Search

BACKGROUND: Robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a novel technology that permits remote operation of interventional devices. However, little is known about the safety and effectiveness of introducing a robotic PCI program in a hospital already experienced in traditional coronary angioplasty. METHODS: Prospective single-arm survey to assess the safety and effectiveness of robotic-assisted PCI in comparison to pre-defined performance goals. The study cohort comprised all consecutive cases treated with robotic PCI since its introduction. The safety primary endpoint was a composite of (I) overall death or (II) non-fatal adverse events related to target vessel complications (stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, vessel perforation or cardiac tamponade, or repeat invasive treatment) during the index hospitalization. The efficacy primary endpoint was robotic-assisted procedural success, a composite of (I) successful dilatation of the target lesion and (II) successful robotic assistance, defined as absent non-planned manual conversion. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients and 112 lesions were prospectively enrolled. The rate of angiographic success was 99.1%. From these, 97 lesions (86.6%) were treated with only robotic PCI or with hybrid according to the pre-interventional plan. The rates of efficacy and safety primary endpoints were 85.7% and 2.4% respectively (P

Resumo Fundamento A estenose coronária pode ser causada por de novo aterosclerose, reestenose intra-stent e neoaterosclerose intra-stent, três entidades que se desenvolvem a partir de diversos meios fisiopatológicos. Objetivos Este estudo tem como objetivo investigar, por meio da tomografia de coerência óptica (OCT), se as lesões coronarianas relacionadas a esses processos diferem em seu perfil inflamatório local. Métodos Análise retrospectiva de pacientes com lesões coronárias diagnosticadas ou suspeitas que realizaram exames de OCT por motivos clínicos. Macrófagos e neovascularização intraplaca foram avaliados por OCT e utilizados como marcadores de inflamação local. O nível de significância < 0,05 foi adotado como estatisticamente significante. Resultados Das 121 lesões, 74 eram de novo , 29 eram reestenose e 18 eram neoaterosclerose. Neovascularização foi encontrada em 65,8% das de novo , 10,3% na reestenose e 94,4% na neoaterosclerose (p

BACKGROUND Contemporary optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are still subject of controversy. We sought to use OCT to evaluate plaque morphology and phenotype classification in patients with ACS. METHODS Using optical coherence tomography, culprit lesions were morphologically classified as plaque rupture, plaque erosion, calcified nodule, thin-cap fibroatheroma, thick-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) or fibrotic, fibrocalcific or fibrolipidic plaque. Quantitative and qualitative analyses also included cholesterol crystals, neovascularization, spotty calcification and thrombus. RESULTS Of the 110 lesions imaged from June 2012 to April 2016, 54 (49%) were in patients with unstable angina (UA), 31 (28%) were in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients and 25 (23%) were in STEMI patients. Compared with STEMI patients, patients with UA/non-STEMI were older and had more hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, known coronary artery disease, prior myocardial infarction and higher use of antiplatelet therapy. More patients with STEMI had lipidic arc >90% (36.6 versus 70.8%, P = 0.003), red and mixed thrombus (12.9 versus 28.0% and 7.1 versus 44.0%, respectively, all P < 0.001), plaque rupture (29.4 versus 76.0%, P < 0.001) and TCFA (57.1 versus 84.0%; P = 0.01). Predictors of plaque rupture were STEMI at presentation (odds ratio: 9.35, 95% confidence interval: 1.66-52.61, P = 0.01) and diabetes mellitus (odds ratio: 6.16, 95% confidence interval: 1.33-28.58, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS In this single-center study, the culprit lesion of patients with STEMI had more lipid, red and mixed thrombus, plaque rupture and TCFA versus patients with UA/non-STEMI. Clinical presentation may be driven by distinct pathophysiologic mechanisms in patients with ACS.

Use of the Impella CP left ventricular assist device (LVAD) (Abiomed, Danvers, Massachusetts) requires a 14 French arterial introducer for its insertion, often performed via femoral access. An additional vascular access site is commonly used for coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) – in general the contralateral femoral access. The need for multiple vascular access sites requires a longer procedure time and results in an increased risk of vascular complications. Additionally, many patients have associated peripheral vascular disease and therefore limited vascular access. Due to the large diameter of the Impella CP device sheath and its frequent use in high-risk PCI (e.g., complex unprotected left main coronary disease, multivessel disease, cardiogenic shock, advanced left ventricular dysfunction), reducing vascular complications by avoiding a second access is of paramount importance. The shaft diameter of the Impella CP catheter is 9 French, lower than the 14 French of its sheath. As previously reported, there is a novel safe alternative for the placement of an additional sheath up to 7F (1–4) using this available space between the inner diameter of the sheath and the Impella shaft, thereby avoiding the risks of an additional vascular access.

Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) is traditionally a manual procedure executed by one or more operators positioned at a close distance from the patient. The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has imposed severe restrictions to such an interventional environment. The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 is transmitted mainly through expelled respiratory particles, which are known to travel approximately 3-6 feet away from infected persons. During PCI, that contamination range obligatorily poses the team and the patient to direct air exposure. We herein present a case report with the description of a minimum-contact strategy to reduce interpersonal air exposure during PCI. The approach designed to minimize proximity between the patient and the healthcare team included the performance of robotic-assisted PCI, operated by unscrubbed cardiac interventionalists from a control cockpit located outside the catheterization suite. Also included, was the delineation of the potential zone of respiratory particle spread; a circle measuring 4 meters (13.1 feet) in diameter was traced on the floor of the cath lab with red tape, centered on the patient's mouth and nose. The team was rigorously trained and advised to minimize time spent within the 4-meter perimeter as much as possible during the procedure. Following this strategy, a 60-year-old male with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction and COVID-19 was treated with successful coronary implantation of two stents in the obtuse marginal branch and one stent in the circumflex artery. The total duration of the procedure was 103 minutes and 22 seconds. During most of the procedure, the 4-meter spread zone was not entered by any personnel. For each individual team member, the proposed strategy was effective in ensuring that they stayed outside of the 4-meter area for the majority of their work time, ranging from 96.9% to 59.7% of their respective participation. This case report illustrates the potential of robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention in reducing physical proximity between the team and the patient during the procedure.

