Prolonged PR intervals are associated with epicardial adipose tissue and recurrence after catheter ablation in persistent atrial fibrillation.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been reported to promote myocardial fibrosis and to affect intracardiac conduction. The PR interval reflects the conduction from the atria to the Purkinje fibers and may be associated with the EAT volume, especially in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the EAT and PR interval in patients with persistent AF. We enrolled 268 persistent AF patients who underwent catheter ablation (CA) and divided the patients into two groups: the normal PR interval group (PR interval less than 200 ms: Group N) and long PR interval group (PR interval 200 ms or more: Group L). We then analyzed the association between the total EAT volume around the heart and PR interval and calculated the ratio of the duration of the P wave (PWD) to the PR interval (PWD/PR interval). Moreover, we investigated whether a long PR interval was associated with the outcomes after ablation. The total EAT volume was significantly larger in Group L than Group N (Group N: 131.4 ± 51.8 ml vs. Group L: 151.3 ± 63.3 ml, p = 0.039). A positive correlation was also observed between the PWD/PR interval and EAT volume in Group L (r = 0.345, p = 0.039). A multivariate analysis also revealed that a long PR interval was independently associated with AF recurrence after CA (hazard ratio [HR] 2.071, p = 0.032). The total EAT volume was associated with a long PR interval, and a long PR interval was a significant risk factor for recurrence after ablation in persistent AF patients.

Impact of Lipoprotein (a) on Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) is a complex circulating lipoprotein, and there is increasing evidence it is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This study aimed to investigate the influence of Lp(a) serum levels on long-term outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods and Results: Between January 2015 and January 2018, we enrolled 262 patients with AMI who underwent coronary angiography within 24 h of the onset of chest pain and had available Lp(a) data enabling subdivision into 2 groups: high Lp(a) (≥32 mg/dL: n=76) and low Lp(a) (<32 mg/dL: n=186). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), which was defined as a composite of cardiac death, nonfatal MI, and readmission for heart failure. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of MACE. The incidence of MACE was significantly higher in the high Lp(a) group than in the low Lp(a) group (32.8% vs. 19.6%, P=0.004). Multivariate analysis showed that Lp(a) ≥32 mg/dL was an independent predictor of MACE (hazard ratio 2.84, 95% confidence interval 1.25-6.60, P=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: High Lp(a) levels were associated with worse long-term outcomes after AMI, so Lp(a) may be useful for risk assessment.

Low-molecular-weight dextran-induced anaphylactic shock immediately after intracoronary imaging.

Dextran has been frequently used during intracoronary imaging, such as in optical coherence tomography, optical frequent domain imaging, and coronary angioscopy. We report a case of dextran-induced anaphylaxis in a 70-year-old male with chronic coronary disease. Upon admission, we performed coronary angiography and coronary angioscopy on the patient. After the intracoronary imaging, the patient's blood pressure suddenly fell to 50 mmHg and a rash appeared on his chest. The patient was diagnosed as having dextran-induced anaphylactic shock. Epinephrine was administered repeatedly, and his blood pressure gradually recovered after administering a total of 6 mg epinephrine. There was no recurrence of the anaphylactic shock, and the patient was discharged 12 days later. The incidence of dextran-induced anaphylactic reactions is extremely low; however, they can be fatal. The possibility of anaphylactic shock induced by dextran should be kept in mind by all cardiovascular interventionalists performing intracoronary imaging. Learning objective: Dextran has been frequently used during intracoronary imaging. We report on a case of dextran-induced anaphylaxis in a 70-year-old male with chronic coronary disease. While the incidence of dextran-induced anaphylactic reactions is extremely low, it can lead to fatal events. The possibility of anaphylactic shock induced by dextran should be kept in mind by all cardiovascular interventionalists while performing intracoronary imaging.

