A case of extended late-phase in-stent restenosis after implantation of a bare-metal stent: intravascular ultrasound, optical coherence tomography and immunohistochemical findings

Although extended late-phase in-stent restenosis has been reported even after implantation of bare-metal stents (BMS), the data resolving the mechanism are sparse. We could obtain intravascular ultrasound, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and immunohistochemical findings by retrieving the material that prolapsed distal to the stent after balloon angioplasty for the in-stent restenosis 12 years after BMS implantation in a 76-year-old man. OCT showed homogeneous high signal in the distal segment and high signal accompanied by attenuation in the proximal segment. Low signals around the stent struts and tubular structure in the deep layer were also detected, suggesting the existence of inflammation and neovascularization, respectively. Fibrous collagenous plaque was adjacent to the lesion where polymorphic smooth muscle cells (immunoreactivity to smooth muscle cell α-actin) proliferates with rich proteoglycan at the background with invasion of macrophages (immunoreactivity to CD 68) as a border. These findings may indicate the multiple healing process after plaque rupture or erosion even in the stented coronary segment.     

Metal allergy to everolimus‐eluting cobalt chromium stents confirmed by positive skin testing as a cause of recurrent multivessel in‐stent restenosis

A 54‐year‐old woman treated with cobalt‐chromium everolimus eluting stents (CoCr‐EES) for her left distal circumflex and diagonal branch lesions suffered from repeated in‐stent restenosis in both lesions. Neointimal proliferation occurred rapidly and almost simultaneously in the two lesions. The cause was established to be metal allergy, as determined by patch tests which were strongly positive for bare metal stents and weakly positive for CoCr‐EES. Following the third successive angioplasty, we initiated treatment with prednisolone (30 mg daily) and the anti‐allergic and anti‐proliferative drug tranilast (300 mg daily). An elective angiogram performed 3 months later showed no evidence of in‐stent restenosis in any of the stented lesions. Furthermore, the patient has remained angina‐free for 15 months. The unique features of this case include: (1) near‐simultaneous repeated multivessel in‐stent restenosis in a patient with skin test‐documented metal allergy to cobalt‐chromium stents; (2) adjunctive systemic medical therapy with prednisolone and tranilast appeared to terminate the malignant restenotic cycle. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The wound healing response after implantation of a drug-eluting stent is impaired persistently in the long term

A 70-year-old man underwent stent implantation for right coronary artery (RCA) lesions with a bare metal stent (BMS) and two sirolimus-eluting stents (SES). However, as both the BMS and SES stented sites developed restenosis after 13 months, he underwent target lesion revascularization using directional coronary atherectomy (DCA). On histopathology, the restenosis lesion at the SES-deployed site showed greater inflammation and less re-endothelialization than that at the BMS-deployed site. Three months later, the SES-deployed site developed a second restenosis, in which paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) were implanted (PES-in-SES), while the BMS-deployed site was restenosis free. Five years later, restenosis was absent in these RCA lesions. However, by optical coherence tomography and/or coronary angioscopy, the PES-in-SES site in the RCA showed poor neointimal coverage over the stent struts and yellowish neointima, suggesting lipid-rich neoatheroma formation, whereas at the BMS site appropriate white neointima formation was observed. Drug-eluting stents still have problems of persistent inflammation, inappropriate neointima formation, and neoatherosclerosis. Although we are now in the era of second generation DESs in which better stent performance would be promising, we should remember that we are obliged to continue to follow-up all patients in whom first generation DESs such as SES or PES have been placed.     

Long-segment SFA stenting--the dark sides: in-stent restenosis, clinical deterioration, and stent fractures.

