Pietro Maiolino

Antibodies to oxidized low-density lipoproteins and angiographically assessed coronary artery disease in white patients.

Background—Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) can be oxidatively modified by reactive oxygen species, thus generating oxLDL. The latter induce formation of specific antibodies (oxLDLAb), which are detectable in patients with atherosclerosis, in which they might play a pathogenic or a protective role. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association of antibodies with oxidized LDLs (oxLDL) (oxLDLAbs) with coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndromes. Methods and Results—In a cross-sectional study of 529 consecutive patients undergoing quantitative coronary angiography for suspected CAD, we measured the titer of IgG oxLDLAbs by ELISA. With regression analysis techniques, we also investigated the determinants of oxLDLAb titer and the association of oxLDLAbs with CAD severity. We found no significant differences of oxLDLAb titer between groups of patients without and with different CAD severity. The oxLDLAb titer was 18.6 enzyme units (EU) (11.5 to 25.7 EU/mL) (mean, 95% CI) in patients without CAD; 16.8 EU (9.6 to 24.2 EU) in patients with stenosis <50%; and 19.9 EU (15 to 24.8 EU), 17.2 (13.8 to 20.6 EU), and 14.7 EU (12.1 to 17.3 EU) in those with in 1-, 2-, or 3-vessel ≥50% stenosis, respectively. Similarly, no differences of oxLDLAb titer between patients without and with acute coronary syndrome were found. The oxLDLAb titer correlated weakly with aging and with serum total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol and plasma homocysteine levels; however, only age and HDL cholesterol remained significant predictors of the oxLDLAb titer at a stepwise regression analysis. Conclusions—The results of this study, which was adequately powered from the statistical standpoint, provided no evidence for an association of IgG oxLDLAb titer with angiographically assessed CAD in whites.

Transcatheter Amplatzer duct occluder closure of direct right pulmonary to left atrium communication.

Although rare, a congenital direct communication between pulmonary artery and left atrium can present a paradoxical embolism in adults. In our case, diagnosis was first made on contrast transcranial Doppler with Valsalva maneuver and subsequently confirmed by intracardiac echocardiography and selective pulmonary angiography. Successful catheter‐based closure using Amplatzer duct occluder device resulted in definitive exclusion of the source of paradoxical embolism. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2003;58:107–110.

The relationship between growth of atherosclerotic plaques, variant angina and sudden death

Clinico-pathological findings are described in two patients with typical variant angina who died suddenly during an ischemic attack. In both cases, detailed pathologic examination of the coronary arteries disclosed severe focal atherosclerosis of the anterior descending coronary artery. The only distinctive histological finding was new intimal proliferation of smooth muscle cells enmeshed within mucoid substance, superimposed on the old fibrous cap of the plaque. These findings agree with experimental and clinical data which suggest that coronary vasospasm may be related to growth of atherosclerotic plaques. This study provides histological evidence that progression of an atherosclerotic plaque may underlie variant angina and sudden death.

Intracardiac echocardiography: gross anatomy and magnetic resonance correlations and validations.

Purpose: The feasibility and safety of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) in humans, using low frequency transducers, and its excellent tissue contrast capabilities that enhances the differentiation of intracardiac structures have been previously demonstrated. However, correlations among ICE imaging and anatomic sections or magnetic resonance (MR) scan planes have never been described before. This study was designed to correlate a simplified ICE approach with the anatomy of the right atrium and great vessels obtained by serial post-mortem sections and cardiac MR images. Methods: A stepwise approach to ICE, which is based on our experience on over 300 consecutive patients with interatrial communications, has been correlated with anatomic sections from pressure-perfused-fixed hearts and spin echo cardiac MR imaging. A 9F-9 MHz mechanical device was used to record four transverse and one longitudinal sections for an extensive evaluation of the intracardiac architecture. Results: ICE transverse and longitudinal views allowed the detection of all the required information. Moreover, the anatomic sections and cardiac MR scan planes allowed validation of all the structures imaged by ICE. The potential clinical applications of the ICE technique are further discussed. Conclusion: This paper demonstrates the basic accuracy of this new imaging modality. Therefore, mechanical ICE might be considered an active investment in cardiac catheterization laboratories, specifically in the percutaneous interventional procedure setting, discovering a new route (let’s see and treat) to sophisticated interventions. In this respect, there can be little doubt that the knowledge of cross-sectional mechanical ICE imaging provides the basis for understanding the heart anatomy.

