Distal Left Main Coronary Artery Research Articles

Conservatively treated incidental aneurysm of the distal left main coronary artery: detection by coronary angiography and noninvasive followup using coronary computed tomography angiography.

Coronary artery aneurysms are relatively rare and commonly associated with significant coronary artery disease (CAD), inflammatory diseases (Kawasaki syndrome, infection), or iatrogenic complications. Herein, we report an unusual case of an incidental coronary aneurysm of the left main artery in a patient without specific clinical symptoms of myocardial ischemia or systemic inflammation and without angiographically significant CAD. Angiographic images are provided, acquired during cardiac catheterization, as well as coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) images obtained at 1 year of followup.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest in a Low-Risk Patient During Elective Spinal Surgery

Patients with intermittent claudication secondary to spinal problem may have asymptomatic cardiac disease. We experienced a case of sudden cardiac arrest in a low-risk male patient during elective spinal surgery which was performed in accordance with the current guidelines. A 54-year-old male, who did not have active cardiac conditions or clinical risk factors for perioperative cardiovascular events, was scheduled to have a planned surgery for spinal stenosis without preoperative testing for cardiovascular events according to the current guidelines. But, he developed sudden cardiac arrest during elective spinal surgery. Emergent coronary angiogram showed significant stenosis in the distal left main coronary artery and proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. We successfully deployed 2 bare metal stents with intravascular ultrasound guidance. His mental state recovered and he was extubated 4 hours later. On day 8 in the hospital, he was transferred to the local hospital for care of his spinal problem.

TCT-321: Computational analysis of wall shear stress at the distal left main coronary artery bifurcation

TCT-321: Computational analysis of wall shear stress at the distal left main coronary artery bifurcation

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Disease as Culprit Lesion in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

This study sought to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction due to a culprit lesion in an unprotected left main coronary artery. In this retrospective, 2-center, international observational study, 5,261 patients were admitted between February 2005 and December 2008 with acute myocardial infarction and treated with PCI; of these, 1,277 were ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and 3,984 non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. We identified 48 patients among this cohort who underwent emergency PCI to an unprotected left main coronary artery culprit lesion. Mean age was 70 ± 12.5 years, and 45% of the patients presented with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction or new left bundle branch block. Cardiogenic shock was present in 45%, and distal left main coronary artery disease was present in 71% of patients. Angiographic procedural success was achieved in 92% of patients. Overall in-hospital mortality was 21%, due in all cases to refractory, multiorgan failure. Twenty-five percent experienced major adverse cardiac events, defined as death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and target vessel revascularization. In patients presenting in cardiogenic shock, in-hospital mortality was 32%. At 1-year follow-up, in-hospital survivors had a mortality rate of 10.5%, whereas 18.4% experienced subsequent major adverse cardiac events. Long-term prognosis was excellent in hospital survivors with a 1-year survival rate of 89.5%. Patients with acute myocardial infarction and thrombosis of the unprotected left main coronary artery are a high-risk subgroup with a substantial mortality, particularly if they present in cardiogenic shock. We demonstrate that in these patients, PCI is a feasible treatment option associated with reasonably good outcomes. Long-term prognosis is excellent in hospital survivors with an 89.5% survival rate at 1 year.

Potential risk of provisional stenting in left main coronary artery bifurcation in multivessel‐related acute coronary syndrome

We present a case of an elderly man suffering from an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with preshock vital signs and remarkable ST-T wave depression in leads V4-V6, and ST elevation in lead aVR. Coronary angiography showed total occlusion of the right coronary artery (RCA) and impending occlusion in the distal left main coronary artery (LMCA) with a tandem lesion in the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD). After insertion of an intra-aortic balloon pump both the LAD and left circumflex artery (LCX) were dilated alternatively; and cross-over stenting in the LMCA bifurcation was subsequently performed. However, total occlusion of the LCX occurred and it caused acute hemodynamic collapse and ventricular fibrillation storm. Immediate installation of percutaneous cardio-pulmonary support system allowed stent deployment to be performed in the RCA and subsequent reopening of the LCX that led to a return to sinus rhythm. The patient recovered almost normal left ventricular wall motion and previous activity without any neurological deficit within 2 weeks. Provisional stenting in ACS in the LMCA bifurcation with multivessel disease has a potential risk of acute hemodynamic collapse; a planned two-stent deployment strategy may assure a higher rate of safety in such cases.

