Long-term outcomes of patients with stable coronary disease and chronic kidney dysfunction: 10-year follow-up of the Medicine, Angioplasty, or Surgery Study II Trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD); however, there is limited randomized data on long-term outcomes of CAD therapies in these patients. We evaluated long-term outcomes of CKD patients with CAD who underwent randomized therapy with medical treatment (MT) alone, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). METHODS: Baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was obtained in 611 patients randomized to one of three therapeutic strategies in the Medicine, Angioplasty, or Surgery Study II trial. Patients were categorized in preserved renal function and mild or moderate CKD groups depending on their eGFR (≥90, 89-60 and 59-30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively). The primary clinical endpoint, a composite of overall death and myocardial infarction, and its individual components were analyzed using proportional hazards regression (Clinical Trial registration information: http://www.controlled-trials.com. Registration number: ISRCTN66068876). RESULTS: Of 611 patients, 112 (18%) had preserved eGFR, 349 (57%) mild dysfunction and 150 (25%) moderate dysfunction. The primary endpoint occurred in 29.5, 32.4 and 44.7% (P = 0.02) for preserved eGFR, mild CKD and moderate CKD, respectively. Overall mortality incidence was 18.7, 23.8 and 39.3% for preserved eGFR, mild CKD and moderate CKD, respectively (P = 0.001). For preserved eGFR, there was no significant difference in outcomes between therapies. For mild CKD, the primary event rate was 29.4% for PCI, 29.1% for CABG and 41.1% for MT (P = 0.006) [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07-0.88; P = 0.03 for PCI versus MT; and adjusted HR = 0.48; 95% CI 0.31-0.76; P = 0.002 for CABG versus MT]. We also observed higher mortality rates in the MT group (28.6%) compared with PCI (24.1%) and CABG (19.0%) groups (P = 0.015) among mild CKD subjects (adjusted HR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.25-0.76; P = 0.003 for CABG versus MT; adjusted HR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.07-4.28; P = 0.58 for PCI versus MT). Results were similar with moderate CKD group but did not achieve significance. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary interventional therapy, both PCI and CABG, is associated with lower rates of events compared with MT in mild CKD patients >10 years of follow-up. More study is needed to confirm these benefits in moderate CKD.

Comparative Analysis between Transferred and Self-Referred STEMI Patients Undergoing Primary Angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown the benefits of rapid reperfusion therapy in acute myocardial infarction. However, there are still delays during transport of patients to primary angioplasty. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether there is a difference in total ischemic time between patients transferred from other hospitals compared to self-referred patients in our institution. METHODS: Historical cohort study including patients with acute myocardial infarction treated between April 2014 and September 2015. Patients were divided into transferred patients (group A) and self-referred patients (group B). Clinical characteristics of the patients were obtained from our electronic database and the transfer time was estimated based on the time the e-mail requesting patient's transference was received by the emergency department. RESULTS: The sample included 621 patients, 215 in group A and 406 in group B. Population characteristics were similar in both groups. Time from symptom onset to arrival at the emergency department was significantly longer in group A (385 minutes vs. 307 minutes for group B, p < 0.001) with a transfer delay of 147 minutes. There was a significant relationship between the travel distance and increased transport time (R = 0.55, p < 0.001). However, no difference in mortality was found between the groups. CONCLUSION: In patients transferred from other cities for treatment of infarction, transfer time was longer than that recommended, especially in longer travel distances.

Comparative Analysis between Transferred and Self-Referred STEMI Patients Undergoing Primary Angioplasty / Análise Comparativa entre Pacientes com IAMCSST Transferidos e Pacientes de Demanda Espontânea Submetidos à Angioplastia Primária

