Left Main Snorkel Stent Thrombosis in Association With Takayasu Arteritis.

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare form of large vessel arteritis that predominantly affects the aorta and its major branches. This inflammation leads to thickening, fibrosis, and stenosis of the arterial walls, which may lead to thrombus formation. The resulting symptoms are typically due to ischemia of the end organs. Coronary artery involvement is uncommon and primarily affects the ostia of the arteries. Ostial involvement of the coronary arteries can have a dramatic course, including fatal outcomes. We present the case of a 16-year-old female with TA involving the ostium of the left main coronary artery, causing severe stenosis. A successful percutaneous coronary intervention was performed on the left main artery with snorkel stent placement, which was complicated by cardiac arrest seven months later due to complete thrombosis of the proximal opening of the protruding stent.

A Case of Acute Right Coronary Artery Ostial Obstruction Six Days After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement Requiring Emergent Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Acute coronary artery obstruction after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is a rare but potentially life-threatening event that must be prevented. Here, we report a rare case of an 84-year-old woman who underwent SAVR with a 19-mm aortic bioprosthetic valve for severe aortic stenosis and who suddenly developed ST-elevation myocardial infarction six days after surgery as a result of right coronary artery (RCA) ostial obstruction. She experienced cardiogenic shock, and mechanical support devices were introduced; however, she underwent emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to the RCA (#3) and survived. We were aware of the risk of RCA ostial obstruction intraoperatively but were unable to prevent it because blood flow was preserved in the early postoperative period. The present case is worth reporting because the patient developed fatal STEMI at a time when she would normally be considered for discharge. A major learning point from this case is that a coronary artery ostium that is patent immediately after SAVR may not be sufficient for patients considered at high risk of coronary artery occlusion.

BOOM: A novel bifurcation stent technique using optical coherence tomography co-registration.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Bifurcation lesions comprise 20 % of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and are associated with worse long-term outcomes. With an increasing percentage of patients presenting with complex anatomy, including bifurcation disease, there is a need for treatment strategies to optimize PCI outcomes. METHODS/MATERIALS: We retrospectively analyzed 48 patients undergoing OCT guided bifurcation PCI using the 'Bifurcation and Ostial OCT Mapping' (BOOM) technique. The primary efficacy variable studied was stent precision following deployment, defined as the distance of the most proximal stent strut from the true ostium of the target vessel. Additionally, targeted follow-up occurred by phone at 6- and 12-months post procedure, where the frequency of myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, target vessel and non-target vessel revascularization, and mortality were collected. RESULTS: A total of 40 (83.3 %) had an ostial lesion that required treatment while the remaining patients had true bifurcation disease. Most target lesions were in either the LAD or its branches (29 lesions (60.3 %)). With respect to stent positioning, the median absolute geographic miss, (i.e., stent protrusion into the main branch or lack of complete ostial stent coverage), was 0.75 mm. At 6 months, one patient required target lesion revascularization with no additional patients at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: BOOM is a safe and simple strategy that can be a useful technique to optimize precise stent placement for ostial and bifurcation lesions.

The aortic root, do we see the 'hole' picture?

The aortic root is the segment of the aorta between the left ventricular outflow tract and the sinotubular junction of the ascending aorta, and, on one level, is merely a tube, with a valve at its base, dynamic structures below it, and notable for having the life-limiting coronary arteries originate within its sinuses. However, we propose that the perception of the aortic root has been historically grossly over-simplified by virtue of a bias towards its internal aspect, in terms of coronary ostia and subvalvar relationships through the fibrous skeleton and in so-doing a myocardial component on the external aspect has all but been ignored. This myocardial mass, a component of the left ventricular free wall, is sometimes termed the 'left ostial process' but appears to be rarely, if ever, considered by anatomists, cardiologists, and surgeons alike. By virtue of its direct continuity to the aortic root and proximal left coronary artery, it may have unique roles and, at the very least, deserves greater recognition and investigation. Herein, we propose that it could play a crucial role in cardiac embryology including coronary dominance, and may afford a physiological advantage, to the extent that it may have been selected for in evolutionary terms.

