Bed Rest Reduction Following Cardiac Catheterizations Using Vascular Closure Devices.

BACKGROUND: Bed rest duration following deployment of a vascular closure device after transfemoral left-sided cardiac catheterization is not standardized. Despite research supporting reduced bed rest, many hospitals require prolonged bed rest. Delayed ambulation is associated with back pain, urine retention, difficulty eating, and longer stay. OBJECTIVE: To study length of stay, safety, and opportunity cost savings of reduced bed rest at a large urban hospital. METHODS: A single-site 12-week study of 1-hour bed rest after transfemoral cardiac catheterizations using vascular closure devices. Results were compared with historical controls treated similarly. RESULTS: The standard bed rest group included 295 patients (207 male, 88 female; mean [SD] age, 64.4 [8.6] years). The early ambulation group included 260 patients (188 male, 72 female; mean [SD] age, 64 [9.3] years). The groups had no significant difference in age (t634 = 1.18, P = .21) or sex (χ12=0.2, P = .64). Three patients in the standard bed rest group and 1 in the early ambulation group had hematomas (P = .36). The stay for diagnostic cardiac catheterizations was longer in the standard bed rest group (mean [SD], 220.7 [55.2] minutes) than in the early ambulation group (mean [SD], 182.1 [78.5] minutes; t196 = 4.06; P < .001). Stay for percutaneous coronary interventions was longer in the standard bed rest group (mean [SD], 400.2 [50.8] minutes) than in the early ambulation group (mean [SD], 381.6 [54.7] minutes; t262 = 2.86; P = .005). CONCLUSION: Reduced bed rest was safe, shortened stays, and improved efficiency by creating opportunity cost savings.

Management of Postpartum Left Main Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection.

A woman in her early 40s who was 11 weeks post partum presented with acute pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea that started several hours after arriving on a flight.

Three-Year Outcomes After Bifurcation Stenting With Zotarolimus-Eluting Stents: Final Results From the RESOLUTE ONYX Postapproval Study.

Background: Bifurcation represents a challenging lesion subset for percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: In this prospective study of the Resolute Onyx zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES), patients with a single bifurcation target lesion who underwent planned treatment using a provisional stenting technique were enrolled at 25 centers in the United States and Europe. The primary end point was target-vessel failure (TVF) at 1 year, and follow-up was performed through 3 years. Results: A total of 205 patients were enrolled. Mean age was 66.6 ± 10.7 years, 21.5% of patients were female, and diabetes mellitus was present in 30.2%. A provisional approach with a single stent was performed in 96.6% of patients. The rate of TVF at 1 year was 7.4%, fulfilling the prespecified performance criterion (upper 1-sided 95% CI of 11.1%, compared with the performance goal of 24.5%). At 3-year follow-up, the rate of TVF was 12.1%, the rate of clinically driven target-lesion revascularization was 6.0%, and there were no episodes of stent thrombosis related to the target lesion. Event rates were consistent among the cohort of patients with angiographic core laboratory-confirmed bifurcation lesions. Conclusions: In this prospective, multicenter study, bifurcation lesion treatment with Resolute Onyx ZES using a planned provisional stent approach was associated with favorable clinical outcomes through 3 years. These results support the longer-term safety and effectiveness of Resolute Onyx ZES to treat bifurcation lesions that are amenable to a planned provisional stenting technique.

Invasive Management of Acute Myocardial Infarctions During the Initial Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The initial wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in an influx of patients with acute viral illness and profound changes in healthcare delivery in New York City. The impact of this pandemic on the presentation and invasive management of acute myocardial infarction (MI) is not well described. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study compared patients with MI who underwent invasive coronary angiography at New York University from March-April 2020, during the peak of the first wave of the pandemic, with those presenting in March-April 2019. RESULTS: Only 35 patients with MI underwent angiography during the study period in 2020 vs 109 patients in 2019. No differences in comorbidities or baseline medications were identified. The proportion of patients with ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) was higher in 2020 than in 2019 (48.6% vs 24.8%, respectively; P=.01). Median peak troponin concentration was higher (14.5 ng/mL vs 2.9 ng/mL; P<.01) and left ventricular ejection fraction was lower (43.34% vs 51.1%; P=.02) during the pandemic. Among patients with non-STEMI, time from symptom onset to presentation was delayed in 2020 compared with 2019 (median, 24 hours vs 10 hours; P=.04). CONCLUSION: There was a dramatic decrease in the number of patients with MI undergoing coronary angiography during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of those who presented, patients tended to seek care later after symptom onset and had excess myocardial injury. These data indicate a need for improved patient education to ensure timely cardiovascular care during public health emergencies.

