Use of “super‐glue” to seal a perforation during chronic total occlusion coronary intervention and the potential to “unglue” it

Coronary perforation remains a dreaded complication of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We present a case of successful CTO recanalization complicated by a perforation treated by n‐butyl‐cyanoacrylate (medical “super‐glue”). We also present an in vitro experiment showing that a glue plug in a plastic tube can acutely be passed by a low tip load guide wire and undergo balloon angioplasty recreating a lumen. These results suggest that n‐butyl‐cyanoacrylate glue may be an alternative for treating perforation during CTO PCI with the possibility of recanalizing the vessel through the glue plug at a later time.     

Challenges associated with treatment of left internal mammary artery graft thrombosis

Acute occlusion of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft late after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery is a rare and potentially life‐threatening complication. We describe a case of acute myocardial infarction 19 years after coronary artery bypass graft surgery due to acute occlusion of the distal anastomosis of a LIMA graft to the left anterior descending artery. Aspiration thrombectomy failed to remove the thrombus. Laser thrombectomy caused perforation. After drug‐eluting and covered stent implantation, antegrade TIMI 3 flow was restored with an uneventful postprocedural course.     

Bailout polytetrafluoroethylene‐covered stent implantation for left main bifurcation perforation using the kissing stent technique

Coronary artery perforation during percutaneous coronary intervention is a rare, but potentially lethal complication. Immediate balloon expansion at the perforation site can halt the bleeding. Implantation of a coronary polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)‐covered stent enables the efficient endovascular repair of a coronary artery perforation. However, if the perforation occurs at a bifurcation, a PTFE‐covered stent may jail the side branch. We report a difficult case of blowout coronary perforation (Ellis type III) at a left main coronary artery bifurcation, which was successfully sealed with a PTFE‐covered stent without interference with the side branch coronary artery circulation. This new strategy might represent a useful salvage option for some patients with a coronary bifurcation perforation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

“Move the cap” technique for ambiguous or impenetrable proximal cap of coronary total occlusion

Antegrade crossing remains the most commonly employed crossing strategy for coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs) but can be challenging to perform in cases of ambiguous or impenetrable proximal cap. To successfully treat such cases, we describe a technique named “move the cap,” in which the subintimal space is entered proximal to the proximal cap using a stiff coronary guidewire or facilitated by inflating a slightly oversized balloon. Subintimal guidewire entry is followed by standard antegrade dissection and re‐entry. The “move the cap” technique can facilitate crossing of CTOs with ambiguous or impenetrable cap, while minimizing the risk of perforation. This technique is also useful for treating balloon uncrossable lesions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Successful management of a distal vessel perforation through a single 8‐French guide catheter: Combining balloon inflation for bleeding control with coil embolization

Coronary perforation is an infrequent, but serious complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and is more likely to occur with complex (such as chronic total occlusion) PCI and use of atheroablative devices. For main vessel perforations, the “dual catheter” technique is usually employed in which a balloon is delivered over the first guide catheter to stop bleeding, whereas the covered stent is delivered through a second guide catheter. This is required because the large profile of the currently commercially available covered stents precludes fitting within even an 8‐French guide together with a balloon. However, coil embolization for distal artery wire perforation and collateral vessel perforation can be achieved through a microcatheter that can fit along with a balloon within an 8‐French guide catheter, obviating the need for a second guide catheter. We describe a case in which a distal artery wire perforation was successfully treated using a single 8‐French guide catheter. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Retrograde approach to an ostial left anterior descending chronic total occlusion through a left internal mammary artery graft

Retrograde approach to chronic total occlusions (CTO) has been described via saphenous vein grafts, septal and epicardial collaterals. We report for the first time a successful retrograde approach to an ostial left anterior descending (LAD) artery CTO through a failed left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to LAD anastamosis. This case demonstrates the technical aspects of using a LIMA conduit as a retrograde approach to CTO. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

