Prospective investigation of calcium score in optical coherence tomography-guided revascularization to identify lesions with low risk for stent under expansion: the CORAL study.

The optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based calcium scoring system was developed to guide optimal lesion preparation strategies for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of calcified lesions. However, the score was derived retrospectively, and a prospective investigation is lacking. The CORAL (UMIN000053266) study was a single-arm, prospective, multicenter study that included patients with calcified lesions with OCT-calcium score of 1-2 to investigate whether these lesions could be optimally treated with a balloon-only preparation strategy using a non-compliant/scoring/cutting balloon. The primary endpoint was strategy success (successful stent placement with a final percent diameter stenosis [%DS] < 20% and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade III without crossover to rotational atherectomy/orbital atherectomy/intravascular lithotripsy [RA/OA/IVL]). A superiority analysis for the primary endpoint was performed by comparing the study cohort with a performance goal of 83.3%. One hundred and eighteen patients with 130 lesions were enrolled. The mean age was 79.0 ± 10.3 years, and 79 patients (66.9%) were male. The OCT-calcium score was 1 for 81 lesions (62.3%) and 2 for 49 lesions (37.7%). The %DS improved from 47.0 ± 14.8% preprocedure to 11.1 ± 5.6% postprocedure. Stent expansion ≥ 70% was achieved in 90.2%. The strategy success rate was 93.1% (95% confidence interval: 87.3-96.8), and superiority against the performance goal was achieved without any crossover to RA/OA/IVL (P = 0.0027). The OCT-calcium score could identify mild/moderately calcified lesions treatable by PCI with the balloon-first strategy using a non-compliant/scoring/cutting balloon for predilatation, with a high strategy success rate. These results support the intravascular imaging-based treatment algorithm for calcified lesions proposed by CVIT.

First successful implementation of subintimal transcatheter withdrawal technique in intravascular ultrasound-guided tip detection antegrade dissection and reentry: a case report.

Background: Antegrade dissection and reentry (ADR) is an effective technique for wire passage in chronic total occlusion (CTO), and in recent years, the effectiveness of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided tip detection (TD)-ADR has been reported. However, the expansion of the subintimal space serves as a significant obstacle to the success of ADR, posing a limitation to the procedure. Case summary: We present the first case of using IVUS-guided TD-ADR with the subintimal transcatheter withdrawal (STRAW) technique. The patient was a 68-year-old Asian female with effort angina pectoris and a CTO in the middle section of the right coronary artery (RCA). Two previous attempts at percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for the RCA at another hospital were unsuccessful. During the third attempt PCI, the antegrade wire migrated into the subintimal space. To address this, we performed IVUS-guided TD-ADR using the Conquest Pro 12 Sharpened Tip (CP12ST; Asahi Intecc, Aichi, Japan) wire. However, due to the expansion of the subintimal space, we were unable to puncture the true lumen. To reduce the subintimal space, we employed the STRAW technique, which allowed successful puncture of the true lumen using the CP12ST wire. Finally, stenting was performed, resulting in satisfactory antegrade blood flow. Discussion: Intravascular ultrasound-guided TD provides accurate guidance for puncturing in ADR procedures, but the expansion of the subintimal space remains a significant challenge. The STRAW technique offers a solution by reducing the subintimal space and enabling successful puncture of the true lumen during IVUS-guided TD-ADR.

