Percutaneous Intervention Techniques Research Articles

Provisional or 2-Stent Technique for Bifurcation Lesions in the Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stent Era.

For bifurcating coronary lesions, a provisional stent technique is recommended compared with a routine 2-stent strategy. However, much of these data are from trials involving first-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) or bare-metal stents where the risk of restenosis with the 2-stent technique is higher. We investigated the efficacy of various 2-stent techniques versus a provisional stent technique for bifurcation lesions with newer-generation DES. PubMed and Embase were searched through May 2022 for randomized control trials investigating bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention techniques using newer-generation DES, and a meta-analysis was conducted. The primary end point was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at the longest reported follow-up time. Our study identified 13 randomized control trials including 4041 patients. Compared with the provisional technique, 2-stent techniques significantly decreased MACE (hazard ratio [HR], 0.76; 95% CI, 0.59-0.97; P = .03), target vessel myocardial infarction (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.20-0.71; P = .002), and target vessel revascularization (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.47-0.93; P = .02). There were no significant differences in all-cause mortality (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.62-1.45; P = .79), cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.49-1.38; P = .45), myocardial infarction (HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.73-1.37; P = .99), and stent thrombosis (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.52-1.44; P = .58). Of the 2-stent techniques, the double kissing crush technique significantly decreased MACE and target lesion revascularization than other 2-stent techniques. In this era of newer-generation DES, a 2-stent approach, especially the double kissing crush technique, is superior to a provisional stenting technique for a bifurcation lesion, with a significant reduction in MACE, target vessel myocardial infarction, and revascularization.

Intervenção coronária percutânea com alta no mesmo dia. Onde estamos?

With the evolution of percutaneous coronary intervention techniques and their greater safety, the use of radial access, the greater need to optimize resources in health management and the greater demand from patients for an agile service to solve their problems, the discharge on the same day after percutaneous coronary interventions have been gaining ground in the global scenario as a feasible strategy. The objective of this article was to demonstrate that there is already a scientific basis for this, which extends from the financial aspect, and the patient’s experience, to the technical details related to the safety of the strategy. A structured protocol based on evidence and on the most recent recommendations from two major medical societies is also proposed. Selecting patients well, training the multidisciplinary team and educating the patient are fundamental parts for the success of the strategy.

Update on Interventional Radiology of the Spine.

Interventional radiologists now perform spinal interventions routinely for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. New technologies for the management of spine pathologies have emerged with promising results in terms of safety and efficacy. Interventional radiology techniques in the spine include percutaneous biopsy and therapies for intervertebral disk herniation or spinal stenosis, facet and sacroiliac joint pathologies, vertebral and sacral fractures, and metastases. These techniques can also be easily combined one with the other or to further therapeutic approaches including systemic therapies, surgical approaches, and radiotherapy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current percutaneous imaging-guided interventional radiology techniques in the spine. It will help readers become familiar with the most common indications, learn about different technical considerations during performance, and review the available evidence. Controversies concerning new products and technical approaches are also addressed.

Local and Regional Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Future Combinations.

Simple SummaryPercutaneous interventional radiological techniques offer many alternatives for treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) using local anesthesia and sedation. These methods aim to destroy the malignant tumors locally without affecting the non-malignant liver. In this way, complications are kept low and patient recovery is quick. Indications depend on tumor size, type and stage, as well as patient’s condition, liver function and co-morbidities. In recent years, a lot of research has been made in combining such approaches with immune therapy, but there is still much work to be done. This manuscript tries to analyze where we stand today and explain, using a comprehensive algorithm, the treatment options for each different clinical condition.Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be treated by local and regional methods of percutaneous interventional radiological techniques. Indications depend on tumor size, type and stage, as well as patient’s condition, liver function and co-morbidities. According to international classification systems such as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification, very early, early or intermediate staged tumors can be treated either with ablative methods or with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), depending on tumor characteristics. The combination of both allows for individualized forms of treatment with the ultimate goal of improving response and survival. In recent years, a lot of research has been carried out in combining locoregional approaches with immune therapy. Although recent developments in systemic treatment, especially immunotherapy, seem quite promising and have expanded possible combined treatment options, there is still not enough evidence in their favor. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive up-to-date overview of all these techniques, explaining indications, contraindications, technical problems, outcomes, results and complications. Moreover, combinations of percutaneous treatment with each other or with immunotherapy and future options will be discussed. Use of all those methods as down-staging or bridging solutions until surgery or transplantation are taken into consideration will also be reviewed. Conclusion: Local and regional therapies remain a mainstay of curative and palliative treatment of patients with HCC. Currently, evidence on potential combination of the local and regional treatment options with each other as well as with other treatment modalities is growing and has the potential to further individualize HCC therapy. To identify the most suitable treatment option out of these new various options, a repeated interdisciplinary discussion of each case by the tumor board is of utmost importance.

