Fuminobu Yoshimachi

Impact of Incomplete Percutaneous Revascularization in Patients With Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Up to half of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention have multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD) with conflicting data regarding optimal revascularization strategy in such patients. This paper assesses the evidence for complete revascularization (CR) versus incomplete revascularization in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, and its prognostic impact using meta‐analysis. Methods and Results A search of PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Current Contents Connect, Google Scholar, Cochrane library, Science Direct, and Web of Science was conducted to identify the association of CR in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with major adverse cardiac events and mortality. Random‐effects meta‐analysis was used to estimate the odds of adverse outcomes. Meta‐regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship with continuous variables and outcomes. Thirty‐eight publications that included 156 240 patients were identified. Odds of death (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.61‐0.78), repeat revascularization (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.45‐0.80), myocardial infarction (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.50‐0.81), and major adverse cardiac events (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.50‐0.79) were significantly lower in the patients who underwent CR. These outcomes were unchanged on subgroup analysis regardless of the definition of CR. Similar findings were recorded when CR was studied in the chronic total occlusion (CTO) subgroup (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.53‐0.80). A meta‐regression analysis revealed a negative relationship between the OR for mortality and the percentage of CR. Conclusion CR is associated with reduced risk of mortality and major adverse cardiac events, irrespective of whether an anatomical or a score‐based definition of incomplete revascularization is used, and this magnitude of risk relates to degree of CR. These results have important implications for the interventional management of patients with multivessel coronary artery disease.

Coronary Angiographic Characteristics That Influence Fractional Flow Reserve

BACKGROUNDnPercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) guided with fractional flow reserve (FFR) has been shown to improve clinical outcome. Although coronary angiography is the standard method for PCI guidance, the visual severity of stenosis is not always correlated with functional severity, suggesting that there are additional angiographic factors that affect functional ischemia.nnnMETHODS AND RESULTSnTo evaluate angiographic predictors of positive FFR in stenotic lesions, angiographic characteristics of 260 consecutive patients (362 lesions) who underwent FFR testing from April 2009 to September 2012 were analyzed. A scoring system (STABLED score) using these predictors was developed and compared with quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). %Diameter stenosis >50% (OR, 8.43; P<0.0001), tandem lesion (OR, 4.00; P<0.0001), true bifurcation (OR, 2.42; P=0.028), lesion length >20 mm (OR, 5.40; P=0.0002), and distance from ostium <20 mm (OR, 1.94; P=0.028) were determined as independent predictors of positive FFR. Area under the ROC curve for probability of positive FFR using the STABLED score (Stenosis 2 points, TAndem lesion 1 point, Bifurcation 1 point, LEsion length 1 point, Distance from ostium 1 point) was 0.85, higher than that for QCA stenosis alone (0.76). STABLED score ≥3 had 72.3% sensitivity and 83.6% specificity for predicting positive FFR, and PPV was 76.7%.nnnCONCLUSIONSnSpecific angiographic features are applicable for predicting functional ischemia. STABLED score correlates well with FFR.

Safety and feasibility of the new 5 Fr Glidesheath Slender.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the new 5 Fr Glidesheath Slender (GSS). The transradial (TR) approach has become popular because of several advantages, such as a reduced rate of vascular access site complications. However, because the radial artery is narrow, a limitation of TR access is the potential for artery spasm or occlusion. Studies of radial artery size demonstrate that 5 Fr sheaths are too wide for more than 10xa0% of patients. The GSS (Terumo, Tokyo, Japan) is a new radial sheath with a thinner wall and a hydrophilic coating. It has an inner diameter that is compatible with a 5 Fr guiding catheter, while the outer diameter is similar to that of a 4 Fr sheath. A total of 21 consecutive patients undergoing transradial angiography and/or transradial percutaneous coronary intervention with the 5 Fr GSS were included, and safety and feasibility of the device were assessed. Transradial angiography was performed in 10 patients, and transradial intervention in 11 patients. All procedures were successful, without the need for conversion to the transfemoral approach. The radial artery occlusion rate was 0xa0%, including a patient who had experienced six previous radial artery punctures. There were no cases of artery spasm, hematoma, major bleeding or functional disorders. One coronary artery perforation caused by a guidewire was reported, but it was unrelated to the sheath introducer. The new 5 Fr GSS was safe and feasible for transradial angiography and transradial intervention.

