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The need for permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) is a burdensome complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The aim of our study was to evaluate different anatomical, clinical, electrocardiographic, and procedural variables associated with the development of conduction abnormalities after TAVI across the entire device spectrum. Single-center prospective cohort of consecutive patients who underwent TAVI since March 2017. Final cohort was studied to detect areas of calcium within aortic valve characterized by leaflet sector and region. Membranous septum (MS) length was assessed throughout a modified coronal view. Device selection and positioning were performed according to the operator criteria. Device selection and positioning were performed according to the operator criteria. From the 273 patients included, 57 underwent PPMI (20.8%). Univariate analysis determined right bundle branch block (RBBB), QRS duration, MS length and calcium within LVOT of non-coronary cuspid as independent predictors. After multivariable logistic regression, both RBBB (OR 6.138; 95% CI 1.23–30.73, P = 0.027) and MS length (OR 0.259; 95% CI 0.164–0.399, P

Aim To evaluate the real need for coronary access after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods and results Prospective observational single-center registry, including 563 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI between April 2008 and November 2018, with both self- and balloon-expandable valves in a tertiary European center. Mean age was 82.4 ± 6.9 years, 53.3% were female, 16% had previous history of coronary artery bypass grafting, 33% of previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and 16.6% of myocardial infarction (MI). Twenty-four percent of the patients were revascularized within one year before TAVI in preparation for the procedure. Median Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 4.82 (IQ 2.84). In a median follow-up of 24 months (IQ 21.5), 18 patients (3.2%) were identified as potentially in need for invasive coronary angiography: 9 (1.6%) in the setting of stable coronary artery disease and 9 (1.6%) for an acute coronary syndrome. A total of 11 PCIs were performed in 9 patients, with a complete success rate of 63.6%. Procedures that were unsuccessful or partially unsuccessful were due to the inability to cross the stent or the drug-eluting balloon through the valve struts or misplacement within the coronary artery due to lack of catheter support. Conclusion In this population, a strategy of previous guideline-directed revascularization before TAVI was associated with a low rate of MI and repeated need of coronary access, with a scattered distribution over time. Assuring future access to coronary arteries in patients at increased risk may depend on the revascularization strategy rather than device selection.

Background Allograft renal vein thrombosis can cause graft loss during the early postoperative period. This diagnosis is sometimes elusive, requiring a strong suspicion. On the other hand, several authors have recognized risk factors for allograft renal vein thrombosis, but neither a preventive approach nor a treatment have been recommended for this complication. Case presentation We present a case report of early allograft renal vein thrombosis, preceded by femoral common deep vein thrombosis in a recipient of a third kidney transplant. Despite femoral common deep vein thrombosis treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin and progressive improvement of renal function to a nadir serum creatinine of 0.51 mg/dL, the patient experienced a sudden episode of anuria on postoperative day 5. Doppler ultrasonography strongly suggested the diagnosis of allograft renal vein thrombosis. The patient underwent balloon catheter and aspiration venous thrombectomy, followed by unfractionated heparin perfusion. After 4 days of anuria and multiple blood transfusions, when allograft nephrectomy was contemplated, diuresis suddenly resumed. After 1 year of follow-up, the patient still has a normal renal function. Conclusion This case report shows successful treatment of allograft renal vein thrombosis associated with deep vein thrombosis in the first week of transplantation, using balloon catheter and aspiration venous thrombectomy followed by perfusion of unfractionated heparin. The authors suggest this technique as a treatment option for transplant renal vein thrombosis. However, they reinforce the importance of individualized treatment and they remind that a delay may jeopardize the potential benefit of the procedure.

Introduction: Compared to bare-metal stents (BMS), drug-eluting stents reduce stent restenosis and improve subsequent revascularization rates. The impact on patients’ survival has been the subject of debate. Objective: To assess the long-term (10-year) survival of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with first-generation sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) in comparison with BMS. Methods: In a single-center registry, 600 consecutive patients who underwent successful PCI with SES between April 2002 and February 2003 were compared to 594 patients who underwent PCI with BMS between January 2002 and April 2002, just before the introduction of SES. Clinical and procedural data were collected at the time of intervention and 10-year survival status was assessed via the national life status database. Results: All baseline characteristics were similar between groups except for smaller stent diameter (2.84±0.38 vs. 3.19±0.49 mm; p

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Current recommendations on the optimal revascularization strategy in Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) with left main (LM) or multivessel coronary disease (MVD) are based upon randomized clinical trials conducted in stable coronary artery disease. In a real-world contemporary observational registry, we compared the long-term outcome of NSTEMI patients with LM/MVD (n = 1,104) submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or optimized medical therapy (OMT). The primary end point was 5-year all-cause mortality. Results were assessed in the entire population (CABG 289, PCI 399, and OMT 416) and in a propensity score-matched cohort of CABG (n = 159) and PCI (n = 159). Crude 5-year mortality rates in CABG and PCI were 25.3% versus 29.6%, respectively (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.2; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.9 to 1.6; p = 0.212); OMT, however, was associated with a twofold higher risk of mortality when compared with any revascularization strategy (unadjusted HR 2.0; 95% CI 1.7 to 2.5; p0.001). After propensity score-matching and multivariate analysis, there was a trend toward a higher incidence of the primary end point in patients who underwent PCI versus CABG (31% vs 21%; adjusted HR 1.52; 95% CI 0.93 to 2.50; p = 0.094). This was a consistent finding over subgroups deemed clinically relevant, such as in patients with LM or proximal left anterior descending disease, SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXus ≥23 and left ventricle ejection fraction40%. In conclusion, in a real-world cohort of NSTEMI patients with LM/MVD, those selected for OMT had a dire outcome. Although adjusted 5-year mortality was statistically similar between revascularization strategies, there was a trend favoring CABG, which might be the preferred option in LM, proximal LAD, SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXus ≥23, and left ventricle ejection fraction40% subgroups.

