Directional Atherectomy for Treating In-Stent Restenosis of the Superficial Femoral Artery.

PURPOSE: The optimal treatment for in-stent restenosis (ISR) of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) is still in debate. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of directional atherectomy (DA) as a primary treatment modality for ISR in SFA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective single-center analysis was conducted. In total, 617 stents were deployed in 242 limbs for SFA diseases during the study period. ISR was identified in 29 limbs (12.0%); 14 limbs were treated with DA and 15 limbs with balloon angioplasty (BAP) alone. Technical success rate, target lesion revascularization (TLR) and patency rates (PRs) at 12 months, and any complications were evaluated. RESULTS: DA group included complete occlusions in 50% of patients and BAP group included in 40%. Mean improvement in the ankle-brachial index was 0.29 and 0.32, respectively (P=0.638). Technical success was achieved in all patients. The procedural success rates were 85.7% and 73.3%, respectively (P=0.651). There was no significant difference regarding residual stenosis, distal embolization, or flow-limiting dissection. Primary PRs at 1 year were 85.7% and 73.3%, secondary PRs were 100.0% and 93.3%, and TLR rates were 14.3% and 20.0% (P=0.411, 0.326, and 0.684, respectively). CONCLUSION: Short-term outcomes after DA for ISR were not different from those after BAP but showed a tendency of better primary PR and TLR. Larger multicenter prospective studies are needed to define the role of DA in ISR treatment.

O uso do balão com paclitaxel no tratamento da reestenose intra-stent no segmento fêmoro-poplíteo / Use of paclitaxel-coated balloon to treat in-stent restenosis in femoropopliteal segments

Resumo Contexto A reestenose intra-stent por hiperplasia miointimal pós-angioplastia é uma intercorrência frequente e que limita a perviedade do procedimento a longo prazo. A terapia com balões revestidos de droga com ação antiproliferativa pode ser uma alternativa no tratamento dessa complicação. Objetivos Demonstrar eficácia e as complicações (óbito, grandes amputações, etc.) do balão farmacológico no tratamento da reestenose intra-stent de segmento femoropoplíteo. Métodos Estudo de coorte retrospectivo de 32 pacientes consecutivos tratados entre os anos de 2012 e 2016, submetidos a terapia de reestenose intra-stent de segmento femoropoplíteo com angioplastia com balão farmacológico revestido com paclitaxel. A taxa de sucesso foi mensurada pela ocorrência de sucesso do procedimento e reestenose inferior a 50% em avaliação por eco-Doppler colorido 30, 90 e 180 dias após o procedimento. Resultados Quatro pacientes (12,5%) apresentaram reestenose superior a 50%, sendo um (3,1%) após 90 dias e três (9,4%) após 180 dias, conferindo uma taxa de sucesso de 87,5% ao procedimento. Após 180 dias, todos os pacientes referiam melhora ou cessação dos sinais e/ou sintomas apresentados antes do procedimento. Não houve óbitos, e complicações ocorreram apenas em dois casos, no pós-operatório imediato. Conclusões Os resultados a curto prazo da terapia com balão farmacológico são promissores, com redução na taxa de reestenose e baixo índice de complicações. Ainda precisam ser apresentados estudos demonstrando os efeitos a longo prazo dessa terapia, assim como seu impacto econômico quando comparada a outros procedimentos.

Abstract Background In-stent restenosis due to myointimal hyperplasia after angioplasty is common and limits long-term patency. Treatments using balloons coated with antiproliferative drugs may offer an alternative option for this pathology. Objectives To demonstrate the efficacy and complications (death, major amputations, etc.) of drug-coated balloons for treatment of in-stent restenosis in femoropopliteal segments. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 32 consecutive patients treated between 2012 and 2016 who underwent treatment to correct in-stent restenosis in the femoropopliteal segment using paclitaxel-coated balloons. The success rate was measured in terms of technical success and restenosis of less than 50% on Doppler ultrasonography at 30, 90, and 180 days after the procedure. Results Four patients (12.5%) exhibited restenosis greater than 50%, one (3.1%) after 90 days and three (9.4%) after 180 days, equating to a success rate of 87.5% of procedures, and by 180 days all patients experienced improvement or cessation of the signs and/or symptoms they had presented prior to the procedure. There were no deaths and complications occurred in just 2 cases in the immediate postoperative period. Conclusions Short-term results are promising, with reductions in the magnitude of restenosis and a low rate of complications. Further studies are needed that can demonstrate the long-term effects and the economic impacts in comparison to other procedures.

Vein graft thrombi, a niche for smooth muscle cell colonization - a hypothesis to explain the asymmetry of intimal hyperplasia.

UNLABELLED: Essentials Vein graft failure is the most frequent late onset complication of coronary artery bypass grafting. Cuff technique-based interposition mouse model including new anticoagulation regime was conducted. Early vein graft thrombi may serve as a niche for smooth muscle cell colonization. The focal character of early thrombi may form the basis for the asymmetry of intimal hyperplasia. SUMMARY: Background Autologous saphenous veins are widely used in coronary artery bypass grafting; however, 10 years after surgery, 40% of grafts are completely occluded, and another 30% show reduced blood flow. Objective In the past, the central processes and signaling pathways responsible for this loss of patency have been identified. However, one central finding in the process of graft failure is so far not understood: the asymmetric character of intimal hyperplasia. It was the goal of the present study to address this aspect. Methods By the use of a cuff technique-based vein interposition mouse model with a new anticoagulation regime, alterations in vein grafts were analyzed 1 h, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 7 days and 21 days after reperfusion by means of immunolabeling, histochemistry, and high-resolution ultrasound. Results The novel and major finding of this study is that the vein graft thrombus may serve as a niche that is infiltrated and colonized by smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Fibroblast growth factor-1 and platelet-derived growth factor-B may be the SMC-attracting factors in the thrombus. The focal character of early thrombi may define the focal and asymmetric character of vein graft intimal hyperplasia. Conclusions Inhibiting the formation and reducing the size of early thrombi is an old concept for reducing vein graft failure. However, in light of the present new findings obtained under a clinic-like anticoagulation regime, early vein graft thrombus prevention/size reduction should be revisited in the prevention of graft failure.

Drug eluting balloons for the treatment of coronary artery disease: What can we expect?

Drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) represent an enhancement of the therapeutic repertoire for the interventional cardiologist. The therapeutic concept of DEBs is promising, notably on the basis of initial studies in patients with diffuse in-stent restenosis (ISR). At present, however, a number of questions regarding long-term efficacy and safety remain, specifically in indications other than diffuse ISR. The results of the evaluation of different substances, balloon systems and clinical indications will determine the long-term success of DEBs.