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Delayed coronary obstruction is a rare but often fatal complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement that can present within 24 hr after the transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure. We present a case of a 77-year-old woman whose distal left main coronary artery bifurcation became obstructed by an embolized piece of native valve leaflet material 16 hours after the uncomplicated transfemoral implantation of an Edwards Sapien Ultra 23 mm aortic valve, which was successfully treated with the simultaneous kissing stent technique. more...

An 88-year-old man with small lymphocytic lymphoma presented to the hospital with shortness of breath and was diagnosed with heart failure. Serial blood cultures and echocardiography revealed Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis, complicated by severe aortic regurgitation. Despite intravenous antibiotic therapy and aggressive intravenous diuresis therapy in the hospital, he decompensated into cardiogenic shock, requiring invasive haemodynamic monitoring and inotrope therapy. With multidisciplinary discussion involving the patient and his children, there was a joint decision that at his advanced age, he would not pursue surgical aortic valve replacement and instead proceed with a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with palliative intent. He underwent TAVR with subsequent symptomatic and functional improvement as well as resolution of cardiogenic shock. more...

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as an effective therapy for aortic stenosis in patients who are at intermediate and high surgical risk. Vascular access remains critical to the success of the TAVR procedure. This article reviews the use of imaging in planning and executing TAVR access. more...

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and patency rates using the Viabahn endoprosthesis in complex (TASC-II C and D) femoropopliteal lesions. Background Traditional treatment of symptomatic TASC-II C and D femoropopliteal lesions has mainly centered on open surgical options in patients deemed appropriate candidates. Endovascular treatment of these lesions with balloon angioplasty has been historically hampered by aggressive restenosis and relatively early clinical failure. The Viabahn endoprosthesis was developed with the intent of reducing restenosis while improving overall flexibility in the femoropopliteal segment. Methods Between March 2009 and July 2011 a total of 51 limbs in 41 patients underwent implantation of one or more Viabahn endovascular stent grafts for the treatment of symptomatic TASC-II C or D lesions. Patients were followed clinically at regular intervals and also underwent routine surveillance duplex ultrasound at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-procedure. The average follow-up from the index procedure was 14.6 months (range 13–35.2 months). Results A total of 22 TASC-II C and 29 TASC-II D lesions were treated (51 limbs in 41 patients). The mean lesion length was 22.4 cm. The overall 1-year primary patency rate was 74.8% (95% CI: 61.2%–88.4%), assisted primary patency rate was 87.4% (95% CI: 70.9%–95.9%), and the secondary patency rate was 94.9% (95% CI: 88.0%–100.0%). Conclusions The Viabahn endoprosthesis is a safe and effective option for the treatment of TASC-II C and D femoropopliteal lesions. Patency rates are favorable despite the complexity of these lesions, although multiple endovascular re-interventions may be necessary to achieve an acceptable long-term result. more...

Objectives To evaluate the outcomes of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) directed endovascular exclusion of popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) using stent grafts. Methods Clinical data of seven patients who underwent endovascular exclusion of PAA using IVUS guidance between 2009 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Outcome measures included graft patency, endoleak, and clinical symptoms. Results A total of seven patients were treated with Viabahn stent grafts using IVUS guidance. No patients were lost to follow-up (mean 12 ± 2 months). Patients had an average of two vessel runoff at the end of the procedure. All patients were symptom free with patent stents and no evidence of endoleak at follow-up. Conclusions Use of IVUS during endovascular treatment of PAA allows the physician to fully appreciate the anatomy of PAA, including location and extent of thrombus burden and the diameter and location of desired landing zones for appropriate sealing of the aneurysm proximally and distally. IVUS-guided treatment is associated with excellent outcomes and does not increase procedural radiation and contrast load. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. more...

Risk assessment models for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) versus surgical aortic valve replacement in high-risk patients and TAVR versus palliation in inoperable patients are based on surgical data and have limited discrimination and calibration in the setting of TAVR. Several novel risk models specifically designed for TAVR have improved discrimination over existing models but require further validation. Several clinical and echocardiographic variables, such as chronic lung disease, mitral regurgitation, and stroke volume index, influence outcomes. This article reviews current and novel risk models and important predictors of TAVR outcomes and proposes a framework to integrate them into clinical decision-making for patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis. more...

Aortic valve (AV) replacement with a pulmonary autograft (ROSS Procedure) has been used for treatment of aortic stenosis (AS), but degeneration of the aortic position pulmonary autograft and pulmonary position homograft often requires repeat surgical intervention. 63 year old male presented with more...

