Prognostic value of ΔSYNTAX% score in octogenarians undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To verify whether incomplete revascularisation (IR), quantified using the rSYNTAX (Synergy between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score and ΔSYNTAX% score, could predict short- (in-hospital mortality) and long-term outcomes (12-month mortality) in octogenarians undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS & RESULTS: A retrospective analysis of 665 consecutive octogenarian patients presenting for PCI to a UK centre was performed. The baseline SYNTAX and rSYNTAX scores were assessed from angiographic images. ΔSYNTAX% score was calculated (ΔSYNTAX% = ((SYNTAX - rSYNTAX)/SYNTAX) × 100%)) to measure the relative completeness of revascularisation. Kaplan-Meier analysis assessed survival at 12 months by tertiles of rSYNTAX and ΔSYNTAX% scores. Increasing ΔSYNTAX% score was associated with reduced in-hospital mortality (P = 0.017), and improved survival benefit (log rank 14.8, P = 0.001) at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancing the completeness of revascularisation in octogenarians selected to undergo PCI is associated with a lower in-hospital mortality and a survival benefit at 12 months.

Angiographic predictors of aberrant circumflex artery during cardiac catheterization.

OBJECTIVES: To identify angiographic predictors of aberrant left circumflex artery (LCx) by comparing left main (LM) length and bifurcation angle between patients with aberrant LCx and normal anatomy. BACKGROUND: Failure to recognize aberrant LCx during a cardiac catheterization may hamper correct diagnosis, delay intervention in acute coronary syndromes, and result in increased contrast volume, radiation exposure, and infarct size. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed angiograms of aberrant LCx patients and normal anatomy matched controls, in three-participating centers. LM-length, bifurcation angle between the left anterior descending (LAD) and the first non-LAD branch of the LM, and procedural data were compared. RESULTS: Between 2003 and 2020, 136 patients with aberrant LCx and 135 controls were identified. More catheters (2.4 ± 0.6 vs. 2.2 ± 0.9, p = 0.009), larger contrast volumes (169 ± 94 ml vs. 129 ± 68 ml, p < 0.0005), and prolonged fluoroscopy time (652.9 ± 623.7 s vs. 393.1 ± 332.1 s, p < 0.0005), were required in the aberrant LCx-group compared with controls. Patients with aberrant LCx had a longer LM-length and a more acute bifurcation angle, both in caudal and cranial views, compared with controls (24.7 ± 8.1 vs. 10.8 ± 4.5 mm, p < 0.0005 and 26.7 ± 7.4 vs. 12 ± 5.5 mm, p < 0.0005, respectively, and 45.2° ± 12° vs. 88.8° ± 23°, p < 0.0005 and 51.9° ± 21° vs. 68.2° ± 28.3°, p < 0.0005, respectively). In ROC analysis, LM-length showed the best diagnostic accuracy for detecting aberrant LCx. In multiple logistic regression analysis, a cranially measured LM-length > 17.7 mm was associated with a 5.3 times greater probability of predicting aberrant LCx [95% CI (3.4-8.1), p < 0.0001]. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that a long LM-length and an acute bifurcation angle can indicate the presence of aberrant LCx. We present a practical algorithm for its rapid identification.

Percutaneous coronary intervention in octogenarians: 10-year experience from a primary percutaneous coronary intervention centre with off-site cardiothoracic support.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the trends in patient characteristics and clinical outcomes over a ten-year period and to analyse the predictors of mortality in octogenarians undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in our centre. METHODS: A total of 782 consecutive octogenarians (aged 80 and above) were identified from a prospectively collected PCI database within our non-surgical, medium volume centre between 1st January 2007 and 31st December 2016. This represented 10.9% of all PCI procedures performed in our centre during this period. We evaluated the demographic and procedural characteristics of the cohort with respect to clinical outcomes (all-cause in-hospital and 1-year mortality, in-hospital complication rates, duration of hospital admission, coronary disease angiographic complexity and major co-morbidities). The cohort was further stratified into three chronological tertiles (January 2007 to July 2012, 261 cases; August 2012 to May 2015, 261 cases; June 2015 to December 2016, 260 cases) to assess for differences over time. Predictors of mortality were identified through a multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: The number of octogenarians undergoing PCI increased nearly ten-fold over the studied period. Despite this, there were no significant differences in clinical outcomes or patient characteristics, except for the increased use of trans-radial vascular access [11.9% in first tertile vs. 73.2% in third tertile (P < 0.0001)]. The all-cause in-hospital (5.8% vs. 4.6% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.578) and 1-year mortality (12.4% vs. 12.5% vs. 14.4%, P = 0.746) remained constant in all three tertiles respectively. Six independent predictors of mortality were identified - increasing age [HR = 1.12 (1.03-1.22), P = 0.008], cardiogenic shock [HR = 16.40 (4.04-66.65), P < 0.0001], severe left ventricular impairment [HR = 3.52 (1.69-7.33), P = 0.001], peripheral vascular disease [HR = 2.73 (1.22-6.13), P = 0.015], diabetes [HR = 2.59 (1.30-5.17), P = 0.007] and low creatinine clearance [HR = 0.98 (0.96-1.00), P = 0.031]. CONCLUSION: This contemporary observational study provides a useful insight into the real-world practice of PCI in octogenarians.