Background The impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) extension/complexity on outcomes and on the comparative benefits/risks of zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES) versus bare-metal stents (BMS) remains unclear in patients at high risk of bleeding or thrombosis or at low restenosis risk. Methods We performed a post-hoc analysis of the ZEUS trial. The impact of coronary anatomic complexity measured by the SYNTAX score on the differences in outcomes following ZES and BMS was assessed at 1 year. Results The mean SYNTAX score was 16.3 ± 13.1 with a median of 12 (IQR: 7 to 22). We stratified patients according to SYNTAX tertiles (0–8: n = 563; >8–19 n = 532; >19: n = 511), and observed that the higher the score, the correspondingly higher was the rate of the primary endpoint of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and other ischemic events, but not bleeding after adjustment. The superior efficacy of ZES versus BMS for MACE was consistent across SYNTAX tertiles (tertile 1: HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.44–1.13; tertile 2: HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.46–1.09; tertile 3: HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.61–1.10) without significant heterogeneity (p for trend = 0.55). This between-groups difference mainly reflected a reduction in MI and TVR without effect on mortality. There was no significant interaction between the SYNTAX score and allocated stent type with respect to ischemic and bleeding endpoints. Conclusions The SYNTAX score was predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events but not bleeding and ZES provided superior efficacy and safety than BMS across the whole spectrum of CAD complexity. SYNTAX score may be routinely used for the assessment of the ischemic risk (but not bleeding) after PCI and should not guide the decision-making for DES versus BMS in patients undergoing PCI.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Randomized controlled trials comparing stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) suggest similar diagnostic accuracy for detecting obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). However, there are few data on whether or not this remains true in routine clinical practice. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and angiographic characteristics of patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography (ICA) after a positive stress CMR or positive SPECT, and to compare their positive predictive value with published results from the CE-MARC trial. Methods In this retrospective tertiary-center analysis, we included 429 patients (mean age 67 ± 10 years, 28% women, 42% diabetic) undergoing ICA between January 2016 and December 2020, after a positive stress CMR or positive SPECT. Regarding stress test, an adenosine protocol was performed in all stress CMR and in 76.4% (n = 272) of stress SPECT. Stress test results, including ischemia location and severity, were classified as reported by their primary readers. Patients with missing data on key variables, and those in whom microvascular disease was considered likely in the original stress test report were excluded. Obstructive CAD was defined as any coronary artery stenosis ≥ 50% in a vessel compatible with the ischemic territory on stress testing. Results Out of the total 429 patients, 356 (83%) were referred after a positive SPECT, and 73 (17%) after a positive stress CMR. Patients did not differ regarding age, cardiovascular risk factors, previous revascularization or left ventricular dysfunction, but patients with SPECT were more frequently male (p = 0.046). Overall, 320 patients (75%) had obstructive CAD on ICA. The prevalence of obstructive CAD was similar in patients with positive SPECT vs. positive stress CMR (76.1% vs. 80.8%, respectively, p = 0.385). There were also no significant differences in the prevalence of left main or 3-vessel disease (9.0% vs. 9.6%, p = 0.871, and 19.7% vs. 23.3% p = 0.483, respectively). Revascularization was performed or planned in 59.3% of patients in the SPECT group, and 52.1% of those in the stress CMR group (p = 0.255). The positive predictive values of both techniques were similar to those reported in the CE-MARC trial (Figure), and would increase to 88.1% and 89.4% for SPECT and stress CMR, respectively, if patients reported as having only mild ischemia were excluded. Conclusion In this tertiary center analysis, stress CMR and SPECT showed similar positive predictive values, comparable to those reported in the CE-MARC trial.

To evaluate gender differences and mortality trends in a population undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and to analyze the correlates to all-cause mortality at follow-up.The study comprises a prospective cohort of 592 TAVI patients (53.4% female) treated between 2008 and 2018. Mortality differences between genders at different timepoints were assessed according to log rank test. Predictors of all-cause mortality at follow-up were identified using a univariate model and were then analyzed through multivariate Cox proportional hazard models.Compared with female patients, males were younger (81 ± 7.5 years vs 84.3 ± 5.3 years) and presented more comorbidities. Twelve female and 8 male patients (3.5%) died in the first 30 days after TAVI. Despite a higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score in women, all-cause mortality rates at 30 days and 1 year were comparable. At long-term follow-up, female patients demonstrated better survival rates, despite a higher number of periprocedural complications. Correlates identified in men were the presence of diabetes and previous history of coronary artery bypass grafting, New York Heart Association class III/IV, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and non-transfemoral access. None of these variables remained significant in the multivariable analysis. In females, only peripheral artery disease was associated with mortality. Shock and need for renal replacement were predictors of mortality in both genders, as was heart failure readmission after discharge. STS score was also shown to correlate with long-term mortality in both genders.Despite a higher STS score in women, 30-day mortality was not significantly different from men, while women present better clinical outcomes at long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND Recent studies suggest the use of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) as an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in lower risk populations, but real-world data are scarce. METHODS Single-center retrospective study of patients undergoing SAVR (between June 2009 and July 2016, n = 682 patients) or TAVI (between June 2009 and July 2017, n = 400 patients). Low surgical risk was defined as EuroSCORE II (ES II) < 4% for single noncoronary artery bypass graft procedure. TAVI patients were propensity score-matched in a 1:1 ratio with SAVR patients, paired by age, New York Heart Association class, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atrial fibrillation, creatinine clearance, and left ventricular ejection fraction

