Co-VAN study: COVID-19 vaccine associated neurological diseases- an experience from an apex neurosciences centre and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown various neurological adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccine. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to retrospectively review and report the neurological diseases temporally associated with COVID-19 vaccine. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of admitted patients from 1st February 2021 to 30th June 2022. A total of 4672 medical records were reviewed of which 51 cases were identified to have neurological illness temporally associated with COVID-19 vaccination. RESULTS: Out of 51 cases, 48 had probable association with COVID-19 vaccination while three had possible association. Neurological spectrum included CNS demyelination (n = 39, 76.5 %), Guillain-Barré-syndrome (n = 3, 5.9 %), stroke (n = 6, 11.8 %), encephalitis (n = 2, 3.9 %) and myositis (n = 1, 2.0 %). Female gender had a greater predisposition (F:M, 1.13:1). Neurological events were more commonly encountered after the first-dose (n = 37, 72.5%). The mean latency to onset of symptoms was 13.2 ± 10.7 days after the last dose of vaccination. COVIShield (ChAdOx1) was the most commonly administered vaccine (n = 43, 84.3 %). Majority of the cases with demyelination were seronegative (n = 23, 59.0 %) which was followed by anti-Myelin oligodendrocyte-glycoprotein associated demyelination (MOGAD) (n = 11, 28.2 %) and Neuromyelitis optica (NMOSD) (n = 5, 12.8 %). Out of 6 Stroke cases, 2 cases (33.3 %) had thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy. At discharge, 25/51 (49.0 %) of the cases had favourable outcome (mRS 0 to 1). Among six patients of stroke, only one of them had favourable outcome. CONCLUSION: In this series, we describe the wide variety of neurological syndromes temporally associated with COVID-19 vaccination. Further studies with larger sample size and longer duration of follow-up are needed to prove or disprove causality association of these syndromes with COVID-19 vaccination.

Prevalence and treatment of "balloon-uncrossable" coronary chronic total occlusions.

BACKGROUND: The frequency and outcomes of "balloon-uncrossable" coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs) have received limited study. METHODS: We retrospectively examined 373 consecutive CTO percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) performed at our institution between 2005 and 2013 to determine the frequency and treatment of balloon-uncrossable CTOs. RESULTS: Mean age was 63.7 ± 8.3 years and 98.9% of the patients were men. Twenty-four patients (6.4%, 95% confidence intervals 4.2% to 9.4%) were found to have a balloon-uncrossable CTO. Compared to the other CTO PCI patients, those with balloon-uncrossable CTOs had similar clinical and angiographic characteristics. Successful crossing of the balloon-uncrossable CTO was achieved in 22 of 24 patients (91.7%) using a variety of techniques, such as successive balloon inflations (43.5%), microcatheter advancement (21.7%), laser (8.7%), techniques that increase guide catheter support (13.0%), and subintimal lesion crossing (13.0%). Patients with balloon-uncrossable CTOs had longer procedure time (184.5 ± 77.9 vs 134.0 ± 69.0 min, P<.01), fluoroscopy time (55.2 ± 24.9 vs 37.9 ± 20.8 min, P<.01), and received high contrast volume (404.4 ± 137.9 vs 351.7 ± 138.5 mL, P=.08), but had similar incidence of major complications (8.3% vs 3.2%, P=.25) as compared with patients who did not have balloon-uncrossable CTOs. CONCLUSION: Balloon-uncrossable CTOs are encountered in 6.4% of contemporary CTO PCIs and can be successfully treated in most patients using a variety of techniques.

