An in vitro feasibility study of 355 nm laser atherectomy for the treatment of peripheral atherosclerotic lesions.

In this study, we utilized a novel 355 nm laser to ablate porcine aortas in the presence of physiological saline and contrast agent. Subsequently, we investigated the shape and depth of the resulting injuries. After ablating bovine tendons and aortas with the laser, we analyzed the size and quantity of particles postablation. Finally, we conducted ablation experiments using human ex vivo plaques. The analysis revealed minimal damage to porcine aortas within 2 s of exposure to the 355 nm laser. The degree of injury in the presence of contrast agent was higher than that in the presence of physiological saline but significantly lower than the damage caused by 308 nm laser. Regardless of whether it was bovine tendon or porcine aorta tissue, the proportion of particles <25 µm postlaser ablation exceeded 99%. Lastly, the 355 nm laser successfully opened three types of plaques: chronically occluded, stent restenosis, and stale thrombosis.

Solid state, pulsed-wave 355 nm UV laser atherectomy debulking in the treatment of infrainguinal peripheral arterial disease: The Pathfinder Registry.

BACKGROUND: Atherectomy is an important option for debulking atherosclerotic plaque from diseased arteries in patients with infrainguinal arterial disease. Laser atherectomy uses a high-powered laser to remove the plaque from the arteries to restore blood flow. AIMS: The Pathfinder multicenter registry was initiated to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the 355 nm laser atherectomy system in a real-world setting for the treatment of de novo, re-stenotic and in-stent restenosis (ISR) lesions in infrainguinal arteries of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: The study was a prospective, single-arm, multicenter, open-label registry study for patients treated with the 355 nm laser system. Clinical and lesion characteristics, procedural safety and efficacy data, and baseline, 6-, and 12-month outcomes data, including Ankle Brachial Index (ABI), Rutherford class, and Walking Impairment Questionnaires (WIQ), were collected. The primary efficacy endpoint was the achievement of ≤30% final residual stenosis at the index lesion postatherectomy and adjunctive therapy evaluated by an angiographic Core Lab. The primary safety endpoint was the percentage of subjects who did not experience periprocedural major adverse events (PPMAEs) before discharge. RESULTS: One hundred and two subjects with 121 lesions treated with the 355 nm laser device at 10 centers were included in the analysis. Mean age was 68.4 ± 10.21 years, 61.8% of subjects were male, 44.6% had critical limb ischemia (CLI), and 47.3% had tibial lesions. The mean residual stenosis at the end of the procedure was 24.4 ± 15.5 with 69 lesions (69.0%) achieving technical procedural success (<30% stenosis); similar rates were observed for subjects with ISR (25.5 ± 14.9), chronic total occlusion (CTO) (28.1 ± 17.0), and severe calcification (36.5 ± 21.6) lesions. Mean ABI, Rutherford, and WIQ scores were improved at both 6 and 12 months. Ninety-seven of 102 subjects (95.1%) met the primary safety endpoint of not experiencing a PPMAE before discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The initial data from the Pathfinder Registry demonstrates the 355 nm laser system is safe and effective in a real-world setting for performing atherectomy in patients with infrainguinal PAD.

Safety and effectiveness of the Phoenix atherectomy device for endovascular treatment of common femoral and popliteal arteries: Results of the EN-MOBILE trial.

Background: This study aimed to assess the peri- and postprocedural outcomes of atherectomy-assisted endovascular treatment of the common femoral (CFA) and popliteal arteries. Methods: Phoenix atherectomy was used for the treatment of 73 and 53 de novo CFA and popliteal artery lesions, respectively, in 122 consecutive patients. Safety endpoints encompassed perforation and peripheral embolization. Postprocedural endpoints included freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) and clinical success (an improvement of ⩾ 2 Rutherford category [RC]). In addition, 531 patients treated for popliteal artery stenosis or occlusion without atherectomy were used as a comparator group. Results: Procedural success (residual stenosis < 30% after treatment) was 99.2%. The need for bail-out stenting was 2 (2.7%) and 3 (5.7%) in CFA and popliteal artery lesions, respectively. Only one (1.4%) embolization occurred in the CFA, which was treated by catheter aspiration. No perforations occurred. After 1.50 (IQR = 1.17-2.20) years, CD-TLR occurred in seven (9.2%) and six (14.6%) patients with CFA and popliteal artery lesions, respectively, whereas clinical success was achieved in 62 (91.2%) and 31 (75.6%), respectively. Patients treated with atherectomy and DCB in the popliteal artery after matching for baseline RC, lesion calcification, length, and the presence of chronic total occlusion, exhibited higher freedom from CD-TLR compared to the nondebulking group (HR = 3.1; 95% CI = 1.1-8.5, p = 0.03). Conclusion: Atherectomy can be used safely and is associated with low rates of bail-out stenting in CFA and popliteal arteries. CD-TLR and clinical success rates are clinically acceptable. In addition, for the popliteal artery, atherectomy combined with DCB demonstrates lower CD-TLR rates compared to a DCB alone strategy. (German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00016708).

