the intrinsic π-conjugation between the GeGe chromophore and aromatic rings involving the narrowing of the HOMO-LUMO gaps (ΔE) with the extension of the carbon π-electron systems.

Combining transradial access and sheathless femoral access for complex iliac artery chronic total occlusions.

BACKGROUND: The transradial approach (TRA) is associated with fewer serious access site-related complications compared with the transfemoral or transbrachial approach. However, TRA has associated problems in complex aortoiliac (AI) lesions, including the procedural difficulty. A bidirectional approach was used combining TRA with a sheathless technique for femoral artery (FA) puncture to treat complex AI lesions, as a minimally-invasive approach. This report describes a representative cases with AI chronic total occlusion in which the combination of TRA and a sheathless technique for FA puncture was useful for guidewire crossing. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1 was a 71-year-old man with intermittent claudication (IC). Control angiography showed total occlusion of the left common iliac artery (CIA) ostium to the distal external iliac artery (EIA). Guidewire externalization was achieved by combining TRA using a 6Fr guiding sheath and a sheathless technique for the left FA. Two nitinol stents were deployed in the CIA to EIA. Case 2 was a 63-year-old man with IC. Control angiography revealed total occlusion of the right CIA ostium to the common femoral artery (CFA) with severe calcification. The antegrade wire could not pass through the CTO lesion because of the calcified CFA occlusion. A 21-G metal needle was used to penetrate the CFA calcification through the distal true lumen of the CFA, and the wire was inserted into the EIA for wire externalization. Three nitinol stents were deployed in the CIA to EIA, and a drug-coated balloon was dilated in the CFA with hemostasis of the distal puncture site. In both cases, the retrograde puncture site was hemostatic during the procedure and postoperative bed rest was not required. CONCLUSIONS: TRA combined with a sheathless technique from the FA has the potential to treat AI complex lesions in a less invasive manner.

Clinical outcome of drug-coated balloons in patients with femoropopliteal chronic total occlusive lesions: results from the multicenter EAGLE study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the efficacy of drug-coated balloons (DCB) for simple femoropopliteal (FP) lesions. However, the effectiveness of DCB for FP chronic total occlusive lesions (CTO) is controversial. The present study investigated the clinical outcomes of DCB for FP-CTO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 359 limbs of 318 patients who underwent endovascular therapy with DCB for FP-CTO between July 2017 and February 2021 at seven cardiovascular centers. The primary endpoint was 12-month primary patency. The secondary endpoints were the 12-month rates of freedom from: (1) clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR), and (2) re-occlusion. The association of baseline characteristics with the 12-month restenosis risk was investigated using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: The 12-month rate of primary patency was 79.8% (95% confidence interval [95%CI], 75.1% to 84.8%), whereas the corresponding rates of freedom from CD-TLR and re-occlusion were 86.4% (95%CI: 82.6% to 90.4%) and 88.5% (95%CI: 84.7% to 92.4%), respectively. The bailout stent rate was 8.9%. Independent risk factors for restenosis were hemodialysis (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.18 [1.39 to 3.45]; P = 0.001), chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) (2.02 [1.33 to 3.07]; P = 0.001), and restenosis lesion (2.02 [1.32 to 3.08]; P = 0.001). Use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was identified as a protective factor for restenosis (0.54 [0.35 to 0.82]; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low rate of bailout stent, DCB treatment for FP-CTO was effective in real-world clinical practice. Hemodialysis, CLTI, and restenosis lesion were independent risk factors for 12-month restenosis, and the use of DAPT significantly attenuated the risk of 12-month restenosis.

Retrospective Multicenter Comparison Between Viabahn Covered Stent-Grafts and Supera Interwoven Nitinol Stents for Endovascular Treatment in Severely Calcified Femoropopliteal Artery Disease: The ARMADILLO Study (Adjusted Retrospective coMparison of scAffolDs In caLcified LesiOns).