Comparison between cryoballoon and hot balloon ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

PURPOSE: Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation using balloon ablation was developed as a technique for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). While most studies examined cryoballoon ablation (CBA), there have also been many reports on hot balloon ablation (HBA). We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes between HBA and CBA. METHODS: In a total of 103 consecutive patients with PAF who underwent catheter ablation, 60 propensity score-matched (30 CBA and 30 HBA) patients were enrolled. The procedural differences and clinical outcomes between the two groups were analyzed. RESULTS: The requirement for additional touch-up ablation was more frequent in the left superior pulmonary vein (LSP) in the HBA group than in the CBA group. Pre-procedural computed tomography (CT) images showed that a thicker left pulmonary vein ridge and larger cross-sectional area of the LSPV were significantly associated with residual PV potentials after HBA. However, post-procedural CT images showed that PV stenosis (> 25%) was higher in the HBA group (33%) than in the CBA group (0%). PV stenosis after HBA was observed most frequently in the right superior PV (50%). The atrial fibrillation/atrial tachycardia-free survival rate during follow-up (365 ± 102 days) was similar between the two groups (CBA vs. HBA, 83% vs. 90%). CONCLUSIONS: Although both balloon modalities can relieve atrial arrhythmia after the procedure, careful attention is required during HBA procedures, especially for the right superior PV, to avoid PV stenosis.

New Minimally Invasive and Tailor-Made Strategy for Cryoballoon Ablation in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: The optimal dosage for cryoballoon ablation (CBA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) is still unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical implications of a reduction in the freezing duration to <180 seconds during CBA guided by the time to the target temperature. METHODS: This study enrolled 325 consecutive paroxysmal AF patients who underwent CBA. It was a retrospective observational study in a single centre. It compared 164 patients who underwent a tailor-made CBA procedure (group T) with 161 who had a standard CBA procedure (group S). In group T, the freezing duration was reduced to 150 seconds when the temperature reached ≤ -40 °C within 40 seconds. Furthermore, it was reduced to 120 seconds when it reached ≤ -50 °C within 60 seconds. In the other patients, the freezing duration was 180 seconds, except for excessive freezing of ≤ -60 °C and/or emergent situations while monitoring the oesophageal temperature, and for phrenic nerve injury, as in group S. RESULTS: In group T, 89 patients (83%) underwent CBA with a reduction in the freezing duration. The total freezing time for each pulmonary vein was significantly shorter in group T than group S, and the total procedure time in group T decreased by an average of 4 minutes compared with group S. The rate of requiring additional radio frequency ablation following the CBA was significantly lower in group T than group S. The AF-free survival rate during the follow-up period (median, 366 days) was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The safety and efficacy of the new CBA strategy were non-inferior to the standard procedure.

Comparison of radial, brachial, and femoral accesses using hemostatic devices for percutaneous coronary intervention.

Some studies have suggested that radial access (RA) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces vascular complications and bleeding compared to femoral access (FA). The purpose of this study was to investigate the routine use of hemostatic devices and bleeding complications among RA, brachial access (BA), and FA. Between January 2015 and December 2015, 298 patients treated for PCI with RA were compared with 158 patients using BA and 206 patients using FA. The radial sheath was routinely removed with ADAPTY, the brachial sheath with BLEED SAFE, and the femoral sheath with Perclose ProGlide. In-hospital bleeding complications were investigated. Cardiogenic shock was most frequent in patients in the femoral group (RA 1.3%, BA 2.5%, FA 9.2%, p < 0.0001). The rate of major bleeding was highest in the femoral group (RA 1.0%, BA 2.5%, FA 5.3%, p = 0.01). Blood transfusion rates were highest in the femoral group (RA 0.7%, BA 1.3%, FA 4.4%, p = 0.01). Retroperitoneal bleeding was observed in 1.9% of patients in the femoral group. Patients in the brachial group had large hematomas (RA 0.7%, BA 4.4%, FA 1.5%, p = 0.01). Pseudoaneurysm formation needing intervention occurred most frequently in the brachial group (RA 0%, BA 1.3%, FA 0%, p = 0.04). In conclusion, compared to the brachial and femoral approaches, the radial approach appears to be the safest technique to avoid local vascular bleeding complications. The brachial approach has the highest risk of large hematoma and pseudoaneurysm formation among the three groups.

A Comparison between the Instantaneous Wave-free Ratio and Resting Distal Coronary Artery Pressure/Aortic Pressure and the Fractional Flow Reserve: The Diagnostic Accuracy Can Be Improved by the Use of both Indices.