PURPOSE: To determine and compare the rates of in-stent restenosis, late clinical deterioration, and stent fractures in nitinol stents versus Wallstents implanted for suboptimal angioplasty in the superficial femoral artery (SFA). METHODS: Interrogation of an angioplasty database identified 286 consecutive patients (178 men; mean age 67+/-10 years, range 44-87) with severe claudication (n=254) or critical limb ischemia (n=32) who had stents implanted after suboptimal angioplasty over a 5-year period. Wallstents with a mean stented lesion length of 107+/-71 mm were implanted in 116 patients, while nitinol stents were used in 170 patients: 45 SMART stents (mean stented lesion length 139+/-88 mm) and 125 Dynalink/Absolute stents (mean stented lesion length 125+/-84 mm). Patients were followed for in-stent restenosis (>50%) by duplex ultrasound, clinical deterioration by at least 1 Fontaine stage compared to baseline, and stent fractures by biplanar radiography. RESULTS: In-stent restenosis rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 46%, 66%, and 72% for Wallstents compared to 20%, 36%, and 53% for nitinol stents (p<0.001), respectively, without significant difference between the 2 nitinol stent groups (p=0.59). Clinical deterioration at 1, 2, and 3 years was found in 10%, 15%, and 18% with Wallstents versus 4%, 5%, and 5% with nitinol stents (p=0.014), respectively, without difference between the 2 nitinol stent groups (p=0.47). Fracture rates were 19% for Wallstents after a mean 43+/-24 months, 28% for SMART stents after mean 32+/-16 months, and 2% for Dynalink/Absolute stents after a mean 15+/-9 months. CONCLUSIONS: Intermediate-term in-stent restenosis remains a major problem even with current nitinol stent technology; however, clinical deterioration seems no matter of serious concern with SMART and Dynalink/Absolute stents. Stent fractures may be lower with Dynalink/Absolute stents, but randomized head-to-head comparisons are needed to validate these data.     

Difference of neointimal growth patterns in bifurcation lesions among four kinds of drug‐eluting stents

Aim: Neointimal proliferation of bifurcation lesions after implantation of drug‐eluting stents (DES) has not been well evaluated. Thus, we compared neointimal proliferation of bifurcation lesions among four DES using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: 8‐month follow‐up OCT was performed in 68 bifurcation lesions treated by 15 sirolimus‐eluting stents (SES) and 17 paclitaxel‐eluting stents (PES) as first‐generation DES, and by 17 zotarolimus‐eluting stents (ZES) and 19 everolimus‐eluting stents (EES) as second‐generation DES. Cross‐sectional images of the bifurcation lesion using OCT were analyzed every 450 µm. All images were divided into three areas: inner wall of the bifurcation (IB), outer wall of the bifurcation (OB), and ostium of the side branch (SB). We compared the incidence of uncovered struts (IUS) among three areas and the averaged neointimal thickness (NIH) between IB and OB in each stent and also compared these OCT parameters among all DES. Results: There were no significant differences of IUS between IB and OB in second‐generation DES, while in first‐generation DES, IUS of IB and OB showed significant differences. The IUS of SES in both areas was significantly higher than in the other DES (all P < 0.001). PES had a significantly higher IUS in SB than the others (all P < 0.001). NIH of OB was significantly higher than that of IB in PES, ZES, and EES, but in SES the NIH was similar in the two areas. Conclusions: OCT revealed different neointimal growth patterns among SES, PES, ZES, and EES in bifurcation lesions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Angiographic results of the first human experience with everolimus-eluting stents for the treatment of coronary lesions (the FUTURE I trial)

The purpose of this study was to report the angiographic findings of the first human evaluation of the everolimus-eluting stent (EES) for the treatment of noncomplex coronary lesions. Forty-two patients with de novo coronary lesions (2.75 to 4.00 mm vessels; lesion length, <18 mm) were prospectively randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either the EES (n = 27) or a metallic stent (n = 15). Baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar among both groups. At 6-month follow-up, EES had a lower in-stent late lumen loss (0.10 +/- 0.22 vs 0.85 +/- 0.32 mm, p <0.0001) and in-segment diameter stenoses (20.7 +/- 12.3% vs 37.0 +/- 15.8%, p = 0.002). There was no in-stent restenosis with EES; however, 1 focal distal edge restenosis was present. There was 1 in-stent and 1 in-segment (proximal edge) restenosis in the metallic stent group. There was no stent thrombosis or aneurysm formation at follow-up in either group.     