Bilateral isolated coronary ostial stenosis in a middle-aged premenopausal woman with vasospastic angina: a case report.

Background: Vasospastic angina (VSA) is uncommon in premenopausal women who have less chronic endothelial injury causing vascular remodelling, considered to play a primary role in the pathogenesis for coronary vasospasms. Furthermore, vasospasms rarely occur in the bilateral coronary ostia. Isolated coronary ostial stenosis (ICOS), which often causes severe effort angina and requires surgical intervention, is more commonly reported in middle-aged women, with causes including fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) and large-vessel vasculitis. However, ICOS associated with VSA is extremely rare. Case summary: A 50-year-old premenopausal Japanese woman presented with a complaint of typical chest pain due to angina during light exertion daily in the early morning hours since 3 years. Coronary angiography (CAG) revealed bilateral mild-to-moderate ICOS in addition to multi-vessel spasms involving the bilateral coronary ostia confirmed by the vasospasm provocation test using intracoronary acetylcholine injection. Tests to determine the cause of ICOS did not identify FMD or any other disease. The angina attacks alleviated after calcium channel blocker (CCB) administration without intervention for bilateral ICOS for 24 years since the first presentation. Moreover, coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) performed 24 years after the first presentation showed no ICOS. Discussion: In our patient with typical and frequent VSA symptoms, CAG revealed both mild-to-moderate ICOS and the vasospasms in the bilateral coronary ostia. Fibromuscular dysplasia or large-vessel vasculitis was ruled out as the causes of ICOS. Vasospastic angina rarely occurred after the prescription of CCB, and coronary CTA 24 years after the first presentation showed no ICOS. Bilateral ICOS in our patient might be VSA related.

Optimal Percutaneous Treatment Approach to Unprotected Ostial Left Anterior Descending Artery Disease: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The optimal management strategy for significant unprotected ostial left anterior descending artery (LAD) disease remains undefined. Merits of the two most common percutaneous approaches are considered in this quantitative synthesis. METHOD: A meta-analysis was performed to compare ostial stenting (OS) and crossover stenting (CS) in the treatment of unprotected ostial LAD stenosis. The primary outcome is the disparity in target lesion revascularisation (TLR). The Mantel-Haenszel method was employed with random effect model, chosen a priori to account for heterogeneity among the included studies. RESULTS: Seven studies comprising 1,181 patients were included in the analyses. Of these, 482 (40.8%) patients underwent CS. Overall, there was a statistically significant trend in favour of CS (odds ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.30-0.86, p=0.01) with respect to the rate of TLR at follow-up. This remained true when TLR involving the left circumflex artery (LCx) was considered, even when there was a greater need for unintended intervention to the LCx during the index procedure (odds ratio 6.68, 95% confidence interval: 1.69-26.49, p=0.007). Final kissing balloon inflation may reduce the need for acute LCx intervention. Imaging guidance appeared to improve clinical outcomes irrespective of approach chosen. CONCLUSIONS: In the percutaneous management of unprotected ostial LAD disease, CS into the left main coronary artery (LMCA) appeared to reduce future TLR. Integration of intracoronary imaging was pivotal to procedural success. The higher incidence of unintended LCx intervention in the CS arm may be mitigated by routine final kissing balloon inflation, although the long-term implication of this remains unclear. In the absence of randomised trials, clinicians' discretion remains critical.

V stenting technique with covered stents for the management of ostial circumflex perforation: Good or bad idea?

We report the case of a redo Ross surgery complicated by an ostial left circumflex occlusion requiring emergent percutaneous coronary intervention. The latter was complicated by coronary perforation treated by two covered stents with V-stenting technique. After immediate success, the clinical course was marked by acute stent thrombosis requiring emergent coronary bypass. Learning objectives: Ostial left circumflex perforation is a rare and potentially fatal complication that is challenging to manage. V stenting technique with two covered stents could be used as a life-saving procedure, but is associated with a high thrombotic risk.

Tertiary syphilis and cardiovascular disease: the united triad: case report.

