Left Main Bifurcation Research Articles

The European bifurcation club Left Main Coronary Stent study: a randomized comparison of stepwise provisional vs. systematic dual stenting strategies (EBC MAIN).

Patients with non-left-main coronary bifurcation lesions are usually best treated with a stepwise provisional approach. However, patients with true left main stem bifurcation lesions have been shown in one dedicated randomized study to benefit from systematic dual stent implantation. Four hundred and sixty-seven patients with true left main stem bifurcation lesions requiring intervention were recruited to the EBC MAIN study in 11 European countries. Patients were aged 71 ± 10 years; 77% were male. Patients were randomly allocated to a stepwise layered provisional strategy (n = 230) or a systematic dual stent approach (n = 237). The primary endpoint (a composite of death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization at 12 months) occurred in 14.7% of the stepwise provisional group vs. 17.7% of the systematic dual stent group (hazard ratio 0.8, 95% confidence interval 0.5-1.3; P = 0.34). Secondary endpoints were death (3.0% vs. 4.2%, P = 0.48), myocardial infarction (10.0% vs. 10.1%, P = 0.91), target lesion revascularization (6.1% vs. 9.3%, P = 0.16), and stent thrombosis (1.7% vs. 1.3%, P = 0.90), respectively. Procedure time, X-ray dose and consumables favoured the stepwise provisional approach. Symptomatic improvement was excellent and equal in each group. Among patients with true bifurcation left main stem stenosis requiring intervention, fewer major adverse cardiac events occurred with a stepwise layered provisional approach than with planned dual stenting, although the difference was not statistically significant. The stepwise provisional strategy should remain the default for distal left main stem bifurcation intervention. http://clinicaltrials.gov NCT02497014.

Venous anatomy of the left ventricular summit: Therapeutic implications for ethanol infusion.

Venous ethanol ablation (VEA) is effective for treatment of left ventricular (LV) summit (LVS) arrhythmias. The LVS venous anatomy is poorly understood and has inconsistent nomenclature. The purpose of this study was to delineate the LVS venous anatomy by selective venography and 3-dimensional (3D) mapping during VEA and by venous-phase coronary computed tomographic angiography (vCTA). We analyzed (1) LVS venograms and 3D maps of 53 patients undergoing VEA; and (2) 3D reconstructions of 52 vCTAs, tracing LVS veins. Angiography identified the following LVS veins: (1) LV annular branch of the great cardiac vein (GCV) (19/53); (2) septal(rightward) branches of the anterior ventricular vein (AIV) (53/53); and (3) diagonal branches of the AIV (51/53). Collateral connections between LVS veins and outflow, conus, and retroaortic veins were common. VEA was delivered to target arrhythmias in 38 of 53 septal, 6 of 53 annular, and 2 of 53 diagonal veins. vCTA identified LVS veins (range 1-5) in a similar distribution. GCV-AIV transition could either form an angle close to the left main artery bifurcation (n = 16; 88° ± 13°) or cut diagonally (n = 36; 133°±12°) (P ≤.001). Twenty-one patients had LV annular vein. In 28 patients only septal LVS veins were visualized in vCTA, in 2 patients only diagonal veins and in 22 patients both septal and diagonal veins were seen. In 39 patients the LVS veins reached the outflow tracts and their vicinity. We provide a systematic atlas and nomenclature of LVS veins related to arrhythmogenic substrates. vCTA can be useful for noninvasive evaluation of LVS veins before ethanol ablation.

Pooled prevalence of three major cardiovascular risk factors in patients undergoing left main bifurcation stenting: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Prevalence of the major risk factors in patients with Left Main (LM) bifurcation disease has not been yet clearly assessed, although it would be important for building up bifurcation computational models. We perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the three major cardiovascular risk factors in patients treated for LM bifurcation disease using either single or two-stent strategy. In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed and Google Scholar were queried to locate articles published between January 2015 to October 2020, comparing single- versus two-stent strategy and reporting the prevalence of arterial hypertension (HT), hyperlipidemia (HyperL) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Out of a total of 230 articles, seven articles were included into the final analysis. A total of 4559 patients were enrolled: 2666 (58.4%, mean age 60.4 years, 2318 males) and 1933 patients (42.3%, mean age 64.8 years, 1763 males) received a single- and two-stent stenting strategies, respectively. A random effect model revealed a pooled prevalence of HT, HyperL and DM in 69.4%, 38.9% and in 31% of cases, respectively. Prevalence of HT was lower in patients treated with single versus two-stent strategy (63 versus 66.7% of patients, P=0.01) while HyperL and DM were more represented in single versus two-stent strategy: 41.6 versus 34.1% (P<0.001), and 32.5 versus 31.8% of patients (P=0.61), respectively. In patients with LM bifurcation disease undergoing either single or two-stent strategy, HT, HyperL and DM are frequent comorbidities. In severe LM disease requiring two-stent technique, HT is the most prevalent risk factor.