Outcomes of preoperative bridging therapy for patients undergoing surgery after coronary stent implantation: a weighted meta-analysis of 280 patients from eight studies.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative bridging with a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor is often performed in patients with prior coronary stents undergoing surgery who require antiplatelet therapy discontinuation, but its safety and efficacy have received limited study. We performed a weighted meta-analysis of the outcomes in patients with coronary stents undergoing bridging with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors prior to surgery. METHODS: We conducted a weighted meta-analysis of preoperative bridging studies published between 2002 and 2013 in patients with coronary stents undergoing surgery. Data on in-hospital mortality, stent thrombosis, bleeding, hemoglobin decrease, blood transfusion, time to hospital discharge and myocardial infarction were collected. RESULTS: A total of eight studies with 280 patients were included. Pooled estimates of outcomes were as follows: in-hospital mortality 3.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7-5.9%); stent thrombosis 1.3% (95% CI 0.3-3.0%); major bleeding 7.4% (95% CI 2.8-14.1%); any bleeding 20.6% (95% CI 4.8-43.2%); mean decrease in hemoglobin 2.8 g/dL (95% CI 2.5-3.0 g/dL); mean blood loss 271 mL (95% CI 211-311 mL); blood transfusion 13.9% (95% CI 1.0-38.2%); time to hospital discharge 5.9 days (95% CI 4.4-7.3 days); and myocardial infarction 1.6% (95% CI 0.3-3.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative bridging with a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor in patients undergoing surgery after coronary stenting does not abolish the risk of perioperative stent thrombosis and may carry increased risk for bleeding. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The efficacy and safety of the "hybrid" approach to coronary chronic total occlusions: insights from a contemporary multicenter US registry and comparison with prior studies.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) is challenging and has been associated with low success rates. However, recent advancements in equipment and the flexibility to switch between multiple technical approaches during the same procedure ("hybrid" percutaneous algorithm) have dramatically increased the success of CTO-PCI. We sought to compare the contemporary procedural outcomes of hybrid CTO-PCI with previously published CTO-PCI studies. METHODS: The procedural outcomes of 497 consecutive CTO-PCIs performed between January 2012 and August 2013 at five high-volume centers in the United States were compared with the pooled success and complication rates reported in 39 prior CTO-PCI series that included ≥100 patients and were published after 2000. RESULTS: The baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics of the study patients were comparable to those of previous studies. Technical and procedural success was achieved in 455 cases (91.5%) and 451 cases (90.7%), respectively, and were significantly higher than the pooled technical and procedural success rates from prior studies (76.5%, P<.001 and 75.2%, P<.001, respectively). Major procedural complications occurred in 9/497 patients (1.8%) overall and included death (2 patients), acute myocardial infarction (5 patients), repeat target vessel PCI (1 patient), and tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis (2 patients). The incidence of major complications was similar to that of prior studies (pooled rate 2.0%; P=.72). CONCLUSION: Use of the hybrid approach to CTO-PCI is associated with higher success and similar complication rates compared to prior studies, supporting its expanded use for treating these challenging lesions.

Outcomes with first- versus second-generation drug-eluting stents in coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting outcomes after first- and second-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in chronic total occlusions (CTOs). BACKGROUND: The effect of second- vs first-generation DESs on the outcomes after CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study. METHODS: As of May 2013, thirty-one published studies reported outcomes after DES implantation in CTOs: thirteen uncontrolled studies (3161 patients), three randomized (220 patients) and ten non-randomized (2150 patients) comparative studies with bare-metal stents (BMSs), and two non-randomized (685 patients) and three randomized (489 patients) comparative studies between first- and second-generation DESs. Data from the five studies comparing first with second-generation DESs were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis models. RESULTS: The median and mean duration of follow-up were 12 and 14.4 months, respectively. Compared to first-generation DESs, second-generation DESs were associated with lower incidence of death (odds ratio [OR], 0.37; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.15-0.91), target vessel revascularization (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.40-0.87), binary angiographic restenosis (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.46-1.01) and reocclusion (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.17-0.71), but similar incidence of myocardial infarction (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.10-1.95) and stent thrombosis (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.07-1.59). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to first-generation DESs, second-generation DESs are associated with improved angiographic and clinical outcomes in CTO PCI and are the preferred stents for these challenging lesions.

Amplatzer vascular plug IV for occlusion of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in a patient with cryptogenic stroke.

Paradoxical embolism resulting in cryptogenic stroke has received much attention recently, with the primary focus on patent foramen ovale (PFO). However, it is essential to be vigilant in the search for other causes of paradoxical embolic events, such as pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM). We describe successful closure of pulmonary AVM with a St Jude Medical (Plymouth, MN) Amplatzer™ vascular plug IV. The newer AVP-IV devices can be used for successful embolization of tortuous pulmonary AVM in remote locations where use of other traditional devices may be technically challenging.

Surrogate and clinical outcomes following ischemic postconditioning during primary percutaneous coronary intervention of ST--segment elevation myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis of 15 randomized trials.

