Transcatheter Arterialization of Deep Veins in Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 20% of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia have no revascularization options, leading to above-ankle amputation. Transcatheter arterialization of the deep veins is a percutaneous approach that creates an artery-to-vein connection for delivery of oxygenated blood by means of the venous system to the ischemic foot to prevent amputation. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, single-group, multicenter study to evaluate the effect of transcatheter arterialization of the deep veins in patients with nonhealing ulcers and no surgical or endovascular revascularization treatment options. The composite primary end point was amputation-free survival (defined as freedom from above-ankle amputation or death from any cause) at 6 months, as compared with a performance goal of 54%. Secondary end points included limb salvage, wound healing, and technical success of the procedure. RESULTS: We enrolled 105 patients who had chronic limb-threatening ischemia and were of a median age of 70 years (interquartile range, 38 to 89). Of the patients enrolled, 33 (31.4%) were women and 45 (42.8%) were Black, Hispanic, or Latino. Transcatheter arterialization of the deep veins was performed successfully in 104 patients (99.0%). At 6 months, 66.1% of the patients had amputation-free survival. According to Bayesian analysis, the posterior probability that amputation-free survival at 6 months exceeded a performance goal of 54% was 0.993, which exceeded the prespecified threshold of 0.977. Limb salvage (avoidance of above-ankle amputation) was attained in 67 patients (76.0% by Kaplan-Meier analysis). Wounds were completely healed in 16 of 63 patients (25%) and were in the process of healing in 32 of 63 patients (51%). No unanticipated device-related adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: We found that transcatheter arterialization of the deep veins was safe and could be performed successfully in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia and no conventional surgical or endovascular revascularization treatment options. (Funded by LimFlow; PROMISE II study ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03970538.).

Novel Micro Crown Orbital Atherectomy for Severe Lesion Calcification: Coronary Orbital Atherectomy System Study (COAST).

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention of severely calcified lesions carries a high risk of adverse events despite the use of contemporary devices. The Classic Crown Orbital Atherectomy System (OAS) was safe and effective for severely calcified lesion preparation in the ORBIT II study (Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of OAS in Treating Severely Calcified Coronary Lesions) but was not optimized for tight lesions. COAST (Coronary Orbital Atherectomy System Study) evaluated the safety and efficacy of calcified lesion preparation before stent implantation with the Diamondback 360 Micro Crown Coronary OAS, designed for use in tighter lesions. METHODS: COAST was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study that enrolled 100 patients with severely calcified de novo coronary lesions at 17 sites in the United States and Japan. The primary effectiveness end point was procedural success, defined as stent delivery with residual stenosis <50% without in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE), and the primary safety end point was freedom from MACE (composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization) at 30 days. RESULTS: The OAS Micro Crown was inserted in all patients. A stent was delivered with a residual stenosis <50% in all except one patient (99.0%). Procedural success was achieved in 85 (85.0%) subjects versus 391 (88.9%) in ORBIT II (P=0.30), and freedom from MACE at 30 days was achieved in 85.0% versus 89.6% in ORBIT II (P=0.21). Freedom from MACE was 77.8% at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Prestent preparation of severely calcified lesions using the novel Micro Crown OAS resulted in similar rates of procedural success and freedom from MACE compared with the Classic Crown OAS. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02132611.

Sinoatrial Arrest Caused by Ticagrelor after Angioplasty in a 62-Year-Old Woman with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

The platelet aggregation inhibitor ticagrelor, a P2Y12 receptor antagonist, is widely used after angioplasty in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Clinical trial data have shown that it is well tolerated by most patients. We present the case of a 62-year-old woman whose ticagrelor-related asymptomatic and persistent sinus pauses after angioplasty resolved when ticagrelor was replaced with prasugrel.

North American Expert Review of Rotational Atherectomy.

Rotational atherectomy (RA) is an established tool in interventional cardiology for treatment of calcified coronary lesions. Over 3 decades of clinical experience and research, techniques have matured and outcomes have improved. Heterogeneity exists, however, in RA utilization and technique. We assembled a group of experienced RA operators and device experts to summarize and critique key elements of contemporary RA technique, to identify areas of consensus and controversy, and to offer recommendations for optimal performance for the practicing interventional cardiologist. Evolution in RA strategy toward a focus on lesion modification to facilitate balloon angioplasty and stenting has underpinned major advances in procedural safety, including opportunity to use smaller caliber equipment and radial access. Optimal technique and improved safety have permitted exploratory use of RA for different lesion types and reevaluation of procedural requirements, including flush solution composition and transvenous pacing. Preparedness to manage complications remains paramount and recommendations for operators and institutions are outlined.