Bioabsorbable magnesium scaffold implantation in acute coronary syndromes: profit and medium-term results

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Hospital Puerta del Mar OBJECTIVES AND METHODS We aim to evaluate the long-term clinical and intravascular outcomes inACS patients treated with Magnesium-Based Bioresorbable Scaffold(MgBRS).Exclusion criteria:left main disease,bifurcations,ostial lesions,severe tortuosity and calcification,long lesions,high thrombus burden,haemodynamic instability,oral anticoagulants,contraindication to dual-antiplatelet therapy.Primary endpoint was the device-oriented composite end-point(DOCE):cardiac death,target vessel myocardial infarction,and target lesion revascularization(TLR).RESULTS:Between Dec2016 to Dec2018,90patients with ACS underwent PCI with MgBRS.46%patients presented with STEMI.Mean age55.9 ± 9.9,75.6%males and64.4%smokers.OCT was performed in 62patients.Mean scaffold length21.27 ± 7.7mm,mean diameter3.31 ± 0.24mm.15 patients required a second overlapped stent.There were 7complications:5edge dissection;1catheter-induced ostial dissection and 1case of slow-flow.Post-PCI OCT showed in-scaffold area stenosis of3.49 ± 21.29%.At 15months,diameter stenosis was31.95 ± 26.14%and restenosis was observed in 10cases(21.7%).Mean scaffold area shrinked from baseline(7.57 ± 1.77mm2)to15-month follow-up(6.13 ± 2.20mm2).The main mechanism of restenosis was scaffold collapse.DOCE was observed in 13.3%of patients.2patients with target-vessel myocardial infarction due to stent thrombosis.1case had recurrent angina at2weeks because of stent fracture and proximal edge dissection.9cases presented restenosis at different time-points.CONCLUSIONS:MgBRS is feasible in patients presenting ACS.At long-term follow-up,further development is needed to help to resolve these drawbacks

Computational and experimental mechanical performance of a new everolimus-eluting stent purpose-built for left main interventions

Left main (LM) coronary artery bifurcation stenting is a challenging topic due to the distinct anatomy and wall structure of LM. In this work, we investigated computationally and experimentally the mechanical performance of a novel everolimus-eluting stent (SYNERGY MEGATRON) purpose-built for interventions to large proximal coronary segments, including LM. MEGATRON stent has been purposefully designed to sustain its structural integrity at higher expansion diameters and to provide optimal lumen coverage. Four patient-specific LM geometries were 3D reconstructed and stented computationally with finite element analysis in a well-validated computational stent simulation platform under different homogeneous and heterogeneous plaque conditions. Four different everolimus-eluting stent designs (9-peak prototype MEGATRON, 10-peak prototype MEGATRON, 12-peak MEGATRON, and SYNERGY) were deployed computationally in all bifurcation geometries at three different diameters (i.e., 3.5, 4.5, and 5.0 mm). The stent designs were also expanded experimentally from 3.5 to 5.0 mm (blind analysis). Stent morphometric and biomechanical indices were calculated in the computational and experimental studies. In the computational studies the 12-peak MEGATRON exhibited significantly greater expansion, better scaffolding, smaller vessel prolapse, and greater radial strength (expressed as normalized hoop force) than the 9-peak MEGATRON, 10-peak MEGATRON, or SYNERGY (p < 0.05). Larger stent expansion diameters had significantly better radial strength and worse scaffolding than smaller stent diameters (p < 0.001). Computational stenting showed comparable scaffolding and radial strength with experimental stenting. 12-peak MEGATRON exhibited better mechanical performance than the 9-peak MEGATRON, 10-peak MEGATRON, or SYNERGY. Patient-specific computational LM stenting simulations can accurately reproduce experimental stent testing, providing an attractive framework for cost- and time-effective stent research and development.

PVAD-assisted left main DK-Crush Bifurcation PCI Post-ViV TAVR

We describe successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of significantly diseased ostial left main (LM) and distal LM bifurcation (Medina 1,1,1) in a patient with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and a recent valve-in-valve balloon-expandable TAVR using the DK-Crush technique with the support of a percutaneous left ventricular assist device.

