Baseline Angiography Research Articles

Long‐term prognostic value of dynamic function assessment of intermediate coronary lesion with computational physiology

This study sought to investigate the dynamic functional changes of coronary intermediate lesions using quantitative flow ratio (QFR) and its implication on long-term clinical outcomes.Physiology-guided percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with angiographic intermediate lesions has been associated with favorable outcomes.This study consecutively enrolled 1130 patients with deferred intermediate lesions at baseline angiography and subsequently received second-time angiography between 9 months and 2 years later from two centers in China. The functional changes of intermediate lesions at angiographic follow-up (ΔQFR) were defined as (baseline QFR-follow-up QFR)/years. The primary outcome was vessel-oriented composite endpoint (VOCE), defined as the composite of vessel-related cardiac death, vessel-related myocardial infarction (MI), and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (ID-TVR) at angiographic follow-up for up to 5 years.Retrospective QFR assessment was available in 820 patients (996 intermediate lesions). QFR ≤ 0.80 at second-time angiography was associated with significantly higher 5-year VOCE (41.9% vs. 13.4%, p < 0.0001). In 777 intermediate lesions with baseline QFR > 0.80, mean ΔQFR was 0.03 ± 0.07 (median: 0.006; Q1: 0; and Q3: 0.04). The optimal cutoff of ΔQFR for predicting the primary outcome was 0.03 (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.68). The cumulative event rate of VOCE in patients with ΔQFR ≥ 0.03 was significantly higher than in those with ΔQFR < 0.03 (33.8% vs. 12.2%, p < 0.0001), driven by higher vessel-related MI and ID-TVR.The ΔQFR was a useful tool for evaluating the dynamic functional change of deferred intermediate lesions, as it demonstrates good prognostic value for long-term target vessel-related adverse events.

363 Old but fashioned: IVUS and chromaflo guidance for definition of thrombosis mechanism

Abstract Aims Plaque rupture and plaque erosion are the main causes of coronary thrombosis. While the first one involves fibrous cap disruption, the second one is caused by loss of endothelial continuity. In selected cases with evidence of plaque erosion, antithrombotic therapy without stenting has been suggested as a possible option. OCT is considered the gold standard for definition of thrombosis mechanism and has recently been included in algorithms for evaluation and management of patients with ACS. Also, high definition IVUS was compared with OCT in defining plaque erosion showing promising results. However, the cost and the large amount of contrast medium needed for OCT performance make these diagnostic tools of scarce applicability in daily practice. Methods and results We herein describe the case of a young man acceding to the Cath Lab with the diagnosis of NSTEMI. After baseline angiography and IVUS confirmed presence of Thrombus (Figure 1A and B), thromboaspiration was successfully performed (Figure 1D). The definition of thrombosis mechanism, revealing plaque rupture, was then performed with IVUS and ChromaFlo devices (Figure 1C and E). Also, IVUS was used to optimize stent implantation. Conclusions Although requiring further confirmations, we believe that in selected cases IVUS and ChromaFlo could provide a more applicable first-line diagnostic tool to define thrombosis mechanism. 363 Figure 1Baseline angiographic and IVUS evaluation confirming presence of coronary thrombus (A, B). After successful performance of thromboaspiration (D), plaque rupture was revealed by IVUS and ChromaFlo (C).

Evaluation of direct-to-angiography suite (DTAS) and conventional clinical pathways in stroke care: a simulation study

BackgroundRapid time to reperfusion is essential to minimize morbidity and mortality in acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). We aimed to evaluate the workflow times when utilizing...

