Chronic total occlusion of the left circumflex coronary artery with collateral channels from the bronchial artery: a case report.

Background: Chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions contain various collateral channels. Only a few reports have described CTO with collateral channels from the bronchial arteries. Case summary: Herein, we report the case of a 59-year-old man with a left circumflex (LCX) coronary artery CTO with collateral channels from the bronchial arteries. The J-CTO score was 1. After confirming myocardial viability and myocardial ischaemia using a stress myocardial perfusion imaging test, we performed percutaneous coronary intervention for the CTO lesion. Successful revascularization was achieved by adopting the antegrade approach with the angiogram guidance of distal visualization using the bronchial artery. Discussion: Notably, there are no other reports of LCX CTO with collateral channels from the bronchial artery. Distal visualization of the distal true lumen is essential for the success of the antegrade approach. Furthermore, appropriate distal visualization helps to avoid unnecessary retrograde approaches and reduce complications.

Simple echocardiographic scoring in screening aortic stenosis with focused cardiac ultrasonography in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: No established methodology exists for diagnosis of aortic stenosis (AS) using focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS). We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of our developed visual AS score for screening AS in an emergency department. METHODS: Seventy-two emergency outpatients with suspected cardiovascular disease were studied. Emergency physicians assessed the visual AS score in addition to conducting the standard FOCUS, and then the aortic valve area index (AVAI) was measured by expert sonographers in the echocardiography laboratory. AVAI values >0.85 cm2/m2, 0.6-0.85 cm2/m2, and <0.6 cm2/m2 were defined as no or mild AS, moderate AS, and severe AS, respectively. RESULTS: Seventeen (24%) patients had moderate or severe AS. Visual AS scores assessed by emergency physicians and by expert sonographers showed excellent agreement (κ = 0.93), and a strong association was noted between the visual AS score assessed by emergency physicians and the AVAI assessed by expert sonographers (R = -0.71, p < 0.0001). A visual AS score ≥3 assessed by emergency physicians had a sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 95% for diagnosing moderate or severe AS. The prevalence of new-onset AS-related events during hospitalization was higher in patients with visual AS score ≥3 assessed by emergency physicians than in the remaining patients [7 (50%) vs. 2 (3%), p < 0.0001]. CONCLUSION: The visual AS score is a useful AS screening tool for emergency physicians who are not expert cardiologists.

Randomized comparison between 2-link cell design biolimus A9-eluting stent and 3-link cell design everolimus-eluting stent in patients with de novo true coronary bifurcation lesions: the BEGIN trial.

The appropriate stent platform for treating coronary bifurcation lesions (CBLs) remains controversial. Previous bench tests have demonstrated the superiority of a 2-link cell design to 3-link cell design for creating inter-strut dilation at the side branch ostium. This randomized multicenter prospective BEGIN trial compared the biodegradable polymer-based biolimus A9-eluting stent (2-link BES) with the durable polymer-based cobalt chromium everolimus-eluting stent (3-link EES) in 226 patients with de novo CBLs. Patients with true bifurcations, defined as > 50% stenosis in the main vessel and side branch (SB) and an SB diameter > 2.25 mm, were enrolled. Guide wire re-crossing to the distal cell (near the carina) in the jailed SB and final kissing inflation were recommended. The SB angiographic endpoint was < 50% stenosis diameter. Left-main CBLs (13.5% vs. 13.0%) and 2-stent technique (30.6% vs. 22.6%) rates were similar. The primary endpoints (minimum lumen diameter at the SB ostium measured at an independent core laboratory at the 8-month follow-up) were comparable (1.64 ± 0.50 mm vs. 1.63 ± 0.51 mm, p = 0.976). There was no significant difference in composite outcomes of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target vascular revascularization at 12 months (7.4% vs. 8.0%, p = 0.894). Two-link BES and 3-link EES showed similar 8-month angiographic and 1-year clinical outcomes for true CBLs.

