Use of coronary physiology to guide revascularization in clinical practice: results of the F(FR)2 registry.

BACKGROUND: Despite the recommendation of coronary physiology to guide revascularization in angiographically intermediate stenoses without established correlation to ischemia, its uptake in clinical practice is slow. AIMS: This study aimed to analyze the use of coronary physiology in clinical practice. METHODS: Based on a multicenter registry (Fractional Flow Reserve Fax Registry, F(FR)2, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03055910), clinical use, consequences, and complications of coronary physiology were systematically analyzed. RESULTS: F(FR)2 enrolled 2,000 patients with 3,378 intracoronary pressure measurements. Most measurements (96.8%) were performed in angiographically intermediate stenoses. Out of 3,238 lesions in which coronary physiology was used to guide revascularization, revascularization was deferred in 2,643 (78.2%) cases. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) was the most common pressure index used (87.6%), with hyperemia induced by an intracoronary bolus of adenosine in 2,556 lesions (86.4%) and intravenous adenosine used for 384 measurements (13.0%). The route of adenosine administration did not influence FFR results (change-in-estimate -3.1% for regression model predicting FFR from diameter stenosis). Agreement with the subsequent revascularization decision was 93.4% for intravenous and 95.0% for intracoronary adenosine (p = 0.261). Coronary artery occlusion caused by the pressure wire was reported in two cases (0.1%) and dissection in three cases (0.2%), which was fatal once (0.1%). CONCLUSIONS: In clinical practice, intracoronary pressure measurements are mostly used to guide revascularization decisions in angiographically intermediate stenoses. Intracoronary and intravenous administration of adenosine seem equally suited. While the rate of serious complications of wire-based intracoronary pressure measurements in clinical practice seems to be low, it is not negligible.

Comparison of adenosine-independent pressure indices to fractional flow reserve in stent-jailed bifurcation side branches.

OBJECTIVES AND BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate whether the high correlation and classification agreement of the instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) and the resting distal coronary to aortic pressure ratio (Pd /Pa ) with the fractional flow reserve (FFR) can be confirmed in stent-jailed side branches (J-SB). METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 49) undergoing provisional stenting were prospectively enrolled and a physiological assessment of the J-SB (n = 51) was performed. FFR, iFR, and Pd /Pa were measured and the hemodynamic relevance was determined using cutoff values of ≤0.80, ≤0.89, and ≤0.92, respectively. RESULTS: Both iFR (r = 0.75) and Pd /Pa (r = 0.77) correlated closely with FFR. Classification agreement with FFR was 78% for iFR (81% sensitivity, 77% specificity) and 75% for Pd /Pa (63% sensitivity and 80% specificity). However, angiographic diameter stenosis and pressure indices correlated poorly. For a threshold of ≥70% stenosis, agreement concerning hemodynamic relevance was found in 59% for FFR, 69% for iFR, and 61% for Pd /Pa . CONCLUSION: As reported for other lesion types, FFR and the adenosine-independent pressure indices iFR and Pd /Pa show close correlation and a high classification agreement of approximately 75%-80% in J-SB. Therefore, iFR can be regarded as a recommendable alternative to FFR for the guidance of provisional stenting in bifurcation lesions.

Rotational atherectomy via the transradial access: success rates, procedural parameters and complications.

