Management of in-stent restenosis in peripheral arteries: are DEBs sufficient as stand-alone treatment for femoro-popliteal in-stent restenosis?

The treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in the femoro-popliteal artery (FPA) is one of the major challenges of endovascular therapy, occurring in up to 40% of femoro-popliteal lesions treated with bare-metal stents within 1 year of treatment. Drug-eluting technologies, involving local delivery of paclitaxel, are providing a new paradigm for the treatment of ISR. Preliminary experience shows promising results compared to other techniques such as cutting balloon angioplasty and debulking strategies. Based on available data, drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) seem sufficient as stand-alone treatment of FPA-ISR. However, larger evidence from randomized studies is warranted to identify the clinical and/or anatomical setting in which they could fail.

Antibodies against ox-LDL serum levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy with high incidence worldwide. The related cachexia is induced by proinflammatory cytokines, responsible for a wide number of metabolic disorders, essentially including lipidic and oxidative metabolism. Oxidized LDL (ox-LDL), produced by LDL-cholesterol oxidation, are one of the risk factors for atheromatosis. Also, ox-LDL act on the deliverance of some cytokines involved in the development and progression of a lot of human tumours. The removal of ox-LDL from the blood is performed by the liver. The intracellular amount of ox-LDL, through various cytokines, might induce HCC by reduction of the apoptotic mechanism of protection. Our aim was to evaluate the behaviour of serum antibodies against ox-LDL levels in order to study their possible changes and influences on a study series composed of HCC patients. METHODS: We enrolled 41 patients (29 males, mean age 67.45+/-8.28 years and 12 females, mean age 64.62+/-7.2 years) with primitive HCC and 30 healthy control subjects (15 males and 15 females, mean age 61.86+/-2.51 years). Diagnosis of HCC was performed on the basis of clinical, laboratory and instrumental findings (Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Nuclear Resonance, liver biopsy). Of the 41 HCC patients, 30 were affected by hepatitis C virus (HCV), 5 were HBsAg and HBcAg positive and 6 virus B and C negative but consumers of more than 150 g/day of alcohol. Liver biopsy confirmed the presence of HCC derived from cirrhosis in 10 of HCV positive patients, as well as in the patients with high alcohol consumption. Serum IgG antibodies versus the ox-LDL levels have been evaluated by ELISA method and oLAB reactive by Biomedica-Austria. Data have been analysed by 2 tailed Student's "t" test and a value of p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Lipid pattern values were within the normal ranges except for the Lp(a), that presented low serum levels in both groups. Twenty-five patients presented HCC as well as severe chronic active hepatitis. Serum mean levels of ox-LDL antibodies (ox-LDL Ab), still being within the normal ranges, were significantly lower than in control subjects (p<0.001) in both sexes. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that the lower ox-LDL Ab serum levels in our HCC patients may be related to the smaller feeding of HCC patients or to the greater uptake of these modified lipoproteins by the hepatic reticular endothelial system. This phenomenon might result especially in the release of cytokines and growth factors for hepatocytes that may induce HCC development and progression.

Do men and women follow different trajectories to reach extreme longevity? Italian Multicenter Study on Centenarians (IMUSCE).

Gender accounts for important differences in the incidence and prevalence of a variety of age-related diseases. Considering people of far advanced age, demographic data document a clear-cut prevalence of females compared to males, suggesting that sex-specific mortality rates follow different trajectories during aging. In the present investigation, we report data from a nationwide study on Italian centenarians (a total of 1162 subjects), and from two studies on centenarians living in two distinct zones of Italy, i.e., the island of Sardinia (a total of 222 subjects) and the Mantova province (Northern Italy) (a total of 43 subjects). The female/male ratio was about 2:1 in Sardinia, 4:1 in the whole of Italy, and about 7:1 in the Mantova province. Thus, a complex interaction of environmental, historical and genetic factors, differently characterizing the various parts of Italy, likely plays an important role in determining the gender-specific probability of achieving longevity. Gender differences in the health status of centenarians are also reported, and an innovative score method to classify long-lived people in different health categories, according to clinical and functional parameters, is proposed. Our data indicate that not only is this selected group of people, as a whole, highly heterogeneous, but also that a marked gender difference exists, since male centenarians are less heterogeneous and more healthy than female centenarians. Immunological factors regarding the age-related increase in pro-inflammatory status, and the frequency of HLA ancestral haplotypes also show gender differences that likely contribute to the different strategies that men and women seem to follow to achieve longevity. Concerning the different impact of genetic factors on the probability of reaching the extreme limits of the human life-span, emerging evidence (regarding mtDNA haplogroups, Thyrosine Hydroxilase, and IL-6 genes) suggests that female longevity is less dependent on genetics than male longevity, and that female centenarians likely exploited a healthier life-style and more favorable environmental conditions, owing to gender-specific cultural and anthropological characteristics of the Italian society in the last 100 years.