Coronary stenosis can be caused de novo atherosclerosis, in-stent restenosis, and in-stent neoatherosclerosis, three entities that develop from a diverse pathophysiological milieu.This study aims to investigate, using optical coherence tomography (OCT), whether or not coronary lesions related to these processes differ in their local inflammatory profile.Retrospective analysis of patients with diagnosed or suspected coronary lesions who had undergone OCT imaging for clinical reasons. Macrophage and intra-plaque neovascularization were assessed by OCT and used as surrogates of local inflammation. A significance level of0.05 was adopted as statistically significant.From the 121 lesions, 74 were de novo, 29 were restenosis, and 18 were neoatherosclerosis. Neovascularization was found in 65.8% of de novo, 10.3% in restenosis, and 94.4% in neoatherosclerosis (p0.01 for all). The volume of neovascularization was different among lesion types (950 vs. 0 vs. 6220, respectively [median values in 1000 x µm3/mm]; p0.01 for all), which were significantly higher in neoatherosclerosis and lower in restenosis. The presence of macrophages differed among the lesions (95.9% in de novo vs. 6.9% in restenosis vs. 100% in neoatherosclerosis [p0.01 for all]). Moreover, the intensity of macrophagic infiltration was different among lesion types (2.5 vs. 0.0 vs. 4.5, respectively [median values of macrophage score]; p0.01 for all), significantly higher in neoatheroscleosis and lower in restenosis.When compared using coronary OCT, de novo atherosclerosis, in-stent restenosis, and neoatherosclerosis presented markedly different inflammatory phenotypes.A estenose coronária pode ser causada por de novo aterosclerose, reestenose intra-stent e neoaterosclerose intra-stent, três entidades que se desenvolvem a partir de diversos meios fisiopatológicos.Este estudo tem como objetivo investigar, por meio da tomografia de coerência óptica (OCT), se as lesões coronarianas relacionadas a esses processos diferem em seu perfil inflamatório local.Análise retrospectiva de pacientes com lesões coronárias diagnosticadas ou suspeitas que realizaram exames de OCT por motivos clínicos. Macrófagos e neovascularização intraplaca foram avaliados por OCT e utilizados como marcadores de inflamação local. O nível de significância0,05 foi adotado como estatisticamente significante.Das 121 lesões, 74 eram de novo , 29 eram reestenose e 18 eram neoaterosclerose. Neovascularização foi encontrada em 65,8% das de novo , 10,3% na reestenose e 94,4% na neoaterosclerose (p0,01 para todos). O volume de neovascularização foi diferente entre os tipos de lesão (950 vs. 0 vs. 6.220, respectivamente [valores medianos em 1000 x µm 3 /mm]; p0,01 para todos), sendo significativamente maior na neoaterosclerose e menor na reestenose. A presença de macrófagos diferiu entre as lesões (95,9% em de novo vs. 6,9% em reestenose vs. 100% em neoaterosclerose [p0,01 para todos]). Além disso, a intensidade da infiltração macrofágica foi diferente entre os tipos de lesão (2,5 vs. 0,0 vs. 4,5, respectivamente [valores medianos do escore de macrófagos]; p0,01 para todos), significativamente maior na neoaterosclerose e menor na reestenose.Quando comparados pela OCT coronariana, de novo , reestenose intra-stent e neoaterosclerose apresentaram fenótipos inflamatórios marcadamente diferentes.

Lay abstract Minimally invasive therapies for cardiovascular diseases are techniques that limit the size of incisions needed and so lessen wound healing time, but traditionally require close contact between the patients and the healthcare team. This fact poses hazards that range from radiation exposure to the spread of airborne diseases. We developed a small study of ten patients to investigate whether a new method of robotic-assisted stent implantation for the treatment of a heart attack would reduce proximity between the patient and medical staff during the procedure. To evaluate the effectiveness of that strategy, we assessed the success of the procedure (by analyzing the images of the operation), the amount of time the team was positioned more than 2 meters from the patient and the occurrence of complications during the hospitalization. We concluded that this method of robotic-assisted stent implantation after a heart attack provided successful treatment while reducing proximity and shared air space between the care-delivery team and the patient.

Background In BIOACTIVE study, we evaluated vascular responses after the implant of biolimus A9-eluting stent (BES; BioMatrix TM ) and the everolimus-eluting stent (EES; XIENCE V TM ). In this study, we present the optical coherence tomography analysis (OCT) 6 months post-intervention. Methods Patients were randomized to treatment with BES (n = 22) or EES (n = 18). The primary outcome was the frequency of non-covered, poorly positioned struts by OCT. Results OCT was performed in 26 patients (BES: n = 15; EES: n = 11) and 749 tomographic images and 7,725 stent struts were analyzed. BES and EES showed similar luminal and stent areas. Neointimal hyperplasia area, neointimal thickness and the percentage of in-stent obstruction (8.44 ± 5.10% vs. 9.21 ± 6.36%; p = 0.74) were similar. The rates of not covered struts (BES: 2.10 ± 3.60% vs. ESS: 2.46 ± 2.15%, p = 0.77) and poorly positioned struts (BES: 0.48 ± 1.48% vs. EES 0.44 ± 1.05%, p = 0.94) were similarly low. The frequency of frames with signs consistent with peri-strut inflammatory infiltrate was low and similar between BES (15.53 ± 20.77%) and EES (11.70 ± 27.51%; p = 0.68). Conclusions The second-generation drug-eluting stents BES and EES were equally effective at suppressing the neointimal formation after 6 months, with favorable vascular responses. The frequency of frames with peri-strut infiltrate signals per patient was low, and lower than that observed historically with first-generation drug-eluting stents.