United States Investigational Device Exemption study of the Revolution Peripheral Atherectomy System.

OBJECTIVE: Atherectomy has become commonplace as an adjunct to interventional treatments for peripheral arterial disease, but the procedures have been complicated by risks including distal embolization and arterial perforation. This study aimed to examine the safety and effectiveness of a novel atherectomy system to treat femoropopliteal and below-knee peripheral arterial disease. METHODS: The Revolution Peripheral Atherectomy System (Rex Medical LP, Conshohocken, Pa) was studied in 121 patients with 148 femoropopliteal and below-knee lesions, enrolled at 17 United States institutions. Technical success was defined when the post-atherectomy angiographic stenosis was ≤50%, as assessed by an independent core laboratory. Major adverse events were adjudicated by an independent Clinical Events Committee. RESULTS: Among 148 site-identified target lesions in 121 patients, 21.4% were in the superficial femoral artery, 13.7% involved the popliteal artery, and 67.9% were in tibial arteries; 3.1% involved more than one segment. Technical success was 90.2%, with stenoses decreasing from 73% ± 19% at baseline to 42% ± 14% after atherectomy. Adjunctive treatment after atherectomy included angioplasty with uncoated balloons in 91%, drug-coated balloons in 11%, bare stent deployment in 8%, and drug-eluting stent placement in 3%. Procedural success (<30% residual stenosis) was achieved in 93.7% of target lesions. Complications during the procedure included one target vessel perforation and two distal embolizations; each of which were adjudicated by the Clinical Events Committee as unrelated to the device and were not visualized angiographically by the core laboratory. Freedom from major adverse events was 97.3% through 30 days. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency were 81.6%, 87.7%, and 91.6% at 6 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the Revolution Peripheral Atherectomy System was associated with few procedural complications and a high rate of success at the index procedure and through 6 months.

Combination of RotarexⓇS Rotational Atherothrombectomy and Drug-Coated Balloonangioplasty for Femoropopliteal Total In-Stent Occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is little information on the optimal treatment for patients with femoropopliteal total in-stent occlusion.The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of drug-coated balloon(DCB) angioplasty after RotarexⓇS rotational atherectomy plus thrombectomy for femoropopliteal total in-stent occlusion at 12 months. METHODS: From June 2016 to April 2019, 36 patients (21 male, mean age 71.1 ± 8.2 years) with femoropopliteal total in-stent occlusion were treated using Rotarex S rotational atherectomy plus thrombectomy in combination with DCB angioplasty and 29 (18 male, meanage68.8 ± 7.2 years) underwent DCB angioplasty alone. Primary patency and freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR) rates during12 months of follow-up were retrospectively compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Procedural success was achieved in all patients. There were no procedure-related adverse events. The mean lesion length was 26.1 ± 6.5 cm in the combination therapy group and 25.5 ± 6.1 cm in the DCB only group (P = 0.703). The 6-month and 12-month primary patency rates were significantly higher in the combination therapy group (94.4% [standard error, 0.038] and 77.8% [0.069], respectively) than in the DCB only group (72.4% [0.083] and 48.3% [0.093]; P = 0.010). The freedom from TLR rate at 12 months was 86.1% (standard error, 0.060) in the combination therapy group and 62.1% (0.096) in the DCB only group (P = 0.016). Three patients (combination therapy, n = 2; DCB only, n = 1) developed distal embolization and were treated successfully by additional 6-F guiding catheter aspiration. No deaths or amputations occurred in either group during 12 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Rotarex S rotational atherectomy plus thrombectomyin combination with DCB was safe and effective in patients with femoropopliteal total in-stent occlusion during12 months of follow-up.