OBJECTIVES: To conduct a meta-analysis on surrogate and clinical outcomes with myocardial ischemic postconditioning (IPoC) following revascularization with primary percutaneous intervention (PPCI) for ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI) compared with PPCI alone. BACKGROUND: Reperfusion injury remains an important problem following PPCI for STEMI. Trials of IPoC have mainly focused on cardiac biomarkers; the impact on clinical outcomes is unknown. METHODS: Clinical trials that randomized STEMI patients to IPoC as compared with conventional PPCI were included for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 15 randomized trials with 1,545 patients met our selection criteria (785 underwent IPoC + PPCI, 760 PPCI alone). Mean follow-up for clinical outcomes was 4.7 months. The mean ischemic time was 225 min. ST-segment resolution (Relative Risk [RR] = 0.98; 95% Confidence Intervals [CI] 0.85-1.13; P = 0.75) and infarct size (Weighted mean difference [WMD] = -2.53%, 95% CI -6.10 to 1.05; P = 0.17) were similar between the IPoC + PPCI vs. PPCI arms. Left ventricular ejection fraction at follow-up was marginally higher in the IPoC (WMD = 4.15%, 95% CI 0.19-8.12%, P = 0.04). No differences were noted in any of the clinical outcomes studied, including mortality (RR = 1.52; 95% CI 0.77-2.99; P = 0.23), recurrent MI (RR = 3.04; 95% CI 0.74-12.54; P = 0.12); stent thrombosis (RR = 1.24, 95% CI 0.51-3.04; P = 0.83) or the composite MACE outcome (RR = 1.53; 95% CI 0.89-2.63; P = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: IPoC following PPCI is not associated with improvements in surrogate or clinical outcomes at 5 months as compared with PPCI alone. Our findings indicate no role for IPoC in the routine management of patients with STEMI.

Application of the "hybrid approach" to chronic total occlusions in patients with previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery (from a Contemporary Multicenter US registry).

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTOs) has been traditionally associated with lower success rates in patients with previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). We sought to examine the success and complication rates of CTO PCI using the "hybrid" crossing algorithm among patients with a history of previous CABG. The procedural outcomes of 496 consecutive CTO PCIs performed at 5 high-volume PCI centers in the United States from January 2012 to August 2013 were assessed. The outcomes of patients with previous CABG were compared with those of patients without previous CABG. Compared with patients without previous CABG (n = 320), patients with previous CABG (n = 176, 35%) were older, had more coronary artery disease risk factors, and had less favorable baseline angiographic CTO characteristics. Technical and procedural success was slightly lower among patients with previous CABG (88.1% vs 93.4%, p = 0.044 and 87.5 vs 92.5%, p = 0.07, respectively). Patients with previous CABG more commonly underwent CTO PCI using the retrograde approach (39% vs 24%, respectively, p <0.001) and received higher air kerma radiation exposure (4.8 [interquartile range 3.0 to 6.4] vs 3.1 [1.9 to 5.3] Gray, p <0.001) and fluoroscopy time (59 [38 to 77] vs 34 [21 to 55] minutes, p <0.001). Major procedural complications were similar in the 2 groups: 2 of 176 (1.1%) patients with previous CABG versus 7 of 320 (2.1%) patients without previous CABG (p = 0.40). In conclusion, with application of the "hybrid" approach to CTO PCI, success was slightly lower, and complication rates were similar between patients with and without previous CABG.

Angiographic success and procedural complications in patients undergoing retrograde percutaneous coronary chronic total occlusion interventions: a weighted meta-analysis of 3,482 patients from 26 studies.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety profile of retrograde chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study. We sought to perform a weighted meta-analysis of the success and complication rates of retrograde CTO PCI. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of 26 studies published between 2006 and April 2013 reporting in-hospital outcomes of retrograde CTO PCI. Data on procedural success, frequency of death, emergent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), perforation, tamponade, stent thrombosis, major vascular or bleeding events, contrast nephropathy, and radiation skin injury were collected. RESULTS: A total of 26 studies with 3482 patients and 3493 target CTO lesions were included. Primary retrograde CTO PCI was attempted in 52.4%. Pooled estimates of outcomes were as follows: procedural success 83.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 79.0% to 87.7%]; death 0.7% (95% CI: 0.5% to 1.2%); urgent CABG 0.7% (95% CI: 0.4% to 1.2%); tamponade 1.4% (95% CI: 1.0% to 2.2%); collateral perforation 6.9% (95% CI: 4.6% to 10.4%); coronary perforation 4.3% (95% CI: 1.2% to 15.4%); donor vessel dissection 2% (95% CI: 0.9% to 4.5%); stroke 0.5% (95% CI: 0.2% to 1.0%); MI 3.1% (95% CI: 0.2% to 5.0%); Q wave MI 0.6% (95% CI: 0.4% to 1.1%); vascular access complications 2% (95% CI: 0.9% to 4.5%); contrast nephropathy 1.8% (95% CI: 0.8% to 3.7%); and wire fracture and equipment entrapment 1.2% (95% CI: 0.6% to 2.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde CTO PCI is associated with high procedural success rate and acceptable risk for procedural complications.

