Tak W. Kwan

A Randomized Clinical Study Comparing Double Kissing Crush With Provisional Stenting for Treatment of Coronary Bifurcation Lesions: Results From the DKCRUSH-II (Double Kissing Crush versus Provisional Stenting Technique for Treatment of Coronary Bifurcation Lesions) Trial

OBJECTIVESnThe present study aimed to investigate the difference in major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 12 months in patients with coronary bifurcation lesions after double kissing double crush (DK crush) or provisional stenting (PS) techniques.nnnBACKGROUNDnProvisional side branch (SB) stenting is preferable to DK crush because it has been associated with fewer complications. It is unknown which strategy would provide the best results.nnnMETHODSnFrom April 2007 to June 2009, 370 unselected patients with coronary bifurcation lesions from 7 Asian centers were randomly assigned to either the DK or the PS group. Additional SB stenting in PS was required if final results were suboptimal. The primary end point was the occurrence of MACE at 12 months, including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization (TVR). Secondary end point was the angiographic restenosis at 8 months.nnnRESULTSnThere were 3 procedural occlusions of SB in the PS group. At 8 months, angiographic restenosis rates in the main vessel and SB were significantly different between the DK (3.8% and 4.9%) and the PS groups (9.7% and 22.2%, p = 0.036 and p < 0.001, respectively). Additional SB stenting in the PS group was required in 28.6% of lesions. TVR was 6.5% in the DK group, occurring significantly less often than in the PS group (14.6%, p = 0.017). There were nonsignificant differences in MACE and definite stent thrombosis between the DK (10.3% and 2.2%) and PS groups (17.3%, and 0.5%, p = 0.070 and p = 0.372, respectively).nnnCONCLUSIONSnDK crush was associated with a significant reduction of TLR and TVR in this unselected patient population. However, there was no significant difference in MACE between DK and the PS groups. (Randomized Study on DK Crush Technique Versus Provisional Stenting Technique for Coronary Artery Bifurcation Lesions; ChicTR-TRC-00000015).

Transradial cardiac catheterization: a review of access site complications.

Transradial catheterization (TRC) has been associated with a lower incidence of major access site related complications as compared to the transfemoral approach. With the increased adoption of transradial access, it is essential to understand the potential major and minor complications of TRC. The most common complication is asymptomatic radial artery occlusion, which rarely leads to clinical events, owing to the dual collateral perfusion of the hand. Adequate anticoagulation, appropriate compression techniques, and smaller sheath size can minimize the risk of radial artery occlusion. Hand ischemia with necrosis has never been reported during TRC with thorough pre‐examination of intact collateral circulation. Radial artery spasm is relatively common, and can result in access and procedural failure. It can be prevented by the use of vasodilator cocktails and hydrophilic sheaths. Radial artery perforation can lead to severe forearm hematoma and compartment syndrome if not managed promptly. Careful observation, prompt detection of the hematoma, and management with a pressure bandage dressing are critical to avoid serious complications. Pseudoaneurym and arteriovenous fistula are rare complications, which can likely be managed conservatively without surgical intervention. Nerve injury occurring during access has been reported. Close observation for improvement is necessary, although symptoms usually improve over time. In summary, to prevent access site complications, avoidance of multiple punctures, gentle catheter manipulation, use of guided compression, coupled with careful observation for adverse warning signs such as hematoma, loss of pulse, pain, are critical for safe and effective TRC.

Comparison of Double Kissing Crush Versus Culotte Stenting for Unprotected Distal Left Main Bifurcation Lesions Results From a Multicenter, Randomized, Prospective DKCRUSH-III Study