Introduction New evidence on the role of myocardial revascularization in stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD), recently presented, showed that revascularization guided by the presence of moderate-to severe ischemia relieves angina more effectively than optimal medical therapy (OMT), without a significant benefit in hard clinical endpoints. Aim To assess the representativeness of the ISCHEMIA trial in a real-world population and compare management strategies between patients who fulfill the eligibility criteria of the trial (Group 1, G1) and those who do not (Group 2, G2). Methods and population Single centre retrospective analysis including all consecutive patients referred to coronary angiography (CA) for SIHD from January 2018 to December 2019. Patients were stratified in two groups (G1 and G2) according to the ISCHEMIA trial inclusion and exclusion criteria. G1 was compared with G2 and with a subset of G2 with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), defined as ≥70% luminal stenosis in at least one coronary artery or >50% for the left main. Results A total of 1020 patients underwent CA, of whom only 124 (12.2%) would have been eligible for the ISCHEMIA trial (G1). Overall, there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. G1 patients had more extensive and severe disease, presenting more frequently with proximal left anterior descending (LAD) involvement (26.6% vs 10.4%; p Conclusions Patients included in the ISCHEMIA trial are underrepresented in a real-world population of SIHD patients referred to coronary angiography. PCI rates were similar among patients with at least one significant coronary artery stenosis, regardless of previous evidence or severity of ischemia. Our findings underline the need for further refinement in criteria for revascularization in SIHD. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Refractory angina is defined as persistent angina (≥3 months) despite optimal medical and interventional therapies. It is increasing in frequency, due to the success of current medical and interventional therapies in improving the prognosis of coronary artery disease. Long-term mortality is similar to that of patients with asymptomatic stable disease, but it affects patients’ quality of life, and has a significant impact on health care resources. Several therapeutic targets have been investigated, most with disappointing results. Many of the techniques have been abandoned because of lack of efficacy, safety issues, or economic and logistic limitations to wider applicability. The primary focus of this review is the coronary sinus Reducer, supporting evidence for which, although scarce, is promising regarding safety and efficacy in improving anginal symptoms and quality of life. It is also accessible to virtually all interventional cardiology departments.

Introduction: Surgical risk scores are widely used to identify patients at high surgical risk who may benefit from transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). A multiparametric TAVI mortality risk score based on a French registry (FRANCE-2) has recently been developed. The aim of our study was to compare the 30-day mortality prediction performance of the FRANCE-2, EuroSCORE II and STS scores. Methods: We retrospectively studied 240 patients from a single-center prospective registry who underwent TAVI between January 2008 and December 2015. All scores were assessed for calibration and discrimination using calibration-in-the-large and ROC curve analysis, respectively. Results: The observed mortality was 5.8% (n=14). The median EuroSCORE II, STS and FRANCE-2 scores were 5.0 (IQR 3.2-8.3), 5.1 (IQR 3.6-7.1) and 2.0 (IQR 1.0-3.0), respectively. Discriminative power was greater for EuroSCORE II (C-statistic 0.67) and STS (C-statistic 0.67) than for FRANCE-2 (C-statistic 0.53), but this was not statistically significant (p=0.26). All scores showed adequate calibration. Conclusions: All scores showed modest performance in early mortality prediction after TAVI. Despite being derived from a TAVI population, FRANCE-2 was no better than surgical risk scores in our population. Resumo: Introdução: Os scores de risco cirúrgico têm sido amplamente usados para identificar doentes com alto risco cirúrgico que podem beneficiar da implantação de válvula aórtica por via percutânea (TAVI). Foi recentemente apresentado um «score de risco» multiparamétrico de mortalidade por TAVI com base num registo francês – FRANCE 2. O objetivo do nosso estudo foi comparar o desempenho do FRANCE 2, EuroSCORE II (ES II) e STS-Prom (STS) em prever a mortalidade a 30 dias nos doentes submetidos a TAVI. Métodos: Foram estudados retrospetivamente 240 doentes de um registo prospetivo de centro único que foram submetidos a TAVI entre janeiro de 2008 e dezembro de 2015. Todos os scores foram avaliados para discriminação e calibração, com o uso da análise de curvas ROC e da análise de calibration-in-the-large, respetivamente. Resultados: A mortalidade observada foi de 5,8% (n = 14). A mediana do ES II, STS II e FRANCE II foi de 5,0 (IQR 3,2-8,3), 5,1 (IQR 3,6-7,1) e 2,0 (IQR 1,0-3,0), respetivamente. O poder discriminatório foi maior para ES II (C-statistic 0,67) e STS (C-statistic 0,67) quando comparado com o FRANCE 2 (C-statistic 0,53), embora não fosse estatisticamente significativo (p = 0,26). Todos os scores apresentaram calibração adequada. Conclusões: Todos os scores apresentaram um desempenho modesto em prever a mortalidade precoce após TAVI. Apesar de ser derivado de uma população de doentes submetidos a TAVI, o FRANCE-2 não mostrou ser melhor do que os scores de risco cirúrgicos na nossa população. Keywords: Aortic stenosis, Transcatheter aortic valve implantation, Risk scores, Early mortality, Palavras-chave: Estenose aórtica, TAVI, Scores de risco, Mortalidade precoce

Introduction: Aortic stenosis is the most prevalent type of valvular disease in Europe. Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is the standard therapy, while transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative in patients at unacceptably high surgical risk. Assessment by a heart team is recommended by the guidelines but there is little published evidence on this subject. The purpose of this paper is to describe the experience of a multidisciplinary TAVI program that began in 2008. Methods: The heart team prospectively assessed 473 patients using a standardized approach. A total of 214 patients were selected for TAVI and 80 for SAVR. Demographic, clinical and procedural characteristics and long-term success rates were compared between the groups. Results: TAVI patients were older than the SAVR group (median 83 vs. 81 years), and had higher surgical risk scores (median EuroSCORE II 5.3 vs. 3.6% and Society of Thoracic Surgeons score 5.1 vs. 3.1%), as did the patients under medical treatment only. These scores were unable to assess multiple comorbidities. Patients’ outcomes were different between the three groups (mortality with SAVR 25% vs. TAVI 37.6% vs. conservative therapy 57.6%, p=0.001). Conclusions: The heart team program was able to select candidates appropriately for TAVI, SAVR and conservative treatment, taking into account the risk of both invasive treatments. The use of a prospective standardized heart team approach is recommended, but requires continuous monitoring to ensure effectiveness in a timely manner. Resumo: Introdução: A estenose aórtica é atualmente a doença valvular mais prevalente na Europa. A substituição valvular aórtica cirúrgica (SVAC) é atualmente considerada a terapêutica de primeira linha, a implantação de válvula aórtica percutânea (VAP) é considerada uma opção em doentes com elevado risco cirúrgico. A avaliação dos doentes pelo Heart Team encontra-se preconizada pelas recentes guidelines publicadas de doenças valvulares, contudo existem poucas publicações acerca dessa temática. O objetivo deste manuscrito é descrever a experiência de um programa multidisciplinar VAP, iniciado em 2008. Métodos: O Heart Team avaliou de forma prospetiva e padronizada 473 doentes. Desses, 214 foram selecionados para VAP e 80 para SVAC. Os grupos foram comparados no que respeita às suas características demográficas, clínicas, de procedimento e quanto à sua evolução (mortalidade). Resultados: O grupo VAP apresentou maior idade do que o grupo SVAC (mediana 83 versus 81 anos) e apresentou scores de risco cirúrgico mais elevados (mediana Euroscore II 5,3 versus 3,6% e STS 5,1 versus 3,1%), tal como o grupo de doentes apenas sob terapêutica médica. Esses scores não foram capazes de avaliar múltiplas comorbilidades. A mortalidade entre os três grupos apresentou diferenças com significado estatístico (SVAC 25% versus VAP 37,6% versus terapêutica conservadora 57,6%, p=0,001). Conclusões: O programa Heart Team foi capaz de selecionar de forma adequada os doentes para as diversas estratégias terapêuticas tendo em conta o risco de ambos os procedimentos invasivos. Uma abordagem eficiente e standardizada pela Heart Team deve ser estimulada, necessitando de reavaliação continua. Keywords: Severe aortic stenosis, Transcatheter aortic valve implantation, Surgical aortic valve replacement, Heart team, Standardization, Palavras-chave: Estenose aórtica grave, Válvula aórtica percutânea, Substituição valvular aórtica cirúrgica, Heart Team, Standardização

Coronary CT angiography (CTA) is currently considered a reliable method to exclude obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) before valvular heart surgery in patients with low pretest probability. However, its role in excluding obstructive CAD before transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is less well established. Single-center retrospective study where patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis underwent both CTA and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) as part of TAVI planning. CTA exams were conducted on a 64-slice dual source scanner, with a median interval of 45 days to ICA (IQR 25–75 [13–82]). In both tests, obstructive CAD was defined as a ≥50% stenosis in an epicardial vessel ≥2 mm diameter. Per-patient, per-vessel and per-proximal segment analyses were conducted, excluding and including non-evaluable segments. The study included 200 patients (120 women, mean age 83 ± 6 years). The prevalence of obstructive CAD on ICA was 35.5% (n = 71). On a per-patient analysis (assuming non-evaluable segments as stenotic), CTA showed sensitivity of 100% (95% CI, 95–100%), specificity of 42% (95% CI, 33–51%), and positive and negative predictive values of 48% (95% CI, 44–51%) and 100% (95% CI, 92–100%), respectively. CTA was able to exclude obstructive CAD in 54 patients (27%), in whom ICA could have been safely withheld. Despite the high rate of inconclusive tests, pre-procedural CTA is able to safely exclude obstructive CAD in a significant proportion of patients undergoing TAVI, possibly avoiding the need for ICA in roughly one quarter of the cases.

Introduction Vascular calcification has been associated with worse outcomes in transfemoral TAVI (TF-TAVI). However, there is currently no simple method to assess it and identify different patterns of calcification in an objective and quantitative manner. The purpose of this study was to develop a quantitative score of aortic (Ao) and ileofemural (IF) calcification and to assess its ability to predict life-threatening bleeding (LTB) and major vascular complications during TF-TAVI. Methods Case-control single center retrospective study of patients undergoing TF-TAVI between Nov2015 and Aug2018 including 183 consecutive patients (99 women, mean age 83±3 years, mean Euroscore II - ESII - 6.0±4.1). The Vascular Calcium Score was calculated for the entire Ao and IF vessels using a modified Agatston score derived from contrast-enhanced CT images, with calcium threshold locally adjusted for luminal attenuation (mean attenuation + 5x SD). A luminal attenuation threshold >600UH impaired vascular calcium evaluation and patients were excluded. LTB and major vascular complications were adjudicated according to the VARC-2 classification and identified by chart review by and independent team. Results Thirty patients (16%) suffered major bleeding and 13 (7%) experienced LTB. Major vascular injury occurred in 11 patients (6%). The median total vascular calcium score (TCS) was 11752 AU (IQR: 6388–19844) and median IF score (IFS) was 2210AU (IQR: 865–4170). TCS indexed for body surface area (TCSi) was predictor of LTB (AUC: 0.78±0.07, p Conclusions A quantitative score for vascular calcification in contrast-enhanced CT images was developed. iTCS was independently associated with life-threatening bleeding and major vascular complications.

