Vessel remodeling and plaque distribution in side branch of complex coronary bifurcation lesions: a grayscale intravascular ultrasound study.

To investigate vessel remodeling and plaque distribution in side branch (SB) of true coronary bifurcation lesions with SB disease extending from its ostium. A total of 62 patients with single de novo true bifurcation lesions with SB with severe and extensive disease were enrolled. Of that, 45 patients/lesions underwent pre-intervention intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) at the SB. Left anterior descending was the most prevalent target vessel (>85%). All lesions had significant involvement of both branches of the bifurcation, and the majority were classified as type 1,1,1 according to the Medina classification. Considering the subset with IVUS imaging, mean lesion length, reference diameter and % diameter stenosis in the SB were 8.88 ± 4.61 mm, 2.68 ± 0.59, and 70.2 ± 16.0%, respectively. Also, mean proximal (take-off) and distal (carina) angles were 142.3 ± 21.9° and 60.7 ± 22.4°, respectively. At minimum lumena area (MLA) site, mean external elastic membrane and MLA cross-sectional areas were 6.70 ± 2.08 and 1.87 ± 0.93 mm2, respectively; given that the mean distance measured between the SB origin and MLA site was <1 mm. In addition, mean plaque burden was 67.9% and mean remodeling index was 0.78 ± 0.21. Importantly, only 9 cases out of 45 presented remodeling index > 1.0. Also, plaque distribution analysis within the SB ostium demonstrated preferable plaque positioning in the opposite side to the flow divider. In conclusions, significant negative remodeling is a frequent encounter in SB of complex coronary bifurcation lesions presenting with extensive and severe disease; in addition, plaque distribution in the SB ostium appears to be asymmetric in relation to the parent vessel, as plaque burden is mostly found in regions of low wall shear stress including the opposite side to the flow divider within the bifurcation anatomy.

Vessel remodeling and plaque distribution in side branchof complex coronary bifurcation lesions: a grayscaleintravascular ultrasound study

To investigate vessel remodeling and plaquedistribution in side branch (SB) of true coronary bifurcationlesions with SB disease extending from its ostium. A total of62 patients with single de novo true bifurcation lesions withSB with severe and extensive disease were enrolled. Of that,45 patients/lesions underwent pre-intervention intravascularultrasound (IVUS) at the SB. Left anterior descending wasthe most prevalent target vessel ([85 %). All lesions hadsignificant involvement of both branches of the bifurcation,and the majority were classified as type 1,1,1 according to theMedina classification. Considering the subset with IVUSimaging, mean lesion length, reference diameter and %diameter stenosis in the SB were 8.88 ± 4.61 mm,2.68 ± 0.59, and 70.2 ± 16.0 %, respectively. Also, meanproximal (take-off) and distal (carina) angles were142.3 ± 21.9 and 60.7 ± 22.4 , respectively. At minimumlumena area (MLA) site, mean external elastic membraneand MLA cross-sectional areas were 6.70 ± 2.08 and1.87 ± 0.93 mm2, respectively; given that the mean distancemeasured between the SB origin and MLA site was/1 mm. In addition, mean plaque burden was 67.9 % andmean remodeling index was 0.78 ± 0.21. Importantly, only9 cases out of 45 presented remodeling index [1.0.Also, plaque distribution analysis within the SB ostium demonstrated preferable plaque positioning in the oppositeside to the flow divider. In conclusions, significant negativeremodeling is a frequent encounter in SB of complex coronarybifurcation lesions presenting with extensive and severedisease; in addition, plaque distribution in the SB ostiumappears to be asymmetric in relation to the parent vessel, asplaque burden is mostly found in regions of low wall shearstress including the opposite side to the flow divider withinthe bifurcation anatomy.

Seguimento angiográfico e clínico tardio do novo stent farmacológico não-polimérico liberador de paclitaxel para o tratamento de lesões coronárias De Novo: resultados do Estudo PAX-B / Late clinical and angiographic follow-up of the new non-polymeric paclitaxel-eluting stent for the treatment of De Novo coronary lesions: outcomes of the PAX-B Study

