Aurel Toma

Longitudinal compression of the platinum-chromium everolimus-eluting stent during coronary implantation: predisposing mechanical properties, incidence, and predictors in a large patient cohort.

Objectives: To assess the longitudinal compression behavior of platinum‐chromium everolimus‐eluting stents, evaluate frequency of inadvertent longitudinal compression during percutaneous intervention, and define patient‐ and lesion‐related predictors of this complication. Background: Platinum‐chromium stents of Element family have unique design features to improve flexibility that may, however, impair longitudinal stability. Incidence of longitudinal stent compression during implantation and predictors for this complication are not well understood. Methods: Five contemporary stent platforms were longitudinally compressed in a bench test experiment, and spring constant, yield force, and ultimate strength were calculated from force‐strain curves. We also evaluated all coronary cases treated with an Element stent from January 1, 2010, to October 31, 2011, for documented longitudinal compression. We compared baseline characteristics and periprocedural data between patients with and without longitudinal stent compression and assessed predictors for this event by multiple logistic regression models. Results: Yield force and ultimate strength were significantly lower for the Element compared with all other tested stents. In 20 patients (1.4%) and 20 lesions (0.7%) from 1,392 cases with 2,839 atherosclerotic lesions longitudinal stent compression was reported. Ostial segments, number of stents, and the presence of a bifurcation were significant predictors (adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence intervals]: 8.33 [3.30–21.28], 1.57 [1.01–2.45], 3.57 [1.36–9.35], respectively). Conclusion: The Element stent exhibits the lowest overall longitudinal strength compared with four contemporary platforms. Longitudinal compression of the Element stent is a rare complication and occurs more frequently in ostial or bifurcation lesions and with multiple stents.

Culotte stenting vs. TAP stenting for treatment of de-novo coronary bifurcation lesions with the need for side-branch stenting: the Bifurcations Bad Krozingen (BBK) II angiographic trial.

AIMS In percutaneous coronary intervention for de-novo coronary bifurcation lesions, the optimal technique for provisional side-branch stenting is still a matter of debate. We tested whether in this setting culotte stenting reduces the incidence of restenosis as compared with T-and-protrusion (TAP) stenting. METHODS AND RESULTS This trial included 300 patients with a coronary bifurcation lesion requiring a side-branch stent. Patients were randomly assigned to culotte stenting or TAP stenting using drug-eluting stents in a 1:1 fashion. Primary endpoint was maximal per cent diameter stenosis of the bifurcation lesion at 9-month angiographic follow-up. As clinical endpoints we assessed target lesion re-intervention (TLR) and target lesion failure (composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and TLR).Angiographic follow-up was available in 91% of the patients. After culotte stenting, the maximum per cent diameter stenosis in the treated bifurcation lesion was 21 ± 20% as compared with 27 ± 25% after TAP stenting (P = 0.038). The respective corresponding binary restenosis rates were 6.5 and 17% (P = 0.006). The 1-year incidence of TLR was 6.0% after culotte stenting vs. 12.0% after T-stenting (P = 0.069). Target lesion failure occurred in 6.7% of the culotte group and in 12.0% of the TAP group (P = 0.11). Only one patient of the culotte group incurred a definite stent thrombosis during 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Compared with the TAP stenting, culotte stenting was associated with a significantly lower incidence of angiographic restenosis.

Impact of body mass index on long-term mortality in women and men undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion.

BACKGROUND The obesity paradox has been described in different patient populations. Data on the relation between obesity and outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) are lacking. Therefore, long-term mortality in patients undergoing CTO PCI was assessed according to different body mass index (BMI) categories. METHODS A total of 1993 patients undergoing CTO PCI at a tertiary care center between January 2005 and December 2013 were divided into five different BMI categories: underweight, <18.5kg/m2; normal BMI, 18.5-24.9kg/m2; overweight, 25.0-29.9kg/m2; obese, 30.0-34.9kg/m2; and very obese, ≥35.0kg/m2. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. RESULTS Median follow-up was 2.6 (interquartile range 1.1-3.1) years. Of the 1993 patients, 461 (23.1%) were of normal weight, 985 (49.4%) overweight, 396 (19.9%) obese, and 144 (7.2%) very obese. Compared with normal weight BMI patients (16.3%), overweight patients had a lower all-cause mortality (10.2%, Log Rank p=0.001), while obese (11.1%, Log Rank p=0.08) and severely obese (13.2%, Log Rank p=0.39) patients had similar mortality rates. Being overweight was significantly associated with a lower all-cause mortality (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.53-0.89, p=0.005), and associations remained significant after multivariable adjustments for confounding factors (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56-0.95, p=0.02). While being overweight was linked with a reduced all-cause mortality in men (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.48-0.88, p=0.005), it was not in women (HR 1.25, 95% CI 0.60-2.52, p=0.58). CONCLUSIONS Overweight is associated with an improved survival in patients undergoing PCI for CTO, particularly in men.

Survival after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion in Elderly Patients.