Polymer-Free Biolimus-Eluting Stents or Polymer-Based Zotarolimus-Eluting Stents for Coronary Bifurcation Lesions

BackgroundA polymer-free biolimus-eluting stent (PF-BES) and a zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES) recently showed similar clinical profiles and appear to be competing options in specific clinical settings of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Whether they perform similarly also in complex procedural settings as coronary bifurcation lesions remains unaddressed. MethodsAll consecutive patients undergoing coronary bifurcation PCI with PF-BES or the new iteration of the ZES from three large multicenter real-world registries were included. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR) and stent thrombosis (ST). Multiple analyses to adjust for baseline differences were carried out including propensity-score matching, propensity-score stratification and inverse-probability-weighting. Outcomes are reported according to Cox proportional hazard models censored at 400-day follow-up. Results1169 patients treated with PF-BES (n = 440) or ZES (n = 729) on the main branch of a coronary bifurcation lesion were included (mean age 69 ± 11 years, 75.4% male, 53.8% acute coronary syndrome at presentation, 26.6% left main bifurcation, median dual antiplatelet therapy duration 12 [range 12–12] months). MACE, all-cause death, TLR and ST tended towards non-statistically higher rates with the PF-BES as compared to the ZES. Higher MI and target vessel revascularization occurrence was observed with PF-BES. ConclusionsIn this large contemporary cohort of patients undergoing coronary bifurcation PCI, the occurrence of MACE was non-statistically different with the use of PF-BES and ZES devices. However, differences favoring the ZES device that may entail clinical relevance were observed. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore whether they remain valid when a short dual antiplatelet therapy is adopted.

TCTAP C-051 Left Main Equivalent Bifurcation Stenting of Saphenous Venous Graft Lesion in a Patient with a Previous Rare Saphenous Venous Graft Intervention

TCTAP C-051 Left Main Equivalent Bifurcation Stenting of Saphenous Venous Graft Lesion in a Patient with a Previous Rare Saphenous Venous Graft Intervention

TCTAP C-025 "Drilling Through History" - A Case of Calcified Left Main Bifurcation Lesion with Rotablation and DK-crush in a Patient with High Bleeding Risk

TCTAP C-025 "Drilling Through History" - A Case of Calcified Left Main Bifurcation Lesion with Rotablation and DK-crush in a Patient with High Bleeding Risk

TCTAP C-036 Urgent PCI in a Complex Left Main Bifurcation for an ESRD Patient with Recurrent ACS

TCTAP C-036 Urgent PCI in a Complex Left Main Bifurcation for an ESRD Patient with Recurrent ACS

Correlation of Computational Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio With Fractional Flow Reserve for Intermediate Multivessel Coronary Disease.

This study computationally assesses the accuracy of an instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) threshold range compared to standard modalities such as fractional flow reserve (FFR) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) for multiple intermediate lesions near the left main (LM) coronary bifurcation. iFR is an adenosine-independent index encouraged for assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD), but different thresholds are debated. This becomes particularly challenging in cases of multivessel disease when sensitivity to downstream lesions is unclear. Idealized LM coronary arteries with 34 different intermediate stenoses were created and categorized (Medina) as single and multiple lesion groups. Computational fluid dynamics modeling was performed with physiologic boundary conditions using an open-source software (simvascular1) to solve the time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations. A strong linear relationship between iFR and FFR was observed among studied models, indicating computational iFR values of 0.92 and 0.93 are statistically equivalent to an FFR of 0.80 in single and multiple lesion groups, respectively. At the clinical FFR value (i.e., 0.8), a triple-lesion group had smaller CFR compared to the single and double lesion groups (e.g., triple = 3.077 versus single = 3.133 and double = 3.132). In general, the effect of additional intermediate downstream lesions (minimum lumen area > 3 mm2) was not statistically significant for iFR and CFR. A computational iFR of 0.92 best predicts an FFR of 0.80 and may be recommended as threshold criteria for computational assessment of LM stenosis following additional validation using patient-specific models.

Stentless Strategy by Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty following Directional Coronary Atherectomy for Left Main Bifurcation Lesion.