The renin-angiotensin system is not responsible for hypertension following coronary artery bypass grafting.

Systemic hypertension following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures has been reported to occur in 15% to 80% of cases. Previous reports have implicated the renin-angiotensin system as being responsible, at least in part, for this phenomenon. In this prospective study, 18 previously normotensive subjects were studied before, during, and after CABG. In 4 patients (22%), paroxysmal postoperative hypertension developed (systolic blood pressure greater than 150 mm Hg). There were no differences between the normotensive and hypertensive groups in plasma renin activity, angiotensin II level, or aldosterone level. Despite the trend toward elevation of these variables during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), all had returned to control levels within two hours after CPB, whether or not hypertension developed. Serum norepinephrine levels were elevated (.10 greater than p greater than .05) in the hypertensive group at the time hypertension developed. No other relationship or pattern could be defined to distinguish the hypertensive from the normotensive group. The renin-angiotensin system does not appear to be responsible for paroxysmal hypertension following CABG.

Fc receptor triggering induces expression of surface activation antigens and release of platelet-activating factor in large granular lymphocytes.

Triggering of large granular lymphocyte (LGL) Fc receptor with a specific monoclonal antibody (AB8.28) linked to an insoluble matrix induces cell activation, as witnessed by expression of HLA class II (DR and DQ) molecules and interleukin 2 receptor. Moreover, this event is accompanied by a concomitant release of platelet-activating factor by LGL. We conclude that the Fc receptor molecule identified by mAb AB8.28 represents a trigger for LGL activation.

Inflammation of the coronary arteries in patients with unstable angina.

During surgery, 21 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass for unstable angina were found to have "red lines" overlying one or more coronary arteries. Adventitial biopsies showed vascular distention and inflammatory cells. The group was followed for an average of 54 months (14 to 68 months). There were no operative deaths. Recurrent myocardial ischemia developed in 38.1% (8/21); recurrent angina developed in 23.8% (5/21) and are being treated medically; myocardial infarction occurred in 9.5% (2/21); and reoperation was required in 4.8% (1/21). There was also one late death from a brain tumor. We suggest that the presence of adventitial inflammation may represent an aggressive, variant form of atherosclerosis and a less favorable clinical prognosis.

Mitral valve prolapse with rigid annular calcification: a new technique for mitral valve replacement.

Severe calcification of the mitral annulus presents a technical challenge in valve replacement, and in the case reported here, we replaced the valve with a new technique. Employing a rim of tissue created from the supra-annular left atrium imbricated to the edge of the posterior mitral leaflet, we created a substitute "annulus" for prosthetic valve fixation.

Adjunctive operative coronary artery balloon-catheter dilatation: review of Lenox Hill experience.

Operative transluminal coronary angioplasty (OTCA) has been used as an adjunct to coronary artery bypass surgery in 65 patients over a 56-month period beginning in May 1978. Experience has led us to use OTCA primarily in the left anterior descending coronary artery. The angioplasty catheter has undergone a number of modifications. Late restudy (8 to 56 months; mean, 24.1) data in 17 patients demonstrated that 15 of 19 angioplasty segments (78.9%) were patent.

Comparison of wire-guided percutaneous insertion and conventional surgical insertion of intra-aortic balloon pumps in 151 patients.

Over a 25-month period, percutaneous wire-guided balloon catheter insertion was attempted in 51 patients, and intra-aortic balloon pump insertion was attempted by conventional surgical method in 100 patients. The success rate in the group undergoing percutaneous insertion was 90.2 percent (46 of 51) and 90 percent in the group undergoing surgical insertion (90 of 100). The indications for intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation were diverse in both groups. The major complication rate in the patient population undergoing percutaneous intra-aortic balloon pump insertion was 15.2 versus 15.6 percent for the surgical group, and there were no cases of leg amputation or aortic dissection in the percutaneous group; however, two cases of leg amputation and one case of aortic dissection resulting in death occurred in the surgical group. The percutaneous intra-aortic balloon pump insertion technique was successfully employed in conjunction with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in six cases. It is concluded that the wire-guided percutaneous balloon catheter method is a highly successful and rapid means of instituting intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in a wide variety of clinical situations. However, because of the significant associated complication rate, the decision to institute balloon counterpulsation must weigh the benefit-to-risk ratio, and this procedure must still be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Use of operative transluminal coronary angioplasty as an adjunct to coronary artery bypass.

