Safety and feasibility of intravascular ultrasound guided zero-contrast percutaneous coronary intervention-A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: There are published reports of safety and feasibility of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without contrast, using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and coronary physiology guidance in chronic kidney disease population. We prospectively evaluated the safety and feasibility of zero-contrast PCI technique. METHODS: In this prospective study, we hypothesized that PCI is feasible without contrast, using IVUS guidance alone without mandatory coronary physiology to rule out slow-flow or no-flow at the end of PCI in a population at risk of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). In this study, we included 31 vessels in 27 patients at risk of CI-AKI and assessed the primary outcome of technical success at the end of PCI. Major adverse cardio-cerebro vascular events (MACCE) and percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) one month after PCI were the secondary outcomes of the study. RESULTS: The primary outcome was met in 87.1%(n = 27) of the procedures. Technical failure was seen in 12.9%(n = 4) of the procedures. None of the patients developed MACCE at one-month follow-up. The median percent change in eGFR at one-month follow-up was -8.19%(-24.40%, +0.92%). There was no newer initiation of renal replacement therapy at one-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Zero-contrast PCI is safe and feasible in selective coronary anatomies with IVUS guidance. Coronary physiology is not mandatory to rule out slow-flow or no-flow at the end of procedure. Contrast may be needed to tide over the crisis during the possible complications, namely slow-flow, geographical miss and intraprocedural thrombus.

Comparison of resting and adenosine-free pressure indices with adenosine-induced hyperemic fractional flow reserve in intermediate coronary lesions.

OBJECTIVE: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) using adenosine has been the gold standard in the functional assessment of intermediate coronary stenoses in the catheterization laboratory. We aim to study the correlation of adenosine-free indices such as whole cycle Pd/Pa [the ratio of mean distal coronary pressure (Pd) to the mean pressure observed in the aorta (Pa)], instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR), and contrast-induced submaximal hyperemia (cFFR) with FFR. METHODS: This multicenter, prospective, observational study included patients with stable angina or acute coronary syndrome (>48 h since onset) with discrete intermediate coronary lesions (40-70% diameter stenosis). All patients underwent assessment of whole cycle Pd/Pa, iFR, cFFR, and FFR. We then evaluated the correlation of these indices with FFR and assessed the diagnostic efficiencies of them against FFR ≤0.80. RESULTS: Of the 103 patients from three different centers, 83 lesions were included for analysis. The correlation coefficient (r value) of whole cycle Pd/Pa, iFR, and cFFR in relation to FFR were +0.84, +0.77, and +0.70 (all p values < 0.001), respectively, and the c-statistic against FFR ≤0.80 were 0.92 (0.86-0.98), 0.89(0.81-0.97), and 0.91 (0.85-0.97) (all p values < 0.001), respectively. The best cut-off values identified by receiver-operator characteristic curve for whole cycle Pd/Pa, iFR, and cFFR were 0.94, 0.90, and 0.88, respectively, for an FFR ≤0.80. By the concept of "adenosine-free zone" (iFR = 0.86-0.93), 59% lesions in this study would not require adenosine. CONCLUSION: All the three adenosine-free indices had good correlation with FFR. There is no difference in the diagnostic accuracies among the indices in functional evaluation of discrete intermediate coronary stenoses. However, further validation is needed before adoption of adenosine-free pressure parameters into clinical practice.

Epidermal bulla: A dermatology complication of radial artery compression band.

Patent hemostasis technique is used with the trans radial (TR) band to prevent radial artery occlusion following diagnostic coronary angiogram or percutaneous coronary intervention using radial artery access. We report epidermal bulla as a complication of TR band usage and a modified patent hemostasis technique using barbeau test to prevent this complication.

Predictors of short-term outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in cardiogenic shock complicating STEMI-A tertiary care center experience.

BACKGROUND: Studying the outcomes in patients presenting with cardiogenic shock with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (CS-STEMI) and undergoing primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may give an insight to the unmet needs in STEMI-care in our region and may help in future recommendations in improving survival. MATERIALS AND METHODOLGY: During the period from January 2001- June 2017, there were 114 patients included in the study. The demographic, clinical and angiographic characteristics were compared between the survivors and non-survivors. All these variables were also compared between two-time frames (Phase 1- January 2001 to June 2007; Phase 2- July 2007 to June 2017). RESULTS: Among patients undergoing PCI for STEMI, 7.5% were in cardiogenic shock. In-hospital mortality for the patients included in the study was 53.5%. Total ischemic time (OR=0.99, 0.99-1; p=0.02), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (OR=0.90, 0.82-0.98; p=0.02), need for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (OR=0.12, 0.24-0.66; p=0.01), and post PCI TIMI flows (OR=0.08, 0.02-0.29; p<0.001) were the significant determinants of in-hospital mortality in the regression analysis. There was no significant change in mortality between the two phases of the study, though there was a reduction in total ischemic and door-to-balloon times, transfer admissions, use of thrombolytics, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, intra-aortic balloon pump, and mechanical ventilation in phase 2. CONCLUSION: Patients presenting in CS-STEMI and undergoing PCI continue to experience high mortality rates, despite improvements in total ischemic times. Further improvement in the systems-of-care are required to bring about reduction in mortality in this high-risk subset.