Off - pump coronary artery bypass grafting on patients with preoperative dual antiplatelets: our centre experience

Background: With the advances in percutaneous intervention techniques, the majority of patients referred for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are on aspirin and clopidogrel. Standard guidelines suggest to stop clopidogrel 5 days and continue aspirin before surgery. We aim to report our centre experience on effects of continuation of preoperative clopidogrel on postoperative bleeding and use of blood products after off- pump CABG (OP-CABG).Methods: This retrospective study included 120 consecutive patients who underwent isolated OP-CABG operation between Nov 2019 and March 2021 in our centre. Data was obtained from hospital records. Patients were divided into two groups: Group-1: this group consists of 86 patients. All patients included were elective CABG cases with preoperative Clopidogrel 75 mg discontinued 3-5 days before surgery. Group-2: this group consists of 34 patients. All patients included were urgent CABG cases with preoperative Clopidogrel 75 mg discontinued 24 hours before surgery. Aspirin 75 mg was continued in both groups till surgery. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data was recorded.Results: 120 patients were enrolled in the study. There was no statistical significance in postoperative bleeding, re-exploration and use of blood products between the two groups. However, use of total arterial vascularisation and operative time was significant among the groups. The postoperative outcome was similar in both the groups.Conclusions: OP-CABG can be done safely in patients requiring urgent surgery. However, clopidogrel should be stopped 3-5 days in patients undergoing elective surgeries as it influences graft selection, prolongs operative time and exposes the patients to unnecessary risks.

Post-ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Platelet Reactivity Is Associated With the Extent of Microvascular Obstruction and Infarct Size as Determined by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BackgroundDespite optimized medical management and techniques of primary percutaneous coronary intervention, a substantial proportion of patients with ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) display significant microvascular damage. Thrombotic microvascular obstruction (MVO) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of microvascular and subsequent myocardial damage attributed to distal embolization and microvascular platelet plugging. However, there are only scarce data regarding the effect of platelet reactivity on MVO.Methods and ResultsWe prospectively evaluated 105 patients in 2 distinct periods (2012–2013 and 2016–2018) who presented with first ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction and underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention. All patients were treated with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). Blood samples were analyzed for platelet reactivity, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging scans were evaluated for late gadolinium enhancement and MVO. DAPT suboptimal response was defined as hyporesponsiveness to either aspirin or P2Y12 receptor inhibitor agents and demonstrated in 31 patients (29.5%) of the current cohort. Suboptimal platelet response to DAPT was associated with a significantly greater extent of MVO when expressed as a percentage of the left ventricular mass, left ventricular scar, and the number of myocardial left ventricular segments showing MVO (P<0.01 for each). Adjusted multivariable logistic regression model revealed that suboptimal response to DAPT is significantly associated with both greater late gadolinium enhancement (P<0.01) and MVO extent (odds ratio, 3.7 [95% CI, 1.3–10.5]; P=0.01). Patients with a greater extent of MVO were more likely to sustain major adverse cardiovascular events at a 1‐year follow‐up (37% versus 11%; P<0.01).ConclusionsIn patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction, platelet reactivity in response to DAPT is a key predictor of the extent of both myocardial and microvascular damage.

Rotational Atherectomy Stuck Burr Retrieval, A Percutaneous Approach

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Besides conventional therapies to treat coronary artery disease, which ranges from preventative measures to invasive intervention, complex percutaneous coronary intervention techniques have been developed that yield several techniques including rotational atherectomy (RA). It is evident that RA has benefits primarily in treating calcific coronary artery lesions predominantly lesion modification. Similar to other invasive procedures, RA carries variable risks such as perforation, entrapped burr, slow-flow and dissection. Entrapped burr can lead to devastating complications, where it may end up by emergency surgery. The authors report a rare complication of RA, Kokeshi phenomenon, where the stuck burr was successfully retrieved percutaneously. Keywords: Coronary Angiography, Atherectomy, Coronary, Coronary Artery Disease, Cardiovascular Diseases, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Drug-Eluting Stents, Coronary Restenosis, Coronary Artery Bypass