Risk of myocardial infarction based on endothelial shear stress analysis using coronary angiography

Background and aimsWall shear stress (WSS) has been associated with atherogenesis and plaque progression. The present study assessed the value of WSS analysis derived from conventional coronary angiography to detect lesions culprit for future myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and resultsThree-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography (3DQCA), was used to calculate WSS and pressure drop in 80 patients. WSS descriptors were compared between 80 lesions culprit of future MI and 108 non-culprit lesions (controls). Endothelium-blood flow interaction was assessed by computational fluid dynamics (10.8 ± 1.41 min per vessel). Median time between baseline angiography and MI was 25.9 (21.9–29.8) months. Mean patient age was 70.3 ± 12.7. Clinical presentation was STEMI in 35% and NSTEMI in 65%. Culprit lesions showed higher percent area stenosis (%AS), translesional vFFR difference (ΔvFFR), time-averaged WSS (TAWSS) and topological shear variation index (TSVI) compared to non-culprit lesions (p < 0.05 for all). TSVI was superior to TAWSS in predicting MI (AUC-TSVI = 0.77, 95%CI 0.71–0.84 vs. AUC-TAWSS = 0.61, 95%CI 0.53–0.69, p < 0.001). The addition of TSVI increased predictive and reclassification abilities compared to a model based on %AS and ΔvFFR (NRI = 1.04, p < 0.001, IDI = 0.22, p < 0.001). ConclusionsA 3DQCA-based WSS analysis was feasible and can identify lesions culprit for future MI. The combination of area stenoses, pressure gradients and WSS predicted the occurrence of MI. TSVI, a novel WSS descriptor, showed strong predictive capacity to detect lesions prone to cause MI.

A multicenter prospective registry of Borden type I dural arteriovenous fistula: results of a 3-year follow-up study

PurposeAlthough intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) without retrograde leptomeningeal venous drainage (Borden type I) is reported to have a benign nature, no study has prospectively determined its clinical course. Here, we report a 3-year prospective observational study of Borden type I DAVF.MethodsFrom April 2013 to March 2016, consecutive patients with DAVF were screened at 13 study institutions. We collected data on baseline characteristics, clinical symptoms, angiography, and neuroimaging. Patients with Borden type I DAVF received conservative care while palliative intervention was considered when the neurological symptoms were intolerable, and were followed at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after inclusion.ResultsDuring the study period, 110 patients with intracranial DAVF were screened and 28 patients with Borden type I DAVF were prospectively followed. None of the patients had conversion to higher type of Borden classification or intracranial hemorrhage during follow-up. Five patients showed spontaneous improvement or disappearance of neurological symptoms (5/28, 17.9%), and 5 patients showed a spontaneous decrease or disappearance of shunt flow on imaging during follow-up (5/28, 17.9%). Stenosis or occlusion of the draining sinuses on initial angiography was significantly associated with shunt flow reduction during follow-up (80.0% vs 21.7%, p = 0.02).ConclusionIn this 3-year prospective study, patients with Borden type I DAVF showed benign clinical course; none of these patients experienced conversion to higher type of Borden classification or intracranial hemorrhage. The restrictive changes of the draining sinuses at initial diagnosis might be an imaging biomarker for future shunt flow reduction.

Endothelial Progenitor Cell Function in Patients With Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion and its Relationship With Collateral Circulation.

To evaluate the relationship between endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) count and function and collateral circulation in coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs). A total of 20 consecutive patients with successfully treated CTO lesions were included during a period of 12 months. EPC count and function were evaluated by flow cytometry and colony-forming unit (CFU) analysis at baseline (before percutaneous coronary intervention) and at 1-year follow-up. Patients were classified, according to Rentrop classification at the baseline angiography, as group 1 (Rentrop 3; n = 7) and group 2 (Rentrop <3; n = 13). Differences in EPC count and function were compared between groups. The EPC count did not differ between the 2 groups, either at baseline or at follow-up. CFU was significantly lower at follow-up compared with baseline in the overall population (16.6 10^6/mL (IQR, 10.2-29.4 10^6/mL) vs 7.1 10^6/mL (IQR, 5.3-25.0 10^6/mL); P=.046). Group 1 had both higher basal and follow-up CFU values compared with group 2 (35.4 10^6/mL (IQR, 21.5-41.8 10^6/mL) vs 13.3 10^6/mL (IQR, 6.9-17.5 10^6/mL) and 32.1 10^6/mL (IQR, 13.9-40.5 10^6/mL) vs 5.9 10^6/mL (IQR, 4.4-9.8 10^6/mL), respectively; P=.01 for both). By linear regression analysis, Rentrop grade 3 flow was an independent predictor of both basal and follow-up CFU levels (odds ratio, 3.66; 95% confidence interval, 6.41-29.69; P<.01; and odds ratio, 5.24; 95% confidence interval, 9.78-25.85; P<.01, respectively). Patients with Rentrop grade 3 collateral circulation exhibited higher EPC activity at baseline and at 1-year follow-up compared with those who had reduced collateral circulation. The role of this higher EPC activity in determining clinical endpoint should be investigated in a larger study.

