Management of radio-contrast allergy in radio-contrast allergic patients undergoing coronary angiography and intervention.

Objectives Radiocontrast agents (RCA) allergy occurs in 0.04 % - 0.22 % of patients. However, the risk of allergic reaction increases as 16 % to 35 % in patients with prior RCA allergy. Herein we reported our experience in patients with a prior history of RCA induced anaphylaxis who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and intervention.Methods This retrospective study included 11 patients with prior history of RCA anaphylaxis who underwent CAG and / or intervention at our clinic between May 2016 and September 2019. The mean age of the patients was 61.8±8.99 years, 8 (72.7 %) were female, 9 (81.8 %) had hypertension, 6 (54.5 %) - diabetes mellitus, 11 (100 %) - dyslipidemia, 8 (72.7 %) patients were current smokers, 4 had prior history RCA allergy after i.v. RCA administration in contrast enhanced computed tomography and 7 patients experienced RCA allergy after CAG. All patients had prior severe anaphylaxis reaction. All patients were pretreated with intravenous feniramin maleat 45.5 mg and methylprednizolone 80 mg one hour before the procedure and dexametazon 8 mg after the procedure.Results CAG and intervention was successfully completed in all patients. Two patients had breakthrough RCA induced anaphylaxis, theyhad urticarial, itching, dyspnea and chest tightness, angioedema during coronary artery stenting. Additional dose of i.v. methylpredinisolene 80 mg, salbutamol nebulae and i.v. adrenalin 1 mg administration rapidly stabilize the patients. All patients were successfully treated and uneventfully discharged after percutaneous coronary intervention.Conclusion Management of patients with prior RCA adverse drug reaction may be complex. However when CAG and / or intervention is required in such patients it may be safely performed with premedication.

[Turkish Cardiology Association Consensus Report: COVID-19 Pandemic and Cardiovascular Diseases (May 13, 2020)]. / Türk Kardiyoloji Dernegi Uzlasi Raporu: COVID-19 Pandemisi ve Kardiyovasküler Hastaliklar Konusunda Bilinmesi Gerekenler (13 Mayis 2020).

In December 2019, in the city of Wuhan, in the Hubei province of China, treatment-resistant cases of pneumonia emerged and spread rapidly for reasons unknown. A new strain of coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2]) was identified and caused the first pandemic of the 21st century. The virus was officially detected in our country on March 11, 2020, and the number of cases increased rapidly; the virus was isolated in 670 patients within 10 days. The rapid increase in the number of patients has required our physicians to learn to protect both the public and themselves when treating patients with this highly infectious disease. The group most affected by the outbreak and with the highest mortality rate is elderly patients with known cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is necessary for cardiology specialists to take an active role in combating the epidemic. The aim of this article is to make a brief assessment of current information regarding the management of cardiovascular patients affected by COVID-19 and to provide practical suggestions to cardiology specialists about problems and questions they have frequently encountered.

[Consensus Report from Turkish Society of Cardiology: COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Diseases. What cardiologists should know. (25th March 2020)]. / Türk Kardiyoloji Dernegi Uzlasi Raporu: COVID-19 Pandemisi ve Kardiyovasküler Hastaliklar Konusunda Bilinmesi Gerekenler (25 Mart 2020).

In December 2019, in the city of Wuhan, in the Hubei province of China, treatment-resistant cases of pneumonia emerged and spread rapidly for reasons unknown. A new strain of coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2]) was identified and caused the first pandemic of the 21st century. The virus was officially detected in our country on March 11, 2020, and the number of cases increased rapidly; the virus was isolated in 670 patients within 10 days. The rapid increase in the number of patients has required our physicians to learn to protect both the public and themselves when treating patients with this highly infectious disease. The group most affected by the outbreak and with the highest mortality rate is elderly patients with known cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is necessary for cardiology specialists to take an active role in combating the epidemic. The aim of this article is to make a brief assessment of current information regarding the management of cardiovascular patients affected by COVID-19 and to provide practical suggestions to cardiology specialists about problems and questions they have frequently encountered.

