The effects of coronary angioplasty on the global and regional left ventricular function in patients with angina pectoris after anterior myocardial infarction

Thirty-one patients (29 men and 2 women, mean age 49±10 years) were evaluated to investigate the effects of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on left ventricular function (LV) in patients with angina pectoris after anterior wall myocardial infarction. LV functions and LV regional wall motion scores were obtained by means of a semiquantitative method using left ventriculography. Coronary angiographies and left ventriculographies were done just before and 182±160 days after the angioplasty of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery lesion. It had been found that LV ejection fraction had increased and anterolateral, apical, and septal wall motion scores had decreased significantly after PTCA in accordance with the patients' clinical status. The improvement was more prominent in patients with poor LV function. However, LV functions did not show any significant improvement in patients who develop restenosis after PTCA.     

Correlation between serum hepatocyte growth factor level and percutaneous coronary balloon angioplasty: An alternative mechanism of reduction in restenosis with citostazol

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent endothelium specific growth factor and cilostazol reduces restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary balloon angioplasty (PTCA). To investigate the correlation between HGF and PTCA, values of serum HGF were serially examined by angiographic follow-up for 3 months in 100 patients who underwent PTCA, and for 1 week in 49 patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG). Of the PTCA group, 36 patients received cilostazol (200 mg/day) and 64 were given aspirin (250 mg/day). Angiographic restenosis was defined as 50% diameter stenosis (DS) at follow-up angiography. Although HGF values did not change after CAG, they increased 2 days after PTCA (0.37±0.12 ng/mL; p<0.0001 vs. 0.32±0.11 at baseline, p=0.0004 vs. 0.30±0.09 ng/mL of the CAG group). The HGF values until 1 week after PTCA was similar between the cilostazol and aspirin sub-groups. However, the values 1 month and 3 months after PTCA were significantly lower in the cilostazol (0.29±0.08 vs. 0.34±0.10 ng/mL; p=0.012, and 0.31±0.09 vs. 0.35±0.10 ng/mL; p=0.037), than in the aspirin sub-group. Follow-up angiography revealed a significantly lower DS (37.2±16.2% vs. 45.6±18.5%; p=0.009) associated with a reduced restenosis rate (16.0% vs. 37.5%; p=0.008) in the cilostazol sub-group. These data suggest systemic HGF regulation is provoked after PTCA and the subsequent change in the serum HGF level is associated with restenosis.     

Electrocardiographic discrimination of infarct-related artery between left circumflex and right coronary artery: comparison of ST elevation between leads II and III

OBJECTIVES: Admission electrocardiography was evaluated to discriminate left circumflex artery (LCX) versus right coronary artery (RCA) as the cause of acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: Electrocardiographic findings were assessed in patients with RCA (n = 60) and LCX (n = 60) occlusion. RESULTS: ST segment elevation in the inferior leads or right precordial leads was more common in the RCA group. ST segment depression or negative T wave was more common in leads I, aVL in the RCA group. ST segment elevation was more common in leads V5, V6 in the LCX group. ST segment was elevated in inferior leads in 55 patients in the RCA group and 27 patients in the LCX group. Mean ST level was higher in lead III than in lead II in the RCA group, but not in the LCX group. The ST level was higher in lead III than in lead II in 78% of the RCA group, but only 44% of the LCX group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of ST levels between leads II and III, and a three-dimensional analysis in 12-lead electrocardiography is useful for discriminating the left circumflex artery from the right coronary artery as the cause of acute myocardial infarction.     

Low-dose dobutamine testing using contrast left ventriculography in the same session as coronary angiography predicts the improvement of left ventricular function after coronary angioplasty in postinfarction patients