A Percutaneous Crossing Algorithm for Femoropopliteal and Tibial Artery Chronic Total Occlusions (PCTO Algorithm).

Peripheral artery chronic total occlusions (PCTOs) are frequently encountered during endovascular treatment of peripheral artery disease. Failure to successfully cross PCTOs accounts for the majority of unsuccessful endovascular procedures and associated complications. This review outlines a contemporary ultrasound-based approach to crossing femoropopliteal (FP) PCTOs based on a review of prospectively collected case report surveys, published evidence, and expert opinion compiled by the writing group members. The authors describe optimal imaging of PCTO lesions as well as key angiographic and ultrasound imaging features for determining the choice of antegrade, retrograde, or hybrid techniques, initial guidewire selection, guidewire escalation, and dissection re-entry approaches. These concepts are illustrated using clearly defined hierarchical steps and case examples. The writing group members recognize that while the algorithm provided may not encompass all clinical situations, it will serve as a foundation for establishing a systematic procedural strategy for crossing PCTOs to maximize crossing efficiency, treatment success, and patient safety.

Multidisciplinary Care for Critical Limb Ischemia: Current Gaps and Opportunities for Improvement.

Critical limb ischemia (CLI), defined as ischemic rest pain or nonhealing ulceration due to arterial insufficiency, represents the most severe and limb-threatening manifestation of peripheral artery disease. A major challenge in the optimal treatment of CLI is that multiple specialties participate in the care of this complex patient population. As a result, the care of patients with CLI is often fragmented, and multidisciplinary societal guidelines have not focused specifically on the care of patients with CLI. Furthermore, multidisciplinary care has the potential to improve patient outcomes, as no single medical specialty addresses all the facets of care necessary to reduce cardiovascular and limb-related morbidity in this complex patient population. This review identifies current gaps in the multidisciplinary care of patients with CLI, with a goal toward increasing disease recognition and timely referral, defining important components of CLI treatment teams, establishing options for revascularization strategies, and identifying best practices for wound care post-revascularization.

Giant Left Ventricular Thrombus in a Patient with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Case Report and Minireview.

A 56-year-old healthy male with no obvious risk factors or significant past medical history was admitted to the emergency room with acute ischemic stroke. On his transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), an extremely large thrombus was detected at the apex involving the distal anterior wall. The thrombus was predominantly adherent but with a mobile tip. The patient was subsequently managed with dual antiplatelet therapy. In this report, we present an interesting case of an acute ischemic stroke secondary to a giant left ventricular thrombus in a patient with no past significant cardiac or neurologic medical history.

Orbital atherectomy treatment of severely calcified native coronary lesions in patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting: Acute and one-year outcomes from the ORBIT II trial.

