Jin-Man Cho

Incidence and Clinical Significance of Poststent Optical Coherence Tomography Findings One-Year Follow-Up Study From a Multicenter Registry

Background— Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was recently introduced to optimize percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the exact incidence and significance of poststent OCT findings are unknown. Methods and Results— A total of 900 lesions treated with 1001 stents in 786 patients who had postprocedure OCT imaging were analyzed to evaluate the incidence of poststent OCT findings and to identify the OCT predictors for device-oriented clinical end points, including cardiac death, target vessel–related myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, and stent thrombosis. Patients were followed up to 1 year. Stent edge dissection was detected in 28.7% of lesions, and incomplete stent apposition was detected in 39.1% of lesions. The incidences of smooth protrusion, disrupted fibrous tissue protrusion, and irregular protrusion were 92.9%, 61.0%, and 53.8%, respectively. Small minimal stent area, defined as a lesion with minimal stent area <5.0 mm2 in a drug-eluting stent or <5.6 mm2 in a bare metal stent, was observed in 40.4% of lesions. One-year device-oriented clinical end points occurred in 33 patients (4.5%). Following adjustment, irregular protrusion and small minimal stent area were independent OCT predictors of 1-year device-oriented clinical end points (P=0.003 and P=0.012, respectively). Conclusions— Abnormal poststent OCT findings were frequent. Irregular protrusion and small minimal stent area were independent predictors of 1-year device-oriented clinical end points, which were primarily driven by target lesion revascularization.Background— Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was recently introduced to optimize percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the exact incidence and significance of poststent OCT findings are unknown. Methods and Results— A total of 900 lesions treated with 1001 stents in 786 patients who had postprocedure OCT imaging were analyzed to evaluate the incidence of poststent OCT findings and to identify the OCT predictors for device-oriented clinical end points, including cardiac death, target vessel–related myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, and stent thrombosis. Patients were followed up to 1 year. Stent edge dissection was detected in 28.7% of lesions, and incomplete stent apposition was detected in 39.1% of lesions. The incidences of smooth protrusion, disrupted fibrous tissue protrusion, and irregular protrusion were 92.9%, 61.0%, and 53.8%, respectively. Small minimal stent area, defined as a lesion with minimal stent area <5.0 mm2 in a drug-eluting stent or <5.6 mm2 in a bare metal stent, was observed in 40.4% of lesions. One-year device-oriented clinical end points occurred in 33 patients (4.5%). Following adjustment, irregular protrusion and small minimal stent area were independent OCT predictors of 1-year device-oriented clinical end points ( P =0.003 and P =0.012, respectively). Conclusions— Abnormal poststent OCT findings were frequent. Irregular protrusion and small minimal stent area were independent predictors of 1-year device-oriented clinical end points, which were primarily driven by target lesion revascularization. # CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE {#article-title-35}

APACHE II Score, Rather Than Cardiac Function, May Predict Poor Prognosis in Patients With Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy

While the disease course of stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC) is usually benign, it can be fatal. The prognostic factors to predict poorer outcome are not well established, however. We analyzed the Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score to assess its value for predicting poor prognosis in patients with SIC. Thirty-seven consecutive patients with SIC were followed prospectively during their hospitalization. Clinical factors, including APACHE II score, coronary angiogram, echocardiography and cardiac enzymes at presentation were analyzed. Of the 37 patients, 27 patients (73%) were women. The mean age was 66.1 ± 15.6 yr, and the most common presentation was chest pain (38%). Initial echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was 42.5% ± 9.3%, and the wall motion score index (WMSI) was 1.9 ± 0.3. Six patients (16%) expired during the follow-up period of hospitalization. Based on the analysis of characteristics and clinical factors, the only predictable variable in prognosis was APACHE II score. The patients with APACHE II score greater than 20 had tendency to expire than the others (P = 0.001). Based on present study, APACHE II score more than 20, rather than cardiac function, is associated with mortality in patients with SIC.

Spontaneous recanalization of a coronary artery after thrombotic occlusion: in vivo demonstration with optical coherence tomography.

![Figure][1] A 50-year-old man with a recent embolic stroke was referred by a neurologist for abnormal electrocardiography results consistent with large anterior myocardial infarction. Echocardiogram results showed akinesis of the anteroapical left ventricular wall without obvious mural

Comparison of zotarolimus-eluting stent and everolimus-eluting stent for vascular healing response: serial 3-month and 12-month optical coherence tomography study.