AIMS Few data are available on outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO) in very elderly patients in the drug-eluting stent (DES) era. We aimed to investigate long-term survival in a single-centre cohort of elderly patients following CTO PCI using DES. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 2,002 consecutive patients who underwent PCI of a CTO at our centre between January 2005 and December 2013 were followed for a median of 2.6 years (interquartile range 1.1-3.1 years). Four hundred and nine (409) patients were older than 75 years. The absolute reduction in all-cause mortality by successful CTO PCI was numerically greater in elderly patients as compared to younger patients (22.1% vs. 7.2% at three years). In multivariate models, successful CTO PCI was significantly associated with improved survival in both elderly (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39 to 0.87; p=0.009) and younger patients (adjusted HR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.86; p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS In the DES era, elderly patients (≥75 years) derive a similar survival benefit from successful CTO PCI to younger patients. These findings suggest that CTO PCI, when indicated, should not be withheld from the elderly.

Impact of multi-vessel versus single-vessel disease on outcomes after percutaneous coronary interventions for chronic total occlusions

BackgroundSuccessful chronic total occlusion (CTO) revascularization has been associated with prognostic benefits. Whether the extent of coronary artery disease interferes with these benefits has not been investigated yet.AimsWe sought to compare the survival after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for CTO between patients with multi- (MVD) and single-vessel disease (SVD).MethodsA total of 2002 consecutive patients undergoing CTO PCI between 01/2005 and 12/2013 were identified and stratified according to the presence/absence of MVD. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Median follow-up was 2.6 (interquartile range 1.1–3.1) years.ResultsA total of 1634 (81.6%) patients had MVD. Procedural success rates were 81.5 and 89.7% in the MVD and SVD groups (p < 0.001). All-cause mortality during entire follow-up was higher in MVD as compared to SVD patients (13.5 versus 5.7%, p < 0.001), and differences were attenuated after multivariable adjustment for baseline characteristics [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.51, 95% CI 0.98–2.33, p = 0.06]. The effect of successful CTO PCI on all-cause mortality was consistent among patients with MVD [11.0 versus 24.5%; adjusted HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.45–0.80, p < 0.001] and SVD [5.2 versus 10.5%; adjusted HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.24–2.26, p = 0.59, Pint = 0.65]. However, due to the greater baseline risk in the former group, the absolute survival benefit after successful CTO PCI was higher.ConclusionsSuccessful recanalization of a CTO is a strong independent predictor for reduced long-term mortality. Due a higher baseline risk, the absolute benefit in patients with MVD is substantially larger than in patients with SVD.

Comparison of Benefit of Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion in Patients With Versus Without Reduced (≤40%) Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Successful recanalization of chronic total occlusions (CTO) has been associated with improved survival. Data on outcomes in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for CTO, however, are scarce. Between January 2005 and December 2013, a total of 2,002 consecutive patients undergoing elective CTO percutaneous coronary intervention at a tertiary care center were divided into patients with (LV ejection fraction ≤ 40%) and without (LV ejection fraction > 40%) LV systolic dysfunction as defined by transthoracic echocardiography. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. Median follow-up was 2.6 (1.1 to 3.1) years. A total of 348 (17.4%) patients had LV dysfunction. All-cause mortality was higher in patients with LV dysfunction (30.2%) than in those with normal LV function (8.2%, p <0.001), and associations remained significant after adjustment for baseline differences (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 3.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.57 to 4.47, p <0.001). Successful CTO recanalization was independently associated with reduced all-cause mortality, with similar relative risk reductions in both the preserved (6.6% vs 16.9%, adjusted HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.70, p <0.001) and the reduced LV function groups (26.2% vs 45.2%, adjusted HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.98, p = 0.04, interaction p = 0.28). In conclusion, irrespective of LV function, successful CTO recanalization is associated with a clear survival benefit.

Retrograde Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Through Ipsilateral Collateral Channels: A Multicenter Registry

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to describe the procedural aspects and outcomes of retrograde chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) through ipsilateral collateral channels (ILCs). BACKGROUND Retrograde CTO PCI via ILCs is rarely performed, usually when no other retrograde options exist, and available evidence derives mostly from case reports. METHODS A large retrospective multinational registry was compiled, including all consecutive patients undergoing retrograde CTO PCI through ILCs at 6 centers between September 2011 and October 2016. Success rates, as well as procedural complications and in-hospital outcomes, were studied. RESULTS A total of 126 patients (17% of all retrograde CTO PCIs) were included. The mean age was 65.7 ± 11.2 years, and the mean J-CTO (Multicenter CTO Registry in Japan) score was 2.36 ± 1.13. The target vessel was the circumflex coronary artery in 42%, the left anterior descending coronary artery in 39%, and the right coronary artery in 19%. The ILCs used were epicardial in 76% and septal in 24%. ILC anatomy was very heterogeneous. One guiding catheter was used in 80%, whereas the ping-pong technique was used in 20%. A retrograde wire could be advanced to the distal cap in 81%. Technical and procedural success rates were 87% and 82%, respectively. ILC perforation with need for intervention was observed in 5.6% and tamponade due to ILC perforation in 2.4%. One patient (0.8%) died. CONCLUSIONS Retrograde CTO PCI through ILCs is a challenging intervention that can be performed in difficult occlusions with high success rates and reasonable rates of complications by experienced operators.