Lumivascular Optical Coherence Tomography-Guided Atherectomy in Recurrent Femoropopliteal Occlusive Diseases Associated with In-Stent Restenosis: Case-Series Report.

Lumivascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel adjunct in the field of medicine. It offers clear real-time imaging of artery walls before and during endovascular intervention. This study reports our initial experience on the use of lumivascular OCT-guided atherectomy in the management of two patients with recurrent restenosis in their femoropopliteal arteries associated with in-stent restenosis. Endovascular procedures were successful with a Pantheris atherectomy device (Avinger, Redwood City, CA, USA) and drug-eluting balloons. The OCT images clearly distinguished normal anatomy from plaque pathology, were of great advantage in both the accurate diagnosis and treatment of target lesions, and may reduce radiation during the endovascular procedure. However, the price of the device and its need for contrast infusion limit its routine clinical use.

Three-Year Outcomes of Orbital Atherectomy for the Endovascular Treatment of Infrainguinal Claudication or Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.

Purpose: To investigate the outcomes of orbital atherectomy (OA) for the treatment of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) manifesting as claudication or chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Materials and Methods: The database from the LIBERTY study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01855412) was interrogated to identify 503 PAD patients treated with any commercially available endovascular devices and adjunctive OA for 617 femoropopliteal and/or infrapopliteal lesions. Cox regression analyses were employed to examine the association between baseline Rutherford category (RC) stratified as RC 2-3 (n=214), RC 4-5 (n=233), or RC 6 (n=56) and all-cause mortality, target vessel revascularization (TVR), major amputation, major adverse event (MAE), and major amputation/death at up to 3 years of follow-up. The mean lesion lengths were 78.7±73.7, 131.4±119.0, and 95.2±83.9 mm, respectively, for the 3 groups. Results: After OA, balloon angioplasty was used in >98% of cases, with bailout stenting necessary in 2.0%, 2.8%, and 0% of the RC groups, respectively. A small proportion (10.8%) of patients developed angiographic complications, without differences based on presentation. During the 3-year follow-up, claudicants were at lower risk for MAE, death, and major amputation/death than patients with CLTI. The 3-year Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were 84.6% for the RC 2-3 group, 76.2% for the RC 4-5 group, and 63.7% for the RC 6 group. The 3-year freedom from major amputation was estimated as 100%, 95.3%, and 88.6%, respectively. Among CLTI patients only, the RC at baseline was correlated with the combined outcome of major amputation/death, whereas RC classification did not affect TVR, MAE, major amputation, or death rates. Conclusion: Peripheral artery angioplasty with adjunctive OA in patients with CLTI or claudication is safe and associated with low major amputation rates after 3 years of follow-up. These results demonstrate the utility of OA for patients across the spectrum of PAD.

Optimal Vessel Sizing and Understanding Dissections in Infrapopliteal Interventions: Data From the iDissection Below the Knee Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate if imaging with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) yields a more accurate estimate of vessel diameter and the presence of dissections than angiography after intervention in the infrapopliteal arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, single-center study enrolled 20 consecutive patients (mean age 74.1±12.4 years; 12 women) with infrapopliteal disease who were treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA; n=10) or orbital atherectomy (OA) followed by PTA (n=10). The majority of patients were hypertensive and half were diabetic. The overall lesion length was 7.3±6.3 cm, and the diameter stenosis was 80.3%±22.1%. The baseline characteristics did not differ between the groups. Vessel diameters were measured using IVUS from the internal elastic lamina (IEL) to the IEL. IVUS was performed at baseline, post PTA or OA, and post OA+PTA. Quantitative vascular angiography (QVA) and IVUS were analyzed by a core laboratory. Dissections on cine images were categorized based on the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) classification, while the arc and depth were used to characterize dissections on IVUS images. RESULTS: Mean vessel diameter by QVA was 2.9±0.6 vs 4.0±1.0 mm by IVUS according to the core laboratory (mean difference 1.1±0.9, p<0.001). On angiography, there were 7 dissections after PTA (6 C, 1 D), 1 dissection after OA (1 B), and 2 dissections after OA+PTA (1 A, 1 B; p=0.028 vs post PTA). IVUS uncovered 3.8 times more dissections than seen on angiography. There were 23 dissections after PTA (18 intima, 3 media, 2 adventitia), 12 dissections after OA (8 intima, 1 media, 3 adventitia), and 11 dissections following OA+PTA (7 intima, 1 media, 3 adventitia; p=0.425 vs PTA). Bailout stenting (all due to angiographic dissections ≥C) was necessary in 6 of the PTA cohort and none of the OA+PTA group. CONCLUSION: In addition to underestimating the infrapopliteal vessel diameter by ~25%, angiography underappreciated the presence and severity of post-intervention dissections vs IVUS, particularly in the OA+PTA group.