Introduction Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) outflow graft obstruction is a well-known and significant complication. The typical management involves treatment of presumed thrombosis of the graft with intensified anticoagulation or surgery. More recently, endovascular stenting has been reported as a possible treatment option. We describe the management of a LVAD outflow cannula obstruction with never reported intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided covered endovascular stenting. Case report A 68 year-old female with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy status-post LVAD implantation in March 2016 presented with persistent symptomatic low flow alarms and clinical signs of heart failure. Symptoms seemed to worsen when she laid on her right side. She was compliant with her anticoagulation and lactate dehydrogenase level was found to be near her baseline. A CT scan with IV contrast revealed intraluminal obstruction of the LVAD outflow graft secondary to a kinked portion of the outflow cannula near the bend relief with a possible thrombotic component. The severe angulation of the cannula likely developed due to the patient's gradual weight gain of 28kg in the 24 months since LVAD implantation. Given the patient's risk profile, a percutaneous endovascular stenting approach was taken. IVUS was used to visualize the obstruction and kinking of the graft. A balloon-expandable covered stent was deployed at the stenotic site while the LVAD was briefly stopped to avoid stent/balloon migration. A covered stent was used to minimize the risk of thrombus migration/extrusion. IVUS was used again after post-dilation of the stent to confirm placement with no thrombus extrusion. Several hours later the patient had recurrent low-flow alarms. A repeat CT scan revealed that the kink had migrated and been transmitted within the outflow cannula towards the LVAD. The patient returned to the angiography suite where 2 balloon expandable stents were deployed more proximally within the outflow cannula and in an overlapping fashion with the original covered stent. Non-covered stents were used for the second procedure as there was no suspected thrombotic component. IVUS showed no significant residual kinking post-stenting. This was confirmed with a repeat CT scan. The patient recovered without any hemodynamic or neurologic sequelae. Conclusion Percutaneous endovascular stenting is an emerging option for treatment of outflow tract obstruction in LVAD patients that are not candidates for surgery. IVUS can be a valuable tool during intervention to confirm proper stent position, thrombus isolation, and outflow cannula geometry. more...

Aims The aim of this study was to determine whether platelet reactivity on clopidogrel therapy, as measured by a point-of-care platelet function assay, is associated with thrombotic events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DESs). Methods and results Platelet reactivity on clopidogrel (post-treatment reactivity) was measured with the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay (Accumetrics Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) in 380 patients undergoing PCI with sirolimus-eluting stents. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was used to derive the optimal cut-off value for post-treatment reactivity in predicting 6 month out-of-hospital cardiovascular (CV) death, non-fatal MI, or stent thrombosis. The mean post-treatment reactivity was 184 ± 85 PRU (P2Y12 reaction units). The optimal cut-off for the combined endpoint was a post-treatment reactivity ≥235 PRU [area under the curve 0.711 (95% confidence interval 0.529–0.893), P = 0.03], which was similar to the threshold of the upper tertile (231 PRU). Patients with post-treatment reactivity greater than the cut-off value had significantly higher rates of CV death (2.8 vs. 0%, P = 0.04), stent thrombosis (4.6 vs. 0%, P = 0.004), and the combined endpoint (6.5 vs. 1.0%, P = 0.008). Conclusion High post-treatment platelet reactivity measured with a point-of-care platelet function assay is associated with post-discharge events after PCI with DES, including stent thrombosis. Investigation of alternative clopidogrel dosing regimens to reduce ischaemic events in high-risk patients identified by this assay is warranted. more...

Multiple chemotherapeutic drugs are used in the treatment of breast cancer, many of which have the potential to produce cardiotoxicity. The anthracyclines are highly efficacious against breast cancer, but pose a particularly high risk for cardiotoxicity. The incidence of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy increases in a dose-related fashion and with prior cardiac radiation exposure. The exact mechanism of toxicity is unknown, but the maximum tolerated cumulative dose can be increased by reducing peak drug levels and with concurrent administration of dexrazoxane. Because anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy is largely irreversible and cumulative, prevention is the preferred strategy. Monitoring by assessment of left ventricular function by the most reproducible method available as patients approach potentially toxic doses can substantially reduce toxicity. The long-term outcome of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy is better than previously reported because of advances in therapy. Recommendations for cardiac monitoring depend on the baseline cardiac function. In patients with baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >50%, periodic assessment of LV function will depend on other cardiac risk factors present and cumulative dosing of the cardiotoxic drugs. A decrease in LVEF of more than 10% or an absolute decrease to less than 30% is an indication for doxorubin discontinuation. Doxorubin-based chemotherapy should not be initiated in patients with a baseline LVEF of less than 30%. more...