Introdução: O stent farmacológico eluidor de paclitaxel, não-polimérico, Amazonia® PAX não mostrou diferença na reestenose coronária ou eventos clínicos aos 4 meses de evolução quando comparado com o stent Taxus®. Entretanto, o desempenho do stent Amazonia® PAX em cenários de maior complexidade e com seguimento angiográfico mais longo ainda não foi demonstrado. Métodos: O Estudo PAX-Bfoi um estudo prospectivo, não-randomizado, multicêntrico, que avaliou os resultados tardios de pacientes tratados com o stent Amazonia® PAX. O desfecho primário foi a perda tardiado lúmen intrastent. Resultados: Foram incluídos 103 pacientes com média de idade de 61,3 ± 11,4 anos, 26,2% eramdiabéticos, 24,3% apresentaram-se com síndrome coronária aguda e 71,6% tinham lesões tipo B2/C. Implante de múltiplos stents ocorreu em 4,7% dos casos e o sucesso angiográfico foi de 100%. Na fase hospitalar, a taxa de infarto agudo do miocárdio periprocedimento foi de 3,9%, e um desses eventos levou à revascularização da lesão-alvo (RLA). No seguimento angiográfico de 9 meses, a mediana da perda tardia do lúmen intrastent foi de 0,91 [0,50; 1,21] mm. As taxas cumulativas de eventos cardíacos adversos maiores nos seguimentos de 6meses, 9 meses e 12 meses foram, respectivamente, de 7,8%, 18,5% e 21,3%, principalmente em decorrência de RLA. Não se observou morte ou trombose de stent em 12 meses.Conclusões: O stent Amazonia® PAX demonstrou excelentes resultados imediatos e alto perfil de segurança. Entretanto, as taxas de recorrência angiográfica foram relativamente altas,em razão da pouca eficácia na inibição da formação de hiperplasia neointimal.

Impacto da pré-dilatação do ramo lateral no procedimento de intervenção coronária percutânea em lesões de bifurcação coronária complexas / Impact of side branch predilation on percutaneous coronary intervention in complex coronary bifurcation lesions

Introdução: O tratamento de lesões de bifurcação com implante de stent único no vaso principal e stent provisional no ramo lateral pode ser limitado pelo grau de complexidade anatômica/morfológica da lesão. A pré-dilatação do ramo lateral, um passo do procedimento geralmente evitado, pode ser necessária para manter a patência do ramo lateral. Investigamos o impacto da pré-dilatação do ramo lateral nos resultados imediatos de intervenção coronária percutânea em lesões de bifurcação coronária complexas. Métodos: Entre maio de 2008 e agosto de 2009, 59 pacientes com lesão de bifurcação coronária única e comprometimento significativo de vaso principal e ramo lateral foram incluídos no estudo. Os principais critérios de exclusão foram: envolvimento do tronco de coronária esquerda, infarto agudo do miocárdio com elevação do segmento ST(< 72 horas) e reestenose intrastent. Resultados: A média de idade foi de 61,2 ± 11 anos, 25,4% eram do sexo feminino e 30,1% tinham diabetes. As lesões mais frequentemente se localizaram em artéria descendente anterior/ramo diagonal (86,4%). Durante o procedimento, 8,5% (5/59) das lesões tiveram pré-dilatação do ramo lateral sem sucesso, e 4 dessas bifurcações foram tratadas com 2 stents. No modelo multivariado, a estenose do ramo lateral no pré-procedimento foi o único preditor significativo de pré-dilatação sem sucesso do ramo lateral (odds ratio 1,15, intervalo de confiança de 95%1,01-1,30; P = 0,04), e estenose > 87,6% no ramo lateral foi identificada na curva ROC como valor de corte com maior acurácia para predizer o insucesso. Conclusões: A pré-dilatação do ramo lateral esteve associada a falência imediata do ramo lateral em < 10% dos casos e o único preditor significativo na análise multivariada foi a gravidade da estenose (> 85%)no ramo lateral no pré-procedimento.

Incidência, manejo e prognóstico de perfurações coronárias / Incidence, management and prognosis of coronary perforations

INTRODUÇÃO: A perfuração coronária na atualidade é complicação rara, mas potencialmente catastrófica. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar a incidência, os preditores, o manejo e o prognóstico das perfurações coronárias na experiência de um serviço de cardiologia intervencionista com grande volume de intervenções coronárias percutâneas (ICPs). MÉTODOS: Comparamos as características clínicas, angiográficas e do procedimento e a evolução intra-hospitalar de pacientes que apresentaram ou não perfuração coronária. Análise univariada foi realizada para determinar os preditores dessa complicação. RESULTADOS: No período de dezembro de 2007 a janeiro de 2012, 5.585 pacientes consecutivos foram submetidos a ICP e 18 apresentaram perfuração coronária (0,32%), dos quais 55,5% eram do sexo feminino e 38,9% eram diabéticos. Nesse grupo, a artéria descendente anterior foi o vaso mais frequentemente tratado (61,1%), assim como a lesão do tipo C (61,1%), e as oclusões crônicas foram abordadas em 27,8% desses casos. A maioria das perfurações coronárias (11/18) apresentou menor complexidade de acordo com a classificação de Ellis modificada, enquanto as demais foram qualificadas como graus III (6/18) ou IV (1/18). O cateter-balão foi o dispositivo responsável pela perfuração em 61,1% dos casos. Realizou-se insuflação prolongada com cateter-balão e inativação da heparina com protamina em 72,2% e 88,9% dos casos, respectivamente. Apenas 1 paciente (5,6%) necessitou de abordagem cirúrgica de emergência em decorrência de tamponamento cardíaco. Não houve óbito associado à perfuração coronária. Na análise univariada, os preditores de perfuração coronária foram: sexo feminino (P = 0,03), doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (P = 0,006) e oclusão crônica (P < 0,01). CONCLUSÕES: Em nossa experiência, a perfuração coronária foi evento raro, controlada conservadoramente na maioria dos casos e com evolução hospitalar satisfatória.