AIMS Three-vessel and left main coronary artery disease (CAD) have important prognostic implications. Consequently, numerous risk scores have been developed to stratify patients with complex CAD. The aim of the present study was to compare the predictive performance of six risk scores for occurrence of fouryear all-cause mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS From March 2008 to December 2012, 348 consecutive patients with complex CAD undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a tertiary centre in Sao Paulo, Brazil, were analysed. Four-year mortality was assessed. The scores compared were: baseline SYNTAX score (SS), residual SYNTAX score (rSS), ACEF score, clinical SYNTAX score (cSS), SYNTAX revascularisation index (SRI) and SYNTAX score II (SSII). SSII had the best predictive performance, AUC 0.82, Brier score 0.10, surpassing all the other scores for long-term mortality prediction. Moreover, SSII discriminated well PCI patients in risk groups with p

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a incidência de eventos adversos cardíacos maiores (morte cardíaca, infarto agudo do miocárdio ou necessidade de nova revascularização do vaso-alvo) em 1 ano em pacientes do "mundo real". MÉTODOS: O registro EINSTEIN é um estudo observacional prospectivo, unicêntrico, que incluiu consecutivamente 103 pacientes (152 lesões) tratados com o stent BiomatrixTM, eluidor de biolimus A9 e polímero biodegradável. RESULTADOS: A média das idades foi de 65,0±12,4 anos; o gênero masculino representou 83,5% dos pacientes; e 37,9% deles eram diabéticos. Em 1 ano, eventos adversos cardíacos maiores ocorreram em 11,7% dos pacientes, incluindo 2,9% de morte cardíaca, 4,9% de infarto agudo do miocárdio sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST e 3,9% de revascularização do vaso-alvo. Trombose de stent esteve presente em apenas 1% (1 paciente) após o seguimento clínico de 1 ano. CONCLUSÃO: O presente registro sugere que os novos stents farmacológicos eluidores de biolimus A9 com polímero biodegradável são seguros e eficazes em pacientes da prática clínica diária, com baixas taxas de eventos adversos cardíacos maiores no longo prazo.

FUNDAMENTO: O implante por cateter de bioprótese valvar aórtica é uma nova modalidade de tratamento para portadores de estenose aórtica inoperáveis ou de alto risco cirúrgico. Objetivo: Relatar a experiência de três anos do implante por cateter da bioprótese CoreValve. MÉTODOS: Entre janeiro de 2008 e janeiro de 2011, 35 pacientes com estenose aórtica (33 casos) ou disfunção de bioprótese valvar aórtica (dois casos) de alto risco cirúrgico foram submetidos ao implante da bioprótese CoreValve. RESULTADOS: A média de idade dos pacientes foi 81,5 ± 9 anos, e 80% apresentavam-se em classe funcional III ou IV de insuficiência cardíaca. O EuroScore foi 18,4 ± 14,3% e o STS 14,5 ± 11,6%. Obteve-se sucesso do implante em 34 (97,1%) pacientes. Após a intervenção houve redução do gradiente transvalvar de 84,9 ± 22 para 22,5 ± 9,5 mmHg e 87,1% dos pacientes evoluíram em classe funcional I ou II. A mortalidade aos 30 dias e no seguimento médio de 400 ± 298 dias foi, respectivamente, de 11,4% e 31,4%. A ocorrência de complicações hemorrágicas com risco de morte foi o único preditor independente de mortalidade cardiovascular. Acidente vascular cerebral ocorreu em 5,7% dos pacientes. Marca-passo permanente foi necessário em 32,1% dos casos no primeiro mês após o procedimento. CONCLUSÃO: O implante por cateter de bioprótese valvar aórtica é um procedimento seguro e eficaz para ser empregado em portadores de estenose aórtica de alto risco cirúrgico. O dispositivo CoreValve é eficaz no médio-prazo, em seguimento de até três anos. BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic bioprosthesis implantation is a new treatment modality for patients with aortic stenosis who are inoperable or at high surgical risk. OBJECTIVE: To report the three-year experience with transcatheter CoreValve® bioprosthesis implantation. METHODS: From January 2008 to January 2011, 35 patients with aortic stenosis (33) or aortic valve bioprosthesis dysfunction (two) at high surgical risk underwent transcatheter CoreValve® bioprosthesis implantation. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 81.5 ± 9 years, and 80% had heart failure functional class III or IV. The EuroScore was 18.4 ± 14.3% and the STS risk score was 14.5 ± 11.6%. Successful device implantation was achieved in 34 (97.1%) patients. After the intervention, a reduction in the transvalvular pressure gradient from 84.9 ± 22 to 22.5 ± 9.5 mm Hg was observed, and 87.1% of the patients progressed to functional class I or II. Thirty-day mortality and mortality in the follow-up of 400 ± 298 days were 11.4% and 31.4%, respectively. The occurrence of life-threatening hemorrhagic complications was the only independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality. Stroke occurred in 5.7% of the patients. Permanent pacemaker was required in 32.1% of the patients within the first month after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter aortic bioprosthesis implantation is a safe and effective procedure to be used in patients with aortic stenosis at high surgical risk. The CoreValve® prosthesis proved to have mid-term efficacy in a three-year follow-up.

