Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol predicts cardiovascular events after carotid stenting: a long-term survey.

BACKGROUND: Apart from advanced age, little is known about predictors of the long-term outcome after carotid artery stenting (CAS). OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether atherosclerotic risk factors predict the long-term outcome after CAS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 532 patients assigned for CAS. The primary composite end-point, including stroke, myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality, was observed in 100 patients (19%) during the long-term follow-up (median 28 months, interquartile range 14-49 months). RESULTS: Cumulative event rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 4.4%, 17.1% and 33.4%, respectively. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was an independent predictor of event-free survival. The adjusted hazard ratio for the primary end-point was 0.97 per increase of 1 mg dL(-1) HDL cholesterol [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.95-0.99, P = 0.002) and 2.7 (95% CI 1.6-4.4, P < 0.001) for low HDL cholesterol (< 40 mg dL(-1) in men and < 50 mg dL(-1) in women). Inflammatory activation (leukocyte count > 10,000 mL(-1) or fibrinogen > 450 mg dL(-1) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate > 20 mm h(-1)) was the only other independent atherosclerotic risk factor (P = 0.001). Patients with low HDL cholesterol and elevated inflammatory activation were at very high risk, with a 5-year event rate of 59.4% (95% CI 43.6-75.2%) as compared to 15.1% (95% CI 8.2-22.0%) in those without both risk factors (log rank, P < 0.001). Age, occlusion of the contralateral carotid artery and heart failure were further independent risk predictors (P < 0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Low HDL cholesterol is an independent predictor of the long-term outcome after CAS. The combination of low HDL cholesterol and elevated inflammatory markers identified high-risk patients.

Internal carotid artery stent placement without emboli protection: results and long-term outcome.

Patients with symptomatic > or = 60% (n = 134), asymptomatic > or = 80% (n = 143), and asymptomatic progressive > or = 60% (n = 25) internal carotid artery stenosis underwent stenting and were followed clinically and by Doppler-assisted duplex imaging for 27.1 +/- 15.6 months. Stroke and death from stroke occurred within 30 days after stenting in 4.7% of the symptomatic and in 3.0% of the asymptomatic patients and in the follow-up period in 2.3% of the symptomatic and in 1.2% of the asymptomatic patients.

Coronary angiography in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting shows a high incidence of significant coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence, morphology, and associated clinical symptoms of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing elective carotid artery stenting. METHODS: In a prospective observational study at a tertiary care centre (university teaching hospital) 444 consecutive patients underwent elective stenting of the carotid artery. Twenty four patients had to be ruled out because of urgent carotid intervention for severe neurological symptoms, lack of compliance, complications from vascular puncture, or renal failure. In 390 patients, the coronary angiography was performed together with carotid artery stenting in a single session; the remaining 30 patients have had a recent coronary angiography. RESULTS: One, two, and three vessel disease and left main stenoses were found in 70 (17%), 64 (15%), 93 (22%), and 31 (7%) patients, respectively. Sixty six (16%) patients had a history of coronary artery disease but no current significant stenosis. Only 39% of the patients with significant stenoses (n = 258) had clinical cardiac symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing elective stenting of the carotid, routine coronary angiography reliably discloses morphologically significant coronary artery disease and enables consecutive treatment in 61% and 29%. This safe measure is useful because a majority of patients with a significant stenosis are asymptomatic.