Efficacy of drug-coated balloon angioplasty after directional coronary atherectomy for coronary bifurcation lesions (DCA/DCB registry).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of additional drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty after directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) for coronary bifurcation lesions. BACKGROUND: The optimal therapy for bifurcation lesions has not been established, even in the drug-eluting stent era. DCA possibly prevents plaque and carina shift in bifurcation lesions by plaque debulking; however, the efficacy of combined DCA and DCB (DCA/DCB) for bifurcation lesions remains unclear. METHODS: This multicenter registry retrospectively recruited patients with bifurcation lesions who underwent DCA/DCB and follow-up angiogram at 6-15 months. The primary endpoint was the 12-month target vessel failure (TVF) rate. The secondary endpoints were procedure-related major complications, major cardiovascular events at 12 months, restenosis at 12 months, target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 12 months, and target vessel revascularization (TVR) at 12 months. RESULTS: We enrolled 129 patients from 16 Japanese centers. One hundred and four lesions (80.6%) were located around the left main trunk bifurcations. No side branch compromise was found intraoperatively. Restenosis was observed in three patients (2.3%) at 12 months. TLR occurred in four patients (3.1%): 3 (2.3%) in the main vessel and 1 (0.8%) in the ostium of the side branch at 12 months. TVF incidence at 12 months was slightly higher in 14 patients (10.9%), and only two patients (1.6%) had symptomatic TVR. One patient (0.8%) had non-target vessel-related myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that DCA/DCB provided good clinical outcomes and minimal side branch damage and could be an optimal non-stent percutaneous coronary intervention strategy for bifurcation lesions.

Thrombectomy Using Myocardial Biopsy Forceps in Acute Limb Ischemia Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of thrombectomy using myocardial biopsy forceps for the treatment of acute limb ischemia (ALI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 11 ALI patients (12 affected limbs, 18 affected vessels) who underwent thrombectomy using biopsy forceps between November 2011 and April 2016 was performed. Of the 12 affected limbs, 2 limbs had stent thrombosis, 1 limb had thrombotic occlusion at a de novo stenosis site, and 9 limbs had embolic ALI. Biopsy forceps were used for angiographically limited arterial flow that persisted after the use of an aspiration catheter and conventional balloon angioplasty. The general technique for use of the biopsy forceps included advancement in parallel to a guidewire to the thrombus site, grasping of the thrombus with the forceps, and confirmation of grasping the thrombus with injection of a contrast medium prior to thrombus extraction. RESULTS: Partial or total retrieval of the thrombus was angiographically confirmed in 12 of the 18 affected vessels, with restoration of normal blood flow in 11 vessels. Unsuccessful results in the remaining 6 affected vessels appeared to be due to friction at the aortoiliac bifurcation caused by the contralateral approach, small vessel size, or curvature of the anterior tibial artery. None of the 18 treated vessels had any complications such as dissection or perforation of the target vessel wall and distal emboli. None of the surviving patients required major or minor amputation. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombectomy using biopsy forceps is a feasible technique for removal of an arterial thrombus in patients with ALI.

Comparison of Angiographic Dissection Patterns Caused by Long vs Short Balloons During Balloon Angioplasty of Chronic Femoropopliteal Occlusions.

PURPOSE: To describe the feasibility of balloon angioplasty using a long balloon for chronic femoropopliteal occlusions by evaluating angiographic dissection patterns for optimization of outcomes in balloon angioplasty. METHODS: A retrospective, single-center analysis examined 101 symptomatic patients (mean age 75.6±9.9 years; 65 men) with single de novo femoropopliteal occlusive lesions treated with balloon angioplasty between August 2012 and October 2016. The patients were classified into 2 groups for comparison of angiographic dissection patterns: 51 patients were treated with balloon angioplasty using long balloons (L-BA; defined as ≥220 mm in length) and 50 patients were treated with short balloon angioplasty (S-BA; defined as <150-mm-long balloons). RESULTS: Severe vessel dissection patterns, defined as type C or higher, were fewer in the L-BA group (47.1% vs 70.0% in the S-BA group, p=0.019) and the total dissection length was shorter (92.7±72.6 vs 160.4±84.6 mm in the S-BA group, p<0.001). Although the results showed no significant differences between the two groups regarding the length of chronic total occlusions (L-BA: 228.6±73.2 vs S-BA: 226.0±53.8 mm, p=0.83), inflation pressure (L-BA; 8.2±2.6 vs S-BA: 8.1±2.9 atm, p=0.86), and the other lesion characteristics, inflation time was significantly longer in the L-BA group (161.2±68.7 seconds vs 51.1±54.0 seconds in the S-BA group, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis identified a balloon length ≥220 mm as an independent negative predictor of severe vessel dissection (odds ratio 0.29, 95% confidence interval 0.11 to 0.83, p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Using long balloons for balloon angioplasty may help prevent severe vessel dissection in chronic femoropopliteal occlusions.

