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Background: Lesions located at the ostium of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) are considered an ideal target for directional atherectomy (DCA), but few data are available about the value of using this strategy before stenting in comparison with stenting alone.Objectives: To investigate the immediate and mid term clinical and angiographic results of DCA followed by stent implantation for ostial LAD lesions.Design: Retrospective comparison of the immediate and mid term angiographic and clinical results of a series of 117 consecutive patients with de novo lesions located at the ostium of the LAD. Of these, 46 underwent DCA before stenting and 71 were treated with stenting alone.Results: Technical success in the two groups was similar at around 98%. DCA plus stenting provided a larger minimum lumen diameter at the end of the procedure than stenting alone (3.57 (0.59) mm v 3.33 (0.49) mm, p = 0.022). There were no differences for in-hospital major adverse events (MACE) (7.5% for atherectomy plus stenting, and 5.3% for stenting alone; p = 0.41). All patients had clinical follow up at a mean of 7.9 (2.7) months. Angiographic follow up was done in 89 patients (76%) at a mean of 5.9 (2.2) months. The atherectomy plus stenting group had a larger minimum lumen diameter than the stenting group (2.79 (0.64) mm v 2.26 (0.85) mm, p = 0.004) and a lower binary restenosis rate (13.8% v 33.3%, p = 0.031). Six month MACE were reduced in the atherectomy plus stenting group (8.7% v 23.9%, p = 0.048).Conclusions: Debulking before stenting in de novo lesions located at the ostium of the LAD is safe and is associated with a high rate of technical success. Follow up data show that DCA plus stenting results in a significantly larger minimum lumen diameter and a lower incidence of restenosis than stenting alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we randomly compared the estradiol eluting stent (17-beta-E) with phosphorylcholine (PC)-coated stents in native coronary arteries. The incidence of angiographic restenosis was 23% in the 17-beta-E group and 31% in the PC group (p = 0.34). The major adverse cardiovascular event rates were also similar in the 2 groups (17% in the 17-beta-E group vs 22% in the PC group, p = 0.47). The mid-term clinical and angiographic outcomes did not indicate superiority of the 17-beta-E eluting stent over the control PC stent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the long-term outcomes after implantation of drug-eluting stents (DES) in bifurcation lesions with the "crush" technique. Background: The long-term outcome of "crush" stenting technique has yet to be determined. Methods: We identified 181 consecutive patients who were treated with DES with the "crush" stent technique from April 2002 to April 2004. Based on the usage of final kissing balloon post-dilation (FKB), the patients were divided into an FKB group (n = 116) and a non-FKB group (n = 65). Results: Clinical follow-up at nine months was available in all patients, and angiographic follow-up in 80% of patients. Three cases (1.7%) of intraprocedural stent thrombosis and five (2.8%) cases of postprocedural stent thrombosis occurred. Restenosis rate of the main branch in the entire cohort lesions was 11.5%. Restenosis rate of the side branch was lower in the FKB group than that in the non-FKB group (11.1% vs. 37.9%, p < 0.001). The target lesion revascularization (TLR) rate for all patients was 14.9%. The lack of FKB was a predictor for TLR (hazard ratio [HR] 4.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30 to 14.3, p = 0.02). Diabetes was also a predictor for TLR (HR 1.79; 95% CI 1.14 to 2.80, p = 0.01). Premature discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy (odds ratio [OR] 16.8; 95% CI 1.31 to 159.5, p = 0.03) and age (OR 1.10; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.21, p = 0.048) was associated with the occurrence of postprocedural stent thrombosis. Conclusions: Compared to the absence of FKB, the "crush" stenting technique with FKB appears to be associated with more favorable long-term outcomes. When utilizing the "crush" stenting technique, FKB is mandatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Drug eluting stents have been shown to reduce the rate of in-stent reslenosis in cases where single lesions are treated. The performance of these stents, in patients with multivessel disease and complex lesions, however, remains unknown. Our experience with sirolimus eluting stents in such patients is presented. Design and patients: This study includes all consecutive patients treated at San Raffaele Hospital and EMO Centro Cuore Columbus, Milan, Italy treated with sirolimus eluting stents. Results: Between April 2002 and March 2003, 486 