INTRODUÇÃO: O stent farmacológico eluidor de paclitaxel, não-polimérico, Amazonia® PAX não mostrou diferença na reestenose coronária ou eventos clínicos aos 4 meses de evolução quando comparado com o stent Taxus®. Entretanto, o desempenho do stent Amazonia® PAX em cenários de maior complexidade e com seguimento angiográfico mais longo ainda não foi demonstrado. MÉTODOS: O Estudo PAX-B foi um estudo prospectivo, não-randomizado, multicêntrico, que avaliou os resultados tardios de pacientes tratados com o stent Amazonia® PAX. O desfecho primário foi a perda tardia do lúmen intrastent. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 103 pacientescom média de idade de 61,3 ± 11,4 anos, 26,2% eram diabéticos, 24,3% apresentaram-se com síndrome coronária aguda e 71,6% tinham lesões tipo B2/C. Implante de múltiplos stents ocorreu em 4,7% dos casos e o sucesso angiográfico foi de 100%. Na fase hospitalar, a taxa de infarto agudo do miocárdio periprocedimento foi de 3,9%, e um desses eventos levou à revascularização da lesão-alvo (RLA). No seguimento angiográfico de 9 meses, a mediana da perda tardia do lúmen intrastent foi de 0,91 [0,50; 1,21] mm. As taxas cumulativas de eventos cardíacos adversos maiores nos seguimentos de 6 meses, 9 meses e 12 meses foram, respectivamente, de 7,8%, 18,5% e 21,3%, principalmente em decorrência de RLA. Não se observou morte ou trombose de stent em 12 meses. CONCLUSÕES: O stent Amazonia® PAX demonstrou excelentes resultados imediatos e alto perfil de segurança. Entretanto, as taxas de recorrência angiográfica foram relativamente altas, em razão da pouca eficácia na inibição da formação de hiperplasia neointimal. BACKGROUND: The non-polymeric paclitaxel-eluting sent Amazonia® PAX did not show differences in the occurrence of coronary restenosis or clinical events after 4 months of follow-up when compared with the Taxus® stent. However, the performance of the Amazonia® PAX stent in more complex cases and with longer angiographic follow-up has not been demonstrated. METHODS: The PAX-B study was a prospective, non-randomized, multicenter study assessing the late follow-up of patients treated with the Amazonia® PAX stent. The primary outcome was in-stent late lumen loss. RESULTS: One hundred and three patients with mean age of 61.3 ± 11.4 years were included, 26.2% were diabetics, 24.3% had acute coronary syndromes and 71.6% had type B2/C lesions. Multiple stents were performed in 4.7% of the cases and angiographic success was 100%. During hospitalization, the periprocedural acute myocardial infarction rate was 3.9% and one of these events led to target lesion revascularization (TLR). At 9-month angiographic follow-up, the median in-stent late lumen loss was 0.91 [0.50; 1.21] mm. The cumulative rates of major adverse cardiac events at the 6-month, 9-month and 12-month follow-up were 7.8%, 18.5% and 21.3%, respectively, mostly due to TLR. There was no death or stent thrombosis at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: The stent Amazonia® PAX demonstrated excellent immediate results and high safety profile. However, angiographic recurrence rates were relatively high, due to low efficacy in inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia.

An initial experience using the AutoPulse® Non-Invasive Cardiac Support Pump in a catheterisation laboratory is reported. The device was used for a case of cardiopulmonary arrest in the catheterisation laboratory, allowing the percutaneous procedure to continue with simultaneous cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The device provided uninterrupted and effective chest compressions and allowed a team physician to perform other functions during the procedure. There were difficulties related to the setup of the device and to the radiopacity of the electronic components, which prevented some angiographic projections from being obtained. The use of mechanical devices for chest compressions during cardiopulmonary arrest is feasible; however, there is no proof of their benefits when compared to cardiopulmonary resuscitation using manual compressions.

Background Compared with the Taxus® stent, the non-polymeric paclitaxel-eluting Amazonia® PAX stent shows no differences in the occurrence of coronary restenosis or clinical events after four months of follow-up. However, the performance of the Amazonia® PAX stent in more complex cases and with longer angiographic follow-up has not been demonstrated. Methods The PAX-B study was a prospective, non-randomised, multicentre study assessing the long-term follow-up of patients treated with the Amazonia® PAX stent. The primary outcome was late in-stent lumen loss. Results The study included 103 patients with a mean age of 61.3 ± 11.4 years; 26.2% were diabetics, 24.3% had acute coronary syndromes, and 71.6% had type B2/C lesions. Multiple stents were implanted in 4.7% of the patients, and angiographic success was achieved in 100% of the cases. During hospitalisation, the periprocedural acute myocardial infarction rate was 3.9%, and one of these events led to target-lesion revascularisation (TLR). At the nine-month angiographic follow-up, the median late in-stent lumen loss was 0.91 [0.50; 1.21] mm. The cumulative rates of major adverse cardiac events at the six-month, nine-month, and 12-month follow-ups were 7.8%, 18.5%, and 21.3%, respectively, mostly due to TLR. There were no deaths or stent thromboses at 12 months. Conclusions The Amazonia® PAX stent showed excellent immediate results and a good safety profile. However, angiographic recurrence rates were relatively high because of the low efficacy of neointimal hyperplasia inhibition.