PURPOSE: The previous single-arm registries showed the acceptable primary patency after endovascular therapy (EVT) using covered stent-graft (CSG) and Supera interwoven nitinol stent (Supera peripheral stent [SPS]) in calcified femoropopliteal lesions. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy between CSG and SPS in calcified femoropopliteal lesions in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 341 cases who had Rutherford class 2 to 6 peripheral artery disease and underwent EVT with either CSG (n=137) or SPS (n=204) for femoropopliteal lesions with bilateral calcification in fluoroscopic image, based on the Peripheral Arterial Calcium Scoring System (PACSS) classification, between April 2017 and February 2021 at 7 cardiovascular centers in Japan. RESULTS: After propensity score (PS) matching, the final study population consisted of 150 matched patients with no remarkable intergroup difference in baseline characteristics. The primary patency at 1 year was not statistically different between CSG and SPS groups (81.4% vs 71.2%, p=0.32). There was also no significant difference in freedom from target lesion revascularization (82.8% vs 77.6%, p=0.28) and overall survival rate (88.6% vs 87.2%, p=0.81). The stratification analysis demonstrated that advanced age, current smoking, diabetes mellitus, and PACSS grade 4 had a significant interaction on the association of CSG versus SPS implantation with restenosis (interaction p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with bilaterally calcified femoropopliteal lesions, 1-year primary patency was not significantly different between treatments using CSG and SPS after the PS matching. CLINICAL IMPACT: Covered stent-graft (CSG) and Supera interwoven nitinol stent (SPS) are reliable endovascular devices in calcified femoropopliteal lesions. This retrospective multicenter study compared the clinical outcomes between the two devices. After propensity score matching, 150 matched patients with no remarkable intergroup difference in baseline characteristics. The primary patency at 1 year was not statistically different between the CSG and SPS group (81.4% vs. 71.2%, p=0.32). There was also no significant difference in freedom from target lesion revascularization (82.8% vs. 77.6%, p=0.28) and overall survival rate (88.6% vs 87.2%, p=0.81). The two devices showed the similar efficacy in calcified femoropopliteal lesions.

Twelve-month safety and effectiveness of TCD-17187 drug-coated balloon for the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions in the superficial femoral and proximal popliteal artery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this preapproval trial was to evaluate the 12-month safety and effectiveness of the TCD-17187 drug-coated balloon (DCB) for the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions in the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and/or proximal popliteal artery (PA). METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, core laboratory adjudicated, single-arm trial. From October 2019 to November 2020, a total of 121 symptomatic peripheral artery disease patients with SFA and/or proximal PA lesions were enrolled. The primary effectiveness endpoint was 12-month primary patency defined as freedom from restenosis as determined by duplex ultrasonography in the absence of clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR). The safety endpoint was the major adverse event (MAE) rate defined as freedom from a composite of device- and procedure-related death within 30 days, and index limb major amputation and/or CD-TLR through follow-up. RESULTS: Average age was 74.5 ± 7.3 years and the frequency of diabetes mellitus was 67.5%. Average lesion length and vessel diameter were 106.0 ± 52.6 and 5.2 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. The frequency of chronic total occlusion and bilateral calcification was 17.5% and 50.8% of patients, respectively. The 12-month primary patency rate calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis was 81.1%, while 12-month freedom from CD-TLR was 95.8%. The MAE rate at 30 days was 1.7% and all events comprised CD-TLR. There were no instances of device- or procedure-related deaths, major amputations, or thrombosis throughout the 12-month evaluation period. CONCLUSION: This preapproval trial confirmed the safety and effectiveness of TCD-17187 DCB in the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions in the SFA and/or proximal PA.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of amiodarone in patients with hypertriglyceridemia: Two case reports.

BACKGROUND: The antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone has noncardiac adverse effects, leading to restrictive therapeutic plasma ranges. Despite the significant positive correlation between triglyceride and amiodarone levels, the effect of fluctuations in amiodarone levels in patients with hypertriglyceridemia on amiodarone therapy has not been fully characterized. This study is the first to report on the effect of hypertriglyceridemia on the efficacy and safety of amiodarone therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: The first patient was a 58-year-old man with hypertriglyceridemia who was diagnosed with ventricular fibrillation (patient #1). The second patient with hypertriglyceridemia was a 72-year-old man with sustained ventricular tachycardia (patient #2). Both patients received implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy. During the study period, amiodarone and N-desethylamiodarone concentrations were measured 12 times in patient #1 and 26 times in patient #2. Triglyceride concentrations in patient #1 and patient #2 ranged from 102 to 765 mg/dL and from 125 to 752 mg/dL, respectively. For both patients, amiodarone dosage was maintained at 100 mg/day, and the administration of concomitant drugs that could affect amiodarone pharmacokinetics was neither initiated nor discontinued. However, amiodarone concentrations fluctuated (patient #1, 0.52 - 1.86 µg/mL; patient #2, 0.73 - 2.82 µg/mL). Although amiodarone concentrations fluctuated, neither of the patients had defibrillation shocks to stop the abnormal rhythm via an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, and laboratory data showed that thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, KL-6, and surfactant protein-D remained close to normal. CONCLUSION: In patients with hypertriglyceridemia, it may be necessary for clinicians to pay more attention to the clinical symptoms along with fluctuations in amiodarone levels and accordingly adjust amiodarone dosage.