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Although direct stenting (DS) is increasingly used in clinical practice instead of stent implantation after predilatation (conventional stenting [CS]), its impact has not been scientifically proved. We therefore performed, using Mantel-Haenszel analysis, a meta-analysis of the published randomized studies comparing DS with CS. Furthermore, all the key procedural data were systematically sought out and pooled. Ten trials (2,650 coronary lesions, 2,576 patients) were identified and entered into the analysis. Adopted angiographic exclusion criteria were homogenous. DS, compared with CS, was found to have a similar success rate (98.7% vs 98.9%) and no specific complications. Across the studies, the mean rate of crossover to predilatation in the DS arm was 5.9%. Overall, DS was associated with a 17% procedural time (95% confidence interval [CI] 14% to 20%), a 18% fluoroscopic time (95% CI 15% to 21%), a 11% contrast volume (95% CI 9% to14%), and a 22% cost reduction (95% CI 16% to 28%). In the early postintervention period, DS was associated with a trend toward reduction of each of the major adverse events (MACEs) and with a significant reduction of myocardial infarction (MI) + death (odds ratio [OR] 0.57, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.95). However, at 6 months, the OR (95% CI) for death, MI, target lesion revascularization, and MACEs were 0.47 (0.19 to 1.27), 0.72 (0.45 to 1.25), 1.07 (0.77 to 1.46), and 0.82 (0.63 to 1.08), respectively. In the subgroup of studies providing quantitative angiographic data, all the parameters were found to be similar between the CS and DS groups. In conclusion, the present meta-analysis shows that DS compared with CS, in selected coronary lesions, is safe, optimizes equipment use, and may enhance the early results of coronary interventions while warranting similar late clinical outcomes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The transradial approach for percutaneous coronary procedures may be effectively performed through the right radial approach (RRA) or left radial approach (LRA) after an appropriate “learning curve.” However, studies evaluating the “learning curve” for RRA and LRA are lacking. In the Transradial Approach (Left vs Right) and Procedural Times During Percutaneous Coronary Procedures (TALENT) study, which randomized 1,540 patients to the RRA or LRA, transradial procedures were performed by either seniors or fellows. Diagnostic procedures performed by fellows were divided into 3 stages: 0 to 100 procedures (stage 1), 101 to 200 procedures (stage 2), and >200 procedures (sage 3). The primary end point of the study was fluoroscopy time during the 3 stages. Six fellows performed 532 procedures, 260 through the RRA and 272 through the LRA. During the training period, fellows showed a progressive significant reduction in fluoroscopy time for the LRA over the 3 stages (stage 1: 258 seconds, interquartile range [IQR] 138 to 377; stage 2: 198 seconds, IQR 126.5 to 375; stage 3: 142 seconds, IQR 95 to 325; p = 0.003), whereas for the RRA, only a slight and nonsignificant reduction in fluoroscopy time was observed (stage 1: 271 seconds, IQR 186 to 364; stage 2: 240 seconds, IQR 156 to 395; stage 3: 218.5 seconds, IQR 145.5 to 300.5; p = 0.20). Cannulation time was progressively reduced over the time for the 2 radial approaches: during stage 1, <40% of procedures required ≤3 minutes for radial cannulation, whereas at stage 3, radial cannulation time was ≤3 minutes in >60% of procedures (p <0.0001). In conclusion, the LRA is associated with a shorter learning curve compared to the RRA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study aimed to elucidate mechanisms underlying discordance between fractional flow reserve (FFR) and hyperemic stenosis resistance (hSR) in some patient subsets. To do this, we enrolled 30 consecutive patients with stable angina or noneST elevation myocardial infarction (non-STEMI) and with a nonculprit intermediate coronary lesion (40% to 70%) by coronary angiography. We measured aortic pressure, flow velocity, and pressure distal to lesion simultaneously at basal level and during adenosine-induced (fixed intracoronary dose of 120 mg) hyperemia using a dual-sensoreequipped guidewire. Microvascular resistance (MR; pressure distal to lesion/flow velocity, mm Hg/cm/s) and variation (Δ) in MR levels were calculated both at baseline and after hyperemia, whereas FFR (cutoff <0.80) and hSR [(aortic pressure L pressure distal to lesion)/flow velocity, cutoff >0.80 mm Hg/cm/s] were assessed after