Background: Syphilis, owing to its natural course, can lead to long-term damage to the aortic valve, such as insufficiency and rarely stenosis, ostial coronary stenosis, and syphilitic aortitis. Cardiovascular involvement alongside neurological involvement dominates the prognosis. This should no longer be seen, thanks to awareness and prevention programmes, medical treatment, and antibiotics. Case summary: We report a case of a 54-year-old chronic smoker with no previous history, admitted for respiratory distress amid an impaired general condition. An electrocardiogram was performed, which showed sinus rhythm with lateral ST depression and T-wave inversion. Coronary angiography revealed an ostial stenosis of the left coronary artery. Echocardiography displayed a globular dilated left ventricle with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% and severe aortic insufficiency (AI). Computed tomography angiography of the aorta showed a dilation of the thoracic aorta and suprarenal abdominal aorta. Syphilitic serology was positive. The patient underwent angioplasty, resulting in a satisfactory outcome, and subsequently received optimal treatment. Following a consultation with a cardiovascular surgeon and vascular team, it was decided to proceed with mechanical aortic valve replacement and aorto-coronary double bypass surgery, but vascular surgery of the ascending aortic aneurysm was not possible at once. Discussion: Tertiary syphilis should always be considered when faced with isolated coronary ostial involvement, aortic aneurysm, and/or AI. What makes our case special is that the patient had almost all the cardiovascular complications of tertiary syphilis. Primary syphilis should always be prevented, diagnosed early, and treated appropriately with antibiotic therapy.

Consequences and Management of Excessive Ostial Stent Protrusion: A Case Report.

Aorto-ostial lesions, especially in the right coronary artery, may be challenging due to their morphological and anatomical features, more so when there is a previous stent which may be protruding. Little is known about the long-term safety of protruding stents and results of re-intervention. Presented here is a case of restenosis of a markedly protruding stent at the right coronary ostium. This case was unusual in its 10-year longevity. Intravascular ultrasound-guided in-stent restenosis intervention using wire bumper technique was performed. Literature review and management are presented.

Elucidating left atrial electrical potential with microelectrode catheter: A case of coronary sinus ostial atresia with small persistent left superior vena cava.

A 51-year-old woman presented with recurring palpitations. Electrocardiography revealed narrow QRS tachycardia with short RP configuration. Computed tomography showed coronary sinus (CS) ostial atresia along with a small persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC). Electrophysiological study identified the retrograde earliest atrial activation site (EAAS) at the CS ostium without decremental properties, and para-Hisian pacing suggested retrograde atrioventricular nodal conduction. Using a 1.6-Fr microelectrode catheter distally placed in the CS via the PLSVC, EAAS was confirmed within the left atrium, not the CS ostium. Transseptal approach revealed a left lateral accessory pathway, which was successfully eliminated.

The morphology of occlusion stump for endovascular recanalization in non-acute vertebral ostial occlusion.

PURPOSE: Non-acute vertebral ostial occlusion (VOO) is a debilitating condition with significant mortality and morbidity rates. However, currently, there is no consensus on the optimal treatment strategy for VOO. This study aims to examine the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of endovascular recanalization in patients with VOO. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of data from 21 consecutive patients with VOO who underwent endovascular recanalization between May 2018 and August 2023. The patients were divided into two groups based on a new angiographic classification proposed by Gao et al. Type I (tapered stump group) included patients with non-acute extracranial vertebral artery ostial occlusion presenting a tapered occlusion stump. Type II (nontapered stump group) consisted of patients with a nontapered occlusion stump. We collected data on recanalization rates, perioperative complications, and follow-up outcomes. RESULTS: Our analysis included data from a total of 21 patients (22 lesions) with a mean age of 64.6 ± 10.6 years. The technical success rate was 66.7 % (14/21), and the rate of periprocedural complications was 14.3 % (3/21). The success rate of transitioning from the tapered stump group to the nontapered stump group was 90.9 % (10/11) and 40 % (4/10), respectively (P = 0.024). The perioperative complication rate for type I and type II patients was 18.2 % (2/11) and 10 % (1/10), respectively. Among these patients, 18 cases underwent endovascular recanalization using transfemoral access, while 3 patients underwent transradial access after failed transfemoral access, with successful outcomes for two patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that endovascular recanalization may offer a safe, effective, and feasible treatment option for VOO patients. Additionally, the proposed angiographic classification may serve as a useful guide in selecting suitable candidates for surgery.