Objectives The fractional flow reserve (FFR) is an index of the severity of coronary stenosis that has been clinically validated in several studies. The instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) and the resting distal coronary artery pressure/aortic pressure (Pd/Pa) are nonhyperemic pressure-derived indices of the severity of stenosis. This study sought to examine the diagnostic accuracy of the iFR and resting Pd/Pa with respect to hyperemic FFR. Methods Following an intracoronary injection of papaverine, the iFR, resting Pd/Pa, and FFR were continuously measured in 123 lesions in 103 patients with stable coronary disease. Results The iFR and resting Pd/Pa values were strongly correlated with the FFR (R=0.794, p<0.001, R=0.832, p<0.0001, respectively). A receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis revealed that the optimal iFR cut-off value for predicting an FFR of <0.80 was 0.89 (AUC 0.901, sensitivity 84.1%, specificity 80.0%, positive predictive value 69.8%, negative predictive value 90.0%, diagnostic accuracy 81.3%), while the optimal resting Pd/Pa cut-off value was 0.92 (AUC 0.925, sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 78.5%, positive predictive value 70.2%, negative predictive value 93.9%, diagnostic accuracy 82.9%). The lesions with an iFR value of ≤0.89 and a Pd/Pa value of ≤0.92 were defined as double-positive lesions, while the lesions with an iFR value of >0.89 and a Pd/Pa value of >0.92 were defined as double-negative lesions. In these 109 lesions, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were 92.3%, 82.9%, 75.0%, 95.1%, and 86.2%, respectively. Conclusion This analysis demonstrated that the iFR and resting Pd/Pa were strongly correlated with the FFR and that the diagnostic accuracy of the iFR was similar to that of the resting Pd/Pa. The diagnostic accuracy can be improved with the use of both the iFR and the resting Pd/Pa.

Contrast-induced Hyperemia as an Alternative to Drug-induced Hyperemia in the Evaluation of the Fractional Flow Reserve in Coronary Lesions.

Objective Measuring the fractional flow reserve (FFR) requires the induction of coronary hyperemia, usually with adenosine, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), or papaverine. However, adenosine can induce rhythmic complications, and intracoronary boluses of papaverine that prolong the QT interval can cause ventricular tachycardia. Injection of contrast media, which is routinely performed to validate the FFR guidewire placement, also induces hyperemia and may be an alternative method of measuring the FFR. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the FFR after contrast hyperemia (FFRcont) compared to FFR evaluated after intracoronary papaverine (FFRpp). Methods This study included 109 lesions in 93 patients (mean age 70.4±8.7 years) with stable coronary disease. The FFR was measured as follows: 1) baseline pressure value; 2) FFRcont after intracoronary contrast injection (iopamidol, 8 mL for left coronary artery [LCA] or 6 mL for right coronary artery [RCA]); 3) FFRpp after intracoronary injection of papaverine (12 mg for LCA or 8 mg for RCA). Results FFRcont values were strongly correlated with FFRpp (R=0.940, p<0.0001; FFRpp = FFRcont ×1.007-0.032). The best cut-off point in the receiver operator curve analysis for predicting a FFRpp <0.80 was 0.82 (area under the curve =0.980; sensitivity 95.1%, specificity 91.2%, positive predictive value 86.7%, negative predictive value 96.9%). Conclusion FFRcont is highly accurate for predicting FFRpp. An FFRcont threshold value of 0.82 provides excellent sensitivity and a negative predictive value. FFRcont is an alternative method of inducing hyperemia.

A case of subacute stent thrombosis after drug-coated balloon coronary angioplasty for in-stent restenosis under single anti-platelet therapy.

This report describes a case of subacute stent thrombosis (SAT) after drug-coated balloon (DCB). A 79-year-old male was investigated for stable angina. An in-stent restenosis (ISR) lesion was detected by coronary angiography. A skin reaction related to the anti-platelet agent thienopyridine was also observed at this time. Therefore, DCB was used to treat the ISR lesion under single anti-platelet therapy (aspirin). However, 3 days after percutaneous coronary intervention, SAT occurred. OCT did not reveal the underlying cause of SAT. Further data are needed to clarify the optimal duration of dual anti-platelet therapy after DCB.