BACKGROUND: Coronary perforation is currently a rare, but potentially catastrophic complication. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence, predictors, management and prognosis of coronary perforations at a hospital with a large number of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). METHODS: Clinical, angiographic, procedural and in-hospital outcomes of patients with or without coronary perforations were compared. Univariate analysis was performed to determine the predictors of this complication. RESULTS: From December 2007 to January 2012, 5,585 consecutive patients were submitted to PCI and 18 had coronary perforation (0.32%), of whom 55.5% were female and 38.9% were diabetic. In this group, the left anterior descending artery was the most frequently treated vessel (61.1%) as well as type C lesion (61.1%) and chronic occlusions were approached in 27.8% of these cases. Most of the coronary perforations (11/18) had a lower complexity according to the modified Ellis classification, whereas the remaining perforations were classified as grades III (6/18) or IV (1/18). The balloon-catheter device was responsible for perforation in 61.1% of the cases. Prolonged inflation with a balloon-catheter and heparin reversal with protamine was performed in 72.2% and 88.9% of the cases, respectively. Only 1 patient (5.6%) required an emergency surgery due to cardiac tamponade. There were no deaths associated with coronary perforation. According to the univariate analysis, coronary perforation predictors were: female gender (P = 0.03), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.006) and chronic occlusion (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, coronary perforation was a rare event, which was managed conservatively in most of the cases and was associated with a good in-hospital outcome.

Angiographic and intravascular ultrasound findings following implantation of the Endeavor zotarolimus-eluting stents in patients from the real-world clinical practice.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the angiographic and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) findings of the Endeavor zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES) in patients from a "real-world" clinical practice. METHODS AND RESULTS: From January to March 2006, 100 patients undergoing routine or emergency percutaneous intervention were prospectively enrolled at one institution. Overall, 39% of the patients were diabetics and 80.8% of lesions were type B2/C. A total of 140 lesions were successfully treated with 174 ZES, and procedural success was 98%. Mean vessel diameter was 2.69 mm and mean lesion length was 16.0 mm; at 6-month angiographic follow-up (completed in 96%), in-stent late lumen loss was 0.66 mm, and in-segment restenosis was 8.2%. Angiographic restenosis was increased among diabetics (15.5 vs. 2.6%, p=0.009), and diabetes was the only significant predictor of angiographic restenosis (OR=15.27 [95%CI 2.45-95.04], p=0.003). By IVUS (performed in 88% at 6-month), % volume obstruction was 14.4+/-13.4%, and there was no late acquired incomplete stent apposition (ISA). At 1-year, overall MACE rate was 6%, including 5 TLRs (4% of patients), with no occurrence of stent thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective "real-world" experience, the ZES demonstrated favourable angiographic and IVUS results in complex patients, with overall in-stent late lumen loss of 0.66 mm, and absence of late acquired ISA. At 1-year, there were no safety concerns including absence of death and stent thrombosis.

Trombose de stent farmacológico no "mundo-real": análise crítica do registro DESIRE (Drug-Eluting Stent in the Real World) / Stent thrombosis after drug-eluting stenting in the \"real world\": critical analysis from DESIRE (Drug-Eluting Stent in the Real World) register

Fundamentos: Reportamos a incidência e os preditores de trombose de stent numa grande coorte de pacientes complexos tratados com stents farmacológicos (SF) no "mundo real", Métodos: Entre maio de 2002 e janeiro de 2008, 2.365 pacientes não selecionados com maior ou menor lesão coronária com estenose maior ou menor 50 por cento tratados com ST. O seguimento clínico até cinco anos (média 2,2 mais ou menos 1,5 anos) foi completado em 98,3 por cento. Resultados: Entre os pacientes avaliados 29 por cento tinham diabetes, 60 por cento eram portadores de doença multiarterial e 40 por cento apresentavam síndrome coronária aguda (15 por cento, infarto agudo do miocárdio [IAM]). A artéria descendente anterior foi o vaso-alvo mais frequentemente tratado (35,8 por cento) e 67 por cento das lesões eram de alta complexidade (tipo B2/C). No total, 3.634 SF foram implantados e 40 por cento dos pacientes receberam múltiplos stents. A trombose de stent (classificação Academic Research Consortium) incidiu em 1,6 por cento (n igual 38), 60,5 por cento com confirmação angiográfica...