Evaluation for the efficacy and safety of the crosser catheter as a CTO crossing device and a flossing device.

The Crosser catheter is a unique device that facilitates antegrade intraluminal recanalization by high-frequency vibration energy and cavitation. We used this device not only as a chronic total occlusion (CTO) crossing device, but also as a flossing device in stenotic lesions and we also evaluated the efficacy of this device when used with both the "Crosser preceding" and the "Guidewire preceding" in CTOs. Complications related to this device were investigated, too. We retrospectively analyzed a total of 90 consecutive patients with peripheral artery disease in the femoropopliteal artery and below-the-knee artery (BTA). Primary technical success was defined as the successful delivery of this device into the distal true lumen. Secondary technical success was defined as successful revascularization. The safety endpoints were events of angiographic complications, including the occurrence of detachment of the metal tip from the shaft, slow flow, dissections, and perforations. Overall primary technical success rate was 93.3% and the secondary technical success rate was 96.7%. Detachment and slow flow occurred 14.4 and 4.4%, respectively, with no occurrences of either dissection or perforation. A predictor of detachment was Proposed Peripheral Arterial Calcium Scoring System (PACSS) grade 4 (OR 14.6; CI 1.26-168.5; P = 0.032). The Crosser catheter is useful not only as a CTO crossing device used with both the "Crosser preceding" and the "Guidewire preceding", but also as a flossing device in stenotic lesions. But we have to pay attention to complications related to the Crosser.

Anterolateral Popliteal Puncture Technique: A Novel Retrograde Approach for Chronic Femoropopliteal Occlusions.

PURPOSE: To describe the feasibility and safety of an anterolateral popliteal puncture technique as a retrograde access to chronic total occlusions (CTOs) in the femoropopliteal segment. METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients (mean age 75.1±10.9 years; 13 women) with symptomatic femoropopliteal occlusive disease underwent endovascular therapy via a retrograde access using the anterolateral popliteal puncture technique. With the patient supine, the P3 segment of the popliteal artery was accessed with a sheathless technique intended to provide minimally invasive access. Subsequent to a wire rendezvous technique in the CTO, the antegrade guidewire was advanced to the below-the-knee artery. Hemostasis across the P3 segment was secured with balloon inflation alone or combined with thrombin-blood patch (TBP) injection. RESULTS: Both the anterolateral popliteal puncture technique and subsequent revascularization were successful in all patients. Mean hemostasis time for balloon inflation only was 7.73±4.03 vs 4.78±0.78 minutes for balloon inflation with TBP injection. There were no in-hospital deaths or complications, including pseudoaneurysms, arteriovenous fistulas, hematomas, embolic complications, or nerve damage. CONCLUSION: The anterolateral popliteal puncture technique is useful as an alternative retrograde access vs a conventional transpopliteal approach for CTOs in the femoropopliteal segment if antegrade recanalization has failed. This technique may become one option for retrograde access in patients with severe below-the-knee lesions or with CTOs that extend to the P2 segment of the popliteal artery. Furthermore, this technique has the added benefit of allowing patients to remain in the supine position throughout treatment.

[Patent venous graft for the left anterior descending branch 25 years after surgery; report of a case].

We report a case of a patent venous graft for the left anterior descending branch 25 years after surgery. In 1986 at the age of 59 years, the patient underwent coronary artery bypass grafting( CABG) to the left anterior descending(LAD)artery using a saphenous vein graft (SVG). In 2011, twenty-five years after the surgery, the patient experienced a chest pain and was hospitalized. Due to a strong chest pain and pulmonary edema, emergency coronary angiography was performed under tracheal intubation. The SVG was patent, but severe stenosis was found proximal to the middle of the graft. Although percutaneous coronary intervention with a bare-metal stent was performed, the patient died of ventricular fibrillation on the 38th postoperative day. The use of arterial grafts for CABG is currently predominant, but SVG should still be considered a reliable alternative.