Meta-Analysis Comparing Outcomes With Bifurcation Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Techniques

There have been mixed results regarding the efficacy and safety of various percutaneous coronary intervention bifurcation techniques. An electronic search of Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane databases was performed for randomized controlled trials that compared the outcomes of any bifurcation techniques. We conducted a pairwise meta-analysis comparing the 1-stent versus 2-stent bifurcation approach, and a network meta-analysis comparing the different bifurcation techniques. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). The analysis included 22 randomized trials with 6,359 patients. At a weighted follow-up of 25.9months, there was no difference in MACE between 1-stent versus 2-stent approaches (risk ratio [RR] 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92 to 1.56). Exploratory analysis suggested a higher risk of MACE with a 1-stent approach in studies using second-generation drug-eluting stents, if side branch lesion length ≥10mm, and when final kissing balloon was used. There was no difference between 1-stent versus 2-stent approaches in all-cause mortality (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.30), cardiovascular mortality (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.68), target vessel revascularization (TVR) (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.65), myocardial infarction (MI) (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.56) or stent thrombosis (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.78). Network meta-analysis demonstrated that double kissing crush technique was associated with lower MACE, MI, TVR, and target lesion revascularization, whereas culotte technique was associated with higher rates of stent thrombosis. In this meta-analysis of randomized trials, we found no difference between 1-stent versus 2-stent bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention approaches in the risk of MACE during long-term follow-up. Among the various bifurcation techniques, double kissing crush technique was associated with lower rates of MACE, target lesion revascularization, TVR, and MI.

Impact of Coronary Stent Design in Proximal Balloon Edge Dilation Technique for Bifurcation Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The proximal optimizing technique (POT) -proximal balloon edge dilation (PBED) sequence for side branch (SB) dilatation with cross-over single-stent implantation decreases both strut obstruction at the SB ostium and stent deformation at the main branch (MB).The purpose of this experimental bench test was to assess the impact of stent design on stent deformation, obstruction by stent struts at a jailed SB ostium, and stent strut malapposition in the POT-PBED sequence.Fractal coronary bifurcation bench models (60- and 80-degree angles) were used, and crossover single-stent implantation (3-link stent: XIENCE Sierra, Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, n = 10; 2-link stent: Synergy, Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, n = 10) was performed from the MB using the POT-PBED sequence. Jailing rates at the SB ostium, stent deformation, and stent strut malapposition of the bifurcation segment were assessed using videoscopy and optical coherence tomography.After SB dilatation using the PBED technique, jailing rates at the SB ostium and stent deformation did not differ significantly between the two types of stents. Conversely, the rate of malapposed struts of the bifurcation segment after the PBED procedure was significantly lower with 3-link stents than with 2-link stents for both 60- and 80-degree angles (60-degree angle: 4.3% ± 4.4% versus 22.0% ± 11.1%, P = 0.044; 80-degree angle: 20.8% ± 15.1% versus 57.2% ± 17.0%, P < 0.001, respectively).In the POT-PBED sequence, 3-link stents might be a preferable coronary bifurcation stent, maintaining a jailed SB ostium while significantly reducing stent strut malapposition of the bifurcation segment when compared with 2-link stents.

The importance of proximal optimization technique with intravascular imaging guided for stenting unprotected left main distal bifurcation lesions: The Milan and New-Tokyo registry.

This study evaluated the 5-years outcomes of intracoronary imaging-guided proximal optimization technique (POT) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with unprotected left main distal bifurcation lesions (ULMD). The long-term effects of POT with intracoronary imaging guide in PCI for ULMD have been unclear. Between January 2005 and December 2015, we identified 1832 consecutive patients who underwent DES implantation for ULM distal bifurcation lesions. Of them, 780 (56.1%) patients underwent POT with intravascular imaging guidance (optimal expansion group). Residual 611 (43.9%) patients did not undergo either POT or intravascular imaging or both (suboptimal expansion group). Analysis using propensity score adjustment was performed. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF) defined as a composite of cardiac death, target lesion revascularization (TLR), and myocardial infarction. TLF rate at 5 years was significantly lower in optimal expansion group than that in suboptimal expansion group [adjusted HR 0.65, 95% CI (0.48-0.87), p= 0.004]. Cardiac mortality was significantly lower in optimal expansion group than that in suboptimal expansion group [adjusted HR 0.46, 95% CI (0.27-0.79), p= 0.004]. The multivariable analysis identified POT with intravascular imaging guide [adjusted HR 0.65, 95% CI (0.48-0.87), p= 0.004] as an independent predictor of TLF. Intravascular imaging guided POT was strongly associated with the reduced risk of TLF at 5 years after PCI for ULMD, mainly driven by reducing cardiac mortality.