Aims We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of stentless strategy by drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty following directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) for left main (LM) bifurcation lesions. Methods A total of 38 patients who underwent DCB angioplasty following DCA for LM bifurcation lesions were retrospectively enrolled. The primary endpoint was target vessel failure (TVF) at 12 months. Secondary endpoints included procedure-related major events during the hospitalization, major adverse cardiac events at 12 months, ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 12 months, and bleeding complications defined as the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria ≥2 at 12 months. Results Among these 38 lesions, 31 lesions were de novo LM bifurcation lesions and 7 lesions were stent edge restenosis at the left anterior descending (LAD) ostium. The mean % plaque area (%PA) after DCA was 44.0 ± 7.4%. TVF at 12 months occurred in 1 lesion (3.2%) of de novo LM bifurcation lesion and in 3 lesions (42.9%) of stent edge restenosis at the LAD ostium. All events of TVF were ischemia-driven TLR by percutaneous coronary intervention. Among 4 TLR cases, %PA after DCA was high (55.9%) in the de novo LM bifurcation lesions; on the other hand, %PA after DCA was low (42.4%, 38.7%, and 25.7% in the 3 cases) in stent edge restenosis at the LAD ostium. No procedure-related major events were observed during hospitalization. There was no cardiac death, no myocardial infarction, no coronary artery bypass grafting, and no bleeding complications at 12 months. Conclusions Stentless strategy by DCB angioplasty following DCA for de novo LM bifurcation lesions resulted in acceptable outcomes. On the other hand, its efficacy was limited for stent edge restenosis at the LAD ostium even after aggressive debulking by DCA.

Under-deployment of extra-large drug-eluting stent: an adapted provisional technique for selected patients with distal lesions in large left main.

In provisional technique, main vessel (MV) drug-eluting stent (DES) diameter is usually selected according to distal MV to reduce carina shift. Proximal optimization technique (POT) is used to expand the DES in the proximal MV. Occasionally, the size discrepancy between left main (LM) and left anterior descending artery (LAD) may be huge and this may cause stent malapposition and poor vessel wall coverage in large-sized LM. Recently, some manufactures designed extra-large DES to treat large vessels. We developed an "adapted" provisional strategy based on under-deployment of extra-large DES in case of major size mismatch between LM and proximal LAD. Bench tests were realized in appropriately designed LM bifurcation model using an extra-large DES (Onyx XL, Medtronic, Santa Rosa, CA, USA). This technique was adopted when such "rare" anatomy was found in our clinical practice. At bench test, Onyx XL 4.5 mm stent reaches 3.8 mm at 5-6 atmospheres, with favorable stent deformation achieved after POT, kissing balloon and re-POT. This technique was performed in 10 patients undergoing unprotected LM stenting with large LM and major mismatch toward LAD. Angiographic success was achieved in all cases and optical coherence tomography assessment was performed in 5 patients revealing optimal stent result. After a follow-up of 557 days (range: 90-1369 days), clinical course was uneventful in all treated patients. Under-deployment of extra-large DES is a technical option that can be considered to optimize the provisional stenting technique in selected patients with major diameter mismatch between large-sized LM and LAD.

Left main bifurcation stenting: the impact of strut thickness on long-term outcomes.

Left main bifurcation stenting: the impact of strut thickness on long-term outcomes.

Functional Assessment of Coronary Artery Lesions-Old and New Kids on the Block.

Angiography is inaccurate in assessing functional significance of coronary lesions, and often stenoses deemed severe on angiographic assessment do not restrict coronary blood flow at rest or with maximal dilatation. Angiography-guided revascularization has not shown improvement in hard clinical outcomes in stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD). Most current guidelines for SIHD recommend invasive functional assessment of lesions to guide revascularization if prior evidence of ischemia is not available. There has been several recent advances and development of novel methods in this arena. Various contemporary clinical trials have been undertaken for validation of these indices. Here we review the physiological basis, tools, techniques, and evidence base for various invasive (resting as well as hyperemic) and noninvasive methods for functional assessment of coronary lesions. Left main stenosis, bifurcation lesions, serial stenosis, and acute coronary syndrome each causes unique disequilibrium that may affect measurements and require special considerations for accurate functional assessment.

Difference in basic concept of coronary bifurcation intervention between Korea and Japan. Insight from questionnaire in experts of Korean and Japanese bifurcation clubs

The coronary bifurcation intervention varies among countries due to the differences in assessment of lesion severity and treatment devices. We sought to clarify the difference in basic strategy between South Korea and Japan. A total of 19 and 32 experts from Korean (KBC) and Japanese Bifurcation Clubs (JBC), respectively, answered a survey questionnaire concerning their usual procedure of coronary bifurcation intervention. JBC experts performed less two-stent deployment in the left main (LM) bifurcation compared to KBC experts (JBC vs. KBC: median, 1–10% vs. 21–30%, p < 0.0001) instead of higher performance of side branch dilation after cross-over stenting in both LM (60% vs. 21%, p = 0.001) and non-LM bifurcations (30% vs. 5%, p = 0.037). KBC experts more frequently performed proximal optimization technique (POT) in non-LM bifurcation (41–60% vs. 81–99%, p = 0.028) and re-POT in both LM (1–20% vs. 81–99%, p = 0.017) and non-LM bifurcations (1–20% vs. 81–99%, p = 0.0003). JBC experts more frequently performed imaging-guided percutaneous coronary intervention, whereas KBC experts more often used a pressure wire to assess side branch ischemia. JBC experts used a rotablator more aggressively under the guidance of optical coherence tomography. We clarified the difference in the basic strategy of coronary bifurcation intervention between South Korea and Japan for better understanding the trend in each country.