Pharmacodynamic variability of flecainide assessed by QRS changes

The effect of flecainide on the QRS interval was studied in 10 patients who were receiving long‐term oral treatment (50 to 150 mg twice daily) for arrhythmias that were refractory to other drugs. Total and free drug plasma levels and QRS durations were measured at intervals after the morning administration. Free drug plasma levels were linearly correlated with QRS duration in each patient and the slope of the line was widely variable in the population studied. Even after the data from one patient with an unusually high slope (0.454) was excluded from the analysis, the slope range was 0.0284 to 0.144. Pharmacodynamic variability could not be explained by heart rate changes, active metabolites, electrolyte disturbances, or free drug concentration. None of the pharmacokinetic parameters measured (average steady‐state concentration, fluctuation of maximum and minimum concentrations, time to peak concentration, final half‐life, and protein binding) showed an intersubject variability greater than 4.4 times. Our findings suggest that the determination of flecainide free plasma concentration may not be sufficient to forecast electrophysiologic effects in individual patients.

Intracardiac echocardiography evaluation in secundum atrial septal defect transcatheter closure.

Purpose: This study was designed to assess the balloon sizing maneuvers and deployment of an Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASO). In addition, intraprocedural balloon sizing was compared with off-line intracardiac echocardiographic measurements. Methods: The intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) measurements were: maximum transverse and longitudinal atrial septal defect (ASD) diameters in the aortic valve and four-chamber planes; area of the ASD and its equivalent circle diameter. Thirteen consecutive patients underwent transcatheter implantation of an ASO device using ICE guidance under local anesthesia. The device matching the balloon sizing diameter of the defect was implanted. Qualitative ICE assessment of the ASO devices implanted was performed off line. Results: The mean equivalent circle diameter predicted by ICE was 24.40 ± 5.61 mm and was significantly higher (p = 0.027) than the ASD measured by balloon sizing (21.38 ± 5.28 mm). Unlike previous studies we did not find any correlation between the two measurements (correlation coefficient = 0.47). Only four of the 13 patients had optimal device positioning as shown by the qualitative ICE evaluation, whereas the remaining nine patients had inadequate device placement. This resulted in a waist diameter that was an average 26.1% undersized in seven patients and 12.7% oversized in two patients. Five of the seven patients with an undersized device had ASO-atrial septum misalignment with leftward device deviation. Conclusion: The ICE images allowed careful measurement of the dimensions of the ASD and accurately displayed the spatial relations of the ASO astride the ASD. Moreover, use of the ICE measurement led to selection of a different size of device in comparison with those of balloon sizing. The clinical benefit of this new approach needs to be rigorously tested.

Under treatment with lipid-lowering drugs of high-risk coronary heart disease patients of the GENICA study.

Objectives To assess the proportion of high-risk coronary artery disease (CAD) patients who received lipid lowering drug treatment (LLDT) and met the LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C) goal of 100 mg/dl defined by the third report of the U.S. National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). Methods In 86% (n = 1095) of the 1268 consecutive Italian patients, who were enrolled in the GENICA study after undergoing quantitative coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease between 1999 and 2001, the levels of total serum cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C were measured and accurate information on current LLDT were available. All patients were classified according to the NCEP. Results Seventy-four percent of the patients (n = 805) had established CAD and cardiovascular events and therefore were candidates for secondary prevention with LLDT; 69% of them had concomitant hyperlipidemia. Only 57% of the patients with CAD and hyperlipidemia were on LLDT. Of the 1052 patients who were at the highest risk class according to NCEP, only 34.2% and 16.7% were on LLDT and reached the LDL-C goal, respectively. Conclusions Only 1 patient of 6 in the highest-risk class according to the NCEP accomplished the LDL-C goal. Accordingly, in the field of secondary prevention of coronary artery disease, the implementation of guidelines that emerged from scientific evidence into clinical practice with LLDT still requires major efforts.