Effects of high-speed rotational atherectomy in peripheral artery disease patients with calcified lesions: a retrospective multicenter registry.

Calcified lesions still remain a technical challenge even in the treatment of infrainguinal artery disease. The aim of this retrospective, multicenter observational study was to investigate interventional outcomes of a high-speed rotational atherectomy device (Rotablator™) and to compare clinical outcomes in patients who underwent Rotablator and those who did not even after failed balloon angioplasty because of underlying calcified lesions. This study enrolled patients who underwent Rotablator (Rota group) and those who did not (Non-rota group) between January 2010 and 2014 December at 12 hospitals. A total of 67 limbs and 68 lesions in 65 patients were included (Rota group; 54 limbs and 55 lesions in 52 patients, Non-rota group; 13 limbs and 13 lesions in 13 patients). In the Rota group, a technical success rate was 94.5% with a complication rate of 1.8%, and all lesions underwent subsequent postdilatation following the adjunctive use of Rotablator, and approximately half of above-the-knee lesions underwent stent implantation. The Rota group had a significantly lower clinically driven reintervention rate at 12 months than the Non-rota group (26.5% vs. 58.3%, respectively, p = 0.046). In addition, Rota group showed a trend toward a higher amputation-free survival compared to the Non-rota group at 1 month (Rota; 98.0% vs. Non-rota; 84.6%, respectively, p = 0.10). Rotablator was used as an adjunctive device with a high technical success and a low complication rates, and Patients who underwent Rotablator yielded a significantly lower clinically driven reintervention rate at 12 months compared to those who did not even after failed balloon angioplasty.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of debulking devices for in-stent restenosis of the femoropopliteal artery.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to perform a meta-analysis based on current evidence to investigate the efficacy of different debulking devices in the treatment of femoropopliteal in-stent restenosis (FP-ISR). METHODS: We systematically searched for articles reporting treatment of FP-ISR patients in the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and retrospective studies were included, and clinical characteristic outcomes were extracted and pooled. The efficacy end points included primary patency and freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 1 year. Pooled estimates were calculated using the random effects model. For each point, effect size and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: We identified 12 studies with 743 patients that could be included in this meta-analysis. The overall primary patency at 1 year was 58.3% (95% CI, 44.7%-71.9%), and freedom from TLR at 1 year was 67.0% (95% CI, 60.5%-74.6%). Subgroup analysis showed that the laser debulking + percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) group was associated with a similar primary patency and freedom from TLR compared with the mechanical debulking + PTA group (53.8% vs 52.8; 65.4% vs 62.1%). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the long lesion and short lesion groups and the occlusive and stenosis groups shared similar results of primary patency and freedom from TLR. Laser + drug-coated balloon was associated with higher primary patency and freedom from TLR compared with laser + PTA (78.5% vs 58.3%; 76.7% vs 66.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Debulking devices show promising and favorable results for FP-ISR patients with complex lesions. Debulking devices combined with a drug-coated balloon might be an efficacious way to treat FP-ISR complex lesions in the future.

Turbo-Power™ Laser Atherectomy Combined with Drug-coated Balloon Angioplasty is Associated with Improved One-Year Outcomes for the Treatment of Tosaka II and III Femoropopliteal In-stent Restenosis.