FUNDAMENTO: A substituição percutânea da valva aórtica para o tratamento da estenose aórtica é uma alternativa disponível e eficaz para pacientes com alto risco cirúrgico, especialmente aqueles com idade avançada e comorbidades. OBJETIVO: Os autores relatam a experiência inicial do emprego da endoprótese CoreValve em nosso meio. MÉTODOS: Em janeiro de 2008, dois pacientes foram submetidos à substituição percutânea da valva aórtica por estenose aórtica sintomática. Ambos foram selecionados por terem idade avançada (77 e 87 anos), comorbidades e elevado risco cirúrgico (EuroScore 7,7% e 12,1%). RESULTADOS: Os implantes percutâneos do dispositivo CoreValve foram realizados com sucesso. Observou-se a ampliação da área valvar (de 0,7 para 1,5 cm² e de 0,5 para 1,3 cm²) e a redução do gradiente transvalvar aórtico (de 82 para 50 mmHg e de 94 para 31 mmHg) imediatamente após a intervenção. Durante a internação hospitalar, houve a necessidade de implantar marca-passos definitivos nos dois pacientes, por bloqueio átrio-ventricular. Aos seis meses, observou-se a queda ainda maior do gradiente transvalvar aórtico (gradiente < 20 mmHg), e a remissão dos sintomas de insuficiência cardíaca (NYHA III para NYHA I). CONCLUSÃO: O emprego da endoprótese CoreValve para o tratamento da estenose aórtica mostrou-se factível e com resultados animadores nesta experiência inicial em nosso meio.

FUNDAMENTOS: Os estudos randomizados que testaram os stents farmacológicos no infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMSST) demonstraram resultados conflitantes. Além disso, a trombose do stent e o seguimento tardio pouco reportado permanecem como os grandes limitantes à expansão da aplicação desses dispositivos no IAMSST. OBJETIVO: Comparar as taxas de eventos cardíacos adversos maiores combinados (ECAM) e as taxas de trombose do stent em pacientes não-selecionados tratados com stents convencionais ou farmacológicos no IAMSST e alocados de forma não-randômica. MÉTODO: Entre janeiro de 2001 e julho de 2007, 251 pacientes consecutivos com IAMSST foram submetidos a angioplastia primária ou de resgate com implante de stent convencional (n = 112) ou farmacológico (n = 139), no Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein - São Paulo, SP. Investigamos a incidência de ECAM (óbito, infarto do miocárdio e revascularização do vaso-alvo [RVA]) e as taxas de RVA e trombose do stent. RESULTADOS: No total, a média das idades foi de 63 ± 13 anos, sendo 77% dos pacientes do sexo masculino. No seguimento mediano de 2,8 anos (1,3-4,4), a incidência de ECAM foi maior nos pacientes tratados com stents convencionais, em comparação com os tratados com stents farmacológicos (25,2% vs. 10,1%; p < 0,01), fundamentalmente pela maior mortalidade tanto global (17,8% vs. 5,1%; p < 0,01) como cardíaca (15,9 vs. 4,3; p < 0,01) no grupo dos stents convencionais. A taxa de RVA foi de 7,5% no grupo dos stents convencionais e de 3,6% no grupo dos stents farmacológicos (p = 0,25). Não observamos diferenças significativas na incidência de trombose do stent (3,7% vs. 2,2%; p = 0,7). CONCLUSÕES: Nessa série observacional, o uso dos stents farmacológicos no IAMSST apresentou menor taxa de ECAM em comparação aos stents convencionais no seguimento clínico tardio.

FUNDAMENTOS: Os stents farmacológicos reduziram a necessidade de nova revascularização nas lesões bifurcadas. Entretanto, o seguimento tardio e a estratégia mais adequada (um stent vs. dois stents) não estão bem estabelecidos. MÉTODO: No período de junho de 2002 a dezembro de 2006, 156 pacientes consecutivos com lesões envolvendo bifurcações foram tratados com implante de stents farmacológicos. Comparou-se a taxa de eventos cardíacos adversos maiores (ECAM) combinados - óbito, infarto e revascularização do vaso-alvo (RVA) - e a incidência de trombose do stent conforme a estratégia (um stent: ramo principal vs. dois stents: ramos principal e lateral). RESULTADOS: A média das idades foi de 64 ± 12 anos, 75,6% eram do sexo masculino e 28,8%, diabéticos. O seguimento médio foi de 2,4 ± 1,3 anos. Utilizou-se a estratégia com um stent em 67,3% dos pacientes. Bifurcações verdadeiras ocorreram em 64,7% dos casos. A estratégia de dois stents foi adotada em 32,7% dos casos (crush: 14,7%; cullote: 3,2%; T-stent: 10,3%; simultaneous kissing stent: 3,8%; V-stent: 0,6%). Kissing balloon final foi utilizado em 85,9% dos casos. A sobrevida livre de ECAM estimada foi de 95% na estratégia com um stent vs. 86% com dois stents (teste do log-rank, p = 0,03). A análise multivariada identificou o uso de dois stents como único preditor independente de ECAM (OR: 2,82; IC 95%: 1,047,68; p = 0,04). A taxa de trombose no emprego de um stent em comparação com dois stents foi de 1,9% vs. 3,9% (p = 0,6). CONCLUSÕES: O emprego dos stents farmacológicos nas bifurcações apresenta baixas taxas de eventos combinados no seguimento tardio. O uso de dois stents associou-se a maior taxa de ECAM, embora constitua um subgrupo de maior complexidade. BACKGROUND: Drug-eluting stents (DES) have reduced the need for repeat revascularization in coronary bifurcation lesions. However, late follow-up and the most adequate strategy (one stent vs. two stents) have not been well established. METHODS: From June 2002 to December 2006, 156 consecutive patients underwent drug-eluting stent implantation to treat coronary bifurcation lesions. The rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) - death, myocardial infarction, and target-vessel revascularization (TVR) - and stent thrombosis were compared according to the strategy adopted (one-stent: main branch vs. twostents: main branch and side branch). RESULTS: The mean age of the group was 64 ± 12 years; 75.6% of the patients were men and 28.8% were diabetic. The mean follow-up duration was 2.4 ± 1.3 years. The one-stent strategy was used in 67.3% of the patients. 64.7% of the lesions treated were true bifurcations. The two-stent techniques strategy were used in 32.7% of the cases (crush: 14.7%; cullote: 3.2%; T-stenting: 10.3%; simultaneous kissing stent: 3.8%; V-stenting: 0.6%). Final kissing balloon inflation was used in 85.9% of the cases. The combined event-free survival was estimated to be 95% with the one-stent strategy vs. 86% with the two-stent strategy (p Log Rank = 0.03). Multivariate analysis identified the two-stent strategy as the only independent predictor of MACE (OR: 2.82; IC 95%:1.04-7.68; p = 0.04). Stent thrombosis rates using one stent was 1.9% vs. 3.9% using two stents; p = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: Drug-eluting stenting for coronary bifurcation lesions has shown low rates of combined events during long-term follow-up. The use of the two-stent strategy was associated with a higher rate of MACE, although this is a more complex subgroup.