Clinical, angiographic, and procedural predictors of periprocedural complications during chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To identify clinical, angiographic, and procedural factors associated with increased risk of periprocedural complications during chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: Successful CTO PCI can provide significant clinical benefit; however, procedural risks have received limited study. We sought to identify factors associated with increased CTO PCI periprocedural risk that could be utilized to guide patient and lesion selection. METHODS: The clinical, angiographic, and procedural records of 336 consecutive CTO PCI procedures performed at a single center from May 2005 through 2012 were reviewed, and data on periprocedural complications were recorded. Logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of periprocedural complications during CTO PCI. RESULTS: The incidence of major and minor complications was 3.9% and 10.4%, respectively. Minor bleeding and vascular events were the most common complications (4.8%), followed by perforation (2.4%), contrast-induced nephropathy (1.8%), and transient hypotension (0.6%). Major complications were uncommon: death (0.3%); emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (0.6%); stroke (0.3%); tamponade (0.3%); clinical myocardial infarction (0.9%); donor vessel injury (0.6%); and major bleeding or vascular events (0.9%). Patients who experienced any complication had higher preprocedure troponin levels and were more likely to undergo treatment using the retrograde approach. In multivariable analysis, use of the retrograde approach was independently associated with increased risk of periprocedural complications (odds ratio, 2.057; 95% confidence interval, 1.045-4.051; P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: Major complications of CTO PCI are infrequent, but are more common with use of the retrograde approach.

Impact of contrast agent viscosity on coronary balloon deflation times: bench testing results.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of viscosity on angioplasty balloon deflation times. BACKGROUND: Lower contrast viscosity could result in more rapid coronary balloon deflation times. METHODS: We performed a bench comparison of coronary balloon deflation times using 2 contrast agents with different viscosity (ioxaglate and iodixanol), 3 contrast dilutions, and 2 inflation syringe filling volumes. Ten identical pairs of coronary angioplasty balloons were used to conduct each comparison after balloon inflation to 12 atmospheres. Simultaneous deflations were performed under cineangiography. The time to full contrast extraction and the area of contrast remaining after 5 seconds of deflation (quantified by opaque pixel count) were compared between groups. RESULTS: The mean time to full contrast extraction during balloon deflation was 8.3 ± 2.5 seconds for ioxaglate (lower viscosity) versus 10.1 ± 2.9 seconds for iodixanol (higher viscosity) (17.4% decrease, P = 0.005), with a 35.6% (P = 0.004) reduction in contrast area at 5 seconds. Compared to 1:1 ioxaglate-saline mixture, 1:2 and 1:3 ioxaglate/saline mixes resulted in 26.7% (P < 0.001) and 39.0% (P < 0.001) reduction in mean balloon deflation time, respectively, but at the expense of decreased balloon opacity. Filling the inflation syringe with 5 versus 15 ml of contrast/saline solution was associated with 7.5% decrease in balloon deflation time (P = 0.005), but no difference in contrast area at 5 seconds (P = 0.749). CONCLUSIONS: Use of a lower viscosity contrast agent and higher contrast dilution significantly reduced coronary balloon deflation times, whereas use of lower syringe filling volume had a modest effect. Rapid coronary balloon deflation could improve the safety of interventional procedures.

Application of the "hybrid approach" to chronic total occlusion interventions: a detailed procedural analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcomes of the "hybrid" approach to chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). BACKGROUND: The "hybrid approach" to CTO PCI advocates appropriate and early change of crossing strategy to maximize success, safety, and efficiency. METHODS: We prospectively recorded and analyzed detailed step-by-step procedural data in 73 consecutive CTO PCI cases performed by a single operator between July 2011 and August 2012. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 66 of 73 cases (90.4%). Mean patient age was 65 ± 7 years, and 30% had prior coronary artery bypass surgery. Dual injection was used in 78%. The primary approach was retrograde in 9 cases (12.5%) and antegrade in 64 cases (87.5%), of whom 25 cases (39.1%) underwent retrograde attempt after failed antegrade approach. The initial crossing approach was successful in 40 cases (54.8%), but 32 cases (44%) required 3.6 ± 1.4 approach changes (range 2-7). Antegrade wire escalation, antegrade dissection/reentry, and retrograde crossing were utilized in 97.2%, 46.6%, and 46.6% of cases, respectively. Among successful cases, the final CTO crossing technique was antegrade wire escalation in 50.0%, antegrade dissection/reentry in 24.2%, and retrograde in 25.8%. The mean procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and air kerma radiation exposure until CTO crossing or stopping the procedure were 66 ± 55 minutes, 25 ± 23 minutes, and 2.3 ± 1.9 Gray, respectively. Three patients (4.1%) had a major complication. CONCLUSION: In the "hybrid approach" to CTO PCI, changes in crossing strategy were needed in approximately half the cases, resulting in high success and low complication rates.