Long‐term outcome of provisional side‐branch T‐stenting for the treatment of unprotected distal left main coronary artery disease

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on distal left main (LM) remains an independent predictor of poor outcome. The strategy of implanting one stent on the main branch (MB), with provisional stenting on the side-branch (SB) only when required (provisional T-stenting), has become the default approach to most bifurcation lesions. This prospective registry sought to investigate the long-term safety and efficacy of provisional SB T-stenting for the treatment of unprotected distal LM disease in patients undergoing PCI. From January 2006 to May 2009, 107 consecutive patients affected by unprotected distal LM disease underwent PCI at our center with the intent to use a provisional SB-stenting technique. We evaluated the rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at long-term follow-up (up to 12-41 months). Procedural success was obtained in 98% of patients. A final kissing balloon inflation was performed in 95% and intravascular ultrasound in 83% of patients. Additional stenting on the SB after provisional stenting on MB was required in 29% of lesions. Long-term follow-up (3.5 years; 25-75th percentile and 1.1-4.5 years) was completed in 97% of patients. The cumulative incidence of MACE was 32.7%: all-cause death was 15.8%, nonfatal myocardial infarction 8.4%, and target vessel revascularization 21.5%. At multivariable analysis, age (hazard ratio, 2.08; 95% confidence interval: 2.01-3.32, P = 0.03), European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (HR 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04-1.33, P = 0.02), and diabetes mellitus (HR 3.48, 95% CI: 1.12-6.87, P = 0.01) were identified as independent predictors of MACE. In patients with unprotected distal LM disease undergoing PCI, a provisional strategy of stenting the MB only is associated with good long-term clinical outcomes.

Comparison of single‐ versus two‐stent techniques in treatment of unprotected left main coronary bifurcation disease

This study sought to compare 3-year outcomes of single- versus two-stent techniques in patients with distal unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease treated with drug-eluting stents (DES). A total of 392 patients with distal unprotected LMCA disease who underwent DES implantation with single- (n = 234) or two- (n = 158) stent techniques were evaluated. The primary end point was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as the composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularization (TLR). The two-stent group was more likely to have extensive coronary artery stenosis. After adjustment with weighted Cox model using the inverse probability of treatment weighting, the 3-year risk of death was similar in the single- and two-stent groups (hazard ratio [HR], 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28-2.13, P = 0.62). However, the 3-year risks of MI (HR, 0.38, 95% CI, 0.19-0.78, P = 0.008), TLR (HR, 0.16, 95% CI, 0.05-0.57, P = 0.005), and MACE (HR, 0.89, 95% CI, 0.22-0.67, P = 0.0007) were significantly lower in the single-stent group. Compared with the two-stent technique, the single-stent technique showed more favorable long-term clinical outcomes in patients with distal unprotected LMCA disease who received DES

Role of Bare-Metal Stents for Left Main Coronary Artery Disease in the Era of Drug-Eluting Stents - Which Coronary Stent Should Be Used for Left Main Trunk Disease? BMS or DES? (BMS-Side) -

In the past, coronary artery bypass graft surgery has been applied to revascularization for unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease. In recent years, due to the advent of drug-eluting stents (DES), restenosis rates have decreased in comparison to conventional bare-metal stents (BMS), and the range of applications of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ULMCA disease has been expanded. However, even if DES is used, outcomes of PCI for distal left main coronary artery bifurcation lesions are not sufficient. Moreover, problems specific to DES, such as late stent thrombosis and late catch-up phenomenon, have been identified. There are still unknown points regarding remote-stage outcomes of DES. Thus, further investigation is needed on PCI for ULMCA disease, along with further analysis of remote-stage outcomes of BMS.

Rotational Atherectomy and Stent Implantation for Calcified Left Main Lesions

BackgroundLeft main coronary artery (LMCA) bifurcation and heavily calcified lesions are common and challenging to treat percutaneously. Rotational atherectomy (RA) may be beneficial in this setting to facilitate stent placement though direct supporting evidence is lacking. This study sought to analyze patients who underwent RA of the LMCA.MethodsConsecutive cases involving RA of the LMCA between 1/1/2004 and 12/31/2009 at a private, tertiary referral hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Medical records, angiograms and clinically driven follow-up were reviewed.ResultsThirty-one cases were identified (20 protected, 11 unprotected), including 23 with stent implantation (21 drug-eluting, 2 bare metal). All 31 lesions had moderate to severe calcification, 84% involved the distal segment. Mean burr-to-vessel ratio was 0.43. Overall angiographic success was 90% (28/31) and was higher with a drug-eluting stent versus no stent (100% vs. 62%; P = 0.0153). In-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) occurred in 1 patient (3%). Mid-term MACE occurred in 6 patients (26%) and tended to occur less frequently in patients with protected LMCAs (P = 0.0697). At final follow-up, patients were more likely to be alive and free from angina with a protected LMCA (94% vs. 57% unprotected; P = 0.0564) and with a drug-eluting stent (89% vs. 50% with no stent; P = 0.0281).ConclusionsRA of the LMCA to facilitate stent implantation appears to be safe and effective with favorable mid-term outcomes. In the setting of severe calcification and distal LMCA involvement RA and drug-eluting stent implantation should be considered.