AIMS: Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), with a history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), may be at increased risk for mortality and repeat revascularization, compared with patients without prior CABG. In this post-hoc analysis of the ORBIT II trial, safety and efficacy of coronary orbital atherectomy (OA) to modify severe coronary artery calcium, prior to stent placement, was evaluated in subjects based on history of CABG. METHODS AND RESULTS: Comorbidities: diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and history of myocardial infarction (MI) were more prevalent in the CABG group. The in-hospital major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate, defined as a composite of cardiac death, MI (CK-MB>3× ULN), and target vessel revascularization (TVR), was higher in the CABG group (16.9% vs. 8.5%, p=0.04), driven primarily by a higher incidence of MI (16.9% vs. 8.0%, p=0.03); however, Q-wave rates were low at 1.5% vs 0.5%, (p=0.38). There was no significant difference in rates of cardiac death (6.2% vs. 2.7%, p=0.17) and TVR (7.9% vs. 5.5%, p=0.47). CONCLUSIONS: Low rates of TVR, cardiac death, and Q-wave MI, suggest OA treatment to facilitate stent delivery is successful and provides durable outcomes in subjects with and without prior CABG. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: Patients with history of CABG have extensive coronary artery disease. Those who undergo PCI may be at increased risk for mortality and repeat revascularization, compared with patients without prior CABG. This post-hoc analysis of ORBIT II trial evaluated safety and efficacy of coronary OA to modify severe coronary artery calcium, prior to stent placement, based on subject history of CABG. The MACE rate was higher in the CABG group, driven by higher incidence of MI; however, Q-wave rates were low. OA treatment to facilitate stent delivery is successful, but higher incidence of non-Q-wave MI in CABG patients warrants further study.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on procedural and one year clinical outcomes following treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions with the orbital atherectomy system: A subanalysis of the ORBIT II study.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of the study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of the coronary orbital atherectomy system to treat severe coronary artery calcification (CAC) prior to stent placement in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. BACKGROUND: The ORBIT II study reported the safety and efficacy of orbital atherectomy treatment in 443 patients with severe CAC. Percutaneous coronary intervention in diabetic patients is associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) compared with non-diabetics. The outcomes of diabetic patients who undergo orbital atherectomy are unknown. METHODS: Patients were sub-grouped as either diabetic (160/443, 36.1%) or non-diabetic (283/443, 63.9%). The MACE rate, defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI; CK-MB > 3X ULN), and target vessel revascularization, was examined at 30 days and 1 year after treatment. RESULTS: Procedural success was similar in the diabetic and non-diabetic groups (89.3 vs. 88.6%, P = 0.88). There was no significant difference in the 30-day and 1-year MACE rates between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups (30 day: 8.8 vs. 11.3%; P = 0.40; 1 year: 17.1 vs. 16.7%, P = 0.97). The individual components of cardiac death (3.9 vs. 2.9%, P = 0.58), MI (9.4 vs. 11.3%, P = 0.52), and target vessel revascularization (5.9 vs. 5.8%, P = 0.99) were also similar in both groups at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The rates of adverse clinical events in diabetic patients who underwent orbital atherectomy were low and similar to non-diabetic patients. This study suggests orbital atherectomy is a reasonable treatment strategy for diabetic patients with severe CAC.

Orbital atherectomy treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions in patients with impaired left ventricular ejection fraction: one-year outcomes from the ORBIT II study.

AIMS: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of severe coronary artery calcification (CAC) is challenging. The ORBIT II study demonstrated the safety and efficacy of orbital atherectomy (OA) in patients with severe CAC. Microparticulate liberated during OA may disturb the coronary microcirculation. In the present study, we evaluated OA treatment in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients were grouped by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): 26-40% (n=33), 41-50% (n=90), and >50% (n=314). Procedural success was similar (LVEF 26-40%: 90.9%, LVEF 41-50%: 88.9%, LVEF >50%: 88.4%). Rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularisation, were similar in the LVEF 26-40%, 41-50%, and >50% groups, respectively, at 30 days (9.1%, 7.8%, 11.5%) and one year (18.2%, 19.1%, 16.0%). Although the 30-day cardiac death rate was 0% in patients with left ventricular dysfunction, one-year cardiac death was higher compared with patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function. CONCLUSIONS: No patient with left ventricular systolic dysfunction experienced cardiac death at 30 days suggesting that OA was well tolerated without haemodynamic complication. However, one-year cardiac death was higher in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, consistent with previous studies demonstrating the association between reduced left ventricular function and increased mortality after PCI.

ORBIT II sub-analysis: Impact of impaired renal function following treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions with the Orbital Atherectomy System.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the safety and efficacy of the coronary Orbital Atherectomy System (OAS) to prepare severely calcified lesions for stent deployment in patients grouped by renal function. BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of severely calcified lesions is associated with increased rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target vessel revascularization (TVR) compared with PCI of non-calcified vessels. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk for MACE after PCI. The impact of CKD on coronary orbital atherectomy treatment has not been well characterized. METHODS: ORBIT II was a prospective, multicenter trial in the U.S., which enrolled 443 patients with severely calcified coronary lesions. The MACE rate was defined as a composite of cardiac death, MI, and target vessel revascularization. RESULTS: Of the 441 patients enrolled with known estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values at baseline, 333 (75.5%) patients had eGFR < 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 108 patients had eGFR ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 . The mean eGFR at baseline in the eGFR < 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 and eGFR ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 groups was 65.0 ± 0.9 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 109.1 ± 2.0 ml/min/1.73 m2 , respectively. Freedom from MACE was lower in the eGFR < 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 group at 30 days (87.4% vs. 96.3%, P = 0.02) and 1-year (80.6% vs. 90.7%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with renal impairment had a higher MACE rate through one year follow-up due to a higher rate of periprocedural MI. Interestingly, the rates of cardiac death and revascularization through 1-year were similar in patients with eGFR < 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 and eGFR ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 . Future studies are needed to identify the ideal revascularization strategy for patients with renal impairment and severely calcified coronary lesions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Two-year outcomes after treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions with the orbital atherectomy system and the impact of stent types: Insight from the ORBIT II trial.

