Sealing of coronary artery aneurysm by using a new stent graft.

Coronary stenting has begun to play an increasingly important role in the management of coronary artery aneurysms. A case of successful and complete sealing of a coronary aneurysm by using a new stent graft is described. Further studies in a large patient population are required to confirm the safety and efficacy of this method. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 48:96-99, 1999.

Intracoronary stent placement proximal to a myocardial bridge: immediate and long-term results.

The intracoronary stent placement in a lesion proximal to a myocardial bridge is of special importance and is considered to be a challenge for the interventional cardiologist. In this study 4 cases of stent implantation proximal to a coronary bridged segment are described. In all cases complications were observed after the procedure. The patients remained free of symptoms and the exercise TI201 test was negative for ischemia 8.5+/-2.6 months later. Although there is skepticism because of the abnormal coronary flow pattern, the endothelial dysfunction and the subsequent thrombogenicity, the stent placement proximal to a myocardial bridge was safe and with favorable long term results in all 4 cases. However, further studies in large populations are necessary.

Elective intracoronary Micro-Stent II implantation without quantitative coronary angiography or intravascular ultrasound guidance and without subsequent anticoagulation: short- and long-term results.

Intracoronary stenting has been shown to reduce acute closure and restenosis rate in patients treated with coronary angioplasty. The use of high inflation pressures and intravascular ultrasound guidance allowed the substitution of anticoagulants with antiplatelet agents but increased the cost. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness, safety, and long-term outcome of the elective implantation of a relatively new type of stent (Micro-Stent II), without the use of quantitative coronary angiography or intravascular ultrasound guidance and without subsequent anticoagulation. The study included 361 patients who underwent elective microstent implantation. Stent expansion was performed at 8 atm followed by higher inflation pressure at 14-20 atm. Heparin was given intraarterially only once immediately after the arterial sheath insertion. Ticlopidine was started at least 48 hours before the procedure and continued for 1 month while aspirin was continued indefinitely. All patients were followed up for 12.9 +/- 3.6 months. Short term outcome (first month): Stent implantation was successfully achieved in 361 of 366 patients (98.6%). Seven patients (1.9%) were excluded from the study and received anticoagulants because of a suboptimal result. In total, 423 stents were implanted. There was no subacute thrombosis, but acute vessel closure occurred in one patient (0.3%). Non-Q wave myocardial infarction occurred in six patients (1.7%), Q wave myocardial infarction occurred in one patient (0.3%), and only one death (0.3%) of nonischemic origin was reported. No major peripheral vascular complications were observed. Late results: Q or non-Q wave infarction occurred in 13 patients (3.6%), 26 patients (7.2%) underwent a repeat angioplasty, eight patients (2.2%) underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, and four patients (1.1%) died. Overall, 284 patients (78.7%) were free of symptoms, while 77 (21.3%) had recurrent coronary ischemia. In conclusion, Micro-Stent II implantation without quantitative coronary angiography or intravascular ultrasound guidance and without anticoagulation was found to be effective, safe, and with good long-term outcome.

New method for placement of intracoronary stents in order to avoid their embolization in the intravascular space.

Stent dislodgment from the delivery catheter is a well-known complication of angioplasty with stent implantation. The aim of our study was to investigate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of a new technique of intracoronary stent implantation in order to avoid stent loss in the intravascular space. Fifty consecutive patients were candidates for angioplasty and stent placement. During angioplasty, a technique was followed according to which the guide wire "hindered" the dislodgment of the stent from the balloon catheter. Successful angioplasty and stent placement were performed in 46 out of 50 patients (92% success rate). In three cases of failure of stent implantation, the stent moved onto the balloon catheter; however, this was impeded by the guide wire. One non-Q-wave myocardial infarction occurred. No major complications (Q-wave myocardial infarction, CABG, or death) were observed. In conclusion, the technique applied was feasible enough, safe, and effective. However, the appropriate modification of its "hardware" will render it even more feasible and user-friendly.

Stent implantation in patient with visible intracoronary thrombus and compromised left ventricular function, after local thrombolysis using the Dispatch catheter.