[Percutaneous interventions combined with carotid artery stenting]. / Perkutane Kombinationsinterventionen mit Karotisstent.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although the value of interventional treatment of arterial stenosis has not been confirmed for all sites by randomized studies, these methods are used more and more, often for several arteries simultaneously. This study reports results of percutaneous carotid artery stenting combined with simultaneous interventions in other central arteries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among 90 patients who had undergone percutaneous carotid artery stenting, 13 had simultaneous intervention in other arteries: contralateral carotid artery (n = 4), ipsilateral common carotid artery near its aortic origin (n = 1), left subclavian artery (n = 1), coronary artery (n = 6) and one of both carotid arteries and a coronary artery. RESULTS: Primary success (restenosis < 30%) was achieved in all cases. Additional carotid artery stenting was done in 18. Stents were also implanted in eight coronary arteries, angioplasty without stenting in two. Mean stenosis of the carotid arteries was reduced from 85 +/- 10% to 3 +/- 6%, that of the coronary arteries from 90 +/- 10% to 9 +/- 10%. Serious complications, a major stroke, occurred in one of the 13 patients (7.7%). Minor complications were seen in two patients: transitory ischaemic attack in one, small myocardial infarction in the other. CONCLUSION: Carotid artery stenting combined with simultaneous intervention in other central arteries can be done with a high rate of success and relatively few complications. This form of treatment should be considered in selected patients.

[Elective stenting of "unprotected" left main coronary stenosis in patients without contraindication to bypass surgery]. / Elektive Stentimplantation im "ungeschützten" Hauptstamm der linken Koronararterie bei Patienten mit relativer Kontraindikation zur Koronarchirurgie.

Coronary surgery is at this point of time the standard therapy of unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis. Coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is performed only in bail out situations. The number of publications of successful percutaneous intervention in unprotected left main coronary stenosis is increasing because of increasing use of stents and ticlopidine to avoid stent-thrombosis. From 9/96 to 7/98, 13 patients with unprotected left main coronary stenosis were treated with stents. All of them were accepted by the heart surgeon for bypass surgery but were not considered to be optimal candidates due to advanced age of more than 80 years (n = 5), significant co-morbidity (n = 2) or diffuse diseased peripheral coronary segments (n = 6). Mean age of patients was 74 +/- 10 years, 9 were male, and all patients presented with angina III-IV (CCS). Mean ejection fraction was 55 +/- 15%. Localization of stenoses were classified as ostial (n = 5), middle (n = 3), and bifurcational (n = 6). One patient had stenoses both in the ostium and in the bifurcation. In all cases a PTCA of the culprit stenosis was performed prior to stent implantation. The mean diameter of the stents used was 3.3 +/- 0.3 mm and the mean length was 11 +/- 4 mm. In 6 patients a PTCA of either left anterior descendens (LAD) or right coronary artery was performed in the same session. In 4 of these patients it was followed by a stent implantation. All procedures were performed with surgical stand-by, an intraaortal balloon pump was available, but was not uses prophylactically. Stent implantation could be performed successfully in 12 out of the 13 patients (success rate 92%). In bifurcational stenoses stents were positioned with the proximal end in the left main and the distal end in the LAD. Significant injury or occlusion of the circumflex artery was not observed. In one patient with bifurcational stenosis with severe calcification it was not possible to cross the lesion with an accurate sized balloon. Trying to cross with a smaller balloon (2.5 mm) resulted in dissection of the left main coronary artery which could not be reopened again by catheter technique. This patient was transferred to the operating room under conditions of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and a bypass surgery was performed. He was dismissed from the hospital with no evidence of perioperative myocardial infarction. The mean time for follow-up was 12 +/- 7 months, all patients are still alive. In 6 patients an angiography was performed during follow-up because of suspicion of recurrent ischemia. Two patients out of these 6 had restenoses in the left main coronary artery which were re-dilated (17%). Another 2 patients had stenoses in other coronary segments and were also dilated. Thus, stenting of left main coronary artery stenoses is feasible, however, with acceptable risks and could be considered in selected patients as an alternative to coronary artery surgery.

[Carotid stenting: acute results and complications]. / Karotisstent: Akutergebnisse und Komplikationen.

