Impact of Paclitaxel-Eluting Balloons Compared to Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents for of In-Stent Restenosis in a Primarily Acute Coronary Syndrome Population / Impacto dos Balões de Eluição de Paclitaxel Comparados a Stents Farmacológicos de Segunda Geração para Reestenose Intra-Stent em uma População com Síndrome Coronária Aguda Primária

Abstract Background: The place of drug-eluting balloons (DEB) in the treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) is not well-defined, particularly in a population of all-comers with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Objective: Compare the clinical outcomes of DEB with second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) for the treatment of ISR in a real-world population with a high proportion of ACS. Methods: A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with ISR treated with a DEB compared to patients treated with a second-generation DES was performed. The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization). Comparisons were performed using Cox proportional hazards multivariate adjustment and Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank. Results: The cohort included 91 patients treated with a DEB and 89 patients treated with a DES (74% ACS). Median follow-up was 26 months. MACE occurred in 33 patients (36%) in the DEB group, compared to 17 patients (19%) in the DES group (p log-rank = 0.02). After multivariate adjustment, there was no significant difference between the groups (HR for DEB = 1.45 [95%CI: 0.75-2.83]; p = 0.27). Mortality rates at 1 year were 11% with DEB, and 3% with DES (p = 0.04; adjusted HR = 2.85 [95%CI: 0.98-8.32]; p = 0.06). Conclusion: In a population with a high proportion of ACS, a non-significant numerical signal towards increased rates of MACE with DEB compared to second-generation DES for the treatment of ISR was observed, mainly driven by a higher mortality rate. An adequately-powered randomized controlled trial is necessary to confirm these findings.

Resumo Fundamento: O papel de balões farmacológicos (BFs) no tratamento de reestenose intra-stent (RIS) não está bem definido, particularmente em na síndrome coronária aguda (SCA). Objetivo: Comparar desfechos clínicos do uso de BF com stents farmacológicos (SFs) de segunda geração no tratamento de RIS em uma população real com alta prevalência de SCA. Métodos: Foi realizada uma análise retrospectiva de pacientes consecutivos com RIS tratados com um BF comparados a pacientes tratados com SF de segunda geração. O desfecho primário incluiu eventos cardiovasculares adversos importantes (morte por todas as causas, infarto do miocárdio não fatal, e revascularização da lesão alvo). As comparações foram realizadas pelo modelo proporcional de riscos de Cox ajustado e análise de Kaplan-Meier com log-rank. Resultados: A coorte incluiu 91 pacientes tratados com BF e 89 pacientes tratados com um SF (75% com SCA). O tempo mediano de acompanhamento foi de 26 meses. Eventos cardiovasculares adversos importantes ocorreram em 33 pacientes (36%) no grupo BF, e em 17 (19%) no grupo SF (p log-rank = 0,02). Após ajuste multivariado, não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos (HR para BF = 1,45 [IC95%: 0,75-2,83]; p = 0,27). As taxas de mortalidade de 1 ano foram 11% com BF, e 3% com SF (p = 0,04; HR ajustado = 2,85 [IC95%: 0,98-8,32; p = 0,06). Conclusão: Em uma população com alta prevalência de SCA, observou-se um aumento não significativo nas taxas de eventos cardiovasculares adversos importantes com o uso de BF comparado ao uso de SF de segunda geração para o tratamento de RIS, principalmente pelo aumento na taxa de mortalidade. É necessário um ensaio clínico controlado, randomizado, com poder estatístico adequado para confirmar esses achados.

Comparison of Paclitaxel-Coated Balloon Treatment and Plain Old Balloon Angioplasty for De Novo Coronary Lesions

PURPOSE: This study compared the angiographic outcomes of paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB) versus plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) treatment for de novo coronary artery lesions. At present, there is no available data comparing the efficacy of PCB versus POBA for the treatment of de novo coronary lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter retrospective observational study enrolled patients with de novo coronary lesions with a reference vessel diameter between 2.5 mm and 3.0 mm and lesion length or =50%) in POBA, compared to PCB (30.4%, n=7 vs. 4.1%, n=2, p<0.001). Target vessel revascularization was higher in the POBA group (13.0%, n=3 vs. 0%, p=0.033). CONCLUSION: PCB treatment of de novo coronary lesions showed better 9-month angiographic outcomes than POBA treatment alone.

