Large Coronary Vessels Research Articles

Abstract 16776: Drug-eluting Stents in Large Coronary Vessels Improve Both Safety and Efficacy in Women Compared to Bare-metal Stents

Objectives: Drug-eluting stents (DES) are associated with lower rates of target vessel revascularization (TVR) compared with bare-metal stents (BMS), possibly with a particular benefit in women. Inferences on efficacy and safety of DES compared to BMS have been difficult to study in female subgroups as clinical trials often enroll a low proportion of women. Therefore we investigated the safety and efficacy of DES vs. BMS in women and men in a pooled analysis of two randomized stent trials. Methods: BASKET PROVE and BASKET PROVE II were all-comers trials including patients with coronary artery disease requiring at least one stent ≥ 3.0 mm. 4605 patients were randomized to DES vs. BMS and followed for 2 years with a primary endpoint of major adverse cardiac events (MACE: cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, TVR). The safety (cardiac death and myocardial infarction) and efficacy (non-myocardial infarction TVR) of DES vs. BMS in men and women with large coronary vessels were examined with adjusted Cox proportional hazard models. Results: At baseline, women presented with higher age and more hypertension and heart failure than did men. Risk factors such as smoking, prior myocardial infarction or revascularization were more frequent in men. DES reduced MACE rates at 2 years compared to BMS in both women (6.8 vs. 14.9 %, hazard ratio (HR) 0.40 (0.27-0.60)) and men (7.8 vs. 12.3 %, HR 0.61 (0.49-0.76)), although the reduction in MACE rates was more pronounced in women (p-value for interaction, 0.05). DES significantly reduced the overall rates of non-fatal myocardial infarction and cardiac death compared to BMS in women (HR 0.52 (0.28-0.99)) but not in men (HR 0.75 (0.53-1.05)). The stent-dependent difference in MACE was mainly driven by a difference in non-myocardial infarction TVR in women (2.7 vs. 8.9 %, HR 0.25 (0.14-0.44)) and men (3.8 vs. 7.6 %, HR 0.48 (0.36-0.65)). Conclusions: In patients requiring stenting of large coronary arteries we found that DES, as compared to BMS, were associated with improved safety in women, but not in men. Although, DES demonstrated superior efficacy over BMS in both genders, women benefited more than men. Our findings suggest that DES should always be the stent of choice in women - even in patients at low risk of restenosis.

No reflow : quels facteurs prédictifs ?

IntroductionDuring the past 20 years, significant progress has been made in the recanalization of ACS with ST elevation. It is now accepted that the reopening of the large coronary vessels in the acute phase of infarction by thrombolysis or angioplasty is necessary but not sufficient, because in 20–50% of cases, the coronary recanalization is an illusion of reperfusion. This phenomenon is called “no reflow”. ObjectiveThe main objective of our study was to identify predictors of poor perfusion or “no reflow” in the acute phase of myocardial infarction. MethodsObservational prospective study, in the department of cardiology and internal medicine, university hospital of Blida, over a period of 28 months from 1st September 2010 to 31st January 2013. We identified all patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction in acute phase, who underwent primary angioplasty or thrombolysis with angiographic control during a good TIMI flow. The endpoint was regression of ST segment (regression<50% ST-segment defined no reflow). ResultsThree hundred and seventy-nine patients were included. The mean age was 56.3±2.1, 87.8% of patients were male. In total, 35.9% hypertensive, 27.1% diabetic type 2, 50.1% and 10.8% dyslipidemia, smoking. One hundred and forty-seven (38.8%) developed a no reflow. Mortality was 3.9%, strongly correlated with no reflow (P=0.001). Predictors of no reflow after multivariate analysis were: age (OR 98, 0.961–0.996 95%, P=0.02), heart rate (1.01, 95% CI 0.998–1.02, P=0.035), the type 2 diabetes (odds ratio 1.87, CI 1.2–3.0, P=0.08), reaching the core (OR 7, 95% CI 1.2–18.4, P=0.027), direct stenting (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.31–0.78, P=0.003). An interesting subgroup of patients was identified namely the subgroup strategy deferred primary angioplasty with stenting best reperfusion (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.5–8.8, P=0.04), a lower rate of reocclusion of culprit artery and a lower rate of stenting with 23/51 (45.1%) versus 136/136 (100%) of immediate stenting group with a P<0.001. ConclusionNo reflow is a common phenomenon, strongly correlated with mortality predictors are age, heart rate, diabetes, achieving the core and direct stenting. The distal embolization in primary angioplasty is an important phenomenon, a delayed stenting strategy appears to limit this phenomenon.

