[Post-traumatic false (pseudo) aneurysm of the left main coronary artery]. / Pseudo aneurisma post-traumático de tronco de arteria coronaria izquierda.

Coronary pseudo-aneurysm is an extremely rare entity. Its natural history is scarcely known and its treatment is controversial. We report a case of pseudo-aneurysm of the left main coronary artery associated with an antero-apical infarct of the left ventricle diagnosed five years after a cardiac arrest following a non-penetrating thoracic trauma. The patient was treated conservatively because percutaneous or surgical correction were not considered suitable for this lesion. A multidetector computed tomography coronary angiogram performed 10 years after the initial event showed no evidence of progression.

Pseudo-aneurisma post-traumático de tronco de arteria coronaria izquierda / Post-traumatic false (pseudo) aneurysm of the left main coronary artery

El pseudo-aneurisma de arteria coronaria es extremadamente raro. Su historia natural es poco conocida y su tratamiento discutido. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con pseudo-aneurisma de tronco de la coronaria izquierda e infarto antero-apical del ventrículo izquierdo cinco años después de un paro cardíaco secundario a un traumatismo no penetrante de tórax. Se consideró entonces que la lesión no era pasible de corrección percutánea o quirúrgica por lo que se optó por tratamiento médico conservador. Una angiografía coronaria por tomografía computarizada multicorte realizada 10 años después del evento inicial mostró ausencia de progresión de la lesión.

Coronary pseudo-aneurysm is an extremely rare entity. Its natural history is scarcely known and its treatment is controversial. We report a case of pseudo-aneurysm of the left main coronary artery associated with an antero-apical infarct of the left ventricle diagnosed five years after a cardiac arrest following a non-penetrating thoracic trauma. The patient was treated conservatively because percutaneous or surgical correction were not considered suitable for this lesion. A multidetector computed tomography coronary angiogram performed 10 years after the initial event showed no evidence of progression.

Reemplazo percutáneo de la válvula aórtica en pacientes con estenosis aórtica grave y riesgo quirúrgico elevado / Percutaneous Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis and High Surgical Risk / Percutaneous Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis and High Surgical Risk

Introducción La cirugía de reemplazo valvular aórtico es el tratamiento de elección en pacientes con estenosis aórtica. Sin embargo, en una proporción considerable de pacientes, el riesgo quirúrgico y la presencia de algunas comorbilidades, que aumentan este riesgo, impiden la cirugía. El reemplazo percutáneo de la válvula aórtica representa una alternativa a la cirugía valvular convencional para pacientes seleccionados de riesgo elevado. Objetivo Comunicar la experiencia inicial de reemplazo percutáneo de la válvula aórtica con prótesis autoexpandible CoreValve® (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) en pacientes portadores de estenosis aórtica grave. Material y métodos Registro multicéntrico en el que se incluyeron 21 pacientes con estenosis aórtica grave (área < 1 cm²) sintomática y riesgo quirúrgico elevado sometidos a implante percutáneo en cuatro centros cardiovasculares argentinos de alta complejidad. Para el procedimiento se implementó una estrategia multidisciplinaria que involucró a diversos especialistas: anestesiólogo, cirujano, expertos en imágenes y cardiólogos intervencionistas. Resultados La edad media fue de 80,8 ± 7,1 años (rango: 63-90), el 57% de sexo masculino, área valvular media de 0,59 ± 0,25 cm² y EuroSCORE de 18,1% ± 4%. El 73% y el 27% de los pacientes se encontraban en clase funcional III y IV, respectivamente. El éxito del procedimiento fue del 95,2% (20/21), que se tradujo en una reducción pronunciada del gradiente pico transvalvular aórtico (82 ± 14 mm Hg a 12 ± 3 mm Hg; p < 0,001), mientras que el desarrollo posprocedimiento de regurgitación aórtica de grado moderado-grave fue del 14%. El 85,8% de los pacientes evolucionaron a clase funcional I. El requerimiento de marcapasos definitivo fue del 38% (8/21). La mortalidad del procedimiento y a los 30 días fue del 4,7% y del 9,5%, respectivamente; se observó un caso de accidente cerebrovascular isquémico menor con restitución ad integrum dentro de la semana. Se detectaron 4 óbitos en el seguimiento alejado (mediana 7 meses), dos de origen cardíaco (mortalidad cardíaca 19%) y otros dos de causa no cardíaca. Conclusiones El tratamiento de la estenosis aórtica grave en pacientes de riesgo quirúrgico elevado mediante reemplazo valvular percutáneo con prótesis CoreValve® es una alternativa factible que se asocia con una mejoría funcional notoria. La selección adecuada de pacientes, el perfeccionamiento de la técnica del procedimiento y el desarrollo de nuevos diseños incrementarán su eficacia y seguridad.