Experiencia preliminar: STENT MGUARD en angioplastía coronaria con alta carga trombótica, ¿una nueva alternativa en protección embólica? / Percutaneous coronary angioplasty in patients with high thrombotic load: a preliminary evaluation using the MGuard stent

Introducción: La microembolización se asocia a más eventos cardiovasculares adversos (MACE) especialmente en angioplastía (PTCA) de puentes venosos aortocoronarios (PAC) o en síndrome coronario agudo (SCA). El stent MGuard evitaría la embolización distal. Nuestro objetivo: evaluar el stent con micromalla de dacron como alternativa de protección embólica. Métodos: Registro prospectivo de PTCA con stent MGuard en de SCA de PAC y vasos nativos. Resultados: 15 angioplastias, de ellas 53 por ciento con infarto agudo miocárdico con supradesnivel de ST (IAM con SDST). PTCA en vasos nativos: 60 por ciento y PAC: 40 por ciento (antigüedad: 13 +/- 3 años). El 53 por ciento tuvo flujo inicial TIMI 0-1, alto contenido trombótico (66 por ciento: 4-5 en escala de trombos TIMI). Se predilató la lesión en 73 por ciento de los casos, se empleó Reopro en 2 casos, no se usó filtros de protección ni aspirador de trombos. Las dimensiones del stent MGuard: 22.2 +/- 4.4 mm de largo por 3.7 +/- 0.44 mm de diámetro. El 100 por ciento con flujo TIMI 3 final, 93 por ciento con impregnación miocárdica grado 3. Subgrupo de IAM con SDST: 71 por ciento obtuvo < 23 cuadros TIMI/segundo, 100 por ciento con regresión del SDST mayor de 50 por ciento a 90 minutos de PTCA. Subgrupo de PTCA de PAC: (excepto caso de PTCA de PAC en IAM c/SDST) no se registró elevación de la CK total o MB post PTCA. Seguimiento: un caso de trombosis al mes. Conclusión: El MGuard stent parece ser efectivo en la protección de la microcirculación. Se requieren estudios para evaluar la seguridad clínica y eficacia en protección embólica.

Background: Coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is associated to a greater incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with stenosis of saphenous vein grafts (SVG) and in those with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The MGuard stent, a device with a dacron micro mesh, is currently being evaluated for the prevention of distal thrombotic embolization in these patients. Aim to evaluate the MGuard stent, for the prevention of distal embolization. Methods: analysis of a prospective registry of patients submitted to PTCA for ACS in native coronary arteries or occluded SVG using the MGuard stent. Results: 15 PTCA procedures were performed, 53 percent in patients with ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STE-MI). PTCA was performed in native vessels in 60 percent patients and in SVG in 40 percent. Interval from surgery in these patients was 13+/-3 years. 53 percent of patients had initial TIMI fow rate 0-1 and 66 percent had a thrombotic load of 4-5 (TIMI scale). Lesions were predilated in 73 percent of cases; abxicimab was used in 2 patients and no protection filters or thrombus aspiration were performed. MGuard stent dimensions were 22.2+/-4.4 mm in length, and 3.7+/-0.44 mm in diameter. Final TIMI 3 fow was observed in all patients; 93 percent of then had grade 3 myocardial impregnation. In the subgroup of patients with STE-MI, a 23 frames/sec TIMI frame count was observed with >50 percent reduction of ST elevation 90 min after PTCA. In patients with SVG, except one patient with ACS, no elevation of total or MB- CK was observed. Follow up revealed reocclusion in 1 patient, 1 month after the procedure. Conclusion: The MGuard stent appears to be an effective device to protect the microcirculation form distal embolization during PTCA. Studies with larger number of patients and extended periods of follow up are encouraged by these results.