OBJECTIVES: We report 2-year outcomes of the Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of OAS in Treating Severely Calcified Coronary Lesions (ORBIT II) trial, with emphasis on the impact of stent type. BACKGROUND: The ORBIT II trial demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the Diamondback 360° Coronary Orbital Atherectomy System (OAS; Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., St. Paul, MN) in the treatment of de novo, severely calcified coronary lesions. METHODS: ORBIT II was a single-arm trial that enrolled 443 subjects with severely calcified lesions at 49 US sites. All patients were intended to be treated with OAS before stent implantation. The primary safety endpoint was 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE: Cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization). For the purpose of this study, we divided patients into three groups according to the type of stent implanted (i.e., bare metal stent [BMS], first-generation drug-eluting stent [DES], or second-generation DES). The 2-year MACE rate and its components were compared between groups. RESULTS: In the ORBIT II study cohort, 2-year rates of MACE, cardiac death, and target vessel revascularization were 19.4%, 4.3%, and 8.1%, respectively. Two year data were available in 419 of 443 patients (94.6%) with median follow up time of 25.1 months. Stent-type data were available in 435 of the 443 patients (98.2%). Six patients received stents of more than one type and were excluded from the stent type comparisons. Among the 429 patients included in the stent comparison analyses, 43 patients (10.0%) received BMS, 74 (17.2%) received first-generation DES, and 312 (72.7%) received second-generation DES. The 1 and 2-year target lesion revascularization rates were lower among patients receiving first-generation (1.4% and 6.3%) and second-generation (3.9% and 5.0%) DES compared to patients receiving BMS (15.3% and 15.3%), respectively (1 year: P = 0.007; 2 year: P = 0.047). Higher diameter stenosis and the use of BMS were independently associated with the occurrence of MACE and TVR at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: OAS remained safe and effective for patients with de novo, severely calcified lesions at 2 years in the ORBIT II study. Adverse ischemic events were significantly higher with BMS compared with DES. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Gender differences in acute and 30-day outcomes after orbital atherectomy treatment of de novo, severely calcified coronary lesions.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this analysis is to evaluate potential differences according to gender in terms of acute and 30-day clinical outcomes in patients enrolled in the ORBIT II trial with de novo, severely calcified coronary lesions treated with orbital atherectomy to facilitate stent delivery. BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown an increased risk of safety events in females compared to males undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: ORBIT II, a prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter, single arm study conducted in the US evaluated the safety and efficacy of the coronary OAS to facilitate stent placement in de novo, severely calcified coronary lesions in 443 subjects (286 males and 157 females). The rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as a composite of myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and cardiac death was evaluated in-hospital and 30-days postprocedure. For this analysis, the ORBIT II safety and efficacy results were stratified by gender. RESULTS: At baseline, females were significantly older than males and had a lower mean estimated glomerular filtration rate. Males had a higher rate of previous coronary artery bypass grafting and history of smoking. The rates of successful stent delivery and <50% residual stenosis were similar in males and females. In-hospital and 30-day MACE rates did not differ by gender. CONCLUSIONS: Despite females being older, having smaller arteries, and more renal dysfunction, preparation of severely calcified coronary lesions with orbital atherectomy to facilitate stent deployment results in similar rates of in-hospital and 30-day MACE, irrespective of gender.

Orbital Atherectomy for Treating De Novo Severely Calcified Coronary Narrowing (1-Year Results from the Pivotal ORBIT II Trial).