Cardiac response to low-energy field pacing challenges the standard theory of defibrillation.

The electric response of myocardial tissue to periodic field stimuli has attracted significant attention as the basis for low-energy antifibrillation pacing, potentially more effective than traditional single high-energy shocks. In conventional models, an electric field produces a highly nonuniform response of the myocardial wall, with discrete excitations, or hot spots (HS), occurring at cathodal tissue surfaces or large coronary vessels. We test this prediction using novel 3-dimensional tomographic optical imaging. Experiments were performed in isolated coronary perfused pig ventricular wall preparations stained with near-infrared voltage-sensitive fluorescent dye DI-4-ANBDQBS. The 3-dimensional coordinates of HS were determined using alternating transillumination. To relate HS formation with myocardial structures, we used ultradeep confocal imaging (interrogation depths, >4 mm). The peak HS distribution is located deep inside the heart wall, and the depth is not significantly affected by field polarity. We did not observe the strong colocalization of HS with major coronary vessels anticipated from theory. Yet, we observed considerable lateral displacement of HS with field polarity reversal. Models that de-emphasized lateral intracellular coupling and accounted for resistive heterogeneity in the extracellular space showed similar HS distributions to the experimental observations. The HS distributions within the myocardial wall and the significant lateral displacements with field polarity reversal are inconsistent with standard theories of defibrillation. Extended theories based on enhanced descriptions of cellular scale electric mechanisms may be necessary. The considerable lateral displacement of HS with field polarity reversal supports the hypothesis of biphasic stimuli in low-energy antifibrillation pacing being advantageous.

Drug-eluting versus bare-metal stents in large coronary arteries of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Findings from the ICAS registry

Background and purposeThere are a few retrospective subgroup analyses or registries of large-vessel (≥3.5mm) stenting. We investigated clinical outcomes of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES) and bare-metal stents (BMS) in large coronary vessels. Methods and subjectsOf 1100 STEMI patients registered in the Ibaraki Cardiovascular Assessment Study (ICAS) multicenter registry from April 2007 to June 2012 who underwent PCI, we enrolled 454 patients (65.8±12.7 years old, 81% male) with ≥3.5-mm stents. We excluded 53 patients with cardiogenic shock or left main trunk lesions. The remaining 401 patients were divided into Group-D, PCI with DES (n=184), and Group-B, PCI with BMS (n=217). Propensity score analysis matched 1:1 according to treatment with DES (n=101) or with BMS (n=101). We evaluated major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and incidence of stent thrombosis (ST). MACCE was defined as all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), target-vessel revascularization (TVR), or cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Essential resultsDuring a mean follow-up period of 526 days, all-cause death, MI, CVA, MACCE, and ST were not significantly different in Group-D versus Group-B (all-cause death: 4.35% vs. 4.61%, p=0.90; MI: 0% vs. 0%; CVA: 2.72% vs. 3.23%, p=0.76; MACCE: 15.2% vs. 20.3%, p=0.19; and ST: 0.0% vs. 1.38%, p=0.11). After adjusting for age, insulin use, multivessel disease, intra-aortic balloon pump use, culprit lesions, and estimated glomerular filtration rate <60ml/min/1.73m2, MACCE was not significantly different between the groups (odds ratio: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.40–1.23; p=0.21). However, TVR was significantly lower in Group-D than Group-B in Kaplan–Meier analysis (p=0.048) after propensity score matching. Principal conclusionThere was no advantage to using a DES in large vessels for preventing a hard endpoint, whereas DES use resulted in a significant reduction in TVR in the patients with STEMI in this registry.

Comparison of drug‐eluting and bare metal stents in large coronary arteries

This study sought to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of drug-eluting stents (DES) compared to bare-metal stents (BMS) for patients with large coronary vessels. Randomized trials have demonstrated that DES reduce the risk of target vessel revascularization (TVR) compared to BMS. This benefit is less pronounced as artery diameter increases. Whether DES are superior to BMS for larger coronary arteries in the setting of routine clinical practice is unknown. We analyzed data from 869 patients undergoing de novo lesion PCI with reference vessel diameter greater than or equal to 3.5 mm in the NHLBI Dynamic Registry according to whether they were treated with DES or BMS. Patients were followed for 3 years for the occurrence of cardiovascular events. At 3-year follow-up, rates of TVR at 3 years were similar and low in both groups (4.4% vs. 3.7%, P = 0.62). After adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics, the adjusted hazard ratio for 3-year MI for DES was 1.85 (95% CI 0.93-3.7, P = 0.08), for TVR at 3 years 1.14 (95% CI 0.52-2.49, P = 0.75) and for mortality 0.89 (95%CI 0.49-1.62, P = 0.71). In our study of the unrestricted use of DES for patients with lesions in larger diameter coronary arteries, first generation DES did not reduce 3-year risk of TVR. Our findings do not support the preferred use of DES over BMS for patients with lesions located in arteries >3.5 mm. It is unknown whether secondary generation DES can offer better outcome compared to BMS in large coronary vessels. Further study on this issue is warranted.