The case of a patient with unstable angina and angiographic findings of significant (approximately 90%) right coronary artery stenosis with an intracoronary thrombus next to the lesion, total left anterior descending and circumflex occlusion and an ejection fraction of approximately 22% is described. The case was treated with stent implantation after local thrombolysis with the use of the Dispatch infusion catheter.

Transesophageal echocardiographic Doppler study of coronary flow in a patient with myocardial bridging--a case report.

A case report of myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending artery is described. Coronary flow proximal to the myocardial bridge was studied with transesophageal echo Doppler. The patient, a 62-year-old farmer who sustained an anterior myocardial infarction, underwent thrombolysis and was admitted. He subsequently underwent coronary angiography and left ventriculography, which showed a severe myocardial bridge of the midshaft of the left anterior descending artery. The ejection fraction improved from 25 to 48% after thrombolysis, as measured by using echocardiography. Transesophageal Doppler study proximal to the myocardial bridge revealed a relative increase of the diastolic coronary flow velocity (increased acceleration), which reached its peak value in early diastole. Despite the presence of severe myocardial bridging, coronary flow reserve increased substantially two minutes after the infusion of dipyridamole (0.56 mg/kg iv for 4 minutes). Transesophageal Doppler study of coronary blood flow proximal to the myocardial bridge in the left anterior descending artery showed a characteristic waveform that may prove to be indicative of this condition.

Angioplasty followed by coronary stenting at the anastomotic site of saphenous vein bypass graft with the native vessel: a case that needs special procedural strategy.

In this report we describe a case in which a saphenous vein graft stenosis at the site of anastomosis with the left anterior descending artery (LAD) was dilated with a special Controlled Angioplasty Technology (CAT) balloon, and then stented. Balloon angioplasty and stenting at the site of anastomosis represents a technical problem because of diameter discrepancy and needs special attention in order to avoid minor or major complications.

Posterior right diagonal artery. An angiographic study.

The purpose of this prospectively performed study was the angiographic visualization of the posterior right diagonal artery (PRDA) and its differentiation from the epicardial branches of the right coronary artery (RCA), that is, the right marginal artery and the posterior descending artery (PDA). The authors prospectively studied the angiographic findings of 607 patients who underwent coronary angiography. The incidence of the angiographically demonstrated PRDA and its distinction from other epicardial branches arising from the distal third of the RCA was the main point of interest. Two types of PDA in those cases where PRDA was present were also demonstrated. Of the patients examined, 535 had dominant right coronary circulation, 59 had left dominant coronary circulation, and 13 had balanced coronary circulation. PRDA was present in 81 patients with right dominant coronary circulation (15.1%), in 2 patients with balanced coronary circulation (15.4%), and in none with left dominant coronary circulation. PRDA was revealed in 48 (40%) of 120 patients with a short PDA and in only 33 (8%) of 415 patients having long PDA. It is imperative to search always for the PRDA, when one is studying coronary arteriographies, bearing in mind that this artery may perfuse the inferior part of the posterior interventricular septum and the adjoining are, depending on the type of PDA.

Short-term angiographic and long-term clinical follow-up of a patient with a malexpanded vein graft stent.

Optimal stent expansion is considered imperative today in order to prevent subacute stent thrombosis and allows us to minimize antithrombotic therapy. The short-term angiographic and long-term clinical follow-up of a patient with a suboptimally expanded vein graft balloon expandable stent is presented. Intensive antithrombotic treatment along with unimpeded blood flow were probably highly beneficial.

Angioplasty without the use of "Y connector": a new, easier, bloodless method.

The "Y connector" that is used in angioplasty has the following disadvantages: 1) it is not blood-tight; 2) we need to "screw and unscrew" every time we want to inject contrast material or measure the pressure; and 3) it does not allow the advancement of the guidewire or the balloon catheter during the injection of contrast material. We created a new type of connection composed of a cut sheath for the femoral artery, connected with a cut (at the "hub") guiding catheter. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of the new method. Using the new technique we performed plain-balloon angioplasty, implantation of stent, and atherectomy in 350 patients. The technical success of the method was 100%, and no complications related to the method were seen. In conclusion, the novel connection that we created eliminated all the disadvantages of the "Y connector" and was found to have 100% technical success and safety.

