Feasibility of the 3D RCA catheter to engage the brachiocephalic vessels during carotid angiography and stenting.

BACKGROUND: Engagement of the brachiocephalic vessels during carotid angiography is performed using a JR-4, Vitek, or other catheters with variable success. These catheters require additional training for safe manipulation. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of using the 3D RCA catheter which requires less manipulation in the aorta, and less training, to engage the brachiocephalic vessels. METHODS: We prospectively studied consecutive high-risk patients undergoing carotid angiography and stenting from August 2005 to March 2009 at our institution. A baseline aortogram was performed to define the arch type in all patients. Engagement of the brachiocephalic vessels was initially attempted using the 3D RCA catheter using the following approach: The 3D RCA catheter is positioned in the ascending aorta beyond the brachiocephalic vessels take off. The natural curve of the catheter usually makes it point cephalad spontaneously in most patients and as it is gently withdrawn it engages the aortic arch vessels without much manipulation. Clinical follow-up with a neurological exam was performed at one month and six months. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients were enrolled in this study. Baseline demographics and aortic arch types encountered are listed in Table I. The 3D RCA catheter readily engaged the brachiocephalic vessels in 50/52 patients (96.0 %) in our cohort of patients undergoing carotid angiography. Of the 52 patients, 43 subsequently underwent carotid stenting and shuttle sheath placement was facilitated by initial engagement of the relevant common carotid artery with the 3D RCA catheter. There was one transient neurologic complication that resolved by 5 days in a patient that underwent carotid stenting. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D RCA catheter can be used with a high success rate to engage the brachiocephalic vessels in all 3 arch types, including a bovine arch during carotid angiography and facilitates shuttle sheath placement for carotid stenting. It requires less manipulation and therefore may be a more operator friendly approach. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Therapy for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients who present late or are ineligible for reperfusion therapy.

Despite the wide contemporary availability of pharmacological and mechanical means of reperfusion, a very significant proportion of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients are still not offered any reperfusion therapy, and some of them are considered "ineligible for reperfusion." Spontaneous reperfusion and contraindications to the use of fibrinolytics and/or mechanical reperfusion methods account only for a small part of these clinical situations. The boundary between "timely" and "late" presentation in STEMI, the appropriateness of percutaneous intervention in patients presenting late after onset of symptoms, and the impact of sex and age on the eligibility and/or choice of reperfusion therapy continue to be challenged by the most recent published data. In the current invasive-driven reperfusion era, if scientific evidence and clinical guidelines are applied diligently, the vast majority of eligible STEMI patients should receive reperfusion therapy. Pharmacological nonlytic therapy of patients with STEMI, regardless of the choice of reperfusion strategy or the absence of it, is clearly defined by the current practice guidelines. Available data suggest that for patients who do not receive any form of reperfusion, anticoagulation therapy with low molecular weight heparin provides a clear additional mortality benefit versus placebo. Fondaparinux as compared with usual care (unfractionated heparin infusion or placebo) significantly reduces the composite of death or myocardial reinfarction without increasing severe bleeding or number of strokes. In the treatment of late-presenting patients with STEMI (beyond the first 12 h after onset of symptoms), clinical evaluation and risk stratification represent the crucial elements helping in decision making between therapeutic interventions.