The Difference between the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of newly progressed coronary lesions in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

BACKGROUND: Generally, newly progressed coronary lesions (NPCLs) are considered to be composed of lipid-rich plaques. In case of vulnerable plaque rupture, they may quickly become culprit lesions responsible for acute coronary syndromes. METHODS: Between September 2011 and September 2015, 2034 patients underwent scheduled follow-up coronary angiography (CAG) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Tsuchiya General Hospital. Patients with NPCLs found by CAG during the follow-up period were evaluated by optical coherence tomography (OCT). NPCLs were defined as the lesions with less than 50% diameter stenosis, which progressed to more than 75% diameter stenosis within 3years after the previous CAG. Patients with restenosis after PCI were excluded. We compared OCT findings of NPCLs between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. RESULTS: The follow-up CAG showed NPCLs in 64 patients (3.2%). OCT revealed fibrous plaque in 42 patients (65.6%) and thin-cap fibroatheroma in one patient. Thirteen patients had chest symptoms for one month before CAG and the remaining 51 patients were asymptomatic. The prevalence of fibrous plaque and intimal disruption or plaque rupture were not significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (61.5% vs. 66.7%, p=0.752 and 30.8% vs. 11.8%, p=0.213, respectively). However, thrombi were more frequently observed in symptomatic patients (61.5% vs. 13.7%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of NPCLs found in asymptomatic patients at follow-up CAG were not vulnerable; however, those found in symptomatic patients might be vulnerable. In clinical practice, NPCLs found in asymptomatic patients should be evaluated for functional severity of stenosis in order to determine the need for coronary revascularization.

Endovascular Therapy Is Effective for Leriche Syndrome with Deep Vein Thrombosis.

A 65-year-old man presented to our hospital due to intermittent claudication and swelling in his left leg. He had Leriche syndrome and deep vein thrombosis. We performed endovascular therapy (EVT) for Leriche syndrome, and a temporary filter was inserted in the inferior vena cava. He received anticoagulation therapy for deep vein thrombosis. The stenotic lesion in the terminal aorta was stented with an excellent postprocedural angiographic result and dramatic clinical improvement after EVT. This case suggests that EVT can be a treatment for Leriche syndrome.

Comparison of everolimus- and paclitaxel-eluting stents in dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that the incidence of 1-year major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients treated with paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) was lower than that in the sirolimus-eluting stents in dialysis patients. However, it remains unclear whether there are differences in clinical outcomes between everolimus-eluting stents (EES) and PES. METHODS: Between February 2010 and September 2013, 102 maintenance dialysis patients with 135 lesions treated with EES were compared to 107 maintenance dialysis patients with 147 lesions treated with PES. One-year clinical outcomes were investigated. RESULTS: Diabetes mellitus was present in 64.7% in the EES group and 71.0% in the PES group (p = 0.33). Heavy calcification was in 27.4% vs. 34.0% (p = 0.23). Rotational atherectomy was undergone in 11.1% vs. 23.1% (p < 0.01). Total stented length was not significantly different (23.5 ± 14.6 mm vs. 24.4 ± 13.2 mm, p = 0.60). One patient in the EES group was lost to follow up. At 12 months, MACE occurred in 13.2% in the EES group and 17.4% in the PES group (p = 0.25). Target lesion revascularization (TLR) was observed in 9.5% vs. 10.4% respectively (p = 0.77). Mortality was 11.8% vs. 13.1% (p = 0.35). Cardiac death was 5.0% vs. 7.7% (p = 0.09). Definite stent thrombosis was observed in 2.0% vs. 0% (p = 0.14). Subgroup analysis in patients with diabetes mellitus revealed no significant differences in MACE (12.7% vs. 14.9%, p = 0.36), TLR (8.3% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.42), mortality (13.7% vs. 13.2%, p = 0.28), and cardiac death (6.3% vs. 8.0%, p = 0.15) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: One-year clinical outcomes following EES and PES implantations are similar in dialysis patients.

Validation of lactate level as a predictor of early mortality in acute decompensated heart failure patients who entered intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: The significance of routine measurement of lactate level is unclear in patients with critical acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive 754 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in our hospital from January 2007 to March 2012 and given a diagnosis of ADHF were eligible for retrospective entry into the registry. Lactate level was measured on admission from routine arterial blood sample and we investigated by comparing the lactate level and parameters of conventional in-hospital mortality predictors. Among the patients, 88 (12%) died during hospitalization. The lactate level had great power to predict in-hospital mortality, as suggested by the c-statistics of 0.71. The occurrence of in-hospital death was more pronounced in patients with high levels of lactate (>3.2mmol/l) and the tendency was observed in patients in both the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) group and non-ACS group. In multivariate analysis, elevated lactate levels remained an independent predictor of in-hospital death (odds ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-4.21; p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of arterial lactate on admission were related to worse in-hospital mortality in patients with ADHF either with or without ACS, suggesting that the presence of high lactate in patients who enter the ICU with ADHF could help stratify the initial risk of early mortality.