Coronary Optical Coherence Tomography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Determine Underlying Causes of Myocardial Infarction With Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries in Women.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) occurs in 6% to 15% of myocardial infarctions (MIs) and disproportionately affects women. Scientific statements recommend multimodality imaging in MINOCA to define the underlying cause. We performed coronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging to assess mechanisms of MINOCA. METHODS: In this prospective, multicenter, international, observational study, we enrolled women with a clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction. If invasive coronary angiography revealed <50% stenosis in all major arteries, multivessel OCT was performed, followed by CMR (cine imaging, late gadolinium enhancement, and T2-weighted imaging and T1 mapping). Angiography, OCT, and CMR were evaluated at blinded, independent core laboratories. Culprit lesions identified by OCT were classified as definite or possible. The CMR core laboratory identified ischemia-related and nonischemic myocardial injury. Imaging results were combined to determine the mechanism of MINOCA, when possible. RESULTS: Among 301 women enrolled at 16 sites, 170 were diagnosed with MINOCA, of whom 145 had adequate OCT image quality for analysis; 116 of these underwent CMR. A definite or possible culprit lesion was identified by OCT in 46.2% (67/145) of participants, most commonly plaque rupture, intraplaque cavity, or layered plaque. CMR was abnormal in 74.1% (86/116) of participants. An ischemic pattern of CMR abnormalities (infarction or myocardial edema in a coronary territory) was present in 53.4% (62/116) of participants undergoing CMR. A nonischemic pattern of CMR abnormalities (myocarditis, takotsubo syndrome, or nonischemic cardiomyopathy) was present in 20.7% (24/116). A cause of MINOCA was identified in 84.5% (98/116) of the women with multimodality imaging, higher than with OCT alone (P<0.001) or CMR alone (P=0.001). An ischemic cause was identified in 63.8% of women with MINOCA (74/116), a nonischemic cause was identified in 20.7% (24/116) of the women, and no mechanism was identified in 15.5% (18/116). CONCLUSIONS: Multimodality imaging with coronary OCT and CMR identified potential mechanisms in 84.5% of women with a diagnosis of MINOCA, 75.5% of which were ischemic and 24.5% of which were nonischemic, alternate diagnoses to myocardial infarction. Identification of the cause of MINOCA is feasible and has the potential to guide medical therapy for secondary prevention. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02905357.

Radiation-Induced Left Main Coronary Artery Stenosis in a Patient with Atretic Internal Mammary Arteries.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a known potential complication of thoracic radiation treatment that typically affects the proximal segments of the coronary arteries, requiring coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We present a case of acute coronary syndrome occurring in a 57-year-old man with prior thoracic radiation therapy following resection of a chest wall chondrosarcoma. Coronary angiogram demonstrated significant areas of stenosis in the left main coronary artery (LMCA) and ostial left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. The patient was also found to have atretic bilateral internal mammary arteries as a consequence of his radiation therapy, rendering them unsuitable as grafts. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was thus performed with a successful outcome. To our knowledge, this is the first case of radiation-induced CAD of the LMCA with atretic internal mammary arteries treated successfully with PCI.

Bivalirudin versus heparin in patients undergoing percutaneous peripheral interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Bivalirudin may be an effective alternative anticoagulant to heparin for use in percutaneous peripheral interventions. We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of bivalirudin versus heparin as the procedural anticoagulant agent in patients undergoing percutaneous peripheral intervention. METHODS: For this meta-analysis and systematic review, we conducted a search in PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane for all the clinical studies in which bivalirudin was compared to heparin as the procedural anticoagulant in percutaneous peripheral interventions. Outcomes studied included all-cause mortality, all-bleeding, major and minor bleeding, and access site complications. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included in the analysis, totaling 20,137 patients. There was a significant difference favoring bivalirudin over heparin for all-cause mortality (risk ratio 0.58, 95% CI 0.39-0.87), all-bleeding (risk ratio 0.62, 95% CI 0.50-0.78), major bleeding (risk ratio 0.61, 95% CI 0.39-0.96), minor bleeding (risk ratio 0.66, 95% CI 0.47-0.92), and access site complications (risk ratio 0.66, 95% CI 0.51-0.84). There was no significant difference in peri-procedural need for blood transfusions (risk ratio 0.79, 95% CI 0.57-1.08), myocardial infarction (risk ratio 0.87, 95% CI 0.59-1.28), stroke (risk ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.59-1.01), intracranial bleeding (risk ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.29-2.02), or amputations (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.53-1.05). CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis suggests that bivalirudin use for percutaneous peripheral interventions is associated with lower all-cause mortality, bleeding, and access site complications as compared to heparin. Further large randomized trials are needed to confirm the current results.

