Impact of incomplete revascularization in patients undergoing PCI for unprotected left main stem stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous revascularization of patients with multivessel and left main stem (LMS) disease may be incomplete and the impact of this is not well reported and may influence outcome. In this study we assessed the role of completeness of revascularization upon outcome after PCI for unprotected left main stem (uLMS) PCI in the "real world." MATERIALS AND METHOD: Consecutive patients (n = 353) with uLMS disease were treated by PCI by a single operator with a policy of maximal feasible revascularization between 2000 and 2011. The SYNTAX score was calculated before and after PCI (residual SYNTAX score) to gauge the completeness of revascularization. The endpoints were mortality and repeat revascularization. RESULTS: Mean age was 69 ± 11 years, baseline SYNTAX score was 33.4 ± 15, 53% were nonelective, 10% were in cardiogenic shock, and 45% were not surgical candidates. LMS bifurcation was involved in 74% and 2.0 ± 0.9 other vessels were diseased. Complete revascularization was achieved in 49% and was associated with reduced mortality compared with incomplete, at 30 days [5(2.9%) v 23(13%)], 1 year [9(5%) v 34(19%)], and 3 years [14(8%) v 46(26%)]; all P < 0.0001). Median rSYNTAX score was 1(0-11), 1-year survival for the lowest, middle and highest tertiles of rSYNTAX were 1.7%, 3.1% and 7.3% (P < 0.0001), respectively. In multivariate analysis postprocedure rSYNTAX score independently predicted outcome but preprocedural SYNTAX score did not. CONCLUSIONS: For unselected patients with uLMS treated by PCI, completeness of revascularization is associated with superior survival. The rSYNTAX score, a novel index of completeness of revascularization, independently predicts survival. Baseline SYNTAX score does not.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation facilitated by right common carotid cut-down and innominate artery angioplasty with simultaneous right coronary artery vein graft percutaneous coronary intervention in a patient with mid aortic syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is most commonly performed via the femoral approach. Small caliber ilio-femoral arteries, severe calcification and tortuosity are often prohibitive reasons for TAVI via the femoral approach. Mid-aortic syndrome is a rare condition describing congenital or acquired coarctation of the abdominal aorta. CASE SUMMARY: To the best of our knowledge, this case report describes the world's first TAVI in a patient with mid-aortic syndrome with challenging vascular access that would preclude conventional TAVI access routes. A 76-year-old woman with intermittent claudication, underwent work-up for axillo-bifemoral bypass, underwent a TAVI for incidental severe asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis via right common carotid TAVI facilitated by innominate artery angioplasty achieved vascular access for TAVI. Percutaneous coronary intervention to a right coronary artery vein graft was simultaneously performed via a left brachial artery cut down. DISCUSSION: We demonstrate that complex angioplasty to coronary artery bypass grafts and the innominate artery alongside TAVI via a variety of arterial access sites is both safe and feasible.

Right Ventricular Wall Hematoma Following Angioplasty to Right Coronary Artery Occlusion.

Right ventricle intramural hematoma is a rare complication of right coronary artery PCI. With the increased uptake and prevalence of complex chronic total occlusion interventions, unusual complications will continue to occur; sharing and raising the awareness of these complications is of paramount importance.

Residual SYNTAX score after PCI for triple vessel coronary artery disease: quantifying the adverse effect of incomplete revascularisation.

AIMS: There is some evidence to suggest that incompleteness of coronary artery revascularisation after PCI is associated with inferior outcomes. The SYNTAX score was developed as a tool to quantify the extent of coronary artery disease in the SYNTAX study. We aimed to use this score to quantify the completeness of revascularisation after PCI (the "residual SYNTAX score") and to determine its impact upon mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 240 consecutive patients with native three-vessel disease who underwent PCI between 2003 and 2008. SYNTAX scores prior to, and after, PCI were calculated, the difference (ΔSYNTAX) being a measure of the relative completeness of revascularisation. Median follow-up was 2.6 (1.2-3.2) years; 21% of patients were surgical turndowns, and 38% were non-elective. A residual (rSYNTAX) score of zero (full revascularisation) was achieved in 40% and median rSYNTAX was 3.5 (0-10.9). At final follow-up reduced mortality was found in patients with rSYNTAX 0 vs. others (2.5 vs. 12%, respectively, p=0.003) and for those with rSYNTAXmedian (3 vs. 11%, p=0.003). rSYNTAX was an independent predictor of mortality in a multivariate analysis, whereas baseline SYNTAX score was not. CONCLUSIONS: The residual SYNTAX score is a useful method to quantify incomplete revascularisation in patients undergoing PCI for 3VD. Complete revascularisation (rSYNTAX=0) is achieved in only a minority and, for them, the mortality rate is low.