OBJECTIVESnThe study aimed to investigate the difference in major adverse cardiac event (MACE) at 1-year after double kissing (DK) crush versus Culotte stenting for unprotected left main coronary artery (UPLMCA) distal bifurcation lesions.nnnBACKGROUNDnDK crush and Culotte stenting were reported to be effective for treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions. However, their comparative performance in UPLMCA bifurcation lesions is not known.nnnMETHODSnA total of 419 patients with UPLMCA bifurcation lesions were randomly assigned to DK (n = 210) or Culotte (n = 209) treatment. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a MACE at 1 year, including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization (TVR). In-stent restenosis (ISR) at 8 months was secondary endpoint, and stent thrombosis (ST) served as a safety endpoint. Patients were stratified by SYNTAX (Synergy between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) and NERS (New Risk Stratification) scores.nnnRESULTSnPatients in the Culotte group had significant higher 1-year MACE rate (16.3%), mainly driven by increased TVR (11.0%), compared with the DK group (6.2% and 4.3%, respectively; all p < 0.05). ISR rate in side branch was 12.6% in the Culotte group and 6.8% in the DK group (p = 0.037). Definite ST rate was 1.0% in the Culotte group and 0% in the DK group (p = 0.248). Among patients with bifurcation angle ≥70°, NERS score ≥20, and SYNTAX score ≥23, the 1-year MACE rate in the DK group (3.8%, 9.2%, and 7.1%, respectively) was significantly different to those in the Culotte group(16.5%, 20.4%, and 18.9%, respectively; all p < 0.05).nnnCONCLUSIONSnCulotte stenting for UPLMCA bifurcation lesions was associated with significantly increased MACEs, mainly due to the increased TVR. (Double Kissing [DK] Crush Versus Culotte Stenting for the Treatment of Unprotected Distal Left Main Bifurcation Lesions: DKCRUSH-III, a Multicenter Randomized Study Comparing Double-Stent Techniques; ChiCTR-TRC-00000151).

Study comparing the double kissing (DK) crush with classical crush for the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions: the DKCRUSH-1 Bifurcation Study with drug-eluting stents

Backgroundu2002 Classical crush has a lower rate of final kissing balloon inflation (FKBI) immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The double kissing (DK) crush technique has the potential to increase the FKBI rate, and no prospective studies on the comparison of classical with DK crush techniques have been reported.

Meta-Analysis of Effect on Mortality of Percutaneous Recanalization of Coronary Chronic Total Occlusions Using a Stent-Based Strategy

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the all-cause mortality outcomes of successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTOs) with unsuccessful CTO-PCI, using a stent-based strategy. Multiple studies comparing successful CTO-PCI with unsuccessful CTO-PCI have reported variable outcomes. No systematic review or meta-analysis has been performed after stenting became the default strategy for CTO-PCI. Searching major electronic databases, 64 studies were identified using the keywords CTO, PCI, and mortality. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses method, 13 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the present meta-analysis. The short-term (≤30 days) and long-term (≥1 year) mortality outcomes were analyzed comparing successful CTO-PCI and unsuccessful CTO-PCI. Coronary perforation and its association with CTO-PCI success was analyzed. A significant reduction in short-term mortality was noted with successful CTO-PCI compared to unsuccessful CTO-PCI (odds ratio 0.218, 95% confidence interval 0.095 to 0.498, Zxa0=xa0-3.61, p <0.001). A similar, significant reduction in long-term mortality was noted with successful CTO-PCI compared to unsuccessful CTO-PCI (odds ratio 0.391, 95%xa0confidence interval 0.311 to 0.493, Zxa0=xa0-7.957, p <0.001). A significant association was present between coronary perforation and unsuccessful CTO-PCI (odds ratio 0.168, 95% confidence interval 0.104 to 0.271, Zxa0=xa0-7.333, p <0.001). In conclusion, successful CTO-PCI using a predominantly stent-based strategy is associated with a significant reduction in short- and long-term mortality compared to unsuccessful CTO-PCI. Coronary perforation was associated with CTO-PCI failure.

Randomized Comparison of FFR-Guided and Angiography-Guided Provisional Stenting of True Coronary Bifurcation Lesions: The DKCRUSH-VI Trial (Double Kissing Crush Versus Provisional Stenting Technique for Treatment of Coronary Bifurcation Lesions VI).