Percutaneous trans-hepatic rescue and neo-creation of a post-surgical complete hepaticojejunostomy dehiscence.

Biliary leakage complicating hepaticojejunostomy is a therapeutic dilemma for surgeons, gastroenterologist, and interventional radiologist. It is a major cause of postoperative morbidity. Percutaneous biliary intervention techniques have been developed for treating benign post-surgical biliary disease in patients not having severely compromised clinical conditions. Interventional radiology manoeuvres are especially indicated as the first line of treatment if endoscopic procedures are unfeasible for patients due to postsurgical anatomical modifications. We present a case of post-surgical complete hepaticojejunostomy dehiscence that was treated totally by percutaneous techniques with trans-hepatic rescue and hepaticojejunostomy neo-creation.

Deep intubation technique for Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. Insights of a feared and harmless technique

Deep intubation technique for Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. Insights of a feared and harmless technique

Advances in Clinical Cardiology 2020: A Summary of Key Clinical Trials.

IntroductionDespite the challenge of a global pandemic, 2020 has been an invaluable year in cardiology research with numerous important clinical trials published or presented virtually at major international meetings. This article aims to summarise these trials and place them in clinical context.MethodsThe authors reviewed clinical trials presented at major cardiology conferences during 2020 including the American College of Cardiology, European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions, European Society of Cardiology, Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics and the American Heart Association. Trials with a broad relevance to the cardiology community and those with potential to change current practice were included.ResultsA total of 87 key cardiology clinical trials were identified for inclusion. New interventional and structural cardiology data included trials evaluating bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) techniques, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI, instantaneous wave-free (iFR) physiological assessment, new generation stents (DynamX bioadaptor), transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in low-risk patients, and percutaneous mitral or tricuspid valve interventions. Preventative cardiology data included new data with proprotein convertase subtilisin–kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors (evolocumab and alirocumab), omega-3 supplements, evinacumab and colchicine in the setting of chronic coronary artery disease. Antiplatelet data included trials evaluating both the optimal length of course following PCI and combination of antiplatelet agents and regimes including combination antithrombotic therapies for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Heart failure data included the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (sotagliflozin, empagliflozin and dapagliflozin) and mavacamten in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Electrophysiology trials included early rhythm control in AF and screening for AF.ConclusionThis article presents a summary of key clinical cardiology trials during the past year and should be of relevance to both clinicians and cardiology researchers.

Current experience with emphysematous cholecystitis

Background: Emphysematous cholecystitis (EC) is a rare variant of acute cholecystitis with a reported 15-25% mortality rate. Conventionally, EC is managed with an early open cholecystectomy. However, recent advancement in percutaneous intervention and laparoscopic techniques have influenced our management of this biliary pathology. This study reviews the management and outcomes of EC in a regional centre.Methods: Retrospective analysis of a clinical database constituting all patients diagnosed with EC at a regional Australian hospital in NSW from Jan 2010 to July 2019. Inclusion criteria: sepsis, abdominal pain and radiological evidence of gas in the gallbladder wall, lumen, and pericholecystic tissue in the absence of an abnormal connection between the gallbladder and gastrointestinal tract. We investigated patient risk factors, management and outcomes.Results: 16 patients with EC were identified. The mean age of the cohort was 73 years old. The majority of patients had co-morbidity including type 2 diabetes and ischemic heart disease (56 and 62% respectively). Laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed in 9 patients during their index admissions and 7 patients were managed with PTC. 5 patients required ICU admission for septic shock, and all were managed with PTC drain placement. The overall mortality rate was 6%.Conclusions: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy on index admission is the treatment of choice for EC. Although more technically challenging, adverse clinical event including major complication and open conversion was avoided in our cohort while percutaneous cholecystostomy was reserved for unstable and poor surgical candidate.

Impact of Coronary Bifurcation Stenoses and PCI Technique on Long-term Clinical Outcomes: Results From a Multicentre Australian Registry

Despite randomised trials, the optimal technique for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary bifurcation stenoses (BL) is unclear. There are also few Australian data regarding the impact of BL on outcomes after PCI.

Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) in Complex High-Risk Indicated Procedures (CHIP): A Multi-Centre Australian Registry Review

Patients with severe coronary artery disease with a clinical indication for revascularisation but who are at high procedural risk are potentially underserved and understudied. Advances in current percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) techniques and technology, in addition to appropriate patient selection may help treat such patients. The relative frequency and outcomes following PCI in these high-risk patients are not well known.

Interventional radiology in the management of uncommon causes of obstetric haemorrhage

PurposeTo delineate the uncommon causes of pregnancy related haemorrhage and discuss various endovascular, and direct percutaneous interventional radiology techniques that can be used for successful management. Materials and methodsForty-four females with uncommon causes of pregnancy related haemorrhage, who were referred for uterine artery embolization, between January 2013 and May 2020, were retrospectively analyzed in this hospital-based study. Observations were tabulated under age, prior procedure, post procedure day, underlying pathology, route, embolizing agent used, complications and recurrence, and statistical analysis done. ResultsThe mean age of the studied population was 28.5 ± 4.9 years (range 20–41 years), and the most common prior procedure performed was caesarean section (31.8 %), followed by post abortive procedures (29.5 %) and normal vaginal deliveries (27.3 %). The median post procedure duration was 6.5 days (range 1–80 days). Most common underlying pathology was pseudoaneurysm (31.8 %), followed by arteriovenous malformations and uterine artery hypertrophy (18.2 % each). Percutaneous route was used in 6 patients while the remaining 38 patients underwent endovascular management. Overall, Gelfoam was used in 50 % patients, gelfoam plus another agent in 29.5 % and glue in 20.5 % patients. Technical success was achieved in 97.7 % and clinical success in 95.4 % with no major procedure related complications. ConclusionInterventional Radiology offers minimally invasive, safe and effective embolization procedures for the management of uncommon causes of pregnancy related haemorrhage, with low complication rate and high clinical success.

Risk stratification in unprotected left main coronary disease: do we have the tools?

Abstract Introduction The evolution of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) techniques made the choice of the optimal revascularization strategy of unprotected left main coronary disease (ULMD) challenging. Scoring systems are useful tools for the decision-making process and for risk stratification. Purpose To evaluate 1) the performance of the SYNTAX score I (SSI) and II (SSII) and Euroscore II (EII) in risk stratification and 2) the outcome predictors of patients (pts) with ULMD, according to the treatment strategy chosen (PCI or CABG). Methods Retrospective single centre cohort study of 440 consecutive pts (age 68±11 years; 76.6% male) with significant ULMD (defined as left main coronary artery stenosis &amp;gt;50%, with no patent arterial or venous bypass graft to left anterior descending artery), who were submitted to PCI (n=135) or CABG (n=307), between January 2006 and December 2018. Median follow-up (FU) was 4.0±1.8 years. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular (CV) death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Results During the FU period, there were 112 (25.5%) CV deaths, 26 (5,9%) non-fatal MI and 53 (12.0%) TLR. Multivariate analysis of pts submitted to PCI showed that SSII and anatomical complete revascularization were independent predictors of the primary outcome (HR 1.045, CI 1.015–1.075, p=0.003 and HR 3,014, CI 1.655–5.489, p&amp;lt;0.0001, respectively). The 63 pts submitted to PCI, who had a SSII favoring CABG, had slightly more adverse events (42.9% vs 41.7%, p=0.889). In the CABG cohort, only SSII was an independent predictor of the outcome by multivariate analysis (HR 1.061, CI 1.035–1.086, p&amp;lt;0.0001). The ROC curve analysis for all cohort presented no discriminative capacity for SSI (AUC 0.538, CI 0.482–0.593, p=0.186) and a weak discrimination for SSII (AUC 0.659, CI 0.605–0.713, p&amp;lt;0.0001) and EII (AUC 0.653, CI 0.599–0.707, p&amp;lt;0.0001; Figure 1). The difference between SSII and EII was not statistically significant (DeLong test p=0.828). Similar results were found when analysing the CAGB group, however, in PCI cohort, SII and EII showed an acceptable discriminative capacity (AUC 0.722, CI 0.636–0.809, p&amp;lt;0.0001 and AUC 0.700, CI 0.610–0.791, p&amp;lt;0.0001, respectively). Conclusion In a real-world ULMD population, the most common risk scores, mainly those integrating anatomical and clinical features, presented a very modest role in the risk stratification, both in chronic and acute coronary syndromes. However, in pts with ULMD submitted to PCI, those risk scores had a more significant role in the risk stratification of these pts. Figure 1. SSI, SSII, EII ROC curves for all cohort Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