Left main stenting: is it a different animal?

For several decades, coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been regarded as the treatment of choice for patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease. However, because of marked advancements in techniques of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting and CABG, as well as adjunctive pharmacologic therapy, a new evaluation and review of current indications for optimal revascularisation therapy for LMCA disease may be required to determine the standard of care for these patients. The available current evidence suggests that the composite outcome of death, myocardial infarction and stroke is similar in patients with LMCA disease who are treated with PCI with stenting or CABG, the only difference was the rate of repeat revascularisation. Although PCI can be performed successfully in most LMCA lesions, "high-risk" anatomic subsets, especially involving distal LMCA bifurcation lesions, continue to present unique technical challenges to interventional cardiologists, and, therefore, an integrated approach combing advanced devices, tailored techniques, adjunctive support of physiologic and morphologic evaluation, and adjunctive pharmacologic agents should be reinforced to improve clinical outcomes.

Plaque Distribution Patterns in Distal Left Main Coronary Artery to Predict Outcomes After Stent Implantation

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between plaque distribution at left main (LM) bifurcation and target lesion revascularization (TLR) after stenting. Despite favorable reported mid- and long-term results, stent implantation on LM bifurcation remains challenging. The role of atherosclerotic plaque distribution in affecting LM bifurcation stenting outcomes has not been explored. A total of 329 patients undergoing LM bifurcation stenting in 2 centers were included. A method based on different plaque locations within the bifurcation area was applied. The overall population was divided in 2 groups according to the presence of a specific pattern characterized by plaque occupying (n = 145) or not occupying (n = 184) the whole bifurcation (WB) area. Baseline clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics were well-balanced between the 2 groups. The WB group showed a significantly higher risk of 3-year TLR compared with the non-WB group (24.9% vs. 8.3%; unadjusted hazard ratio: 3.12; 95% confidence interval: 1.59 to 6.11; p = 0.001; adjusted hazard ratio: 2.84; 95% confidence interval: 1.43 to 5.64; p = 0.003). The 3-year TLR rate was not significantly different between patients treated with 1-or 2-stent techniques either in the WB or non-WB groups. In the WB group, TLR was similar between patients with lesions classified as 1,1,1 and non-1,1,1 by the Medina classification (20.7% vs. 26.8%, p = 0.57, respectively). The WB pattern is associated with enhanced TLR risk, regardless of stent technique and plaque severity. This could impact the treatment strategy of high-risk lesions involving the whole bifurcation area.

Long-term follow-up (four years) of unprotected left main coronary artery disease treated with paclitaxel-eluting stents (from the TRUE Registry)

Limited data are available on the long-term outcome following PCI with paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) implantation in patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA). The objective of this study was to evaluate "real world" long-term outcome following paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) implantation for unprotected LMCA disease in patients enrolled in the TRUE registry.From March 2003 to October 2004, 93 consecutive patients (81.7% male) underwent PCI for unprotected LMCA disease. Surveillance angiography was performed at 6.8+/-3.3 months follow-up. The target lesion involved the distal LMCA in 68 (73.1%) patients. Double stenting techniques were performed in 46 (67.6%) distal LMCA, of these 50% were stented using the Crush technique. Clinical follow-up was complete in all patients with 85.8% angiographic follow-up rate. In-segment restenosis occurred in 16 (20.3%) patients and was focal in 72.4% of cases and significantly higher in patients with distal LMCA (36.8% vs. 13.6%, p<0.04). At a median follow-up of 1,450 days (IQR 1281-1595), the overall incidence of MACE was 35.5% and the TLR rate was 25.8% and significantly higher in patients with bifurcation stenting (32.3% vs. 8%, p<0.02). The estimated cardiac survival rate at one and four years was 96.7% and 93.3%, respectively. Total mortality rate was 14.1% and cardiac was 6.5%. There was one (1.1%) definite stent thrombosis (ST) and one (1.1%) probable ST.Treatment of unprotected LMCA disease with PES, after four years follow-up, appears to be safe and effective with a low rate of cardiac mortality and overall risk of ST. The need for target lesion revascularisation in 25.8% of patients highlights the need for more effective PCI especially in patients with distal LMCA disease.