Mediastinal Hematoma and Tracheal Compression following Transradial Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Vascular complications from transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are rare. We report an unusual case of stridor after PCI due to brachiocephalic artery perforation, pseudoaneurysm formation, and development of a large mediastinal hematoma with tracheal compression. Endovascular repair of the brachiocephalic artery was achieved with covered stent placement at the neck of the pseudoaneurysm. This case highlights the importance of careful guide catheter placement from the right radial approach. Ultimately, rapid diagnosis of vascular perforation, appropriate airway management, and prompt endovascular repair of the injured vessel is critical to the successful management of this life-threatening condition.

Staged Percutaneous Intervention for Concurrent Chronic Total Occlusions in Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that chronic total occlusion (CTO) in a noninfarct-related artery in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction is linked to increased mortality. It remains unclear whether staged revascularization of a noninfarct-related artery CTO in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction translates to improved outcomes. We performed a meta-analysis to compare outcomes between patients presenting with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction with concurrent CTO who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention of noninfarct-related artery CTO versus those who did not. METHOD AND RESULTS: We conducted an electronic database search of all published data. The primary end point was major adverse cardiovascular events. Secondary end points were all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization with either percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting, stroke, and heart failure readmission. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed. Random effects model was used and heterogeneity was considered if I2 >25. Six studies (n=1253 patients) were included in the analysis. There was a significant difference in major adverse cardiovascular events (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32-0.91), cardiovascular mortality (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.20-0.95), and heart failure readmissions (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36-0.89), favoring the patients in the CTO percutaneous coronary intervention group. No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups for all-cause mortality (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.22-1.00), myocardial infarction (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.41-1.46), repeat revascularization (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.56-2.27), and stroke (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.20-1.33). CONCLUSIONS: In this meta-analysis, CTO percutaneous coronary intervention of the noninfarct-related artery in patients presenting with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction was associated with a significant reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events, cardiovascular mortality, and heart failure readmissions.

First Report of the Resolute Onyx 2.0-mm Zotarolimus-Eluting Stent for the Treatment of Coronary Lesions With Very Small Reference Vessel Diameter.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the safety and efficacy of a dedicated drug-eluting stent for the treatment of coronary lesions with very small reference vessel diameter (RVD). BACKGROUND: Smaller RVD is associated with increased risk for restenosis and target lesion failure (TLF) after stent implantation. METHODS: This was a prospective, single-arm, multicenter trial of the Resolute Onyx 2.0-mm zotarolimus-eluting stent. The primary endpoint was 12-month TLF, which was compared with a pre-specified performance goal. Subjects with stable or unstable angina or ischemia, target lesions ≤27 mm in length, and RVD ≥2.0 and <2.25 mm were eligible for enrollment. A subset of subjects underwent follow-up angiography at 13 months post-procedure. RESULTS: A total of 101 subjects with 104 lesions were enrolled. The mean age was 67.3 ± 9.6 years, 47% of subjects had diabetes, the mean lesion length was 12.6 ± 6.3 mm, and the mean RVD was 1.91 ± 0.26 mm. The rate of TLF at 12 months was 5.0%, fulfilling the pre-specified performance goal of 19% (p < 0.001). The rates of target lesion revascularization and target vessel myocardial infarction were 2.0% and 3.0%, respectively. There were no episodes of stent thrombosis. In-stent late lumen loss was 0.26 ± 0.48 mm, and the rate of binary restenosis was 12.0%. CONCLUSIONS: In this first report of a drug-eluting stent with a dedicated size to treat lesions with RVD <2.25 mm, the Resolute Onyx 2.0-mm zotarolimus-eluting stent was associated with a low rate of TLF and late lumen loss, without a signal for stent thrombosis. This novel-sized drug-eluting stent appears to be a feasible option for the treatment of coronary lesions in extremely small vessels. (Medtronic Resolute Onyx 2.0 mm Clinical Study; NCT02412501).