The role of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in the subacute or chronic phases of myocardial infarction remains controversial. This study investigates the usefulness of dobutamine contrast left ventriculography in a single session with coronary angiography for predicting the improvement of ventricular function after PTCA. The study group consisted of 30 patients in whom a contrast left ventricular angiogram and PTCA were performed after a first myocardial infarction. The centerline method was used to calculate dysfunction extent at baseline and its variation during dobutamine infusion at 7.5 microg/kg/min; contractile reserve was defined as a significant (> or = 15%) reduction of dysfunction extent. A second ventricular angiogram was performed 6 months later in all patients. Abnormal wall motion extent decreased at 6 months after PTCA (84+/-21% vs 70+/-29%, p = 0.0001). Wall motion improvement after PTCA correlated with the response to dobutamine (r = 0.54, p = 0.002). Ten patients showed a significant reduction (> or = 15%) of dysfunction extent at 6 months; dobutamine testing had a 80% sensitivity, 84% specificity, 67% positive predictive value, and 89% negative predictive value in detecting regional function improvement. In the subgroup of 21 patients without restenosis, both the correlation between dysfunction improvement after PTCA and response to dobutamine (r = 0.72, p = 0.0001) and the accuracy of dobutamine testing (sensitivity 88%, specificity 92%, positive predictive value 88%, and negative predictive value 92%) increased. The ejection fraction significantly increased (>5%) after PTCA in 6 patients; dobutamine testing had a 67% sensitivity, 74% specificity, 44% positive predictive value, and 88% negative predictive value in predicting the increase in the ejection fraction. In the subgroup without restenosis the improvement of the ejection fraction correlated with the response to dobutamine (r = 0.63, p = 0.007), and the sensitivity of dobutamine testing was 80%, specificity 83%, positive predictive value 67%, and negative predictive value 91%. In conclusion, dobutamine contrast left ventriculography testing in the same session as coronary angiography predicts regional function and ejection fraction improvement after PTCA in postinfarction patients, particularly when restenosis does not develop.     

Optimal coronary balloon angioplasty with provisional stenting versus primary stent (OCBAS): Immediate and long-term follow-up results

Objective. This study sought to compare two strategies of revascularization in patients obtaining a good immediate angiographic result after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA): elective stenting versus optimal PTCA. A good immediate angiographic result with provisional stenting was considered to occur only if early loss in minimal luminal diameter (MLD) was documented at 30 min post-PTCA angiography.Background. Coronary stenting reduces restenosis in lesions exhibiting early deterioration (>0.3 mm) in MLD within the first 24 hours (early loss) after successful PTCA. Lesions with no early loss after PTCA have a low restenosis rate.Methods. To compare angiographic restenosis and target vessel revascularization (TVR) of lesions treated with coronary stenting versus those treated with optimal PTCA, 116 patients were randomized to stent (n = 57) or to optimal PTCA (n = 59). After randomization in the PTCA group, 13.5% of the patients crossed over to stent due to early loss (provisional stenting).Results. Baseline demographic and angiographic characteristics were similar in both groups of patients. At 7.6 months, 96.6% of the entire population had a follow-up angiographic study: 98.2% in the stent and 94.9% in the PTCA group. Immediate and follow-up angiographic data showed that acute gain was significantly higher in the stent than in the PTCA group (1.95 vs. 1.5 mm; p < 0.03). However, late loss was significantly higher in the stent than the PTCA group (0.63 ± 0.59 vs. 0.26 ± 0.44, respectively; p = 0.01). Hence, net gain with both techniques was similar (1.32 ± 0.3 vs. 1.24 ± 0.29 mm for the stent and the PTCA groups, respectively; p = NS). Angiographic restenosis rate at follow-up (19.2% in stent vs. 16.4% in PTCA; p = NS) and TVR (17.5% in stent vs. 13.5% in PTCA; p = NS) were similar. Furthermore, event-free survival was 80.8% in the stent versus 83.1% in the PTCA group (p = NS). Overall costs (hospital and follow-up) were US $591,740 in the stent versus US $398,480 in the PTCA group (p < 0.02).Conclusions. The strategy of PTCA with delay angiogram and provisional stent if early loss occurs had similar restenosis rate and TVR, but lower cost than primary stenting after PTCA.     

急性下壁心肌梗死病人发生窦性心动过缓预测右冠状动脉闭塞的临床价值

目的 右冠状动脉闭塞或回旋支闭塞在临床心电图上均表现为急性下壁心肌梗死,二者鉴别较困难.本文观察和比较急性下壁梗死患者中发生窦性心动过缓与右冠状动脉闭塞的关系.方法 对52例急性下壁心肌梗死患者,观察其心率、血压、房室传导阻滞的发生情况.结果52例患者中,36例为右冠状动脉闭塞,16例为回旋支闭塞.单纯下壁心肌梗死,右冠状动脉较回旋支闭塞发生率高,分别为55.6%和18.8%(P<0.05).右冠状动脉闭塞发生低血压8例(22.2%);窦性心动过缓在右冠状动脉闭塞和回旋支闭塞发生率分别为25.0%和0%(P<0.05);完全性房室传导阻滞仅出现在右冠状动脉闭塞时共7例(19.4%);右冠状动脉近端闭塞较中、远端闭塞发生心率缓慢为多,分别为19.4%,2.8%,2.8%(P<0.05).结论 急性下壁心肌梗死时,窦性心动过缓与右冠状动脉闭塞有较好的相关性,右冠状动脉近端闭塞伴有缓慢心率,而回旋支闭塞几乎未发现窦性心动过缓.     