Impact of transport pathways on the time from symptom onset of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction to door of coronary intervention facility

BACKGROUNDnReducing total ischemic time is important in achieving better outcome in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Although the onset-to-door (OTD) time accounts for a large portion of the total ischemic time, factors affecting prolongation of the OTD time are not established.nnnPURPOSEnThe purpose of this study was to determine the impact of transport pathways on OTD time in patients with STEMI.nnnMETHODS AND SUBJECTSnWe retrospectively studied 416 STEMI patients who were divided into 4 groups according to their transport pathways; Group 1 (n = 41): self-transportation to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) facility; Group 2 (n = 215): emergency medical service (EMS) transportation to PCI facility; Group 3 (n = 103): self-transportation to non-PCI facility; and Group 4 (n = 57): EMS transportation to non-PCI facility. OTD time was compared among the 4 groups.nnnESSENTIAL RESULTSnMedian OTD time for all groups combined was 113 (63-228.8)min [Group 1, 145 (70-256.5); Group 2, 71 (49-108); Group 3, 260 (142-433); and Group 4, 184 (130-256)min]. OTD time for EMS users (Groups 2 and 4) was 138 min shorter than non-EMS users (Groups 1 and 3). Inter-hospital transportation (Groups 3 and 4) prolonged OTD by a median of 132 min compared with direct transportation to PCI facility (Groups 1 and 2). Older age, history of myocardial infarction, prior PCI, shock at onset, high Killip classification, and high GRACE Risk Score were significantly more frequent in EMS users.nnnPRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONSnSelf-transportation without EMS and inter-hospital transportation were significant factors causing prolongation of the OTD time. Approximately 35% of STEMI patients did not use EMS and 21% of patients were transported to non-PCI facilities even though they called EMS. Awareness in the community as well as among medical professionals to reduce total ischemic time of STEMI is necessary; this involves educating the general public and EMS crews.

Impact of a single universal guiding catheter on door-to-balloon time in primary transradial coronary intervention for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

The purpose of this study is to determine reduction of door-to-balloon (D2B) time using a single universal guiding catheter (Ikari-Left catheter) in transradial approach. In this procedure, we can skip a total of five steps compared with a conventional procedure (two catheter insertions, two catheter removals, and one catheter engagement). Reducing total ischemic time is important to achieving a better outcome in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We retrospectively compared 30 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent transradial primary PCI with a single guiding catheter (IL group) with 30 consecutive patients with conventional transradial primary PCI. Patients with cardiogenic shock, heart failure, or need for intra-aortic balloon pumping support before primary PCI were excluded. Baseline characteristics were not different between the two groups. The D2B time was significantly shorter in the IL group (55xa0±xa016 vs. 63xa0±xa017xa0min, respectively; pxa0=xa00.01). Puncture-to-balloon time was also significantly shorter in the IL group (15xa0±xa011xa0min vs. 25xa0±xa011xa0min, respectively; pxa0=xa00.001). The total number of diagnostic and guiding catheters was significantly less in IL group (1 (IQR 1-1) vs. 3 (IQR 3-3), respectively; pxa0<xa00.0001). Primary PCI with a single universal guiding catheter reduced D2B time by skipping several procedural steps, and reduced the total number of catheters needed. This technique could reduce patient mortality as well as total medical cost.

Impact of the origin of the collateral feeding donor artery on short-term mortality in ST-elevation myocardial infarction with comorbid chronic total occlusion

BACKGROUNDnPatients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multi-vessel disease (MVD) have higher mortality, especially with comorbid chronic total occlusion (CTO). The origin of collateral flow to the CTO segment has not been studied in regard to short-term mortality. This study examined the impact of collateral feeding donor arteries from an infarct-related artery (IRA) or non-IRA to the comorbid CTO segment in regard to STEMI short-term mortality.nnnMETHODSnData from 760 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention were obtained retrospectively from medical records. The number of vessels involved and origin of the collateral feeding donor artery were evaluated using angiograms from the primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The study population was divided into patients with: single-vessel disease (SVD) (n=483), MVD without CTO (n=208), and MVD with CTO (n=64). All CTO segments had collateral flow from an IRA (n=23) or non-IRA (n=46). All-cause mortality (30-day) was analyzed.nnnRESULTSnCompared to SVD and MVD without CTO, MVD with comorbid CTO had a higher mortality (5.4% vs. 15.9% vs. 24.6%, P<0.0001, respectively). Of patients with CTO, those with collateral flow from the IRA had significantly higher mortality than the non-IRA group (52.2% vs. 10.9%, P<0.0001). Collateral flow from the IRA was extracted as an independent predictor associated with 30-day all-cause mortality using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model (hazard ratio 4.71, 95% confidence interval 1.60-14.2, P=0.0005).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe origin of the collateral donor artery from the IRA had an impact on short-term mortality in STEMI patients with comorbid CTO lesions.