intracoronary adenosine. Twenty-three patients (76.7%) showed concordance and 7 patients (23.3%) showed discordance between FFR and hSR (all cases with FFR >0.80 and hSR >0.80). Discordant patients presented more frequently with non-STEMI (85.7% vs 39.1%, p [ 0.04), significantly higher C-reactive protein serum levels (median [interquartile range] 5.9 [5.1 to 6.8] vs 4.9 [3.7 to 6.2] mg/L, p[0.007), and lower ΔMR (p[ 0.03) values compared with concordant patients. In conclusion, patients with non-STEMI and those with increased C-reactive protein levels show a lower reduction in MR after intracoronary adenosineeinduced hyperemia, leading to FFR underestimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser atherectomy might decrease procedural complications during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of degenerated saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) in case of unstable or thrombotic lesions because of its ability to debulk and vaporize thrombus. We aimed at prospectively evaluating the safety and efficacy of excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) as a primary treatment strategy in consecutively unstable patients undergoing PCI of degenerated SVG lesions. Seventy-one consecutive patients with noneST elevation acute coronary syndrome (mean age 69 ± 10 years, 66 men [89%]) undergoing PCI of degenerated SVG were enrolled in a prospective case-control registry, using 2 different distal protection devices (DPDs; FilterWire EZ [Boston Scientific, Natick, Massachusetts; n = 24] and SpiderRX [Ev3, Plymouth, Minnesota; n = 23]) or ELCA (n = 24). Primary end points of the study were incidence of angiographic microvascular obstruction (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade of <3 or Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infraction flow grade of 3 with myocardial blush grade 1 to 2) and incidence of type IVa myocardial infarction. Angiographic microvascular obstruction incidence tended to be less in ELCA-treated patients compared with DPD-treated patients (3 [13%] vs 15 [32%], p = 0.09). Type IVa myocardial infarction incidence was more in DPD-treated patients compared with ELCA-treated patients (23 [49%] vs 5 [21%], p = 0.04). In conclusion, in patients with noneST elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing PCI of degenerated SVG, ELCA compared with DPD, is associated with a trend for better myocardial reperfusion and a lesser incidence of periprocedural necrosis. Controlled randomized trials are warranted to confirm these early observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are released from the bone marrow during cardiac ischemic events, potentially influencing vascular and myocardial repair. We assessed the clinical and angiographic correlates of EPC mobilization at the time of primary percutaneous coronary intervention in 78 patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction and the impact of both baseline and follow-up EPC levels on left ventricular (LV) remodeling. Blood samples were drawn from the aorta and the culprit coronary artery for cytofluorimetric EPC detection (CD34DCD45dimKDRD cells, in percentage of cytofluorimetric counts). Area at risk was assessed by Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation myocardial jeopardy index, thrombotic burden as thrombus score and microvascular obstruction (MVO) as a combination of ST segment resolution and myocardial blush grade. Echocardiographic evaluation of LV remodeling was performed at 1-year follow-up in 54 patients, whereas peripheral EPC levels were reassessed in 40 patients. EPC levels during primary percutaneous coronary intervention were significantly higher in intracoronary than in aortic blood (0.043% vs 0.0006%, p <0.001). Both intracoronary and aortic EPC were related to area at risk extent, to intracoronary thrombus score (p <0.001), and inversely to MVO (p = 0.001). Peripheral EPC levels at 1-year follow-up were lower in patients with LV remodeling than in those without (0.001% =0.001 to 0.002] vs 0.003% =0.002 to 0.010]; p = 0.01) and independently predicted absence of remodeling at multivariate analysis. In conclusion, a rapid intracoronary EPC recruitment takes place in the early phases of ST elevation myocardial infarction, possibly reflecting an attempted reparative response. The extent of this mobilization seems to be correlated to the area at risk and to the amount of MVO. Persistently low levels of EPC are associated to LV remodeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success rate of recanalization of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) has improved in recent years, but the clinical benefit associated with successful CTO recanalization in the drug-eluting stent (DES) era is not well known. A cohort of 317 consecutive patients (mean age 65 ± 10, 84% men) with CTOs (defined as Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction [TIMI] flow grade 0 and duration >3 months) of native coronary vessels in which percutaneous coronary intervention was attempted was enrolled from June 2005 to March 2009. All successful procedures (196 patients) were performed by DES implantation. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs; a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization) was assessed during a mean follow-up period of 3 years. MACE predictors were assessed in clinical, angiographic, and procedural data, including procedural success. Patients with successful percutaneous coronary intervention experienced a significantly lower MACE rate compared to those with failed procedures (17 [9%] vs 32 [26%], p = 0.008). Patients with multivessel disease experienced MACEs more frequently than those with single-vessel disease (45 [22%] vs 4 [4%], p = 0.002). On multiple Cox regression analysis, the presence of multivessel disease and CTO opening failure were independent predictors of MACEs (hazard ratio 2.31, 95% confidence interval 1.17 to 4.96, p = 0.01, and hazard ratio 1.81, 95% confidence interval 1.33 to 4.12, p = 0.02, respectively). The worst prognosis was confined to patients with multivessel disease and failed procedures (hazard ratio 2.73, 95% confidence interval 1.21 to 3.92, p = 0.03). In conclusion, successful recanalization of CTOs with DES translates into a reduction of the 3-year MACE rate compared to failed procedures, and the worst prognosis is observed in patients with failed procedures and multivessel disease, a notion that might be taken into account in the management of patients with coronary CTOs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Angiographic evaluation of intermediate left main coronary artery stenosis (LMS) is often limited. Three-dimensional (3D) quantitative coronary angiography has recently developed to overcome 2-dimensional (2D) quantitative coronary angiographic (QCA) limitations. In patients with angiographically intermediate LMS, we investigated whether 3D quantitative coronary angiography was superior to 2D quantitative coronary angiography in predicting the presence of a significant LMS, defined as a minimum luminal area <6 mm2 at intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). 2D and 3D quantitative coronary angiography were compared in their measurements of minimum luminal area, percent area stenosis, minimum luminal diameter, and percent diameter stenosis and in their prediction of an IVUS minimum luminal area <6 mm2. In total 58 target lesions were interrogated, 25 (43%) of which had an IVUS minimum luminal area <6 mm2. Correlation between 3D-QCA minimum luminal area and IVUS minimum luminal area was stronger than the correlation between 2D-QCA minimum luminal area (or minimum luminal diameter) and IVUS minimum luminal area (R = 0.67, p = 0.0001, and R = 0.40, p = 0.001, respectively, p = 0.04 for comparison). To predict IVUS minimum luminal area <6 mm2, the most accurate 2D-QCA measurement was minimum luminal diameter (area under curve 0.81, cutoff 2.2 mm, p = 0.0001), and the most accurate 3D-QCA measurement was minimum luminal area (area under curve 0.86, cutoff 5.6 mm2, p = 0.0001). 2D-QCA percent diameter stenosis did not significantly predict IVUS minimum luminal area <6 mm2 (area under curve 0.56, cutoff 38%, p = 0.45). In conclusion, the accuracy of quantitative coronary angiography in predicting LM IVUS minimum luminal area <6 mm2 is limited. When IVUS is not available or contraindicated, 3D quantitative coronary angiography may assist in the evaluation of intermediate LMS. Among 2D-QCA parameters, minimum luminal diameter is more accurate than percent diameter stenosis in predicting significant LMS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Stent thrombosis is a catastrophic occurrence burdened by a high mortality rate and a tendency to recur. We sought to evaluate the angiographic risk factors for recurrent stent thrombosis (rST) in a subpopulation of 91 Outcome of PCI for stent-ThrombosIs Multicenter STudy (OPTIMIST) patients who underwent quantitative angiographic evaluation by an independent core laboratory. The Academic Research Consortium criteria were used for rST adjudication. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was applied to estimate the hazard ratios and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals for the occurrence of Academic Research Consortium-defined, definite rST (primary end point), definite or probable rST (secondary end point), and definite or probable or possible rST (secondary end point). A total of 8 definite rST events occurred during a median follow-up of 244 days (range 165 to 396), of which 5 were early and 3 were late. In the multivariate model, a residual thrombus score of ≥3 (hazard ratio 6.5, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 30.7, p = 0.017) and a larger postprocedural reference vessel diameter (hazard ratio 4.5, 95% confidence interval 1.5 to 13.3, p = 0.006) were significantly associated with the primary end point. When the same model was applied to the 15 definite and probable rST events, only a residual thrombus score of ≥3 (hazard ratio 7.8, 95% confidence interval 2.5 to 24.5, p <0.001) was significantly associated with rST. Finally, when possible rST events were included (18 patients), a residual thrombus score of ≥3 remained associated with the dependent variable (hazard ratio 6.1, 95% confidence interval 2.0 to 18.2, p = 0.001), along with a larger postprocedural reference vessel diameter. In conclusion, when performing percutaneous coronary intervention for stent thrombosis, the residual thrombus burden and larger reference vessel were potent risk factors for rST. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Overlapping homogenous drug-eluting stents (DESs) may be used instead of overlapping bare metal stents (BMSs) to treat coronary lesions longer than available stents. Yet, no data are available on patients treated with overlapping heterogenous DESs or DESs and BMSs. We prospectively assessed 9-month clinical outcome and 6-month angiographic late loss (evaluated at 5 different lesion segments) in a consecutive series of 40 patients who received overlapping homogenous DESs (sirolimus-eluting stent [SES] or paclitaxel-eluting stent [PES]), heterogenous DESs (SES + PES), or overlapping DESs and BMSs. In 8 patients (7 with angiographic follow-up) with overlapping heterogenous DESs, no angiographic or clinical adverse event was observed. Moreover, in-segment late loss was similar to that of patients who received homogenous DESs. In 8 patients (7 with angiographic follow-up) with overlapping DESs and BMSs, there was a higher incidence of major adverse events (3 repeat percutaneous coronary interventions and 1 death, 50% adverse event rate) and worse in-segment binary restenosis rate compared with patients treated with homogenous or heterogenous DESs (p = 0.02 and 0.012, respectively). Late lumen loss at the site of stent overlap showed significant differences according to type of overlapped stent (1.00 ± 0.76 mm in DES-BMS overlap, 0.32 ± 0.55 mm in PES-PES overlap, 0.13 ± 0.11 in SES-PES overlap, and 0.08 ± 0.10 mm in SES-SES overlap, p = 0.005). In conclusion, the present study suggests that overlap of DESs and BMSs should be avoided because the antirestenotic effect of DESs is skewed by contiguous BMS implantation. Overlap between SESs and PESs in this very preliminary report was associated with no specific adverse event. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Angiographic myocardial blush grade (MBG) is a potent predictor of long-term outcome after percutaneous treatment of myocardial infarction, yet little is known regarding the underlying pathophysiologic features. The relation between MBG and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-defined amounts of necrosis and microvascular obstruction was examined in 27 patients. Another powerful prognostic indicator, ST-segment resolution >70%, was correlated with other predictors. Increasing MBG was associated (p = 0.001) in a linear fashion (p <0.001) with less microvascular obstruction using CMR, whereas the inverse relation with amount of necrosis, although significant (p = 0.043), was nonlinear (p = 0.36). ST resolution was not correlated with either MBG or CMR parameters. In conclusion, MBG is mainly influenced by microvascular patency and is less dependent on the amount of muscle necrosis, and the common practice of including MBG 2 and 3 into a single “patent microcirculation” category might not be justified. Moreover, the mechanisms of ST resolution should be searched for at the cellular level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "EuroSCORE II versus additive and logistic EuroSCORE in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention" by D. Capodanno and colleagues in the 2013 issue.