Radial access is recommended for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but rotational atherectomy remains frequently performed via femoral access. Analyzing the procedural parameters, success rate and complications of rotational atherectomy, performed via radial in comparison to femoral access. We retrospectively analyzed 427 consecutive patients undergoing rotational atherectomy. Procedural parameters and outcome were determined in 171 patients, scheduled for radial and compared to 256 patients with femoral access use. In the radial access group (74 ± 9 years, 84% male), the LAD was most frequently treated (49%). Sheath size was 7F in 59% and 6F in 41%, burr size was 1.5 mm in 46% and 1.25 mm in 14% of patients. A temporary pacemaker was inserted in 14%. Procedural success rate stood at 97%. Access site complications occurred in 4% of patients, which was significantly less frequent than in in 256 patients treated via femoral access (13% p = 0.003). Compared to radial access, femoral access was associated with the use of larger sheaths (p < 0.001), more frequent treatment of non-LAD vessels (58.2% vs. 44.4%, p = 0.013) and a higher rate of temporary pacemaker use (27%; p = 0.001). No differences could be seen in procedural success (p = 0.83) and burr size (p = 0.51). Femoral access (OR 3.33; 95% CI 1.40-7.93), and female sex (OR3.40 95% CI 1.69-6.63) were independent predictors for access site complications. For coronary rotational atherectomy, radial access has a high success rate with overall use of smaller sheaths, but of equally sized burrs as well as a significant lower rate of access site-related complications than femoral access.

Everolimus eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffolds in patients with acute coronary syndromes: Two-year results from the German-Austrian ABSORB registry.

OBJECTIVES: To identify potential differences in 2-year outcome between patients who underwent coronary revascularization using bioresorbable vascular scafffolds (BVS) in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndromes (ACS). BACKGROUND: Data from randomized trials suggest a significantly higher event rate following coronary revascularization using everolimus-eluting BVS as compared to new generation drug eluting stents. Whether particular patient subgroups are at increased risk for scaffold thrombosis and target lesion failure (TLF) has not clearly been demonstrated. METHODS: German-Austrian ABSORB RegIstRy is a prospective all-comer multi-center observational study of consecutive patients who were considered for coronary revascularization with BVS. We compared 1499 patients with stable CAD to 1594 patients with ACS. Endpoints were major adverse cardiac events (MACE), TLF, and scaffold thrombosis. RESULTS: While single vessel disease was more prevalent in ACS (46% vs. 37%, p < 0.0001), lesion complexity (B2/C stenosis 37% vs. 36%, bifurcation 2.4% vs. 3.4%, p < 0.05), number of implanted scaffolds/patient (1.34 vs. 1.43), scaffold length (18 vs. 18 mm) or the rate of high pressure postdilatation (68% vs. 70%) did not differ between ACS and stable CAD. Two-year MACE rates were 11.6% in ACS and 11.4% in stable CAD, TLF occurred in 7.0% versus 7.4% and target vessel revascularization in 8.8 versus 10.2% (n.s. for all). Definite scaffold thrombosis rates were not significantly different (ACS 1.9% vs. stable CAD 2.1%). CONCLUSION: Real-world 2-year event rates after coronary revascularization with BVS are not significantly different between individuals with ACS as compared to stable CAD.

Coronary Stent Strut Fractures: Classification, Prevalence and Clinical Associations.

INTRODUCTION: The frequency, characteristics and clinical implications of Strut fractures (SFs) remain incompletely understood. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 185 (160 patients) newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) were imaged. SFs were found in 21 DES (11.4%) and were classified in four patterns: one single stacked strut (41%); two or more stacked struts (23%); deformation without gap (27%); transection (9%). In multivariable analysis, calcific and bifurcation lesions were associated with SF in DES (OR: 3.5 [1.1-11] and 4.0 [2.2-7.2], p < 0.05). Device eccentricity and asymmetry as well as optical coherence tomography (OCT) features of impaired strut healing were also associated with SF. The prevalence of fractures was similar in a set of 289 bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS). In a separate series of 20 device thromboses and 36 device restenoses, the prevalence of SF was higher (61.2% of DES and 66.7% of BRS, p < 0.001 for both), with a higher frequency of complex SF patterns (p < 0.0001). In logistic regression analysis, fractures were a correlate of device complications (p < 0.0001, OR = 24.9 [5.6-111] for DES and OR = 6.0 [1.8-20] for BRS). DISCUSSION: The prevalence of OCT-diagnosed SF was unexpectedly high in the setting of elective controls and it increased by about three-fold in the setting of device failure. Fractures were associated with increased lesion complexity and device asymmetry/eccentricity and were more frequent in the setting of device failure such as restenosis and thrombosis.