The treatment of carotid stenoses with balloon angioplasty and stenting is a new and not generally established method. During a one year period 65 patients (22 female, 43 male, mean age: 73 years, 47 with neurologic symptoms, 8 with contralateral carotid occlusion) with significant (>70%) carotid stenosis were treated with balloon angioplasty and balloon expandable stents. The primary technical success rate was 98% (65/66 patients) respectively 99% (69/70 stenoses). A combined procedure was performed in 11 /17%) patients with stenting in both carotid arteries in 4 patients with additional coronary interventions in 6 patients and stenting of the origin of the common carotid artery in one patient.Severe neurologic complications occurred in 4 (6.2%) patients (1 death, 1 major stroke, 2 minor strokes) and short lasting neurologic deficits in additional 4 (6.2%) patients. Cardiovascular complications were not observed. Local (inguinal) problems occurred in 3 (4.5%) patients (2 aneurysma spuria, 1 transfusion for hematoma). Frequently, balloon insufflation was associated with bradycardia (40%) and additional hypotension (11%). In summary, carotid stenting can be performed with technically high success rates (99%), but it is adversely influenced by not infrequent thromboembolic cerebral events (12.4%). The possibility to perform combined procedures with interventions in other vessels (both carotid arteries, coronary arteries, aortic arch arteries) is advantageous.

[Importance of coronary dilatation in patients after bypass operation]. / Bedeutung der Koronardilatation bei Patienten nach Bypassoperation.

342 consecutive patients with recurrent angina pectoris were investigated 4.9 +/- 2.9 years after bypass surgery. According to the respective coronary morphology, angioplasty (PTCA) was performed in 110 patients (32%), repeat surgery in 32 (9%) and 200 patients (58%) were treated medically. Angioplasty was undertaken in 113 native coronary arteries (18 via a patent venous graft) and 29 bypass grafts. One vessel was dilated in 84 patients (76%) and more than one vessel in 26 patients (24%), giving an average of 1.3 vessels per patient. The initial success rate was 84% (120 of 142 vessels). The success rate varied from 60% in the midportion of venous grafts to 100% in the bypass protected left main stem. One patient died from complications (0.9%) and 5 patients (4.5%) suffered a myocardial infarction. Revascularisation was complete in 64 patients (58%) and remained incomplete in 40 patients. Clinical state improved in all but 7 patients and 70 patients (64%) became symptom-free. After 6 months 88 patients were clinically reevaluated. 52 patients (59%) still showed improvement in anginal status or remained symptom-free. Due to recurrent symptoms a re-angioplasty was performed on 21 patients and 6 patients had to be reoperated. In conclusion, coronary angioplasty is frequently a feasible alternative to reoperation with calculable risks in patients with recurrence of symptoms after prior bypass surgery.

Importance of coronary spasm for recurrences following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).

To examine the importance of coronary spasm for recurrences following coronary angioplasty, the incidence of spontaneous and ergonivine-provoked coronary spasm was studied, during initial and 6 months follow-up coronary angiography, in a consecutive series of 102 patients with single-vessel disease and successful coronary angioplasty. Repeat angiography demonstrated restenosis in 35 patients (34%). In patients with no demonstrable coronary spasm before and 6 months after PTCA, restenosis occurred in 23% (14/61). The recurrence rate for patients with spasms only before PTCA was similar (29%; 6/21). An increase of recurrences was observed in patients with coronary spasm before and 6 months after PTCA (69%; 9/13) and was extremely high in patients with detectable spasms only after PTCA (86%; 6/7). The importance of the severity of underlying coronary stenosis as regards the ergonovine testing result, demonstrated no relationship between the degree of underlying stenosis and the incidence of provokable coronary spasms. Thus, coronary spasms provokable only before PTCA do not increase the risk for recurrences. Spasms persisting after PTCA or seen only after the procedure are associated with a significantly higher rate of restenoses.

[Risk of complications of early coronary angioplasty after thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarct]. / Komplikationsrisiko einer frühzeitigen koronaren Angioplastie nach Thrombolyse beim akuten Myokardinfarkt.