Early detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) in women has been challenging. Women are more likely to present with atypical symptoms, and non-invasive evaluation for CAD has been less accurate. Myocardial SPECT imaging is a well-established technique that provides important physiologic, anatomic, and prognostic information in women. Attenuation artifacts secondary to breast tissue are a common problem in women and can lead to decreased specificity of gated SPECT imaging. Cosmetic breast implants are increasing in popularity. The presence of a foreign object overlying the anterior wall of the heart in addition to native breast tissue can significantly increase attenuation artifacts. There is only one report to date describing attenuation artifact due to silicon breast implants in comparison to control, and there are no reports regarding saline breast implants. Here we report three cases of impaired myocardial SPECT imaging in women with breast implants: one patient with silicone implants, and two with saline-containing implants. Clinicians should be aware of this problem and women should be educated regarding the potential future diagnostic problems that may occur with breast implants before considering this cosmetic surgery. more...

The management of drug and standard catheter ablation refractory scar mediated ventricular tachycardia remains a therapeutic challenge. This can be made more difficult if the presentation is complicated by unstable hemodynamics status. The patient is an 82 year old male with history of coronary more...

To evaluate the outcomes of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) directed endovascular exclusion of popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) using stent grafts.Clinical data of seven patients who underwent endovascular exclusion of PAA using IVUS guidance between 2009 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Outcome measures included graft patency, endoleak, and clinical symptoms.A total of seven patients were treated with Viabahn stent grafts using IVUS guidance. No patients were lost to follow-up (mean 12 ± 2 months). Patients had an average of two vessel runoff at the end of the procedure. All patients were symptom free with patent stents and no evidence of endoleak at follow-up.Use of IVUS during endovascular treatment of PAA allows the physician to fully appreciate the anatomy of PAA, including location and extent of thrombus burden and the diameter and location of desired landing zones for appropriate sealing of the aneurysm proximally and distally. IVUS-guided treatment is associated with excellent outcomes and does not increase procedural radiation and contrast load. more...

Activity-induced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression is negatively modulated by circulating adrenal steroids. The rat BDNF gene gives rise to four major transcript forms that each contain a unique 5′ exon (I–IV) and a common 3′ exon (V) that codes for BDNF protein. Exon-specific in situ hybridization was used to determine if adrenalectomy has differential effects on basal and activity-induced BDNF transcript expression in hippocampus. Adrenalectomy alone had only modest effects on BDNF mRNA levels with slight increases in exon III-containing mRNA with 7–10-day survival and in exon II-containing mRNA with 30-day survival. In the dentate gyrus granule cells, adrenalectomy markedly potentiated increases in exon I and II cRNA labeling, but not increases in exon III and IV cRNA labeling, elicited by one hippocampal afterdischarge. Similarly, for the granule cells and CA1 pyramidal cells, hilus lesion (HL)-induced recurrent limbic seizures elicited greater increases in exon I and II cRNA hybridization in adrenalectomized (ADX) as compared to adrenal-intact rats. In this paradigm, adrenalectomy modestly potentiated the increase in exon III-containing mRNA in CA1 but had no effect on exon IV-containing mRNA content. These results demonstrate that the negative effects of adrenal hormones on activity-induced BDNF expression are by far the greatest for transcripts containing exons I and II. Together with evidence for region-specific transcript expression, these results suggest that the effects of stress on adaptive changes in BDNF signalling will be greatest for neurons that predominantly express transcripts I and II. more...

In the adult rat forebrain, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression is very rapidly induced by neuronal activity, suggesting that this might occur without intervening protein synthesis. The ratBDNFgene has four differentially regulated promoter regions; each gives rise to an mRNA containing a unique 5′ exon (I–IV) and a common 3′ exon (V) that codes for mature BDNF protein. The present study used exon-specificin situhybridization and bothin vivoandin vitropreparations to determine whether activity induces BDNF as an “immediate-early gene” (IEG) from specific promoter regions and to compare the regulation of BDNF and nerve growth factor (NGF). In cultured hippocampal slices, kainic acid markedly increased pan-BDNF (exon V) and NGF mRNA content; cycloheximide attenuated the effect of kainic acid on both.In vivostimulation of a paroxysmal afterdischarge increased both pan-BDNF and NGF mRNA levels in the dentate gyrus granule cells; pretreatment with anisomycin modestly attenuated the paroxysmal afterdischarge-induced increase of both transcripts. To determine whether partial drug effects on BDNF expression reflect the differential regulation of transcript species, levels of mRNAs containing exons I–IV were evaluated. A single afterdischarge increased exon I–IV-containing mRNA levels; anisomycin significantly attenuated the increase in exon I- and II-containing mRNAs but had no effect on the increase in exon III- and IV-containing mRNAs. These data show that for mature forebrain neurons, activity induces the expression of BDNF exon III- and IV-containing transcripts as IEG responses. more...