Abstract Background: Studies have shown the benefits of rapid reperfusion therapy in acute myocardial infarction. However, there are still delays during transport of patients to primary angioplasty. Objective: To evaluate whether there is a difference in total ischemic time between patients transferred from other hospitals compared to self-referred patients in our institution. Methods: Historical cohort study including patients with acute myocardial infarction treated between April 2014 and September 2015. Patients were divided into transferred patients (group A) and self-referred patients (group B). Clinical characteristics of the patients were obtained from our electronic database and the transfer time was estimated based on the time the e-mail requesting patient's transference was received by the emergency department. Results: The sample included 621 patients, 215 in group A and 406 in group B. Population characteristics were similar in both groups. Time from symptom onset to arrival at the emergency department was significantly longer in group A (385 minutes vs. 307 minutes for group B, p < 0.001) with a transfer delay of 147 minutes. There was a significant relationship between the travel distance and increased transport time (R = 0.55, p < 0.001). However, no difference in mortality was found between the groups. Conclusion: In patients transferred from other cities for treatment of infarction, transfer time was longer than that recommended, especially in longer travel distances.

Resumo Fundamento: Estudos mostram o benefício da terapia de reperfusão rápida no infarto agudo do miocárdio. No entanto, ainda ocorrem atrasos durante o transporte de pacientes para angioplastia primária. Objetivo: Definir se existe uma diferença no tempo total de isquemia entre pacientes transferidos de outro hospital comparados aos que procuram o serviço espontaneamente. Método: Estudo de coorte histórico, incluindo pacientes atendidos com infarto entre abril de 2014 e setembro de 2015. Os pacientes foram divididos em pacientes transferidos (grupo A) e por demanda espontânea (grupo B). As características clínicas dos pacientes foram retiradas do banco de dados de infarto e o tempo de transferência foi estimado tendo como base o correio eletrônico de acordo com o horário de contato. O nível de significância adotado foi um p < 0,05%. Resultados: A amostra incluiu 621 pacientes, 215 no grupo A e 406 no grupo B. As características populacionais foram semelhantes nos dois grupos. O delta T foi significativamente maior no grupo de pacientes transferidos (385 minutos vs. 307 minutos para o grupo B, p < 0,001) com um atraso decorrente do transporte de 147 minutos. Houve relação significativa da distância de transferência e aumento do tempo de transporte (R = 0,55; p < 0,001). Entretanto, não houve diferença na mortalidade entre os grupos. Conclusão: Pacientes transferidos de outras cidades para tratamento de infarto tem Delta T de transferência acima do recomendado, com tempo ainda mais longo quanto maior a distância a ser percorrida.

Outcomes of endovascular treatments for in-stent restenosis in patients with mesenteric atherosclerotic disease.

OBJECTIVE: Mesenteric angioplasty and stenting (MAS) has surpassed open revascularization as the treatment of choice for mesenteric ischemia. Despite the lower perioperative mortality associated with MAS, the need for reintervention is not infrequent. The purpose of this study was to review the outcomes of patients treated for mesenteric artery in-stent restenosis (MAISR). METHODS: Clinical data from a single center between 2004 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Standard statistical analysis including Kaplan-Meier estimate for time-dependent outcomes, χ2 test for categorical variables, and two-sample t-test for continuous variables was performed. Primary end points included stent patency and reintervention rate. Secondary end points included mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: During the study period, 91 patients underwent primary MAS. In total, 113 mesenteric vessels were treated with 20 covered stents and 93 bare-metal stents. Overall primary patency was 69% at 2 years. At 2 years, primary patency was 83% for covered stents compared with 65% for bare-metal stents (P = .17). Of these 91 primary MAS patients, 27 (30%) were treated for MAISR (32 vessels). Two covered stent patients developed significant restenosis (11%) compared with 25 (34%) bare-metal stent patients (P = .02). The mean age of patients requiring reintervention was 69 years (36% male), with the majority having a history of tobacco use (85%), hypertension (75%), and hyperlipidemia (78%). Fourteen reintervention patients (52%) presented with recurrent symptoms, 10 (37%) had asymptomatic restenosis, and 3 (11%) developed intestinal ischemia. Twelve patients (44%) underwent reintervention with balloon angioplasty alone and 15 (56%) underwent repeated stent placement. Of the 15 patients who had repeated stent placement, 7 patients had covered stents placed. The 30-day mortality rate after reintervention for mesenteric stent restenosis was 0%. Postoperative complications occurred in 15% of patients (myocardial infarction, 4%; reversible kidney injury, 4%; and bowel ischemia requiring surgical exploration, 7%). There was no difference in the perioperative morbidity in comparing symptomatic and asymptomatic patients undergoing reintervention. Mean follow-up after mesenteric reintervention was 31 months, with one-third of patients (n = 9) requiring another reintervention because of either recurrence of symptoms or asymptomatic high-grade restenosis. Assisted primary patency at 2 years was 92% after reintervention with balloon angioplasty and 87% for repeated stent placement, with no statistically significant difference between the groups (P = .66). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of MAISR is associated with low mortality and acceptable morbidity. The initial use of covered stents may reduce the need for reintervention.