Left ventricular contraction patterns in Takotsubo Syndrome and their correlation with long-term clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS) is diagnosed in 1-2% of all patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome. Next to the typical apical manifestation, other locations of left ventricular contraction abnormality are possible, but their relationship to patient characteristics, clinical correlates as well as long-term outcome are poorly understood. METHODS & RESULTS: We retrospectively analyzed 126 patients presenting TTS. Cases were categorized according to left ventricular contraction abnormality patterns: typical apical pattern (71%, n = 89) vs. atypical patterns (29%, n = 37). Cases with typical TTS showed significantly higher levels of troponin I (3.12 ng/ml vs. 1.32 ng/ml, p = 0.013) and creatin kinase (CK) on admission (461 (±1207)U/l vs. 173 (±177) U/l, p = 0.03) as well as peak CK (973 (±2860)U/l vs. 301 (±328) U/l, p = 0.03) and more often ischemia related ECG changes (p = 0.02). Follow-up data was available for 85% of the patients. Median FU time was 4.4 years (IQR 1.4-7.7 years). All-cause mortality during follow-up was 39%, with no significant difference between patients with typical or atypical TTS (43% vs. 29%, p = 0.17). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only anemia was predictive for long-term mortality (OR 3.93, 95%CI 1.02-2.08, p = 0.015). The majority of surviving patients (69%) reported good quality of life, even though only 56% reported being symptom-free. CONCLUSION: Patients with TTS have poor long-term prognosis with an overall mortality of 39.1% within 4 years and nearly half of all patients report persisting symptoms. Even though the apical contraction pattern is associated with higher elevation of serum markers for myocardial damage, it was not associated with higher long-term mortality.

Incidental Finding of Strut Malapposition Is a Predictor of Late and Very Late Thrombosis in Coronary Bioresorbable Scaffolds.

Malapposition is a common finding in stent and scaffold thrombosis (ScT). Evidence from studies with prospective follow-up, however, is scarce. We hypothesized that incidental observations of strut malapposition might be predictive of late ScT during subsequent follow-up. One hundred ninety-seven patients were enrolled in a multicentre registry with prospective follow-up. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), performed in an elective setting, was available in all at 353 (0-376) days after bioresorbable scaffold (BRS) implantation. Forty-four patients showed evidence of malapposition that was deemed not worthy of intervention. Malapposition was not associated with any clinical or procedural parameter except for a higher implantation pressure (p = 0.0008). OCT revealed that malapposition was associated with larger vessel size, less eccentricity (all p < 0.01), and a tendency for more uncovered struts (p = 0.06). Late or very late ScT was recorded in seven of these patients 293 (38-579) days after OCT. OCT-diagnosed malapposition was a predictor of late and very late scaffold thrombosis (p < 0.001) that was independent of the timing of diagnosis. We provide evidence that an incidental finding of malapposition-regardless of the timing of diagnosis of the malapposition-during an elective exam is a predictor of late and very late ScT. Our data provide a rationale to consider prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy if strut malapposition is observed.

Coronary Angiography With Pressure Wire and Fractional Flow Reserve.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 800 000 coronary angiography procedures are per- formed in Germany each year, mainly in order to identify coronary artery stenoses. As a rule, revascularization is indicated only when coronary artery stenoses cause relevant ischemia, but this cannot be determined unequivocally by angiography alone. Pressure wire measurement and the measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR) enable direct evaluation of the hemodynamic relevance of coronary artery stenoses during diagnostic coronary angiography. METHODS: This review is based on publications retrieved by a selective search in PubMed focusing especially on large randomized trials, registry studies, and meta- analyses on either pressure wire measurement or FFR. RESULTS: According to a registry study from France, the hemodynamic evaluation of a stenosis during coronary angiography affected decisions about revascularization in 43% of cases. Randomized multicenter trials have shown that a combined end- point consisting of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization arose signifi- cantly less commonly in the FFR group than in the group receiving angiography without FFR (13.2% versus 18.3%; p = 0.02), and that patients with one or more hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenoses (FFR ≤ 0.80) benefited more from revascularization than from medical management alone (event rate, 8.1% versus 19.5%; p <0.001). It was also shown that revascularization yields no benefit if relevant ischemia has been ruled out, even if the angiogram shows high-grade coronary artery stenoses. CONCLUSION: All cardiac catheter laboratories should be capable of performing pres- sure wire measurements and measurements of FFR and should do so regularly if ischemia due to coronary artery stenosis cannot be demonstrated non-invasively. A pathological FFR measurement is an indication for revascularization.

