Visual-functional mismatch and results of fractional flow reserve guided percutaneous coronary revascularization.

OBJECTIVE: To identify mismatches in the significance ofcoronary artery stenosis determined by physician 's visual estimation (VE) vs. quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), by VE vs. fractional flow reserve (FFR), and independent predictors for mismatch between VE and FFR. Second objective was to evaluate the clinical outcomes ofpatients receiving FFR-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Two hundreds eighty consecutive patients (338 coronary lesions including non-left main (non-LM) 316 lesions and left main (LM) 22 lesions) underwent coronary angiography, offline edge detection QCA, and FFR measurement between August 2011 and December 2013 were included in the present study. Baseline patient data, lesion characteristics, and clinical outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Coronary lesions were then divided into four groups according to FFR results and treatment (FFR <0.75 and PCI, FFR 0.75-0.80 and PCI, FFR 0.75-0.80 and defer PCI, FFR >0.80 and defer PCI). Mismatches in the significance of coronary artery stenosis determined by VE vs. QCA, VE vs. FFR, independent predictors of VE-FFR mismatch, and clinical outcomes after FFR-guided treatment were reported. RESULTS: Lesions with VE-QCA mismatch were seen in 64% of non-LM lesions and in 87% of the LM lesions. Conversely, lesions with VE-QCA reverse mismatch were seen in 13% of non-LM lesions and in 0% of the LM lesions. Lesions with VE-FFR mismatch were seen in 42% of non-LM lesions and in 53% of the LM lesions. Lesions with VE-FFR reverse mismatch were seen in 15% of non-LM lesions and in 14% of the LM lesions. The independent predictors for VE-FFR mismatch in non-LM lesions were shorter lesion and greater minimal lumen diameter. After FFR guided-treatment and dividing coronary lesions into four groups, all patients were followed-up for a median period of 11.6 (IQR; 7.3, 17.6) months. Major adverse cardiovascular events (excluded one death) of 338 lesions were not significantly different in the four groups (1.7% vs. 5.1% vs. 5.3% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.717). The median cost ofprocedure of lesions undergone FFR plus additional PCI was significantly higher than lesions undergone FFR only (140,000 vs. 137,000 vs. 45,000 vs. 45,000 Baht, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Mismatches between visually-estimated significance of angiographic coronary stenosis and QCA or FFR are frequently encountered. Visual estimation of coronary angiography alone cannot entirely predict functional significance of coronary stenosis. FFR measurement provides a helpful strategy for decision making before further revascularization.

Study of cyclosporine level at 2 hours after administration in preoperative kidney transplant recipients for prediction of postoperative optimal cyclosporine dose.

OBJECTIVE: Absorption profiling of cyclosporine is a current concept of drug monitoring. A single blood concentration measurement 2 hours after cyclosporine administration (C2) has been shown to be a good predictor of drug exposure and clinical outcome. The recommendation states that achieving the recommended target level of 1700 +/- 340 ng/ml within 3-5 days after renal transplantation is associated with a lower rate of acute rejection and nephrotoxicity. The high variation of pharmacokinetic profile and short limited time during early post-transplantation period make it hard to adjust the cyclosporine dose that can reach that target level on time. The present study was designed to be a method to predict the optimal pre-transplant CsA dose. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Eleven living-related kidney transplant recipients were recruited to receive cyclosporine and were monitored for C2 concentration during the 2 weeks before operation by the designed method. The pre-transplant empirical dose of 3.5 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours were assigned to all patients. The first predicted dose was estimated by using C2 concentration of 1,700 ng/mL. The first predicted dose was prescribed to the patients. The second predicted dose was estimated by using C2 concentration of the first predicted dose. All patients received the average of the first and the second predicted doses of cyclosporine within 12-24 hrs before transplantation and until the 3rd day after transplantation. RESULTS: Nine out of 11 patients (81.81%) reached the target C2 level on the 3rd day after transplantation without any serious side effect and complications. The most common side effect was nausea and a flushing sensation that usually abated with a later dose after transplantation. CONCLUSION: The early postoperative optimal cyclosporine dose can be effectively predicted by pre-transplant C2 measurement as conducted in the present study.