Clinical and angiographic results of balloon-expandable intracoronary stents in right coronary artery stenoses

Balloon-expandable stents were placed successfully in 35 (95%) of 37 patients whose right coronary artery lesion was believed to have a poor short- or long-term prognosis with conventional balloon angioplasty because of prior restenosis or adverse lesion morphology. Quantitative angiography showed a reduction in stenosis diameter from 83 +/- 14% to 42 +/- 14% after conventional balloon dilation, with a further reduction to -3 +/- 12% after stent placement (p less than 0.001). There were no acute stent thromboses, but one patient (with two stents and unstented distal disease) developed subacute thrombosis on day 8 after self-discontinuation of warfarin and was treated with thrombolytic therapy and redilation. Follow-up angiography was performed at 4 to 6 months in 25 patients, demonstrating restenosis (83 +/- 13%) in 4 (57%) of 7 patients with multiple stents, but only 3 (17%) of 18 patients with a single stent (p less than 0.05). Six of the seven in-stent restenotic lesions were subtotal (80 +/- 12%) and were subjected to repeat conventional balloon angioplasty (postdilation stenosis 13 +/- 21%). The 18 patients without restenosis had a maximal in-stent diameter stenosis of 29 +/- 15%, corresponding to a maximal focal neointimal thickness of 0.68 +/- 0.26 mm within the stented segment. These preliminary results suggest that the Schatz-Palmaz stent may be a useful adjunctive device in the performance of coronary angioplasty.     

Angiographic and Clinical Outcomes of Everolimus‐Eluting Stent in the Treatment of Extra Long Stenoses (AEETES)

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the angiographic and clinical results of stent full metal jacket in treating long lesions using everolimus‐eluting stents (EES).

Background

Data are lacking regarding the use of EES for this lesion subgroup.

Methods

From 2007 to 2011, 77 symptomatic patients who had severe coronary stenoses necessitating implantation of stents with total length longer than 60 mm were treated with overlapping EES.

Results

The mean age of patient was 61 ± 11 years with male predominance (66%). Diabetes mellitus was seen in 35 (45.5%) patients. Majority of patients had class III angina with normal heart function. On average, 3.1 stents were implanted per lesion; the mean stent size and length were 2.70 ± 0.28 mm and 82 ± 16 mm. Restudy angiography was performed on 71 patients (72 lesions) at 8.9 ± 2.5 months. Angiographic restenosis was seen in 9 (12.5%) lesions; the lesion length and late loss were 67 ± 15 mm and 0.4 ± 0.6 mm, respectively. The use of intravascular ultrasound has been found to be a predictor of less restenosis (P = 0.02; HR: 0.02; CI: 0.01–0.59). The in‐hospital and 1 year major adverse cardiac event rates were 7.8% and 13%. The annual cardiac death rates were 2.6%, 3.4%, and 5.3% in the first 3 years.

Conclusions

The use of EES full metal jacket for long lesions is only associated with good short‐term clinical and angiographic outcomes. Long‐term follow‐up has revealed a high cardiac death rate which may necessitate prolongation of dual antiplatelet therapy. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:22–28)

     

New technique to seal a long giant coronary aneurysm with PTFE-covered stents: a case report.

We report a case with a large aneurysm of right coronary artery (RCA) associated with coronary artery disease. The aneurysm was sealed with two PTFE-covered stents using a sequential technique from proximal to distal to overcome the lack of long PTFE-covered stents and existence of complex coronary anatomy. A bare metal stent was subsequently deployed to treat a lesion in the mid part of RCA. At 4-month follow-up, aneurysm was completely sealed and no restenosis occurred. Usage of sequential PTFE-covered stents enables treatment of large coronary artery aneurysms.     