Background Aortic valve replacement is the treatment of choice in patients with aortic stenosis. However, a significant number of patients are not candidates for surgery due to high surgical risk and to the presence of comorbidities. Percutaneous aortic valve replacement represents an alternative option to conventional aortic valve surgery for selected high risk patients. Objective To inform about the initial experience with percutaneous aortic valve replacement with a self-expanding CoreValve® aortic valve prosthesis (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA). Material and Methods We conducted a multicenter registry including 21 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (aortic valve area < 1 cm²) and high surgical risk undergoing percutaneous aortic valve replacement in four high complexity cardiovascular centers. A multidisciplinary strategy was used involving several specialists: anesthesiologist, surgeon, diagnostic images specialists and interventional cardiologists. Results Mean age was 80.8±7.1 years (range: 63-90); 57% were men. Mean aortic valve area was 0.59±0.25 cm² and mean EuroSCORE was 18.1%±4%. The percentages of patients in functional class III and IV were 73% and 27%, respectively. The procedure was successful in 95.2% (20/21) of patients, with a pronounced reduction in peak transvalvular aortic gradient (from 82±14 mm Hg to 12±3 mm Hg; p <0,001); 14% of patients developed moderate to severe aortic regurgi-tation after the procedure. 85.5% of patients evolved to FC I. Definite pacemaker implantation was required in 38% (8/21). Procedure-related mortality was 4.7% and mortality after 30 days was 9.5%. One patient developed a minor stroke with complete recovery within a week. Four patients died in the long-term follow-up (median 7 months): 2 due to cardiac causes (cardiac mortality 19%) and 2 due to non-cardiac causes. Conclusions Percutaneous aortic valve replacement with CoreValve® aortic valve prosthesis is a feasible option for patients with high surgical risk that is associated with significant clinical improvement. The adequate selection of patients, improvement of the surgical technique and the development of new designs will increase the efficacy and safeness of the procedure.

IMPACT Trial: angiographic and intravascular ultrasound observations of the first human experience with mycophenolic acid-eluting polymer stent system.

The purpose of the study was to examine the safety and efficacy of two different formulations of mycophenolic acid (MPA)-eluting Duraflex stents on coronary de novo lesions. Recent data indicate that local delivery of MPA in the porcine overstretch coronary model significantly reduces neointimal hyperplasia (NIH). Patients were divided into three consecutive groups. The first (n=50) and second (n=55) groups received moderate- and slow-release MPA-eluting Duraflex stent, respectively. The last group (n=50) received the bare metal Duraflex stent. Clinical, angiographic, and intravascular ultrasound analysis were performed at 6-month follow-up. All stents were successfully deployed and patients were discharged home without clinical events. Compared to controls, 6-month in-lesion and in-stent minimum luminal diameter as well as late lumen loss were not significantly different in the moderate- and slow-release treatment groups. At follow-up, percentage obstruction and NIH volume were also similar between the three groups. At 30 days and 6 and 12 months, there were no differences noted between the three groups with respect to major adverse cardiac events as well as the individual rates of mortality, myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization. There were no cases of subacute or late thrombosis. In this feasibility trial, the MPA-eluting Duraflex stents in either slow- or moderate-release formulations were well tolerated, but showed no benefit for treatment of coronary lesions when compared to controls. Further testing with different drug dosing or delivery rate might improve these results.

IMPACT trial: angiographic and intravascular ultrasound observations of the first human experience with mycophenolic acid-eluting polymer stent system

The purpose of the study was to examine the safety and efficacy of two different formulations of mycophenolic acid (MPA)-eluting Duraflex stents on coronary de novo lesions. Recent data indicate that local delivery of MPA in the porcine overstretch coronary

model significantly reduces neointimal hyperplasia (NIH). Patients were divided into three consecutive groups. The first (n 5 50) and second (n 5 55) groups received moderate- and slow-release MPA-eluting Duraflex stent, respectively. The last group (n 5 50) received the bare metal Duraflex stent. Clinical, angiographic, and intravascular

ultrasound analysis were performed at 6-month follow-up. All stents were successfully deployed and patients were discharged home without clinical events. Compared to controls, 6-month in-lesion and in-stent minimum luminal diameter as well as late

lumen loss were not significantly different in the moderate- and slow-release treatment groups. At follow-up, percentage obstruction and NIH volume were also similar between the three groups. At 30 days and 6 and 12 months, there were no differences

noted between the three groups with respect to major adverse cardiac events as well as the individual rates of mortality, myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization.

There were no cases of subacute or late thrombosis. In this feasibility trial, the MPAeluting Duraflex stents in either slow- or moderate-release formulations were well tolerated, but showed no benefit for treatment of coronary lesions when compared to

controls. Further testing with different drug dosing or delivery rate might improve these results.