BackgroundEverolimus-eluting stents (EES) have shown favorable clinical outcomes. However, there have been no studies evaluating early vascular response after EES implantation. We designed a prospective study to compare the neointimal response between zotarolimus-eluting stents (ZES) and EES at 3 and 12 months using serial optical coherence tomography examinations. Methods and resultsSixty patients who underwent 3-month and 12-month follow-up optical coherence tomography (36 EES, 24 ZES) were included. Neointimal coverage and malapposition were evaluated using a strut-based analysis at both 3 and 12 months. Neointimal hyperplasia area and thrombus were assessed. ZES showed a higher incidence of covered struts (81.5 vs. 77.1%, P<0.0001) and lower incidence of malapposed struts (1.4 vs. 2.3%, P=0.001) than EES at 3 months. However, at 12 months, EES showed a slightly higher incidence of covered struts (96.4 vs. 93.6%, P<0.0001) and a lower incidence of malapposed struts (0.9 vs. 1.1%, P=0.03) than ZES. Neointimal hyperplasia area was greater in the ZES group than in the EES group at both 3 and 12 months (0.77 vs. 0.49 mm2, P=0.03 and 1.50 vs. 0.97 mm2, P=0.01, respectively). No significant difference in the incidence of thrombus was observed at both 3 and 12 months. ConclusionZES showed rapid neointimal healing compared with EES at 3 months. However, at 12 months, EES had a slightly better vascular healing profile than ZES.

Prevalence and Predictors of Multiple Coronary Plaque Ruptures: In Vivo 3-Vessel Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging Study

Objective—Plaque rupture may be the local expression of a widespread coronary instability. This study aimed to investigate: (1) the prevalence and characteristics of nonculprit plaque rupture; (2) the pancoronary atherosclerotic phenotype in patients with and without nonculprit plaque rupture; and (3) the prevalence and predictors of multiple plaque ruptures. Approach and Results—Six hundred and seventy-five nonculprit plaques from 261 patients (34 acute myocardial infarction, 73 unstable angina pectoris, and 154 stable angina pectoris) were analyzed by 3-vessel optical coherence tomography. Nonculprit plaque ruptures were identified in 51 patients (20%). Patients with nonculprit plaque ruptures had higher prevalence of thin-cap fibroatheroma (51% versus 13%; P<0.001) in the 3 major epicardial coronary vessels. Multiple plaque ruptures were observed in 20% of patients (38% acute myocardial infarction versus 10% unstable angina pectoris versus 19% stable angina pectoris; P=0.042). Thin-cap fibroatheroma, intimal vasculature, and macrophages were independent morphological predictors of multiple plaque ruptures, whereas acute myocardial infarction and chronic kidney disease were independent clinical predictors. Patients with nonculprit plaque ruptures showed higher 1-year rates of nontarget lesion revascularization (11.8% versus 4.4%; P=0.039). Conclusions—Nonculprit plaque ruptures were observed in 20% of patients with coronary artery disease and were associated with pancoronary vulnerability and higher 1-year revascularization rate.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy recurrence with left ventricular apical ballooning following isolated right ventricular involvement: A case report

We report a case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which involved the right ventricle at first presentation and demonstrated involvement of the left ventricle during recurrence. The patient was admitted to Kyung Hee University Hospital due to a left hip fracture, which was considered a result of physical stress. Complete recovery was confirmed by echocardiography prior to recurrence. The cause of the second event was surgery for the left hip fracture. Recurrence of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy at various cardiac locations provides evidence against the existing hypotheses that variants of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy are associated with anatomically different distributions of cardiac adrenergic receptors, the degree of stimulation by sympathetic activity and different susceptibilities to such sympathetic stimulation.

Valsalva maneuver to predict dynamic intraventricular obstruction during dobutamine stress echocardiography in patients with hypertension

BACKGROUND We were to evaluate the effect of Valsalva maneuver with comparison to preload reduction by nitroglycerin (NTG) to predict intraventricular obstruction (IVO) during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in patients with hypertension. METHODS A total of 38 hypertensive patients (mean age 66.0±9.9 years; 32% male) were prospectively enrolled. The patients with positive exercise electrocardiography, transmural infarction, significant valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, beta-blocker therapy, and induced ischemia during DSE were excluded. The development of an IVO during DSE was defined as a late-peaking intraventricular pressure gradient (IVPG) >30 mmHg. RESULTS The patients were divided into 2 groups, without IVO (n=11, non-IVO) and with IVO (n=27). IVO group had smaller left ventricular (LV) cavity and LV end-diastolic volume, and more increased interventricular septum thickness and higher basal septal thickness than non-IVO group. At rest, after Valsalva maneuver, during peak dose of dobutamine, and after NTG, IVPG was higher in IVO-group. To predict IVO during DSE, IVPG ≥5 mmHg after Valsalva maneuver had a sensitivity of 70.4% and specificity of 90.9%. and IVPG ≥4.5 mmHg after NTG had a sensitivity of 33.3% and specificity of 90.9%. CONCLUSIONS Simple and safe Valsalva maneuver plays an effective role to predict dynamic IVO in patients with hypertension who might be good candidate for beta-blocker therapy and is even more sensitive than preload reduction by NTG.