OBJECTIVESnThis study sought to compare the outcomes of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided and angiography (Angio)-guided provisional side-branch (SB) stenting for true coronary bifurcation lesions.nnnBACKGROUNDnAngio-guided provisional SB stenting after stenting of the main vessel provides favorable outcomes for the majority of coronary bifurcation lesions. Whether an FFR-guided provisional stenting approach is superior has not been studied.nnnMETHODSnA total of 320 patients with single Medina 1,1,1 and 0,1,1 coronary bifurcation lesions undergoing stenting with a provisional SB approach were randomly assigned 1:1 to Angio-guided and FFR-guided groups. SB stenting was performed for Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade<3, ostial SB stenosis>70%, or greater than type A dissection after main vessel stenting in the Angio-guided group and for SB-FFR<0.80 in the FFR-guided group. The primary endpoint was the 1-year composite rate of major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and clinically driven target vessel revascularization).nnnRESULTSnComparing the Angio-guided and FFR-guided groups, treatment of the SB (balloon or stenting) was performed in 63.1% and 56.3% of lesions respectively (p=0.07); stenting of the SB was attempted in 38.1% and 25.9%, respectively (p=0.01); and, when attempted, stenting was successful in 83.6% and 73.3% of SBs, respectively (p=0.01). The 1-year composite major adverse cardiac event rate was 18.1% in both groups (hazard ratio: 0.91, 95% confidence interval: 0.48 to 1.88; p=1.00). The 1-year target vessel revascularization and stent thrombosis rates were 6.9% and 5.6% (p=0.82) and 1.3% and 0.6% (p=0.56) in the Angio-guided and FFR-guided groups, respectively.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIn this multicenter, randomized trial, angiographic and FFR guidance of provisional SB stenting of true coronary bifurcation lesions provided similar 1-year clinical outcomes. (Randomized Study on DK Crush Technique Versus Provisional Stenting Technique for Coronary Artery Bifurcation Lesions; ChiCTR-TRC-07000015).

Clinical Outcome After DK Crush Versus Culotte Stenting of Distal Left Main Bifurcation Lesions: The 3-Year Follow-Up Results of the DKCRUSH-III Study.

OBJECTIVESnThe present study aimed to investigate the difference in major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 3 years after double-kissing (DK) crush versus culotte stenting for unprotected left main distal bifurcation lesions (LMDBLs).nnnBACKGROUNDnThe multicenter and randomized DKCRUSH-III (Comparison of double kissing crush versus culotte stenting for unprotected distal left main bifurcation lesions: results from a multicenter, randomized, prospective study) showed that DK crush stenting was associated with fewer MACE at 1-year follow-up in patients with LMDBLs compared with culotte stenting. Here, we report the 3-year clinical outcome of the DKCRUSH-III study.nnnMETHODSnA total of 419 patients with LMDBLs who were randomly assigned to either the DK crush or culotte group in the DKCRUSH-III study were followed for 3 year. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a MACE at 3 years. Stent thrombosis (ST) was the safety endpoint. Patients were classified by simple and complex LMDBLs according to the DEFINITION (Definition and Impact of Complex Bifurcation Lesions on Clinical Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Using Drug-Eluting Stents) study criteria.nnnRESULTSnAt 3 years, MACE occurred in 49 patients the culotte group and in 17 patients in the DK crush group (cumulative event rates of 23.7% and 8.2%, respectively; p < 0.001), mainly driven by increased myocardial infarction (8.2% vs. 3.4%, respectively; p = 0.037) and target-vessel revascularization (18.8% vs. 5.8%, respectively; p < 0.001) between groups. Definite ST rate was 3.4% in the culotte group and 0% in the DK crush group (p = 0.007). Complex LMDBLs were associated with a higher rate of MACE (35.3%) at 3 years compared with a rate of 8.1% in patients with simple LMDBLs (p < 0.001), with an extremely higher rate in the culotte group (51.5% vs. 15.1%, p < 0.001).nnnCONCLUSIONSnCulotte stenting for LMDBLs was associated with significantly increased rates of MACE and ST. (Double Kissing [DK] Crush Versus Culotte Stenting for the Treatment of Unprotected Distal Left Main Bifurcation Lesions: DKCRUSH-III, a Multicenter Randomized Study Comparing Double-Stent Techniques; ChiCTR-TRC-11001877).

Impact of the complexity of bifurcation lesions treated with drug-eluting stents: the DEFINITION study (Definitions and impact of complEx biFurcation lesIons on clinical outcomes after percutaNeous coronary IntervenTIOn using drug-eluting steNts).