White Matter Hyperintensity Burden and Collateral Circulation in Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke.

White matter hyperintensity (WMH), a marker of chronic cerebral small vessel disease, might impact the recruitment of leptomeningeal collaterals. We aimed to assess whether the WMH burden is associated with collateral circulation in patients treated by endovascular thrombectomy for anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke. Consecutive acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion and treated with endovascular thrombectomy from January 2015 to December 2017 were included. WMH volumes (periventricular, deep, and total) were assessed by a semiautomated volumetric analysis on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery-magnetic resonance imaging. Collateral status was graded on baseline catheter angiography using the American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology grading system (good when ≥3). We investigated associations of WMH burden with collateral status. A total of 302 patients were included (mean age, 69.1±19.4 years; women, 55.6%). Poor collaterals were observed in 49.3% of patients. Median total WMH volume was 3.76 cm3 (interquartile range, 1.09-11.81 cm3). The regression analyses showed no apparent relationship between WMH burden and the collateral status measured at baseline angiography (adjusted odds ratio, 0.987 [95% CI, 0.971-1.003]; P=0.12). WMH burden exhibits no overt association with collaterals in large vessel occlusive stroke.

Serial changes in the quantitative flow ratio in patients with intermediate residual stenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention.

A beneficial surrogate marker for evaluating the effect of medical therapy is warranted to avoid deferred lesion revascularization. Similar to coronary artery imaging for monitoring the effects of medical therapy by analyzing plaque regression and stabilization, we hypothesized that evaluation of serial changes in the quantitative flow ratio (QFR) would serve as a surrogate marker of the effects of medical therapy against deferred lesion revascularization. Here, we investigated serial changes in QFR over time after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients who underwent medical therapy as a secondary prevention. Patients with intermediate stenosis in an untreated vessel observed at the baseline (BL) coronary angiography and follow-up (FU) coronary angiography performed 6-18months after BL angiography were screened in 2 centers. A total of 52 patients were able to analyze both BL and FU QFR. The median QFR was 0.83 (IQR, 0.69, 0.89) at BL and 0.80 (IQR, 0.70, 0.86) at FU. The number of positive ΔQFR and negative ΔQFR were 21 and 31, respectively. The median ΔQFR was 0.05 (IQR, 0.03, 0.09) in positive ΔQFR and - 0.05 (IQR, - 0.07, - 0.03) in negative ΔQFR (p < 0.0001). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that LDL-C at FU predicted improvement in the QFR (OR 0.95, 95% confidence interval [0.91, 0.98], P = 0.001). Assessment of serial changes in the QFR may serve as a surrogate marker for the effects of medical therapy in patients with residual intermediate coronary stenosis.