OCT-assessment of scaffold resorption: Analysis of strut intensity by a new resorption index for poly-l-lactic acid bioresorbable vascular scaffolds.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze individual differences in resorption of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BRS) through optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis and to identify factors potentially influencing the resorption process. METHODS: Between April 2016 and July 2017 clinically driven invasive coronary angiography and OCT examinations were performed in 36 patients who had previously been treated with a total of 48 BRS (ABSORB BVS, Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA). For each scaffold, a new BRS-RESORB-INDEX (BRI) was calculated. RESULTS: The mean time interval since implantation was 789 ± 321 days. In OCT, BRS struts remained detectable in all 48 BRS. Normalized light intensity as a marker for the resorption of BRS struts increased with time in a linear fashion (Spearman Rho: p < .001, correlation coefficient = .90; R2 [linear] = .91). Multivariable analysis identified diabetes (BRI of patients with diabetes vs. patients without diabetes: 0.34 ± 0.13 vs. 0.58 ± 0.22; p = .002) and presence of Peri-strut low intensity areas (PSLIA, BRI of 10 patients with PSLIA vs. 26 patients without PSLIA: 0.44 ± 0.21 vs. 0.61 ± 18; p = .027) as independent predictors for a prolonged BRS resorption, whereas the resorption rate in ACS patients (STEMI, NSTEMI, and unstable angina; n = 13) was significantly higher as compared to patients without ACS (0.62 ± 0.17 vs. 0.43 ± 0.24; p = .012). CONCLUSION: In humans, BRS resorption rate is significantly influenced by numerous factors. Our data suggest that diabetes and PSLIA are associated with a prolonged resorption process, whereas in ACS patients, BRS resorption appears to be significantly faster.

Major coronary evaginations following implantation of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds - Clinical and OCT characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Coronary evaginations can occur after implantation of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BRS) and may be associated with scaffold thrombosis. Aim of this study was to clarify the clinical manifestation, extent and time course of coronary artery remodeling in vessel segments that develop angiographically detectable evaginations following BRS implantation through optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis. METHODS: In 8 patients, 10 BRS (Absorb, Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA) which displayed coronary evaginations in clinically driven late invasive coronary angiograms were identified and findings were compared to 10 BRS in 8 patients without coronary evaginations. Vessel and device geometry was analyzed in serial OCT cross-sections at a spacing of 200 µm. Measured BRS dimensions were normalized to the reference vessel size at implantation. RESULTS: In OCT, major evaginations on average affected 24 ±â€¯19% of the scaffold length. Scaffolds with major evaginations had a significantly larger lumen area than scaffolds without evaginations (mean normalized lumen area 1.19 ±â€¯0.58 vs. 0.77 ±â€¯0.38; p < 0.001), and also displayed a significantly larger scaffold area (mean normalized scaffold area: 1.36 ±â€¯0.6 vs. 1.13 ±â€¯0.43; p < 0.001), and scaffold diameter (mean normalized scaffold diameter: 1.17 ±â€¯0.33 vs.1.04 ±â€¯0.19; p < 0.001). Lumen area (r = 0.47; p < 0.001), scaffold area (r = 0.52; p < 0.001), and scaffold diameter (r = 0.74; p < 0.001) in the evagination group were positively correlated to the time since scaffold implantation. CONCLUSION: Coronary evaginations following BRS implantation are associated with an increased scaffold area, indicating that the scaffold follows the outward remodeling of the artery. The process affects the entire scaffold length and seems to be continuously progressing following implantation.