The association of Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stent Trial (CREST) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Carotid Guideline Publication on utilization and outcomes of carotid stenting among "high-risk" patients.

OBJECTIVE: Since the 2004 approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration of carotid artery stenting (CAS), there have been two seminal publications about CAS reimbursement (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidelines; 2008) and clinical outcomes (Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stent Trial [CREST]; 2010). We explored the association between these publications and national trends in CAS use among high-risk symptomatic patients. METHODS: The most recent congruent data sets of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) were queried for patients undergoing carotid revascularization. The sample was limited to include only patients who were defined as "high-risk" if they had a Charlson Comorbidity Score of ≥3.0. Subgroup analyses were performed of high-risk patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis. Utilization proportions of CAS were calculated quarterly from 2005 to 2011 for NIS. Three time intervals related to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidelines and CREST publication were selected: 2005 to 2008, 2008 to 2010, and after 2010. Logistic regression with piecewise linear trend for time was used to estimate different trends in CAS use for the overall high-risk sample and for neurologically asymptomatic and symptomatic cases. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare odds of postoperative mortality and stroke between these two procedures at different time intervals independent of confounding variables. RESULTS: During the study period, 20,079 carotid endarterectomies (CEAs) and 3447 CAS procedures were performed in high-risk patients in the NIS database. CAS utilization constituted 20.5% of carotid revascularization procedures among high-risk symptomatic patients, with a significant increase from 18.6% to 24.4% during the study period (P < .001). There was an initial increase during 2005 to 2008 in the rate of CAS compared with CEA, CAS utilization significantly decreased during 2008 to 2010 by a 3.3% decline in the odds ratio (OR) of CAS per quarter (OR, 0.967; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.943-0.993; P = .002), and after CREST (after 2010), CAS utilization continued to increase significantly from the prepublication to the postpublication time interval. The odds of in-hospital mortality (OR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.17-5.62; P = .019) and postoperative in-hospital stroke (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.09-3.68; P = .024) were independently and significantly higher for CAS patients in the overall sample. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CAS for carotid revascularization in a high-risk cohort of patients has significantly increased from 2005 to 2011. Compared with CEA, CAS independently increased the odds of perioperative in-hospital stroke in all high-risk patients and of in-hospital mortality in symptomatic high-risk patients.

Number of infrapopliteal arteries undergoing endovascular treatment is not associated with the limb salvage rate in patients with critical limb ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether the number of infrapopliteal arteries undergoing endovascular treatment is associated with the limb salvage rate in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). METHODS: This was a retrospective, consecutive cohort study of CLI patients who underwent infrapopliteal angioplasty at the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Service of the Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual, São Paulo, between January 2009 and January 2013. The primary outcome variable was the limb salvage rate. The secondary outcome variables were patency, survival, plantar arch quality, and operative mortality rate. RESULTS: Overall, 109 infrapopliteal angioplasties were performed in 92 patients, and the initial technical success rate was 95.6%. Based on the analyses of the arteriography of the endovascular procedures, the patients were classified into two groups according to whether they had undergone endovascular treatment of one artery (group 1) or two arteries (group 2). The mean outpatient follow-up time was 430 ± 377.5 days. The analyses were performed at 180 and 360 days. There were 72 angioplasties (66%) in group 1 and 37 (34%) in group 2. Hypertension was more frequent in group 1 (93.1%) than in group 2 (78.4%; P = .03). Other clinical characteristics were similar in both groups. Regarding postoperative complications, the incidence of acute kidney failure was lower in group 1 (0% vs 8.1%, respectively; P = .037). The limb salvage rate at 360 days was similar in groups 1 and 2 (89.4% vs 89.3%, respectively; P = .595). The secondary patency rate at 360 days was also similar in groups 1 and 2 (59.9% vs 60.9%, respectively; P = .571). The perioperative mortality rate was lower in group 1 (4.2% vs 16.2%, respectively; P = .039), but the survival rate at 360 days was similar in both groups (82.1% vs 75.1%, respectively; P = .931). The frequencies of complete, incomplete, and absent plantar arch were similar in both groups. The estimated limb salvage rates for patients with complete plantar arch or incomplete/absent plantar arch were 96.2% and 84.6%, respectively (P = .467), at 360 days. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that it is not necessary to treat the largest number of arteries possible in CLI patients. Instead, the most amenable artery for endovascular procedures should be treated to improve limb salvage and secondary patency rates.

Concept of Angiosome Does Not Affect Limb Salvage in Infrapopliteal Angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the importance of the "angiosome" concept in patients with critical limb ischemia treated with infrapopliteal angioplasty, analyzing limb salvage, secondary function, and survival rates between those treated with and without reference to the concept of the angiosome (groups 1 and 2, respectively). METHODS: This was a retrospective, consecutive cohort study that evaluated 95 patients with critical limb ischemia who underwent infrapopliteal angioplasty at the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, São Paulo State Public Servants' Hospital, Brazil, between January 2009 and January 2013. Of the total 92 patients (109 limbs) who underwent angioplasty, 48 (52.2%) patients were in group 1 and 44 (47.8%) patients were in group 2. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups 1 and 2 in terms of the location, lesion severity, or active infection of the infrapopliteal angioplasty. However, groups 1 and 2 differed in their postoperative ankle-brachial indices, which were 0.95 ± 0.18 and 0.85 ± 0.18, respectively (P = 0.001). The estimates of limb salvage were similar in groups 1 and 2 (87% and 92.3%, respectively, at 360 days; P = 0.241). The analysis of secondary function did not differ between the 2 groups (65.1% and 58.3%, respectively, within 360 days; P = 0.92). Operative mortality was 8.3% in group 1 and 8% in group 2 (P = 0.60), and survival at 360 days was 78.5% in group 1 and 78.3% in group 2 (P = 0.86), which were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found no evidence to support revascularization based on the concept of the angiosome in preference to revascularization of the artery that is most amenable to endovascular treatment for limb salvage and secondary function.

Revascularization of asymptomatic carotid stenosis is not appropriate in patients on dialysis.

OBJECTIVE: Outcomes of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) for asymptomatic disease in patients on dialysis are not well characterized, with questionable stroke prevention and survival. This study reports outcomes of carotid revascularization in asymptomatic dialysis patients in the United States. METHODS: Using United States Renal Data System (USRDS) databases, we identified all dialysis patients who underwent CEA or CAS for asymptomatic disease from 2005 to 2008. CEA and CAS were identified by Current Procedural Terminology (American Medical Association, Chicago, Ill) codes, and symptom status and comorbidities by International Classification of Diseases-9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Primary outcomes were stroke, cardiac complications, and death at 30 days and at 1 and 3 years. Predictors of death were identified using multivariate regression models. RESULTS: Of 738,561 dialysis patients, 2131 asymptomatic patients underwent carotid revascularization (1805 CEA, 326 CAS). The mortality rate was 4.7% at 30 days (4.6% CEA, 4.9% CAS; P = .807). Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival were 75.1% at 1 year (75.9% CEA, 70.7% CAS) and 43.4% at 3 years (43.7% CEA, 41.6% CAS). The stroke rate was 6.5% at 30 days (6.4% CEA, 6.9% CAS; P = .774) and 13.6% at 1 year (13.3% CEA, 15.0% CAS; P = .490). Cardiac complications occurred in 22.0% of patients (3.3% myocardial infarction) at 30 days (22.2% CEA, 20.6% CAS; P = .525). The combined stroke or death rate was 10.2% at 30 days (10.1% CEA, 10.9% CAS; P = .490) and 33.5% at 1 year (32.2% CEA, 39.6% CAS; P = .025). Age >70 years at the time of surgery and increased time on dialysis were predictive of death, whereas a history of renal transplant was a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: Patients on dialysis have high perioperative and long-term stroke or death rates after CEA or CAS for asymptomatic stenosis, with a median survival that is less than recommended by current guidelines. As a result, carotid intervention in these patients appears to be inappropriate.

Angioplastia en el infarto agudo de miocardio dentro de las 24 horas de evolución: análisis de la casuística uruguaya: 2004-2012 / Angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction within: 24 hours of evolution of the Uruguayan case: 2004-2012

Objetivo: conocer el estado actual de la angioplastia transluminal coronaria primaria (ATC1ª) en Uruguay. Introducción: la ATC1ª es la estrategia de reperfusión preferida en las primeras 12 horas del infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST (IAMcST). Se practica en Uruguay desde la década de 1980, pero desde el año 2002 no se han publicado datos al respecto. Metodología: se analizó una cohorte histórica de pacientes tratados con ATC1ª en las primeras 24 horas de un IAMcST desde enero de 2004 a diciembre de 2012 en Uruguay, bajo cobertura financiera del Fondo Nacional de Recursos (FNR). Se analizaron en forma anonimizada, la procedencia, edad, sexo, tipo de cobertura asistencial, presencia de factores de riesgo vascular, clase de Killip y Kimball, uso de fibrinolíticos previos, presencia de criterios de reperfusión, características angiográficas y aspectos técnicos del procedimiento. La mortalidad se analizó para el mismo día del procedimiento, a los 30 días, al año y a los cinco años. Resultados: de un total de 26.058 angioplastias coronarias en el período, 7.742 fueron bajo el diagnóstico de IAMcST £ 24 horas (29,7%), en 7.337 pacientes, con una mediana de seguimiento de 4,3 años. La edad media fue 62,9 (DE 12,2 años, rango entre 18 y 95) y 69,1% fueron del sexo masculino. En Montevideo residían 5.130 pacientes (66,2%) y los 2.612 (33,7%) restantes en el interior del país. La vía radial (registrada a partir del 2010) se utilizó en el 88,9%. La mortalidad global fue de 2,1% (159/7.742 pacientes) para el mismo día del procedimiento; 7,7% (598/7.742 pacientes) a los 30 días; 12,2% (816/6.694 pacientes) al año, y 22,7% (699/3.079 pacientes) a los cinco años; 567 pacientes (7,3%) fueron pretratados con FBL, con una menor mortalidad al año para aquellos que tuvieron criterios de reperfusión (test de chi cuadrado, p=0,047). La enfermedad severa de un vaso presentó una mortalidad menor que la enfermedad severa de múltiples vasos y/o de tronco...

Incidence, predictors, and outcomes of hemodynamic instability following carotid angioplasty and stenting.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of hemodynamic instability (HI) following carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated data on 257 CAS procedures performed in 245 patients from 2002 to 2011 at a single institution. The presence of periprocedural HI, as defined by hypertension (systolic blood pressure >160 mm Hg), hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg), and/or bradycardia (heart rate <60 beats per minute), was recorded. Clinically significant HI (CS-HI) was defined as periprocedural HI lasting greater than 1 hour in total duration. Logistic regression was used to analyze the role of multiple demographic, clinical, and procedural variables. RESULTS: Mean age was 70.9 ± 9.9 years (67% male). HI occurred following 84% (n = 216) of procedures. The incidence of hypertension, hypotension, and bradycardia was 54%, 31%, and 60%, respectively. Sixty-three percent of cases involved CS-HI. Recent stroke was an independent risk factor for the development of CS-HI (odds ratio, 5.24; confidence interval, 1.28-21.51; P = .02), whereas baseline chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was protective against CS-HI (odds ratio, 0.34; confidence interval, 0.15-0.80; P = .01). Patients with CS-HI were more likely to experience periprocedural stroke compared to other patients (8% vs 1%; P = .03). There were no significant differences in the incidence of mortality or other major complications between those with and without CS-HI. CONCLUSIONS: HI represents a common occurrence following CAS. While the presence of periprocedural HI alone did not portend a worse clinical outcome, CS-HI was associated with increased risk of stroke. Expeditious intervention to prevent and manage CS-HI is of critical importance in order to minimize adverse clinical events following CAS.

Early results after synchronous carotid stent placement and coronary artery bypass graft in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

BACKGROUND: The optimal management of patients with combined carotid and coronary artery disease requiring cardiac surgery is still unknown. Staged carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting (CAS), each followed by coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), are options frequently employed. However, for patients with severe carotid artery disease in urgent need of open cardiac revascularization, staged operations may not be the most appropriate alternative. The aim of this study was to describe our experience using a synchronous CAS-CABG method with minimal interprocedural time. We used this synchronous combination of procedures in patients with combined carotid and coronary artery disease admitted for urgent CABG. METHODS: Patients with concomitant severe carotid and coronary artery disease scheduled for synchronous CAS and urgent CABG between December 2006 and January 2010 were included in the study. All procedures were performed at a single center: the Cardiovascular Foundation of Colombia, in Floridablanca, Santander, Colombia. The study cohort was characterized according to demographic and clinical characteristics, which included degree of carotid stenosis, presence/absence of preoperative neurological symptoms, and cardiac operative risk profile. All patients underwent CAS under embolic protection devices and then CABG within the next 2 hours. Patients received aspirin pre- and postprocedure but were started on clopidogrel only after CABG. The primary end point of the study was the composite incidence rate of myocardial infarction, stroke, and death 30 days after CAS-CABG. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with concomitant severe carotid and coronary artery disease underwent synchronous CAS-CABG. Most patients (60%) were men, and mean (± standard deviation) age was 65.2 (± 8.4) years. Most patients (93%) were neurologically asymptomatic. The median (interquartile range) ejection fraction and logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) for the cohort were 55% (36%-62%) and 9.7% (4.6%-14.8%), respectively. There were no deaths, major strokes, minor strokes, or myocardial infarctions during the procedure or within 30 days of CAS-CABG. One patient experienced neurological symptoms likely as a result of transient ischemic attack ipsilateral to the CAS procedure. None of the patients required cardiac or carotid reinterventions, and there were no cases of postoperative bleeding requiring reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Synchronous CAS-CABG, when CABG is performed within the 2 hours of the CAS procedure, may be a viable alternative to the more generally accepted staged combination, particularly among patients for whom CABG cannot be postponed. We hope that this strategy will be further evaluated in larger prospective studies and adequately powered randomized clinical trials.

Carotid artery stenting in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis: a single-center series.

OBJECTIVES: Carotid angioplasty with stenting (CAS) in patients with carotid stenosis (CS) has become more restricted in France especially since the disclosure of such studies as EVA-3S and Stent-supported percutaneous angioplasty of the carotid artery versus endarterectomy (SPACE). This report is of a series of CS cases contraindicated for endarterectomy that underwent CAS at a French center of interventional neuroradiology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients with symptomatic CS more than 60% consecutively submitted to CAS between September 2008 and February 2011. The primary endpoint was either death or stroke within 30 days of the procedure; a secondary goal was to identify any possible factors that might have influenced the success and outcome of the intervention. RESULTS: The overall periprocedural stroke/death rate at 30 days was 5.4% (three out of 55 patients), with three non-disabling strokes and no deaths. Twenty-seven patients (49.1%) were treated with a cerebral protection device (CPD). Stent placement was achieved in all cases. Open- and closed-cell stents were implanted in 40 (72.7%) and 15 procedures (27.3%), respectively. Neither the use of a CPD, the carotid stent cell design nor any anatomical or technical factors were associated with a lower risk of stroke or death within 30 days of CAS. CONCLUSION: CAS in symptomatic patients with CS contraindicated for endarterectomy in this selected French series proved feasible and safe, with acceptable levels of morbidity. Use of a CPD, type of stent (open- or closed-cell), and anatomical and technical factors had no influence on the success of the procedure or the outcome within 30 days of the operation.

Carotid artery revascularisation in high-surgical-risk patients with the NexStent and the FilterWire EX/EZ: 3-year results from the CABERNET trial.

AIMS: To investigate long-term outcomes achieved in high-surgical-risk patients and other clinically-relevant subgroups after carotid stenting with the NexStent and Filterwire EX/EZ devices. METHODS AND RESULTS: CABERNET, a prospective, multicentre, single-arm trial, enrolled 454 patients with extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis (symptomatic > or =50%, n=110; asymptomatic > or =60%, n=344). Early outcomes at one year have been reported. The 3-year Kaplan-Meier estimated event rates were: 7.2%, all stroke; 2.8%, major stroke; 4.8%, ipsilateral stroke; 17.7%, all death; 7.1%, myocardial infarction; 4.4%, target vessel revascularisation. Asymptomatic patients had significantly fewer major strokes than symptomatic patients (1.9% vs. 5.7%, P=0.03) and patients <80 years had significantly fewer ipsilateral strokes than those > or =80 years (3.2% vs. 10.7%, P=0.002). Stroke outcomes did not differ significantly between patients with anatomical risk factors compared with those with comorbid medical risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term outcomes achieved in high-surgical-risk patients with the NexStent and Filterwire EX/EZ devices are favourable. Outcomes may be better in asymptomatic patients or those younger than 80 years of age. These data will be helpful in estimating short-term risks of carotid stenting and balancing these risks against the long-term benefit of stroke prevention.

Letalidade hospitalar e tardia após angioplastias coronarianas com stents convencionais e farmacológicos / In-hospital and late mortality after coronary angioplasty with bare metal and drug eluting stents

Avanços nas intervenções coronarianas com cateter, especialmente com o uso dos stents convencionais (SC) e farmacológicos (SF), têm melhorado a eficácia e a segurança da revascularização percutânea. Analisar a letalidade hospitalar e tardia das angioplastias coronarianas realizadas no período de 2002 a 2005, com implante de SF e SC. Foram selecionados pacientes no período de junho 2002 a dezembro 2005 tratados por intervenção coronariana percutânea com implante exclusivo de SC ou SF em hospitais privados do Rio de Janeiro e Niterói...

Resultados de las angioplastias del sector femoropoplíteo en isquemia crítica / Femoropopliteal angioplasty for the treatment of critical limb ischemia

Introducción: La isquemia critica de las extremidades inferiores (EEII) es una condición que afecta a pacientes que presentan grave patología ateromatosa en múltiples territorios y por ende tienen mal pronostico vital. La terapia endovascular validada en algunos sectores, en éste no ha logrado posicionarse. Objetivo: Evaluar la evolución de los pacientes sometidos a Angioplastia Endoluminal Percutánea (AGP) del territorio femoropoplíteo por isquemia critica. Material y Método: Estudio retrospectivo que incluye 58 extremidades en 54 pacientes con isquemia critica de las EE.II por patología femoropoplítea, sometidos a angioplastia entre Julio del 2001 a Diciembre del 2004 y seguidos en su evolución hasta Abril del 2006. Resultados: Fueron realizadas 58 AGP (54 pacientes): masculinos 54 por ciento, femeninos 46 por ciento, y 74 por ciento diabéticos. Edad promedio 70,6 años. El grupo incluye lesiones TASC A, B, C y D. El 24 por ciento de las extremidades no tenía run off. Éxito técnico inicial se obtuvo en el 84 por ciento. La permeabilidad primaria 43,3 por ciento a 1 año (ES 6,52), 32,7 por ciento a 2 años (ES 7,44) y 16,9 por ciento a 3 años (ES 6,31). Durante el periodo, 4 pacientes fueron sometidos a nuevas angioplastias del mismo territorio y 7 pacientes a by pass. Mortalidad a 30 días 1,7 por ciento. Existieron 4 complicaciones mayores (8 por ciento). Al término del seguimiento hay 20 amputaciones mayores (34 por ciento), cuatro de ellas por compromiso local, las restantes por isquemia irreversible. La mortalidad al final del seguimiento fue de 29,6 por ciento. Conclusión: La angioplastia infrainguinal en la isquemia crítica es posible, segura y de baja morbimortalidad, no excluyendo revascularizar mediante by pass si fracasa.