Relationship between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and severity of lower extremity peripheral artery disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the association between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and severity of lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: A retrospective chart review identified 928 patients referred for peripheral angiography. NLR was assessed from routine pre-procedural hemograms with automated differentials and available in 733 patients. Outcomes of interest were extent of disease on peripheral angiography and target vessel revascularization. Median follow-up was 10.4months. Odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence intervals] was assessed using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: There was a significant association between elevated NLR and presence of severe multi-level PAD versus isolated suprapopliteal or isolated infrapopliteal disease (OR 1.11 [1.03-1.19], p=0.007). This association remained significant even after adjustment for age (OR 1.09 [1.01-1.17], p=0.02); age, sex, race, and body mass index (OR 1.08 [1.00-1.16], p=0.046); and age, sex, race, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and creatinine (OR 1.07 [1.00-1.15], p=0.049). After additional adjustment for clinical presentation, there was a trend towards association between NLR and severe multi-level PAD (OR 1.07 [1.00-1.15], p=0.056), likely limited by sample size. In patients who underwent endovascular intervention (n=523), there was no significant difference in rate of target vessel revascularization across tertiles of NLR (1st tertile 14.8%, 2nd tertile 14.1%, 3rd tertile 20.1%; p=0.32). CONCLUSION: In a contemporary cohort of patients undergoing peripheral angiography with possible endovascular intervention, elevated NLR was independently associated with severe multi-level PAD. Larger studies evaluating the association between this inexpensive biomarker and clinical outcomes are warranted.

Treatment of Angio-Seal-Related Femoral Artery Occlusion Using Directional Atherectomy-Primary Results and Midterm Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE: We describe a novel approach for the endovascular treatment of femoral artery occlusion as a result of Angio-Seal closure device deployment. BACKGROUND: Angio-Seal is the most commonly used vascular closure device following percutaneous coronary and peripheral catheterizations worldwide. A rare complication of Angio-Seal deployment is an occlusion of the femoral artery leading to limb ischemia requiring revascularization. Given its unique ability to cut both atherosclerotic plaque and the Angio-Seal anchor with a collagen plug at operator-directed planes, TurboHawk/HawkOne atherectomy device can be a fast and effective approach to treat Angio-Seal-associated femoral artery occlusions. METHODS: We studied 13 consecutive patients who developed Angio-Seal-associated femoral artery occlusions that occurred from 3 hours to several weeks after catheterization. These patients were successfully treated with TurboHawk/HawkOne directional atherectomy followed by balloon angioplasty with no complications. During a mean follow-up period of 20.4 ± 17.3 months, 12 patients remained claudication free with no evidence of obstructive arterial disease of the treated segment on imaging studies. One patient developed restenosis that was treated with repeat atherectomy and balloon angioplasty following which he was asymptomatic at follow-up. CONCLUSION: The use of directional atherectomy followed by balloon angioplasty is a quick, safe, and effective endovascular approach to treating Angio-Seal-associated femoral artery occlusions. It is associated with an excellent success rate, no complications, and good midterm outcomes.

Effect of Left Versus Right Radial Artery Approach for Coronary Angiography on Radiation Parameters in Patients With Predictors of Transradial Access Failure.

Left transradial approach (TRA) for coronary angiography is associated with lower radiation parameters than right TRA in an all-comers population. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of left versus right TRA on radiation parameters in patients with predictors of TRA failure. Patients with predictors of TRA failure (≥3 of 4 following criteria: age ≥70 years, female gender, height ≤64 inches, and hypertension) referred to TRA operators were randomized to either right (n = 50) or left (n = 50) TRA, whereas those referred to transfemoral approach (TFA) operators were enrolled in a prospective registry (n = 50). The primary end point was the radiation measure of dose-area product (DAP). In an intention-to-treat analysis, DAP (34.1 Gy·cm(2) [24.9 to 45.6] vs 41.9 Gy·cm(2) [27.3 to 58.0], p = 0.08), fluoroscopy time (3.7 minutes [2.4 to 6.3] vs 5.6 minutes [3.1 to 8.7], p = 0.07), and operator radiation exposure (516 µR [275 to 967] vs 730 µR [503 to 1,165], p = 0.06) were not significantly different between left and right TRA, but total dose (411 mGy [310 to 592] vs 537 mGy [368 to 780], p = 0.03) was significantly lower with left versus right TRA. Radiation parameters were lowest in the TFA cohort (DAP 24.5 Gy·cm(2) [15.7 to 33.2], p <0.001; fluoroscopy time 2.3 minutes [1.5 to 3.7], p <0.001; operator radiation exposure 387 µR [264 to 557]; total dose 345 mGy [250 to 468], p = 0.001). Results were similar after adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics. In conclusion, median measurements of radiation were overall not significantly different between left versus right TRA in this select population of patients with predictors of TRA failure. All measurements of radiation were lowest in the TFA group.