Background: We report the incidence of stent thrombosis (ST) predictors in a large cohort of complex patients treated with drug eluting stents (DES) in the real world. Methods: From May 2002 until January 2008, 2,365 non-selected patients with ≥ 1 coronary lesion with stenosis of ≥ 50% were treated with DES. The clinical follow-up up to five years (mean time 2.2 ± 1.5 years) was completed in 98.3%. Results: Twenty nine percent of patients had diabetes and 60% multi-vessel disease, 40% presented acute coronary syndrome (15%, acute myocardial infarction [AMI]). The anterior descending artery was the target vessel most frequently treated (35.8%), and 67% were complex lesions (Type B2/C). In all, 3,634 DES were implanted and 40% received multiple stents. Stent thrombosis (classification ofthe Academic Research Consortium) occurred in 1.6% (n = 38), 60.5% with angiographic confirmation, 42% occurred between 1 and 12 months and 47% of the events had a fatal outcome. The independent predictors of ST were: current smoking [relative risk (RR) 2.59; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-5.67; p = 0.018], AMI intervention (RR 3.50; 95% CI 1.31-9.40; p = 0.013), moderate to severe calcification (RR 2.38; 95% CI 1.34-4.23; p = 0.003), excentric lesion (RR 1.86; 95% CI 1.03-3.34; p = 0.039), > 1 DES implanted per myocardial territory (RR 1.81; 95% CI 1.09-3.02; p = 0.023), post-dilatation (RR 0.50; 95% CI 0.29-0.90; p = 0.020) and intra-stent residual stenosis [RR 1.04 (per % unit increase); 95% CI 1.01-1.06; p = 0.003]. Conclusions: In this real world prospective registry, the cumulative incidence of stent thrombosis up to 5 year follow-up was...

[Relationship between plasma C-reactive protein level and neointimal hyperplasia volume in patients with zotarolimus-eluting stents. Volumetric analysis by three-dimensional intracoronary ultrasound]. / Asociación entre la concentración plasmática de proteína C reactiva y el volumen de hiperplasia neointimal en pacientes tratados con implante de stent liberador de zotarolimus. Análisis volumétrico con ecografía intracoronaria tridimensional.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker that predicts cardiac events in patients with coronary syndromes. However, data on the relationship between the CRP level and in-stent restenosis are contradictory. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the basal CRP level and the neointimal hyperplasia volume measured by intracoronary ultrasound 4 months after implantation of a zotarolimus-eluting stent. METHODS: The study included 40 consecutive patients who underwent zotarolimus-eluting stent implantation. Patients were divided into quartiles according to their preprocedural CRP level. Intracoronary ultrasound was performed after stent implantation and at 4 months, and the neointimal hyperplasia volume was determined using Simpson's rule. Correlation and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between variables. Multivariate analysis was used to identify variables that were independently related to neointimal hyperplasia volume. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 58 (8) years, 55% were male, and 40% had diabetes mellitus. There was no difference in baseline characteristics between the quartiles. The hyperplasia volumes were 4.8 (4.2) microl and 15.8 (10.0) microl in the first and fourth quartiles, respectively (P< .001). There was a significant positive correlation between the CRP level and neointimal hyperplasia volume (r = 0.64, P=.0001). The CRP level, the postimplantation lumen volume, and the final deployment pressure were all independent predictors of neointimal hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, an independent correlation was observed between the CRP level before zotarolimus-eluting stent implantation and the neointimal hyperplasia volume at 4-month follow-up.