IVUS guidance of thoracic and complex abdominal aortic aneurysm stent-graft repairs using an intracardiac echocardiography probe: preliminary report.

Purpose: To report our learning experience using an intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) probe to guide endovascular aortic procedures. Methods: Between November 1999 and July 2001, 17 patients (12 men; mean age 73.1 ± 2.3 years) underwent endovascular repair of 9 thoracic, 6 complex abdominal, and 2 thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. The most suitable dimensions and configuration of the stent-graft were based on preoperative computed tomographic (CTA) or magnetic resonance (MRA) angiography. Intraoperative intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging was obtained using a 9-F, 9-MHz ICE probe, 110 cm in length, inserted through a 10-F, 55° precurved long polyethylene sheath. Results: The endografts were deployed as planned by CTA or MRA. Before stent-graft deployment, interrogation with the ICE probe visualized the aortic arch and descending thoracoabdominal aorta without position-related artefacts and identified the sites of stent-graft fixation. After stent-graft deployment, visualization with the ICE probe detected the need for additional procedures in 8 patients, including 2 incompletely expanded thoracic grafts, which were treated with adjunctive balloon angioplasty. In 1 patient, ICE probe interrogation determined that the lesion was inappropriate for endovascular exclusion. Conclusions: ICE probe interrogation provides accurate information on the anatomy of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms and allows rapid identification of attachment sites and stent-graft characteristics. It might be considered as a valid imaging modality for monitoring all phases of endovascular procedures.

Endovascular repair of complex aortic aneurysms: intravascular ultrasound guidance with an intracardiac probe.

Abstract To assess the accuracy and efficacy of intravascular ultrasound guidance obtained by an intracardiac ultrasound probe during complex aortic endografting. Between November 1999 and July 2002, 19 patients (5 female, 14 male; mean age 73.5 ± 2.1 years) underwent endovascular repair of thoracic (n = 10), complex abdominal (n = 6) and concomitant thoraco-abdominal (n = 3) aortic aneurysm. The most suitable size and configuration of the stent-graft were chosen on the basis of preoperative computed tomographic angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Intraoperative intravascular ultrasound imaging was obtained using a 9 Fr, 9 MHz intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) probe, 110 cm in length, inserted through a 10 Fr precurved long sheath. The endografts were deployed as planned by CTA or MRA. Before stent-graft deployment, the ICE probe allowed us to view the posterior aortic arch and descending thoraco-abdominal aorta without position-related artifacts, and to identify both sites of stent-graft positioning. After stent-graft deployment, the ICE probe allowed us to detect the need for additional modular components to internally reline the aorta in 11 patients, and to discover 2 incomplete graft expansions subsequently treated with adjunctive balloon angioplasty. In 1 patient, the ICE probe supported the decision that the patient was ineligible for the endovascular exclusion procedure. The ICE probe provides accurate information on the anatomy of the posterior aortic arch and thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms and a rapid identification of attachment sites and stent-graft pathology, allowing refinement and improvement of the endovascular strategy.

Pseudo-Lesion of Internal Mammary Artery Graft and Left Anterior Descending Artery During Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty A Case Report

New lesions appearing during coronary angioplasty may be due to spasms, dissection, and thrombosis. Straightening of the tortuous vessels by guidewire may produce transient angiographic pseudo-lesions, which mimic severe artery damage. An additional case is reported, in which simultaneous artifactual lesions involved the internal mammary artery and the left anterior descending coronary artery, mimicking thrombosis and dissection. Recognition of this entity is essential to avoid unnecessary interventions and potentially harmful complications.