Comparison of the performance of zotarolimus- and everolimus-eluting stents by optical coherence tomography and coronary angioscopy.

Overall stent performance should be characterized by geometric luminal gain acquisition, neointimal coverage of the stent struts, and stabilization of the underlying inflammatory neoatheroma. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES), everolimus-eluting stent (EES) and bare metal stent (BMS) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and coronary angioscopy. For 36 stented coronary lesions (BMS, 12 lesions; ZES, 11 lesions; EES, 13 lesions) in 27 patients, we calculated neointimal area and uncovered stent strut rate based on OCT findings at 10 months after stent placement. The grades of neointimal coverage and yellow color, both of which were classified from 0 to 3, were also assessed by coronary angioscopy. The plaque area of the ZES lesions was larger than that of the EES lesions (P < 0.05) but smaller than that of the BMS lesions (P < 0.05). The OCT-based uncovered rate of the ZES lesions was less than that of the EES lesions (P < 0.01), but similar to that of the BMS lesions. The stent coverage grade by angioscopy was higher in the ZES lesions than in the EES lesions (P < 0.05), but similar to the BMS lesions. The yellow grade was less in the ZES lesions than in the EES lesions (P < 0.01), but similar to the BMS lesions. ZES might be better than BMS in terms of neointimal thickening, and better than EES in terms of neointimal coverage as well as prevention of neoatheroma formation. ZES may have superior performance compared with EES.

Overview of mechanical circulatory support for the management of post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal rupture.

Post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal rupture (PIVSR) is becoming increasingly rare in the percutaneous coronary intervention era; however, the mortality rates remain high. Surgical repair is the gold standard treatment for PIVSR but is associated with surgical difficulty and high mortality. Therefore, the timing of surgery is controversial (i.e. either undertake emergency surgery or wait for resolution of organ failure and scarring of the infarcted area). Although long-term medical management is usually ineffective, several mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices have been used to postpone surgery to an optimal timing. Recently, in addition to venous arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO), new MCS devices, such as Impella (Abiomed Inc., Boston, MA, USA), have been developed. Impella is a pump catheter that pumps blood directly from the left ventricle, in a progressive fashion, into the ascending aorta. VA-ECMO is a temporary MCS system that provides complete and rapid cardiopulmonary support, with concurrent hemodynamic support and gas exchange. When left and right heart failure and/or respiratory failure occur in cardiogenic shock or PIVSR after acute myocardial infarction, ECpella (Impella and VA-ECMO) is often introduced, as it can provide circulatory and respiratory assistance in a shorter period. This review outlines the basic concepts of MCS in PIVSR treatment strategies and its role as a bridge device, and discusses the efficacy and complications of ECpella therapy and the timing of surgery.

Benefit of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation combined with Impella (ECpella) therapy in acute coronary syndrome with cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute coronary syndrome complicated with cardiogenic shock (ACS-CS) frequently require mechanical circulatory support. In addition to veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO), use of the Impella® (ECpella) (Abiomed Inc., Danvers, MA, USA) heart pump may improve the prognosis of such patients. In this study, we compared the efficacy of VA-ECMO plus intra-aortic balloon pumping (ECMO-IABP) with that of the ECpella for add-on circulatory support of VA-ECMO. METHODS: Clinical outcomes of 64 patients with ACS-CS treated with ECMO-IABP (n = 41) or ECpella (n = 23) between January 2013 and April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcomes were 30-day and 365-day mortality. In addition, patients resuscitated after cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) were evaluated separately. RESULTS: The ECpella group showed significantly lower mid-term mortality than the ECMO-IABP group [30-day mortality (39.1% vs 56.1%, respectively; p = 0.193) and 365-day mortality (43.5% vs 75.6%, respectively; p = 0.010)], with significantly higher rates of new hemodialysis and bleeding at the vascular access site. Also, among the limited number of patients resuscitated from CPA, mortality was significantly lower in the ECpella group than the ECMO-IABP group [30-day mortality (28.6% vs 65.4%, respectively; p = 0.026) and 365-day mortality (28.6% vs 84.6%, respectively; p < 0.001)]. Among the resuscitated patients, ECMO weaning period and the incidence of neurological complications were related to 30-day mortality; The incidence of neurological complications was related to 365-day mortality. The use of ECpella was strongly associated with both 30-day and 365-day survival. CONCLUSIONS: The ECpella heart pump may provide a survival advantage over ECMO-IABP in patients with ACS-CS.

A Case of Crohn's Disease with Cardiac Tamponade Caused by Tuberculous Pericarditis: Assessment of a Rare Phenomenon.

A 28-year-old woman was hospitalized for cardiac tamponade caused by tuberculous pericarditis. She was taking ustekinumab (UST) for Crohn's disease. UST is not considered to significantly increase the risk of developing serious infections, including tuberculosis. However, there is still a risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis reactivation. Therefore, for patients on concurrent UST and antituberculosis medication, a close collaboration among specialists in infectious diseases, cardiology, and gastroenterology is necessary.

Hypopharyngeal perforation caused by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography.

Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an invaluable tool for cardiac surgical decision-making. TEE is considered reasonably noninvasive and safe, but insertion and manipulation of the TEE probe can lead to complications. Here, we report a patient with aortic stenosis who experienced TEE-associated hypopharyngeal perforation at the pyriform sinus complicated by esophageal trauma, pneumomediastinum and pneumoretroperitoneum. Based on this case, we suggest that rare complications be kept in mind when using TEE intraoperatively.

Early surgical intervention and optimal medical treatment for Candida parapsilosis endocarditis.

We herein report the case of a 72-year-old man with endocarditis of the aortic valve who underwent urgent aortic valve replacement 36 hours after admission due to an aggravation of aortic valve regurgitation. Postoperative cultures of the blood and site of valve vegetation identified Candida parapsilosis as a pathogen. Antifungal therapy with amphotericin B and fluconazole was initiated after surgical treatment. Thereafter, the patient displayed a favorable clinical course. Candida parapsilosis endocarditis involving the native valves is extremely rare and associated with a very high mortality rate. Prompt surgical treatment and the aggressive use of antifungal agents are required to save the patient's life.