OBJECTIVESnThe present study established criteria to differentiate simple from complex bifurcation lesions and compared 1-year outcomes stratified by lesion complexity after provisional stenting (PS) and 2-stent techniques using drug-eluting stents.nnnBACKGROUNDnCurrently, no criterion can distinguish between simple and complex coronary bifurcation lesions. Comparisons of PS and 2-stent strategies stratified by lesion complexity have also not been reported previously.nnnMETHODSnCriteria of bifurcation complexity in 1,500 patients were externally tested in another 3,660 true bifurcation lesions after placement of drug-eluting stents. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) at 12xa0months. The secondary endpoint was the rate of stent thrombosis (ST).nnnRESULTSnComplex (nxa0= 1,108) bifurcation lesions were associated with a higher 1-year rate of MACE (16.8%) compared with simple (nxa0= 2,552) bifurcation lesions (8.9%) (pxa0< 0.001). The in-hospital ST and 1-year target lesion revascularization rates after 2-stent techniques in the simple group (1.0% and 5.6%, respectively) were significantly different from those after PS (0.2% [pxa0= 0.007] and 3.2% [pxa0= 0.009], respectively); however, 1-year MACE rates were not significantly different between the 2 groups. For complex bifurcation lesions, 2-stent techniques had lower rates of 1-year cardiac death (2.8%) and in-hospital MACE (5.0%) compared with PS (5.3%, pxa0= 0.047; 8.4%, pxa0= 0.031).nnnCONCLUSIONSnComplex bifurcation lesions had higher rates of 1-year MACE and ST. The 2-stent and PS techniques were overall equivalent in 1-year MACE. However, 2-stent techniques for complex lesions elicited a lower rate of cardiac death and in-hospital MACE but higher rates of in-hospital ST and revascularization at 1 year for simple lesions.

Percutaneous pulmonary artery denervation completely abolishes experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension in vivo.

AIMSnThe study sought to assess the effect of percutaneous pulmonary artery denervation (PADN) on balloon-occlusion-induced acute pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in vivo. The PADN is a minimally invasive and endovascular catheter-based interventional therapy using radiofrequency ablation to abolish the pulmonary arterial baroreceptors to pressure response.nnnMETHODS AND RESULTSnTo examine the efficacy of balloon-occlusion-induced PAH, twenty Mongolian dogs were randomly assigned to one of two groups: group 1 (left distal pulmonary basal trunk occlusion) and group 2 (left pulmonary interlobar artery occlusion). Afterwards, PADN treatment at the main pulmonary artery bifurcation level with left pulmonary interlobar artery occlusion in all 20 dogs was conducted. Haemodynamic parameters were measured at baseline and during balloon occlusion as well as the PADN treatment at different time points: one, two, three, five, and ten minutes. Before the PADN treatment, most haemodynamic parameters of the pulmonary artery remained unchanged in group 1 with distal pulmonary basal trunk occlusion. However, in group 2 with the occlusion of the left pulmonary interlobar artery, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, mean right ventricular pressure, and pulmonary vessel resistance gradually increased, and mean absolute difference reached peak at five minutes (Δ16.6 mmHg, Δ14.1 mmHg and Δ1,144 dye/s/cm5, respectively; each p<0.01). These haemodynamic parameters at five minutes induced by left pulmonary interlobar artery occlusion were completely abolished with the PADN treatment compared to baseline (Δ0.3 mmHg, Δ0.2 mmHg, and Δ34 dye/s/cm5, respectively).nnnCONCLUSIONSnBalloon occlusion of the left pulmonary interlobar artery led to a significant increase of haemodynamic parameters of the pulmonary artery. The pressure responses were completely abolished by the PADN treatment at the main bifurcation area of the left pulmonary artery.

Intravascular Ultrasound-guided Systematic Two-stent Techniques for Coronary Bifurcation Lesions and Reduced Late Stent Thrombosis

The effects of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)‐guided complex approaches using drug‐eluting stents (DES) for coronary bifurcation lesions on clinical outcomes has not yet been studied in detail.