Objective: An unmet need is represented in angioplasty catheters that permit the predilation stage of treating complex coronary anatomy oftentimes not amenable to conventional device therapies. Background: Lesion preparation with balloon angioplasty prior to stent placement remains the most common method of percutaneous coronary revascularization. Methods: Clinical and angiographic outcomes were evaluated following a treatment strategy of coronary artery disease that included predilation with a low-profile, 1.25-mm angioplasty catheter prior to stent placement. The study primary end point of procedural success was defined as successful device delivery and lesion treatment, including the absence of clinically significant perforation, arrhythmia, flow-limiting dissection, or reduction in baseline Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade with final achievement of TIMI 3 flow. Results: Among 51 patients (54 lesions), predilation using a 1.25 mm angioplasty catheter was associated with procedural and device-related success rates of 100%. In-hospital target lesion failure occurred in one patient (2.0%) related to postprocedural myocardial infarction. Patient and angiographic characteristics included diabetes, 43.1%; lesion length ≥20 mm, 20.4%; bifurcation lesion, 31.5%; lesion classification B2/C, 74.1%; and baseline TIMI 0/1 flow, 13.0%. No subsequent in-hospital adverse events occurred. Conclusions: Percutaneous coronary revascularization involving a predilation strategy with a low profile, 1.25-mm angioplasty catheter is associated with favorable procedural safety and efficacy and may represent an effective initial treatment for complex coronary anatomy. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. more...

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after coronary angiography or intervention is associated with substantial morbidity. The data supporting various prophylactic measures and adjunctive therapies to prevent this complication are conflicting. However, contrast volume is clearly related to CIN after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and the risk of CIN has been shown to be directly related to contrast dose. Therefore, minimizing contrast exposure is a primary method to reduce the risk of CIN, especially in at-risk patients. We report a novel technique designed to deliver ultra-low ( more...

Objectives: To compare the very long-term clinical outcomes of bifurcation lesions using the crush and the simultaneous kissing stent (SKS) techniques. Background: A variety of two-stent techniques have been used to treat coronary artery bifurcation lesions in the drug-eluting stent era, but the long-term clinical outcome of these approaches is not known. Methods: A total of 74 consecutive patients underwent bifurcation stenting using either the crush or SKS techniques. Mean patient age was 66.91 ± 11.3 years; 26% were diabetic, and the left anterior descending/diagonal bifurcation was the most frequently treated lesion (68%). Results: In-hospital outcomes were not significantly different between groups. Over a median follow-up of 3.3 years, 1 patient in the SKS group and 3 patients in the crush group died (P = ns). Probable stent thrombosis leading to death according to the Academic Research Consortium definition occurred in 1 patient in the crush group. Mortality in the remaining 3 patients was noncardiac. Target lesion revascularization (TLR) occurred in 14 patients (40%) in the SKS group and 5 patients (12.8%) in the crush group (P = 0.015). Survival free from major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was significantly less in the SKS group and predominantly driven by TLR (60 vs. 88%, P = 0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, over a median of 3.3 years of follow-up, TLR and MACE are significantly lower in bifurcation lesions treated with the crush technique when compared with the SKS technique. Definite or probable stent thrombosis is rare with either technique. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. more...

Coronary artery dissection is a well-known and frequent complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We report the first case of a Type F dissection following PCI of the distal right coronary artery causing total vessel occlusion that could not be stented but was associated with late spontaneous recanalization and a favorable outcome. more...