Fundamento e desenho do teste randomizado PAINT / Rationale and design for the PAINT randomized trial / Fundamento y diseño del test randomizado PAINT

Fundamento: Descrevemos as bases teóricas e o formato do "Estudo PAINT - Intervenção percutânea com stents com eluição de paclitaxel ou sirolimus em polímero biodegradável comparados com stents sem recobrimento no tratamento de lesões coronárias de novo". Objetivo: Avaliar duas novas formulações de stents com eluição de paclitaxel ou sirolimus em comparação com um stent de estrutura metálica idêntica, porém sem recobrimento polimérico ou eluição de droga. Métodos: O PAINT é um estudo randomizado, multicêntrico, de 3 braços, conduzido em centros terciários brasileiros, que incluiu 275 pacientes alocados para tratamento com os stents InfinniumR (paclitaxel), the SupralimusR (sirolimus) ou Milennium MatrixR (sem recobrimento) na proporção 2:2:1 ratio. Os pacientes apresentavam lesões coronarianas de novo em vasos nativos com um diâmetro entre 2,5 e 3,5 mm, passíveis de tratamento com um único stent com comprimento de 29 mm ou menos. O objetivo primário era comparar a perda tardia aos nove meses de ambos stents com paclitaxel- ou sirolimus versus a perda luminal dos stents convencionais de controle. Objetivos secundários importantes incluíam a comparação angiográfica entre os dois tipos de stents farmacológicos, bem como a análise da ocorrência de eventos clínicos adversos. Resultados e conclusões: O estudo PAINT apresenta um formato peculiar e único que permitiu a avaliação da segurança e eficácia de duas novas formulações de stents farmacológicos, com carreador polimérico biodegradável, e liberação de paclitaxel ou sirolimus, os quais foram comparados contra um stent metálico convencional (objetivo primário). Uma vez que os stents farmacológicos diferiram entre sí somente pela droga, mas eram idênticos nas suas outras características, os estudo também permitiu a comparação do efeito anti-restenótico entre sirolimus e paclitaxel (objetivo secundário).

Background: We describe the rationale and design for the "PercutAneous Intervention with biodegradable-polymer based paclitaxel-eluting or sirolimus-eluting versus bare stents for de novo coronary lesions - PAINT trial". Objectives: To evaluate two novel formulations of paclitaxel-eluting stent and the sirolimus-eluting stent against a stent with the same metallic structure but without polymer coating or drug elution. Methods: The PAINT is a multicenter 3-arm randomized trial, conducted in Brazilian tertiary institutions, which included 275 patients allocated for the InfinniumR paclitaxel-eluting stent, the SupralimusR sirolimus-eluting stent or the Milennium MatrixR bare metal stent in a 2:2:1 ratio. Patients had de novo coronary lesions in native vessels with a diameter between 2.5 and 3.5 mm, amenable for treatment with a single stent of 29 mm or less in length. The primary objetive was to compare the in-stent late loss at 9 months of both paclitaxel- and sirolimus-eluting versus the late loss of control bare metal stents. Important secondary objectives included the comparison in outcomes between sirolimus and paclitaxel stents, as well as the analysis of the incidence of major adverse cardiac events. Results amd conclusions: The PAINT trial had a unique design that allowed for the evaluation of the safety and efficacy profiles of two novel drug-eluting stent formulations, with a biodegradable-polymer carrier and releasing paclitaxel or sirolimus, which were compared against a bare metal stent (primary objective). As the drug-eluting stents differed by the drug, but were identical otherwise, the trial also allowed the comparison of the anti-restenosis effects of sirolimus versus paclitaxel (secondary objective).

