Risk Of Side Branch Occlusion Research Articles

Novel Use of Excimer Laser Coronary Angioplasty for the Preparation of the Reverse Wire Technique

Guidewire insertion into the side branches during percutaneous coronary intervention may be difficult, depending on the angle of the side branch and plaque localization. The reverse wire technique (RWT) is an effective wiring method for markedly angulated bifurcated side branches. Nonetheless, continuing the procedure may be difficult if the RWT system cannot be inserted because of severe main trunk stenosis or if the insertion of the system causes a decrease in the peripheral blood flow. In these cases, balloon pre-dilation is sometimes performed; however, this is unreliable due to the risk of side branch occlusion caused by plaque shift. By performing excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) as a preparatory procedure before RWT, it is possible to eliminate the main trunk plaque without inducing insufficiency in the side branches. We herein report three acute coronary syndrome (ACS) cases in which ELCA pretreatment was effective after failure of an attempted RWT. This method is considered a novel use of ELCA in ACS.

Safety Assessment of Microcatheter-Protected Rotational Atherectomy with the Double Guiding Catheter Technique for Severely Calcified Left Main Bifurcation.

Background Rotational atherectomy (RA) is a tool for calcium modification, but there is a risk of losing the side branch in left main coronary artery (LM) bifurcation lesions, resulting in disastrous consequences. Microcatheter-protected RA with the double guiding catheter (GC) technique for severely calcified LM bifurcations has been described previously, but its safety warrants further investigation. Methods Various sizes of coronary calcification vascular simulators were utilized to model calcified LM bifurcation lesions for RA in in vitro. The damage to the side branch protective microcatheters and guidewires was accessed after microcatheter-protected RA with the double GC technique. In clinical practice, microcatheter-protected RA with the double GC technique was carried out in two patients. Results In vitro, none of the protective microcatheters or guidewires were completely fractured, although the majority of them were damaged to varying degrees. In clinical practice, we successfully carried out two cases of percutaneous coronary intervention for severely calcified LM bifurcation with microcatheter-protected RA using the double GC technique. Conclusion RA of severely calcified LM bifurcation lesions may be successfully performed using microcatheter-protected RA with the double GC technique, potentially reducing the risk of side branch occlusion. Since majority of protective microcatheters or guidewires were damaged, there was still some risk, and it is recommended to use this technique only in highly selected patient population of severely calcified true (Medina 1, 1, 1) LM bifurcations.

Active Versus Conventional Side Branch Protection Strategy for Coronary Bifurcation Lesions.

The side branch (SB) provisional stenting strategy is currently the recommended approach for most coronary bifurcation lesions. However, this strategy may result in SB deterioration, which is associated with an increased incidence of periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) and may adversely affect the long-term prognosis. Various techniques for SB protection (SB-P) have been developed to reduce SB occlusion and improve the clinical prognosis. This meta-analysis was performed to compare the outcomes of an active SB-P strategy of jailed balloon technique, balloon-stent kissing technique, and jailed Corsair technique versus the conventional SB-P strategy based on jailed wire technique.This meta-analysis included 5 studies (4 randomized and 1 observational) involving a total of 1,174 patients in whom the active and conventional SB-P strategies were compared. Fixed- and random-effects models were used to calculate summary risk ratios (RRs).The risk of SB occlusion was significantly lower in active SB-P strategy [RR 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30-0.73 in fixed-effect model; RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.31-0.87 in random-effect model]. The risk of PMI was similar between the two strategies (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.30-1.33 in fixed-effect model; RR 0.71, 95%CI 0.20-2.48 in random-effect model). The rate of long-term major adverse cardiovascular events was similar between the groups (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.15-1.48 in fixed-effect model; RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.16-1.52 in random-effect model).The active SB-P strategy in coronary bifurcation lesions is associated with reduced SB deterioration, but it does not decrease PMI or improve the long-term prognosis.

Calcific lesion preparation for coronary bifurcation stenting.

Bifurcating coronary lesions are a very common challenge in interventional cardiology because of the technical complexity in their treatment, the risk of side branch occlusion and an overall worse outcome when compared to non-bifurcating lesions. The presence of calcifications represents further complexity due to the difficulty in device delivery and stent expansion as well as enhanced risk of side branch occlusion. Rotational and orbital atherectomy, scoring and cutting balloons, coronary lithoplasty are available tools which have been introduced over the last three decades to overcome such issue. Nevertheless, their application in different contexts of bifurcations presents specific caveats and the studies directed at comparing such techniques have never been expressly oriented in the subset of the bifurcating lesion. In this paper, we review these devices and their usefulness in bifurcations by analyzing consistent data from clinical trials, and we propose a practical algorithm for the treatment of severely calcified bifurcating lesions according to their anatomical features.