BACKGROUND: Femoropopliteal (FP) artery in-stent restenosis (ISR) is associated with high rates of re-intervention and occlusion. The combined use of laser atherectomy (LA) with balloon angioplasty (BA) is superior to conventional balloon angioplasty (BA). Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) when combined with LA have provided additional efficacy for the treatment of FP-ISR. The aim of this study was to investigate the combination of DCB + LA with the recently approved Turbo-Power™ (Spectranetics Inc., Colorado Springs, CO, USA) LA device. METHODS: This was a dual-center retrospective study enrolling 78 consecutive patients with Tosaka type II (n = 18) or III (n = 60) FP-ISR. The lesions were treated with either Turbo-Power™ LA followed by DCB (n = 27) or with other LA devices followed by plain BA (LA + BA; n = 51) from 2015 to 2017. A Cox regression analysis was performed to examine the association between the two groups in terms of target lesion revascularization (TLR) and occlusion rates over a follow up period of 12 months. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were estimated and compared with the log-rank test. RESULTS: The overall procedural success was 90%. Eight periprocedural complications occurred without any difference between the two groups (Turbo-Power™â€¯+ DCB: 7.4% vs LA + BA: 11.8%, p = .7). The 12-month KM estimates for freedom from TLR were 90.9% in the Turbo-Power™â€¯+ DCB group vs 55.7% in the LA + BA group (p = .005). Among Toasaka III lesions, the 12 m-KM survival estimates for freedom from TLR were 88.9% in the Turbo-Power™â€¯+ DCB group vs 54.2% in the LA + BA group (p = .009). The 12 m-KM estimates for freedom from re-occlusion were 89.0% in the Turbo-Power™â€¯+ DCB group vs 58.9% in the LA + BA group (p = .070). CONCLUSIONS: Turbo-Power™ laser atherectomy combined with DCB exerted synergistic mechanism of actions and improved 12-month TLR rates for the treatment of complex FP-ISR lesions.

Acute and 30-Day Safety and Effectiveness Evaluation of Eximo Medical's B-Laser™, a Novel Atherectomy Device, in Subjects Affected With Infrainguinal Peripheral Arterial Disease: Results of the EX-PAD-03 Trial.

BACKGROUND: B-Laser™ is a novel atherectomy device that uses a solid-state third harmonic pulsed Nd:YAG laser with an output of 355 nm. Early data showed that the B-Laser™ is safe in treating a broad range of infrainguinal arterial lesions. We present the results of the EX-PAD-03 U.S. pivotal trial of the EXIMO B-Laser™. METHODS: EX-PAD-03 is a prospective, single-arm, multi-center, international, open-label, clinical study. The study enrolled patients in the United States and Europe. The primary efficacy endpoint was the average reduction in residual diameter stenosis of >20% from baseline prior to any adjunctive therapy achieved by the B-Laser™ catheter alone. The primary safety endpoint was freedom from major adverse events (MAEs) defined as: unplanned target limb amputation above the ankle, clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) and cardiovascular related death. RESULTS: A total of 97 subjects (107 lesions) were enrolled. Mean age was 70.5 years and 51% were males. Diabetes mellitus was present in 42.3%. Mean lesion length was 53.96 ±â€¯43.18 mm and 26.2% had severe calcification. Lesions were de novo (79.4%), followed by in-stent restenosis (ISR) (15.9%) and non in-stent restenosis (4.7%). The mean percent stenosis at the target lesion as assessed by the Core lab was 85.7% ±â€¯12.2 (femoro-popliteal 85.6 ±â€¯12.8%; tibials 86.0 ±â€¯9.6%). Post B-Laser™ and prior to adjunctive therapy, the mean percent stenosis at the target lesion was 52.1%. This resulted in a mean reduction from baseline to post B-Laser™ of 33.6% ±â€¯14.2% meeting the primary efficacy endpoint goal. The freedom from MAE through the 30-day follow-up period after intervention was 98.9%. Per Core lab, there was no device-related distal embolization, dissections that required additional therapy, perforation, or pseudoaneurysm. Bailout stenting was 0.9%. A significant improvement from baseline in ABI (0.24 ±â€¯0.18), Rutherford category (-1.79 ±â€¯1.22) and WIQ (0.26 ±â€¯0.28) were noted at 1 month. There was no target lesion revascularization and the patency was 96.8% by duplex ultrasound criteria at 30-day follow up. CONCLUSION: The Eximo B-Laser™ is effective and safe in ablating atherosclerotic and restenotic tissue for both above and below the knee obstructive arterial disease. The device has a high safety profile including a low risk of distal embolization.

A Single-Center Experience With Phoenix Atherectomy System in Patients With Moderate to Heavily Calcified Femoropopliteal Lesions.

