Comparative study of the angiographic morphology of coronary artery lesions treated with PTCA, directional coronary atherectomy, or high-speed rotational ablation.

To evaluate trends in morphology-based intervention selection, series of 110 consecutive procedures of each of three devices, percutaneous transluminal balloon coronary angioplasty (PTCA), directional coronary atherectomy (DCA), or high-speed rotational ablation (HSRA), were reviewed. PTCA was used mainly in discrete, concentric, smooth, ACC/AHA type A and B1 lesions. PTCA was used less frequently on a bend, branching points or in calcified lesions. Using PTCA as a reference, DCA was used more often for the treatment of discrete, proximal, eccentric, and noncalcified lesions, often complicated with thrombus and located on straight segments. HSRA was used more frequently in diffuse, calcified multiple complicated and B2+C type lesions with frequent side branches and bend points. These results suggest that directional atherectomy and rotational ablation may be helpful in expanding the capacity of the operator to approach prognostically unfavorable lesions.

Differences in symptoms during and post PTCA versus rotational ablation.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary rotational ablation (PTCRA) has emerged as an effective therapy for the treatment of coronary artery disease. However, nursing management of these patients may differ from standard practices designed to care for coronary balloon angioplasty (PTCA) patients. To examine factors that could impact nursing care we compared 233 patients undergoing PTRCA with 301 patients undergoing PTCA. Overall, clinical success did not differ between the groups. Patients undergoing PTCRA were more likely to experience hypotension and prolonged angina in the cardiac catherization laboratory than patients undergoing PTCA. PTCRA patients were also more likely to require i.v. heparin and i.v. nitroglycerin post procedure than PTCA patients. In addition, PTCRA patients were on i.v. nitroglycerin for longer periods of time post procedure than PTCA patients. There were no differences between the groups in the occurrence of peripheral bleeding, hematoma, or length of hospital stay. In summary, PTRCA patients have more hypotension and angina during rotational ablation procedures, and are more likely to require heparin and nitroglycerin post procedure. These differences require nursing strategies which incorporate closer monitoring of patients and patients' symptoms, along with educating patients about the need for longer i.v. drug therapy.

Directional coronary atherectomy in acute myocardial infarction.

To date, application of directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has had limited reports. In eleven patients with AMI, DCA was applied. In three of these patients, DCA was used as a stand-alone procedure without use of thrombolytic agents. In each case a guidewire was placed across the stenosis, and in eight patients balloon angioplasty was utilized as a predilating modality prior to DCA. The thrombolytic agent urokinase was utilized in five of these eight patients, either before, during, or after angioplasty and/or DCA. DCA success (defined as ability to cross the lesion, reduction of less than or equal to 20% in stenosis and thrombolysis--when a thrombus is present) was achieved in 10 of 11 patients. One patient had persistent abrupt reclosure of an LAD lesion, accompanied by hemodynamic compromise, necessitating intra-aortic balloon pump insertion and subsequent emergent coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Final angiograms revealed residual stenoses less than or equal to 20%, and adequate thrombolysis. Significant cardiac events were limited to one emergent CABG, Q wave MI in four patients, and non-Q wave MI in two patients. Clinically all eleven patients improved, survived the AMI/CABG, and were discharged. This clinical experience demonstrates the feasibility and safety of DCA application in selected patients who experience acute myocardial infarction.

Late outcome of multivessel coronary artery disease after angioplasty or bypass surgery.