Fundamento: Describimos las bases teóricas y el formato del "Estudio PAINT - Intervención percutánea con stents recubiertos de paclitaxel o sirolimus en polímero biodegradable comparados con stents no recubiertos en el tratamiento de lesiones coronarias de novo". Objetivo: Evaluar dos nuevas formulaciones de stents con liberación de paclitaxel o sirolimus en comparación con un stent de estructura metálica idéntica, pero sin recubierto polimérico o liberación de droga. Métodos: El PAINT es un estudio randomizado, multicéntrico, de 3 brazos, llevado a cabo en centros terciaros brasileños, que incluyó a 275 pacientes destinados a tratamiento con los stents InfinniumR (paclitaxel), the SupralimusR (sirolimus) o Milennium MatrixR (no recubierto) en la proporción 2:2:1. Los pacientes presentaban lesiones coronarias de novo en vasos nativos con un diámetro entre 2,5 y 3,5 mm, pasibles de tratamiento con un único stent de hasta 29 mm de longitud. El objetivo primario era comparar la pérdida luminal tardía a los nueve meses de ambos stents con paclitaxel- o sirolimus versus la pérdida luminal de los stents convencionales de control. Los objetivos secundarios importantes incluían la comparación angiográfica entre los dos tipos de stents farmacológicos, así como el análisis de la ocurrencia de eventos clínicos adversos. Resultados y conclusiones: El estudio PAINT presenta un formato peculiar y único que permitió la evaluación de la seguridad y eficacia de dos nuevas formulaciones de stents farmacológicos, con transportador polimérico biodegradable, y liberación de paclitaxel o sirolimus, los que fueron comparados con un stent metálico convencional (objetivo primario). Dado que los stents farmacológicos diferían entre sí solamente por la droga, pero eran idénticos en sus otras características, el estudio también permitió la comparación del efecto antireestenótico entre sirolimus y paclitaxel (objetivo secundario).

Valvoplastia aórtica por cateter-balão em emergência materno-fetal na adolescência / Aortic valvuloplasty with balloon catheter in maternal-fetal emergency in adolescence / Valvuloplastia aórtica por catéter con balón en emergencia materno-fetal en la adolescencia

O aumento do débito cardíaco durante a gravidez é causa de insuficiência cardíaca em portadoras de estenose valvar aórtica grave. A valvoplastia aórtica percutânea tem sido associada a graves complicações e reestenose valvar em curto prazo. O presente caso mostrou que a valvoplastia aórtica percutânea permitiu o alcance do parto com sobrevida da mãe e do feto, e que a interrupção do tratamento no pós-parto resultou em morte materna no puerpério tardio.

The increase of cardiac output during pregnancy is the cause of heart failure in women with severe aortic valvular stenosis. Percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty has been associated with severe complications and short-term valvar restenosis. This case showed that percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty allowed both mother and fetus to survive after childbirth, and that postpartum treatment interruption resulted in maternal death in late postpartum care.

El aumento del gasto cardiaco durante el embarazo es la causa de insuficiencia cardiaca en portadoras de estenosis valvular aórtica severa. Se viene asociando la valvuloplastia aórtica percutánea a severas complicaciones y reestenosis valvular en corto plazo. El presente caso reveló que la valvuloplastia aórtica percutánea permitió el alcance del parto con sobrevida de la madre y del feto, y que la interrupción del tratamiento en el postparto resultó en muerte materna en el puerperio tardío.

A new technique for the treatment of bifurcation lesions: modified reverse crushing.

OBJECTIVE: We present the case of a 69-year-old male suffering an acute myocardial infarction and undergoing primary PCI of a bifurcation lesion. METHODS, RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The use of a new technique for the management of such lesions is shown. This technique brings some advantages in comparison to traditional crush technique: it allows the use of a 6-French catheter, a provisional rather than systematic stenting strategy of the side branch and does not require re-wiring of the crushed stent; it is potentially less thrombogenous and could reduce the rate of restenosis due to the limited surface of multiple stent struts apposition and to the entire coverage of the ostium circumference. Its feasibility and long-term efficacy should be tested in series of patients and for a longer follow-up.

Atrapamiento de la guía de angioplastía después de la implantación de un stent: descripción de dos casos y revisión de la literatura / Angioplasty guidewire entrapment affer stent implantation: report of two cases and review of the literature

Angioplasty guidewire entrapment, with or without retention of a fractured segment, is an infrequent complication and may lead to acute coronary ischemia due to thromboembolic occlusion. Management can be surgical, conservative or percutaneous. We describe two patients in whom the guidewire remained entrapped with the stent during the pullback maneuver after successful stent implantation. In one patient, we managed to extricate a metallic guidewire using the balloon as a wedge. In the other patient, a fragment of the non-metallic guidewire tip, with hydrophilic coating, remained trapped after being [quot ]cut[quot ] by the stent during traction towards the ostium while attempting removal. The retained segment was isolated from the blood stream by implanting a synthetic coronary stent graft. We emphasize the high risk of [quot ]cutting[quot ] this type of non-metallic guidewire in case of engagement with the stent, and we review the literature of this rare complication.