Impact of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency on the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

The impact of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency on coronary atherosclerosis has not been clearly investigated so far. We aimed to assess the effects of G6PD deficiency on the extent and complexity of coronary atherosclerosis in a large unselected cohort of consecutive patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We studied 623 consecutive patients presenting with ACS and undergoing coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). G6PD activity was quantitatively measured in all individuals using a biochemical assay based on the G6PD/6GPD ratio in erythrocytes. Individuals were defined as deficient when the ratio was less than 0.80. The severity and complexity of coronary atherosclerosis were assessed by SYNTAX score at baseline angiography. Fifty-six patients (9%) showed G6PD deficiency. Severe (i.e. enzymatic activity < 0.10) G6PD deficiency was detected in 33 (5.3%) individuals, mainly of male sex (n = 32). Overall, the cardiovascular risk profile was similar between patients with G6PD deficiency and controls. Patients with G6PD deficiency showed similar severity and complexity of coronary atherosclerosis as compared to control patients; accordingly, the SYNTAX score (15 vs. 14.5, P = 0.90, respectively, in G6PD-deficent patients and controls), and all its components were similar between deficient individuals and controls. The only independent predictor of a SYNTAX score of more than 22 was patients' age (odds ratio 1.035, 95% confidence interval 1.018-1.051; P < 0.001). G6PD deficiency does not impact on the extent and complexity of coronary atherosclerosis assessed by coronary angiography in patents presenting with ACS.

Angiography-Based 4-Dimensional Superficial Wall Strain and Stress: A New Diagnostic Tool in the Catheterization Laboratory.

A novel method for four-dimensional superficial wall strain and stress (4D-SWS) is derived from the arterial motion as pictured by invasive coronary angiography. Compared with the conventional finite element analysis of cardiovascular biomechanics using the estimated pulsatile pressure, the 4D-SWS approach can calculate the dynamic mechanical state of the superficial wall in vivo, which could be directly linked with plaque rupture or stent fracture. The validation of this approach using in silico models showed that the distribution and maximum values of superficial wall stress were similar to those calculated by conventional finite element analysis. The in vivo deformation was validated on 16 coronary arteries, from the comparison of centerlines predicted by the 4D-SWS approach against the actual centerlines reconstructed from angiograms at a randomly selected time-point, which demonstrated a good agreement of the centerline morphology between both approaches (scaling: 0.995 ± 0.018 and dissimilarity: 0.007 ± 0.014). The in silico vessel models with softer plaque and larger plaque burden presented more variation in mean lumen diameter and resulted in higher superficial wall stress. In more than half of the patients (n = 16), the maximum superficial wall stress was found at the proximal lesion shoulder. Additionally, in three patients who later suffered from acute coronary syndrome, the culprit plaque rupture sites co-localized with the site of highest superficial wall stress on their baseline angiography. These representative cases suggest that angiography-based superficial wall dynamics have the potential to identify coronary segments at high-risk of plaque rupture and fracture sites of implanted stents. Ongoing studies are focusing on identifying weak spots in coronary bypass grafts, and on exploring the biomechanical mechanisms of coronary arterial remodeling and aneurysm formation. Future developments involve integration of fast computational techniques to allow online availability of superficial wall strain and stress in the catheterization laboratory.

Assessment of side branch patency using a jailed semi-inflated balloon technique with coronary bifurcation lesions.

Many interventional cardiologists are concerned about the risk of side branch (SB) loss during main vessel (MV) stenting in complex bifurcation lesions. Therefore, novel techniques are required to reduce the risk of SB occlusion. The jailed semi-inflated balloon technique (JSBT) is one of these techniques. This article is a description of clinical experience with SB patency assessment using the JSBT. A total of 64 patients with 82 distinct coronary bifurcation lesions underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) via JSBT at this institution. In the majority of patients, the SB balloon was inflated with a greater pressure (4.8±2.0 atm) than in the standard JSBT. Procedural and immediate clinical outcomes were reviewed via baseline and post-procedural quantitative coronary angiography analysis. The majority of the patients had acute coronary syndrome (60.9%) and almost one-third of the patients were Medina class 1.1.1. (32.8%). A jailed-balloon or wire was not entrapped during any PCI. SB ostial dissection was seen in only 2 patients. The minimal lumen diameter was improved in the MV and SB following PCI. There were no adverse cardiac events during in-hospital stay or at 1-month follow-up. JSBT provides maximum SB protection with bifurcation lesions and requires less time than a complex technique. There was no significant SB occlusion risk even though the SB balloon was inflated with a slightly higher pressure. The immediate clinical outcomes and procedural success of this study may encourage interventional cardiologists to use this technique safely with reliable preservation of SB patency.