patients with 1027 lesions were treated (437 males, 49 females) with a mean (SD) age of 62.2 (10.5) years. Of all patients studied, 19.1 % had single vessel disease, 33.8% had two vessel disease, and 47.1 % had three vessel disease. Of the whole study group, 20.3% of patients had diabetes mellitus. A mean (SD) of 2.3 (0.4) stents per patient and 1.1(0.2) stents per lesion were implanted. The baseline mean reference diameter was 2.7(0.6) mm with a mean minimal luminal diameter of 0.9 (0.5) mm. Post-stenting, the acute gain was 1 .8 (0.6) mm. During hospital stay one patient died (0.2%) and 13 (2.7%) patients had in-hospital myocardial infarction (MI). One patient required urgent repeat percutaneous coronary intervention. Six months clinical follow up was performed in all 347 eligible patients. Six months mortality was 2.0% (n = 7) and acute MI occurred in 0.3% (n = 1). Target lesion revascularisation occurred in 95% (n = 33) of the patients and target vessel revascularisation (1VR) in 11.5% (n = 40) of the patients. Major adverse cardiac event rate was 13.8% (n = 48). TVR was 4.5% For single vessel disease and 13.2% for multivessel disease. Diabetes mellitus was the only significant predictor for D/R. Conclusion: The use of drug eluting stents in single and multivessel coronary disease produces good short and medium term results with a low rate of revascularisation. Longer term follow-up is required to confirm these observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study reports the results of directional atherectomy with an 8Fr guiding catheter-compatible atherectomy catheter in a series of 31 in-stent restenotic lesions. This preliminary experience indicates a favorable safety profile, with events limited to non-Q-wave myocardial infarction occurring in 3.6% of patients. The secondary end point regarding the incidence of angiographic restenosis at 6 months showed a high restenosis rate (65%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare long term outcomes of the crush versus the T technique in bifurcation lesions. Design: 182 consecutive patients were identified who underwent percutaneous coronary interventions for bifurcation lesions with drug eluting stents between April 2002 and January 2004. Two techniques were used according to the operator's discretion: crush (group C, n = 121) or T (group T, n = 61). Results: In-hospital outcome differed significantly between the two groups. Angiographic follow up was available for 142 (78%) patients. Groups C and T did not differ significantly regarding late loss (0.42 (0.39) mm v 0.34 (0.35) mm, p = 0.52) and rate of restenosis (16.2% v 13.0%, p = 0.80) in both the main and the side branch without final kissing balloon post-dilatation. However, when final kissing balloon post-dilatation was performed, group C had significantly lower late lumen loss (0.23 (0.21) mm v 0.37 (0.33) mm, p = 0.02) and restenosis rate (8.6% v 26.5%, p = 0.04) in the side branch. At one year's clinical follow up, group C compared with group T had lower rates of target lesion revascularisation (14.0% v 31.1%, p = 0.01) and target vessel revascularisation (16.5% v 32.8%, p = 0.02). Conclusions: In non-selected bifurcation lesions treated with drug eluting stents, the restenosis rate remains relatively high in the side branch. Compared with the T stenting technique, crush stenting with kissing balloon post-dilatation is associated with a reduced rate of restenosis in the side branch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the impact of glycaemic and lipid control on outcome after percutaneous coronary interventions coronary interventions (PCI). A very low event rate was observed in patients with both a strict glycaemic and blood lipid control. The study highlights shortcomings in the effectiveness of treatment and prevention of risk factors that are associated with high morbidity and mortality. It may be that a stricter surveillance, a better lifestyle, and a more aggressive pharmacological approach would allow us to improve metabolic control coronary interventions.

AIMS: To evaluate the feasibility of peripheral revascularization by angioplasty (PTA) or bypass grafting (BPG) in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). METHODS: All diabetic patients referred to our Diabetic Foot Centre for foot lesion or rest pain were assessed for the presence of CLI as assessed by the TASC criteria. All patients underwent angiography that was evaluated jointly by an interventional radiologist, a vascular surgeon and a diabetologist of the diabetic foot care team. RESULTS: During 2009, 344 diabetics were admitted because of CLI in a total of 360 limbs. PTA was performed in 308 (85.6%) limbs, and BPG was performed in 40 (11.1%) limbs in which PTA was not feasible. Revascularization could not be