S2741 Entamoeba Histolytica Dysentery Complicated by Amebic Liver Abscess and Type a Right Heart Thrombus: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION: This is a unique case of invasive amebiasis complicated by a right atrial thrombus in a healthy immigrant. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 35 y/o man without past medical history presented with a two-week history of fever, night sweats, anorexia and malaise. He had one week of bloody diarrhea that resolved. He immigrated to the USA 11 years prior from Myanmar. On presentation he met SIRS criteria with unremarkable abdominal exam. CT showed a single rim enhancing lesion in the hepatic dome along with ascending colonic wall thickening with perifat-stranding and a filling defect in the IVC with extension into the right atrium. His transthoracic cardiac echo revealed a large, mobile thrombus in the right atrium. Biopsy of the hepatic abscess confirmed E. Histolytica infection. Further inherited hypercoagulability work up was negative.He did well post discharge on oral antibiotic therapy and anticoagulation. DISCUSSION: The standard for diagnosis of intestinal infection is by stool PCR. Extraintestinal disease is diagnosed by serum antigen testing with high sensitivity (>94%) and specificity (>95%). False negatives can be seen early in the disease. Management of amebiasis depends on the extent of disease. A luminal agent, like paromycin, is sufficient to eliminate intraluminal cysts in non-invasive colitis and asymptomatic carriers. For invasive amebiasis and extra intestinal disease metronidazole is the mainstay of treatment. This should always be followed by a luminal agent to prevent relapse as metronidazole is not effective against cysts. Indications for amebic liver abscess drainage includes persistence of clinical symptoms, presence in the left hepatic lobe, large size with imminence of rupture in the right lobe, pregnant patients or pulmonary complications. The current proposed mechanism for the development of a right atrial thrombus is that extra-intestinal amebiasis triggers a local pro-thrombotic state that leads to hepatic vein thrombus development that may extend into the IVC and eventually the right atrium. There is no consensus on management of right atrial thrombi due to the rare occurrence and lack of randomized controlled trials. Widely recognized treatment options are surgical thrombectomy, thrombolysis, percutaneous interventional techniques, and systemic anticoagulation. The mortality in patients with a mobile right atrial thrombus is 19–45% emphasizing the importance for clinicians to consider this diagnosis in patients with invasive amebiasis in the appropriate clinical setting.Figure 1Figure 2Figure 3.: E. Histolytica life cycle.

The role of intravascular ultrasound in percutaneous coronary intervention of complex coronary lesions.

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a catheter-based coronary imaging technique. It utilises the emission & subsequent detection of reflected high frequency (30-60 MHz) sound waves to create high resolution, cross-sectional images of the coronary artery. IVUS has been the cornerstone of intracoronary imaging for more than two decades. When compared to the invasive coronary angiogram which studies only the silhouette of the contrast-filled artery lumen, IVUS also crucially images the vessel wall. Because of this capability, IVUS has greatly facilitated understanding of the coronary atherosclerosis process. Such insights from IVUS reveal how commonly and extensively plain angiography underestimates the true extent of coronary plaque, the characteristics of plaques prone to rupture and cause acute coronary syndromes (lipid rich, thin cap atheroma), and a realisation of the widespread occurrence of vessel remodelling in response to atherosclerosis. Similarly, IVUS has historically provided salutary mechanistic insights that have guided many of the incremental advances in the techniques of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Examples include mechanisms of in-stent restenosis, and the importance of high-pressure post-dilatation of stents to ensure adequate stent apposition and thereby reduce the occurrence of stent thrombosis. IVUS also greatly facilitates the choice of correct diameter and length of stent to implant. Overall, a compelling body of evidence indicates that use of intravascular ultrasound in PCI helps to achieve optimal technical results and to mitigate the risk of adverse cardiac events. In this review, the role of intravascular ultrasound as an adjunct to PCI in complex coronary lesions is explored. The complex coronary situations discussed are the left main stem, ostial stenoses, bifurcation stenoses, thrombotic lesions, the chronically occluded coronary artery, and calcified coronary artery disease. By thorough review of the available evidence, we establish that the advantages of IVUS guidance are particularly evident in each of these complex CAD subsets. In particular, some consider the use of IVUS to be almost mandatory in left main PCI. A comparison with other intracoronary imaging techniques is also explored.