Background. Results from randomized trials to determine optimal treatment for patients with multivessel coronary disease are not yet available. Thus, the early and late outcomes of 191 PTCA and 221 CABG patients done in 1985-86 were evaluated. Methods and Results. CABG patients selected had more coronary risk factors and more severe coronary artery disease compared to PTCA patients. Comparison of the initial outcome showed that clinical success without major cardiovascular events was similar (93.7% for PTCA vs. 90.0% for CABG; p=n.s.). Five year followup was obtained in 99.0% of PTCA patients and 94.4% of CABG patients. In the PTCA group, 89.8% were alive, 4.8% had sustained an MI, and repeat revascularization was required in 46.8%. In the CABG group, 87.1% were alive, 3.2% had had a MI, and 3.5% required repeat revascularization. Statistical comparison demonstrated no difference between the groups in survival or late cardiac events, but rate of repeat revascularization was significantly higher for PTCA patients (p less than 0.0001). Incompleteness of revascularization (p<0.01) was independently associated with an increased need for repeat revascularization in the PTCA group. In the CABG group, depressed left ventricular function (p less than 0.001) and female sex (p<0.01) were associated with lower survival rates. An analysis of cost per patient showed that the strategies were comparable. Conclusions. PTCA and CABG in multivessel disease patients have similar early results and comparable rates of survival and late cardiac events. Significantly more repeat revascularization is required in PTCA patients to maintain these results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The evolution of a clinical database to evaluate the treatment of coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: The field of invasive cardiology has evolved rapidly since the initial use of catheters for treatment of coronary artery disease in the late 1970's. The pace of this change coupled with the complexity of the clinical setting and proliferation of devices and drugs used for therapy have made it extremely difficult to construct and maintain a viable clinical database. METHODS: Using a standard hardware and software system with the direct clinical input from a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses and biostatisticians, a clinical database was developed that is capable of tracking complex in-hospital and longterm follow-up data in patients undergoing treatment of coronary artery disease. RESULTS: The database has provided the basis for in-depth analysis of angioplasty results in patients with vessels and lesions of varying morphology, showing greater than 90% success in most complex lesion morphology using contemporary balloon technology and/or new devices. Longterm analysis (14 years) of patients after angioplasty has demonstrated that 76% survived without major cardiac events. Other analyses of various clinical and morphologic subsets have shown favorable results with angioplasty. The databases for angioplasty and coronary bypass surgery have been combined, showing comparable survival and freedom from cardiac events in multivessel disease patients treated with these procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The development of a dynamic and clinically relevant database that has evolved has contributed valuable information to the understanding and effective management of patients with coronary artery disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coronary rotational ablation: initial experience in 302 procedures.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the utility of percutaneous transluminal coronary rotational ablation in the treatment of coronary artery disease. BACKGROUND: Although numerous advances have been made in the treatment of coronary artery disease, there are lesions with complex morphology that are not amenable to current intravascular therapy. METHODS: A consecutive series of 242 patients having 302 coronary rotational ablation procedures was analyzed. One hundred nineteen (49%) of the patients had previously undergone attempted coronary angioplasty, which was unsuccessful in 31 patients (13%). The left ventricular ejection fraction was normal in 196 patients (81%). The ablation procedure was attempted in 308 vessels and 346 lesions. Of the 346 lesions treated, 26 (7.5%) were classified as American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association type A, and 320 (92.5%) as either type B or type C. RESULTS: Procedural success was achieved in 284 (94%) of the 302 procedures and 330 (95.4%) of the 346 lesions in which ablation was attempted. Five procedures (1.7%) were unsuccessful, but no cardiac event occurred during the hospital stay. A major cardiac event occurred in 13 cases (4.3%); 9 (3%) of these complications were due to the ablation procedure. Six patients sustained a Q wave myocardial infarction alone, two had a Q wave infarction and required emergency surgery and one needed emergency surgery but did not have a Q wave infarction. No procedural deaths were attributed to the ablation procedure. Follow-up has been obtained in 182 of the 242 patients at a mean interval of 9 +/- 5 months. Of the 182 patients, 174 (95.6%) were alive and free of myocardial infarction. Angiographic follow-up is available thus far in 87 patients. By combining angiographic and clinical outcome, an overall estimated restenosis rate of 37.4% (68 of 182) was calculated. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that coronary rotational ablation can be performed on lesions with a variety of morphologic features with high initial success rates. The overall rate of restenosis is similar to that of balloon angioplasty.

Lesion morphology and coronary angioplasty: current experience and analysis.

From July 1, 1990 to February 28, 1991, 533 consecutive patients with 764 target vessels and 1,000 lesions underwent coronary angioplasty. Procedural success was achieved in 92.3%, untoward (major cardiac) events occurred in 3% (0.8% myocardial infarction, 1.3% emergency coronary bypass grafting and 0.9% both; there were no deaths). An unsuccessful uncomplicated outcome occurred in 4.7%. Lesion analysis using a modified American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association classification system showed that 8% were type A, 47.5% were type B and 44.5% were type C (36% of type B and 11% of type C were occlusions). Angioplasty success was achieved in 99% of type A, 92% of type B and 90% of type C lesions (A vs. B, p less than 0.05; B vs. C, p = NS; A vs. C, p less than 0.01). Untoward events occurred in 1.2% of type A, 1.9% of type B and 2% of type C lesions (p = NS). An unsuccessful uncomplicated outcome occurred in 0% of type A, 6% of type B and 7% of type C lesions (A vs. B, p less than 0.05; B vs. C, p = NS; A vs. C, p less than 0.05). Among the unsuccessful uncomplicated outcome group, occlusion occurred in 49%: 38% of type B and 59% of type C lesions. With B1 and B2 subtypes, success was obtained in 95% and 89.5% and untoward events occurred in 1.5% and 2.3% and an unsuccessful uncomplicated outcome in 3.7% and 8%, respectively. C1 and C2 subtyping showed success in 91% and 86%, untoward events in 1.3% and 6% and an unsuccessful uncomplicated outcome in 7.5% and 8.5%, respectively. Among the 764 vessels, success was obtained in 89.5% and untoward events occurred in 2.5% and an unsuccessful uncomplicated outcome in 8%. Assessment of lesion-vessel combinations showed a less favorable outcome with type C lesions and combinations of A-B, B-C and multiple (more than three lesions) type B and C vessels. Statistical analysis of morphologic factors associated with angioplasty success included absence of (old) occlusion (p less than 0.0001) and unprotected bifurcation lesion (p less than 0.001), decreasing lesion length (p less than 0.003) and no thrombus (p less than 0.03). The only significant factor associated with untoward events was the presence of thrombus (p less than 0.003). Predictors of an unsuccessful uncomplicated outcome included old occlusion (p less than 0.0001) and increasing lesion length (greater than 20 mm) (p less than 0.001), unprotected bifurcation lesion (p less than 0.05) and thrombus (p less than 0.03).