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Unprotected Left Main Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Large Single-Centre Experience.

Aims This study sought to report the 10-year clinical outcomes of patients who underwent unprotected left main (LM) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a large centre. Methods and Results A total of 913 consecutive patients who underwent unprotected LM PCI from January 2004 to December 2008 at Fu Wai Hospital were retrospectively analysed; the mean age was 60.0 ± 10.9 years, females accounted for 22% of patients, diabetes was present in 27.7% of patients, and an LM bifurcation lesion occurred in 82.9% of patients. During the median follow-up of 9.7 years, major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) occurred in 25.6% (234) of patients, and the rates of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke were 14.9%, 11.0%, and 7.1%, respectively. Cardiac death occurred in only 7.9% of patients. The estimated event rate was 41.9% for death/myocardial infarction/any revascularization and 45.9% for death/MI/stroke/any revascularization. Definite/probable stent thrombosis occurred in 4.3% (39) of patients. According to the subgroup analysis, IVUS-guided PCI was associated with less long-term MACCEs. Further multivariate analysis identified that age and LVEF<40% were the only independent predictors for 10-year death. Age, LVEF<40%, creatinine clearance, and incomplete revascularization were independent predictors for death/MI, while a two-stent strategy, diabetes, a transradial approach, and the use of bare metal stents (BMSs) or first-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs) were not. Conclusions Unprotected LM PCI in a large cohort of consecutive patients in a single large centre demonstrated favourable long-term outcomes up to 10 years even with the use of BMSs and first-generation of DESs.

Significant pinching of dominant left circumflex arteryduring provisional left main bifurcation angioplasty: what next?

Significant pinching of dominant left circumflex arteryduring provisional left main bifurcation angioplasty: what next?

Outpatient Versus Inpatient Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Left Main Disease (from the EXCEL Trial)

Prior studies in patients with noncomplex coronary artery disease have demonstrated the safety of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the outpatient setting. We sought to examine the outcomes of outpatient PCI in patients with unprotected left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD). In the EXCEL trial, 1905 patients with LMCAD and site-assessed low or intermediate SYNTAX scores were randomized to PCI with everolimus-eluting stents versus coronary artery bypass grafting. The primary end point was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; the composite of death, stroke, or myocardial infarction). In this sub-analysis, outcomes at 30 days and 5 years were analyzed according to whether PCI was performed in the outpatient versus inpatient setting. Among 948 patients with LMCAD assigned to PCI, 935 patients underwent PCI as their first procedure, including 100 (10.7%) performed in the outpatient setting. Patients who underwent outpatient compared with inpatient PCI were less likely to have experienced recent myocardial infarction. Distal left main bifurcation disease involvement and SYNTAX scores were similar between the groups. Comparing outpatient to inpatient PCI, there were no significant differences in MACE at 30 days (4.0% vs 5.0% respectively, adjusted OR 0.52 95% CI 0.12 to 2.22; p = 0.38) or 5 years (20.6% vs 22.1% respectively, adjusted OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.29; p = 0.27). Similar results were observed in patients with distal left main bifurcation lesions. In conclusion, in the EXCEL trial, outpatient PCI of patients with LMCAD was not associated with an excess early or late hazard of MACE. These data suggest that outpatient PCI may be safely performed in select patients with LMCAD.

Provisional Stenting for Left Main Bifurcation Disease under IVUS guidance: A Case Series

Around 15-20% of coronary lesions include bifurcation, and among which left main (LM) bifurcation lesions are critical and complex to manage. Though the two-stent strategy is the preferred option for complex LM bifurcation lesions, the provisional strategy should be considered if the side branch is disease-free to avoid peri- and post-procedural complications. Thus, precise anatomical and physiological assessment of LM lesion should be made using intravascular imaging techniques for appropriate decision making. Here, we report three cases of successfully managed LM bifurcation lesions using the provisional stenting technique with the guidance of intravascular ultrasound, fractional flow reserve, and heart team. All three patients were doing well and were ischemia-free on stress echocardiography at three months follow-up.