Periprocedural myocardial injury in chronic total occlusion percutaneous interventions: a systematic cardiac biomarker evaluation study.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the incidence, correlates, and clinical implications of periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusions (CTO). BACKGROUND: The risk of PMI during CTO PCI may be underestimated because systematic cardiac biomarker measurement was not performed in published studies. METHODS: We retrospectively examined PMI among 325 consecutive CTO PCI performed at our institution between 2005 and 2012. Creatine kinase-myocardial band fraction and troponin were measured before PCI and 8 to 12 h and 18 to 24 h after PCI in all patients. PMI was defined as creatine kinase-myocardial band increase ≥ 3 x the upper limit of normal. Major adverse cardiac events during mid-term follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean age was 64 ± 8 years. The retrograde approach was used in 26.8% of all procedures. The technical and procedural success was 77.8% and 76.6%, respectively. PMI occurred in 28 patients (8.6%, 95% confidence intervals: 5.8% to 12.2%), with symptomatic ischemia in 7 of those patients. The incidence of PMI was higher in patients treated with the retrograde than the antegrade approach (13.8% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.04). During a median follow-up of 2.3 years, compared with patients without PMI, those with PMI had a higher incidence of major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.25, p = 0.006). Patients with only asymptomatic PMI also had a higher incidence of major adverse cardiac events on follow-up (HR: 2.26, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Systematic measurement of cardiac biomarkers post-CTO PCI demonstrates that PMI occurs in 8.6% of patients, is more common with the retrograde approach, and is associated with worse subsequent clinical outcomes during mid-term follow-up.

Prevalence and management of coronary chronic total occlusions in a tertiary Veterans Affairs hospital.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the contemporary prevalence and management of coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO) in a veteran population. BACKGROUND: The prevalence and management of CTOs in various populations has received limited study. METHODS: We collected clinical and angiographic data in consecutive patients that underwent coronary angiography at our institution between January 2011 and December 2012. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined as ≥50% diameter stenosis in ≥1 coronary artery. CTO was defined as total coronary artery occlusion of ≥3 month duration. RESULTS: Among 1,699 patients who underwent angiography during the study period, 20% did not have CAD, 20% had CAD and prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), and 60% had CAD but no prior CABG. The prevalence of CTO among CAD patients with and without prior CABG was 89 and 31%, respectively. Compared to patients without CTO, CTO patients had more co-morbidities, more extensive CAD and were more frequently referred for CABG. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to any vessel was performed with similar frequency in patients with and without CTO (50% vs. 53%). CTO PCI was performed in 30% of patients without and 15% of patients with prior CABG with high technical (82 and 75%, respectively) and procedural success rates (80 and 73%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In a contemporary veteran population, coronary CTOs are highly prevalent and are associated with more extensive co-morbidities and higher likelihood for CABG referral. PCI was equally likely to be performed in patients with and without CTO.

Stent loss and retrieval during percutaneous coronary interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We present a systematic review and meta-analysis of the frequency, consequences, and treatment of stent loss during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: Stent loss during PCI has received limited study. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of 18 case series and 45 case reports published between 1991 and 2012 on stent loss during PCI. Data on the frequency of stent loss, treatment strategies, and clinical outcomes were collected. RESULTS: A total of 1048 stents were lost in 968 PCIs. Stent loss occurred in 919 of 71,655 PCIs (1.3%; 95% confidence interval, 0.8%-2.8%). The incidence of stent loss in studies published before 2000, between 2000 and 2005, and after 2005 was 5%, 1%, and 0.3%, respectively (P<.001). Of the 1048 lost stents, 698 (66%) were successfully retrieved from the coronary circulation, 130 (12%) were deployed, 27 (3%) were crushed, and 28 (3%) were left untreated; treatment of 165 stents (16%) was not reported. A complication occurred in 171 patients (19%), of whom 98 (57%) had coronary artery bypass graft surgery, 31 (18%) myocardial infarction, 33 (19%) died, 10 (6%) had bleeding requiring transfusion, 5 (3%) had vascular access complications, and 1 patient (0.6%) had a cerebrovascular accident (some patients had more than one event). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of stent loss during PCI is low and has been decreasing. Although the lost stents were successfully retrieved in most cases, stent loss was associated with high rates of complications, such as coronary artery bypass graft surgery, myocardial infarction, and death.