Chapter 16 - Sexual dysfunction in diabetes

We aimed to summarize the etiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and possible treatment options of sexual dysfunction in diabetic patients of both sexes. Details of dysfunction in diabetic women are less conclusive than in men due to the lack of standardized evaluation of sexual function in women. Male sexual dysfunction is a common complication of diabetes, including abnormalities of orgasmic/ejaculatory function and desire/libido in addition to penile erection. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) among diabetic men varies from 35% to 75%. Diabetes-induced ED has a multifactorial etiology including metabolic, neurologic, vascular, hormonal, and psychological components. ED should be regarded as the first sign of cardiovascular disease because it can be present before development of symptomatic coronary artery disease, as larger coronary vessels better tolerate the same amount of plaque compared to smaller penile arteries. The diagnosis of ED is based on validated questionnaires and determination of functional and organic abnormalities. First-, second- and third-line therapy may be applied. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor treatment from the first-line options leads to smooth muscle relaxation in the corpus cavernosum and enhancement in blood flow, resulting in erection during sexual stimulus. The use of PDE-5 inhibitors in the presence of oral nitrates is strictly contraindicated in diabetic men, as in nondiabetic subjects. All PDE-5 inhibitors have been evaluated for ED in diabetic patients with convincing efficacy data. Second-line therapy includes intracavernosal, trans- or intraurethral administration of vasoactive drugs or application of a vacuum device. Third-line therapies are the implantation of penile prosthesis and penile revascularization.

It’s time for a practical method quantifying vascular calcification

It’s time for a practical method quantifying vascular calcification

High-resolution visualization of mouse cardiac microvasculature using optical histology

Cardiovascular disease typically is associated with dysfunction of the coronary vasculature and microvasculature. The study of cardiovascular disease typically involves imaging of the large coronary vessels and quantification of cardiac blood perfusion. These methods, however, are not well suited for imaging of the cardiac microvasculature. We used the optical histology method, which combines chemical optical clearing and optical imaging, to create high-resolution, wide-field maps of the cardiac microvasculature in ventral slices of mouse heart. We have demonstrated the ability of the optical histology method to enable wide-field visualization of the cardiac microvasculature in high-resolution and anticipate that optical histology may have significant impact in studying cardiovascular disease.

Coronary artery ectasia as a culprit for acute myocardial infarction: review of pathophysiology and management

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined as localized coronary dilatation, which exceeds the diameter of normal adjacent segments or the diameter of the patient's largest coronary vessel by 1.5 times. The pathophysiology of CAE remains unclear as its relationship with atherosclerosis remains only modestly established. The histological variances and conflicting reports of the role of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, also, weakens the significance of such association. The slow coronary flow (CSF) of CAE may lead to ischemic and thrombotic events, a mechanism that has never been fully elucidated, but may play a fundamental role in its pathogenesis. While pure, non-atherosclerotic, CAE is believed to have better prognosis when compared to atherosclerotic obstructive CAE, it is thought that CAE is not a simple condition but rather has an adverse clinical course. Nevertheless, long-term prognosis and outcome of CAE is similar to atherosclerotic-non-CAE. Since CAE was first described, oral anticoagulants have been considered as a valid treatment option. Dual antiplatelet therapy is widely employed in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), which also applies to CAE patients presenting with ACS. However, there is a significant uncertainty about the best treatment strategy for CAE in acute myocardial infarction. We hereby report a variety of presentations of CAE complicated with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Pathophysiological and anatomical varieties of ectatic coronary culprit lesions represent clinical challenges in uniformly managing this condition. Our review is unique in critically showing the pathophysiology, available controversial evidence upon management and prognostic features of CAE with STEMI.