Mechanisms of changes in functional mitral regurgitation by preload alterations.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of acute changes in functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) by preload alterations. METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <40% and at least mild FMR underwent transthoracic echocardiography. Passive leg lifting and sublingual administration of nitroglycerin were performed to alter preload. Mitral regurgitant volume (MRV) was assessed using the Doppler method. RESULTS: MRV changed in parallel with preload alterations. MRV correlated better with tenting height (TH) than with mitral annular area (MAA) at baseline, whereas the difference in the correlate coefficients was not statistically significant (R=0.69 and R=0.40, respectively; p=0.19). On the other hand, changes in MRV between each sequential stage correlated better with those in MAA than with those in TH (R=0.68 and R=0.44, respectively; p=0.043). Multiple regression analysis revealed that baseline TH was the independent determinant of baseline MRV (R=0.69, p=0.0004), whereas changes in MAA with preload alteration were the independent determinant of the changes in MRV (R=0.68, p<0.0001). Changes in left atrial (LA) volume were the independent determinant of the changes in MAA (R=0.30, p=0.0063). CONCLUSIONS: Acute changes in FMR with preload alterations resulted from the transverse changes in MAA rather than the longitudinal changes in tethering-tenting of mitral geometry, and mitral annular deformation was determined by changes in LA volume. Preload reduction might help heart failure treatment through the reduction in FMR resulting from the decrease in LA and mitral annular size.

Effect of remote ischemia or nicorandil on myocardial injury following percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with stable coronary artery disease: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) and nicorandil on periprocedural myocardial injury (pMI) in patients with planned percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial. The aim of this randomized trial was to evaluate the effect of RIPC or nicorandil on pMI following PCI in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) compared with a control group. METHODS: Patients with stable CAD who planned to undergo PCI were assigned to a 1:1:1 ratio to control, RIPC, or intravenous nicorandil (6mg/h). Automated RIPC was performed by a device, which performs intermittent arm ischemia through three cycles of 5min of inflation and 5min of deflation of a pressure cuff. The primary outcome was the incidence of pMI, determined by an elevation in high-sensitive troponin T or creatine kinase myocardial band at 12 or 24h after PCI. The secondary outcomes were ischemic events during PCI and adverse clinical events at 8months after PCI. RESULTS: A total of 391 patients were enrolled. The incidence of pMI following PCI was not significantly different between the control group (48.9%) and RIPC group (39.5%; p=0.14), or between the control group and nicorandil group (40.3%; p=0.17). There were no significant differences in ischemic events during PCI or adverse clinical events within 8months after PCI among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated moderate reductions in biomarker release and pMI by RIPC or intravenous nicorandil prior to the PCI consistently, but may have failed to achieve statistical significance because the study was underpowered.

Association between tissue characteristics assessed with optical coherence tomography and mid-term results after percutaneous coronary intervention for in-stent restenosis lesions: a comparison between balloon angioplasty, paclitaxel-coated balloon dilatation, and drug-eluting stent implantation.

AIMS: Morphological assessment of neointimal tissue using optical coherence tomography (OCT) is important for clarifying the pathophysiology of in-stent restenosis (ISR) lesions. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of OCT findings on recurrence of ISR after various types of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) including plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA), paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB) dilatation, and drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between June 2008 and August 2013, we performed PCI for 428 ISR lesions in 379 patients using POBA (78 lesions, POBA group), PCB dilatation (202 lesions, PCB group), and DES implantation (148 lesions, DES group). Morphological assessment of neointimal tissue at the minimum lumen area site to determine restenotic tissue structure (homogeneous, heterogeneous, or layered type) using OCT was performed. We examined the association between tissue structure and midterm results including ISR and target lesion revascularization (TLR) rates. The patients were 308 men and 71 women with a mean age of 68.9 ± 9.4 years. The mean follow-up period was 211 ± 40 days. ISR and TLR rates of lesions with a homogeneous structure were significantly higher in the POBA group than in the PCB group (ISR: 54.8 vs. 19.1%, P < 0.001; TLR: 38.7 vs. 10.6%, P < 0.001) and DES group (ISR: 54.8 vs. 19.6%, P = 0.002; TLR: 38.7 vs. 10.7%, P = 0.005), whereas there were no differences in ISR and TLR rates between the three groups in lesions with a heterogeneous structure. CONCLUSION: Morphological assessment of ISR tissue using OCT might suggest favourable types of PCI for ISR lesions.