Rotational ablation of balloon angioplasty failures.

In this series, we evaluated the use of rotational ablation in stenoses that were previously refractory to balloon angioplasty. Forty-one stenoses were treated; in 26, the balloon did not adequately expand within the lesion and in 15 the balloon could not be delivered to the stenosis. Rotational ablation was technically successful in 40 of 41 (97.6%) of the lesions attempted. Twenty-four patients have been followed (mean time = 9 +/- 5 months) and the restenosis rate was similar to that of balloon angioplasty. Rotational ablation appears well suited and may be the treatment of choice for heavily calcified, severely angulated, and diffusely diseased vessels.

Atherectomy, stents and lasers. An annotated bibliography of recent references.

This is an annotated bibliography of selected references on atherectomy, stents and lasers that have appeared in the literature since the particular issue of the Journal of Invasive Cardiology covering that device was published. It has been structured to include pertinent details about each citation, including the site at which the device was used (coronary or peripheral), the type of article in which the research was reported (clinical paper, case report, abstract, review, editorial), the number of subjects or procedures and lesions treated, the design of the study (case study, single group, group comparison, or randomized trial), acute and late results, and comments about the study and its findings.

Stents. An annotated bibliography of selected references.

This is an annotated bibliography of selected references on stents. It includes 90 annotated references and 6 others that were not annotated. It has been structured to include pertinent details about each citation, including the site at which the device was used (coronary or peripheral), the type of article in which the research was reported (clinical paper, case report, abstract, review, editorial), the number of subjects and lesions treated, the design of the study (case study, single group, group comparison, or randomized trial), acute and late results, and comments about the study and its findings.

The behavioral effects of noise on man: the patient with "intensive care unit psychosis".

Alterations in the behavior of a critically ill patient, commonly referred to as ICU psychosis, may result from the physiological stresses incurred by these patients compounded by disruptions from environmental noises. Research has demonstrated that noise levels can greatly affect sleep stage progression as well as the frequency of awakenings in normal subjects during brief testing sessions. Furthermore, the ability to solve problems and tolerate frustration decreases when persons are exposed to noise. Clinical research studies have reported the excessive noise levels in everyday ICU equipment and procedures, such as hypothermia blankets, ventilators, and intermittent positive pressure breathing. Yet when patients were polled about the most disturbing noises, staff conversations and personnel activity were ranked among the highest. In addition, a direct relationship between level of noise and the amount of pain medication administered to patients was reported. Recommendations for the elimination of most noise within an ICU were personnel related. Being more cognizant of conversational topics and noise levels could greatly reduce the patient's level of irritability and feelings of impersonalization. Specific issues regarding current practice, staff behavior, and structural design were addressed. Thus familiarity with behavioral and clinical research regarding noise and its effect on man's behavior can serve as a guideline to the improvement of the quality of care that the critically ill patient receives.

Critical care nursing orientation: a comparison of teaching methods.

In summary we have shown in this small group of 32 nurses that the PIM approach is as effective a method for critical care orientation as traditional classroom teaching. The savings in instructors' and orientees' time via PIMs result in dollar savings; but more importantly, the PIM was found by our orientees to be more satisfying. PIMs encouraged flexibility and individualized attention, and by self-pacing allowed several nurses to begin practice in the critical care setting earlier than usual. In light of the high cost of orientation, one finding that warrants further exploration is the orientee's uncertainty of remaining in critical care nursing. It is possible that as the orientee becomes socialized into the critical care setting, her values, attitudes, and commitment to remain may change over time. Future follow-up will help us to examine changing attitudes as these nurses become acclimated to the critical care setting. Head nurses and staff development instructors play a major role in preventing frustration and turnover and in creating a positive climate for growth.