Thrombosuction Utilizing an Export Aspiration Catheter during Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute Myocardial nfarction

PURPOSE: Effective myocardial reperfusion after primary PCI for an AMI in lesions with a thrombus is limited by distal embolization and the slow/no reflow phenomenon. We evaluated the efficacy of a thrombus reduction technique using an export aspiration catheter for thrombosuction during primary PCI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 62 patients with AMIs who underwent primary PCI and had a thrombi burden during thrombosuction using an EAC (EAC group; n=31) or without thrombosuction (control group; n=31). RESULTS: Thrombosuction with an EAC was performed safely in all the patients in EAC group without any complications. After the PCI, restoration to a TIMI flow grade 3 was significantly more frequent in the EAC group (26/31 vs. 20/31, p < 0.05). However, the TIMI perfusion grade did not differ between the two groups. Further, the corrected TIMI frame counts were lower in the EAC group (23.9 ± 15.1 vs. 34.8 ± 22.5, p < 0.05). Although there was no statistical significance, a greater incidence of distal embolization was observed in the control group (16.1%, 5/31) as compared to the EAC group (0/31) (p= 0.056). However, the incidence of major adverse cardiac events at 1 and 6 months did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: For AMIs, thrombosuction with an EAC before or during PCI is a safe and potentially effective method for restoration of the coronary flow.

Acute myocardial infarction secondary to myocardial bridge treated with drug-eluting stent.

We report a case of myocardial bridge in left anterior descending coronary artery associated with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction. The patient had many unusual features like coronary ectasia and atherosclerosis within the myocardial bridge segment. The patient was treated with drug-eluting stent under intravascular ultrasound guidance with good result over 6 months follow-up.

Transradial primary angioplasty and stenting in Indian patients with acute myocardial infarction: acute results and 6-month follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Coronary angioplasty and stent implantation is effective as primary intervention in acute myocardial infarction. Because of fewer puncture site complications and improved patient comfort, transradial access has been increasingly used as an alternative to transfemoral access for percutaneous coronary interventions. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 103 patients (94 men, 9 women: mean age 52.5 +/- 11.96 years) with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (<12 hours after onset), who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Transradial access was used in all patients with a normal Allen's test and transfemoral access was used additionally only if intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation was required. Follow-up duration was 6 months. Transradial access was successfully achieved in all patients. Radial artery cannulation took <2 min in more than 85% patients. During percutaneous coronary intervention, cannulation to balloon inflation times and total procedure times were 11.3 +/- 5.2 min and 19.9 +/- 10.8 min, respectively. Stents were implanted in 99 (96.1%) patients andplain balloon angioplastywas performed in 3.9%. The primary success rate was 98.1%, with no major bleeding complications. Total length of hospitalization averaged 2.4 +/- 0.8 days. In-hospital major adverse clinical events rate was 5.9%. Six-month clinical follow-up was achieved for 84 (86.6%) patients. Six (7.1%) patients died during follow-up. Follow-up coronary angiography was performed in 22 (26.2%) patients. After 6 months, 7 patients required revascularizationof the target lesion. The rate of survival without myocardial infarction, bypass surgery or repeat coronary angioplasty was 88.5% at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Transradial access may represent a safe and feasible technique for performing primary percutaneous coronary intervention with good acute results and without major bleeding complications.