FUNDAMENTOS: A despeito dos avancos da Cardiologia Intervencionista, as complicacoes vasculares permanecem relativamente frequentes e seus preditores, na pratica medica atual, sao pouco conhecidos. A presente investigacao foi idealizada com o objetivo de avaliar a incidencia e os preditores contemporâneos de complicacoes vasculares apos intervencoes coronarias realizadas por via percutânea femoral. METODO: Entre dezembro de 2005 e dezembro de 2006, 383 pacientes consecutivos foram submetidos a intervencao coronaria percutânea por via femoral e foram monitorizados clinicamente, durante a internacao hospitalar, para a deteccao de complicacoes vasculares. RESULTADOS: Complicacoes vasculares ocorreram em 6,5% dos pacientes, sendo o pseudo-aneurisma da arteria femoral a complicacao mais frequentemente observada (2,6%). Os preditores independentes de complicacao vascular, neste estudo, foram o sexo feminino (odds ratio [OR] = 5,61; intervalo de confianca de 95% [IC 95%] = 1,99-15,76) e o uso do abciximab (OR = 3,02; IC 95% = 1,10-8,26). O emprego de dispositivos hemostaticos (OR = 0,36; IC 95% = 0,120,99) foi o unico fator protetor independente contra a ocorrencia dessas complicacoes, especialmente no sexo masculino. CONCLUSOES: As complicacoes vasculares ainda sao relativamente frequentes apos intervencoes coronarias percutâneas. Os preditores contemporâneos dessas complicacoes sao o sexo feminino e o uso de abciximab. O uso de dispositivos hemostaticos, especialmente em individuos do sexo masculino, e um fator protetor independente contra a ocorrencia dessas complicacoes.

FUNDAMENTOS: Os estudos randomizados que testaram os stents farmacologicos para o tratamento do infarto agudo do miocardio demonstraram baixas taxas de revascularizacao da lesao-alvo. Entretanto, pacientes e lesoes complexas foram excluidos e o seguimento tardio permanece pouco conhecido. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a taxa de eventos adversos combinados - obito, reinfarto e revascularizacao do vasoalvo (RVA) - e a incidencia de trombose em pacientes nao selecionados tratados com stent farmacologico no infarto agudo do miocardio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST. METODO: De janeiro de 2004 a dezembro de 2006, foram tratados 134 pacientes consecutivos no contexto da angioplastia primaria ou de resgate. Destes, 104 (77,6%) receberam ao menos um stent farmacologico. O seguimento clinico medio foi de 20,9 ± 10,5 meses. RESULTADOS: No total, 104 pacientes foram analisados, a media de idade foi de 63 ± 12 anos, 82% dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino, e 23% eram diabeticos. Na admissao, 17% apresentavam classificacao Killip III ou IV. A taxa de sucesso angiografico foi de 92%. O tempo medio da dupla antiagregacao plaquetaria foi de 13,29 ± 9,26 meses. A taxa cumulativa de eventos adversos combinados foi de 11,5% e a necessidade de RVA foi de 2,9%. Trombose de stent definitiva ocorreu em 1,9% dos pacientes. Na analise multivariada, o unico preditor independente de eventos adversos combinados foi a classificacao de Killip III ou IV a admissao (odds ratio, 9,4; intervalo de confianca de 95%, 2,16-40,81; p = 0,003). CONCLUSOES: Neste registro, composto por pacientes pertencentes ao "mundo real", o uso de stents farmacologicos no infarto agudo do miocardio com elevacao do segmento ST mostrou-se seguro e eficaz.