Prevalence and Predictors of Multiple Coronary Plaque Ruptures

Objective—Plaque rupture may be the local expression of a widespread coronary instability. This study aimed to investigate: (1) the prevalence and characteristics of nonculprit plaque rupture; (2) the pancoronary atherosclerotic phenotype in patients with and without nonculprit plaque rupture; and (3) the prevalence and predictors of multiple plaque ruptures. Approach and Results—Six hundred and seventy-five nonculprit plaques from 261 patients (34 acute myocardial infarction, 73 unstable angina pectoris, and 154 stable angina pectoris) were analyzed by 3-vessel optical coherence tomography. Nonculprit plaque ruptures were identified in 51 patients (20%). Patients with nonculprit plaque ruptures had higher prevalence of thin-cap fibroatheroma (51% versus 13%; P<0.001) in the 3 major epicardial coronary vessels. Multiple plaque ruptures were observed in 20% of patients (38% acute myocardial infarction versus 10% unstable angina pectoris versus 19% stable angina pectoris; P=0.042). Thin-cap fibroatheroma, intimal vasculature, and macrophages were independent morphological predictors of multiple plaque ruptures, whereas acute myocardial infarction and chronic kidney disease were independent clinical predictors. Patients with nonculprit plaque ruptures showed higher 1-year rates of nontarget lesion revascularization (11.8% versus 4.4%; P=0.039). Conclusions—Nonculprit plaque ruptures were observed in 20% of patients with coronary artery disease and were associated with pancoronary vulnerability and higher 1-year revascularization rate.

Witnessed Massive Pulmonary Thromboembolism and Dynamic Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction

The authors describe a patient with a floating thrombus in the right heart that migrated into the pulmonary artery, causing on-site massive pulmonary thromboembolism during echocardiography and systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet resulting in significant dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Reduced pulmonary circulation due to pulmonary embolism and decreased systemic circulation associated with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction resulted in a fatal outcome.

Incidence and Clinical Significance of Post-Stent OCT Findings: One Year Follow-Up Study From a Multicenter Registry

Background— Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was recently introduced to optimize percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the exact incidence and significance of poststent OCT findings are unknown. Methods and Results— A total of 900 lesions treated with 1001 stents in 786 patients who had postprocedure OCT imaging were analyzed to evaluate the incidence of poststent OCT findings and to identify the OCT predictors for device-oriented clinical end points, including cardiac death, target vessel–related myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, and stent thrombosis. Patients were followed up to 1 year. Stent edge dissection was detected in 28.7% of lesions, and incomplete stent apposition was detected in 39.1% of lesions. The incidences of smooth protrusion, disrupted fibrous tissue protrusion, and irregular protrusion were 92.9%, 61.0%, and 53.8%, respectively. Small minimal stent area, defined as a lesion with minimal stent area <5.0 mm2 in a drug-eluting stent or <5.6 mm2 in a bare metal stent, was observed in 40.4% of lesions. One-year device-oriented clinical end points occurred in 33 patients (4.5%). Following adjustment, irregular protrusion and small minimal stent area were independent OCT predictors of 1-year device-oriented clinical end points (P=0.003 and P=0.012, respectively). Conclusions— Abnormal poststent OCT findings were frequent. Irregular protrusion and small minimal stent area were independent predictors of 1-year device-oriented clinical end points, which were primarily driven by target lesion revascularization.Background— Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was recently introduced to optimize percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the exact incidence and significance of poststent OCT findings are unknown. Methods and Results— A total of 900 lesions treated with 1001 stents in 786 patients who had postprocedure OCT imaging were analyzed to evaluate the incidence of poststent OCT findings and to identify the OCT predictors for device-oriented clinical end points, including cardiac death, target vessel–related myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, and stent thrombosis. Patients were followed up to 1 year. Stent edge dissection was detected in 28.7% of lesions, and incomplete stent apposition was detected in 39.1% of lesions. The incidences of smooth protrusion, disrupted fibrous tissue protrusion, and irregular protrusion were 92.9%, 61.0%, and 53.8%, respectively. Small minimal stent area, defined as a lesion with minimal stent area <5.0 mm2 in a drug-eluting stent or <5.6 mm2 in a bare metal stent, was observed in 40.4% of lesions. One-year device-oriented clinical end points occurred in 33 patients (4.5%). Following adjustment, irregular protrusion and small minimal stent area were independent OCT predictors of 1-year device-oriented clinical end points ( P =0.003 and P =0.012, respectively). Conclusions— Abnormal poststent OCT findings were frequent. Irregular protrusion and small minimal stent area were independent predictors of 1-year device-oriented clinical end points, which were primarily driven by target lesion revascularization. # CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE {#article-title-35}