Percutaneous coronary intervention of severely calcified lesions has historically been associated with major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rates as high as 30%. In the ORBIT II (Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of OAS in Treating Severely Calcified Coronary Lesions) trial, treatment of de novo severely calcified lesions with the Diamondback 360° Coronary Orbital Atherectomy System (OAS) resulted in low rates of procedural and 30-day adverse ischemic events. The long-term results from this trial have not been reported. We sought to determine the 1-year outcomes after orbital atherectomy of severely calcified coronary lesions. ORBIT II was a single-arm trial enrolling 443 subjects at 49 US sites with severely calcified lesions usually excluded from randomized trials. OAS utilizes a centrifugal differential sanding mechanism of action for plaque modification prior to stent implantation. After OAS drug-eluting stents were implanted in 88.2% of the patients. The primary safety end point was 30-day MACE, the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization [TVR]. The present analysis reports the 1-year follow-up results from ORBIT II. One-year data were available in 433 of 443 patients (97.7%), with median follow-up time of 16.7 months. The 1-year MACE rate was 16.4%, including cardiac death (3.0%), myocardial infarction (9.7%), and target vessel revascularization (5.9%). The 1-year target lesion revascularization rate was 4.7%, and stent thrombosis occurred in 1 patient (0.2%). Independent predictors of 1-year MACE and target vessel revascularization were diameter stenosis at baseline and the use of bare-metal stents. In patients with severely calcified lesions who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, the use of OAS was associated with low rates of 1-year adverse ischemic events compared with historical controls. This finding has important clinical implications for the selection of optimum treatment strategies for patients with severely calcified lesions.

Pivotal trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the orbital atherectomy system in treating de novo, severely calcified coronary lesions (ORBIT II).

OBJECTIVES: The ORBIT II (Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of OAS in Treating Severely Calcified Coronary Lesions) trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of the coronary Orbital Atherectomy System (OAS) to prepare de novo, severely calcified coronary lesions for stent placement. BACKGROUND: Despite advances in interventional techniques, treatment of calcified coronary lesions remains a challenge. Stent placement in these lesions may result in stent underexpansion, malapposition, and procedural complications. METHODS: ORBIT II is a prospective, multicenter, nonblinded clinical trial that enrolled 443 consecutive patients with severely calcified coronary lesions at 49 U.S. sites from May 25, 2010, to November 26, 2012. Investigators used the centrifugal action of the OAS diamond-coated crown to modify calcified lesions prior to stent placement. RESULTS: The pre-procedure mean minimal lumen diameter of 0.5 mm increased to 2.9 mm after the procedure. The primary safety endpoint was 89.6% freedom from 30-day major adverse cardiac events compared with the performance goal of 83%. The primary efficacy endpoint (residual stenosis <50% post-stent without in-hospital major adverse cardiac events) was 88.9% compared with the performance goal of 82%. Stent delivery occurred successfully in 97.7% of cases with <50% stenosis in 98.6% of subjects. Low rates of in-hospital Q-wave myocardial infarction (0.7%), cardiac death (0.2%), and target vessel revascularization (0.7%) were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The ORBIT II coronary OAS trial met both the primary safety and efficacy endpoints by significant margins. Preparation of severely calcified plaque with the OAS not only helped facilitate stent delivery, but improved both acute and 30-day clinical outcomes compared with the outcomes of historic control subjects in this difficult-to-treat patient population. (Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of OAS in Treating Severely Calcified Coronary Lesions [ORBIT II]; NCT01092416).

Drug-eluting stenting of saphenous vein graft versus native coronary artery supplying the same myocardial perfusion territory: a pilot retrospective 3-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: In post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients undergoing drug-eluting stent implantation of either the saphenous vein graft (SVG) versus the native coronary artery supplying the same myocardial perfusion territory, which option confers better clinical outcomes when both lesions are technically feasible? METHODS: From 2005 to 2008 at a single medical center, a total of 178 post-CABG patients (with 241 lesions) underwent PCI due to progressive SVG disease. Of them, 23 patients (with 29 lesions) had amenable disease for PCI in both the SVG and native coronary artery matching the same myocardial perfusion territory; chronic total occlusions were excluded. All patients included in the study were treated with drug-eluting stents. Sixteen patients (19 lesions) underwent PCI of the SVG, and 9 patients (10 lesions) underwent PCI in the native vessels. RESULTS: Primary endpoints were in-hospital and 3-year rates of death, myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR), and target vessel revascularization (TVR). There were 2 in-hospital MIs in the SVG-treated group and 0 for the native vessel-treated group. The 3-year clinical follow-up showed 3 MIs, 2 TLRs, 4 TVRs, and 6 deaths in the SVG-treated group; only 1 MI occurred in the native-vessel treated group (P=.02). More PCIs of the SVG were performed than in the native coronary artery (19 vs 10 lesions). CONCLUSIONS: This small study suggests improved clinical outcomes with PCI of the native vessel, but a tendency of operators to choose PCI of the SVG instead. Large, prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical trials with long-term follow-up can validate the advantage of selecting PCI of the native vessel over the SVG when both options are available.