Stent thrombosis after complex multivessel stenting in an elderly patient

We report a challenging case in terms of procedural difficulty as well as long‐term patency. Multivessel stenting procedures for long subtotal occlusions in the right coronary artery (RCA) and left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) were successfully performed in an 84‐year‐old female who had complications of severe left ventricular dysfunction and a recent history of gastric ulcer bleeding. Two bare‐metal stents were successfully deployed in the mid and distal RCA. A drug‐eluting stent could only be deployed in the proximal RCA. Two drug‐eluting stents were deployed in the proximal LAD and LMT. Late stent thrombosis in the proximal RCA occurred about 3 months later. We speculated that a lack of aspirin and bare metal stent restenosis were the reasons for the late stent thrombosis. This case was very challenging in terms of balancing the risk of ischemia and bleeding after coronary stent deployment. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Myocardial infarction in a youngster Due to giant coronary aneurysm

A 22‐year old male presented with acute inferior wall myocardial infarction. Coronary angiogram revealed normal left coronary arteries and a giant coronary aneurysm in Right coronary artery (RCA). Primary angioplasty of RCA was performed. Large thrombus burden was retrieved with aspiration device and coronary flow restored. However, despite best efforts some thrombus remained and decision to stent was deferred to a later date. Dimensions of aneurysm on quantitative coronary angiogram were 15 mm in width and 46 mm in length. Two weeks later coronary angiogram revealed normal flow in RCA without any angiographically visible thrombus. PCI was performed with two 3.0 × 28 mm Covered stents, Graft Master (JoStent) deployed across the aneurysm, overlapping each other. This completely sealed the aneurysm and intravascular ultrasound confirmed no leakage through the covered stents. Patient remains asymptomatic 2 months post procedure on triple antiplatelet therapy. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Intravascular Ultrasound Predictors of Angiographic Restenosis in Lesions Treated With Palmaz-Schatz Stents

Objectives. This study sought to evaluate the clinical, procedural, preinterventional and postinterventional quantitative coronary angiographic (QCA) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) predictors of restenosis after Palmaz-Schatz stent placement.Background. Although Palmaz-Schatz stent placement reduces restenosis compared with balloon angioplasty, in-stent restenosis remains a major clinical problem.Methods. QCA and IVUS studies were performed before and after intervention (after stent placement and high pressure adjunct balloon angioplasty) in 382 lesions in 291 patients treated with 476 Palmaz-Schatz stents for whom follow-up QCA data were available 5.5 ± 4.8 months (mean ± SD) later. Univariate and multivariate predictors of QCA restenosis (≥50% diameter stenosis at follow-up, follow-up percent diameter stenosis [DS] and follow-up minimal lumen diameter [MLD]) were determined.Results. Three variables were the most consistent predictors of the follow-up angiographic findings: ostial lesion location, IVUS preinterventional lesion site plaque burden (plaque/total arterial area) and IVUS assessment of final lumen dimensions (whether final lumen area or final MLD). All three variables predicted both the primary (binary restenosis) and secondary (follow-up MLD and follow-up DS) end points. In addition, a number of variables predicted one or more but not all the end points: 1) restenosis (IVUS preinterventional lumen and arterial area); 2) follow-up DS (QCA lesion length); and 3) follow-up MLD (QCA lesion length and preinterventional MLD and DS and IVUS preinterventional lumen and arterial area).Conclusions. Ostial lesion location and IVUS preinterventional plaque burden and postinterventional lumen dimensions were the most consistent predictors of angiographic in-stent restenosis.     

Clinical and angiographic predictors of recurrent restenosis after percutaneous transluminal rotational atherectomy for treatment of diffuse in-stent restenosis