The evolution of transcatheter aortic valve replacement since its introduction in 2002 has been astonishing. Classically, contralateral ancillary femoral artery (FA) access was used. More recently, the radial artery (RA) has been proposed for angiography and iliac crossover ([1][1]). Khubber et al

Background: The revascularization strategy of the left main disease is determinant for clinical outcomes.Objective: We sought to 1) validate and compare the performance of the SYNTAX Score 1 and 2 for predicting major cardiovascular events at 4 years in patients who underwent unprotected left main angioplasty and 2) evaluate the long-term outcome according to the SYNTAX score 2--recommended revascularization strategy. Methods: We retrospectively studied 132 patients from a single--centre registry who underwent unprotected left main angioplasty between March 1999 and December 2010. Discrimination and calibration of both models were assessed by ROC curve analysis, calibration curves and the Hosmer--Lemeshow test. Results: Total event rate was 26.5% at 4 years. The AUC for the SYNTAX Score 1 and SYNTAX Score 2 for percutaneous coronary intervention, was 0.61 (95% CI:0.49--0.73) and 0.67 (95% CI:0.57--0.78), respectively. Despite a good overall adjustment for both models, the SYNTAX Score 2 tended to underpredict risk. In the 47 patients (36%) who should have undergone surgery according to the SYNTAX Score 2, event rate was numerically higher (30% vs. 25%; p = 0.54), and for those with a higher difference between the two SYNTAX Score 2 scores (Percutaneous coronary intervention vs. Coronary artery by--pass graft risk estimation greater than 5.7%), event rate was almost double (40% vs. 22%; p = 0.2).Conclusion: The SYNTAX Score 2 may allow a better and individualized risk stratification of patients who need revascularization of an unprotected left main coronary artery. Prospective studies are needed for further validation.

Background and aim Transradial approach (TRA) is being used increasingly as the preferential vascular access site for both diagnostic and interventional procedures. However, concerns have risen about the risk of clinically meaningful neurologic complications. We aimed to assess the association between the risk of stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) and the transradial (vs. transfemoral) approach. Methods and Results Data from 16,710 cases included in a single centre prospective registry between January 2006 and November 2012 was analyzed. Radial procedures were considered as those in which the radial access was used either primarily (n = 4,195) or after conversion (n = 36). Potential cases with neurologic events were targeted by cross-referencing patients who underwent both cardiac catheterization and cranial-computed tomography (cranial-CT) during the same admission episode (n = 67). Procedure-related events were defined as a definitive non-CABG related stroke/TIA occurring within 48 hr of the procedure. TRA increased from 0.7% in 2006 to 75% in 2012. Total incidence of stroke/TIA was 0.16% and did not change over the study period (P = 0.26). There was no significant difference in stroke/TIA rates between groups (0.165% vs. 0.160%; P = 1.0). After correction for baseline differences and propensity score matching, TRA was not an independent predictor of stroke/TIA (OR 1.21; 95% CI 0.49–2.98 and 1.3; 95% CI 0.55–3.54, respectively). Results were consistent in pre-specified sub-groups according to age (≥65 y.o. vs. younger), gender, interventional vs. diagnostic and ACS vs. stable. Conclusion Rates of documented stroke/TIA were low. Our observational study suggests that widening the use of the TRA is not associated with an increased risk of clinically relevant procedure-related neurologic complications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

BACKGROUND The use of drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients at high risk of bleeding or thrombosis has not been prospectively studied; limited data are available in patients who have a low restenosis risk. OBJECTIVES This study sought to compare a hydrophilic polymer-based, second-generation zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES) with a unique drug fast-release profile versus bare-metal stents (BMS) under similar durations of dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). METHODS We randomly assigned 1,606 patients with stable or unstable symptoms, and who on the basis of thrombotic bleeding or restenosis risk criteria, qualified as uncertain candidates for DES, to receive ZES or BMS. DAPT duration was on the basis of patient characteristics, rather than stent characteristics, and allowed for a personalized 1-month dual antiplatelet regimen. The primary endpoint was the risk of 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), which included death, myocardial infarction (MI), or target vessel revascularization (TVR). RESULTS Median DAPT duration was 32 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 30 to 180 days) and did not differ between the groups. In the ZES group, 140 patients (17.5%) reached the primary endpoint, compared with 178 patients (22.1%) in the BMS group (hazard ratio: 0.76; 95% confidence interval: 0.61 to 0.95; p = 0.011) as a result of lower MI (2.9% vs. 8.1%; p < 0.001) and TVR rates (5.9% vs. 10.7%; p = 0.001) in the ZES group. Definite or probable stent thrombosis was also significantly reduced in ZES recipients (2.0% vs. 4.1%; p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS Compared with BMS, DES implantation using a stent with a biocompatible polymer and fast drug-eluting characteristics, combined with an abbreviated, tailored DAPT regimen, resulted in a lower risk of 1-year MACE in uncertain candidates for DES implantation. (Zotarolimus-eluting Endeavor Sprint Stent in Uncertain DES Candidates [ZEUS] Study; NCT01385319) (C) 2015 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

Hypoxemia after myocardial infarction (MI) is usually explained by common culprits, including congestive heart failure, pre-existing lung disease, and pulmonary infection. We report a case of a 60-year-old woman who experienced severe persistent hypoxemia caused by a patent foramen ovale in the setting of anterior MI complicated by a contained left ventricular rupture.