Prevalence of parameters of suboptimal scaffold deployment following angiographic guided bioresorbable vascular scaffold implantation in real world practice - an optical coherence tomography analysis.

AIM: To assess the prevalence of suboptimal bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS, Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California) deployment in real world practice with intracoronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention using BVS and the final optimization assessed with OCT imaging in two tertiary care centers between December 2012 and February 2015 were evaluated for parameters of suboptimal scaffold deployment by OCT. RESULTS: Overall, 36 scaffolds were implanted in 27 patients during this period. Mean age of the population was 54.7±8.2years and 19 (70.4%) were type B2/C lesions. The prevalence of parameters of suboptimal scaffold deployment were: underexpansion-22(61.1%), geographic miss-3(8.3%), tissue prolapse-7(25.9%), scaffold pattern irregularity-1(2.8%), longitudinal elongation-7(38.8%). Of the 7 overlaps imaged: excessive overlap was observed in 3 and scaffold gap in one. The median duration of follow up was 679days (range 193-963days). There were four events during this period. None were associated with suboptimal scaffold deployment. CONCLUSION: OCT based parameters of suboptimal scaffold deployment are common in real world scenario and were not associated with adverse outcomes on long term follow up. These findings need to be confirmed in larger studies.

A rare presentation of intrapericardial hematoma 20 months post aortic valve replacement.

We report the successful treatment of a rare case of chronic intrapericardial hematoma which presented with congestive cardiac failure 20 months after aortic valve replacement surgery for severe calcific aortic stenosis. Chest roentgenograph demonstrated paracardiac mass over lower left ventricle border, left pleural effusion and pulmonary venous hypertension. An echocardiographic study demonstrated intrapericardial mass posterolateral to left ventricle compressing left ventricular cavity both during systole and diastole causing septum to bulge into right ventricle. Computed tomography showed a loculated pericardial mass in left heart margin, left pleural effusion, bilateral axillary and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Surgical resection was planned to relieve the symptoms and to confirm the diagnosis of the mass. The mass was completely resected through left anterolateral thoracotomy and histopathology findings confirmed the diagnosis of hematoma with cystic degeneration. Postoperative course was uneventful, and his symptoms improved markedly.

Risk scoring system to predict contrast induced nephropathy following percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study is to evaluate the collective probability of CIN in Indian population by developing a scoring system of several identified risk factors in patients undergoing PCI. METHODS: This is a prospective single center study of 1200 consecutive patients who underwent PCI from 2008 to 2011. Patients were randomized in 3:1 ratio into development (n = 900) and validation (n = 300) groups. CIN was defined as an increase of ≥25% and/or ≥0.5 mg/dl in serum creatinine at 48 hours after PCI when compared to baseline value. Seven independent predictors of CIN were identified using logistic regression analysis - amount of contrast, diabetes with microangiopathy, hypotension, peripheral vascular disease, albuminuria, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and anemia. A formula was then developed to identify the probability of CIN using the logistic regression equation. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) age was 57.3 (±10.2) years. 83.6% were males. The total incidence of CIN was 9.7% in the development group. The total risk of renal replacement therapy in the study group is 1.1%. Mortality is 0.5%. The risk scoring model correlated well in the validation group (incidence of CIN was 8.7%, sensitivity 92.3%, specificity 82.1%, c statistic 0.95). CONCLUSION: A simple risk scoring equation can be employed to predict the probability of CIN following PCI, applying it to each individual. More vigilant preventive measures can be applied to the high risk candidates.