EComment. Coronary artery dilatation: ectasia or aneurysm

We read with great interest the paper by Singh et al [1]. They described surgical treatment including proximal ligation and plication of the aneurysm with coronary artery bypass grafting in a series of 4 cases of coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) from a single centre. We would like to congratulate the authors for bringing such a rare entity to our attention. We would also like to add a short comment on this topic. Coronary artery dilatation is an exceptional and frequently unrecognized incidental finding in patients with coronary artery disease [2]. At present there is no uniform definition of this pathology. Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) and CAA are characterized by an abnormal dilatation of the coronary artery. They are used interchangeably for the condition. CAE may be classified into four types on basis of the extent of coronary artery involvement: Type I - diffuse ectasia of two or three vessels; Type II - diffuse ectasia in one vessel and localised disease (ie, aneurysm) in another; Type III - diffuse ectasia in one vessel only, and; Type IV - localised or segmental involvement (CAA) only [3]. This classification may have prognostic implications, with the worst outcomes in types I and II [2]. CAA may be classified in three different ways on the basis of the composition of the vessel wall (true aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms), the morphologic structure (saccular or fusiform aneurysms), and size (e.g., large or giant aneurysms) [2]. The various factors contributing to CAA formation include atherosclerosis, congenital malformations, Kawasaki disease, percutaneous coronary interventions, inflammatory arterial diseases (polyarteritis nodosa, systemic lupus erythematosus, Takayasu's arteritis), infectious causes (endocarditis, syphilis, candidosis, Lyme borreliosis), chest traumas, vasculitis (eg, Behcet disease), connective tissue disorders (Marfan's syndrome, Ehlers Danlos syndrome, scleroderma), primary cardiac lymphoma and primary hyperaldosteronism [2]. CAE is used to describe diffuse dilatation (>1.5 times the normal diameter) of the coronary arteries that involves 50% or more of the length of the vessel. However, CAA is defined as a localized dilatation that exceeds the diameter of normal adjacent coronary artery segments, or the diameter of the patient's largest coronary vessel by 1.5 times. Herein, coronary artery involment is less than 50% of the total length of the vessel [2]. A giant aneurysm is defined as one where the maximal vessel diameter exceeds 20 mm in adults or 8 mm in children. In adults, the reported diameter of giant CAAs varies from 50 to 150 mm. Giant CAAs are rare, with a reported prevalence of 0.02% [4]. Potential complications include rupture (subsequent cardiac tamponade), thrombosis, embolization, dissection, mechanical obstruction, and erosion into surrounding structures. In these patients, surgery should be considered as a means to avoid complications [5]. Conflict of interest: none declared

Improved two-year outcomes after drug-eluting versus bare-metal stent implantation in women and men with large coronary arteries: Importance of vessel size

ObjectivesTo investigate the importance of vessel size on outcome differences by comparing the effects of drug-eluting stents (DES) versus bare-metal stents (BMS) in women and men with large coronary vessels. MethodsAll 2314 BASKET–PROVE patients randomized to DES versus BMS were followed for 2years with a primary endpoint of major adverse cardiac events (MACE: cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, target-vessel revascularization). Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the relative risk for women and men, respectively. All comparisons were adjusted for vessel size. ResultsAge, risk factors and complexity of coronary artery disease differed between women and men. DES reduced MACE rates at 2years compared to BMS — in women: 4% vs. 15%, p<0.0001 with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.27 (0.15–0.51), and men: 6% vs. 10%, p=0.003 (HR=0.60 (0.43–0.84)), respectively. The association persisted in both women (HR=0.25 (0.13–0.46)) and men (HR=0.60 (0.42–0.84)) following multivariable adjustments. A significant gender–treatment interaction was present (p=0.02). The reduced risk of MACE following DES vs. BMS implantation was present until 6months in both women (HR=0.15 (0.06–0.36)) and men (HR=0.32 (0.17–0.59)) and remained significant until 2years in women (HR=0.36 (0.15–0.87)), but not in men (HR=0.87 (0.49–1.55)). ConclusionsIn women and men with similarly sized large coronary arteries, DES reduced 2-year MACE rates compared to BMS, but the significant gender–treatment interaction indicated a greater benefit of DES in women. Thus, factors other than vessel size seem to determine this gender difference.