The present study reports on the complication rates in 143 patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) within 4 weeks after thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction. The results were analyzed with respect to the time between thrombolysis and PTCA. PTCA was successful in 130 patients (91%). The mortality was 0.7% (1 patient). Severe complications occurred in 9 further patients (7%): 8 reinfarctions (6%) and one patient with a large haematoma of the groin requiring surgical treatment (0.7%). The total complication rate, including milder was 24%. A comparison of patients treated with PTCA within the first 4 days after thrombolysis (group I, n = 67) with patients dilated between 5 and 28 days after thrombolysis (group II, n = 76) resulted in a complication rate of 33% in group I and 16% in group II (p less than 0.01). This important difference was due to the higher frequency of ischaemic complications in group I than in group II (28% versus 12%). Besides reinfarction (7.5% in group I versus 4% in group II), prolonged ischaemic episodes were the most frequent cause of complications. Our results demonstrate a very high risk of complications if PTCA is performed within the first 4 days after thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction.

[The effects of delayed transluminal balloon coronary angioplasty in myocardial infarct patients with early thrombolytic recanalization of the coronary artery: the results of dynamic quantitative angiography]. / Effekty otsrochennoi transliuminal'noi ballonnoi koronarnoi angioplastiki u bol'nykh infarktom miokarda s rannei tromboliticheskoi rekanalizatsiei koronarnoi arterii: rezul'taty dinamicheskoi kolichestvennoi angiografii.

As many as 71 patients with the developing large-focal myocardial infarction (MI) were entered into the study. The purpose was to examine the dynamics of the status of the coronary arteries and left ventricular function in MI patients with early recanalization of the infarct-related artery (IRA) as a result of thrombolytic therapy (TLT) and delayed transluminal coronary angioplasty (TCA). Coronary arteriography and left ventriculography were provided 3 times to all the patients: within the first 4 hours of the disease (in combination with TLT), on days 4-6 of the disease (in combination with TCA of the IRA), and after 6 months of observation. It is concluded that the combined use in MI patients of coronary thrombolysis within the first 4 hours of the disease and delayed TCA (on days 4-6 of the disease) ensure steady recovery of IRA patency, with an insignificant residual stenosis of the artery. At the same time the patients demonstrated improvement of local contractility of the deranged compartment of the left ventricle by the 6th month of observation. Restenosis of the recanalized IRA that occurs during 6 months of observation after the interventions performed does not affect the recovery of left ventricular function.

[Complication in rotation angioplasty: removal of an intracoronary metal ring (roentgen marker) using a balloon catheter]. / Komplikation bei der Rotationsangioplastie: Entfernung eines intrakoronaren Metallringes (Röntgenmarker) mit Hilfe eines Ballonkatheters.

Successful recanalization of an occluded left anterior descending coronary artery, performed by rotational angioplasty was complicated by loosening of a metallic ring (x-ray marker) from the rotational angioplasty system, with embolization into the circumflex artery. The metallic ring was extracted successfully by using a balloon catheter.

Coronary angioplasty after intravenous streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction: influence of restenosis on clinical outcome and left ventricular function.

The importance of recurrence of stenosis on clinical outcome and left ventricular function was studied in a consecutive series of patients with acute evolving myocardial infarction (maximal duration of pain 4 h) and thrombolysis (1.5 x 10(6) units of streptokinase intravenously over 60 min) with recanalized single-vessel disease and subsequent successful coronary angioplasty. Coronary angioplasty was performed in 76 patients between 24 hours and 8 days (mean interval 3.3 days) after thrombolysis and was successful in 86% (65/76). The in-hospital reinfarction rate was 5.2% (2 acute and 2 in-hospital reinfarctions). Repeat angiography after a mean interval of 5.9 months revealed a 39% (24/62) restenosis rate (21 restenoses, 3 reocclusions). Restenoses were associated with significantly more clinical complaints (21% vs. 62%; p less than 0.001). Left ventricular function analysis showed significant improvement in the mean global ejection fraction (6.6 +/- 6.0%; p less than 0.001) and mean regional wall motion of the infarct zone (6.2 +/- 8.2%; p less than 0.01) only in patients without restenosis. Recovery of left ventricular function was more evident in inferior than in anterior wall infarctions. In contrast, patients with restenosis had no change in left ventricular function. Thus, the present study demonstrates the adverse influence of restenosis on recovery of left ventricular function and clinical outcome.