PURPOSE: To evaluate efficacy and safety of a new rotational atherectomy (RA), the Phoenix Atherectomy™ System, for the treatment of de novo and re-stenotic or occlusions atherosclerotic moderate-heavily lesions of the femoro-popliteal axis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2015 to August 2017, 52 patients with heavily calcified femoro-popliteal lesions causing severe stenosis or occlusions were enrolled in our center to be treated using Phoenix catheters. Primary endpoints of this study were acute efficacy and safety at 30 days. Secondary endpoints were freedom from restenosis and target lesion revascularization (TLR)/target vessel revascularization (TVR) at 1-, 6- and 12- months. RESULTS: The mean lesion length was 9.2 cm (range 5-23 cm). The lesions were located in superficial femoral artery (SFA) in 61.5% (Fig. 1-A), in popliteal artery in 21.1% and involved femoral-popliteal axis in 15.4%. A primary technical success was achieved in 51/52 patients, with an optimal working channel after RA alone. Using Kaplan-Meyer analysis, primary vessel patency rates at 1, 6 and 12 -months was 96.1%, 86.5% and 76.9% respectively. Assisted primary patency at 1, 6- and 12 -months was 100%, 90.3% and 86.5% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Recanalisation with the Phoenix Atherectomy System is simple and safe, with a high technical success rate.

WIRION EPS Filter with Jetstream Atherectomy of Femoropopliteal Arterial Disease: A Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: The WIRION EPS filter was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in conjunction with all atherectomy devices when treating infrainguinal peripheral arterial disease. The safety of this filter with Jetstream atherectomy (JA) in a real world setting remains unclear. METHODS: Consecutive patients from the practice of one operator who underwent JA under WIRION EPS when treating femoropopliteal arteries were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. The primary safety endpoint was the ability of the filter to capture macrodebris with no dissection or thrombosis at the filter site and no filter-related major adverse events. Descriptive analysis on demographics, clinical, procedural and angiographic variables was done using mean ±â€¯SD for continuous variables and percentages for categorical variables. RESULTS: 37 patients were enrolled in this study between June 2016 and September of 2018 (64.9% males, age 68.7 ±â€¯9.0, BMI 27.7 ±â€¯5.4). TASC II classification of the treated lesions were 51.4% B, 24.3% A, 21.6% C, and 2.7% D. At the filter site, spasm occurred in 1/37 (2.7%), while dissection did not occur (0%). Embolization within the filter was found in 51.4% of patients: 14/37 (37.8%) macro debris and 5/35 (13.5%) micro debris. Clinically significant embolization distal to the filter that required treatment with more than a simple aspiration was 1/37 (2.7%). CONCLUSION: WIRION EPS filter use with Jetstream atherectomy was safe and was associated with a low rate of significant distal embolization that required more than a simple aspiration to treat.

Jetstream Atherectomy System for Treatment of Femoropopliteal Artery Disease: A Single Center Experience and Mid-term Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to assess our experience and mid-term outcomes using Jetstream atherectomy system for treatment of femoropopliteal artery disease (FPAD). METHODS: Data of 30 patients with FPAD treated at our center between 2013 and 2016 were analyzed. Two subgroups of patients were identified: Group A included patients (n = 18) with de novo lesions; Group B (n = 12) included those with in-stent restenosis. The primary study end points assessed were technical success, perioperative mortality, and major adverse event (MAE) rate at 30 days (distal embolization, major amputation, and target lesion revascularization). Other outcomes measured were survival, primary, and secondary patency, and freedom from amputation at 1 and 3 years of follow-up, respectively. RESULTS: Technical success was 100% for both groups. The MAE rate was 8.7%. No distal filter was adopted during intervention. Angioplasty was associated with 93.3% of cases (93.3% vs. 100%; P = 0.15), drug-eluting balloon (DEB) in 12 cases (22.2% vs. 66.6%; P = 0.008), drug-eluting stent and bare metal implantation in 1 (5.6% vs. 0%; P = 1) and 4 cases (11.1% vs. 16.7%; P = 1), respectively. The cumulative primary and secondary patency rates were 75.1% and 95.5% at 1 year, and 70.4% and 84.8% at 3 years of follow-up, respectively. The survival and freedom from amputation were 96.4% and 85.8% at 1 and 3 years of follow-up, respectively. The freedom from target lesion revascularization was 91.7% and 83.4% at 1 and 3 years from intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the Jetstream appears to be safe and feasible with no distal embolization and low rate perioperative complications. Moreover, encouraging outcomes were observed when atherectomy was associated to DEB angioplasty.