Heart rate at discharge and long-term prognosis following percutaneous coronary intervention in stable and acute coronary syndromes — results from the BASKET PROVE trial

Elevated heart rate (HR) is associated with mortality in a number of heart diseases. We examined the long-term prognostic significance of HR at discharge in a contemporary population of patients with stable angina (SAP), non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS), and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) revascularized with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients from the BASKET-PROVE trial, an 11-center randomized all-comers trial comparing bare-metal and drug-eluting stenting in large coronary vessels, were included. Discharge HR was determined from a resting ECG. Long-term outcomes (7 days to 2 years) were evaluated for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death and non-fatal myocardial infarction. A total of 2029 patients with sinus rhythm were included, 722 (35.6%) SAP, 647 (31.9%) NSTE-ACS, and 660 (32.5%) STEMI. Elevated discharge HR was associated significantly with all-cause mortality: when compared to a reference of <60 beats per minute (bpm), the adjusted hazard ratios were (95% CI) 4.5 (1.5-13.5, p=0.006) for 60-69 bpm, 3.8 (1.2-11.9, p=0.022) for 70-79 bpm, 4.3 (1.2-15.6, p=0.025) for 80-89 bpm, and 16.9 (5.2-55.0, p<0.001) for >90 bpm. For cardiovascular death/myocardial infarction, a discharge HR >90 bpm was associated with a hazard ratio of 6.2 (2.5-15.5, p<0.001) compared to a HR <60 bpm. No interaction was found for disease presentation, diabetes or betablocker use. In patients revascularized with PCI for stable angina or acute coronary syndromes an elevated discharge HR was independently associated with poor prognosis. Conversely, a HR <60 bpm at discharge was associated with a good long-term prognosis irrespective of indication for PCI.

Long-term outcomes of drug-eluting stents versus bare-metal stents in large coronary arteries

Long-term (>3 years) outcomes of drug-eluting stents (DES) versus bare-metal stents (BMS) in large coronary arteries were not conclusive. In addition, large coronary vessels were defined using a wide size range (≥3.0 mm) in previous studies. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term efficacy of DES versus BMS in subgroups of different vessel sizes. A total of 1096 patients (1342 lesions) who underwent either DES or BMS implantation in large coronary vessels was followed for a mean duration of 4.5 years. Patients were divided into 4 subgroups by the reference vessel diameters (Q1: 3.0-3.25 mm, Q2: 3.26-3.50 mm, Q3: 3.51-3.75 mm, and Q4: 3.76-4.50 mm). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and stent thrombosis. The propensity score-adjusted Cox regression method was applied. In the 3 subgroups with smaller vessel sizes, the adjusted risk of MACE in DES recipients was reduced by 82% in Q1 (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.09-0.38), 49% in Q2 (HR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.26-0.98), and 67% in Q3 (HR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.15-0.73). However, in the largest vessel subgroup (>3.75 mm), all clinical outcomes were not significantly different irrespective of the stent type used. The incidence of MACE in 3.0-3.75 mm vessels was significantly reduced by the use of DES than by the use of BMS during a long-term follow-up. However, DES lost its benefit in >3.75 mm vessels.

Surgical repair of an asymptomatic giant right coronary artery aneurysm.

Background Coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is a rare finding, being mostly diagnosed on angiography or at autopsies. It is defined as being a dilation of the coronary artery that exceeds the diameter of the patient's largest coronary vessel by 1.5 to 2 times. Case Report We describe the operative correction of a giant right CAA measuring in excess of 10 cm. Conclusion Management of giant CAAs is not standardized and surgical strategy remains controversial. In our case, the patient has a successful surgical repair with no postoperative shunts on follow-up investigations.

Focus on cardiac pericytes

The wall of myocardial terminal vessels, consisting of a continuous endothelial tube with an adventitial coat of pericytes in their extracellular matrix, constitutes a remarkably tight barrier to solute transport between the blood and the parenchyma. This constructional principle of precapillary arterioles, capillaries and postcapillary venules extends both up- and downstream into the arterial and venous limbs, where the original microvessel tube widens and becomes the innermost layer-the intima-of all the larger coronary vessels. In the myocardium's smallest functional units and in the intima of the coronaries, the pericytes play key roles by virtue of both their central histological localization and their physiological functions. Recognition and integration of these properties has led to new pathogenetic models for diverse heart diseases and suggests that current therapeutic concepts need to be revised.

