First in human evaluation of a novel Sirolimus-eluting ultra-high molecular weight bioresorbable scaffold: 9-, 24-and 36-months imaging and clinical results from the multi-center RENASCENT study.

BACKGROUND: RENASCENT is a prospective, multi-center first-in-human clinical study to evaluate the clinical performance of the novel sirolimus-eluting 150-µm strut thickness FORTITUDE® BRS for percutaneous coronary intervention of single de novo coronary lesions. METHODS: FORTITUDE® BRS was tested in a prospective study in Italy and Colombia. Study objectives were in-scaffold angiographic late lumen loss (LLL) measured by quantitative coronary angiography and target vessel failure (TVF) defined as the composite rate of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction or ischemia driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 9- and 24-months with clinical results up to 36-months. RESULTS: A total of 63 patients were enrolled. All patients underwent lesion pre-dilatation and 22 patients (34.9%) underwent post-dilatation. Clinical device and procedural success was 98.4% (62/63 patients) and 96.8% (61/63 patients) respectively. At 9-months, TVF occurred in 3/61 (4.9%) of the patients including 2 peri-procedural MI and one ischemia-driven TLR. Between 9- to 24-months, ischemia-driven TLR occurred in 3 additional patients (4.9%) including 1 patient who presented with very late ST after stopping all medications. There were no further TVF between 24- and 36-months. CONCLUSIONS: In this multi-center prospective study, the FORTITUDE® BRS was shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of single coronary lesions with low levels of TVF and LLL at 9- and 24-months. It was shown to be clinically safe upto 36-months follow-up.

First in human evaluation of the vascular biocompatibility and biomechanical performance of a novel ultra high molecular weight amorphous PLLA bioresorbable scaffold in the absence of anti-proliferative drugs: Two-year imaging results in humans.

OBJECTIVES: In this first-in-human study, we prospectively studied the vascular compatibility and mechanical performance of a novel bare ultra-high molecular weight amorphous PLLA bioresorbable scaffold (BRS, FORTITUDE®, Amaranth Medical, Mountain View, California) up to two years after implantation using multimodality imaging techniques. BACKGROUND: The vascular biocompatibility of polymers used in BRS has not been fully characterized in the absence of anti-proliferative drugs. METHODS: A total of 10 patients undergoing single scaffold implantation were included in the final analysis and were followed up using optical coherence tomography (OCT) at 2-years. All devices were implanted under angiographic and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance. Angiographic and IVUS follow up was performed at 6 months. Additionally, angiography and OCT imaging were performed at 2-years. RESULTS: At 6 months, mean intra-scaffold angiographic MLD slightly decreased from baseline procedural values. However, at 2 years, mean angiographic MLD increased (post procedure; 2.9 [2.7, 3.1] mm vs. 6 months; 2.1 [1.6, 2.5] vs. 2 years; 2.4 [2.1, 2.6], P = .001). Also, angiographic percent diameter stenosis decreased and late lumen gain increased between 6 months and 2 years follow up. Mean neointimal hyperplasia volume assessed by IVUS at 6 months was 26% [15.2, 29.3]. At 2 years OCT follow up neointimal hyperplasia volume was 24.2% [19.4, 28.9]. No presence of neoatherosclerosis was identified in any of the analyzed cases. CONCLUSION: At 2 years, this novel PLLA-based BRS induced expansive vascular remodeling from 6 to 24 months, a biological phenomenon that appears to be independent of the presence of anti-proliferative drugs.

Biological effect of microengineered grooved stents on strut healing: a randomised OCT-based comparative study in humans.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biological effect of microengineered stent grooves (MSG) on early strut healing in humans by performing optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis 3 weeks following the implantation. BACKGROUND: In the experimental setting, MSG accelerate endothelial cell migration and reduce neointimal proliferation compared with bare metal stent (BMS). METHODS: A total of 37 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with de novo coronary lesions were randomly assigned to either MSG (n=19) or an identical BMS controls (n=18). All patients underwent OCT imaging at 3 weeks. A total of 7959 struts were included in the final analysis. RESULTS: At 3 weeks following stent implantation, almost all struts analysed (~97%) had evidence of tissue coverage. The percentage of partially covered struts was comparable between both groups. However, the percentage of fully embedded struts was higher in the BMS group (81.22%, 49.75-95.52) compared with the MSG group (74.21%, 58.85-86.38). The stent-level analysis demonstrated reduction in neointimal formation (neointimal hyperplasia area and volume reduction of ~14% and ~19%, respectively) in the MSG versus the BMS group. In the strut-level analysis, an even greater reduction (~22% in neointimal thickness) was seen in the MSG group. Layered neointimal was present in ~6% of the OCT frames in the BMS group while it was not present in the MSG group. CONCLUSIONS: MSG induced a more homogeneous and predictable pattern of surface healing in the early stages following stent implantation. The biological effect of MSG on stent healing has the potential to improve the safety profile of current generation drug-eluting stents. CLASSIFICATIONS: BMS, OCT, clinical trials.

First clinical evaluation of a luminal self-expanding shield in patients with intermediate coronary lesions.

AIMS: Earlier generation self-expanding stents (SExS) showed high restenosis rates and long-term stent over-expansion. A novel SExS with reduced outward expansive force has been developed to overcome these limitations. This first-in-human study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the low pressure self-expanding nitinol-based vProtect™ luminal shield (LS) in the treatment of intermediate coronary lesions. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 29 patients with clinical evidence of myocardial ischaemia and intermediate de novo coronary lesions were included. The LS was deployed after low-pressure balloon pre-dilatation. Acute procedural and device success was achieved in all patients. Angiographic follow-up at nine months showed an in-stent lumen loss of 0.50±0.30 mm and a binary restenosis rate of 10.3%. There were no cases of late LS over-expansion or acute/late malapposition as evaluated by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). The cumulative major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rate at nine months was 10.3%, consisting of three target lesion revascularisations, with no cases of death, myocardial infarction or stent thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of the LS in non-complex coronary lesions of intermediate severity was feasible, safe, and resulted in low rates of late loss and restenosis. IVUS analysis at nine months showed favourable mechanical properties of the LS without evidence of late device over-expansion.

First-in-human evaluation of a novel robotic-assisted coronary angioplasty system.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a robotic angioplasty system in delivery and manipulation of coronary guidewires, balloons, and stents in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: A remote-control, robotic-assisted angioplasty system is under development to address some of the procedural challenges and occupational hazards associated with traditional PCI. METHODS: Patients with coronary artery disease and clinical indication for elective PCI were enrolled. The coronary angioplasty procedure was performed with the CorPath 200 robotic system (Corindus, Inc., Natick, Massachusetts). The system consists of a remote interventional cockpit and a multicomponent bedside unit that enables the operator to advance, retract, and rotate guidewires and rapid exchange catheters. The primary endpoint was device clinical success (≤ 30% residual stenosis) without in-hospital major adverse cardiac events. Technical success was defined as the ability of the system to complete all the planned angioplasty steps on the basis of procedural segments. Patients were followed up to 30 days after angioplasty procedure. RESULTS: A total of 8 patients were enrolled in the study. The primary endpoint was achieved in all patients (100%). The technical success of the robotic system was 97.9% in completing 47 of 48 planned steps. There were no device- or procedure-related complications and no in-hospital or 30-day major adverse cardiac events. The operators rated the robotic system performances as equal to or better than manual procedures in 97.5% of the cases. The operator radiation exposure was 97% lower than the levels found at the standard table position. CONCLUSIONS: Early clinical experience with a robotic-assisted angioplasty system demonstrated feasibility, safety, and procedural effectiveness comparable to manual operation. In addition, the total operator exposure to radiation was significantly low. A larger study is warranted to verify the safety and effectiveness of robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention.

Comparison of adverse cardiovascular events and bleeding complications of loading dose of clopidogrel 300 mg versus 600 mg in stable patients undergoing elective percutaneous intervention (from the CADICE study).

In large clinical trials enrolling patients with acute coronary syndromes, a high loading dose of clopidogrel (600 mg) has been found to be more effective compared to a low loading dose (300 mg). However, the applicability of these data to stable patients who undergo elective percutaneous coronary intervention is still unclear. A total of 400 patients who underwent elective PCI were prospectively randomized to receive either 600 mg (n = 200) or 300 mg (n = 200) of clopidogrel, followed by a daily maintenance dose of 75 mg. The primary end point was the presence of major adverse cardiovascular events (combined death, myocardial infarction, acute neurologic event, stent thrombosis, and need for percutaneous or surgical revascularization of the target vessel) during hospitalization and at 30 days. The secondary end point was periprocedural vascular complications, major bleeding, and cardiac enzyme elevation. There were no differences in the primary end point among the groups immediately after the procedure (3.5% of patients in the 300-mg group vs 4.5% of those in the 600-mg group, p = 0.799) or at 30 days (6% vs 5%, respectively, p = 0.826). The rates of periprocedural vascular complications (2.5% vs 3%, respectively, p = 1.00), bleeding complications (9% vs 8.5%, respectively, p = 1.00), and cardiac enzyme elevation (11% vs 15.5%, respectively, p = 0.317) were similar between the 2 groups. In conclusion, adverse cardiovascular events and bleeding complications during the initial hospitalization and at 30-day follow-up were similar when a 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel was used compared to the conventional dose of 300 mg.

Oral rapamycin after coronary bare-metal stent implantation to prevent restenosis: the Prospective, Randomized Oral Rapamycin in Argentina (ORAR II) Study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the role of oral rapamycin in decreased restenosis after bare metal stent implantation. BACKGROUND: Small observational studies suggest that the administration of oral rapamycin reduces angiographic restenosis after bare metal stent implantation. METHODS: Between September 2003 and September 2004, 100 patients were randomized to either oral rapamycin (6-mg loading dose given 2.7 h before intervention followed by 3 mg/day for 14 days) plus diltiazem 180 mg/day or no therapy after the implantation of a coronary bare metal stent design. The primary study end point was incidence of angiographic binary restenosis and late loss at nine months. The secondary end points were target lesion revascularization, target vessel revascularization, and incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events at 1 year. RESULTS: Angiographic follow-up was completed in 87% of patients. In the rapamycin group, the drug was well tolerated (26% minor side effects) and was maintained in 96% of patients. At 9 months, the in-segment binary restenosis was reduced by 72% (11.6% rapamycin vs. 42.8% no-therapy group, p = 0.001) and the in-stent binary restenosis was reduced by 65% (12% rapamycin vs. 34.6% no-therapy group, p = 0.009). The in-segment late loss was also significantly reduced with oral therapy (0.66 vs. 1.13 mm, respectively; 43% reduction, p < 0.001). At 1 year, patients in the oral rapamycin group also showed a significantly lower incidence of target vessel revascularization (8.3% vs. 38%, respectively, p < 0.001), target lesion revascularization (7.6% vs. 37.2%, respectively, p < 0.001), and major adverse cardiovascular events (20% vs. 44%, respectively, p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: This randomized, controlled, and unblinded study showed that the administration of oral rapamycin during 14 days after stent implantation significantly reduces angiographic and clinical parameters of restenosis.

Valor diagnóstico de la adenosín deaminasa en pacientes con pleuritis tuberculosa en la ciudad de Medellín 1991-1993

Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y prospectivo en 145 pacientes: 88 con diagnóstico de tuberculosis pleural confirmado por medio de cultivo o biopsia y 57 con derrame pleural no tuberculoso. Fue practicado en varias instituciones de salud de la ciudad de medellín durante el período de 1991-1993, con el fin de valorar la utilidad de la adenosín deaminasa en el diagnóstico de tuberculosis pleural. Se obtuvo para dicha prueba una sensibilidad de 92.04 por ciento y una especificidad de 89.47 por ciento, mostrando que la adenosín deaminasa es una importante herramienta diagnóstica de bajo costo en nuestro medio