Introdução: Os stents farmacológicos eluidores de everolimus com polímero durável e de biolimus A9 com polímero bioabsorvível foram concebidos para minimizar a resposta inflamatória local e propiciar melhor cobertura endotelial das hastes. Nesta análise, objetivamos apresentar os resultados do ultrassom intracoronário de 6 meses da comparação desses dispositivos como desfecho secundário do estudo BIOACTIVE. Métodos: O BIOACTIVE foi um estudo multicêntrico, randomizado (1:1), que teve como objetivo primário comparar a função endotelial coronária e o porcentual de cobertura das hastes dos stents BioMatrix® e Xience V®, por meio da tomografia de coerência óptica. Foram incluídos pacientes com lesão única, de novo, em coronárias, entre 3,0 e 3,5 mm e com extensão até 20 mm. Foram excluídos pacientes diabéticos ou na fase aguda de infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento de ST, lesões ostiais, em bifurcações ou com trombo. Resultados: O ultrassom intracoronário foi realizado em 35 (87,5%) dos 40 pacientes incluídos, sendo 21 pacientes com BioMatrix® e 14 com Xience V®. Os volumes do vaso (339,8 ± 149,4 mm3 vs. 343,0 ± 118,6 mm3; p = 0,95) e do stent (174,9 ± 73,6 mm3 vs. 166,2 ± 53,6mm3; p = 0,70) não mostraram diferenças, bem como o volume de hiperplasia (3,7 ± 2,6 mm3 vs. 4,5 ± 5,9 mm3; p = 0,57) e o porcentual de obstrução intimal intra-stent (2,3 ± 2,0% vs. 2,4 ± 2,8%; p = 0,90). Conclusões: Nesta comparação randomizada, ambos os stents mostraram-se efetivos em suprimir a resposta neointimal no médio prazo, e não mostraram sinais indiretos de toxicidade local.

Intracoronary brachytherapy using beta or gamma radiation is currently the most efficient type of therapy for preventing the recurrence of coronary in-stent restenosis. Its implementation depends on the interaction among interventionists, radiotherapists, and physicists to assure the safety and quality of the method. The authors report the pioneering experience in Brazil of the treatment of 2 patients with coronary in-stent restenosis, in whom beta radiation was used as part of the international multicenter randomized PREVENT study (Proliferation REduction with Vascular ENergy Trial). The procedures were performed rapidly and did not require significant modifications in the traditional techniques used for conventional angioplasty. Alteration in the radiological protection devices of the hemodynamic laboratory were also not required, showing that intracoronary brachytherapy using beta radiation can be incorporated into the interventional tools of cardiology in our environment.

A disfunção endotelial é uma das possíveis causas relacionadas à taxa mais elevada de trombose após o implante da primeira geração de stents farmacológicos. Se a presença do polímero durável ou elevada dose de fármacos antiproliferativos, ou ambos, são responsáveis por este fenômeno não está definido. O Estudo VESTASYNC II comparou um novo stent farmacológico, com superfície revestida por uma camada porosa de hidroxiapatita e impregnado com baixa dose de sirolimus. (55?g - stent VestaSync®) com seu equivalente não farmacológico (Stent VestaCor® ). O Vestasync II é um estudo prospectivo, randomizado (2:1) e duplo-cego, que incluiu pacientes com lesões de novo em artérias nativas com extensão menor que 14mm, com diâmetro entre 3,0 e 3,5mm. Um subgrupo composto por 20 pacientes (10 em cada grupo) submeteu-se à avaliação da função endotelial, no seguimento angiográfico de oito meses. O objetivo primário foi a comparação da vasomotricidade após o implante de stents com a mesma plataforma, com e sem eluição de sirolimus, a fim de determinar o real impacto de baixa dose do sirolimus na função endotelial. O desfecho de eficácia foi a perda luminal tardia e o porcentual de obstrução intra-stent. A avaliação da função endothelial foi realizada através da estimulação atrial com marcapasso (20ppm acima da frequência cardiaca basal até alcançar 150ppm) e o diâmetro luminal foi mensurado nas extremidades proximal e distal do stent e em um segmento controle, em estágios diferentes (repouso, sucessivas fases do estímulo e após a infusão intracoronária de nitroglicerina). A eficácia deste novo dispositivo foi confirmada por angiografia coronária quantitativa (perda luminal tardia VestaSync = 0,39 mm vs. 0,78 mm, p=0,005) e ultrassom intravascular (% obstrução VestaSync 9,3% vs. 17,6%, p= 0,005). Houve variação negativa no diâmetro luminal, entre o repouso e o estímulo máximo, nas bordas proximal (10%) e distal (8%). Entre os segmentos controles esta variação não alcançou 3%. A eluição de dose baixa do sirolimus não parece interferir na função endotelial, oito meses após o implante do stent sem polímero revestido com hidroxiapatita. Endothelium dysfunction is among the possible causes related to higher thrombosis rates after first generation drug-eluting stents implant. Whether the presence of durable polymer or high anti-proliferative drug dose, or both, can be responsible for this phenomenon is not clear. The VESTASYNC II trial compared a novel polymer-free drug-eluting stent with a nanothinmicroporous hydroxyapatite surface coating impregnated with a low-dose of sirolimus (55?g-VestaSyncTM stent) to a bare-metal equivalent also coated with a nanothin-microporous hydroxyapatite surface (VestaCorTM stent). This is a randomized (2:1), double-blinded trial which enrolled patients with single de novo lesions in native coronary arteries from 3.0 to 3.5mm diameter and less than 14mm in length. A subset of 20 patients (10 from each group) underwent to endothelial function assessment at eight-month angiographic follow-up. The primary objective was to compare the vasomotricity after implantation of stents with the same platform, with and without drug elution, to determine the real impact of low-dose sirolimus release in endothelial function. Efficacy endpoint was in-stent late loss and % of stent obstruction. Endothelial function was assessed with atrial pacemaker stimulation (20 ppm over basal cardiac frequency until reach 150 ppm) and the lumen diameter was measured at 5 mm of proximal and distal stent edges and in a control segment, in different stages (at rest, at successive phases of stimulli and after nitroglycerin intracoronary infusion). The efficacy of this new device was confirmed by means of quantitative coronary angiography (late loss VestaSync = 0.39 mm vs. 0.78 mm, p=0.005) and intravascular ultrasound (% obstruction VestaSync 9.3% vs. 17.6%, p= 0.005). There was a negative variation in luminal diameter between basal and maximum stimulli in proximal (10%) and distal (8%) edges of both groups. Among control segments this variation did not reach 3%. The elution of low-dose of sirolimus does not seem to interfere in endothelial function 8 months after polymer-free hydroxyapatite coating stent implantation.