Intravascular Ultrasound Classification of Plaque Distribution in Left Main Coronary Artery Bifurcations

Background— Angiographic classifications of the location and severity of disease in the main vessel and side branch of coronary artery bifurcations have been proposed and applied to distal left main coronary artery (LMCA) bifurcation. Methods and Results— We reviewed 140 angiograms of distal LMCA and ostial left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex (LCX) artery lesions with preintervention intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) of both the LAD and LCX arteries as well as the LMCA. Of 140 patients, 92.9% had at least 1 cross section with ≥40% IVUS plaque burden versus 57.2% of patients with an angiographic diameter stenosis ≥50%. Contrary to angiographic classifications, IVUS showed that bifurcation disease was rarely focal and that both sides of the flow divider were always disease-free. Continuous plaque from the LMCA into the proximal LAD artery was seen in 90%, from the LMCA into the LCX artery in 66.4%, and from the LMCA into both the LAD and LCX arteries in 62%. Plaque localized to either the LAD or LCX ostium and not involving the distal LMCA was seen in only 9.3% of LAD arteries and 17.1% of LCX arteries. Plaque distribution was not influenced by the LAD/LCX angiographic angle, lesion severity, LMCA length, or remodeling. We proposed an IVUS classification for bifurcation lesions illustrating longitudinal and circumferential spatial plaque distribution. Conclusions— Angiographic classification of LMCA bifurcation lesions is rarely accurate. IVUS shows that the carina is always spared and that the disease is diffuse rather than focal. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00180466.

Is Accurate Intravascular Ultrasound Evaluation of the Left Circumflex Ostium from a Left Anterior Descending to Left Main Pullback Possible?

Treatment of left main coronary artery bifurcation lesions might depend on the ostial left circumflex (LC) or ostial left anterior descending (LAD) disease severity. We sought to evaluate whether intravascular ultrasound assessment of the side branch ostium requires direct imaging or is accurate from the main vessel. Our retrospective analysis included 126 patients with left main coronary artery bifurcation disease (plaque burden > or =40% by intravascular ultrasound scanning). We analyzed pullbacks from the LAD and the LC. First, during the main vessel pullback (ie, from the LAD), we evaluated the side branch ostium (ie, of the LC). Second, we compared this oblique view with the direct ostial measurements during LC pullback. Finally, we repeated this process, imaging the ostial LAD from the LC. From the LAD, the oblique LC ostial lumen diameter was 3.0 +/- 0.8 mm compared to the directly measured lumen diameter of 2.9 +/- 0.6 mm. From the LC, the oblique LAD ostial lumen diameter was 2.9 +/- 1.1 mm compared to the directly measured lumen diameter of 2.8 +/- 0.5 mm. However, Bland-Altman plots showed significant variation in the oblique versus direct comparisons. The 95% limits of agreement ranged from -1.84 to 1.14 mm (mean difference -0.35, SD 0.75) for the LAD and -1.69 to 1.22 mm (mean difference -0.23, SD 0.73) for the LC. The "oblique view" detection of any plaque in the side branch predicted 40% or 70% plaque burden with good sensitivity but poor specificity. In conclusion, intravascular ultrasound evaluation of a side branch ostium from the main vessel is only moderately reliable, especially for distal left main coronary artery lesions. For an accurate assessment of the side branch ostium, direct imaging is necessary.

Simultaneous quadruple kissing stenting of an unprotected left main coronary artery

Coronary angiography for non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction in a 83-year-old, obese, hypertensive woman with diabetic nephropathy and hyperlipidaemia revealed a severe stenosis in a very large calibre unprotected distal left main coronary artery (LMCA) (arrows in Panels A – C ) involving an uncommon quadrifurcation with the left anterior descending (LAD), two intermediate branches, and the …

TCT-25: Clinical Implication of Different Plaque Distribution Patterns in Distal Left Main Coronary Artery

TCT-25: Clinical Implication of Different Plaque Distribution Patterns in Distal Left Main Coronary Artery

Ostial and midshaft lesions vs. bifurcation lesions in 1111 patients with unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis treated with drug-eluting stents: results of the survey from the Italian Society of Invasive Cardiology

In this study, we compared the cumulative risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) of patients with distal unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) stenosis with those of patients with ostial and midshaft lesions treated with drug-eluting stent (DES). The survey promoted by the Italian Society of Invasive Cardiology on ULMCA stenosis was an observational study involving 19 high-volume Italian centres. We enrolled 1111 patients with ULMCA stenosis treated with DES. Major adverse cardiac events were defined as death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. Three hundred and thirty-four patients had ostial or midshaft lesions (group 1) and 777 bifurcations (group 2). The adjusted hazards ratio of the risk of 2 year MACE of patients in group 2 vs. patients in group 1 was 1.50 (P = 0.024). However, we observed that there was a significant difference between patients with bifurcations treated with two stents and those in group 1 (P = 0.001), but not between patients with bifurcations treated with one stent and those in group 1 (P = 0.38). Patients with bifurcations have a worse outcome than patients with ostial and midshaft lesions. However, the technique used to treat bifurcations has a significant impact on clinical outcomes.