Mosaic GJB2 mutations in widespread porokeratotic adnexal ostial nevus: Report of two patients.

Porokeratotic adnexal ostial nevus (PAON) is a rare adnexal hamartoma characterized by keratotic papules following Blaschko's lines, typically located on the unilateral distal extremities. Cutaneous somatic GJB2 mutations have been linked to the pathogenesis of PAON. However, the genetic mechanism underlying bilateral or extended forms, which are less documented, remains unknown. In this study, we presented two cases of PAON with widespread cutaneous lesions and scalp involvement, and demonstrated the presence of GJB2 mosaic mutations in both patients. We further investigated the mosaic frequency in different tissues to gain insights into the mutation events contributing to the phenotype of widespread PAON. Our findings suggest that early postzygotic mutation causing mosaic GJB2 mutations may contribute to the widespread phenotype of PAON, thereby enriching the disease spectrum and mutation profile of PAON.

Clinical outcomes of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy without preserving mucosal flaps in combination with silicone stent and steroid-soaked gelfoam.

PURPOSE: To report clinical outcomes of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) combined with stenting and without preserving the nasal and lacrimal mucosal flaps. METHODS: In this prospective interventional case series, patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction who were candidates for En-DCR were enrolled. Patients with a known history of previous DCR, sinus surgery, rhinoplasty, nasal trauma, nasal anomaly, canalicular or punctal occlusion, or less than one year of follow-up were excluded. All patients underwent En-DCR and stenting followed by ostial packing using Gelfoam soaked with dexamethasone. The patients were assessed preoperatively, on the first postoperative day, after 2 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year. Postoperative outcomes were anatomical and functional success, defined as patent irrigation test and resolution of epiphora, respectively. The nasolacrimal drainage system was evaluated anatomically and functionally during the follow-up period. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients with a mean age of 54.36±15.27 years were enrolled. Of these, 61 patients (73.5%) were women. The mean duration of follow-up was 20.7±6.9 months. Anatomical success was achieved in all patients and remained stable during the study duration and at 1 year. Functional failure leading to epiphora was observed in 1 patient 3 months after surgery and resolved after re-DCR at year 1. Preoperative tenderness and purulent reflux were observed in 12%, 33.7% of which completely resolved postoperatively. Moderate and severe hemorrhage was observed in 12 (14.5%) and 2 (2.4%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: En-DCR without mucosal flap preservation in combination with silicone stent and steroid-soaked Gelfoam is a safe and highly successful procedure in patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Orbital atherectomy safety and efficacy: A comparative analysis of ostial versus non-ostial calcified coronary lesions.

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of coronary orbital atherectomy (OA) for treatment of ostial lesions are not yet fully established. We sought to evaluate (OA) treatment of severely calcified ostial and non-ostial lesions. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of subjects treated with OA for severely calcified ostial and non-ostial lesions, at the Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, Florida (MSMCMB) from January 2014 to September 2020, was completed. Study baseline characteristics, lesion and vessel characteristics, procedural outcomes, and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: A total of 609 patients that underwent PCI with OA were identified. The majority of patients (81.9 %) had non-ostial lesions, while 16.6 % had ostial lesions (of which 2.8 % classified as aorto-ostial) and 1.5 % had unknown lesion anatomy. The mean age of the overall cohort was 74.0 ± 9.3 years, and 63.5 % were male. All patients received drug-eluting stent (DES) placement, and the overall freedom from MACE was 98.5 %, with no significant difference observed between the ostial and non-ostial groups. The freedom from cardiac death and MI was also similar between the two groups. There were low rates of bleeding complications and severe angiographic complications, and no persistent slow flow/no reflow was reported. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated no significant differences in in-hospital MACE outcomes between patients with ostial versus non-ostial lesions, indicating that OA is a safe and effective treatment option for both lesion types, including those classified as aorto-ostial.

Surgical coronary angioplasty of both coronary ostia after chest radiotherapy. Is it good alternative to conventional coronary bypass surgery?