Coronary intervention in anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (ARCA) from the left sinus of valsalva (LSOV): a single center experience.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the technical challenges in percutaneous coronary intervention of Anomalous right coronary artery arising from the left sinus of valsalva. METHODS: Between year 2008 and 2012, a total of 17 patients underwent PCI for an angiographically significant lesion in the right coronary artery of an anomalous origin in the LSOV. Their procedure details such as usage of catheters, radiation time, amount of contrast used were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients with anomalous right coronary artery underwent PCI during the above mentioned period. 8 patients had type A origin, 3 had type B origin and the remaining 6 had type C origin. Type A origin RCA were successfully cannulated in 6 patients with Judkins left 5.0 and in 2 patients using Judkins left 4.0. Extra back up (EBU) 3.5 were doing well in 2 patients of Type B origin and the remaining one patient was successfully cannulated using Judkins left 4.0. In type C origin 4 patients had successful cannulation with Amplatz Left 1.0, 1 patient with Amplatz Left 2.0 and 1 patient with Judkins left 4.0. The mean fluoroscopic time was 20.7 min and amount of contrast used was 210 ml. CONCLUSION: PCI of anomalous RCA origin from LSOV requires appropriate guide catheter selection according to the anatomy of origin for successful cannulation and to reduce the contrast usage and radiation exposure.

A prospective, randomized study to evaluate the efficacy of various diuretic strategies in acute decompensated heart failure.

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of various initial strategies of loop diuretic administration in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) on diuresis, renal function, electrolyte balance and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted with ADHF were randomized into three groups - intravenous furosemide infusion + intravenous dopamine, intravenous furosemide bolus in two divided doses and intravenous furosemide continuous infusion alone. At 48 h, the treating physician could adjust the diuretic strategy. Primary endpoint was negative fluid balance at 24 h after admission. Secondary end points were duration of hospital stay, negative fluid balance at 48, 72, 96 h, the trend of serum electrolytes, and renal function and 30 day clinical outcome (death and emergency department visits). RESULTS: Overall ninety patients (thirty in each group) were included in the study. There was a greater diuresis in first 24 h (p = 0.002) and a shorter hospital stay (p = 0.023) with the bolus group. There was no significant difference in renal function and serum sodium and serum potassium levels. There was no difference in the number of emergency department visits among the three groups. CONCLUSION: All three modes of diuretic therapies can be practiced with no difference in worsening of renal function and electrolyte levels. Bolus dose administration with its rapid volume loss and shorter hospital stay might be a more effective diuretic strategy.

Characteristics, treatment and one-year outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome in a tertiary hospital in India.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of death in India. Data on outcome of CAD is scarce in the Indian population. This study determined the characteristics, treatment and one-year outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in an Indian Cardiac Centre. METHODS: We carried out a cross sectional retrospective analysis of 1468 ACS patients hospitalized between January 2008 and December 2010 and followed up for 1 year in the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Madras Medical Mission, Chennai. Mortality at 1 year, its determinants and 1 year major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were determined. RESULTS: The patients were aged 62.2 ± 11.2 years; males (75.2%) and had ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (33.9%), non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (44.2%) and unstable angina (21.9%). Key pharmacotherapy included aspirin (98.2%), clopidogrel (95.1%), statins (95.6%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (50.6%) and beta blocker (83.1%). Angiography rate was 80.6%. In the STEMI group, 53.3% had primary angioplasty, 20.3% were thrombolysed and 16.1% received sole medical therapy. Overall coronary artery bypass graft rate was 12.4%. At one year, all-cause mortality and composite MACE were 2.5% and 9.7%, respectively. MACE included death (2.5%), reinfarction (4.0%), resuscitated cardiac arrest (1.8%), stroke (1.1%) and bleeding (0.4%). Main factors associated with mortality were combined left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction (OR = 20.0, 95% CI = 6.63-69.4) and positive troponin I (OR = 12.56, 95% CI = 1.78-25.23). Troponin I independently predicted mortality. CONCLUSIONS: ACS population was older than previously described in India. Evidence-based pharmacotherapy and interventions, and outcomes were comparable to the developed nations.

Outcome of primary PCI - an Indian tertiary care center experience.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Indian Scenario. METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2012, consecutive STEMI patients who underwent PPCI within 12 h of onset of chest pain were prospectively enrolled in a PPCI registry. Patient demographics, risk factors, procedural characteristics, time variables and in-hospital and 30 day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) [death, reinfarction, bleeding, urgent coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and stroke] were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 672 patients underwent PPCI during this period. The mean age was 52 ± 13.4 years and 583 (86.7%) were males, 275 (40.9%) were hypertensives and 336 (50%) were diabetics. Thirty one (4.6%) patients had cardiogenic shock (CS). Anterior myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 398 (59.2%) patients. The median chest pain onset to hospital arrival time, door-to-balloon time and total ischemic times were 200 (10-720), 65 (20-300), and 275 (55-785) minutes respectively. In-hospital adverse events occurred in 54 (8.0%) patients [death 28 (4.2%), reinfarction 8 (1.2%), major bleeding 9 (1.3%), urgent CABG 4 (0.6%) and stroke 1 (0.14%)]. Nineteen patients with CS died (mortality rate - (61.3%)). At the end of 30 days, 64 (9.5%) patients had MACE [death 35 (5.2%), reinfarction 10 (2.1%), major bleeding 10 (1.5%), urgent CABG 4 (0.6%) and stroke 1 (0.1%)]. CONCLUSION: Our study has shown that PPCI is feasible with good outcomes in Indian scenario. Even though the recommended door-to-balloon time can be achieved, the total ischemic time remained long. CS in the setting of STEMI was associated with poor outcomes.