Excimer laser debulking for percutaneous coronary intervention in left main coronary artery disease

Excimer laser has been successfully applied to complex atherosclerotic plaques in acute coronary syndromes; however, its role in debulking in left main coronary artery disease has not been fully explored. Details of a series of 20 patients who underwent excimer laser revascularization of a spectrum of left main coronary artery lesions are presented. Twenty symptomatic patients who received excimer laser debulking were examined for procedural outcome and follow up results. The left main coronary artery was characterized as protected, semi-protected, poorly protected, or unprotected, depending on the presence or absence of patent bypass grafts to the left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex (CX) arteries. A fully protected left main coronary artery (LMCA) was present in only 20% of the patients. The target lesions included 11(55%) distal LMCA stenoses, six (30%) ostial stenoses, and one (5%) mid-portion lesions. Two (10%) patients had in-stent re-stenosis of the entire length of the LMCA. Small (0.7 mm-1.4 mm) excimer laser catheters were mostly used. A relatively high number of laser energy pulses (1,334 +/- 643) were required to achieve adequate debulking. Successful LMCA intervention was performed in 19 (95%) patients, while in-hospital complications occurred in only one (5%) patient. Subacute/late stent thrombosis developed 3 months after the procedure in one patient, and two patients died from non-cardiac causes during follow-up. Lesions in LMCAs can be revascularized in selected patients by laser debulking and adjunct stenting. Inadequate protection by bypass grafts and decreased left ventricular function do not contradict utilization of excimer laser. Small laser catheters and high energy levels are required during laser debulking of stenoses of left main coronary arteries.

Takayasu's Arteritis Involving the Ostia of Three Large Coronary Arteries

Takayasu's arteritis can involve the ostia of coronary arteries. We report a patient with Takayasu's arteritis involving the ostia of three large coronary arteries who was successfully treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with a drug-eluting stent (DES) and had a good clinical outcome after 12 months. A 37-year-old male with unstable angina was admitted to our cardiovascular center. The patient had Takayasu's arteritis and an aortic valve replacement with a metallic valve due to severe aortic regurgitation 7 years previously. Coronary angiography (CAG) showed a 95% discrete eccentric luminal narrowing at the ostia of the large left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex (LCX) arteries, and a 99% discrete eccentric luminal narrowing at the ostium of the large right coronary artery (RCA). The patient was treated with prednisolone for 14 days. Two large paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) were then implanted in the distal left main coronary artery using the kissing stent technique. After 6 months, a CAG did not reveal restenosis or recurrent coronary artery disease. Thus, PCI with a DES for patients with significant coronary involvement secondary to Takayasu's arteritis is an effective and an alternative treatment when coronary bypass grafting is not option.

Impact of Bifurcation Technique on 2-Year Clinical Outcomes in 773 Patients With Distal Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Stenosis Treated With Drug-Eluting Stents

Distal unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) stenosis represents a technical challenge for interventional cardiologists. In this study, we compared 2-year clinical outcomes of different stenting strategies in patients with distal ULMCA stenosis treated with drug-eluting stents. The survey promoted by the Italian Society of Invasive Cardiology on ULMCA stenosis was an observational study on patients with ULMCA stenosis treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. In this study, we selected patients with distal ULMCA stenosis treated with drug-eluting stents. Seven hundred seventy-three patients were eligible for this study: 456 were treated with 1 stent (group 1) and 317 with 2 stents (group 2). The primary end point of the study was the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as the occurrence of mortality, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. During a 2-year follow-up, risk-adjusted survival free from MACE was significantly higher in patients in group 1 than in patients in group 2. The propensity-adjusted hazard ratio for the risk of 2-year MACE in patients in group 1 versus group 2 was 0.53 (95% CI, 0.37 to 0.76). The propensity-adjusted hazard ratio for the risk of 2-year cardiac mortality and myocardial infarction in patients in group 1 versus group 2 was 0.38 (95% CI, 0.17 to 0.85). Compared with the 2-stent technique, the 1-stent technique is associated with a better 2-year MACE-free survival. The stenting strategy is a prognostic factor that should be taken into account when deciding the optimal revascularization treatment.