Previous studies reported a robust relation between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Systemic inflammation has been proposed as possible pathogenetic mechanism linking these 2 entities, although data on atherosclerotic coronary features in COPD patients are lacking. We studied atherosclerotic coronary plaque features in COPD patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using optical coherence tomography (OCT). ACS patients who underwent intracoronary OCT imaging of the culprit vessel were enrolled. Coronary plaque characteristics and OCT-defined macrophage infiltration (MØI) were assessed by OCT. ACS patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of an established diagnosis of COPD, and plaque features at the culprit site and along the culprit vessel were compared between the groups. Of 146 ACS patients (mean age:66.1 ± 12.7 years, 109 men), 47 (32.2%) had COPD. Patients with COPD had significantly higher prevalence of MØI (78.7% vs 54.5%, p = 0.005) and thin cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) (48.9% vs 22.2%, p = 0.001) at the culprit site. In the multivariate logistic regression, COPD was independently associated with MØI (odds ratio [OR] 21.209, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.679 to 267.910, p = 0.018) and TCFA at the culprit site (OR 5.345, 95% CI 1.386 to 20.616, p = 0.015). Similarly, COPD was independently associated with both MØI (OR 3.570, 95% CI 1.472 to 8.658, p = 0.005) and TCFA (OR 4.088, 95% CI 1.584 to 10.554, p = 0.004) along the culprit vessel. In conclusion, in ACS patients who underwent OCT imaging of the culprit vessel, COPD was an independent predictor of plaque inflammation and vulnerability. These results may suggest that a higher inflammatory milieu in COPD patients might enhance local coronary inflammation, promoting CAD development and plaque vulnerability., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no competing interests to declare. All authors take responsibility for all aspects of the reliability and freedom from bias of the data presented and their discussed interpretation., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

New-generation transcatheter heart valves have significantly improved technical success and procedural safety of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures; however, the incidence of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) remains a concern. This study aimed to assess the role of anatomic annulus features in determining periprocedural conduction disturbances leading to new PPI after TAVI using the last-generation Edwards SAPIEN balloon-expandable valves. In the context of a prospective single-center registry, we integrated the clinical and procedural predictors of PPI with anatomic data derived from multislice computed tomography. A total of 210 consecutive patients treated with balloon-expandable Edwards transcatheter heart valve were included in the study from 2015 to 2023. Technical success was achieved in 197 procedures (93.8%), and 26 patients (12.4%) required new PPI at the 30-day follow-up (median time to implantation 3 days). At the univariable logistic regression analysis, preprocedural right bundle branch block (odds ratio [OR] 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 to 4.97, p = 0.047), annulus eccentricity ≥0.25 (OR 5.43, 95% CI 2.21 to 13.36, p <0.001), calcium volume at annulus of the right coronary cusp >48 mm 3 (OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.13 to 5.96, p = 0.024), and prosthesis implantation depth greater than membranous septum length (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.10 to 4.28, p = 0.026) were associated with new PPI risk. In the multivariable analysis, preprocedural right bundle branch block (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.01 to 7.85, p = 0.049), annulus eccentricity ≥0.25 (OR 4.14, 95% CI 1.85 to 9.27, p <0.001), and annulus right coronary cusp calcium >48 mm 3 (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.07 to 7.82, p = 0.037) were confirmed as independent predictors of new PPI. In conclusion, specific anatomic features of the aortic valve annulus might have an additive role in determining the occurrence of conduction disturbances in patients who underwent TAVI with balloon-expandable valves. This suggests the possibility to use multislice computed tomography to improve the prediction of post-TAVI new PPI risk., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Dr. Romagnoli received speaker fees from Abbott Vascular and Terumo. F. Burzotta and C. Trani received speaker fees from Abbott Vascular, Abiomed, Medtronic, and Terumo. Dr. Aurigemma received speaker fees from Abbott Vascular, Abiomed, Medtronic, Terumo, and Daiichi Sankyo. Dr. Bianchini received a research grant from Abbott. The remaining authors have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The prognostic impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is controversial. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of CAD and different revascularization strategies on clinical outcomes in patients who underwent TAVI with third generation devices. Patients enrolled in the national observational Observational Study of Effectiveness of SAVR-TAVI Procedures for Severe Aortic Stenosis Treatment II study were stratified according to the presence of CAD (CAD+, n = 1,130) versus no CAD (CAD-, n = 1,505), and compared using a propensity matched analysis. CAD+ group was further stratified according to the revascularization strategy: no revascularization (n = 331), revascularization performed >90 days before index-TAVI (n = 417) and coronary revascularization performed <90 days before index-TAVI or during TAVI (n = 382). In-hospital, 30-day and 1-year clinical outcomes were estimated. The mean age of the overall population was 81.8 years; 54.9% of patients were female. Propensity score matching yielded 813 pairs and their 30-day all-cause mortality was comparable (p = 0.480). Major periprocedural adverse events were also similar between the groups. At 1-year follow-up, the rate of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) and all-cause mortality were similar between the groups (p = 0.732 and p = 0.633, respectively). Conversely, patients with CAD experienced more often myocardial infarction and need for percutaneous coronary intervention at 1 year (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001, respectively). Neither CAD nor revascularization strategy were independent predictors of 1-year MACCE. About 40% of patients presenting with severe AS and who underwent TAVI had concomitant CAD. The presence of CAD had no impact on all-cause mortality and MACCE 1-year after TAVR. However, CAD carries a higher risk for acute myocardial infarction and need of percutaneous coronary intervention during follow-up., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Dr. Trani discloses to have been involved in advisory board meetings or having received speaker's fees from Abbott, Abiomed, Medtronic and Biotronic. Dr. Aurigemma has been involved in advisory board activities by Abbott, Abiomed, Medtronic and Daiichi Sankyo. The remaining authors have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Debulking lesions with severe coronary artery calcification (CAC) is highly recommended to obtain good procedural and long-term success. Utilization and performance of coronary intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) after rotational atherectomy (RA) has not been thoroughly studied. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IVL with the Shockwave Coronary Rx Lithotripsy System in lesions with severe CAC as elective or bail-out strategy after RA. This observational, prospective, single-arm, multicenter, international, open-label Rota-Shock registry included patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease and lesions with severe CAC treated by percutaneous coronary intervention, including lesion preparation with RA and IVL, at 23 high-volume centers. Primary efficacy end point was procedural success, defined as final diameter stenosis <30% by quantitative coronary angiography. Primary safety end point was freedom from serious angiographic complications, which included >National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute type B dissection, perforation, abrupt closure, slow or no flow, final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow <3, and acute thrombosis. A total of 160 patients were enrolled between June 2020 and June 2022. The primary efficacy end point was observed in 155 patients (96.9%). The primary safety end point occurred in 145 cases (90.6%). Dissections >National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute type B occurred in 3 patients (1.9%), whereas slow or no flow occurred in 8 (5.0%), final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow <3 in 3 (1.9%), and perforation in 4 patients (2.5%). Free from inhospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, including cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, cerebrovascular accident, definite/probable stent thrombosis, and major bleeding, occurred in 158 patients (98.7%). In conclusion, IVL after RA in lesions with severe CAC was effective and safe, with a very low incidence of complications as either elective or bail-out strategy., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Dr. Stefanini discloses speaker fees from Abbott Vascular, Boston Scientific, and Pfizer/Bristol-Myers Squibb. Dr. Van Mieghem discloses research grant support by Abbott Vascular, Boston Scientific, Biotronik, Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, PulseCath BV, Daiichi Sankyo, and Pie Medical and consultancy fees from Siemens, Amgen, Daiichi Sankyo, Abbott Vascular, Biotronik, Medtronic, and Abiomed. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interests to declare., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Increased body mass index (BMI) is an established cardiovascular risk factor. The impact of high BMI on vascular and bleeding complications in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is not clarified. RISPEVA, a multicenter prospective database of patients undergoing TAVI stratified by BMI was used for this analysis. Patients were classified as normal or high BMI (obese and overweight) according to the World Health Organization criteria. A comparison of 30-day vascular and bleeding outcomes between groups was performed using propensity scores methods. A total of 3776 matched subjects for their baseline characteristics were included. Compared with normal BMI, high BMI patients had significantly 30-day greater risk of the composite of vascular or bleeding complications (11.1% vs 8.8%, OR: 1.28, 95% CI [1.02 to 1.61]; p = 0.03). Complications rates were higher in both obese (11.3%) and overweight (10.5%), as compared with normal weight patients (8.8%). By a landmark event analysis, the effect of high versus normal BMI on these complications appeared more pronounced within 7 days after the TAVI procedure. A significant linear association between increased BMI and vascular complications was observed at this time frame (p = 0.03). In conclusion, compared with normal BMI, both obese and overweight patients undergoing TAVI, experience increased rates of 30-day vascular and bleeding complications. These findings indicate that high BMI is an independent risk predictor of vascular and bleeding complications after TAVI., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The ACC/TVT score is a specific predictive model of in-hospital mortality for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The aim of this study was to test its predictive accuracy in comparison with standard surgical risk models (Logistic Euroscore, Euroscore II, and STS-PROM) in the population of TAVI patients included in the multicenter RISPEVA (Registro Italiano GISE sull'impianto di Valvola Aortica Percutanea) registry. The study cohort included 3293 patients who underwent TAVI between 2008 and 2019. The 4 risk scores were calculated for all patients. For all scores, the capability to predict 30-day mortality was assessed by means of several analyses testing calibration and discrimination. The ACC/TVT score showed moderate discrimination, with a C-statistics for 30-day mortality of 0.63, not significantly different from the standard surgical risk models. The ACC/TVT score demonstrated, in contrast, better calibration compared with the other scores, as proved by a greater correspondence between estimated probabilities and the actual observations. However, when the ACC/TVT score was tested in the subgroup of patients treated in a more contemporary period (from 2016 on), it revealed a slight tendency to lose discrimination and to overestimate mortality risk. In conclusion, in comparison with the standard surgical risk models, the ACC/TVT score demonstrated better prediction accuracy for estimation of 30-day mortality in terms of calibration. Nevertheless, its predictive reliability remained suboptimal and tended to worsen in patients treated more recently., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

It remains undefined if transradial coronary angiography from a right or left radial arterial approach differs in real-world practice. To address this issue, we performed a subanalysis of the PREVAIL study. The PREVAIL study was a prospective, multicenter, observational survey of unselected consecutive patients undergoing invasive cardiovascular procedures over a 1-month observation period, specifically aimed at assessing the outcomes of radial approach in the contemporary real world. The choice of arterial approach was left to the discretion of the operator. Prespecified end points of this subanalysis were procedural characteristics. Of 1,052 patients consecutively enrolled, 509 patients underwent transradial catheterization, 304 with a right radial and 205 with a left radial approach. Procedural success rates were similar between the 2 groups. Compared to the left radial group, the right radial group had longer procedure duration (46 ± 29 vs 33 ± 24 minutes, p <0.0001) and fluoroscopy time (765 ± 787 vs 533 ± 502, p <0.0001). At multivariate analysis, including a parsimonious propensity score for the choice of left radial approach, duration of procedure (beta coefficient 11.38, p <0.001) and total dose-area product (beta coefficient 11.38, p <0.001) were independently associated with the choice of the left radial artery approach. The operator's proficiency in right/left radial approach did not influence study results. In conclusion, right and left radial approaches are feasible and effective to perform percutaneous procedures. In the contemporary real world, however, the left radial route is associated with shorter procedures and lower radiologic exposure than the right radial approach, independently of an operator's proficiency., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)