Comparative analysis between myocardial perfusion reserve and maximal ischemia score at single photon emission computed tomography with new-generation cadmium-zinc-telluride cameras

BackgroundWhether estimates of myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) stemming from new-generation cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) cameras are accurate remains unclear. MethodsWe queried our institutional database for patients undergoing MPR with CZT cameras. The primary goal was appraising the incremental diagnostic yield of MPR on top or at odds of maximal ischemia score (MIS). ResultsA total of 66 subjects were included. When distinguishing patients according to normal vs abnormal MPR (cut-off 2.1 mL/min/g) and normal vs abnormal MIS, 4 groups could be identified: 12 (18.1%) individuals with normal MPR and MIS, 12 (18.1%) with normal MPR and abnormal MIS, 16 (24.2%) with abnormal MPR and normal MIS, and 26 (39.4%) with abnormal MPR and MIS. MIS was significantly associated with several baseline features, whereas MPR did not. There was no significant association between MPR and MIS, nor with regional perfusion. Clinical outcomes were uncommon and not significantly associated with MPR or MIS, whereas angiographically significant coronary artery disease (CAD) was associated solely with MIS (P < 0.05), and not with MPR. ConclusionsThere is limited agreement between CZT-derived MPR and baseline risk, perfusion and angiography results. Whether such discrepancies may still prove incrementally beneficial for the diagnosis or prognosis of CAD remains unclear.

Future culprit detection based on angiography‐derived FFR

We sought to characterize the hemodynamic impact of mild coronary artery disease (CAD) using quantitative flow ratio (QFR, an angiography-derived fractional flow reserve [FFR]) in a population of patients with only non-significant CAD at baseline that subsequently experienced a myocardial infarction (MI). The discriminatory value of FFR in patients with mild CAD remains imperfect. We retrospectively included patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography for an MI, in whom another angiogram had been performed within the previous 5 years. Three-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography, QFR, and lesion length analysis were conducted on lesions responsible for the MI (future culprit lesions, [FCL]) as well as on control lesions (non-culprit lesions, [NCL]). Eighty-three FCL and 117 NCL were analyzed in 83 patients: FCL were more severe (median % diameter of stenosis [DS] 39.1% [29.8; 45.7] vs. 29.8% [25.0; 37.2], p < .001), had lower QFR values (0.94 [0.86; 0.98] vs. 0.98 [0.96; 1.00], p < .001) and tended to be longer (15.2 mm [10.0; 27.3] vs. 12.7 mm [9.3; 22.4], p = .070) than NCL. In lesions with an interval < 2 years between baseline angiography and MI, the difference in QFR was more pronounced compared to the lesions with a longer interval (FCL: 0.92 [0.85; 0.97] vs. NCL: 0.98 [0.94; 1.00], p < .001 and FCL: 0.96 [0.88; 1.00] vs. NCL: 0.98 [0.96;1.00], p = .006 respectively) CONCLUSION: Mild coronary stenoses that are subsequently responsible for an MI (FCL) exhibit a higher DS and lower QFR years before the event. Furthermore, FCL with a lower QFR at baseline appear to lead earlier to MI.

Long-term follow-up of the Derivo® Embolization Device (DED®) for intracranial aneurysms: the Italian Multicentric Registry.

