Comparison between Imaging and Physiology in Guiding Coronary Revascularization: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a widely used revascularization strategy for coronary artery disease. The choice between imaging-guided and physiology-guided PCI has been a subject of debate. This meta-analysis aims to systematically compare outcomes between imaging and physiology-guided PCI and management of intermediate coronary lesions (ICLs). Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases for studies published up to December 2023 following PRISMA guidelines. Seven eligible studies comparing imaging-guided and physiology-guided PCI were selected for the final analysis. Relevant outcome measures included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), target vessel revascularization (TVR), target vessel failure (TVF), and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Subgroup analysis was performed for ICLs. Results: A total of 5701 patients were included in the meta-analysis. After a mean follow-up of 2.1 years, imaging-guided PCI was associated with lower rates of TVR compared to physiology-guided PCI (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52-0.95, p = 0.02); concerning MACE, TVF, and TLR, no differences were found. When the analysis was restricted to studies considering ICLs management, there were no differences between the two techniques. Meta regression analysis did not show any impact of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) presentation on MACE and TVR. Conclusions: The findings suggest that imaging-guided PCI may reduce the need for future revascularization of the target vessel compared to the functional-guided approach, and this result was not influenced by ACS presentation. These results may have important implications for clinical practice, guiding interventional cardiologists in selecting the most appropriate guidance strategy.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Low Surgical Risk Patients: An Updated Metanalysis of Extended Follow-Up Randomized Controlled Trials.

The long-term safety and effectiveness of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) compared with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in low surgical risk has not been evaluated in a pooled analysis. An electronic database search was conducted for randomized controlled trials with a maximal 5 years clinical and echocardiographic follow-up including low surgical risk patients who underwent TAVR or SAVR. We calculated odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model. Subgroups analysis was performed for permanent pacemaker implantation and paravalvular leaks. Three randomized controlled trials were included with a total of 2,611 low surgical risk patients (Society of Thoracic Surgeons score <4%). Compared with SAVR, the TAVR group had similar rates of all-cause mortality (OR 0.94,95% CI 0.65 to 1.37, p = 0.75) and disabling stroke (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.36, p = 0.48). No significant differences were registered in the TAVR group in terms of major cardiovascular events (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.38, p = 0.83), myocardial infarction (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.40, p = 0.31), valve thrombosis (OR 3.11, 95% CI 0.29 to 33.47, p = 0.35), endocarditis (OR 0.71,95% CI 0.35 to 1.48, p = 0.36), aortic valve reintervention (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.66, p = 0.80), and rehospitalization (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.02, p = 0.07) compared with SAVR. However, TAVR patients had a higher risk of paravalvular leaks (OR 8.21, 95% CI 4.18 to 16.14, p <0.00001), but lower rates of new-onset atrial fibrillation (OR 0.27,95% CI 0.17 to 0.30, p <0.0001). The rates of permanent pacemaker implantation were comparable from 1 year up to a maximum of 5 years (OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.97, p = 0.18). Lastly, TAVR had a greater effective orifice area (0.10 cm2/m2, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.15, p = 0.0001), but similar transvalvular mean gradients (0.60, 95% CI 3.94 to 2.73, p = 0.72). In conclusion, TAVR patients had similar long-term outcomes compared with SAVR, except for an elevated risk of paravalvular leaks in the TAVR group and increased rates of atrial fibrillation in the SAVR cohort.

A Meta-Analysis of Short-Term Outcomes of TAVR versus SAVR in Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis and TAVR Results in Different Bicuspid Valve Anatomies.

BACKGROUND: To provide a comprehensive analysis of the current literature comparing the outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with bicuspid aortic stenosis (BAS), with particular attention to BAV morphology in patients undergoing TAVR. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, all relevant articles with no design restrictions from PubMed, CCTR (Cochrane Controlled Trials Register), and Google Scholar were screened for inclusion. Studies were included if they reported clinical endpoints for SAVR and TAVR or, in BAS treated with TAVR, for type 1 and non-type 1 morphology. Odds ratio and Cohen's D were considered as effect size measurements for qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively. RESULTS: A total of eight studies comparing short-term outcomes between SAVR and TAVR and nine studies with outcomes data between type 1 and non-type 1 BAS treated with TAVR were considered for the final analysis. No statistically significant difference was found for what concerns the rates of death, stroke, and acute kidney injury between SAVR and TAVR. In comparison to patients undergoing SAVR, the incidence of PPI (permanent pacemaker implantation) was greater in the TAVR group (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.15-0.79, p = 0.01), and the frequency of bleeding events was found to be higher among patients undergoing SAVR (OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.9-6.4, p < 0.001). The probabilities of 30-day mortality, stroke, and any bleeding were not significantly affected by bicuspid valve morphology in TAVR patients. PPI or development of new conduction anomalies was found to be more frequent in type 1 anatomies (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.30-0.70, p <0.001). Mildly lower post-procedural transprothesic gradients were found in patients with type 1 morphology. CONCLUSIONS: In BAS patients, TAVR has comparable short-term outcomes rates with SAVR, but higher PPI rates and lower incidence of bleeding events. In patients undergoing TAVR, type 1 BAS is associated with lower postoperative transvalvular gradients but higher PPI rates and conduction abnormalities.