Stress echocardiography in elderly patients with coronary artery disease: applicability, safety and prognostic value of dobutamine and adenosine echocardiography in elderly patients.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to determine the applicability, safety and prognostic value of adenosine and dobutamine stress echocardiography in patients > or = 70 years old. BACKGROUND: These tests are sometimes mandatory because of difficulties and inaccuracies in interpreting traditional electrocardiographic stress tests. Furthermore, if these tests could be used to avoid coronary arteriography and cardiac catheterization, they would become essential in the care of the elderly, whose numbers are increasing. METHODS: We performed coronary arteriography and dobutamine and adenosine stress echocardiographic tests in 120 patients (72 men) > or = 70 years old who entered the hospital because of chest pain and had known or suspected coronary artery disease. The stress tests were performed on separate days, within 2 weeks of coronary arteriography. Both the arteriograms and the echocardiograms were analyzed by two experts who had no knowledge of the patients' other data or the other interpreter's report. Tests were judged to have positive or negative results, and the patients were followed up for the development of cardiac events. Univariate and multivariate analyses and other statistical modalities were applied for comparisons. RESULTS: Documented coronary artery disease was found in 89 patients. During the 14 +/- 7 of follow-up, cardiac events developed in 50 patients, including 3 (7.9%) of 38 patients with negative dobutamine and 12 (20.7%) of 58 patients with negative adenosine test results. Demonstration of any abnormality on stress echocardiography was an independent factor for cardiac events, both for dobutamine (relative risk 7.3) and for adenosine (relative risk 3.0). Both cessation of dobutamine or adenosine tests and diagnosis of disease in two or more coronary vessels were also independent predictors. ST segment depression > or = 1mm was related to future events only with the dobutamine test. CONCLUSIONS: These echocardiographic stress tests proved safe and well tolerated. They successfully stratified this cohort of elderly patients with coronary artery disease to low or high risk subgroups for subsequent cardiac events.

Coronary artery discrete aneurysms, ectasia, and occlusive disease ane extensive arteriomegaly. Correlation, constellation, or coincidence? A case report.

The case of a sixty-five-year-old man with discrete coronary aneurysms, associated with coronary artery ectasia, stenoses, and total occlusion of the left anterior descending artery, that resulted in an acute anterior myocardial infarction, is presented. Aortography and digital subtraction angiography revealed marked aortic and iliac elongation, tortuosity, and aneurysmal dilatation as well as dilatated femoral and popliteal arteries with aneurysmal dilatation in places. It is considered that the case reflects the broad spectrum of atherosclerosis manifestations.

Posterior right diagonal artery.

BACKGROUND: There is general confusion about a branch of the posterior segment of the right coronary artery that has been referred to as 1) the lower trunk of a divided right coronary artery; 2) a posterior reflection of the right marginal artery; 3) the ramus lateralis; and 4) a posterolateral branch or a posterior descending artery. MATERIALS: Three hundred human hearts were studied by direct observation, X-ray films, and corrosion casting. RESULTS: This branch of the right coronary artery arises either after the right marginal artery (in 84% of hearts) or it constitutes the continuation of this artery in the remaining 16%. We named it the posterior right diagonal artery (PRDA). It was found in 14% of 266 hearts of right dominant type. It was present in 39% when the length of the posterior descending artery (PDA) was shorter than half of the length of the posterior interventricular sulcus (PIS) and in 6% when it was longer. When the PRDA originated directly from the RCA, the RMA appeared underdeveloped; the PRDA always occupied the inferior part of the PIS and appears either as continuation of a short PDA or as a replacement for a long PDA from the point where this artery leaves the PIS to enter the posterior wall of the left ventricle. The PDRA when present serves as a bridge between the RCA and the left anterior descending artery. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are of practical importance for the correct interpretation of coronary arteriographies and in the field of coronary artery surgery.

Unusual form of coronary artery fistula of left anterior descending and right coronary artery in an adult patient.

An unusual morphologically tortuous, common fistulous communication of the left anterior descending and right coronary artery with the right ventricle was found in a 55-year-old male patient with severe aortic and mild mitral regurgitation. The angiographic features of this lesion are discussed because of the rarity of this doubly rare coronary artery fistula.