Association between tissue characteristics evaluated with optical coherence tomography and mid-term results after paclitaxel-coated balloon dilatation for in-stent restenosis lesions: a comparison with plain old balloon angioplasty.

AIMS: Morphological assessment of neointimal tissue using optical coherence tomography (OCT) is important for clarifying the pathophysiology of in-stent restenosis (ISR) lesions. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of OCT findings on recurrence of ISR after paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB) dilatation compared with plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA). METHODS AND RESULTS: Between July 2008 and May 2012, we performed percutaneous coronary intervention for 214 ISR lesions using POBA + PCB (146 lesions, PCB group) or POBA only (68 lesions, POBA group). Morphological assessment of neointimal tissue using OCT, including assessment of restenotic tissue structure and restenotic tissue backscatter, was performed. We examined the association between lesion morphologies and mid-term (6-8 months) results including ISR and target lesion revascularization (TLR) rates. Both ISR and TLR rates of lesions with a homogeneous structure were significantly lower in the PCB group than those in the POBA group (ISR: 20.0 vs. 55.6%, P = 0.002, TLR: 12.7 vs. 37.0%, P = 0.019), but there was no difference between the two groups in ISR and TLR rates of lesions with a heterogeneous or layered structure. Both ISR and TLR rates of lesions with high backscatter were significantly lower in the PCB group than those in the POBA group (ISR: 19.8 vs. 52.5%, P < 0.001, TLR: 13.6 vs. 42.5%, P = 0.001), but there was no difference between the two groups in ISR and TLR rates of lesions with low backscatter. CONCLUSION: Morphological assessment of ISR tissue using OCT might be useful for identifying ISR lesions favourable for PCB dilatation.

Optical coherence tomography findings in lesions after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation with peri-stent contrast staining.

BACKGROUND: We have sometimes noted abnormal angiographic coronary dilatation, <50% of the reference vessel, at the site of sirolimus-eluting stent implantation, suggesting contrast staining outside the stent struts and named this finding peri-stent contrast staining (PSS). Little was known about optical coherence tomography findings of lesions with PSS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between May 2008 and March 2010, we performed optical coherence tomography for 90 in-stent restenosis lesions after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation. We found PSS in 20 of the 90 lesions by coronary angiography. The differences in optical coherence tomography findings, including incomplete stent apposition, multiple interstrut hollows (MIH), strut coverage, and thrombus, were compared between lesions with PSS and those without PSS. PSS is defined as contrast staining outside the stent contour extending to >20% of the stent diameter measured by quantitative coronary angiography. MIH is defined as multiple hollows (the maximum depth >0.5 mm) existing between and outside well-apposed stent struts. Both incomplete stent apposition (60.0% versus 10%; P<0.001) and MIH (85.0% versus 25.7%; P<0.001) were frequently observed in lesions with PSS than in lesions without PSS. Among the 20 lesions with PSS, there was only 1 lesion in which we found neither MIH nor incomplete stent apposition, but only minor dissection. Uncovered struts (11.6% versus 3.9%; P=0.001), malapposed struts (2.0% versus 0.0%; P<0.001), and red thrombus (35% versus 10%; P=0.012) were frequently observed in lesions with PSS than in lesions without PSS. CONCLUSIONS: PSS might be closely associated with 2 different optical coherence tomography findings, MIH and incomplete stent apposition, in lesions after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation.