Sirolimus-eluting stent treatment for isolated proximal left anterior descending artery stenoses. Results from the prospective multi-center German Cypher Registry

Summary Background Stenting of isolated proximal LAD stenoses is still a controversial issue since it is associated with higher target vessel revascularization (TVR) rate than both bypass surgery using the internal mammary artery, and stenting of other coronary artery territories. The sirolimus- eluting stent (SES) has been reported to significantly reduce restenosis rates in de novo coronary lesions. Therefore, we compared patients from the German Cypher Registry treated with SES for isolated proximal LAD lesions with those stented for isolated lesions in the proximal LCX or RCA. Methods A total of 349 patients treated with SES were analyzed. 249 patients were treated for proximal LAD stenosis, and 100 for proximal LCX/RCA stenoses. The combined clinical endpoint was MACCE (death of any cause, non-fatal MI and non-fatal stroke) and TVR at 6 months. Results In-hospital events (death, MI and TVR) did not differ significantly between both groups (3.2% for the LAD group vs 2.0% for the LCX/RCA-group, p=0.73). The combined end point of death of any cause, non-fatal MI and non-fatal stroke at six months was 2.6% in the LAD group, and 2.2% in the LCX/RCA group (p=1.0). TVR occurred in 4.8% of the LAD group and in 6.5% of the LCX/RCA group at six months (p=0.58). The percentage of patients free from angina at daily activities was 80.6% in the LAD group, and 77.4% in the LCX/ RCA group (p=0.52). Conclusion SES once implanted into isolated proximal LAD stenoses appears as effective as reported in other vessel territories. Accordingly, stenting of the proximal LAD using SES might prove a suitable alternative to surgery.For the German Cypher Registry     

急性下壁心肌梗死患者心电图胸前导联ST段改变的临床意义

目的探讨急性下壁心肌梗死患者心电图胸前导联ST段改变与冠状动脉造影(CAG)所见冠状动脉病变部位的关系及其临床意义。方法 187例急性下壁心肌梗死患者,按入院时18导心电图胸前导联ST段改变分为3组,ST段无变化组(47例),ST段抬高组(16例),ST段压低组(124例);所有患者均行CAG。结果急性下壁心肌梗死伴胸前导联ST段抬高时多为右冠状动脉(RCA)近段闭塞(14例,82.3%),尤其是伴圆锥支动脉闭塞,与RCA中远端闭塞(2例,5.9%)比较差异有统计学意义(P0.01),且14例(73.7%)伴有右心功能不全和血流动力学障碍。下壁心肌梗死胸前导联ST段压低者可见于RCA、回旋支(LCX)闭塞及RCA、LCX闭塞与前降支(LAD)、对角支(D)病变的不同组合,其中LCX闭塞伴RCA病变者多表现为朐前ST V_4～V_6的压低,RCA闭塞伴LAD近端病变多有胸前ST V_1～V_6的压低,RCA伴D病变胸前ST V_1～V_3压低,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论急性下壁心肌梗死合并胸前导联ST段抬高表明为RCA近段或丌口闭塞且多伴右心室心肌梗死和心功能不全;下壁心肌梗死伴胸前导联ST段压低提示为多支病变,ST V_1～V_3压低多伴有对角支严重狭窄,STV_1～V_6压低多伴有前降支的严重狭窄。     

Angiographic findings,time course of regional and global left ventricular function,and clinical outcome in diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

