Yale Wang

Coronary Venous Bypass Lesions

Saphenous vein graft (SVG) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) are common, currently representing approximately 6% of the overall PCI volume. SVG PCI is associated with higher risk of periprocedural complications and lower long-term patency compared with native coronary artery PCI; hence, the latter is preferred to SVG PCI whenever possible. Embolic protection devices and intragraft vasodilator administration can help to reduce the risk or consequences of distal embolization; however, they are currently underutilized. Drug-eluting stents can reduce the risk of in-stent restenosis and the need for repeat revascularization as compared with bare-metal stents in SVG lesions.

Meta-analysis of the impact of successful chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention on left ventricular systolic function and reverse remodeling

BACKGROUND We sought to examine the impact of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on left ventricular (LV) function. METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between January 1980 and November 2017 on the impact of successful CTO PCI on LV function. RESULTS A total of 34 observational studies including 2735 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Over a weighted mean follow-up of 7.9 months, successful CTO PCI was associated with an increase in LV ejection fraction by 3.8% (95%CI 3.0-4.7, P < 0.0001, I2  = 45%). In secondary analysis of 15 studies (1248 patients) that defined CTOs as occlusions of at least 3-month duration and reported follow-up of at least 3-months after the procedure, successful CTO PCI was associated with improvement in LV ejection fraction by 4.3% (95%CI [3.1, 5.6], P < 0.0001). In the 10 studies (502 patients) that reported LV end-systolic volume, successful CTO PCI was associated with a decrease in LV end-systolic volume by 4 mL, (95%CI -6.0 to -2.1, P < 0.0001, I2  = 0%). LV end-diastolic volume was reported in 9 studies with 403 patients and did not significantly change after successful CTO PCI (-2.3 mL, 95%CI -5.7 to 1.2 mL, P = 0.19, I2  = 0%). CONCLUSIONS Successful CTO PCI is associated with a statistically significant improvement in LV ejection fraction and decrease in LV end-systolic volume, that may reflect a beneficial effect of CTO recanalization on LV remodeling. The clinical implications of these findings warrant further investigation.

Expecting the unexpected: preventing and managing the consequences of coronary perforations

ABSTRACT Introduction: Coronary artery perforations are more likely to occur during percutaneous coronary intervention of complex coronary lesions, such as heavily calcified lesions and chronic total occlusions. Areas covered: Authors provide an update on the management of coronary perforations by performing a critical review of the related, recently published literature. Expert commentary: Meticulous attention to guidewire position and to device selection is critical for minimizing the risk for coronary perforation. If a perforation occurs, following a structured, algorithmic approach can maximize the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Impact of sleep deprivation on the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention

This study sought to compare the clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) performed by sleep deprived and non‐sleep deprived operators.

Prevalence, trends, and outcomes of higher risk percutaneous coronary interventions among patients without acute coronary syndromes

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Patients and lesions at a higher procedural risk for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are an understudied population. We examined the frequency, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of higher risk and non-higher risk PCIs at a large tertiary center. METHODS/MATERIALS The following procedures were considered higher risk: unprotected left main PCI, chronic total occlusion PCI, PCI requiring atherectomy, multivessel PCI, bifurcation PCI, PCI in prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) patients, pre-PCI left ventricular ejection fraction ≤30%, or use of hemodynamic support. RESULTS Of the 1975 PCIs performed from 6/29/09 to 12/30/2016 in patients without acute coronary syndromes, 1230 (62%) were higher risk. Patients undergoing higher risk PCI were more likely to have a history of CABG, myocardial infarction, PCI, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, or congestive heart failure. Higher risk PCIs required more stents (2.0 vs. 1.0, p < 0.001), and had longer median fluoroscopy times (17.3 vs. 8.5 min, p < 0.001) and higher median contrast doses (160 vs. 120 mL, p < 0.001). In higher risk PCIs, the risks for technical failure and periprocedural complications were 2.9 (95% CI 1.2-7.4) times and 2.2 (95% CI 0.9-5.4) times higher as compared with non-higher risk PCI procedures. CONCLUSIONS In summary, over half of the PCIs performed in non-acute coronary syndrome patients were higher risk and were associated with lower odds of technical success and higher periprocedural complication rates as compared with non-higher risk PCIs. SUMMARY We examined the frequency, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of higher risk and non-higher risk PCIs at a large tertiary center. Higher risk PCI was associated with lower odds of technical and procedural success and higher odds of procedural complications as compared with non-higher risk PCI. However, the risk/benefit ratio may still be favorable for many of these higher-risk patients and should be estimated on a case by case basis.