Due to the widespread use of stents in complex coronary lesions, stent restenosis represents an increasing problem, for which optimal treatment is under debate. "Debulking" of in-stent neointimal tissue using percutaneous transluminal rotational atherectomy (PTRA) offers an alternative approach to tissue compression and extrusion achieved by balloon angioplasty. One hundred patients (70 men, aged 58 +/- 11 years) with a first in-stent restenosis underwent PTRA using an incremental burr size approach followed by adjunctive angioplasty. The average lesion length by quantitative angiography was 21 +/- 8 mm (range 5 to 68) including 22 patients with a length > or = 40 mm. Twenty-nine patients had complete stent occlusions with a lesion length of 44 +/- 23 mm. Baseline diameter stenosis measured 78 +/- 17%, was reduced to 32 +/- 9% after PTRA, and further reduced to 21 +/- 10% after adjunctive angioplasty. Primary PTRA was successful in 97 of 100 patients. Clinical success was 97%, whereas 2 patients developed non-Q-wave infarctions without clinical sequelae. Clinical follow-up was available for all patients at 5 +/- 4 months without any cardiac event. Angiography in 72 patients revealed restenosis in 49%, with necessary target lesion reintervention in 35%. The incidence of rerestenosis correlated with the length of the primarily stented segment and the length of a first in-stent restenosis. Thus, PTRA offers an alternative approach to treat diffuse in-stent restenosis. Neointimal debulking of stenosed stents can be achieved effectively and safely. PTRA resulted in an acceptable recurrent restenosis rate in short and modestly diffuse lesion, whereas the restenosis rate in very long lesions remains high despite debulking.     

Markedly different tissue types on optical coherence tomography imaging in a patient with multiple lesion drug‐eluting stent in‐stent restenosis

The treatment of in‐stent restenosis after drug‐eluting stent (DES) implantation remains a major clinical challenge. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging at the time of presentation can provide important information on mechanical factors contributing to stent failure as well as on tissue characteristics of the in‐stent neointimal tissue. We report a case of markedly different tissue types—characterized by heterogeneous and homogeneous signal intensity—observed in a patient with multiple lesion DES in‐stent restenosis. Although both lesions were initially successfully treated with drug‐coated balloon angioplasty, the patient presented with recurrent in‐stent restenosis in the lesion with homogeneous tissue characteristics. Future studies should evaluate whether OCT tissue characterization can guide optimal treatment strategy in patients with DES restenosis. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A case in which stent insertion is considered to have triggered contrast medium-induced coronary vasospasm.

A Gianturco-Roubin II (GR-II) stent was inserted in a 75-year-old man who developed restenosis of the right coronary artery (RCA) after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Although the vessel became partially occluded after 7 months, it was redilated by PTCA. Follow-up angiography of the RCA and left coronary artery (LCA) was performed 3 months later. Chest pain with bradycardia and hypotension occurred immediately after this examination, and ST elevation appeared in ECG leads II, III, and aVF. Repeat angiography of the RCA confirmed complete occlusion due to a spasm at a site proximal to the GR-II stent. The spasm was resolved by intracoronary infusion of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), and PTCA was carried out for extensive recurrent restenosis of the RCA; however, vascular dissection developed at the distal end of the GR-II stent. Therefore, a Palmaz-Schatz (P-S) stent was placed such that its proximal end overlapped the distal end of the GR-II stent. Follow-up angiography 3 months later showed no restenosis, but an episode of vasospasm similar to the previous one occurred immediately after left ventriculography. The RCA was completely occluded proximal to the GR-II stent because of spasm. Although this spasm was gradually relieved by intracoronary infusion of ISDN, marked spasm was also observed distal to the P-S stent; complete relief was achieved by infusion of additional ISDN.     

Long-Term Restenosis After Multiple Stent Implantation: A Quantitative Angiographic Study

Elective high pressure stent implantation in focal coronary lesions has a high procedural success and low incidence of restenosis in comparison with balloon angioplasty. For the treatment of diffusely diseased coronary arteries, however, a high incidence of subacute thrombosis and late restenosis has been reported. The aim of this study was the prospective evaluation of procedural and long-term outcome after implantation of multiple stents. In a consecutive series of 48 patients, 48 lesions were treated with the implantation of 120 stents (2.5 ± 1.0 stents/lesion). Stent implantation was performed electively in 15%, for dissection in 56%, and for suboptimal balloon angioplasty result in 29% of patients. The lesion length before stenting, including balloon angioplasty induced dissections, was 28.5 ± 9.8 mm (range 20–62), the mean length of the stented segment was 40 ± 16 mm. The procedure was successful in 45 patients (95%). Procedural related complications included two urgent bypass operations (4%) and one transmural myocardial infarction (2%). Two subacute stent thrombosis events (4%) occurred, both in-hospital, 1 and 3 days after implantation. Follow-up was obtained in 43 eligible patients at 6.4 ± 1.3 months, revealing an overall restenosis rate of 30% (13 patients). Quantitative angiography (CAAS II, edge detection algorithm) showed a minimal lumen diameter of 0.93 ± 0.28 mm (diameter stenosis 62%± 13%) before treatment, 2.81 ± 0.26 mm (diameter stenosis –4 ± 13%) after stenting, and 1.79 ± 0.58 mm (diameter stenosis 30%± 20%) at follow-up. Predictors of restenosis were not identified. Thus, multiple stent implantation has high procedural success and the late restenosis of long lesions after multiple stents compares favorably with balloon angioplasty.     