The flow-diverter devices (FDDs) safety and effectiveness have been demonstrated by large series and meta-analyses. Due to the high occlusion rates and the acceptable morbidity rates of FDDs, the indications for their use are continuously expanding. We presented our Italian multicentric experience using the second generation of DERIVO® Embolization Device (DED®; Acandis, Pforzheim, Germany) to cure cerebral aneurysms, evaluating both middle and long-term safety and efficacy of this device. Between July 2016 and September 2017 we collected 109 consecutive aneurysms in 108 patients treated using DED® during 109 endovascular procedures in 34 Italian centers (100/109 aneurysms were unruptured, 9/109 were ruptured). The collected data included patient demographics, aneurysm location and characteristics, baseline angiography, adverse event and serious adverse event information, morbidity and mortality rates, and pre- and post-treatment modified Rankin Scale scores. Midterm and long-term clinical, angiographic and cross-sectional CT/MR follow-up were recorded and collected until December 2018. In 2/109 cases, DED® placement was classified as technical failures. The overall mortality and morbidity rates were respectively 6.5% and 5.5%. Overall DERIVO® related mortality and morbidity rates were respectively 0% and 4.6% (5 out of 108 patients). Midterm neuroimaging follow-up showed the complete or nearly complete occlusion of the aneurysm in 90% cases, which became 93% at long-term follow-up. Aneurysmal sac shrinking was observed in 65% of assessable aneurysms. Our multicentric experience using DED® for endovascular treatment of unruptured and ruptured aneurysms showed a high safety and efficacy profile, substantially equivalent or better compared to the other FDDs.

The Predictive Value of Myeloperoxidase for Contrast-Induced Nephropathy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BackgroundHigher serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) in patients with acute coronary syndrome is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with worse prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease following angiography. We have no idea whether patients with higher serum myeloperoxidase have a higher risk of CIN in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsThis study involved 436 consecutive patients with AMI who had received PCI. Serum MPO levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before administration of contrast media. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors for CIN after univariate analysis. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive value of MPO for CIN.ResultsAmong the 436 patients, 79 individuals (18.1%) suffered CIN after the PCI procedure. Patients who developed CIN had significantly higher MPO levels compared to those who did not ([203.8 (150.6–276.2)] versus [138.5 (129.9–149.2)]; p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that MPO level (OR 1.023, 95% CI: 1.017–1.029, p<0.001) was an independent risk factor for the incidence of CIN after adjusting for the baseline information, blood indicators and angiography procedural parameters. The area under the ROC curve for predicting CIN of MPO was 0.848, and the optimum cutoff point of MPO was 147.38ug/L; the sensitivity and specificity were 82.3% and 72.3%, respectively.ConclusionThe results show that MPO is independently associated with an increased risk of CIN with AMI patients undergoing PCI. Further studies are needed to verify these results.

Selective internal radiation therapy of hepatic tumors: Morphologic and functional imaging for voxel-based computer-aided dosimetry

IntroductionSelective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) is used for the treatment of hepatic tumors. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare two dosimetric approaches based on 99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT and 90Y PET/CT, using Simplicit90Y™ versus the supplier suggested method of activity calculation. Material and methodsA total of 19 patients underwent 21 SIRT after baseline angiography and 99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT, followed by 90Y PET/CT. Overlap between 99mTc-MAA and 90Y-microspheres was quantified with different thresholds isocontours. The perfused volume and tumor absorbed dose were estimated using Simplicit90Y™ based on SPECT/CT and PET/CT, then compared with the supplier suggested method. These data were related to overall survival to evaluate their prognostic impact. ResultsThe overlap between PET/CT and SPECT/CT was dependent on thresholds, decreasing with an increasing threshold. The overlap between the 99mTc-MAA and 90Y-microspheres biodistributions versus the tumor distribution on morphological imaging was suboptimal, in particular for small tumor volume. The tumor absorbed dose estimated after 90Y PET/CT was not different from tumor absorbed dose estimated after SPECT/CT. The Perfused lobe absorbed dose was significantly lower while the volume of the perfused lobe was significantly higher when estimated by Simplicit90Y™ compared to the supplier suggested conventional approach. A statistical parameter based on overlap between tumor and 90Y-microspheres distribution as well as tumoral dosimetry was significantly related to the overall survival. ConclusionPost-treatment imaging remains paramount to estimate the irradiation dosimetry, due to an imperfect overlap. The perfused volume could be estimated from functional imaging, given its impact on dosimetry. Finally, survival seems related to tumoral overlap and dosimetry.