Os autores apresentam a experiência inicial do uso de dispositivo mecânico de reanimação AutoPulse®. O dispositivo foi utilizado em caso de parada cardiorrespiratória em sala de hemodinâmica, permitindo a continuidade do procedimento percutâneo concomitantemente à ressuscitação cardiopulmonar. O dispositivo proporcionou compressões torácicas ininterruptas e efetivas, bem como liberou um médico da equipe para outras funções durante o procedimento. Houve dificuldades quanto à rapidez na instalação do dispositivo no momento da emergência e em relação à radiopacidade dos componentes eletrônicos, que impediram algumas projeções angiográficas. O uso de dispositivos mecânicos de compressões torácicas durante parada cardiorrespiratória é factível, porém ainda não há comprovação de seus benefícios em relação à ressuscitação cardiopulmonar com compressões manuais.

Percutaneous aortic valve replacement for the treatment of aortic stenosis is an available and efficient alternative for patients at high surgical risk, especially those with advanced age and comorbidities.The authors report the first experience made in our midst with the use of the CoreValve endoprosthesis.In January 2008, two patients underwent percutaneous aortic valve replacement due to symptomatic aortic stenosis. They were selected for being elderly (77 and 87 years) and presenting comorbidities and a high surgical risk (EuroScore 7.7% and 12.1%).Percutaneous implantations of the CoreValve device were successfully performed. Enlargement of the valve area (from 0.7 to 1.5 cm(2) and from 0.5 to 1.3 cm(2)) and reduction of the aortic transvalvular gradient (from 82 to 50 mmHg and from 94 to 31 mmHg) were observed immediately after the intervention. During hospital stay, permanent pacemaker implantation was required in both patients due to atrioventricular block. At six months, an even greater drop in the aortic transvalvular gradient (gradient20 mmHg) and remission of symptoms of heart failure (NYHA III to NYHA I) were observed.The use of the CoreValve endoprosthesis for the treatment of aortic stenosis proved to be feasible and showed encouraging results in this early experience made in our midst.

ResumoIntroduçãoNo estudo BIOACTIVE, avaliamos as respostas vasculares após implante do stent eluidor de biolimus A9 (SEB; BioMatrix®) e o stent eluidor de everolimus (SEE; XIENCE V®). Apresentamos a análise de tomografia de coerência óptica (OCT) 6 meses pós‐intervenção.MétodosOs pacientes foram randomizados para tratamento com SEB (n = 22) ou SEE (n = 18). O desfecho primário foi a frequência de hastes não cobertas e mal apostas pela OCT.ResultadosA OCT foi realizada em 26 pacientes (SEB: n = 15; SEE: n = 11) e foram analisadas 749 imagens tomográficas e 7.725 hastes de stent. SEB e SEE apresentaram áreas luminais e dos stents semelhantes. A área de hiperplasia neointimal, a espessura neointimal e o porcentual de obstrução intra‐stent (8,44 ± 5,10% vs. 9,21 ± 6,36%; p = 0,74) foram similares. As taxas de hastes não cobertas (SEB: 2,10 ± 3,60% vs. SEE: 2,46 ± 2,15%; p = 0,77) e mal apostas (SEB: 0,48 ± 1,48% vs. SEE 0,44 ± 1,05%; p = 0,94) foram baixas e semelhantes. A frequência de frames com sinais compatíveis com infiltrado inflamatório peri‐haste foi baixa e similar entre SEB (15,53 ± 20,77%) e SEE (11,70 ± 27,51%; p = 0,68).ConclusõesStents farmacológicos de segunda geração SEB e SEE se mostraram igualmente eficientes em suprimir a formação neointimal aos 6 meses, com respostas vasculares favoráveis. A frequência de frames com sinais de infiltrado peri‐haste por paciente foi baixa, e menor do que a historicamente observada com os stents farmacológicos de primeira geração.AbstractBackgroundIn BIOACTIVE study, we evaluated vascular responses after the implant of biolimus A9‐eluting stent (BES; BioMatrixTM) and the everolimus‐eluting stent (EES; XIENCE VTM). In this study, we present the optical coherence tomography analysis (OCT) 6 months post‐intervention.MethodsPatients were randomized to treatment with BES (n = 22) or EES (n = 18). The primary outcome was the frequency of non‐covered, poorly positioned struts by OCT.ResultsOCT was performed in 26 patients (BES: n = 15; EES: n = 11) and 749 tomographic images and 7,725 stent struts were analyzed. BES and EES showed similar luminal and stent areas. Neointimal hyperplasia area, neointimal thickness and the percentage of in‐stent obstruction (8.44 ± 5.10% vs. 9.21 ± 6.36%; p = 0.74) were similar. The rates of not covered struts (BES: 2.10 ± 3.60% vs. ESS: 2.46 ± 2.15%, p = 0.77) and poorly positioned struts (BES: 0.48 ± 1.48% vs. EES 0.44 ± 1.05%, p = 0.94) were similarly low. The frequency of frames with signs consistent with peri‐strut inflammatory infiltrate was low and similar between BES (15.53 ± 20.77%) and EES (11.70 ± 27.51%; p = 0.68).ConclusionsThe second‐generation drug‐eluting stents BES and EES were equally effective at suppressing the neointimal formation after 6 months, with favorable vascular responses. The frequency of frames with peri‐strut infiltrate signals per patient was low, and lower than that observed historically with first‐generation drug‐eluting stents.