Asociación entre la concentración plasmática de proteína C reactiva y el volumen de hiperplasia neointimal en pacientes tratados con implante de stent liberador de zotarolimus. Análisis volumétrico con ecografía intracoronaria tridimensional / Relationship between plasma C-reactive protein level and neointimal hyperplasia volume in patients with zotarolimus-eluting stents. Volumetric analysis by three-dimensional intracoronary ultrasound

Introducción y objetivos. La proteína C reactiva (PCR) es un marcador inflamatorio predictor de eventos cardiacos en los síndromes coronarios; sin embargo, existe evidencia contradictoria sobre su relación con la reestenosis intra-stent. El objetivo es evaluar la asociación entre la concentración sérica de PCR basal y el volumen de hiperplasia neointimal por ecografía intracoronaria a los 4 meses tras el implante de stents con zotarolimus. Métodos. Se incluyó a 40 pacientes tratados consecutivamente con stent liberador de zotarolimus. Se determinó el valor de PCR antes del procedimiento y de acuerdo con éste se agrupó a la población en cuartiles. Se realizó ecografía intracoronaria tras el implante y a los 4 meses, evaluando el volumen de hiperplasia neointimal por la fórmula de Simpson. Para relacionar las variables se utilizaron análisis de correlación y regresión lineal. Se realizó un análisis de regresión múltiple de las variables relacionadas de forma independiente con el volumen neointimal. Resultados. La edad media fue 58 ± 8 años, el 55% eran varones y el 40% tenía diabetes, sin diferencias en las características basales entre los grupos. El volumen de hiperplasia fue 4,8 ± 4,2 µl y 15,8 ± 10 µl para el primer y el cuarto cuartil respectivamente (p < 0,001). Existió correlación positiva entre la PCR y el volumen neointimal (r = 0,64; p = 0,0001). La PCR, el volumen luminal postimplante y la presión de liberación fueron predictores independientes de hiperplasia neointimal. Conclusiones. En este estudio observamos que el valor de la PCR antes del implante de stent con zotarolimus se correlacionó de forma independiente con el volumen de hiperplasia neointimal a los 4 meses de seguimiento (AU)

Introduction and objectives. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker that predicts cardiac events in patients with coronary syndromes. However, data on the relationship between the CRP level and in-stent restenosis are contradictory. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the basal CRP level and the neointimal hyperplasia volume measured by intracoronary ultrasound 4 months after implantation of a zotarolimus-eluting stent. Methods. The study included 40 consecutive patients who underwent zotarolimus-eluting stent implantation. Patients were divided into quartiles according to their preprocedural CRP level. Intracoronary ultrasound was performed after stent implantation and at 4 months, and the neointimal hyperplasia volume was determined using Simpson's rule. Correlation and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between variables. Multivariate analysis was used to identify variables that were independently related to neointimal hyperplasia volume. Results. The patients' mean age was 58 (8) years, 55% were male, and 40% had diabetes mellitus. There was no difference in baseline characteristics between the quartiles. The hyperplasia volumes were 4.8 (4.2) µl and 15.8 (10.0) µl in the first and fourth quartiles, respectively (P<.001). There was a significant positive correlation between the CRP level and neointimal hyperplasia volume (r = 0.64, P=.0001). The CRP level, the postimplantation lumen volume, and the final deployment pressure were all independent predictors of neointimal hyperplasia. Conclusions. In this study, an independent correlation was observed between the CRP level before zotarolimus-eluting stent implantation and the neointimal hyperplasia volume at 4-month follow-up (AU)

A three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound comparison between the new zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZoMaxx) and the non-drug-eluting TriMaxx stent.

BACKGROUND: Despite the effectiveness of sirolimus- and paclitaxel-eluting stents in reducing intimal hyperplasia (IH) and the need for repeat revascularization, concerns about their long-term safety have motivated the search for new drug-eluting stents (DES). Recently developed, the ZoMaxx stent combines a sirolimus-analogous agent (zotarolimus), featuring a phosphorycoline polymer and stainless steel and tantalum platform. We sought to assess the efficacy of this new DES in reducing IH. METHODS: A total of 40 patients were treated with the ZoMaxx stent and compared to 50 patients treated with its non-drug-eluting equivalent, the TriMaxx stent. Only single de novo lesions in native coronary vessels greater than or equal to 3.0 mm were enrolled. Serial quantitative coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images were obtained at baseline and 6- month follow up. All patients were clinically followed for 1 year. This analysis aimed to compare the percent of IH between the 2 stents. Secondarily, we assessed in-segment late loss, binary restenosis and major adverse cardiac events. RESULTS: Baseline patient and lesion characteristics were comparable between the 2 groups. At follow up, zotarolimus efficiently suppressed neointimal hyperplasia formation with a marked reduction in the percentage of stent obstruction by IVUS (4.6 +/- 3.6% vs. 31.2 +/- 16%; p < 0.0001). Almost 90% of the segments stented with ZoMaxx did not exhibit more than 10% of obstruction. After 1 year, 12 patients treated with the TriMaxx and 2 patients treated with the ZoMaxx presented in-segment binary restenosis (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In this initial experience, ZoMaxx proved to be clinically safe and superior to its non-drug-coated equivalent in reducing in-stent IH formation and restenosis.