Clinical efficacy of intravenous amiodarone in the short term treatment of recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation.

The clinical efficacy of intravenous amiodarone in terminating sustained ventricular tachycardia and in preventing recurrences of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation was evaluated in 26 patients. All of them presented with organic heart disease accompanied by depressed left ventricular function. Intravenous amiodarone terminated spontaneous ventricular tachycardia in eight of 19 patients. Fifteen of the 26 patients had had at least one episode of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation each day in the period immediately before the intravenous administration of amiodarone. Amiodarone controlled ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation in nine of these 15 patients; in three further cases it was successful when supplemented by additional administration of a previously ineffective antiarrhythmic drug and ventricular pacing. Two patients died despite these measures. In one, the amiodarone infusion had to be stopped because of an arrhythmogenic effect. Sustained deterioration of haemodynamic function or of pre-existing intraventricular conduction disturbances was never seen. Intravenous amiodarone was effective in terminating sustained ventricular tachycardia and in preventing frequent episodes of ventricular arrhythmia that were refractory to other antiarrhythmic drugs.

Incidence of spontaneous and provoked coronary spasms after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

We studied the incidence of spontaneous and ergonovine-induced coronary arterial spasm during repeat coronary angiography in 96 consecutive patients with single-vessel disease who had undergone successful angioplasty. Follow-up angiography was performed after a mean of 6 months (1-8 months). Sixty patients demonstrated no restenosis and in 36 patients restenosis (greater than 50% restenosis) occurred. Spasms of the arteries at the site of dilatation were significantly (P less than 0.001) more frequent in patients with restenosis (18/36; 50%) than in patients without restenosis (4/60; 7%). Before angioplasty, no differences were found in the clinical characteristics between the two groups. Likewise, the morphologic results of angioplasty were identical. Despite long-term treatment with nifedipine (30-60 mg daily) and aspirin (0.5 g daily), 14 of 18 patients with restenosis and coronary spasm suffered from spontaneous angina, as compared to only 3 of 18 patients with restenosis without demonstrable spasm. Three of the 4 patients without restenosis but with detectable spasm were also symptomatic. Thus our findings suggest that spasm of the coronary arteries achieves some importance as a pathophysiological factor for recurrence following coronary angioplasty.

[Ischemic reaction in coronary angioplasty (PTCA) as a prerequisite for improving left ventricular function following intravenous thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarct]. / Ischämiereaktion bei der koronaren Angioplastie (PTCA) als Voraussetzung für Verbesserungen der linksventrikulären Funktion nach intravenöser Thrombolyse beim akuten Myokardinfarkt.

The incidence of ischemic ECG-changes and anginal symptoms during PTCA and the influence of PTCA on left ventricular function were studied in a consecutive series of 40 patients with recanalized infarct artery and significant (greater than 50%) single vessel disease. PTCA was performed within the first week (4.1 +/- 2.5 days) after intravenous streptokinase (1.5 Mio U i.v. over 60 min) in acute myocardial infarction (duration of pain less than four hours). The primary success rate of PTCA was 78% (31/40). In 25 of 31 (81%) successfully dilated patients, there were ischemic ECG-changes (ST-segment elevation greater than 0.1 mV), and in 14 patients anginal symptoms were observed during balloon inflation. Follow-up angiography after six months showed restenosis or reocclusion in 5/22 (23%) of the patients with an ischemic reaction, and in 3/6 (50%) without ischemic signs during PTCA. Only patients with an ischemic reaction and without restenosis demonstrated an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (p less than 0.05) and regional wall motion in the infarct region (p less than 0.01), in contrast to patients with restenosis or without an ischemic reaction during angioplasty. Thus, after intravenous streptokinase an ischemic reaction can be detected in a high percentage (81%) as an indicator of salvaged myocardium. Significant improvement of left ventricular function was only demonstrable in patients with ischemic signs during PTCA without restenosis.

Systemic thrombolysis and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in acute myocardial infarction.

