Impact of Reference Mismatch on Procedure Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

A significant mismatch between proximal and distal reference lumen diameters of the target lesion may pose challenges during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and therefore influence the outcomes. We investigated total 1706 lesions underwent IVUS guided percutaneous coronary intervention, that were divided into 2 groups, including 411 lesions in Mismatch group and 1295 lesions in Non-Mismatch group. After propensity score matching, 397 lesions in each group were selected for final data set. The analysis showed that Mismatch group PCI required more frequently use of post-stenting optimization (79.6% vs 53.9%, P < .001) using higher max pressure (19.5 ± 3.9 vs 16.7 ± 3.7 atm, P < .001). Besides, Mismatch group also encountered more PCI major complications (7.8% vs 4.0%, P = .024) and lower procedure success rate (91.4% vs 95.5%, P = .022). On final angiogram, Mismatch group had smaller minimum lumen diameter (2.62 ± .45 vs 2.90 ± .57 mm, P < .001) and lower angiographic success rate (93.2% vs 96.7%, P = .023). On final IVUS, Mismatch group had higher rate of incomplete stent apposition and stent edge dissection (6.3% vs 3.0%, P = .029 and 2.5% vs .5%, P = .021, respectively). In conclusion, reference mismatch posed significant challenging during PCI that led to unfavorable procedural outcomes. These impacts may translate into long-term clinical implications that need to be addressed in future studies.

Impact of left atrial appendage closure on cardiac functional and structural remodeling: A difference-in-difference analysis of propensity score matched samples.

BACKGROUND: Although the safety and efficacy of left atrial (LA) appendage (LAA) closure (LAAC) in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients have been well documented in randomized controlled trials and real-world experience, there are limited data in the literature about the impact of LAAC on cardiac remodeling. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of LAAC on cardiac functional and structural remodeling in NVAF patients. METHODS: Between March 2014 and November 2016, 47 NVAF patients who underwent LAAC were included in this study (LAAC group). A control group (non-LAAC group) was formed from 141 NVAF patients without LAAC using propensity score matching. The difference-in-difference analysis was used to evaluate the difference in cardiac remodeling between the two groups at baseline and follow-up evaluations. RESULTS: The LAAC group had a larger increase in LA dimension, volume and volume index than the non-LAAC group (+3.9 mm, p = 0.001; +9.7 mL, p = 0.006 and +5.9 mL/m2, p = 0.011, respectively). Besides, a significant increase in E and E/e' ratio was also observed in the LAAC group (+14.6 cm/s, p = 0.002 and +2.3, p = 0.028, respectively). Compared with the non-LAAC group, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and fractional shortening decreased in LAAC patients, but were statistically insignificant (-3.5%, p = 0.109 and -2.0%, p = 0.167, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There were significant increases in LA size and LV filling pressure among NVAF patients after LAAC. These impacts of LAAC on cardiac functional and structural remodeling may have some clinical implications that need to be addressed in future studies.

Percutaneous closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect using patent ductus arteriosus occluders.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (PmVSD) using patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occluders. BACKGROUND: Widespread use of conventional PmVSD closure devices has been limited by unacceptable high rate of complete heart block (CHB). The elegant design of PDA occluders is supposed to ease implantation, increase closure rate and minimize damage to adjacent structures. Thus, PDA occluders may reduce complications, especially the CHB, and offer a good alternative for PmVSD closure. METHOD: From September 2008 to October 2015, patients who underwent attempted percutaneous VSD closure using PDA occluders were included in the study. Patient demographics, echocardiography measurements, procedure details and follow-up data until October 2017 were collected. RESULTS: In total, 321 patients with a mean age of 15.5±12.6 years and mean a weight of 33.3±20.5 kg were included in this study. The mean defect size was 4.8±2.1 mm. Implantation was successful in 307 (95.6%) patients. The median follow-up time was 63 months (24 to 108 months). The closure rates were 89.5%, 91.5%, and 99.3% after the procedure 24 hours, 6 months and 2 years, respectively. Major complications occurred in 5 (1.7%) patients during the procedure and follow-up, including persistent CHB in 2 (0.7%) patients and device embolization in 3 (1.0%) patients. No death, disability, or other major complication was detected. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous closure of PmVSD using PDA occluders is feasible, safe and efficacious in selected patients.

Nit-Occlud Lê VSD coil versus Duct Occluders for percutaneous perimembranous ventricular septal defect closure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Nit-Occlud Lê VSD Coil versus Duct Occluders for percutaneous closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD). INTRODUCTION: VSD closure using conventional pmVSD occluders has been largely abandoned because of an unacceptable high rate of complete heart block (CHB). The advantages of Duct Occluders and VSD Coil are supposed to reduce the drawbacks of previous devices, especially CHB complications. METHOD: Patients underwent percutaneous pmVSD closure were divided into Coil group (using VSD Coil, n = 71) and DO group (using Duct Occluders, n = 315). Patient demographics, clinical presentations, echocardiography measurements, procedure details and follow-up data were collected. RESULT: The procedure success rate was high in both DO group (95.6%) and Coil group (97.2%, P = .53). The closure rate immediately after procedure in the DO group was higher than that in the Coil group (76.8% vs. 58.0%, P < .01). After 6 months, the closure rate was not significantly different between the 2 groups (DO group 91.3% vs. Coil group 84.1%, P = .07). The mean follow-up time was 61.4 ± 24.1 months. The major complication rate was low in both groups (DO group 1.9% vs. Coil group 1.4%, P = .78). Two patients (0.7%) in the DO group and one patient (1.4%) in the Coil group with CHB needed permanent pacemaker (P = .5). Device embolization (3 patients, 1.0%) and endocarditis (1 patient, 0.3%) occurred only in the DO group. There was no death, disability or other major complications detected in either group. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous pmVSD closure using either Nit-Occlud Lê VSD Coil or Duct Occluders is feasible, safe and efficacious in selected patients. The main problems of Duct Occluders are unsuitable defect anatomy and device embolization while VSD Coil disadvantages are residual shunt and hemolysis.

Combined Percutaneous Procedure in Patient with Lutembacher Syndrome: A Case Report and Real-World Experience Review.

Even cardiac surgery has been accepted as the standard therapy for Lutembacher syndrome, a combination of congenital ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) and acquired mitral valve stenosis (MVS), it also owns many limitations and disadvantages. Therefore, seeking for a less invasive therapy with the same efficacy may be worthwhile. Thanks to the development in technology and experience gaining in cardiovascular intervention, the combination of the two proved effective procedures, including percutaneous MVS treatment using balloon valvuloplasty and percutaneous ASD closure using atrial septal occluders, can be utilized as an attractive alternative therapy for these conditions. Here, we present a successful percutaneous intervention in Lutembacher syndrome using the combination of mitral balloon valvuloplasty and ASD device closure and thoroughly review the experience of using this combined procedure existing in the literature.