Bare‐metal stent versus drug‐eluting stent in large coronary arteries

Uncertainties exist with regard to the efficacy of drug-eluting stent (DES) versus bare-metal stent (BMS) in large coronary arteries. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of BMS versus DES in terms of clinical events in large coronary vessels (≥3.0 mm) by performing a meta-analysis of all relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Six RCTs with 4,399 patients were included in this study. Overall, there were no significant between-group differences in the risks of the composite of cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction (cardiac death/MI), cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis, however, DES was associated with significant reduction in the risk of target vessel revascularization (TVR) compared with BMS [0.48 (0.33, 0.70)] with consistent benefits among patients with reference vessel diameter ≥ 3.5 mm, reference vessel diameter ≥ 4.0 mm, stent length ≤ 15 mm, first-generation DES or second-generation DES. In patients with ≥ 3-year follow-up, there were no significant between-group differences in the risk of cardiac death/MI, TVR, cardiac death, myocardial infarction or stent thrombosis. This meta-analysis suggests that DES is superior to BMS in terms of adverse cardiac events in large coronary arteries at the mid-term follow-up. The long-term efficacy of newer-generation DES versus BMS in larger coronary arteries is still worth further evaluation.

Late-Life Depression Research: Lessons Learned From the Metabolic Syndrome

Late-Life Depression Research: Lessons Learned From the Metabolic Syndrome

Acute and Chronic Effects of Epicardial Radiofrequency Applications Delivered on Epicardial Coronary Arteries

Epicardial coronary injury is by far the most feared complication of epicardial ablation. Little information is available regarding the chronic effects of delivering radiofrequency in the vicinity of large coronary vessels, and the long-term impact of this approach for mapping and ablation on epicardial vessel integrity is poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the acute and chronic histopathologic changes produced by in vivo epicardial pulses of radiofrequency ablation on coronary artery of porcine hearts. Seven pigs underwent a left thoracotomy. The catheter was sutured adjacent to the left anterior descending artery and left circumflex artery, and 20 pulses of radiofrequency energy were applied. Radiofrequency lesions located no more than 1 mm of the vessel were used for this analysis. Three animals were euthanized 20 days (acute phase) after the procedure and 4 animals after 70 days (chronic phase). The following parameters were obtained in each vessel analyzed: (1) internal and external perimeter; (2) vessel wall thickness; (3) tunica media thickness, and (4) tunica intima thickness. The presence of adipose tissue around the coronary arteries, the distance between the artery and the epicardium, and the anatomic relationship of the artery with the coronary vein was also documented for each section. Sixteen of 20 (80%) sections analyzed, showed intimal thickening with a mean of 0.18 ± 0.14 mm compared with 0.13 ± 0.16 mm in the acute phase (P = 0.331). The mean tunica media thickness was 0.25 ± 0.10 mm in the chronic phase animals compared with 0.18 ± 0.03 mm in the acute phase animals (P = 0.021). A clear protective effect of pericardial fat and coronary veins was also present. A positive correlation between depth of radiofrequency lesion and the degree of vessel injury expressed as intimal and media thickening (P = 0.001) was present. A negative correlation was identified (r = -0.83; P = 0.002) between intimal thickening and distance between epicardium and coronary artery. In this porcine model of in vivo epicardial radiofrequency ablation in proximity to coronary arteries leads to acute and chronic histopathologic changes characterized by tunica intima and media thickening, with replacement of smooth muscle cells with extracellular matrix, but no significant stenosis was observed up to 70 days after the ablation. The absence of acute coronary occlusion or injury does not preclude subsequent significant arterial damage, which frequently occurs when epicardial radiofrequency applications are delivered in close vicinity to the vessels.

37 Decrease in mace rates associated with drug eluting stent use in patients with diabetes undergoing PCI in large diameter coronary arteries

IntroductionBoth large multi centre trials and registry studies have demonstrated that PCI with drug eluting stents (DES) is associated with reduced MACE and restenosis rates compared to bare metal stents...

Prognostic Value of Stress Echocardiography in Octogenarians

in Cohort 2 (mean age 65± 10 yrs, median follow-up 23 months. MACE and independent outcomes were not significantly different during follow up with low TVR and ST reported in both cohorts (Table). Cohort 1(≤2.75mm EES) n= 91 Cohort 2(≥3.00mm EES) n= 118 P Value Age 61+ 12 yrs 65± 10 yrs Male 59% 70% 0.11 All-cause mortality 5 (6%) 6 (5%) 1.00 MI 2 (2%) 1 (1%) 0.58 TVR 3 (3%) 3 (3%) 1.00 ST 1 (1%) 0 (0%) 0.44 MACE 11 (12%) 10 (9%) 0.34 Conclusion:Everolimus-eluting stent use in the realworld is associated with good clinical outcomes and low adverse event rates in both small and large coronary vessels. Conflicts of interests:Nil. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2011.03.055 Post-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) Related New Onset Left-Bundle Branch Block and Its Short-Term Effect on Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction