Retrograde access via the popliteal artery to facilitate the re‐entry technique for recalcitrant superficial femoral artery Chronic total occlusions

Subintimal recanalization is beneficial in selected patients with peripheral chronic total occlusions (CTO). However, in complex cases, re‐entry into the true arterial lumen may prove to be unsuccessful with a conventional guidewire or a re‐entry catheter when using standard femoral artery access. Our case series describes these technical dilemmas along with strategies that can be utilized to overcome these challenges. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Le Rotablator : un outil d’angioplastie indispensable

Rotational atherectomy is the treatment of choice for calcified coronary lesions. It should not be used routinely but only in some appropriate cases, especially when the successful deployment of a stent may be uncertain. Complications are rare but serious. Several cases of “off label” use, however, have been reported in the literature without additional complications.     

替罗非班治疗支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞动脉瘤术中急性血栓形成

目的探讨动脉内灌注盐酸替罗非班在处理支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞颅内动脉瘤时术中急性血栓的有效性及安全性。方法收集2013年1月至2017年6月11例行颅内动脉瘤栓塞术中发生血栓患者,发生血栓后,均于微导管内靶向灌注盐酸替罗非班6ml,同时静脉泵注5ml/h,然后每5~10分钟造影观察血管溶通情况,直至血栓消失或血管开通。术后进行CT或MRI随访,观察有无脑梗塞或脑出血。结果 11例术中造影血管均完全再通,术后第1天、第7天及术后1月行头颅CT或MRI检查,均未发现与手术相关脑梗塞和脑出血的发生。结论支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞颅内动脉瘤时,术中出现急性血栓并发症时,经动脉靶向灌注盐酸替罗非班是一种安全、有效的方法。     

A Case of In-Stent Neoatherosclerosis 10 Years after Carotid Artery Stent Implantation: Observation with Optical Coherence Tomography and Plaque Histological Findings

We report a patient''s case of slow progressive in-stent restenosis 10 years after bare-metal stent implantation to his carotid artery. We treated the patient with an additional stent placement under a distal filter protection device. Optical coherence tomographic assessment and plaque histology during the carotid artery stenting (CAS) revealed atheromatous change at in-stent neointima, which contained lipid-rich plaque and calcification deposits. These findings suggest that in-stent neoatherosclerosis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of very late stent restenosis after CAS.     

First reported use of drug‐coated balloon for bioresorbable in‐scaffold restenosis

This is the first documented case of a drug‐coated balloon strategy for the treatment of bioresorbable in‐scaffold restenosis caused by diffuse neointimal proliferation. This case can provide an alternative treatment option in this setting, avoiding potential problems related to further bulky metallic stents in a patient where a different strategy was initially planned. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

支架在消化道狭窄治疗中的应用研究进展

近年来,支架在消化道狭窄治疗中取得了广泛应用。但具体应用指征,术后并发症及支架对预后影响尚有争议,本文就此做一综述。     

Protective effect of melatonin on cigarette smoke‐induced restenosis in rat carotid arteries after balloon injury

Vascular restenosis after the interventional angioplasty remains the main obstacle to a favorable long‐term patency. Many researches suggest cigarette smoking is one of the most important causes of restenosis. This study was designed to investigate whether melatonin could protect against the cigarette smoke‐induced restenosis in rat carotid arteries after balloon injury. Three groups of male rats (normal condition, cigarette smoke exposed, cigarette smoke exposed, and melatonin injected) were used in this study. An established balloon‐induced carotid artery injury was performed, and the carotid arteries were harvested from these three groups 14 days later. The ratio of intima to media, the infiltration of inflammatory cells, the expression of inflammatory cytokines (NF‐κB, IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, MCP‐1), adhesion molecules (ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1), and eNOS were measured. The results showed that cigarette smoke exposure aggravated the stenosis of the lumen, promoted the infiltration of inflammatory cells and induced the expression of the inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules after the balloon‐induced carotid artery injury. Moreover, cigarette smoke exposure can inhibit the expression of eNOS. Particularly, we surprised that melatonin could minimize this effect caused by cigarette smoke. These results suggested that melatonin could prevent the cigarette smoke‐induced restenosis in rat carotid arteries after balloon injury and the mechanism of its protective effect may be the inhibition of the inflammatory reaction. This also implies melatonin has the potential therapeutic applicability in prevention of restenosis after the vascular angioplasty in smokers.     

Stent for Life in Portugal: This initiative is here to stay

AimsPortugal has one of the lowest rates of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) in Western Europe. This study assessed the progress of Portuguese p-PCI performance indicators one year after Portugal joined the Stent for Life (SFL) initiative.Methods and ResultsTwo national surveys were carried out, each covering a period of one month: the first when Portugal joined the SFL in 2011 (Moment Zero), and the second one year later (Moment One). A total of 397 consecutive patients with probable ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were enrolled (201 at Moment Zero and 196 at Moment One) from 15 centers. During this period, the number of patients who arrived at a local hospital without p-PCI decreased (62–47%; p=0.004) and transportation to a p-PCI hospital by the National Institute for Medical Emergencies (INEM) increased significantly (13–37%; p<0.001). Shorter times to revascularization were observed, due to shorter patient delay (118–102 min; p=0.008). Door-to-balloon delay and system delay remained unchanged.ConclusionsImprovements in performance indicators for p-PCI demonstrate the success of the first year of the local SFL plan, which was mainly focused on raising public awareness of the need to use the INEM emergency services, which has reduced patient delay, and on improving secondary transportation.