INTRODUCTION: Isolated coronary ostial stenosis of both ostia is a rare, potentially life-threatening condition, occurring in 0.1%-0.2% of patients undergoing coronary angiography. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 69-year-old woman with a past medical history of breast cancer, who had been treated with radiotherapy, which most likely caused significant stenosis of both coronary ostia and likely accelerated aortic stenosis. Surgical angioplasty with autopericardium patch reconstruction of the left main coronary artery and right coronary arteries due to proximal stenotic disease was performed instead of venous or arterial bypasses with concomitant aortic valve replacement. The postoperative course was uneventful. There were no cardiovascular events 5 years after operation, and the patient remained free of any symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical coronary angioplasty offers an alternative to conventional coronary artery bypass grafting in isolated coronary ostial lesions and is advantageous in restoring more physiological myocardial perfusion, especially in those cases when conduits are suspected to be fibrotic, scarred or stenosed after radiation therapy or if there is the need to preserve conduits for future myocardial revascularisation in young patients.

Lesion complexity and procedural outcomes associated with ostial chronic total occlusions: Insights from the PROGRESS-CTO Registry.

OBJECTIVES: Ostial CTOs can be challenging to revascularize. We aim to describe the outcomes of ostial chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We examined the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 8788 CTO PCIs performed at 35 US and non-US centers between 2012 and 2022. In-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) included death, myocardial infarction, urgent repeat target-vessel revascularization, tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis or surgery, and stroke. RESULTS: Ostial CTOs constituted 12% of all CTOs. Patients with ostial CTOs had higher J-CTO score (2.9 ± 1.2 vs 2.3 ± 1.3; P less than .01). Ostial CTO PCI had lower technical (82% vs. 86%; P less than .01) and procedural (81% vs. 85%; P less than .01) success rates compared with non-ostial CTO PCI. Ostial location was not independently associated with technical success (OR 1.03, CI 95% 0.83-1.29 P =.73). Ostial CTO PCI had a trend towards higher incidence of MACE (2.6% vs. 1.8%; P =.06), driven by higher incidence of in-hospital death (0.9% vs 0.3% P less than.01) and stroke (0.5% vs 0.1% P less than .01). Ostial lesions required more often use of the retrograde approach (30% vs 9%; P less than .01). Ostial CTO PCI required longer procedure time (149 [103,204] vs 110 [72,160] min; P less than .01) and higher air kerma radiation dose (2.3 [1.3, 3.6] vs 2.0 [1.1, 3.5] Gray; P less than .01). CONCLUSIONS: Ostial CTOs are associated with higher lesion complexity and lower technical and procedural success rates. CTO PCI of ostial lesions is associated with frequent need for retrograde crossing, higher incidence of death and stroke, longer procedure time and higher radiation dose.

Perioperative immunosuppressive therapy and coronary ostial angioplasty for unstable angina with Takayasu arteritis.

A young female patient with Takayasu arteritis presented with unstable angina due to bilateral coronary artery involvement. Steroid pulse therapy and subsequent prednisolone administration were started, but early coronary artery bypass grafting was required because of the multiple angina attacks at rest, with a prednisolone dose of 22.5 mg (0.45 mg/kg/day). Since the left internal thoracic artery which was grafted to the left anterior descending artery resulted in graft failure a few days after the surgery, the immunosuppressive therapy was intensified with the addition of tocilizumab and methotrexate. After controlling the disease activity, coronary ostial angioplasty using external iliac artery grafts was successfully performed, with a prednisolone dose of 15 mg (0.3 mg/kg/day). Ten months after the operation, the patient has been free from chest pain. The present case demonstrated the importance of adequate preoperative immunosuppressive therapy, even when early surgical intervention is required. Learning objective: There are no established treatment regimens for immunosuppressive management in cases of Takayasu arteritis (TAK) requiring immediate surgical intervention. Even when early surgery is required, it is important to reduce disease activity with appropriate preoperative immunosuppressive therapy using steroids in addition to biological agents, such as tocilizumab. Coronary ostial angioplasty is the effective surgical revascularization technique for TAK with coronary artery involvement.