BACKGROUND Myocardial infarction is frequently the initial form of presentation of coronary artery disease (CAD). Systemic Coronary Risk Estimation (SCORE) risk tables are used in primary prevention and provide an estimate of cardiovascular (CV) risk through known risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the SCORE, calculated using data previous to the event, to estimate CV risk of a population of patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as the first manifestation of CAD. METHODS AND RESULTS From a prospective registry including 3056 patients with STEMI subjected to coronary angiography between 2004 and 2014, 1628 patients with STEMI as the first manifestation of CAD were included after the exclusion of patients with known CAD (n=748, 24.5%), patients with high-risk equivalents (n=930, 30.4%), and patients with normal coronaries (n=57, 1.87%). The individual risk profile was calculated using data previous to the event and patients were classified into three established subgroups: low risk (SCORE

Introduction and aims Randomized trials and registries have shown that drug-eluting stents (DES) have an overall better performance than bare-metal stents in patients treated in the setting of both ST-segment and non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, mainly by reducing restenosis. Whether or not the use of newer second-generation devices (vs. first-generation DES) differs in these high-risk patients remains to be determined. Methods and results In a single-centre prospective registry, 3266 patients underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention with at least one DES from January 2003 to December 2009. Of these, 1423 (43.6%) were treated in the setting of an acute coronary syndrome, using either first-generation-only DES [paclitaxel or sirolimus; n=923 (64.9%)] or second-generation-only [zotarolimus or everolimus; n=500 (35.1%)]. The occurrence of death from any cause, nonfatal myocardial infarction or target vessel failure (composite primary endpoint) was compared between these two groups; repeat revascularization of the index stented lesion and definite stent thrombosis [according to the academic research consortium (ARC) definition] were assessed as isolated secondary outcomes. At a median follow-up of 598 days (interquartile range 453-1206), the incidence of death was 10.7% (152), 136 patients (9.6%) had a new myocardial infarction and target vessel failure events occurred in 147 patients (10.3%). Disparity in the follow-up duration was accounted for by considering only the 1-year major adverse cardiac event rate (n=161; 11.3%). After adjustment for baseline characteristics using a Cox proportional hazard model, we could not find a significant difference in the incidence of the composite primary endpoint at 1-year between first-generation (10.8%) and second-generation DES (12.2%) [hazard ratio (HR): 1.1; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.82-1.57, P=0.463], nor in the occurrence of repeat target lesion revascularization (3.6 vs. 4.4%; HR 1.35; 95% CI 0.77-2.34; P=0.293). In a per patient analysis, at 1 year, ARC-definite ST was documented in 1.0% of patients treated with second-generation DES versus 2.8% in those treated with first-generation DES (corrected HR 0.36; 95% CI 0.14-0.94; P=0.037), owing mostly to a higher difference in late ST. Conclusion Our results suggest that both first-generation and second-generation DES seem to be similarly effective in patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention in the setting of acute coronary syndromes. However, newer second-generation devices may offer potential advantages because of a significantly lower incidence of ARC-definite ST.

Introduction: Increased activation of the sympathetic nervous system plays a central role in the pathophysiology of hypertension (HTN). Catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) was recently developed for the treatment of resistant HTN. Aim: To assess the safety and efficacy of RDN for blood pressure (BP) reduction at six months in patients with resistant HTN. Methods: In this prospective registry of patients with essential resistant HTN who underwent RDN between July 2011 and May 2013, the efficacy of RDN was defined as ≥10 mmHg reduction in office systolic blood pressure (SBP) six months after the intervention. Results: In a resistant HTN outpatient clinic, 177 consecutive patients were evaluated, of whom 34 underwent RDN (age 62.7±7.6 years; 50.0% male). There were no vascular complications, either at the access site or in the renal arteries. Of the 22 patients with complete six-month follow-up, the response rate was 81.8% (n=18). The mean office SBP reduction was 22 mmHg (174±23 vs. 152±22 mmHg; p

Resumo: Introdução: O aumento da atividade do sistema nervoso simpático desempenha um papel preponderante na fisiopatologia da hipertensão arterial (HTA). Recentemente foi desenvolvida uma técnica de intervenção percutânea – a desnervação renal (DNR) – para o tratamento da HTA resistente. Objetivo: Avaliar a segurança imediata e a eficácia da DNR aos seis meses na redução da pressão arterial em doentes com HTA resistente. Métodos: Registo prospetivo de doentes com HTA essencial resistente submetidos a DNR entre julho de 2011 e maio de 2013. A eficácia da DNR foi definida pela redução ≥ 10 mmHg da pressão arterial sistólica (PAS), avaliada na consulta dos seis meses de seguimento. Resultados: Numa consulta de HTA resistente avaliaram‐se 177 doentes consecutivos, dos quais 34 (idade 62,7 ± 7,6 anos; 50,0% homens) efetuaram DNR. Não ocorreram complicações vasculares, nomeadamente no acesso ou nas artérias renais. Nos 22 doentes com seguimento completo aos seis meses, a taxa de respondedores foi 81,8% (n=18). A PAS na consulta diminuiu em média 22 mmHg (174 ± 23 versus 152 ± 22 mmHg; p