Comparison of Ultrasound Guidance and Conventional Method for Common Femoral Artery Cannulation: A Prospective Study of 939 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Many techniques, methods and closure devices have been developed in order to reduce vascular complications that occur after coronary and peripheral interventions. The aim of the present study was to identify which method i.e. ultrasound (US) guidance or traditional access technique, is better for common femoral artery cannulation. METHODS: The study included 939 patients, who were assigned to either the US-guided cannulation group (n = 449) or manual technique group (n = 490). The procedure time, first pass success rate, inadvertent venous puncture rate and complications developing within the first 7 days of the procedure were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: No differences were found between the two groups regarding basic characteristics and antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy administered during and up to 24 hours before the procedure. Arterial puncture attempts (p < 0.001), inadvertent venous entry (p = 0.02), and total procedure time (p = 0.012) were significantly lower in the US-guided group compared to the manual technique group. Furthermore, the first pass success rate was significantly higher in the US-guided group compared to the manual technique group (p < 0.001). The US-guided group had significantly lower pain levels (p < 0.001), hematomas (p < 0.001) and arteriovenous fistulas (p = 0.011) than the manual technique group. CONCLUSIONS: US-guided common femoral artery cannulation yields both higher access rates at first attempt and a shorter access time, and lower pain and complication rates.

What is the most appropriate method for coronary sinus cannulation? The telescopic method or the electrophysiologic method?

OBJECTIVES: The most challenging stage of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is coronary sinus cannulation (CS). The aim of this study was to compare coronary sinus cannulation techniques using electrophysiology catheters and coronary angiography catheters. METHODS: In this observational, retrospective and non-randomized study, 87 patients who were eligible for CRT device implantation were screened at Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Hospital between March 2014 and March 2018. Seventy-two patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. The study population was divided into 2 groups: the first group consisted of 36 patients whose coronary sinuses were cannulated via electrophysiology (EP) catheters and the second group included 36 patients who received coronary angiography catheters for coronary sinus cannulation. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in terms of the baseline characteristics of the patients. The total fluoroscopy time was less with cannulation using coronary angiography catheters. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of the amount of contrast material and the success of the operations. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary sinus catheterization using coronary angiography catheters significantly reduces fluoroscopy time in patients undergoing CRT.

Effect of a successful percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion on parameters of ventricular repolarization.

BACKGROUND: Coronary collaterals may be insufficient for restoring blood flow to normal levels in patients with chronic total occlusions (CTO), leading to myocardial ischemia and electrical inhomogeneity in the ventricles. We evaluated the effect of percutaneous CTO revascularization on parameters of ventricular repolarization, including the T wave peak-to-end interval (TpTe) interval, the TpTe/QT ratio, and QT dispersion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 114 patients who underwent CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of any major coronary artery were divided into two groups: the successful CTO PCI group (n=90) and the failed CTO PCI group (n=24). Patients' 12-lead ECGs were analyzed within 24 h before revascularization and 24-48 h after the procedure for the following parameters: corrected QT interval (QTc) dispersion, TpTe interval (V2 and V5), and TpTe/QT ratio (V2 and V5). Subsequently, the successful CTO PCI group was divided into subgroups according to the Rentrop class, number of diseased vessels, and target vessels for further evaluation. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the successful and the failed CTO PCI groups in terms of any baseline demographic or angiographic characteristic, or ventricular repolarization parameter. The post-PCI values of TpTe (85.3±12.8 vs. 74.8±10.4; P<0.001), the TpTe/QT ratio (0.21±0.02 vs. 0.19±0.02; P<0.001), and QTc dispersion (65.6±9.8 vs. 53.4±11.6; P<0.001) were significantly decreased compared with the pre-PCI values after successful CTO PCI. The patients in Rentrop class 1 and patients with multivessel disease had higher pre-PCI values for TpTe and the TpTe/QT ratio than those in the other groups (P<0.05). No significant differences were detected when the preprocedure values of TpTe, the TpTe/QT ratio, and QTc dispersion were compared according to the target vessel. CONCLUSION: In patients with CTO, a poor coronary collateral status and multivessel disease may further impair electrical homogeneity. Our results indicate that successful CTO PCI reduces the arrhythmic vulnerability of the myocardium on the basis of an analysis of the TpTe, the TpTe/QT ratio, and QTc dispersion.

Increased platelet distribution width is associated with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and thrombolysis failure.

We investigated 2 hypotheses: (1) a relationship between platelet indices and stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and (2) a relationship between platelet indices on admission and thrombolysis outcomes in patients with STEMI. A total of 260 patients were enrolled. The white blood cell (WBC) and platelet distribution width (PDW) were found to be increased in patients with STEMI (P for both < .001). White blood cell and PDW were independent predictors of acute STEMI. Mean platelet volume (MPV) and PDW were significantly higher in the thrombolysis failure group than in the thrombolysis success group (9.9 ± 1.8 vs 9.2 ± 1.5 fL, P = .021 and 17.7 ± 1.0 vs 16.4 ± 2.1 fL, P < .001, respectively). Mean platelet volume and PDW were independent predictors of thrombolysis failure. Patients with acute STEMI had higher PDW than did patients with stable CAD. In addition, higher PDW and MPV seem to correlate with thrombolysis failure in patients with STEMI.