The impairment of endocardial radial strain is related to aortic stenosis severity in patients with aortic stenosis and preserved LV ejection fraction using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial function is heterogeneous in different myocardial layers. Recently, two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography has been used to define myocardial deformation parameters of the left ventricular (LV) segment. This study aimed to investigate strain in subendocardial and subepicardial layers in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF) using speckle tracking echocardiography. METHODS: Parasternal short-axis and apical long-axis views of the left ventricle were acquired at the mid-papillary level in 35 control subjects and 32 patients with AS and preserved LVEF. Radial, circumferential, and longitudinal strain in subendocardial and subepicardial layers at the posterior and anteroseptal segments were calculated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in circumferential strain in subendocardial and subepicardial layers between the control subjects and the patients with AS. Similarly, there was no significant difference in epicardial radial strain at the posterior and anteroseptal segments between the control subjects and the patients with AS. Longitudinal strain at both the posterior and anteroseptal segments was significantly decreased in the AS group compared with that in the control group. AS patients had significantly decreased values of endocardial radial strain compared with those in controls (anteroseptal: 18.2 ± 11.2 vs. 34.5 ± 14.8, P < 0.005; posterior: 25.2 ± 14.8 vs. 32.6 ± 12.6, P < 0.05). In the AS group, endocardial radial strain in the posterior and anteroseptal segments was significantly correlated with the aortic valve area (posterior: r = 0.41, P < 0.05; anteroseptal: r = 0.33, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with AS and preserved LVEF have impaired longitudinal strain and endocardial radial strain, although circumferential strain and epicardial radial strain are preserved. Despite preserved LVEF, endocardial radial strain was associated with AS severity.

Incidence, risk factors, and clinical sequelae of angiographic peri-stent contrast staining after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation.

BACKGROUND: We have noted abnormal angiographic findings--at the sites of drug-eluting stent implantation, suggesting contrast staining outside the stent struts--that do not fulfill the classic definition of coronary artery aneurysm. We propose a new term, peri-stent contrast staining (PSS), for these abnormal angiographic findings and assess their incidence, risk factors, and clinical sequelae. METHODS AND RESULTS: Peri-stent contrast staining was defined as contrast staining outside the stent contour extending to ≥20% of the stent diameter. The study population consisted of 3081 lesions (1998 patients) that were treated exclusively with sirolimus-eluting stents and were evaluated by follow-up angiography within 12 months after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation in a single center. Late acquired PSS was observed in 58 lesions (1.9%) in 49 patients (2.5%). Independent risk factors of PSS included chronic total occlusion, whereas negative risk factors for PSS were left circumflex coronary artery lesion and in-stent restenosis lesion. Stent fracture was more frequently observed in lesions with PSS than in lesions without PSS (43.1% versus 5.4%, P<0.0001). Excluding 269 lesions with target-lesion revascularization within 12 months, the study population for long-term follow-up consisted of 51 lesions (42 patients) with PSS and 2761 lesions (1751 patients) without PSS. Cumulative incidence of target-lesion revascularization and definite very late stent thrombosis at 3 years in the PSS group was higher than that in the non-PSS group (15.0% versus 6.5%, and 8.2% versus 0.2%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Peri-stent contrast staining found within 12 months after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation appeared to be associated with subsequent target-lesion revascularization and very late stent thrombosis.

Serial clinical and angiographic follow-up after phosphorylcholine-coated stent implantation.