Effect of non-compliant balloon postdilatation on magnesium-based bioresorbable vascular scaffolds.

BACKGROUND: Optimal implantation results of bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) are typically assumed to require postdilatation with non-compliant (NC) balloons to achieve full scaffold apposition and minimize event rates. We systematically evaluated the mechanical effect of NC balloon postdilatation on magnesium-based BRS (Magmaris®, Biotronik AG, Bülach, Switzerland) in vivo. METHODS: In 35 patients, 40 Magmaris® BRS were implanted to treat 37 de novo coronary artery stenoses. A systematic implantation protocol was followed. After appropriately sized NC balloon predilatation (1:1:1 vessel:balloon:scaffold ratio), Magmaris® BRS were implanted with a pressure of 10 atm, followed by NC balloon postdilatation at nominal BRS size (standardized at 16 atm). OCT was performed before and after postdilatation and OCT images were analyzed at a spacing of 0.2 mm to measure BRS dimensions and determine apposition as well as to detect strut fractures. RESULTS: PCI with Magmaris® BRS (mean diameter: 3.21 ± 0.32 mm; mean length: 20 ± 4 mm) was successful in all cases, in one case a non-flow-limiting distal edge dissection occurred after implantation and before postdilatation. NC balloon postdilatation led to significantly larger mean scaffold diameter (3.21 ± 0.32 mm vs. 2.80 ± 0.39 mm, P < 0.001), abluminal scaffold area (7.92 ± 1.43 mm2 vs. 6.72 ± 1.28 mm2 , P < 0.001) and lumen area (7.58 ± 1.1 mm2 vs. 6.83 ± 1.12 mm2 , P < 0.001). Incomplete scaffold apposition area was significantly lower if postdilatation was performed (0.01 ± 0.04 mm2 vs. 0.17 ± 0.11 mm2 , P < 0.001). Strut fractures could neither be observed before nor after postdilatation. CONCLUSION: NC balloon postdilatation of Magmaris® BRS is required to achieve optimal expansion. It significantly reduces malapposition and can safely be performed without relevant rates of strut fracture.

Percutaneous coronary intervention of unprotected left main stenoses - Procedural data and outcome depending on SYNTAX I Score.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that SYNTAX I score is a predictor for procedure complexity in left main PCI. Procedure complexity, duration and contrast load may contribute to adverse outcome of complex left main percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: In 105 consecutive patients who underwent PCI of unprotected left main coronary artery stenoses between 2014 and 2016, clinical parameters as well as PCI characteristics and follow-up data were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean SYNTAX I score was 29 ±â€¯12, with 66 patients having a SYNTAX I score ≤ 32 and 39 patients a SYNTAX I score > 32. In patients with high SYNTAX I score vs. low-to-intermediate SYNTAX I score, single stent techniques were performed significantly less frequently (18% vs. 68%; p < 0.001), while Crush (44% vs. 5%; p < 0.001) and Culotte techniques (20% vs. 5%; p = 0.003) were performed significantly more frequently. Procedural success was achieved in all 105 cases without periprocedural mortality. During follow up, repeat PCI was necessary significantly more frequently in patients with high compared to patients with low-to-intermediate SYNTAX I score (34% vs.13%; p = 0.003). Nevertheless, overall mortality did not differ between patients with high vs. low-to-intermediate SYNTAX I score (20% vs. 18%). CONCLUSIONS: PCI strategies for the treatment of left main coronary artery stenoses get significantly more complex with increasing SYNTAX I scores. While this translates into a significantly longer procedure duration and contrast load, short-term outcome seems not to be influenced by the SYNTAX I score.