Carina Bifurcation Angle and Side Branch Occlusion in Coronary Bifurcation Lesions Intervention: Angiographic Lesions Characteristic Role in Determining Its Relation.

Side branch occlusion has been implicated as a complication after percutaneous coronary intervention in coronary bifurcation lesions. The role of carina bifurcation angle as one of the characteristics of the coronary bifurcation lesions in causing side branch occlusion after percutaneous coronary intervention is still debated. This study aims to assess the correlation between carina bifurcation angles as one of the characteristics of the coronary bifurcation lesions and side branch occlusion in elective percutaneous coronary intervention. This is a cross-sectional study which utilizes CAAS 5.1 software to measure carina bifurcation angle. We collected 113 lesions in 108 patients that met the inclusion criteria from January 2016 to October 2016. Side branch occlusion occurred in 15 lesions (13.3%), with median carina bifurcation angle 19.17 degrees ( p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed there is a correlation between carina bifurcation angle with side branch occlusion, OR (odds ratio) 0.86 (95% CI [confidence interval]: 0.80-0.92) with ≤ 33.71 degrees cut off value. Increased risk of side branch occlusion was found in small carina bifurcation angle.

Practical based approach to left main bifurcation stenting.

Despite the recent developments that have been made in the field of percutaneous left main (LM) intervention, the treatment of distal LM bifurcation remains challenging. The provisional one-stent approach for LM bifurcation has shown more favorable outcomes than the two-stent technique, making the former the preferred strategy in most types of LM bifurcation stenosis. However, elective two-stent techniques, none of which has been proven superior to the others, are still used in patients with severely diseased large side branches to avoid acute hemodynamic compromise. Selecting the proper bifurcation treatment strategy using meticulous intravascular ultrasound evaluation for side branch ostium is crucial for reducing the risk of side branch occlusion and for improving patient outcomes. In addition, unnecessary complex intervention can be avoided by measuring fractional flow reserve in angiographically isolated side branches. Most importantly, good long-term clinical outcomes are more related to the successful procedure itself than to the type of stenting technique, emphasizing the greater importance of optimizing the chosen technique than the choice of method.

When and how to perform the provisional approach for distal LM stenting.

Despite the tremendous developments that have been made in the field of interventional cardiology over the past few decades, the percutaneous treatment of left main (LM) bifurcation still remains challenging. The provisional one-stent approach for LM bifurcation showed more favourable outcomes compared to the double-stenting technique. Consequently, it has been the preferred strategy in the majority of LM bifurcation stenosis. However, due to the large myocardial burden of the side branch, the risk of haemodynamic collapse after main vessel stenting has always existed. To reduce the risk of side branch occlusion and for proper selection of this strategy, it is acknowledged that meticulously performed IVUS evaluation of the side branch ostium is helpful. A fractional flow reserve measurement of the angiographically jailed side branch could also lead to the avoidance of an unnecessary complex intervention. However, as the overall data were derived from observational studies, further larger randomised trials would be necessary to assess the optimal provisional one-stent strategy for LM bifurcation.

Incidence and clinical implications of carotid branch occlusion following treatment of internal carotid artery aneurysms with the pipeline embolization device.

The use of flow diverters such as the pipeline embolization device (PED) for treatment of intracranial aneurysms carries the risk of side branch occlusion. To determine the incidence and clinical outcomes associated with supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) branch occlusion after deployment of PEDs for ICA aneurysms. We reviewed patients who underwent endovascular treatment with PEDs for ICA aneurysms between June 2011 and March 2013. Forty-nine patients (43 women, mean age 56.3±1.8 years, 68 aneurysms) in whom PEDs traversed the origin of supraclinoid ICA branches (ophthalmic [OA], posterior communicating [PcommA], and anterior choroidal artery [AChA]) were selected for this study. Follow-up angiograms (mean follow-up, 12.8±0.8 months) were studied to determine the location of PEDs and the patency of ICA branches. PEDs were placed across the ostia of 49 OAs, 14 PcommAs, and 11 AChAs. Multiple PEDs were deployed in 16 patients. Rate of branch occlusion was 4% (2/49) for the OA, 7.1% (1/14) for the PcommA, and 0% for the AChA. Patients with branch occlusion did not endure new neurological deficits. ICA branch occlusion was not associated with the number of PEDs covering the ostia (P=.76) or the origin of ICA branches from the aneurysm (P=.24). The incidence of major supraclinoid ICA branch occlusion after treatment with PEDs was low. These events were not associated with new neurological deficits nor were they related to the number of PEDs deployed or the origin of ICA branches from the aneurysm.