Impact of transradial coronary intervention on bleeding complications in octogenarians

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the elderly is a major hospital burden since this group of patients exhibits high mortality rates and many comorbidities. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of a transradial intervention (TRI) approach for PCI on bleeding complications in octogenarians. We retrospectively analyzed a consecutive cohort of 2530 patients who underwent PCI at a tertiary care center in Japan. Octogenarians constituted 12xa0% (291 cases) of the total PCI cases during the study period. Bleeding complications and all-cause mortality were observed at 30xa0days after PCI. Average age was 83xa0±xa03xa0years and female gender was 32xa0%. Stable coronary artery disease was 59xa0%. TRI was performed in 218 patients (75xa0%) and transfemoral intervention (TFI) in 73 (25xa0%). Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) major bleeding unrelated to bypass surgery were observed in 7.6xa0%, which were significantly lower in TRI than TFI (5.1 vs. 15.1xa0%, Pxa0=xa00.005). The 30-day mortality rate was significantly low in patients without bleeding (4.9 vs. 31xa0%, pxa0<xa00.0001). In octogenarians, major bleeding complication was significant at 30xa0days after PCI. TRI had lower bleeding complication rate than TFI in this population. Octogenarians may be a subgroup of patients who derive benefits from TRI.

Comparison of Vascular Responses Following New‐Generation Biodegradable and Durable Polymer‐Based Drug‐Eluting Stent Implantation in an Atherosclerotic Rabbit Iliac Artery Model

BACKGROUNDnIncomplete endothelialization is the primary substrate of late stent thrombosis; however, recent reports have revealed that abnormal vascular responses are also responsible for the occurrence of late stent failure. The aim of the current study was to assess vascular response following deployment of biodegradable polymer-based Synergy (Boston Scientific) and Nobori (Terumo) drug-eluting stents and the durable polymer-based Resolute Integrity stent (Medtronic) in an atherosclerotic rabbit iliac artery model.nnnMETHODS AND RESULTSnA total of 24 rabbits were fed an atherogenic diet, and then a balloon injury was used to induce atheroma formation. Synergy, Nobori, and Resolute Integrity stents were randomly implanted in iliac arteries. Animals were euthanized at 28xa0days for scanning electron microscopic evaluation and at 90xa0days for histological analysis. The percentage of uncovered strut area at 28xa0days was lowest with Synergy, followed by Resolute Integrity, and was significantly higher with Nobori stents (Synergy 1.1±2.2%, Resolute Integrity 2.0±3.9%, Nobori 4.6±3.0%; P<0.001). At 90xa0days, inflammation score was lowest for Synergy (0.27±0.45), followed by Nobori (0.62±0.59), and was highest for Resolute Integrity (0.89±0.46, P<0.001). Foamy macrophage infiltration within neointima (ie, neoatherosclerosis) was significantly less with Synergy (0.62±0.82) compared with Nobori (0.85±0.74) and Resolute Integrity (1.39±1.32; P=0.034).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe biodegradable polymer-coated thin-strut Synergy drug-eluting stent showed the fastest stent strut neointimal coverage and the lowest incidence of neoatherosclerosis in the current animal model.

A novel percutaneous coronary intervention technique for chronic total occlusion: Contralateral angiography with a single guiding catheter.

We report two successful cases with a new percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) technique to treat chronic total occlusion (CTO) by using contra‐lateral coronary angiography with a single guiding catheter (GC) safely. Firstly, a GC was inserted into the coronary artery supplying collaterals and a microcatheter was inserted into the distal side of the coronary artery. Then, the GC was retroflexed and engaged in the targeted coronary artery with CTO. While the contra‐lateral coronary artery was visualized by injection through a microcatheter, a guide wire was controlled and passed through the CTO lesion. Two sheaths insertion were necessary to perform contra‐lateral angiography in CTO PCI. This new technique makes it possible to perform safe contra‐lateral angiography with a single sheath and a single GC. It could reduce vascular access complication rates.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect protects from pulmonary edema: septal occluder device gradually reduces LR shunt.

A 56-year-old woman was diagnosed as atrial septal defect (ASD) with pulmonary hypertension; pulmonary blood flow/systemic blood flow (Qp/Qs) of 2.3, pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) of 71/23(39) mmHg and diastolic dysfunction of left ventricle. PAP was improved after medical therapy; therefore, transcatheter ASD closure was performed. Seven days later, left-sided heart failure occurred, however, the improvement of Qp/Qs (1.7) and PAP of 51/21(32) was confirmed. Diuretic therapy was introduced which led to further decrease of PAP 40/12(25) and Qp/Qs (1.1). Because of gradual decrease of Qp/Qs, this patient appeared to be protected from acute pulmonary edema.