2 TESTING LIMA GRAFT PERMEABILITY BY TRANSTHORACIC ECHO‐DOPPLER.

Purpose: Postoperative measurement of graft permeability by angiography is invasive. The aim of this study is to evaluate the utility of transthoracic echo‐Doppler (TTE) in measuring LIMA graft permeability. Methods: We studied 89 consecutive patients (average age 65 years, range 37–79 years) who were revascularized with a LIMA. Graft permeability was evaluated by both color‐ and pulsed‐Doppler TTE. We measured the following parameters: systolic velocity peak (SVP), diastolic velocity peak (DVP), average velocity, pulsatility index (PI), resistivity index (RI). Of the 89 patients, 60 also underwent angiography. We considered stenosis to be severe if greater than 70% as indicated by angiography. Results: We were able to obtain TTE data for 85 patients (95.5%) and of these 57 had angiography as well. Doppler registers were biphasic, with both systolic and diastolic components. In patients with grafts functioning normally, registers were predominantly diastolic. When the graft was dysfunctional registers were predominantly systolic (similar to the register of the mammary artery in its anatomic position). Patients with dysfunctional grafts had higher SVP (p < 0.01), higher DVP (p < 0.05), and higher PI (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of TTE in the detection of severe graft dysfunction were 86% and 100%, respectively. The positive prediction value was 100%. Conclusions: TTE has high sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value in determination of LIMA graft permeability. Being noninvasive, TTE is ideal for the follow‐up of patients with LIMA grafts.     

Management of guidewire‐induced distal coronary perforation using autologous fat particles versus coil embolization

Distal coronary perforation is a rare, yet potentially lethal complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. Early recognition and treatment remains critical in preventing potentially life‐threatening adverse outcomes, such as cardiac tamponade. The most commonly used strategies for treating distal perforation are fat and coil embolization. We present two cases of guidewire‐induced distal coronary perforation and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of coil vs. fat embolization. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

PCI using a 4‐Fr “child” guide catheter in a “mother” guide catheter: Kyushu KIWAMI® ST registry

Objectives: With the development of PCI techniques, the indications for stents have been expanding as well. On the other hand, we often encounter the situations where deploying a stent/stents by the conventional method is technically challenging. We report a novel stent delivery system using a newly developed 4Fr. straight catheter with Mother‐and‐Child method. Methods and results: We collected the data on coronary angioplasty in which we experienced the difficulty to deliver coronary stents and used 4Fr. KIWAMI ST01. The case number amounts to 32 cases over a six‐month period from October 2009 through March 2010;76:919‐–923. The angioplasty was performed for lesions in the RCA in 9 patients (28%), lesions in the LAD in 15 patients (47%), lesions in the LCX in 5 patients (16%), lesions in the saphenous vein grafts in 2 patients (6%), and lesions in the internal thoracic artery (LITA) grafts in 1 patient (3%). And the reasons for the difficult stent delivery by the conventional methods were as follows: severe calcification in 12 patients (37%), intense tortuosity in 7 patients (22%), poor backup support for guide catheter in 8 patients (25%), and trapping of the stent proximal to the target lesion in 5 patients (16%). The dislodgment of stent did not happened in all cases. Conclusions: KIWAMI® ST01 stent delivery system is feasible, safer, and effective in cases where stent delivery is difficult by the conventional method. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Left internal mammary artery graft perforation due to high-pressure stent deployment

Perforation of newly placed left internal mammary artery (LIMA) grafts due to stent deployment is an infrequent but potentially dangerous complication of coronary interventions. It may lead to brisk hemorrhage and massive cardiac tamponade requiring emergent pericardiocentesis and surgery. We report a case of a LIMA graft perforation following stent deployment with a high-pressure balloon 12 days after surgery. The patient was treated with emergent pericardiocentesis, rapid autotransfusion of the pericardial aspirate into the systemic circulation, and surgical repair of the ruptured vessel. Cathet. Cardiovasc Intervent. 47:199–202, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Graftmaster savior: Injury to a patent LIMA during pericardiectomy,when a covered stent came to the rescue

A 71‐year‐old male with multivessel coronary artery disease who underwent bypass with saphenous vein grafts to a Marginal branch and distal RCA and LIMA to LAD in 1988, DM II, atrial fibrillation on Coumadin, TIA, obstructive sleep apnea and pulmonary hypertension was referred to our institution after extensive dyspnea evaluation with a diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis for pericardiectomy. He had normal left ventricular function, moderate mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Coronary angiography revealed ostial LAD CTO, patent LIMA to mid LAD, second Marginal branch CTO with left‐to‐left collaterals and mid RCA CTO with left‐to‐right collaterals. Vein grafts to the Marginal branch and distal RCA were occluded. The pericardium was heavily calcified on CT of the chest. The LIMA was inadvertently injured leading to acute STEMI and ventricular fibrillation arrest treated with defibrillation once. Surgical repair was unsuccessful. A Graftmaster covered stent was successful deployed with restoration of TIMI III flow to the LAD territory. Pericardiectomy was completed via both the median resternotomy and left thoracotomy. Triple therapy with Aspirin, Clopidogrel, and Coumadin was initiated and maintained for 3 months without hemorrhagic or thrombotic complications. He has continued to do well in follow‐up on Clopidogrel and Coumadin.     

The Balloon‐Microcatheter technique for treatment of coronary artery perforations

Coronary perforation (CP) is a rare but potentially lethal complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Management of CP is mainly conditioned by the extension of coronary rupture and location of the perforation. Successful treatment is highly affected by the operator's familiarity with tools and dedicated techniques to achieve prompt sealing of the disruption. We describe a “Balloon‐Microcatheter” technique that may allow fast, safe, and effective management of CP with a single ≥ 6 Fr guiding catheter. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

New endovascular technique for thrombus in the non‐stenting zone—the Grab a Clot and Hold ON “(GACHON) technique”: Case report

It is difficult to treat a thrombotic embolism in the common femoral artery or popliteal artery (POP A), i.e., the non‐stenting zone. We report a new technique for the treatment of thrombotic embolism in the non‐stenting zone using a self‐expandable nitinol stent. Case 1 had an external iliac artery (EIA) occlusion that occurred over several months. A self‐expandable nitinol stent was placed in the right EIA lesion via a retrograde approach using a distal 9‐Fr balloon protection guide catheter in the right femoral artery. A thrombotic embolism occurred at the balloon protection site. It was too big to be removed using an aspiration catheter; therefore, we attempted removal with a self‐expandable stent. Using a crossover approach, we delivered a nitinol self‐expandable stent to the distal site of the thrombus, opened the tip of the stent, and pulled it up to the proximal site. Finally, we “grabbed a clot,” moved it to the stenting zone, and “held on” the vessel wall without occurrence of a distal embolism. We named this the “GACHON technique.” Case 2 underwent endovascular therapy for an acute thrombotic embolism in POP A after thoracic endovascular aortic repair for dissection. This thrombus was too big to aspirate, and we successfully treated it using the “GACHON technique.” The “GACHON technique” may be considered as a choice of treatment for a thrombotic embolism in the non‐stenting zone. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Multi‐MitraClip therapy for severe degenerative mitral regurgitation: “Anchor” technique for extremely flail segments

In high‐risk or inoperable patients, implantation of MitraClip for treatment of severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR) from central (A2/P2 pathology, EVEREST patient) is effective in reducing symptoms and improving functional class. Extending the use of MitraClip to the non‐EVEREST patient is of considerable interest. MitraClip implantation for wide flail segments and non‐central MR is technically more challenging but represents an important and highly prevalent subset of patients. We present a case of an 82‐year‐old male referred to our institution for medically refractory primary MR. Trans‐esophageal echocardiogram demonstrated severe (4+) MR, annular dilatation, P3 > P2 mitral valve prolapse, malcoaptation, and wide flail gaps and widths. The patient's age, frailty, chronic kidney disease, and mild cognitive impairment rendered him a candidate for MitraClip therapy. Our target area, the areas of maximum flail (A3/P3), proved too wide for grasping. Hence, the first clip was deployed medial to the target area. Subsequent deployment, in a sequential fashion (“zipper technique”), was not technically feasible due to persistent instability of the target area. Consideration was given to an alternative approach by “anchoring” our target area where the 2nd and 3rd clips were deployed lateral to the A3/P3 segment in efforts to “anchor” the maximum flail segment. This maneuver allowed final clip deployment into a more stable target area. Subsequent imaging demonstrated reduction in MR from 4+ to 1+ with preservation of a normal transmitral gradient. We report the first successful US case of four MitraClip implantation for the treatment of severe primary MR by “anchoring” flail segments. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Perioperative rupture of the LIMA graft leading to cardiogenic shock,emergency angiography,and stenting with a polytetrafluoroethylene‐covered stent

A 58‐year‐old man underwent an elective coronary bypass graft for severe four‐vessel stenosis. Cardiogenic shock developed just after coronary bypass grafting with a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to left anterior descending (LAD) artery and superficial venous graft to 1^st and 2^nd obtuse marginal (OM1/OM2) arteries the posterior descending artery (PDA) was too small to graft. Despite significant inotropes and an intra‐aortic balloon pump, the patient deteriorated in intensive care unit with cardiogenic shock and ventricular arrhythmia. Urgent coronary angiography revealed a rupture or torn LIMA graft with extravasation of contrast into the left pleural cavity. There was no distal LIMA to LAD flow probably due to graft thrombosis. Revascularisation was performed on the severe ostial native LAD stenosis with a drug eluting stent. The rupture graft was then stented with a polytetrafluoroethylene‐covered stent, which stopped the bleeding, and latter, led to total graft thrombosis. The patient improved significantly and supportive inotropes could be weaned down. At 11 month follow‐up, the patient had mild left ventricular dysfunction, widely patent ostial LAD stent and thrombosed LIMA graft. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Coronary aneurysm and stent fracture following stenting of a myocardial bridge

Myocardial bridge is the most common congenital coronary anomaly. We represent an extremely rare case of stent fracture combination with coronary aneurysm following stenting of a myocardial bridge. This 60‐years‐old male patient underwent coronary angiography in the local hospital four years ago. Coronary angiography revealed a myocardial bridge in the distal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). A 3.0 mm × 29 mm sirolimus eluting stent was deployed in the distal LAD. Three years later, repeat coronary angiography showed a large coronary aneurysm in the mid segment of the stent. The patient subsequently underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the distal segment of the LAD. But six months later, another coronary angiography showed a stent fracture in mid portion of the stent associated with a large coronary aneurysm, and the LIMA graft was totally occluded. A possible mechanism of stent fracture was long‐standing and cyclic mechanical stress on the stent by myocardium. These forces over a period of time may lead to metal fatigue and eventually fracture. Based on the observation of fracture and aneurysm in this study, we recommend that myocardial bridge should not be treated with intracoronary stenting. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

“Double wire” angio‐seal closure technique after balloon aortic valvuloplasty

Objectives : To report the feasibility of a collagen‐mediated closure device using a modified Angio‐Seal closure technique for access site management following percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV). Background : With the advent of percutaneous aortic valve replacement therapies, there has been a resurgence of interest in BAV procedures. Vascular complications, including bleeding, are a common source of morbidity post procedure as a result of the requirement for large bore femoral artery access. The use of vascular closure devices may reduce bleeding complications. Methods : We describe a new technique for vascular closure in this setting. At the conclusion of the valvuloplasty procedure, two 0.035″ wires are inserted through the femoral artery sheath. A conventional collagen‐mediated closure device (8F Angio‐Seal) is deployed over the first wire and along side the second wire. If immediate hemostasis is not achieved, a second device is loaded onto the second wire and deployed to achieve hemostasis. Results : Percutaneous BAV was performed in 21 patients. Hemostasis was successfully achieved in all patients with either a single 8F Angio‐Seal closure device (18 patients) or after placement of a second device (three patients). Conclusions : The modified “Double Wire” Angio‐Seal technique is a feasible method for hemostasis following percutaneous BAV. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

A novel method to bail out coronary perforation: Micro‐catheter distal perfusion technique

Coronary perforation is a rare, but life‐threatening complication during percutaneous coronary intervention. Prolonged balloon inflation is one option for achieving hemostasis, but it often causes ST elevation, chest pain, decreased blood pressure, or fatal arrhythmia due to ischemia. We present the case of a 73‐year‐old woman who suffered severe coronary perforation after stent implantation and post‐dilatation. To allow prolonged balloon inflation without ischemia, we perfused the distal area with the patient's own arterial blood injected via micro‐catheter. With this method, we could prolong balloon inflation for 20 min, successfully achieving hemostasis. This novel technique, which we named the “distal perfusion technique,” is useful to minimize ischemia during prolonged balloon inflation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Covered stent implantation through a single 8‐french guide catheter for the management of a distal coronary perforation

Distal coronary perforation can cause early or late tamponade and is usually treated with fat or coil embolization. An alternative treatment strategy is occlusion of the ostium of the perforated vessel via implantation of a covered stent in the main vessel, which is typically achieved using the ping‐pong guide catheter technique. In this technique, a balloon is inflated over one guide catheter to stop pericardial bleeding and a covered stent is delivered through a second guide catheter due to inability to fit both a balloon and a covered stent through a single guide catheter. With development of lower profile rapid exchange covered stents, a single guide catheter can be used to both occlude the target vessel and deliver the covered stent. We describe a case of distal vessel perforation in which a balloon was inflated to stop pericardial bleeding, followed by delivery of a covered stent (Graftmaster, Abbott Vascular) through a single 8‐Fr guide catheter. This “block and deliver” technique represents a novel paradigm for treating coronary perforations through a single guide catheter, obviating the need for the ping‐pong guide catheter technique. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Failed pericardiocentesis for acute cardiac tamponade: Two cases associated with bivalirudin administration during PCI

Successful management of acute cardiac tamponade secondary to coronary artery perforation during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) includes sealing off the site of perforation and pericardiocentesis. We report two cases of acute cardiac tamponade during PCI associated with the administration of bivalirudin, in which attempts at percutaneous pericardiocentesis failed, due to the present of thrombus, rather blood, in the pericardium. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.