Impact of a CTO in a non-infarct-related artery on long-term mortality in patients undergoing primary PCI

Abstract Background Previous studies showed increased mortality rates in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and a chronic total occlusion (CTO) in a non-infarct-related artery, but long-term data are scarce. Purpose Our aim was to assess all-cause mortality during 5 years follow-up in patients with a remaining nonculprit CTO after being treated with primary PCI. Methods The study included 9504 patients admitted for primary PCI during 2009–2019, with available baseline angiography, from an electronic, prospective registry of a high-volume catheterization laboratory. Kaplan Meier cumulative mortality curves for non-culprit CTO vs. no CTO were compared with the log-rank test, with landmarks set at 30 days and then annually up to 5 years follow-up. Adjusted Cox regression models were constructed to assess 30-day and 5-year mortality risk of a non-culprit CTO. Median follow-up was 1507 days. Results Nonculprit CTO was present in 13.2% of patients (n=1253). Presence of a nonculprit CTO was associated with older age (64 vs. 61, p&amp;lt;0.001), more frequent history of cardiovascular disease including prior MI (33% vs. 14%, p&amp;lt;0.001), stroke (10.3% vs. 5.9%, p&amp;lt;0.001) and CABG (10.5% vs. 1.5%, p&amp;lt;0.001), higher rates of renal failure (10.7% vs. 4.8%, p&amp;lt;0.001), as well as more often Killip class 2–4 on admission (29% vs. 16%, p&amp;lt;0.001) and a lower ejection fraction (40% vs. 47%, p&amp;lt;0.001). Crude mortality rates were significantly increased in patients with a nonculprit CTO vs. no CTO, at both 30 days (15.7% vs. 5.6%, p&amp;lt;0.001) and 5 years (54.6% vs. 27.9%, p&amp;lt;0.001). After adjusting for the observed baseline differences, nonculprit CTO was still associated with an elevated mortality risk at both 30-days (HR 1.5, CI95% 1.1–1.9, p=0.007) and 5 years (HR 1.6, CI95% 1.4–1.9, p&amp;lt;0.001). Landmark analyses showed continuously increasing risk of mortality in the presence of a nonculprit CTO, as compared with primary PCI-treated patients with no CTO (30 days to 1 year 11.4% vs. 4.9%, p&amp;lt;0.001; 1st to 2nd year of follow-up 6.3% vs. 3.4%, p&amp;lt;0.001; 2nd to 3rd year 6.2% vs. 2.8%, p&amp;lt;0.001; 3rd to 4th year 7.4% vs. 3.0%, p&amp;lt;0.001; and 4th to 5th year 5.2% vs. 3.6%, p=0.1). Conclusions Presence of a nonculprit CTO is independently associated with 5-year mortality after primary PCI. Importantly, the mortality risk increases continuously with an average annual absolute difference of 3%, in patients with a nonculprit CTO vs. those with no CTO. Nonculprit CTO vs. no CTO Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Endothelial progenitor cells predict long-term outcome in patients with coronary artery disease: Ten-year follow-up of the PROCREATION extended study