Revascularização do miocárdio: estudo comparativo do custo da cirurgia convencional e da angioplastia transluminal percutânea / Myocardial revascularization: comparative cost study between conventional coronary bypass and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

OBJETIVO: Comparar custos da cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (CRM) e da angioplastia transluminal percutânea (ATP), com seguimento por um ano. MÉTODO: Oitenta e seis pacientes foram submetidos a 87 CRM e 240 pacientes, a 267 ATP, no período de outubro de 2003 a abril de 2004. A idade média dos dois grupos foi de 62 anos. No grupo da CRM foram confeccionados 3,7 enxertos/paciente, com o uso de condutos arteriais em 96,5 por cento dos pacientes. No grupo da ATP, foram realizadas 1,1 angioplastias, por procedimento. Vinte e um (24,4 por cento) pacientes haviam sido submetidos a angioplastias previamente à CRM. Cada grupo foi dividido em dois subgrupos, conforme o custo, pago como um todo ou individualmente. RESULTADOS: No grupo da CRM, o custo médio da cirurgia foi de R$ 7.759,78 por procedimento, no grupo da ATP, foi de R$ 6.307,79. Ao fim de um ano, os valores foram R$ 7.875,73, para o grupo da CRM e R$ 8.234,96, para o da ATP. No subgrupo B de pacientes pertencentes ao grupo da cirurgia, o custo médio por procedimento foi de R$ 11.061,63 e, no grupo da angioplastia, de R$ 11.110,83 e, ao final de um ano, R$ 11.087,29 e R$ 13.414,59, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: Conclui-se que: 1) dos 326 pacientes submetidos a tratamento, apenas 26,4 por cento foram alocados para o grupo da cirurgia; 2) o grupo da angioplastia apresentou um índice de 26,7 por cento de reintervenção, enquanto no grupo da CRM foi de 3,5 por cento; 3) no primeiro ano, a CRM foi 17,4 por cento mais econômica do que a ATP, no subgrupo B de pacientes.

Use of PercuSurge in primary angioplasty.

Thrombus load and its subsequent distal embolization causing slow flow makes primary angioplasty a challenging task. Although data is scanty, these complications may be potentially mitigated by use of distal protection devices. We report 6 cases of PercuSurge distal protection device-assisted primary angioplasty. All lesions were stented with patients achieving brisk TIMI 3 flow; none of the patients had in-hospital major adverse cardiac events. The strategy of PercuSurge Guardwire-assisted primary angioplasty seems encouraging in improving successful outcome in this subset of patients.

Cuidados del paciente cardiópata tras una intervención coronaria percutánea / Care for the Cardiopathy Patient after Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

En la actualidad, las indicaciones y alcances de la cardiología intervencionista permiten que cada vezmás pacientes puedan ser revascularizados mediante intervenciones coronarias percutáneas. Es esencial para los médicos que están en contacto o tienen a su cargo el cuidado de estos pacientes conocer los beneficios, características y riesgos del procedimiento. En este trabajo revisamos los conceptos generales actuales de la angioplastía coronaria.

At present, new indications and frontiers of interventional cardiology led to percutaneous treatment of a wide spectrum of patients who require myocardial revascularization. The physician must understand the potential benefits, procedural characteristics, andrisks of percutaneous coronary intervention. In this paper, we review general concepts concerning coronary angioplasty.

Implante direto de stent através de cateter guia 5F por técnica transradial / Direct stent implantation using a 5F guiding catheter and transradial approach

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o implante de stents sem dilatação prévia com cateter balão convencional para o tratamento das obstruções coronarianas, utilizando-se cateteres guias de baixo perfil através da técnica radial. MÉTODOS: A técnica radial é atraente pela possibilidade de se evitar o trauma provocado pelo balão, menor tempo para sua realização, exposição reduzida à radiação e consumo de contraste em quantidades inferiores às habitualmente usadas neste tipo de procedimento. RESULTADOS: Analisada a experiência inicial de implante direto de stents, através de cateteres de baixo perfil por via radial, em 45 pacientes, com idade média de 65 anos. Em todos os casos houve sucesso no procedimento sem complicações maiores na fase hospitalar. CONCLUSAO: Os resultados com a população estudada demonstraram ser a técnica radial segura, eficaz e com muito baixo risco de complicações.

Successful retrieval of transradially delivered unexpanded coronary stent from the left main coronary artery.