Intravenous high-dose infusion of streptokinase in acute evolving myocardial infarction is a widely used therapeutic concept with clinically relevant recanalization rates and low complications. In our experience with 150 patients and acute myocardial infarction treated with intravenous streptokinase (1.5 Mio U), 107 (78 p. 100) of 137 patients demonstrated an antegrade perfused infarct artery. In a group of patients (n = 95), in whom early revascularization was performed, the incidence of reinfarction was reduced from 15 p. 100 to 7 p. 100; hospital mortality was not influenced (3.6 p. 100 vs 4.3 p. 100). PTCA was successful in 39 of 48 patients (81 p. 100). The incidence of angiographically determined restenosis amounted to 28 p. 100 (9/32). Patients after successful PTCA without restenosis demonstrated an improvement of left ventricular function in contrast to patients with restenosis or reocclusions. Thus, intravenous streptokinase followed by PTCA presents a clinically practicable and promising method for treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

[Intravenous thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarct. Clinical and angiography results in 124 patients and the significance of early revascularization]. / Intravenöse Thrombolyse beim akuten Myokardinfarkt. Klinische und angiographische Ergebnisse bei 124 Patienten und die Bedeutung einer frühzeitigen Revaskularisation.

124 patients with evolving acute myocardial infarction received high-dose intravenous streptokinase (1.5 Mio U within 60 min i.v.). Hospital mortality was 4% and 11% of the patients suffered from a streptokinase-related complication (most frequent bleeding problems). All complications could be treated medically. The angiographic control in 111 patients (90%) after a mean of 11 +/- 8 days after thrombolysis demonstrated a patent antegrade perfused infarct-artery in 85 patients (77%). From the first 55 patients only 16% had a revascularization procedure. An early revascularization in 39 patients (57%) of the last 69 patients reduced the reinfarction rate from 15 to 7%. The hospital mortality was not influenced (3.6 vs 4.3%). High-dose i.v. streptokinase-application is associated with low treatable complication rates and clinically relevant reperfusion rates. An early revascularization (coronary angioplasty, bypass-surgery) reduces the reinfarction rate to about 50% and improves left ventricular function.

Influence of a variant angina on the results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Nineteen (86%) of 22 patients with variant angina and important coronary stenoses (greater than 60%) had successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The acute complications in two patients were not caused by coronary spasms but by dissection with disturbance of perfusion. One of these two patients required a coronary bypass graft; the other was treated conservatively. Myocardial infarction developed in both patients. Despite long term administration of nifedipine (30-80 mg daily), restenoses occurred within six months (on average after 10 weeks) in nine patients with symptoms and one without. In four patients the restenoses exceeded the degree of stenosis before angioplasty. Five patients were revascularised by surgical means. Vessels in three out of four patients were later successfully dilated. After a mean period of observation of 24 months (6-51 months) 18 of the 19 patients are symptom free and do not require medication. The results confirm that angioplasty is an effective method of treating patients with variant angina and important coronary stenoses. The problem of the high frequency of restenosis, however, remains unresolved.

[Percutaneous pulmonary valvuloplasty in adults]. / Perkutane Pulmonalklappensprengung beim Erwachsenen.

Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty was performed in 6 adult patients (aged 21-59 years, mean age: 43 years) with congenital pulmonary valve stenosis and systolic pressure gradients of 50 to 120 mm Hg (mean: 78 mm Hg). In 5 patients the procedure was successful: mean systolic right ventricular pressure was reduced from 99 +/- 26 to 55 +/- 7 mm Hg and the trans-stenotic pressure gradient from 77 +/- 28 to 31 +/- 12 mm Hg. Valvuloplasty with a 20 mm balloon was not effective in a patient with a wide pulmonary anulus (diameter 25 mm). In 1 patient only, the balloon occlusion led to severe systemic hypotension with syncope. Short-term follow-up (3 months) demonstrated symptomatic improvement and persistent reduction of the pressure gradient in all successfully treated patients. In conclusion, percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty appears to be an effective method with low risk of complications for the treatment of pulmonary valve stenosis in adults.