Operative transluminal coronary angioplasty (OCTA) was used to improve coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) runoff in patients having complex segmental and diffuse coronary artery obstructions. OTCA was performed during CABG through the bypass arteriotomy on 64 arteries in 58 patients. An angioplasty system specifically designed for operative use was employed. In 13 cases, angioplasty was performed both proximal and distal to the coronary arteriotomy, for a total of 77 angioplasty sites. Elective restudy was performed on 36 angioplasty sites in 28 arteries in 24 patients: Sixteen patients were restudied between 18 and 21 days (mean 16) and eight between 4 and 32 months (mean 20.5). Patency rate, as assessed at each angioplasty site, was 86.1% (20/24 studied early and 11/12 studied late). Three coronary perforations (4.7%) occurred and were repaired without perioperative infarction or other sequelae. The one operative death (1.7%) occurred in a patient with preoperative refractory cardiogenic shock. There were seven perioperative infarctions (12.1%), of which three (4.7%) were in the distribution of the coronary artery undergoing OTCA. The favorable short-term and medium-term patency rates indicate that OTCA is a useful adjunct to CABG that permits more complete revascularization of small or diffusely diseased coronary arteries.

Management of acute cardiac tamponade by subxiphoid pericardiotomy.

Eighteen patients with cardiac tamponade were treated by subxiphoid pericardiotomy performed with the patients under local anesthesia. This group included 9 cases of uremic pericarditis (50%), 5 cases of metastatic cancer (28%), 2 cases of trauma (11%), 1 case of tuberculosis (5.5%), and 1 case of unknown cause. Immediate relief from acute cardiac tamponade was obtained in all 18 cases with only minor and self-limiting postoperative complications, including transient supraventricular arrhythmias (five cases) and fever (five cases). There were no deaths related to either the operative procedure or reaccumulation of the pericardial effusion. The drainage period averaged 9.6 days (range, three to 28 days). Pericardial biopsy was performed in 15 of 18 cases. We conclude that subxiphoid pericardiotomy is a safe and effective method for the management of pericardial effusion of diverse causes. The ability to perform this technique safely using local anesthesia and the capacity to obtain a biopsy specimen under direct visualization make this technique superior to both needle pericardiocentesis and pericardiectomy in the acutely ill patient.

Manual coronary endarterectomy with saphenous bypass: experience with 263 patients.

From January, 1972, until August, 1980, 271 manual coronary endarterectomies with bypass were performed in 263 patients. All patients underwent additional cardiac procedures simultaneously. The group contained 254 distal right and 17 left endarterectomies (including 8 double endarterectomies). Clinical follow-up was 100%, operative mortality was 2.3% (6 out of 263), and the rate of perioperative infarction was 4.9% (13 out of 263). Cineangiography was performed on 72 patients between 1 and 60 months after operation (mean, 15.4 months). Patency was 85% (61 out of 72). Endarterectomy in a dominant right coronary artery could be planned electively. Left coronary endarterectomy was performed only when diffuse disease prevented standard bypass. Coronary endarterectomy may be used to extend operability with excellent clinical results, low perioperative mortality, and high late patency. Careful attention to technical aspects of core removal and myocardial protection are necessary for consistent results.

Transluminal coronary angioplasty during saphenous coronary bypass surgery: a preliminary report.

A previously described balloon tipped dilatation catheter has been used during revascularization surgery to dilate lesions which potentially could limit the runoff of the saphenous bypass grafts. A total of 34 lesions were dilated in 25 patients. Restudy of 12 patients (15 lesions) demonstrated positive results and no clinically significant complications. These preliminary results suggest an important role for transluminal coronary dilatation in the operative treatment of coronary artery disease.

Reduced incidence of intraoperative myocardial infarction during coronary bypass surgery with use of intracoronary shunt technique.

Intraoperative myocardial infarction is a recognized complication of aortocoronary bypass surgery. One major cause of such infarction may be interruption of coronary blood flow, particularly in patient with poor coronary collateral circulation. In 30 patients use of an intracoronary shunt made it possible to limit the period of coronary occulusion during graft construction to a few minutes. Use of this shunt was associated with a reduced incidence of intraoperative myocardial infarction (as judged by the appearance of new Q waves) when these patients were compared with 50 patients operated on without this procedure (6 of 50 [12 percent] versus 0 of 30). The incidence of postoperative persistent S-T segment elevation was reduced from 21 of 50 (42 percent) to 5 of 30 (17 percent). Except for use of the shunt, the surgical technique was identical in the two groups of patients.

Anomalous right ventricular muscle bundle. Repair through the right atrium.

Anomalous muscle bundles within the right ventricle may cause obstruction to blood flow at the level of the outflow tract. This condition is usually associated with a ventricular septal defect. Although complete correction is usually approached through a right ventriculotomy, the anatomic configuration makes repair through a right atriotomy more suitable. The advantages of this approach are discussed and a case report is presented.