The assessment of thrombotic markers utilizing ionic versus non-ionic contrast during coronary angiography and intervention trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how two different types of iodinated contrast media (CM), low-osmolar ionic dimer ioxaglate (Hexabrix) and iso-osmolar non-ionic dimer iodixanol (Visipaque), affect multiple indices of hemostasis. BACKGROUND: In vitro models demonstrate differential effects of ionic and non-ionic CM on markers of hemostasis. METHODS: This blinded endpoint trial randomized 100 patients to ioxaglate or iodixanol. The primary endpoint was change in endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) following diagnostic angiography. Secondary endpoints included change in markers of fibrinolysis [tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1)] and platelet aggregation following diagnostic angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with bivalirudin. Data are presented as median [interquartile range]. RESULTS: ETP significantly decreased after diagnostic angiography in both ioxaglate (baseline 1810 nM*minute [1540-2089] to post-angiography 649 nM*minute [314-1347], p < 0.001) and iodixanol groups (baseline 1682 nM*minute [1534-2147] to post-angiography 681 nM*minute [229-1237], p < 0.001), but the decrease was not different between CM (p = 0.70). There was a significant increase in ETP during PCI (n = 45), despite the use of bivalirudin, suggesting a prothrombotic effect of PCI (post-angiography 764 nM*minute [286-1283] to post-PCI 1081 nM*minute [668-1552], p = 0.02). There were no significant differential effects on tPA, PAI-1, and markers of platelet activity. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differential effects between ioxaglate and iodixanol. Both CM led to significant reductions in thrombin generation and no significant effects on fibrinolytic activity or platelet activity, thereby contributing to a favorable antithrombotic milieu. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Orbital Atherectomy Plaque Modification Assessment of the Femoropopliteal Artery Via Intravascular Ultrasound (TRUTH Study).

OBJECTIVE: The Tissue Removal Assessment with Ultrasound of the SFA and Popliteal (TRUTH) study assessed the performance of the orbital atherectomy system (OAS) to treat femoropopliteal arteries, including determining its effect on plaque removal. METHODS: Patients with symptomatic femoropopliteal peripheral arterial disease were treated with the OAS followed by adjunctive balloon angioplasty (BA). Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images were collected pre- and post-OAS and post-OAS BA. Patients were followed through 12 months post-procedure. RESULTS: Twenty-nine lesions were treated with OAS-BA in 25 patients. The mean maximum balloon inflation pressure was 5.2 ± 1.2 atm. Virtual histology IVUS (VH-IVUS) analysis revealed at the maximum calcium ablation site that calcium reduction was responsible for 86% of the lumen area increase. The minimum lumen area increased from 4.0 mm(2) to 9.1 mm(2) (<.0001), and the percentage of area stenosis decreased from 76.9% to 43.0% (<.0001) after OAS-BA. At 12 months, the target lesion revascularization rate was 8.2%, and ankle-brachial index and Rutherford classification improved significantly from baseline through follow-up. CONCLUSION: The VH-IVUS analysis reveals that OAS modifies the calcified component of the plaque burden. It is hypothesized that calcium modification by OAS changes the lesion compliance, allowing for low pressure adjunctive BA. The clinical outcomes were favorable through 12-month follow-up.