Stent expansion in calcified coronary chronic total occlusions: The impact of different stent platforms.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the stent expansion of the durable-polymer Zotarolimus-eluting stent (dp-ZES), the durable-polymer Everolimus-eluting stent (dp-EES), and the bioabsorbable-polymer Sirolimus-eluting stent (bp-SES) in calcified coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO). BACKGROUND: The newer generation stents with ultrathin struts might raise concerns regarding reduced radial strength and higher stent recoil (SR) when implanted in calcified CTOs. METHODS: Between January 2017 and June 2021 consecutive patients with CTO undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with dp-ZES, dp-EES, or bp-SES were evaluated. The analysis was performed in calcific and in noncalcific CTOs. Quantitative coronary angiography analysis was used to assess diameter stenosis (DS), absolute and relative SR, absolute and relative focal SR, absolute and relative balloon deficit (BD), and absolute and relative focal BD. The primary endpoint was DS. RESULTS: A total of 213 CTOs were evaluated, 115 calcific CTOs (dp-ZES:25, dp-EES:29, bp-SES:61) and 98 non-calcific CTOs (dp-ZES:41, dp-EES:11, bp-SES:46). In calcific CTOs, residual DS was lower in dp-ZES than in dp-EES and bp-SES (-1.00% [-6.50-6.50] vs. 13.00% [7.0-19.00] vs. 15.00% [5.00-20.00]; p < 0.001). Dp-ZES was also an independent predictor of residual DS ≤ 10% (OR 11.34, 95% CI 2.6-49.43, p = 0.001). Absolute and relative focal SR and absolute and relative SR were similar between dp-ZES, dp-EES, and bp-SES (p = 0.913, p = 0.890, p = 0.518, p = 0.426, respectively). In noncalcified CTOs, the residual DS was similar in the three groups (p = 0.340). High relative focal SR was less frequent in dp-ZES than in dp-EES and in bp-SES (19.5% vs. 54.5% vs. 37.0%; p < 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: The three stent platforms demonstrated an overall low residual DS when implanted in CTOs. However, dp-ZES was associated with the lowest residual DS and identified as independent predictor of residual DS ≤ 10% in patients with calcific CTOs. Dp-ZES was associated with a lower incidence of high relative focal stent recoil, in noncalcific CTOs. Balloon deficit might be considerate as a surrogate for stent expansion in calcified CTOs.

Very Long-Term Clinical Outcomes After Direct Stenting in Patients Presenting With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Direct Stenting (DS) could be associated with reduced distal embolization and improved reperfusion in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the impact of DS on long-term outcomes remains unclear, therefore we evaluated the impact of DS on very long-term clinical outcome in STEMI. METHODS/MATERIALS: Between April 2002 and December 2004, patients presenting with STEMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were investigated. The study population was divided into two groups: DS and conventional stenting (CS) and stratified according to initial TIMI flow. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were assessed at 10 years and all-cause mortality at 15 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used. When the proportional hazards assumption was not satisfied, landmark analysis at mid-term (2 years) was performed. RESULTS: A total of 812 consecutive patients were evaluated, 6 patients were excluded due to inadequate angiographic images, 450 (55.8%) underwent DS and 356 (44.2%) CS. At 15 years follow-up, DS was associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality (DS 35.0% vs. CS 45.3%, aHR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58-0.93, p = 0.010). The landmark analysis at 2 years identifies reduced 2-year MACE in DS compared with CS (6.8% vs.14%, aHR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.93, p = 0.015) and beyond 2 years no significant differences were found between the groups (27.4% vs. 29.3%, aHR 1.00, 95% CI 0.74-1.36, p = 0.999). In patients with baseline TIMI 0-1, DS was associated with lower 10-year MACE and 15-year mortality compared with CS (aHR0.71, 95%CI 0.55-0.92, p = 0.010 and aHR0.65, 95%CI 0.50-0.84, p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: DS was associated with reduced 15-year all-cause mortality and reduced mid-term MACE rate in patients with STEMI. Clinical events reduction associated with DS was particularly relevant in patients with initial TIMI flow 0-1.

Elastic stent recoil in coronary total occlusions: Comparison of durable-polymer zotarolimus eluting stent and ultrathin strut bioabsorbable-polymer sirolimus eluting stent.

OBJECTIVES: To compare stent recoil (SR) of the thin-strut durable-polymer Zotarolimus-eluting stent (dp-ZES) and the ultrathin-strut bioabsorbable-polymer Sirolimus-eluting stent (bp-SES) in chronic total occlusions (CTOs) and to investigate the predictors of high SR in CTOs. BACKGROUND: Newer ultrathin drug eluting stent might be associated with lower radial force and higher elastic recoil due to the thinner strut design, possibly impacting on the rate of in-stent restenosis and thrombosis. METHODS: Between January 2017 and November 2019, consecutive patients with CTOs undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were evaluated. Only patients treated with dp-ZES or bp-SES were included and stratified accordingly. Quantitative coronary angiography analysis was used to assess absolute SR, relative SR, absolute focal SR, relative focal SR, high absolute, and high relative focal SR. RESULTS: A total of 128 lesions (67 treated with dp-ZES and 61 with bp-SES) in 123 patients were analyzed. Between bp-SES and dp-ZES no differences were found in absolute SR (p = .188), relative SR (p = .138), absolute focal SR (p = .069), and relative focal SR (p = .064). High absolute and high relative focal SR occurred more frequently in bp-SES than in dp-ZES (p = .004 and p = .015). Bp-SES was a predictor of high absolute focal SR (Odds ratio [OR] 3.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50-7.22, p = .003]. High-pressure postdilation and bp-SES were predictors of high relative focal SR (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.01-4.86, p = .047; OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.24-6.02, p = .012, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Both stents showed an overall low SR. However, ultra-thin strut bp-SES was a predictor of high absolute and high relative focal SR.