Long-term outcomes with use of the CrossBoss and stingray coronary CTO crossing and re-entry devices.

BACKGROUND: The Boston Scientific CrossBoss and Stingray Coronary CTO Crossing and Re-Entry devices (formerly the BridgePoint Medical System) can improve success rates in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but there are no published data on long-term clinical outcomes. METHODS: The acute and long-term outcomes of 170 consecutive patients who underwent CTO PCI at our institution were reviewed, including 60 patients in whom the CrossBoss and Stingray devices were used and 110 patients treated with other crossing strategies. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between the two cohorts. Patients in whom the CrossBoss/Stingray was utilized had more prior CTO PCI attempts (13.1% vs 1.6%; P=.003), required longer fluoroscopy times (46 ± 22 minutes vs 35 ± 20 minutes; P<.001), higher contrast dose (390 ± 141 mL vs 323 ± 132 mL; P>.99), and more guidewires for lesion crossing (8.0 ± 6.5 vs 4.7 ± 2.3; P<.001), but procedural success (75.8% vs 76.2%; P>.99) and major complication rates (4.8% vs 3.2%; P=.69) were similar. During a median follow-up of 1.81 years, the CrossBoss/Stingray group had no difference in target lesion revascularization (40.9% vs 29.6%; P=.13) and major adverse clinical events (40.3% vs 35.2%; P=.42). CONCLUSIONS: Use of the CrossBoss/Stingray devices for CTO PCI is associated with equally high success and equally low complication rates as other techniques, both immediately post procedure and during long-term follow-up, in spite of its use in higher complexity cases.

A randomized comparison of the transradial and transfemoral approaches for coronary artery bypass graft angiography and intervention: the RADIAL-CABG Trial (RADIAL Versus Femoral Access for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Angiography and Intervention).

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare and contrast use and radiation exposure using radial versus femoral access during cardiac catheterization of patients who had previously undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. BACKGROUND: Limited information is available on the relative merits of radial compared with femoral access for cardiac catheterization in patients who had previously undergone CABG surgery. METHODS: Consecutive patients (N = 128) having previously undergone CABG surgery and referred for cardiac catheterization were randomized to radial or femoral access. The primary study endpoint was contrast volume. Secondary endpoints included fluoroscopy time, procedure time, patient and operator radiation exposure, vascular complications, and major adverse cardiac events. Analyses were by intention-to-treat. RESULTS: Compared with femoral access, diagnostic coronary angiography via radial access was associated with a higher mean contrast volume (142 ± 39 ml vs. 171 ± 72 ml, p < 0.01), longer procedure time (21.9 ± 6.8 min vs. 34.2 ± 14.7 min, p < 0.01), greater patient air kerma (kinetic energy released per unit mass) radiation exposure (1.08 ± 0.54 Gy vs. 1.29 ± 0.67 Gy, p = 0.06), and higher operator radiation dose (first operator: 1.3 ± 1.0 mrem vs. 2.6 ± 1.7 mrem, p < 0.01; second operator 0.8 ± 1.1 mrem vs. 1.8 ± 2.1 mrem, p = 0.01). Fewer patients underwent ad hoc percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the radial group (37.5% vs. 46.9%, p = 0.28) and radial PCI procedures were less complex. The incidences of the primary and secondary endpoints was similar with femoral and radial access among PCI patients. Access crossover was higher in the radial group (17.2% vs. 0.0%, p < 0.01) and vascular access site complications were similar in both groups (3.1%). CONCLUSIONS: In patients who had previously undergone CABG surgery, transradial diagnostic coronary angiography was associated with greater contrast use, longer procedure time, and greater access crossover and operator radiation exposure compared with transfemoral angiography. (RADIAL Versus Femoral Access for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Angiography and Intervention [RADIAL-CABG] Trial; NCT01446263).

Use of the retrograde approach for primary percutaneous coronary intervention of an inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can be challenging due to limited distal vessel visualization. We present a case of challenging antegrade wiring during PCI of an inferior STEMI resulting in inadvertent subintimal wiring and ballooning. Recognition of this scenario prior to stenting allowed vessel rescue using the retrograde chronic total occlusion revascularization technique.