carried out in 12 (3.3%) limbs due to the lack of target vessel (9 limbs) or high surgical risk (3 limbs). According to the judgement of the vascular surgeon, BPG was anatomically feasible in 180 (58.4%) of the 308 limbs that underwent PTA. Therefore, considering also the 40 limbs that underwent BPG, surgical revascularization was judged anatomically possible in a total of 220 (61.1%) limbs. At 30 days, 19 (5.3%) above-the-ankle amputations were performed: 8 (66.7%) amputations were performed in the 12 non-revascularized limbs, 8 (2.6%) amputations were performed in the 308 limbs treated with PTA and 3 (7.5%) amputations were performed in the 40 limbs treated with BPG. CONCLUSIONS: Revascularization by PTA is highly feasible in diabetics with CLI. The feasibility of revascularization by BPG is lower but nonetheless consistent. In centres where both revascularization procedures are available, it is possible to revascularize more than 96% of diabetics with CLI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The RenalGuard System, which creates high urine output and fluid balancing, may be beneficial in preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Renal Insufficiency After Contrast Media Administration Trial II (REMEDIAL II) trial is a randomized, multicenter, investigator-driven trial addressing the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in high-risk patients. Patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate <=30 mL · min(-1) · 1.73 m(-2) and/or a risk score >=11 were randomly assigned to sodium bicarbonate solution and N-acetylcysteine (control group) or hydration with saline and N-acetylcysteine controlled by the RenalGuard System and furosemide (RenalGuard group). The primary end point was an increase of >=0.3 mg/dL in the serum creatinine concentration at 48 hours after the procedure. The secondary end points included serum cystatin C kinetics and rate of in-hospital dialysis. Contrast-induced acute kidney injury occurred in 16 of 146 patients in the RenalGuard group (11%) and in 30 of 146 patients in the control group (20.5%; odds ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.24 to 0.92). There were 142 patients (48.5%) with an estimated glomerular filtration rate <=30 mL · min(-1) · 1.73 and 149 patients (51.5%) with only a risk score >=11. Subgroup analysis according to inclusion criteria showed a similarly lower risk of adverse events (estimated glomerular filtration rate <=30 mL · min(-1) · 1.73 m(-2): odds ratio, 0.44; risk score >=11: odds ratio, 0.45; P for interaction=0.97). Changes in cystatin C at 24 hours (0.02±0.32 versus -0.08±0.26; P=0.002) and 48 hours (0.12±0.42 versus 0.03±0.31; P=0.001) and the rate of in-hospital dialysis (4.1% versus 0.7%; P=0.056) were higher in the control group. CONCLUSION: RenalGuard therapy is superior to sodium bicarbonate and N-acetylcysteine in preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury in high-risk patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrial.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01098032. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare long term outcomes of the crush versus the T technique in bifurcation lesions. Design: 182 consecutive patients were identified who underwent percutaneous coronary interventions for bifurcation lesions with drug eluting stents between April 2002 and January 2004. Two techniques were used according to the operator's discretion: crush (group C, n = 121 ) or T (group T, n = 61 ). Results: In-hospital outcome differed significantly between the two groups. Angiographic follow up was available for 142 (78%) patients. Groups C and T did not differ significantly regarding late loss (0.42 (0.39) mm v 0.34 (0.35) mm, p = 0.52) and rate of restenosis (16.2% v 13.0%, p = 0.80) in both the main and the side branch without final kissing balloon post-dilatation. However, when final kissing balloon post-dilatation was performed, group C had significantly lower late lumen loss (0.23 (0.21) mm v 0.37 (0.33) mm, p = 0.02) and restenosis rate (8.6% v 26.5%, p = 0.04) in the side branch. At one year's clinical follow up, group C compared with group T had lower rates of target lesion revascularisation (14.0% v 31.1%, p = 0.01) and target vessel revascularisation (16.5% v 32.8%, p = 0.02). Conclusions: In non-selected bifurcation lesions treated with drug eluting stents, the restenosis rate remains relatively high in the side branch. Compared with the T stenting technique, crush stenting with kissing balloon post-dilatation is associated with a reduced rate of restenosis in the side branch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of the present report was to evaluate clinical and angiographic outcomes of drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in saphenous vein graft (SVG) lesions. Background: The safety and efficacy of DES implantation for the treatment SVG lesions remains uncertain. Methods: We evaluated in-hospital and six-month outcomes in 61 consecutive patients treated with DES in SVG lesions from March 2002 to March 2004 (DES group), as compared to 89 consecutive patients treated with bare-metal stents (BMS) in the 24 months immediately before the introduction of DES (BMS group). Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization (TLR), and target vessel revascularization (TVR) were recorded in-hospital and at six-month follow-up. Results: The rate of in-hospital MACE was similar between the two groups (6.6% vs. 5.6%, p = 1.0). Cumulative MACE at six months was 11.5% in the DES group and 28.1% in the BMS group (p = 0.02). The DES group had a significantly lower incidence of in-segment restenosis (10.0% vs. 26.7%, p = 0.03), TLR (3.3% vs. 19.8%, p = 0.003), and TVR (4.9% vs. 23.1%, p = 0.003). By Cox regression analysis, diabetes (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33 to 6.90; p = 0.008), usage of BMS (HR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.07 to 5.97; p = 0.03), and age of SVG (HR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.19; p = 0.02) were identified as predictors of MACE at six-month follow-up. Conclusions: Compared to BMS implantation, DES implantation in SVG lesions appears safe with favorable and improved mid-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From January 1996 to December 1998, 90 consecutive patients with true bifurcation lesions underwent percutaneous coronary angioplasty with Wiktor stent implantation in our centers. In 1 group (group I, n = 45), a simple approach (main vessel stenting and balloon angioplasty of the side branch) was pursued. In the other group (group II, n = 45), both the main vessel and the side branch were stented ("T" technique). There was no significant difference in clinical and angiographic characteristics between the 2 groups. Angiographic and procedural successes were 100% and 95.6%, respectively, in both groups. Angiographic results for the side branch were better in group II than in group I. In-hospital and long-term (12 month) major cardiac events were similar in the 2 groups. Target lesion revascularization was 15.5% in group I and 35.5% in group II (p = 0.12). In the main vessel, restenosis rate was 12.5% in group I and 25% in group II (p = 0.15). In the side branch, restenosis rate was 37.5% in group II and 12.5% in group I (p = <0.05; odds ratio 2.42; 95% confidence interval 1.05 to 6.26). Event-free probability at 12 months was 61% in group II and 80% in group I (p = 0.10). When dealing with true bifurcation lesions, a simple strategy is associated with a lower risk of restenosis in the side branch. In contrast, a complex approach does not appear to give any benefit in terms of early or long-term outcome or restenosis rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functional significance of coronary artery stenoses of intermediate severity is important in determining strategy in patient care. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is often used to evaluate coronary stenosis severity. However, at present, few data are available about the role IVUS in the assessment of functional significance of intermediate lesions. Myocardial fractional flow reserve (FFR) <0.75 is a reliable index of a functionally severe coronary stenosis. In 53 lesions we assessed (1) by pressure wire: FFR (index of functional significance), and (2) by IVUS: minimal lumen cross-sectional area (MLA, square millimeters), minimal lumen diameter (MLD, millimeters), lesion length (millimeters), and percent area stenosis at the lesion site. By regression analysis, percent area stenosis and lesion length had a significant inverse correlation with FFR (r = -0.58, p <0.001, r = -0.41, p <0.004, respectively). MLD and MLA showed a significant positive relation with FFR (r = 0.51, p <0.001, r = 0.41, p <0.004, respectively). By using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, we identified a percent area stenosis > 70% (sensitivity 100%, specificity 68%), a MLD < or = 1.8 mm (sensitivity 100%, specificity 66%), a MLA < or =4.0 mm2 (sensitivity 92%, specificity 56%), and a lesion length of >10 mm (sensitivity 41%, specificity 80%) to be the best cut-off values to fit with a FFR <0.75. The combined evaluation of both percent area stenosis and MLD made the IVUS examination more specific (sensitivity 100%, specificity 76%). In 53 intermediate coronary lesions found by angiography, IVUS area stenosis >70%, MLD < or =1.8 mm, MLA < or =4.0 mm2, and lesion length > 10 mm reliably identified functionally critical intermediate coronary stenoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]