Comparison of invasively measured FFR with FFR derived from coronary CT angiography for detection of lesion-specific ischemia: Results from a PC-based prototype algorithm.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a novel prototype for on-site determination of CT-based FFR (cFFR) on a standard personal computer (PC) compared to invasively measured FFR in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. METHODS: A total of 91 vessels in 71 patients (mean age 65 ±â€¯9 years) in whom coronary CT angiography had been performed due to suspicion of coronary artery disease, and who subsequently underwent invasive coronary angiography with FFR measurement were analyzed. For both cFFR and FFR, a threshold of ≤0.80 was used to indicate a hemodynamically relevant stenosis. The mean time needed to calculate cFFR was 12.4 ±â€¯3.4 min. A very close correlation between cFFR and FFR could be shown (r = 0.85; p < 0.0001) with Bland-Altman analysis showing moderate agreement between FFR and cFFR with mild systematic overestimation of FFR values in CT (mean difference 0.0049, 95% limits of agreement ±2SD -0.007 to 0.008). Compared to FFR, the sensitivity of cFFR to detect hemodynamically significant lesions was 91% (19/21, 95% CI: 70%-99%), specificity was 96% (67/70, 95% CI: 88%-99%), positive predictive value 86% (95% CI: 65%-97%) and negative predictive value was 97% (95% CI: 90%-100%) with an accuracy of 93%. CONCLUSION: cFFR obtained using an on-site algorithm implemented on a standard PC shows high diagnostic accuracy to detect lesions causing ischemia as compared to FFR. Importantly, the time needed for analysis is short which may be useful for improving clinical workflow.

Predictors of Technical Failure in Transradial Coronary Angiography and Intervention.

Transradial access for coronary angiography and intervention is preferred over the femoral approach but can be technically challenging. Identification of predictors of transradial access failure is important, especially in the context of acute coronary syndromes. We therefore retrospectively analyzed 13,095 consecutive patients (66 ± 12 years, 64% male) in whom transradial access was attempted for coronary angiography or intervention to identify predictors of transradial access failure. Angiograms and patient files were systematically reviewed to analyze patient characteristics associated with failure. Transradial access failure rate was 6.8% (909 of 13,095). Patients with transradial access failure were more frequently female (9.5% vs 5.5%; p <0.001), significantly older (68 ± 12 vs 66 ± 12 years, p <0.001), and had a smaller body surface area (1.89 ± 0.21 vs 1.94 ± 0.2 m2; p <0.001). Transradial failure was not significantly more frequent in ST-elevation myocardial infarction versus other patients (8.1% vs 6.9%, p = 0.195). After multivariable adjustment, only female sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.44, p <0.001), higher patient age (OR 1.01/year, p = 0.002), and lower height (OR 0.98/cm, p = 0.004) independently predicted transradial access failure. In conclusion, female sex, higher age, and smaller height independently predict transradial access failure in coronary angiography and intervention. Failure rate in ST-elevation myocardial infarction is not significantly increased.

Applicability and procedural success rate of bioresorbable -vascular scaffolds for percutaneous coronary intervention in an all-comer cohort of 383 consecutive patients.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine applicability and procedural success of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in an all-comer cohort. Background BVS use in bifurcations and severely calcified lesions is not recommended, and a relatively large crossing profile may cause limitations. It is has never been studied how widely BVS can be applied in all-comer cohorts. Methods In 383 consecutive patients (acute coronary syndrome: 124, stable coronary disease 259), a BVS (Absorb) was used as first-line device unless any of the following contraindications were present: bifurcation with side branch >2.0 mm, reference diameter <2.5 mm or >4.0 mm, required device length <12 mm, in-stent stenosis, or contraindications to 6 months of DAPT. Patients and lesions were evaluated regarding suitability for BVS treatment, procedural success (successful BVS placement and residual stenosis <30%), and outcome. Results Of 588 lesions, 303 (52%) were unsuitable for BVS placement due to presence of a bifurcation (30% of unsuitable lesions), reference -diameter >4.0 mm (13%) or <2.5 mm (12%), contraindication to 6 months DAPT (13%), in-stent stenosis (14%), and desired device length <12 mm (4%). If BVS use was attempted, procedural success with a scaffold was 95% (271/285). Crossing failure occurred in 14 cases (5%), affected lesions were significantly more calcified. After a mean follow-up period of 259 days, definite/probable scaffold thrombosis occurred in 1.1% of patients. Conclusions Approximately one-half of lesions in an all-comer population can successfully be treated with BVS. Crossing failure is rare.