Weather and risk of ST-elevation myocardial infarction revisited: Impact on young women

Background During the last decade, the incidence and mortality rates of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been steadily increasing in young women but not in men. Environmental variables that contribute to cardiovascular events in women remain ill-defined. Methods and results A total of 2199 consecutive patients presenting with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI, 25.8% women, mean age 62.6±12.4 years) were admitted at the Montreal Heart Institute between June 2010 and December 2014. Snow fall exceeding 2cm/day was identified as a positive predictor for STEMI admission rates in the overall population (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.07–1.48, p = 0.005), with a significant effect being seen in men (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.06–1.53, p = 0.01) but not in women (p = NS). An age-specific analysis revealed a significant increase in hospital admission rates for STEMI in younger women ≤55 years, (n = 104) during days with higher outside temperature (p = 0.004 vs men ≤55 years) and longer daylight hours (p = 0.0009 vs men ≤55 years). Accordingly, summer season, increased outside temperature and sunshine hours were identified as strong positive predictors for STEMI occurrence in women ≤55 years (RR 1.66, 95% CI 1.1–2.5, p = 0.012, RR 1.70, 95% CI 1.2–2.5, p = 0.007, and RR 1.67, 95% CI 1.2–2.5, p = 0.011, respectively), while an opposite trend was observed in men ≤55 years (RR for outside temperature 0.8, 95% CI 0.73–0.95, p = 0.01). Conclusion The impact of environmental variables on STEMI is age- and sex-dependent. Higher temperature may play an important role in triggering such acute events in young women.

Altered Left Ventricular Geometry and Torsional Mechanics in High Altitude-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension: A Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Study

Background: Changes in left ventricular (LV) torsion have been related to LV geometry in patients with concomitant long‐standing myocardial disease or pulmonary hypertension (PH). We evaluated the effect of acute high altitude‐induced isolated PH on LV geometry, volumes, systolic function, and torsional mechanics. Methods: Twenty‐three volunteers were prospectively studied at low altitude and after the second (D3) and third night (D4) at high altitude (4,559 m). LV ejection fraction, multidirectional strains and torsion, LV volumes, sphericity, and eccentricity were derived by speckle‐tracking on three‐dimensional echocardiographic data sets. Pulmonary pressure was estimated from the transtricuspid pressure gradient (TRPG), LV preload from end‐diastolic LV volume, and transmitral over mitral annular E velocity (E/e′). Results: At high altitude, oxygen saturation decreased by 15%–20%, heart rate and cardiac index increased by 15%–20%, and TRPG increased from 21 ± 2 to 37 ± 9 mm Hg (P < .01). LV volumes, preload, ejection fraction, multidirectional strains, and sphericity remained unaffected, but diastolic (1.04 ± 0.07 to 1.09 ± 0.09 on D3/D4, P < .05) and systolic (1.00 ± 0.06 to 1.08 ± 0.1 [D3] and 1.06 ± 0.07 [D4], P < .05) eccentricity slightly increased, indicating mild septal flattening. LV torsion decreased from 2.14 ± 0.85 to 1.34 ± 0.68 (P < .05) and 1.65 ± 0.54 (P = .08) degrees/cm on D3/D4, respectively. Changes in torsion showed a weak inverse relationship to changes in systolic (r = −0.369, P = .013) and diastolic (r = −0.329, P = .032) eccentricity but not to changes in TRPG, heart rate or preload. Conclusions: High‐altitude exposure was associated with mild septal flattening of the LV and reduced ventricular torsion at unchanged global LV function and preload, suggesting a relation between LV geometry and torsional mechanics.

Long-term results after PCI of unprotected distal left main coronary artery stenosis: the Bifurcations Bad Krozingen (BBK)-Left Main Registry

AimsPercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of unprotected distal left main stenosis (UDLM) is increasingly performed as an alternative to surgical treatment. The optimal strategy for stenting in this setting is still a matter of debate. Therefore, this analysis investigated the long-term clinical outcome of a single- versus a double-stenting strategy for treatment of UDLM.Methods and resultsFrom a large registry, 867 consecutive patients with UDLM undergoing either single or double stenting with drug-eluting stents (DES) were identified. Follow-up was up to 10 (median 3.1, interquartile range 1.1–5.3) years. Primary endpoint was MACE consisting of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion re-intervention (TLR). Secondary clinical endpoints included these single endpoints and stent thrombosis. MACE occurred in 41.5% after single and in 49.0% after double stenting (P = 0.03). TLR was lower after single (17.4%) as compared to double stenting (27.2%; P < 0.01). Between single and double stenting, there were no significant differences for death (26.4 versus 23.3%; P = 0.31), death or myocardial infarction (29.1 versus 27.2%; P = 0.55), or definite/probable stent thrombosis (1.3 versus 2.1%; P = 0.42).ConclusionsCompared with single stenting, double stenting was associated with a significantly higher long-term risk of MACE. This was driven by a higher incidence of TLR, whereas the risk of death, MI, or stent thrombosis was similar between the two strategies.