Cobalt-chromium stents in long lesions of large vessels: clinical and angiographic results

Although drug-eluting stents have reduced the restenosis rate, some patients are not good candidates for prolonged double-antiplatelet therapy. Our goal was to learn the results of implanting cobalt-chromium stents in long lesions of large vessels.All consecutive patients with ≥1 lesion treated with a cobalt-chromium stent ≥28 mm in length and ≥3.5 mm in diameter during a 12-month period in 2 centers were monitored clinically and angiographically to determine the clinical status, restenosis rate, pattern of restenosis, and need for revascularization.The series comprised 78 patients with 81 lesions, mean age, 62.6 ± 15.2 yr; diabetes mellitus,19.2%; and primary or rescue intervention, 20.6%. Target vessels were the left anterior descending coronary artery, 12 (14.8%); left circumflex coronary artery, 12 (14.8%); and right coronary artery, 57 (70.4%). The mean lesion length was 35.18 ± 12.65 mm. The proximal reference diameter after percutaneous coronary intervention was 3.64 ± 0.54 mm; the distal, 3.2 ± 0.43 mm; and the mean, 3.42 ± 0.44 mm. The mean stent length was 38.05 ± 12.78 mm (range, 28-90 mm). The binary restenosis rate was 23% (15/64), with pattern IB in 2 cases, IC in 5, II in 7, and IV in 1. Revascularization was needed in 6 patients.In treating long lesions of large vessels, we found that cobalt-chromium stents achieved a moderate rate of target-vessel restenosis and a low rate of repeat revascularization. The pattern of restenosis was focal in almost half of the cases, and, in most remaining cases, restenosis affected short segments of the vessel.     

Late thrombosis after gamma-brachytherapy.

Late stent thrombosis (> 30 days after treatment) is a new phenomenon occurring after vascular brachytherapy. We report the analysis of 11 patients with late thrombosis after gamma-irradiation treatment of in-stent restenosis. All patients had in-stent restenosis and angina. Contributing factors to late thrombosis include long stents, small distal vessels, and complex lesion morphology.     

无保护左主干病变介入治疗后冠状动脉造影随访结果分析

目的探讨左主干病变裸支架治疗后再狭窄的可能原因。方法回顾性分析自1997年到2004年间行无保护左主干病变介入治疗并进行冠状动脉造影随访的18例患者的病变情况及其远期疗效。结果(1)9例双支架置入患者中,药物支架V型支架术的6例患者中有4例发生了再狭窄,再狭窄均发生在前降支和回旋支血管开口处;裸支架T支架术的2例患者发生了再狭窄,其中1例弥漫性再狭窄,另外1例发生了回旋支开口的再狭窄。(2)9例置入单个支架的患者中,5例患者支架跨过了回旋支开口,即采取了Cross-over技术,复查时只有1例左主干支架发生了再狭窄;3例左主干体部支架的患者中1例发生了弥漫性再狭窄。(3)对两例V支架的患者进行了血管内超声检查,发现在开口处没有完全膨胀,亦没有完全贴壁。结论(1)左主干病变介入治疗(特别是双支架置入方法)的再狭窄率很高。(2)在左主干分叉病变治疗中,支架跨过回旋支患者的远期预后良好,即支架可以安全地跨过回旋支。