Background The use of drug-eluting stent (DES) instead of bare-metal stent (BMS) in patients at high stent thrombosis or bleeding risk as well as in those at low restenosis risk (ie, uncertain DES candidates) remains a matter of debate. Zotarolimus-Eluting Endeavor Sprint stent (E-ZES) (Santa Rosa, CA) is a hydrophilic polymer-based second-generation device with unique drug fast-release profile, which may allow for a shorter dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration without safety concerns. Hypothesis The primary objective is to assess whether E-ZES implantation followed by a shorter than currently recommended course of DAPT will decrease the incidence of 12-month major adverse cardiovascular events as compared with BMS in undefined DES recipients. Actual duration of DAPT regimen will be dictated by patients' characteristics and not by stent type and, as such, can be as short as 30 days after intervention in both stent groups. Study Design The ZEUS study is an open-label randomized clinical trial conducted at 20 clinical sites in Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, and Hungary. With 1,600 individuals, this study will have 85% power to detect a 33% difference in the primary end point consisting of the composite of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization. Summary The ZEUS trial aims to assess whether the use of E-ZES, followed by a DAPT duration regimen based on patients' characteristics and not by stent type, is superior to conventional BMS implantation in undefined DES recipients who qualify for the presence of high thrombosis, bleeding, or low restenosis risk criteria.

To describe a coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-adapted Leaman score (CT-LeSc) as a tool to quantify total coronary atherosclerotic burden with information regarding localization, type of plaque and degree of stenosis and to identify clinical predictors of a high coronary atherosclerotic burden as assessed by the CT-LeSc. Single center prospective registry including a total of 772 consecutive patients undergoing CCTA (Dual-source CT) from April 2011 to March 2012. For the purpose of this study, 581 stable patients referred for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) without previous myocardial infarction or revascularization procedures were included. Pre-test CAD probability was determined using both the Diamond-Forrester extended CAD consortium method (DF-CAD consortium model) and the Morise score. Cardiovascular risk was assessed with the HeartScore. The cut-off for the 3rd tercile (CT-LeSc ≥8.3) was used to define a population with a high coronary atherosclerotic burden. The median CT-LeSc in this population (n = 581, 8,136 coronary segments evaluated; mean age 57.6 ± 11.1; 55.8 % males; 14.6 % with diabetes) was 2.2 (IQR 0-6.8). In patients with CAD (n = 341), the median CT-LeSc was 5.8 (IQR 3.2-9.6). Among patients with nonobstructive CAD, most were classified in the lowest terciles (T1, 43.0 %; T2, 36.1 %), but 20.9 % were in the highest tercile (T3). The majority of the patients with obstructive CAD were classified in T3 (78.2 %), but 21.8 % had a CT-LeSc in lower terciles (T1 or T2). The independent predictors of a high CT-LeSc were: Male sex (OR 1.73; 95 % CI 1.04-2.90) diabetes (OR 2.91; 95 % CI 1.61-5.23), hypertension (OR 2.54; 95 % CI 1.40-4.63), Morise score ≥ 16 (OR 1.97; 95 % CI 1.06-3.67) and HeartScore ≥ 5 (OR 2.42; 95 % CI 1.41-4.14). We described a cardiac CT adapted Leaman score as a tool to quantify total (obstructive and nonobstructive) coronary atherosclerotic burden, reflecting the comprehensive information about localization, degree of stenosis and type of plaque provided by CCTA. Male sex, hypertension, diabetes, a HeartScore ≥5 % and a Morise score ≥ 16 were associated with a high coronary atherosclerotic burden, as assessed by the CT-LeSc. About one fifth of the patients with nonobstructive CAD had a CT-LeSc in the highest tercile, and this could potentially lead to a reclassification of the risk profile of this subset of patients identified by CCTA, once the prognostic value of the CT-LeSc is validated.

Introduction and objectives: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with paclitaxel drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) is used mainly for treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) and small vessel disease. Our objective was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of this strategy in a multicenter registry. Methods: Between 2009 and 2010 a prospective registry from two centers enrolled 156 consecutive patients undergoing PCI with at least one DEB. A primary composite endpoint of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (all-cause death, myocardial infarction [MI] and target lesion revascularization [TLR]) was assessed at one year follow-up. Stepwise Cox regression was used to determine independent predictors of outcome. Results: DEBs (n=206) were used to treat 184 lesions. Procedural success was obtained in 98% of patients (n=150). At one-year follow-up, 86% (n=134) were free of the primary endpoint (6% death, 6% non-procedure related MI and 5% TLR). The independent predictors of MACE at one year were index PCI in the left anterior descending artery (HR 2.81, 95% CI 1.21–6.51; p=0.02) and a history of MI (HR 3.46, 95% CI 1.35–8.84; p=0.01). ISR and DEB diameter or length were not predictors of events. Conclusions: PCI with DEBs in real-world patients with complex lesions is effective, with a low rate of MACE, including TLR, at one-year follow-up. The results are equally good whether the intervention is for ISR or for native coronary disease. Resumo: Introdução e objectivos: A intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP) com balão eluidor de fármaco (DEB) tem vindo a ser utilizada no tratamento da reestenose intra-stent (RIS) e na doença coronária de pequenos vasos. O objectivo foi avaliar a eficácia clínica desta estratégia num registo multicêntrico. Métodos: Registo prospetivo de dois centros com 156 doentes (dts) consecutivos incluídos, entre 2009 e 2010, submetidos a ICP com pelo menos um balão DEB. Definiu-se como endpoint primário a ocorrência combinada (MACE) de todas as causas de morte, EAM e revascularização da lesão alvo (TLR) a um ano de seguimento. Determinou-se os preditores independentes de prognóstico através da análise de regressão de Cox. Resultados: Foram tratadas 184 lesões com 206 DEB. O sucesso do procedimento foi obtido em 98% (150 dts). A um ano de seguimento, a sobrevida livre de endpoint composto ocorreu em 134 dts e foi de 86% (morte em 6%, EAM em 6% e TLR em 5%). Os preditores independentes de MACE foram a ICP na artéria descendente anterior (HR 2,81, 95% IC 1,21-6,51, p = 0,02) e história prévia de EAM (HR 3,46, 95% IC 1,35-8,84, p = 0,01). O diâmetro ou comprimento do DEB e a RIS não foram preditores de eventos. Conclusões: A ICP com DEB em dts do mundo real e neste cenário complexo de lesões, é eficaz com baixa taxa de MACE a um ano de seguimento, incluindo TLR. Os resultados são igualmente bons se a intervenção é no contexto de RIS ou na doença coronária de novo. Keywords: Drug-eluting balloon, Small coronary vessel disease, In-stent restenosis, Palavras-chave: Balão eluidor de fármaco, Doença coronária dos pequenos vasos, Reestenose intra-stent