Clinical Impact and Predictors of the Slow-Flow Phenomenon after Endovascular Treatment of Infrapopliteal Lesions Using the Crosser Catheter in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia.

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical impact and predictors of slow flow after endovascular treatment (EVT) using the Crosser catheter for debulking infrapopliteal lesions associated with critical limb ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 65 patients with critical limb ischemia (70 limbs, 90 infrapopliteal lesions), who underwent EVT using the Crosser catheter between November 2011 and February 2017. The Crosser catheter was used when the balloon catheter could not be passed through the lesion or could not be dilated sufficiently. Slow flow was evaluated after atherectomy using Crosser and was defined as delayed antegrade flow to the foot (total number of cine frames >35). RESULTS: Following atherectomy, slow flow developed in 37 infrapopliteal lesions (41.1%). Despite secondary treatment, slow flow persisted in 29 of 37 lesions (78%). After atherectomy using the Crosser catheter, the balloon could be passed through the lesion in all cases. The wound healing rate at 1 year after EVT (overall, 67.8%) was significantly poorer in the presence of slow flow (rate with vs. without slow flow, 45.3% vs. 84.4%, respectively; P = .006), especially among patients with stage ≥3 baseline wound, ischemia, and foot infection. The active length of the Crosser catheter was a predictor of slow flow (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.08; P < .001), with an optimal cutoff of 100 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Slow flow is associated with a poorer wound healing rate at 1 year, especially for patients with severe baseline ischemia. To reduce the risk of slow flow, the active length of the Crosser catheter should be kept at <100 mm.

Role of Sex in Determining Treatment Type for Patients Undergoing Endovascular Lower Extremity Revascularization.

Background Limited data exist to describe factors that influence the use of different endovascular treatments for peripheral arterial disease. Therefore, we studied sex differences in the utilization of endovascular treatment modalities and their impact on arterial patency. Methods and Results We analyzed procedures from 2010 to 2016 in the Vascular Quality Initiative for arteries treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) alone, stenting (with/without PTA), and atherectomy (with/without PTA). We explored sex differences in treatment modality by arterial segment (iliac, femoropopliteal, and tibial) with multivariable logistic regression. We used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariable Cox regression to study sex differences in arterial reintervention and occlusion. In this cohort, patients (n=58 247, mean age 68 years, 41% women,) had 106 073 arteries treated (median=2 arteries, interquartile range=1-3). Half (50%) of these arteries were treated with stents, 39% with PTA alone, and 11% with atherectomy. After risk adjustment, women were less likely to undergo stenting or atherectomy (versus PTA alone) in the femoropopliteal (stent risk ratio=0.78 [0.74-0.82]; atherectomy risk ratio=0.69 [0.58-0.82]) and tibial arteries (stent risk ratio=0.70 [0.55-0.89]; atherectomy risk ratio=0.87 [0.70-1.07]). In the iliac arteries there was no sex difference in stenting, and atherectomy was rarely used (0.2%). Women underwent reintervention in the femoropopliteal arteries (hazard ratio=1.28 [1.17-1.40]) or developed an occlusion in the iliac (hazard ratio=1.42 [1.12-1.81]) and femoropopliteal arteries (hazard ratio=1.19 [1.06-1.34]) more frequently than men. Conclusions Women were less likely to undergo stenting or atherectomy and had higher rates of occlusion and reintervention, especially in the femoropopliteal arteries. Evidence-based guidelines are needed to guide optimal use of endovascular treatments for men and women.

Novel laser-based catheter for peripheral atherectomy: 6-month results from the Eximo Medical B-Laser™ IDE study.