Results of percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusions of coronary arteries: a single center report.

OBJECTIVES: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTOs) is associated with lower rates of procedural success and higher complication rates compared with PCIs in non-CTO lesions. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between lesion characteristics and procedural success rates and in-hospital outcomes after PCI for CTO with novel equipment. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated the prospectively entered data of 63 consecutive patients undergoing PCI for CTO at our institute between August 2009 and June 2012. RESULTS: A total of 63 patients (mean age: 64±11, 71% male) with one CTO lesion each underwent PCI. There were 46 patients (mean age: 63±10, 70% male) in the CTO success group and 17 patients (mean age: 65±13, 76.5% male) in the CTO failure group. Successful revascularization was achieved in 73% of patients. We used antegrade approach in 61 cases and retrograde approach in 2 cases. Our predominant strategy was single-wire technique, which was used in 54 cases (85.7%), followed by parallel-wire technique in 7 cases (11.1%). Moderate-to-severe tortuosity (odds ratio [OR]: 9.732, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.783-53.115, p=0.009) and occlusion duration (OR: 1.536, 95% CI: 1.178-2.001, p=0.002) were independent predictors of procedural failure in the multivariate analysis. No in-hospital major cardiac events occurred. CONCLUSION: We have reported a study with a relatively high success rate of PCI with very low procedural and in-hospital complications. Moderate-to-severe tortuosity was observed as the most challenging problem despite the utilisation of novel equipment and techniques for CTO recanalization.

Current role of laser angioplasty of restenotic coronary stents.

Treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) with conventional percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) causes significant recurrent neointimal tissue growth in 30-85%. Therefore, laser ablation of intrastent neointimal hyperplasia before balloon dilation can be an attractive alternative. However, the long-term outcomes of such treatment have not been studied thoroughly enough. This prospective case-control study evaluated angiographic and clinical outcomes of PTCA alone and a combination of excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) and adjunct PTCA in 125 patients with ISR. ELCA was performed before balloon dilation in 67 patients, PTCA alone was performed in 58 patients. Basic demographic and clinical data were comparable in both groups. Lesions included in ELCA group were longer (17.1+/-9.9 vs 13.6+/-9.1 mm; p = 0.034), more complex (36.5% type C stenoses vs 14.3%; p = 0.006), and more frequently had reduced distal blood flow (TIMI <3: 18.9% vs 4.8%; p = 0.025) compared to lesions in the PTCA group. Immediate angiographic results of PTCA and ELCA + PTCA appeared to be comparable. PTCA alone was successful in 57 patients (98.3%), ELCA + PTCA, in 66 patients (98.5%). The rates of hospital complications were comparable (3.0% in ELCA group vs 8.6% in PTCA group). The 1-year follow-up showed that the rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were comparable in the 2 groups (37.3% in ELCA group vs 46.6% in PTCA group). The rates of target vessel revascularization (TVR) within 1 year after the intervention were also similar in the 2 groups (32.8% vs 34.5%). The data mean that ELCA in patients with complex ISR is efficient and safe. Despite a higher complexity of lesions in the ELCA group, no increase in the rate of complications was registered.

Complications of cardiac catheterization: a single-center study.

In Turkey as well as in the whole world, cardiac catheterization is an invasive intervention that is being increasingly used both for diagnosis and treatment. With technological and pharmacologic development and experience, the indications for this intervention are ever increasing. This invasive intervention brings, of course, some complications with it. These may range from local ones to death. In this study the authors analyzed the local cardiac complications and those related to other systems that they encountered in 10,445 catheterizations conducted for diagnosis and treatment in their clinic over a 26-month period. They found the rate of all complications to be 3.54% (2.05% diagnostic, 9.1% therapeutic). Of these complications, 1.89% (0.80% diagnostic, 6.02% therapeutic) were cardiac, 1.27% (0.97% diagnostic, 2.4% therapeutic) local. They found that the ratios of death were 0.09% for diagnostic interventions, 1.13% for therapeutic interventions, and 0.31% altogether. In the diagnostic group 0.02% required urgent coronary bypass surgery, and 0.41% needed urgent coronary bypass surgery in the therapeutic group. In conclusion, despite the noticeable changes in patient profile and application, the ratios for cardiac catheterization have changed little over the years.