Introduction: The critical ischemia of the lower extremities is a condition that affects patients who present serious atheromatous pathology in multiple territories and, consequently, have bad live prognosis. Endovascular therapy, valid in some sectors, has not been able to find a position in this one yet. Objectives: to evaluate the gradual development of patients who were subjected to angioplasty of the femoropopliteal territory because of critical ischemia. Material and method: retrospective study, which includes 58 extremities in 54 patients with critical ischemia of the interior extremities due to femoropopliteal pathology who were subjected to angioplasty between July 2001 and December 2004, and whose development was studied until April 2006. Results: 58 AGP were performed in 54 patients: 54 percent male, 46 percent female, and 74 percent diabetics. The average age was 70.6 years old. The group includes TASC A, B, C, and D lesions. 24 percent of the extremities did not have run off. The initial technical success was obtained in 84 percent of the cases. The primary permeability 43,3 percent after a year (ES 6,52), 32,7 percent after 2 years (ES 7,44) and 16,9 percent after 3 years (ES 6,31). 4 patients were subjected to further angioplasty of the same territory and 7 patients were subjected to bypass during this period. The 30-day mortality was 1,7 percent. There were 4 major complications (8 percent). By the end of the monitoring, there are 20 major amputations (34 percent), 4 of these due to local compromise, and the rest of them due to irreversible ischemia. The mortality at the end of the monitoring was 29,6 percent. Conclusion: infrainguinal angioplasty on critical ischemia is possible, safe and presents a low morbimortality, not excluding revascu-larization through bypass in case of failure.

Impact of number of vessels disease on outcome of patients with stable coronary artery disease: 5-year follow-up of the Medical, Angioplasty, and bypass Surgery study (MASS).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the number of vessels disease has an impact on clinical outcomes as well as on therapeutic results accordingly to medical, percutaneous, or surgery treatment in chronic coronary artery disease. METHODS: We evaluated 825 individuals enrolled in MASS study, a randomized study to compare treatment options for single or multivessel coronary artery disease with preserved left ventricular function, prospectively followed during 5 years. The incidence of overall mortality and the composite end-point of death, myocardial infarction, and refractory angina were compared in three groups: single vessel disease (SVD n=214), two-vessel disease (2VD n=253) and three-vessel disease (3VD n=358). The relationship between baseline variables and the composite end-point was assessed using a Cox proportional hazards survival model. RESULTS: Most baseline characteristics were similar among groups, except age (younger in SVD and older in 3VD, p<0.001), lower incidence of hypertension in SVD (p<0.0001), and lower levels of total and LDL-cholesterol in 3VD (p=0.004 and p=0.005, respectively). There were no statistical differences in composite end-point in 5 years among groups independent of the kind of treatment; however, there was a higher mortality rate in 3VD (p<0.001). When we stratified our analysis for each treatment option, bypass surgery was associated with a lower number of composite end-point in all groups (SVD p<0.001, 2VD p=0.002, 3VD p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, we found higher mortality risk in 3VD comparing to SVD (p=0.005, HR 3.14, 95%CI 1.4-7.0). CONCLUSION: Three-vessel disease was associated with worse prognosis compared to single- or two-vessel disease in patients with stable coronary disease and preserved ventricular function at 5-year follow-up. In addition, event-free survival rates were higher after bypass surgery, independent of the number of vessels diseased in these subsets of patients.