BackgroundLevels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are associated with the short-term prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). No previous study, however, has ascertained if EPCs are related also to long-term outcome. We performed a pre-specified analysis of the PROCREATION (PROgenitor Cells role in Restenosis and progression of coronary ATherosclerosis after percutaneous coronary intervention) study in order to assess if EPCs predict the 10-year prognosis. Methods and resultsConsecutive stable patients with CAD who were included in the PROCREATION study were evaluated. Patients underwent an extended 10-year follow-up to assess major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE), i.e. death, stroke, myocardial infarction, and revascularization. During follow-up, MACCE occurred in 79 of 149 patients (53%). Most clinical and angiographic baseline variables were similar in patients with or without MACCE, apart from age, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, ejection fraction, and extent of CAD. Comparison of EPCs, conversely, showed that patients with MACCE had greater levels of CD34+/KDR+/CD45- cells (p=0.0002) and CD133+/KDR+/CD45- cells (p=0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that factors independently associated with 10-year MACCEs were age (p=0.001), ejection fraction (p=0.018), and CD34+/KDR+/CD45- cells (p=0.024). ConclusionSubpopulations of EPCs can improve long-term risk factor characterization in patients with CAD. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01575431)

Thoracic aortic computed tomography angiography in swine: establishment of a baseline for endovascular evaluation of the ascending aorta.

Our goal was to establish a baseline of computed tomography (CT) angiographic data for the porcine ascending thoracic aorta for endovascular evaluation of animal experiments and device development. Thoracic aortic CT angiography was conducted on 49 pigs with an average body weight of 60-65 kg. The CT angiographic scans were done on an imaging reconstruction workstation to obtain the specific aortic geometric data, including the diameters of the planes, the heights among the planes and the clock positions of target arteries. Fourteen important planes were defined in the study for endograft customizing reference. The diameters of the planes were measured, and the heights among the planes were recorded. For endograft fenestrations, the right coronary artery ostium clock position was 100.11 ± 7.29°, and the brachiocephalic trunk ostium clock position was 74.72 ± 6.45°. The best projection angle of the tangent position of the left coronary artery was the right anterior oblique 17 ± 7° position. A pig with a rare congenital giant dilated aorta was found among the candidate experimental animals. For experimental porcine models, CT angiography has proved to be a suitable imaging technique. The established baseline angiography of the swine can provide reference values for future animal experiments and device development.

Epicardial left atrial appendage occlusion with a new medical device: assessment of procedural feasibility, safety and efficacy in a large animal model

BackgroundLeft atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) represents a treatment alternative to anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation. We evaluate a novel device for epicardial LAAO in a translational canine model.MethodsNine hounds (n = 9) were used to assess usability, safety, and efficacy of the TigerPaw Pro (TPP) device for epicardial LAAO. Following baseline imaging (intra-cardiac echocardiography (ICE) and angiography) and intraoperative visual inspection, usability was tested via a ``closure/re-opening`` maneuver followed by deployment of a total of twenty TPP devices (n = 20) on the left and right atrial appendages respectively. Procedural safety was evaluated by assessing for adverse-events via direct Epicardial inspection and endocardial imaging. Efficacy evaluation included assessment of device positioning, presence of residual stumps and completeness of closure. Post-mortem evaluation was performed to confirm safety and efficacy.ResultsUsability testing of all TPP devices was successful (n = 20;100%, delivery-time range 22–120 s) without any procedural adverse-events (tissue damage or tears, bleeding, vessel-impingement, structural impact). All devices fully traversed the ostium (n = 18) or appendage body (n = 2), and conformed smoothly to adjacent cardiac anatomy. In nineteen deployments (n = 19;95%), all device connector pairs were fully engaged, while in one TPP device the most distal pair remained unengaged. ICE and post-mortem inspections revealed complete closure of all appendage ostia (n = 18;100%) and only in one case a small residual stump was detected. Intraoperative safety findings were further confirmed post-mortem. Devices created a nearly smooth line of closure via symmetric endocardial tissue-coaptation.ConclusionsIn this preclinical model, the TPP demonstrated good ease of use for ostial access, ability to re-position (after engagement) and rapid deployment, while achieving safe and effective LAAO.