The efficacy of drug-eluting stents (DES) has been proven, but concerns about late complications after DES have been raised. Polymers that do not increase inflammatory or hypersensitivity reactions which may contribute to late complications are needed for new generation DES. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of phosphorylcholine-polymer coating, we investigated serial clinical and angiographic outcomes after phosphorylcholine-coated stent placement. Seventy-five consecutive patients treated with a BiodivYsio phosphorylcholine-coated stent for de novo lesions at our institute between October 2001 and August 2002 were enrolled. Six-month follow-up angiography was performed in 71 lesions (94.7%), and angiographic restenosis was found in 19 lesions (26.8%). Target lesion revascularization (TLR) was performed in 10 lesions (14.1%). Eighteen-month follow-up angiography was performed in 58 (95.1%) of the remaining 61 lesions (excluding TLR lesions), and angiographic restenosis was found in only 3 lesions. The cumulative MACE-free survival rate was 86.3%, 83.6%, and 78.6% at 6-month, 18-month, and 8-year follow-up, respectively. There were no episodes of stent thrombosis. Late loss decreased significantly from 0.74 ± 0.40 mm (6-months) to 0.51 ± 0.46 mm (18-months) (P < 0.0001). Phosphorylcholine-coated stent implantation was associated with acceptable clinical and angiographic results. Phosphorylcholine-coating may be an ideal polymer for new generation DESs.

Effectiveness of paclitaxel-eluting balloon catheter in patients with sirolimus-eluting stent restenosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a paclitaxel-eluting balloon (PEB) for the treatment of sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) restenosis. BACKGROUND: Because drug-eluting stents (DES) are being used in increasingly complicated settings, DES restenosis is no longer an uncommon phenomenon, and its optimal treatment is unknown. METHODS: This study was a prospective single-blind randomized trial conducted in 50 patients with SES restenosis. Patients were randomly assigned to a PEB group (n = 25) or a conventional balloon angioplasty (BA) group (n = 25). The primary end point was late lumen loss at 6-month follow-up. Secondary end points included the rate of binary restenosis (in-segment analysis) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: At 6-month angiographic follow-up (follow-up rate: 94%), in-segment late lumen loss was lower in the PEB group than in the BA group (0.18 ± 0.45 mm vs. 0.72 ± 0.55 mm; p = 0.001). The incidence of recurrent restenosis (8.7% vs. 62.5%; p = 0.0001) and target lesion revascularization (4.3% vs. 41.7%; p = 0.003) was also lower in the PEB group than in the BA group. The cumulative MACE-free survival was significantly better in the PEB group than in the BA group (96% vs. 60%; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with SES restenosis, PEB provided much better clinical, angiographic outcomes than conventional BA.

Pressor effect of electroacupuncture on hemorrhagic hypotension.

Neiguan (PC-6) is a traditional acupoint in each forearm and overlies the trunk of the median nerve. Previous studies show that electroacupuncture (EA) at the Neiguan acupoint could improve not only myocardial ischemic dysfunction by inducing a depressor response but also recover hemorrhagic hypotension by inducing a pressor response. However, their physiological mechanisms are not yet elucidated. We investigated the pressor effect of Neiguan EA and its mechanism by focusing on left ventricular (LV) performance in a canine hemorrhagic hypotension model. We hemorrhaged 36 anesthetized and thoracotomized mongrel dogs and decreased LV end-systolic pressure (ESP) to approximately 70 mmHg (35% decrease). We obtained LV pressure-volume (P-V) data with a micromanometer catheter and a conductance catheter. One-hour Neiguan EA significantly recovered the decreased ESP, end-diastolic volume, and stroke volume by 32 +/- 13%, 27 +/- 13%, and 39 +/- 17%, respectively (P < 0.05), without changing heart rate and the slope of the end-systolic P-V relation. Neiguan EA inhibited a hemorrhage-induced increase in plasma catecholamines. However, vecuronium (neuromuscular blocking agent) administration abolished the antihypotension effect of Neiguan EA. Furthermore, Neiguan EA was much more effective than a nonacupoint thigh EA. We conclude that Neiguan EA achieved the antihypotension effect by improving LV filling of the hemorrhage-depressed LV performance despite the inhibition of the hemorrhage-increased plasma catecholamines. This pressor effect seemed to accompany an increased venous return by Neiguan EA-increased vasomotor tone and muscle pump. This study demonstrated a scientific basis for the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of hemorrhagic hypotension and shock.