Context High platelet reactivity while receiving clopidogrel has been linked to cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but a treatment strategy for this issue is not well defined. Objective To evaluate the effect of high-dose compared with standard-dose clopidogrel in patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity after PCI. Design, Setting, and Patients Randomized, double-blind, active-control trial (Gauging Responsiveness with A VerifyNow assay—Impact on Thrombosis And Safety [GRAVITAS]) of 2214 patients with high on-treatment reactivity 12 to 24 hours after PCI with drug-eluting stents at 83 centers in North America between July 2008 and April 2010. Interventions High-dose clopidogrel (600-mg initial dose, 150 mg daily thereafter) or standard-dose clopidogrel (no additional loading dose, 75 mg daily) for 6 months. Main Outcome Measures The primary end point was the 6-month incidence of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis. The key safety end point was severe or moderate bleeding according to the Global Utilization of Streptokinase and t-PA for Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO) definition. A key pharmacodynamic end point was the rate of persistently high on-treatment reactivity at 30 days. Results At 6 months, the primary end point had occurred in 25 of 1109 patients (2.3%) receiving high-dose clopidogrel compared with 25 of 1105 patients (2.3%) receiving standard-dose clopidogrel (hazard ratio [HR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58-1.76; P = .97). Severe or moderate bleeding was not increased with the high-dose regimen (15 [1.4%] vs 25 [2.3%], HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.31-1.11; P = .10). Compared with standard-dose clopidogrel, high-dose clopidogrel provided a 22% (95% CI, 18%-26%) absolute reduction in the rate of high on-treatment reactivity at 30 days (62%; 95% CI, 59%-65% vs 40%; 95% CI, 37%-43%; P Conclusions Among patients with high on-treatment reactivity after PCI with drug-eluting stents, the use of high-dose clopidogrel compared with standard-dose clopidogrel did not reduce the incidence of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00645918 more...

Current classification systems of coronary bifurcation lesions are confusing and difficult to memorize. As coronary revascularization techniques become increasingly complex, it is important to establish a universal classification system. This manuscript proposes a simplified classification system that uses a combination of letters and numbers to provide a clinically relevant anatomic description of a given coronary artery bifurcation lesion. This classification consists of the prefix B (for Bifurcation lesion), followed by the addition of 4 separate suffixes. The first suffix consists of one of the letters C, N, S, or L. C = Close to the bifurcation: the lesion is close to a bifurcation, but the distance from the carina is more than the width of the plaque protruding into the lumen; N = Bifurcation lesion with one branch being Nonsignificant: nonsignificant being defined as less than 2.0 mm vessel diameter; S = Small proximal segment; or L = Large proximal segment: large defined as more than two-thirds of the sum of the diameters of both branch vessels. The second suffix describes the number of diseased ostia. 1M = only the Main vessel ostium is involved; 1S = only the Side branch ostium is involved; or 2 = both ostia are involved. The third suffix classifies the angle between the bifurcation vessels and uses the letters V or T; V = the angle between the two branches is less than 70 degrees, T = angle more than 70 degrees. The fourth suffixes are optional: CA for calcified, LM for left main involvement. more...

ObjectivesThis study sought to evaluate the safety and feasibility of zotarolimus-eluting stent implantation in focal atherosclerotic lesions of the internal pudendal arteries among men with erectile dysfunction (ED) and a suboptimal response to phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors.BackgroundED, a common condition, is often mediated by atherosclerosis. Current treatment options are limited.MethodsMale subjects with atherosclerotic ED and a suboptimal response to phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors were enrolled in this prospective, multicenter, single-armed safety and feasibility trial. A novel combination of clinical, duplex ultrasound, and invasive angiographic factors were used to determine eligibility for stent therapy. The primary safety endpoint was any major adverse event 30 days after the procedure. The primary feasibility end point was improvement in the International Index of Erectile Function (Erectile Dysfunction Domain) score ≥4 points in ≥50% of subjects at 3 months. We report 6-month follow-up results, including duplex ultrasound and angiography.ResultsForty-five lesions were treated with stents in 30 subjects. Procedural success was 100% with no major adverse events through follow-up. The primary feasibility endpoint at 6 months was achieved by 59.3% of intention-to-treat subjects (95% confidence interval: 38.8% to 77.6%) and 69.6% of per-protocol subjects (95% confidence interval: 47.1% to 86.8%). Duplex ultrasound peak systolic velocity of the cavernosal arteries increased from baseline by 14.4 ± 10.7 cm/s at 30 days and 22.5 ± 23.7 cm/s at 6 months. Angiographic binary restenosis (≥50% lumen diameter stenosis) was reported in 11 (34.4%) of 32 lesions.ConclusionsAmong patients with ED and limited response with pharmacologic therapy, percutaneous stent revascularization of the internal pudendal artery is feasible and is associated with clinically meaningful improvement in both subjective and objective measures of erectile function. (Safety and Feasibility of the Zotarolimus Stent in Treating Males With Erectile Dysfunction (ED) (ZEN); NCT01643200). more...