Should Percutaneous Coronary Intervention be the Standard Treatment Strategy for Significant Coronary Artery Disease in all Octogenarians?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of cardiovascular death in octogenarians. This group of patients represents nearly a fifth of all patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in real-world practice. Octogenarians have multiple risk factors for CAD and often greater myocardial ischemia than younger counterparts, with a potential of an increased benefit from myocardial revascularization. Despite this, octogenarians are routinely under- -treated and belittled in clinical trials. Age does make a difference to PCI outcomes in older people, but it is never the sole arbiter of any clinical decision, whether in relation to the heart or any other aspect of health. The decision when to perform revascularization in elderly patients and especially in octogenarians is complex and should consider the patient on an individual basis, with clarification of the goals of the therapy and the relative risks and benefits of performing the procedure. In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI), there is no upper age limit regarding urgent reperfusion and primary PCI must be the standard of care. In non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, a strict conservative strategy must be avoided; whereas the use of a routine invasive strategy may reduce the occurrence of MI and the need for revascularization at follow-up, with no established benefit in terms of mortality. In stable CAD patients, invasive therapy on top of optimal medical therapy seems better in symptom relief and quality of life. This review summarizes the available data on percutaneous revascularization in the elderly patients and particularly in octogenarians, including practical considerations on PCI risk secondary to ageing physiology. We also analyse technical difficulties met when considering PCI in this cohort and the ongoing need for further studies to ameliorate risk stratification and eventually outcomes in these challenging patients.

Shockwave Intravascular Lithotripsy for the Treatment of Severe Vascular Calcification.

Vascular calcification is a highly prevalent pathophenotype that is associated with aging, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. When present, it portends a worse clinical outcome and predicts major adverse cardiovascular events. Heavily calcified coronary and peripheral artery lesions are difficult to dilate appropriately with conventional balloons during percutaneous intervention, and the use of several adjunctive strategies of plaque modification has been suggested. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) offers a novel option for lesion preparation of severely calcified plaques in coronary and peripheral vessels. It is unique among all technologies in its ability to modify calcium circumferentially and transmurally, thus modifying transmural conduit compliance. In this article, we summarize the currently available evidence on this technology, and we highlight its best clinical application through appropriate patient and lesion selection, with the main objective of optimizing stent delivery and implantation, and subsequent improved short- and long-term outcomes. We believe that the IVL balloon will transform the market, as it is easy to use, with predictable results. However, cost-effectiveness of such advanced technology will need to be considered.

Percutaneous or surgical revascularization for left main stem disease: NOBLE ideas, but do they EXCEL?

Introduction: Although coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has traditionally been the standard treatment for significant left main stem (LMS) disease, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using drug-eluting stents (DES) is now considered an acceptable alternative. Areas covered: This article aims to summarise the key findings of the landmark clinical trials on LMS revascularization and the recently published ESC/EACTS guidelines on myocardial revascularization related to LMS disease. Expert opinion: It is unlikely that there will be a further large randomized trial aimed at addressing the issue of the optimum method of revascularization for LMS disease. Both PCI and CABG are reasonable revascularization options for appropriately selected patients with LMS disease. 'Heart Team' approach is vital to guide the management of patients with LMS disease, when there is obvious clinical equipoise and a mandate for complete revascularization. With an aging and increasing co-morbid patient population, clinical equipoise may not always be obvious, making extrapolation of clinical trial results to the 'real world' difficult.

How Should We Treat Heavily Calcified Coronary Artery Disease in Contemporary Practice? From Atherectomy to Intravascular Lithotripsy.

Heavily calcified and densely fibrotic coronary lesions continue to represent a challenge for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), as they are difficult to dilate, and it is difficult to deliver and implant drug-eluting stents (DES) properly. Poor stent deployment is associated with high rates of periprocedural complications and suboptimal long-term clinical outcomes. Thanks to the introduction of several adjunctive PCI tools, like cutting and scoring balloons, atherectomy devices, and to the novel intravascular lithotripsy technology, the treatment of such lesions has become increasingly feasible, predictable and safe. A step-wise progression of strategies is described for coronary plaque modification, from well-recognised techniques to techniques that should only be considered when standard manoeuvres have proven unsuccessful. We highlight these techniques in the setting of clinical examples how best to apply them through better patient and lesion selection, with the main objective of optimising DES delivery and implantation, and subsequent improved outcomes.

Technical Considerations in Transradial Unprotected Left Main Stem Rotational Atherectomy-Assisted and IVUS-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Using the 7.5F Eaucath Sheathless Guiding Catheter System.

Rotational atherectomy-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on unprotected left main stem (LMS) bifurcation lesions is technically challenging. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has become a standard part of the PCI procedure for the treatment of LMS disease. There is limited experience in performing these cases via a transradial approach using a sheathless guiding catheter (SGC) system. We report a case of a symptomatic octogenarian patient with restrictive angina and significant LMS bifurcation disease, who was successfully treated transradially with the use of the 7.5F Eaucath SGC system and we describe the technical challenges encountered with this strategy.