Stent dislodgment during percutaneous coronary intervention is a rare complication. We report a case of successful retrieval of a dislodged stent from the left main coronary artery. It was retrieved via the transradial route using a 6 F coronary guiding catheter supported by an inflated percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty balloon distal to the stent.

Aterectomía coronaria: rol actual / Endovascular coronary atherectomy: present role

La aterectomía coronaria endovascular representa a un conjunto de técnicas de remoción de placa que fueron altamente utilizadas durante la angioplastia previo a la introducción de stents. En esa época, aunque comparadas con la angioplastia con balón no ofrecían beneficio en cuanto a la incidencia de reestenosis, permitían un procedimiento más seguro que el tratamiento de las lesiones complejas. Sin embargo, posterior al advenimiento de los stents su uso se restringió a situaciones exepcionales. En los últimos años nuevamente se plantea un rol de la aterectomía para ser usada previa al implante de los stents, con el propósito de disminuir la incidencia de reestenosis. Los resultados de los estudios preliminares hasta ahora disponibles sugieren que si bien esta tecnología puede no ser necesaria en la mayoría de los casos, frente a la dilatación de placas seleccionadas que tienen una conocida mayor incidencia de reestenosis, podría ser útil la aterectomía previa al implante de los stents

A randomized study of the safety and efficacy of reused angioplasty balloon catheters.

BACKGROUND: To lower costs, many centers around the world utilize previously used, resterilized balloon catheters to perform coronary angioplasty There are no controlled trials regarding their safety and efficacy. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed the first randomized, double-blind, controlled, single-center clinical trial comparing the safety (clinical success) and efficacy (angiographic success) of reused versus new coronary angioplasty balloon catheters. A total of 377 procedures were included, 178 in the reused catheter arm and 199 in the new catheter arm. There were no significant differences in clinical or lesion characteristics among the two arms. The incidence of first balloon failure in the reused catheter arm was similar to that of the new catheter arm (12 cases [7%] v. 10 cases [5%], respectively). The angiographic success rate was also similar-176 cases (98.9%) in the reused catheter arm and 196 cases (98.5%) in the new catheter arm. The number of balloon catheters used per lesion, amount of contrast, and procedural and fluoroscopy time were similar in the two arms. At 30 days, the incidence of major adverse cardiac events was similar in both arms, 8 cases (4.5%) in the reused catheter arm and 10 cases (5%) in the new catheter arm. The incidence of fever was also similar. CONCLUSIONS: When performing coronary angioplasty, reused catheters are as effective (similar angiographic success) and safe (similar clinical success) as new catheters.

Safety and acceptable initial outcomes of reused balloon catheters for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to compare the safety and initial outcomes applying reused balloon (RB) catheters with those of attained new balloon (NB) catheters when performing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. BACKGROUND: Recently, PTCA procedures have been used increasingly for the treatment of patients with coronary heart disease. In the era of national economic constraint, reused balloon catheters will reduce the cost of expensive, imported coronary angioplasty devices. Hence, data concerning the safety and success rate of RB catheters compared with NB catheters are urgently required. METHODS: Prospective comparative study between reused and new balloon catheters for coronary angioplasty. Data forms were completed after each procedure and before the patient was discharged after an 18-month period. RESULTS: From July 1996 to December 1997, 221 cases (121-RB, 100-NB) were enrolled. Mean age, ejection fraction, diseased vessel and lesion characteristics were similar in both groups. The number of lesions was much higher performed in the RB than in the NB group (1.7 +/- 0.9 vs 1.4 +/- 0.8, p = 0.02). The RB group had more cases of acute myocardial infarction than the NB group (7.4% vs 1%, p = 0.003), however, the angiographic and case success rate were the same (99.5% vs 97.9% and 98.3% vs 97% respectively). Major adverse cardiac events in RB amounted to 1.7 per cent and for NB to 1.0 per cent (p = ns). The total amount of balloons used in RB was much higher than in the NB group (1.5 +/- 0.6 vs 1.1 +/- 0.3, p = <0.0001). There were neither infection nor positive blood cultures in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Reused balloon catheters can be safely used for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with a high success rate. The total cost of angioplasty can be reduced without a decline in efficacy.