Overlapping implantation of bioresorbable novolimus-eluting scaffolds: an observational optical coherence tomography study.

Overlapping implantation of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds is frequently necessary, but its influence on vessel and scaffold structure has not been thoroughly analyzed previously. The aim of this study was to analyze the acute effects of overlapping implantation on BRS as determined by optical coherence tomography (OCT). A total of 38 patients with de novo coronary artery stenoses who underwent OCT in the context of implantation of novolimus-eluting BRS (DESolve, Elixir Medical Corporation, Sunnyvale, California, USA) were investigated. In 15 patients, overlapping implantation of two BRS was performed, while 23 patients with implantation of one single BRS served as the control group. OCT data were retrospectively analyzed regarding acute scaffold implantation results. There were no significant differences between the overlap and control group in terms of residual in-scaffold area stenosis, scaffold area, mean or minimal lumen area, eccentricity index, incomplete scaffold apposition area or malapposition. While strut fracture was slightly more frequent in BRS with overlap its incidence was low overall. In patients with overlapping BRS, overlap segments did not display smaller lumen areas than segments without overlap (mean lumen area overlap: 8.16 ± 2.97 mm2 vs. no overlap: 7.70 ± 2.55 mm2; p = 0.71; minimal lumen area overlap: 6.83 ± 2.71 mm2 vs. no overlap: 6.17 ± 2.58 mm2; p = 0.37). Acute mechanical performance of novolimus-eluting BRS is not impaired by overlapping implantation. It can be assumed that vessel expansion compensates for the double scaffold layer in the overlap area resulting in a similar lumen area in overlap areas and in those with a single strut layer.

Optical coherence tomography: influence of contrast concentration on image quality and diagnostic confidence.

OCT requires intracoronary injection of contrast agent to remove blood from the coronary lumen during data acquisition, which is a possible limitation of this method. Aim of this study was to analyze the influence of iodine concentration on image quality and diagnostic certainty of optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT sequences acquired using contrast agent with a reduced concentration of 150 mg iodine/ml and a standard concentration of 350 mg iodine/ml were analyzed. Cross-sectional images with a spacing of 10 mm were evaluated regarding image quality and diagnostic confidence. A total of 67 OCT sequences acquired in 24 patients were analyzed. 31 sequences were acquired using contrast agent with a concentration of 150 mg iodine/ml and 36 sequences with a concentration of 350 mg iodine/ml. The percentage of remaining blood streaks in the cross sections was significantly lower for 350 mg iodine/ml compared to 150 mg iodine/ml (19 ± 21 vs. 34 ± 26%, p = 0.013). Contrast with 350 mg iodine/ml showed a significantly higher percentage of completely flushed pullback length as compared to 150 mg iodine/ml (78 ± 24 vs. 58 ± 27%, p = 0.004). Diagnostic certainty was significantly higher for 350 mg iodine/ml than for 150 mg iodine/ml (Likert scale average 1.4 ± 0.7 vs. 2.1 ± 1.2, p < 0.001; Likert scale: 1 = absolutely confident, 2 = confident with slight doubts, 3 = doubtful/not confident, 4 = non-diagnostic). Regarding image quality and diagnostic certainty, contrast agent with a concentration of 350 mg iodine/ml is superior to 150 mg iodine/ml.