BACKGROUND: The B-Laser™ atherectomy system (Eximo Medical, Israel) is a 355 nm solid-state Nd:YAG short pulse laser for de-novo and restenotic infrainguinal PAD with enhanced affinity for atheroma and calcified plaque. METHODS: The study was a prospective, single-arm, multi-center, international, open-label study assessing the B-Laser™ in symptomatic (Rutherford 2 to 4) infrainguinal peripheral artery disease. Primary core lab efficacy was mean reduction in diameter stenosis >20% by the B-Laser™ catheter alone. Cardiovascular death, major amputation, target lesion revascularization, WIQ, ABI and Rutherford class were obtained at baseline and out to 6 months. Duplex ultrasound patency (PSVR <2.5), was evaluated by Core Lab. RESULTS: 97 (77 in USA) PAD subjects (51 male, mean 70.5 years [range 46-86]) with 107 lesions were treated with B-Laser™ (average length 5.4 cm [range 1-24], 29.0% infrapopliteal. 77.6% calcification [26.2% severe], 21.5% chronic total occlusions, 20.6% re-stenotic). Average reduction in residual stenosis post B-Laser™ alone was 33.6 ± 14.2%. Baseline and final stenosis (post laser and adjunctive therapy) were 85.7 ± 12.2% and 17.7 ± 11.0%, respectively. Duplex patency was 96.8% at 30-days and 85.6% at 6 months (95.7% 6-month patency with severe calcification), and did not differ between POBA vs. DCB sub-groups. ABI, Rutherford category and WIQ all improved. There was one MAE and three TLRs out of 101 lesions. No procedural distal embolization was noted and there were no major device-related dissections. CONCLUSIONS: Experience with the B-Laser™ atherectomy system in infrainguinal PAD procedures demonstrates a high level of safety and efficacy for denovo and restenotic infrainguinal arterial lesions.

Is vessel prep necessary before treating the superficial femoral artery?

The standard of care for treating symptomatic peripheral arterial disease has been percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with or without stenting over the last couple of years. This endovascular treatment of claudicants or patients with critical limb ischemia has increased in numbers and has even surpassed open surgery. Our daily practice has evolved to an endovascular-first approach, especially in the femoropopliteal region, being the most frequently treated vessel. However, neointimal hyperplasia and elastic recoil leading to target lesion restenosis or occlusion after initial successful treatment is not uncommon. In recent years, drug-eluting technologies on balloons or stents have been investigated as a potential solution for this problem with excellent results compared to plain-old balloon angioplasty. Nonetheless in the majority of those trials, the bailout stenting rate increased with lesion complexity, albeit it in long or heavily calcified lesions due to flow-limiting dissections, elastic recoil or the calcium barrier preventing adequate drug uptake. There is a need for vessel preparation in order to ameliorate drug delivery, especially in complex lesions. Multiple devices are available to prepare even the most challenging lesions for drug uptake or stenting, by achieving maximal luminal gain and by minimizing dissections. This review aims to give an overview of the most common modalities for vessel preparation in the superficial femoral artery beside plain old balloon angioplasty together with an overview of the current literature of each device in the superficial femoral artery.

Percutaneous endovascular tissue sampling of endoluminal tumors using directional atherectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate technical feasibility and safety of endovascular tumor specimen sampling using an escalating endovascular biopsy strategy using a directional atherectomy device compared with forceps biopsy and catheter aspiration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2013 and 2017, a cohort of ten consecutive patients (6 male; median age 56, range 39-73 years) was referred for sampling of endovascular masses. Localizations included the abdominal aorta (n = 4), left brachiocephalic vein (n = 2), inferior vena cava (n = 1), and left pulmonary artery (n = 3). For each individual mass, all three endovascular tissue sampling approaches were applied including catheter-based aspiration, straight two-jaw biopsy forceps, and directional atherectomy during a single session. RESULTS: Aspiration and forceps biopsy did not provide sufficient material for histological analyses. In contrast, technical success for endovascular tumor sampling using directional atherectomy was 100%. After two atherectomy passages, sufficient material was available for each vessel region allowing histologic diagnosis, which revealed sarcoma and chronic inflammation for masses in the aorta, angiosarcoma for brachiocephalic vein, hepatocellular carcinoma for inferior vena cava, and angiosarcoma for pulmonary artery. In case of a histologically benign diagnosis, no malignant tumor proliferation was obvious on follow-up imaging studies after 3 months and 1 year. Thus, the rate of false-negative results was considered 0%. No procedure-associated complications, e.g., vessel perforation, were recorded. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results in a limited number of patients proved directional atherectomy beneficial as a safe and feasible technique for endoluminal tissue sampling of vascular masses. Additional large-scale studies are necessary and worthy for further evaluation in clinical practice. KEY POINTS: • Endovascular masses pose a challenge to appropriate clinical management. • Off-label directional atherectomy proved to be a safe and feasible technique for endoluminal tissue sampling of vascular masses. Furthermore, directional atherectomy was superior to aspiration or forceps biopsy in our small study cohort. • Directional atherectomy may represent the last or only option for tissue probing as a prerequisite for further treatment decisions.