TCT-179 An Angiographic Tool For Risk Prediction Of Side Branch Occlusion In Coronary Bifurcation Intervention: The RESOLVE Score System

The risk of side branch (SB) occlusion is the most important consideration affecting the selection of an optimal intervention strategy in patients undergoing coronary bifurcation intervention. We aim to establish a scoring system to evaluate the risk of SB occlusion. 1545 consecutive patients

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Coronary artery bifurcation interventions: The disconnect between randomized clinical trials and patient centered decision‐making

The current evidence-base pertaining to PCI in coronary bifurcation lesions is not adequate to inform decision making in all patients, hence a gap still exists between the evidence-base and patient-centered decision-making. Although meta-analyses of the existing RCTs improve the statistical power of the data they do not remedy the problem of trial design. The reason for the gap between "evidence" and patient-centered decision-making is that the research methodology used in the RCTs does not simulate the questions asked in practice. The purpose of this review is to make the case for a counter perspective to the narrative that provisional stenting (PS) [stenting the main vessel (MV), with additional stenting of the side branch (SB) only in the case of an unsatisfactory result] is better than elective double stenting (EDS) of both branches in all patients. Namely, that neither approach should be the default strategy in all patients with bifurcation lesions and a decision as to which technique to use should be based on the patient's bifurcation anatomy. The majority of patients with bifurcation lesions will have anatomy that can be safely treated with PS; however, some patients have "at risk" bifurcation anatomy where PS may be associated with high risk of side branch occlusion.

Recanalization after endovascular occlusion of a dissecting aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery—A case report and review of the literature

Endovascular occlusion has been accepted as a safe, minimally invasive, and reliable treatment for ruptured dissecting aneurysms. Occlusion of the entire affected area is ideally the most complete treatment for such lesions. However, it is difficult to occlude the entire dissected lesion when it involves side branches due to the short-term risk of side branch occlusion, emboli dislodgement, and the long-term risk of parent artery recanalization. We herein present an extremely rare case where recanalization occurred after endovascular occlusion of a ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery, and discuss its clinical implications. There are three mechanisms of recanalization: coil compaction due to loose or short segment packing, secondary dissection and occlusion of the false lumen. In endovascular occlusion of dissecting aneurysms that involve side branches, it is important to consider the risk of both recanalization and ischemic complications. We should attempt to insert the microcatheter into the true lumen and maintain dense packing as long as possible, unless the coils occlude the side branches following the procedure. Careful follow-up is necessary in all patients that received endovascular treatment.

Present Status of Coronary Bifurcation Stenting

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for bifurcation lesions is technically limited by the risk of side branch occlusion. In comparison with nonbifurcation interventions, bifurcation interventions have a lower rate of procedural success, higher procedural costs and a higher rate of clinical and angiographic restenosis. The recent introduction of drug-eluting stents (DES) has resulted in reduced incidence of main vessel restenosis compared with historical controls. However, side-branch ostial residual stenosis and long-term restenosis still remain problematic. In the era of DES, techniques employing two stents have emerged that allow stenting of the large side branch in addition to the main artery. Stenting of the main vessel with provisional side branch stenting seems to be the prevailing approach. This paper reviews outcome data with different treatment modalities for this complex lesion with particular emphasis on the use of DES as well as potential new therapeutic approaches.

Treatment Strategies for Bifurcation Lesions

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of coronary artery bifurcations represents a still evolving field of interventional cardiology. The dilatation of stenoses located at the site of coronary bifurcations has been limited by the risk of side branch occlusion with subsequent myocardial infarction and high rates of late restenosis. The initial success rates of conventional balloon dilatation were improved by the introduction of side branch protection using two guidewires as well as the “kissing balloon” technique. The potential advantage of atherectomy techniques, however, was associated with a high incidence of acute complications. While bifurcation stenting promises to allow optimal geometric reconstruction of bifurcation lesions using multiple or single component bifurcation stents, late intimal hyperplasia remains a potential limitation of this interventional approach.