Primary percutaneous thrombus aspiration alone as definitive intervention for left main coronary artery occlusion presenting as acute anterior wall ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Primary angioplasty and stenting remains the standard of care for patients presenting with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Recently, thrombus aspiration has been shown to improve the myocardial perfusion and outcomes in STEMI. In a subset of patients thrombus aspiration may result in optimal perfusion and minimal residual stenosis. These patients may be managed without additional stenting. Three patients with anterior wall STEMI were successfully managed with thrombus aspiration alone without additional stenting. All three are doing well at 30 day follow up with significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction.

Longitudinal deformation - price we pay for better deliverability of coronary stent platforms.

Coronary stents, especially drug eluting stents (DES), have revolutionized the practice of interventional cardiology. Newer stents are manufactured by altering basic design characteristics to tackle complex coronary morphologies more effectively. Alteration in one particular attribute might affect other attributes adversely. Even though, reduction in the number and alteration of the orientation of the connectors improves the stent flexibility and deliverability, it adversely decreases the axial strength of the stent with resulting longitudinal stent deformation. A 67 year old female underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for a mid left anterior descending artery stenosis with a 2.75 × 16 mm Promus Element stent (Boston Scientific, Natick, Massachusetts). The stent got longitudinally distorted during post-stent balloon dilatation which was effectively managed with further dilatation with non-compliant balloon.

Concurrent endovascular repair of extensive thoracic aortic and infra-renal aorto-iliac aneurysms.

A 60 year-old woman presented with large extensive aneurysms in the thoracic aorta and infra-renal abdominal aorta with a normal segment of visceral aorta in between; the entire right common iliac artery was also aneurysmal. Concurrent endovascular repair of all aneurysmal regions was successfully performed using a left common iliac artery conduit to access the aorta, and multiple stent-grafts; a chimney graft preserved blood flow into the left subclavian artery. There were no features of spinal cord ischaemia despite coil embolisation of the right hypogastric artery. CT angiogram at six months showed patent stent-grafts with no endoleaks. The patient continued to do well at one-year clinical follow-up. Concurrent endovascular repair of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms can be safely and successfully performed when anatomically feasible, and is an attractive alternative to staged or hybrid repair.

Percutaneous coronary intervention in cardiogenic shock complicating acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction-a single centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) approaches 70 - 80%, regardless of the type of pharmacological treatment. Early revascularisation improves survival in AMI with CS. Our aim is to assess the predictors of mid-term outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and CS. METHODS: Forty-one patients who underwent primary or rescue PCI for CS were analysed comparing their baseline, angiographic, PCI data, 30-day and 1-year survival. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between survivors and non-survivors in baseline characters, except for more number of transfer admissions (P= 0.0005), and cardiopulmonary resuscitations (P= 0.015) in the later group. The mean time between myocardial infarction (MI) onset to shock and MI onset to revascularisation were 12.8 ± 12.9 hours and 17.0 ± 16.8 hours, respectively. Patients with better pre-procedure thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow in the infarct-related artery (IRA) had better survival (P= 0.0005). Successful PCI was achieved in 48.8% of patients. The 30-day mortality was 56.1% and all were prior to hospital discharge. Patients with successful PCI had better short-term survival in comparison with patients with failed PCI (80% vs 9.6%). Eighteen patients who survived at 30 days were followed up for 12-72 months (mean 28.5 ± 5.4 months). Fifteen patients survived at 1 year after PCI and all were in good functional status. CONCLUSION: Mortality remains high even with PCI. Achieving IRA patency with TIMI 3 flow is the main determinant of survival. Survival and functional status are good in patients who are discharged from hospital.

Guiding catheter tip avulsion--an unusual complication of renal artery stenting.

A 68-year-old hypertensive male underwent stenting for critical stenosis of the right renal artery through right femoral approach. The stent missed the ostium and repeated attempts at stenting the ostium did not succeed. Brachial approach was resorted to and ostium could be stented successfully. While deploying the stent the balloon was slightly inside the guiding catheter and the catheter tip got partially detached. The whole assembly was withdrawn to the brachial artery and the detached fragment was snared and removed.