AIMS Nonobstructive coronary atherosclerotic lesions can lead to ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Thrombus aspiration during a primary percutaneous coronary intervention provides a setting to evaluate the degree of stenosis of culprit lesions leading to STEMI. The aim of this study was to assess the degree of culprit lesion residual stenosis after thrombus aspiration and to compare the demographic, clinical, and angiographic characteristics between patients with obstructive versus nonobstructive residual stenosis. METHODS AND RESULTS From a single-center registry of 483 consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing a primary percutaneous coronary intervention, 172 patients underwent thrombus aspiration and were eligible for our study. We defined two groups according to the residual stenosis after thrombus aspiration: group A (n=119, 69%) with residual stenosis greater than or equal to 50%, and group B (n=53, 31%) with residual stenosis less than 50%.In terms of the baseline angiographic characteristics, patients with residual stenosis less than 50% had significantly lower prevalence of multivessel disease (15.1 vs. 46.2%, P

BACKGROUND: The clinical benefit of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for long coronary lesions is unclear; furthermore, concerns have been raised about its safety. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the predictors of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) associated with PCI using a full metal jacket (FMJ), defined as overlapping drug-eluting stents (DES) measuring >60 mm in length, for very long lesions. METHODS: We enrolled 136 consecutive patients with long coronary lesions requiring FMJ in our single-center registry. The primary endpoint included the combined occurrence of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target vessel revascularization (TVR). Demographic, clinical, angiographic, and procedural variables were evaluated using stepwise Cox regression analysis to determine independent predictors of outcome. RESULTS: The mean length of stent per lesion was 73.2 ± 12.3 mm and the mean reference vessel diameter was 2.9 ± 0.6 mm. Angiographic success was 96.3%. Freedom from MACE was 94.9% at 30 days and 85.3% at one year. At the one-year follow-up, the all-cause mortality rate was 3.7% (1.5% cardiac deaths), the MI rate was 3.7%, and the incidence of definite or probable stent thrombosis (ST) was 2.9%. Female gender [hazard ratio (HR), 4.40; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.81-10.66; p = 0.001) and non-right coronary artery PCI (HR, 3.49; 95%CI, 1.42-8.59; p = 0,006) were independent predictors of MACE at one year. Freedom from adverse events at one year was higher in patients with stable angina who underwent PCI (HR, 0.33; 95%CI, 0.13-0.80; p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: PCI using FMJ with DES for very long lesions was efficacious but associated with a high rate of ST at the one-year follow-up. However, the rate of cardiac mortality, nonprocedure-related MI, and MACE was relatively low. Target coronary vessel PCI, clinical presentation, and female gender are new contemporary clinical factors that appear to have adverse effects on the outcome of PCI using FMJ for long lesions.

(1) To study the prevalence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in diabetic patients. (2) To provide a detailed characterization of the coronary atherosclerotic burden, including the localization, degree of stenosis and plaque composition by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Single center prospective registry including a total of 581 consecutive stable patients (April 2011-March 2012) undergoing CCTA (Dual-source CT) for the evaluation of suspected CAD without previous myocardial infarction or revascularization procedures. Different coronary plaque burden indexes and plaque type and distribution patterns were compared between patients with (n = 85) and without diabetes (n = 496). The prevalence of CAD (any plaque; 74.1 vs. 56%; p = 0.002) and obstructive CAD (≥50% stenosis; 31.8 vs. 10.3%; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in diabetic patients. The remaining coronary atherosclerotic burden indexes evaluated (plaque in LM-3v-2v with prox. LAD; SIS; SSS; CT-LeSc) were also significantly higher in diabetic patients. In the per segment analysis, diabetics had a higher percentage of segments with plaque in every vessel (2.6/13.1/7.5/10.5% for diabetics vs. 1.4/7.1/3.3/4.4% for nondiabetics for LM, LAD, LCx, RCA respectively; p < 0.001 for all) and of both calcified (19.3 vs. 9.2%, p < 0.001) and noncalcified or mixed types (14.4 vs. 7.0%; p < 0.001); the ratio of proximal-to-distal relative plaque distribution (calculated as LM/proximal vs. mid/distal/branches) was lower for diabetics (0.75 vs. 1.04; p = 0.009). Diabetes was an independent predictor of CAD and was also associated with more advanced CAD, evaluated by indexes of coronary atherosclerotic burden. Diabetics had a significantly higher prevalence of plaques in every anatomical subset and for the different plaque composition. In this report, the relative geographic distribution of the plaques within each subgroup, favored a more mid-to-distal localization in the diabetic patients.