Placement of coronary stents in bifurcation lesions by the “culotte” technique

Coronary angioplasty of bifurcation lesions remains a technical challenge. Balloon angioplasty induces recoil and the “snow-plow” effect with a risk of side branch occlusion. The late result is associated with a high rate of reintervention. Randomized studies in nonbifurcated lesions have demonstrated better short- and midterm results after stent placement. We propose the “culotte” ∗technique as a new technique to place intracoronary stents in bifurcation lesions: implantation of 2 similar stents in 2 steps in the main branch and in the side branch with overlapping of the 2 stents in the main branch before bifurcation. We performed this technique in 50 patients (in the left anterior diagonal branch in 33, in the left circumflex obtuse marginal branch in 12, in the right coronary artery in 4, and in the left main coronary artery in 1). The clinical success rate was 94% with 3 non–Q-wave myocardial infarctions. Late results indicated a 24% target lesion revascularization rate, which improved when a true kissing balloon inflation was used to achieve final deployment of both stents. This culotte technique is highly feasible and provides excellent short-term results. Assessment of its midterm benefit requires further study.

Angioplasty of coronary bifurcation stenoses: Immediate and long‐term results of the protecting branch technique

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTCA) of coronary stenoses involving major bifurcations carries a small but significant risk of side branch occlusion which can be avoided by simultaneously using multiple dilatation systems. Among 1,275 PTCA procedures performed between 1984 and 1988 in 1,035 consecutive patients, 42 double wire procedures were applied (4%) to protect and/or dilate major coronary side branches. A total of 80 coronary stenoses were attempted of which 76 were located on a bifurcation and 4 on other segments. In the first 11 patients (group A), 2 guiding catheters were used and PTCA of each vessel was successfully performed by means of separate double lumen over-the-wire balloon catheters. In the next 31 patients (group B), 2 guidewires were advanced through a single guiding catheter and PTCA was attempted using "Monorail" balloon catheters sequentially advanced over the wires. In group B, a successful PTCA was obtained in 29 patients (93%) but twisting of the wires hampered balloon progression in 5 cases, such that dilatation could only be performed by stepping back to a single wire technique. The procedure time in group B was significantly shorter than in group A: 144 +/- 30 versus 230 +/- 52 minutes (p = .01). Repeat angiography was performed in 35 out of 40 patients (87%) after a mean of 180 +/- 46 days following successful PTCA. Angiographic restenosis was present in 37% (24/65) of bifurcation segments which, in our experience, is not significantly different from the angiographic restenosis rate in less complex lesions (248/740; 34%; NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Risk of side branch occlusion during coronary angioplasty

To assess the risk of side branch occlusion during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), 600 consecutive procedures were analyzed. On the basis of pre-PTCA angiograms of 557 patients in whom the balloon was actually inflated, 365 side branches in 302 patients (54 % of patients) were deemed in jeopardy. A total of 122 side branches in 102 patients (18 %) originated from the lesion segment itself, i.e., their take-off was narrowed (Group I, 33 % of side branches at risk), whereas 243 side branches in 214 patients (38 %) originated from the immediate vicinity of the stenosis in a way that they were subjected to temporary occlusion during balloon dilatation (Group II, 67 % of side branches at risk). Patency of side branches was determined by consensus of 2 observers. Criteria for occlusion were disappearance, filling by collaterals, or stagnation of flow. After PTCA, 20 of 365 side branches (5 % ) were occluded and associated with chest pain in 5 patients, creatine kinase increase in 6, left anterior hemiblock, septal Q waves and transient atrial fibrillation in 1 and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in 1 of the 20 patients. Exercise tolerance did not decrease. No local predilection for side branch occlusion was evident. Seventeen of 122 side branches (14 %) occluded in Group I, compared with 3 of 243 (1 %) in Group II (p < 0.001). Thus, more than half of the patients who underwent PTCA had side branches at risk for iatrogenic occlusion. Side branches involved in the narrowing (Group I) must be regarded as high-risk side branches, whereas the more frequent side branches adjacent to the narrowing (Group II) can be considered low-risk side branches. The outcome of side branch occlusions was invariably favorable.