Comparison of sirolimus- and paclitaxel-eluting stents in patients with moderate renal insufficiency: results from the J-DESsERT trial.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether there are differences in clinical outcomes between sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) in patients with moderate renal insufficiency (RI). METHODS: The Japan-Drug Eluting Stents Evaluation; a Randomized Trial (J-DESsERT) was a prospective, randomized multicenter trial which compared 1:1 coronary stenting between SES and PES patients. Patient with serious RI (serum creatinine value 2mg/dL or higher) were excluded. Patients were classified into 2 arms according to renal function: a non-RI arm of 2220 patients (SES 1094 and PES 1126 patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 mL min(-1) 1.73 m(-2)) and an RI arm of 1206 patients (SES 613, PES 593 with 30≤eGFR <60 mL min(-1) 1.73 m(-2)). RESULTS: At 12 months, the primary endpoint of target vessel failure in the non-RI arm occurred in 6.0% in the SES group and 8.7% in the PES group (p=0.02). In the RI arm, this occurred in 5.7% and 8.1% (p=0.10). Mortality rates were 0.8% vs 0.7% (p=0.78) in the non-RI arm, and 2.2% vs 2.1% (p=0.90) in the RI arm. Cardiac death was 0.4% vs 0.1% (p=0.17) in the non-RI arm, and 1.0% vs 1.0% (p=0.96) in the RI arm. Mortality was higher in patients with RI than those without RI (2.1% vs 0.8%; p<0.01). Cardiac death rates increased in the RI arm compared with those in the non-RI arm (1.0% vs 0.2%; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the presence or absence of moderate RI, differences in outcomes between SES and PES change little except mortality and cardiac death.

Causes of very late stent thrombosis investigated using optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE: Very late stent thrombosis (VLST) remains an unresolved problem, and recent reports have indicated that VLST onset can occur in patients treated with both drug-eluting stents (DES) and bare metal stents (BMS). We evaluated the causes of VLST using optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: OCT was performed in 22 patients (12 DES-treated patients, 10 BMS-treated patients). Because two instances of VLST occurred simultaneously in one case in the DES group, the DES group comprised 13 lesions, while the BMS group comprised 10 lesions. All struts were counted in each frame, and the proportion of uncovered or malapposed struts was calculated based on the overall number of struts in the stent. RESULTS: The interval from stent implantation to VLST onset was significantly longer in the BMS group. The proportion of uncovered struts and the ratio of malapposed struts were significantly higher in the DES group than in the BMS group. The OCT analysis demonstrated intimal hyperplasia or intimal disruption in all patients in the BMS group. However, in the DES group, severe hyperplasia and/or neoatherosclerosis was observed in only eight lesions (61.5%), while uncovered and malapposed struts were involved in the other lesions. CONCLUSION: In most BMS-treated lesions, it appeared that VLST was caused by the occurrence of neoatherosclerosis after stent implantation. The causes of VLST in DES-treated lesions are more various and complicated than those observed for BMS-treated lesions.

Effect of statin on the 5 years clinical outcomes in dialysis patients treated with sirolimus-eluting stent.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal medication therapies are recommended in patients with coronary artery disease even after the coronary revascularization. However, the information of optimal medical therapy in dialysis population is scant. We assessed the efficacy of statin on the clinical outcomes after Sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation in patients with and without dialysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed date from 843 consecutive patients who successfully treated with SES in our institution between August 2004 and November 2006. Among patients, 96 patients (11.4%) were undergoing dialysis. In non-dialysis patients, 405 patients (54%) were treated with statin at hospital discharge. In dialysis patients, only 16 patients (17%) were treated with statin. In non-dialysis patients, mortality rate was significantly lower in patients treated with statin than those without statin (4.4% vs. 13.9%, p<0.0001). While in dialysis patients, mortality rate was similar between patients treated with and without statin (56.3% vs. 57.6%, p=0.86). After adjusting for confounders, the hazard ratios for mortality were 0.39 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.14-0.99; p=0.047) in non-dialysis patients and 1.79 (95% CI, 0.39-7.86; 0.45) for dialysis patients. The interaction probability between statin use and dialysis for mortality was 0.016. CONCLUSION: The use of statin may have beneficial effect on reducing mortality rate in patients after SES implantation in non-dialysis patients. However, such favorable effect was not observed in dialysis population.