Characteristics of plaque disruption by intravascular ultrasound in women presenting with myocardial infarction without obstructive coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: In a prospective study, we previously identified plaque disruption (PD: plaque rupture or ulceration) in 38% of women with myocardial infarction (MI) without angiographically obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Underlying plaque morphology has not been described in these patients and may provide insight into the mechanisms of MI without obstructive CAD. METHODS: Forty-two women with MI and <50% angiographic stenosis underwent IVUS (n = 114 vessels). Analyses were performed by a blinded core laboratory. Sixteen patients had PD (14 ruptures and 5 ulcerations in 18 vessels). Plaque area, % plaque burden, lumen area stenosis, eccentricity, and remodeling index were calculated for disrupted plaques and largest plaque by area in each vessel. RESULTS: Disrupted plaques had lower % plaque burden than the largest plaque in the same vessel (31.9% vs 49.8%, P = .005) and were rarely located at the site of largest plaque (1/19). Disrupted plaques were typically fibrous and were not more eccentric or remodeled than the largest plaque in the same vessel. CONCLUSIONS: Plaque disruption was often identifiable on IVUS in women with MI without obstructive CAD. Plaque disruption in this patient population occurred in fibrous or fibrofatty plaques and, contrary to expectations based on prior studies of plaque vulnerability, did not typically occur in eccentric, outwardly remodeled, or soft plaque in these patients. Plaque disruption rarely occurred at the site of the largest plaque in the vessel. These findings suggest that the pathophysiology of PD in women with MI without angiographically obstructive CAD may be different from MI with obstructive disease and requires further investigation.

Periprocedural glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing coronary angiography with possible percutaneous coronary intervention.

Periprocedural hyperglycemia is an independent predictor of mortality in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, periprocedural management of blood glucose is not standardized. The effects of routinely continuing long-acting glucose-lowering medications before coronary angiography with possible PCI on periprocedural glycemic control have not been investigated. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM; n = 172) were randomized to continue (Continue group; n = 86) or hold (Hold group; n = 86) their clinically prescribed long-acting glucose-lowering medications before the procedure. The primary end point was glucose level on procedural access. In a subset of patients (no DM group: n = 25; Continue group: n = 25; and Hold group: n = 25), selected measures of platelet activity that change acutely were assessed. Patients with DM randomized to the Continue group had lower blood glucose levels on procedural access compared with those randomized to the Hold group (117 [97 to 151] vs 134 [117 to 172] mg/dl, p = 0.002). There were two hypoglycemic events in the Continue group and none in the Hold group, and no adverse events in either group. Selected markers of platelet activity differed across the no DM, Continue, and Hold groups (leukocyte platelet aggregates: 8.1% [7.2 to 10.4], 8.7% [6.9 to 11.4], 10.9% [8.6 to 14.7], p = 0.007; monocyte platelet aggregates: 14.0% [10.3 to 16.3], 20.8% [16.2 to 27.0], 22.5% [15.2 to 35.4], p <0.001; soluble p-selectin: 51.9 ng/ml [39.7 to 74.0], 59.1 ng/ml [46.8 to 73.2], 72.2 ng/ml [58.4 to 77.4], p = 0.014). In conclusion, routinely continuing clinically prescribed long-acting glucose-lowering medications before coronary angiography with possible PCI help achieve periprocedural euglycemia, appear safe, and should be considered as a strategy for achieving periprocedural glycemic control.

Effectiveness of fluorography versus cineangiography at reducing radiation exposure during diagnostic coronary angiography.

Coronary angiography is the gold standard for defining obstructive coronary disease. However, radiation exposure remains an unwanted hazard. Patients referred for coronary angiography with abdominal circumference<45 inches and glomerular filtration rate>60 ml/min were randomized to the fluorography (n=25) or cineangiography (n=25) group. Patients in the fluorography group underwent coronary angiography using retrospectively stored fluorography with repeat injection under cineangiography only when needed for better resolution per operator's discretion. Patients in the cineangiography group underwent coronary angiography using routine cineangiography. The primary end point was patient radiation exposure measured by radiochromic film. Secondary end points included the radiation output measurement of kerma-area product and air kerma at the interventional reference point (Ka,r) and operator radiation exposure measured by a dosimeter. Patient radiation exposure (158.2 mGy [76.5 to 210.2] vs 272.5 mGy [163.3 to 314.0], p=0.001), kerma-area product (1,323 µGy·m2 [826 to 1,765] vs 3,451 µGy·m2 [2,464 to 4,818], p<0.001), and Ka,r (175 mGy [112 to 252] vs 558 mGy [313 to 621], p<0.001) were significantly lower in the fluorography compared with cineangiography group (42%, 62%, and 69% relative reduction, respectively). Operator radiation exposure trended in the same direction, although statistically nonsignificant (fluorography 2.35 µGy [1.24 to 6.30] vs cineangiography 5.03 µGy [2.48 to 7.80], p=0.059). In conclusion, the use of fluorography in a select group of patients during coronary angiography, with repeat injection under cineangiography only when needed, was efficacious at reducing patient radiation exposure.