There is scarce information available about the outcome of diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). We sought to compare left ventricular (LV) function, and angiographic and clinical outcomes in diabetics versus nondiabetics with AMI treated with primary PTCA. This study examined 720 consecutive patients with AMI treated with primary PTCA, 102 of whom had diabetes. Six-month follow-up coronary angiography was obtained in 560 patients (88% of eligible patients). In a subgroup of 284 patients, LV function was serially determined by 2-dimensional echocardiography. During 6-month follow-up no significant differences were observed between diabetics and nondiabetics with regard to restenosis rates (31.6% vs 28.2%, p = 0.6), recovery of LV function (6-month wall motion score index: 1.8 +/- 0.7 vs 1.8 +/- 0.7, p = 0.88; 6-month LV ejection fraction: 48.5 +/- 12% vs 51.2 +/- 13%, p = 0.173), nonfatal re-AMI rates (2.9% vs 1.3%, p = 0.2), and target vessel revascularization rates (21.6% vs 16.8%, p = 0.2). Early and late mortality were higher in diabetics than in nondiabetic patients (8.8% vs 4.2%, p = 0.045 and 11.7% vs 5.5%, p = 0.016, respectively). By Cox analysis, diabetes was an independent predictor of both early (odds ratio [OR] 2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1 to 5.3, p = 0.03) and late mortality (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.16 to 4.84, p = 0.017) as well as 6-month major adverse cardiac events (MACEs): death, re-AMI, target vessel revascularization (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.18, p = 0.03). Thus, diabetes is an independent predictor of clinical outcome even if PTCA is used as the primary reperfusion strategy.     

Correspondence between left ventricular 17 myocardial segments and coronary arteries.

AIMS: The last guidelines recommend a standardized 17-segment model for tomographic imaging of the left ventricle. The aim of this study is to analyse the correspondence of the 17 left ventricular segments with each coronary artery by myocardial perfusion SPECT studies. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty patients selected for percutaneous revascularization of one coronary artery [24 left anterior descending (LAD), 15 right coronary artery (RCA), and 11 left circumflex (LCX)] were included. The (99m)Tc-labelled compound was injected immediately after the inflation of the balloon during percutaneous coronary angioplasty. At least 90 s of complete occlusion time was required. Maximal contour of regions of hypoperfusion corresponding to each coronary artery occlusion were delineated over the polar map of 17 segments. Nine segments corresponded to only one coronary artery: eight to LAD (basal anterior, basal anteroseptal, mid-anterior, mid-anteroseptal, apical anterior, apical septal, apical lateral, and apex) and one to LCX (basal anterolateral). Basal inferoseptal, mid-inferoseptal, and apical inferior segments could correspond to LAD or RCA. Basal inferior, basal inferolateral, mid-inferior, and mid-inferolateral segments could correspond to RCA or LCX, whereas the mid-anterolateral segment could correspond to LAD or LCX. CONCLUSION: The most specific segments (anterior, anteroseptal, and all apical segments except the infero-apical) correspond to LAD but no segment can be exclusively attributed to the RCA. Inferoseptal segments can be attributed to LAD or RCA, inferior and inferolateral segments to RCA or LCX, and mid-anterolateral segment to LAD or LCX.     

Cutting balloon angioplasty for the prevention of restenosis: results of the Cutting Balloon Global Randomized Trial

The cutting balloon (CB) is a specialized device designed to create discrete longitudinal incisions in the atherosclerotic target coronary segment during balloon inflation. Such controlled dilatation theoretically reduces the force needed to dilate an obstructive lesion compared with standard percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). We report a multicenter, randomized trial comparing the incidence of restenosis after CB angioplasty versus conventional balloon angioplasty in 1,238 patients. Six hundred seventeen patients were randomized to CB treatment, and 621 to PTCA. The mean reference vessel diameter was 2.86 +/- 0.49 mm, mean lesion length 8.9 +/- 4.3 mm, and prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients was 13%. The primary end point, the 6-month binary angiographic restenosis rate, was 31.4% for CB and 30.4% for PTCA (p = 0.75). Acute procedural success, defined as the attainment of <50% diameter stenosis without in-hospital major adverse cardiac events, was 92.9% for CB and 94.7% for PTCA (p = 0.24). Freedom from target vessel revascularization was slightly higher in the CB arm (88.5% vs 84.6%, log-rank p = 0.04). Five coronary perforations occurred in the CB arm only (0.8% vs 0%, p = 0.03). At 270 days, rates of myocardial infarction, death, and total major adverse cardiac events for CB and PTCA were 4.7% versus 2.4% (p = 0.03), 1.3% versus 0.3% (p = 0.06), and 13.6% versus 15.1% (p = 0.34), respectively. In summary, the proposed mechanism of controlled dilatation did not reduce the rate of angiographic restenosis for the CB compared with conventional balloon angioplasty. CB angioplasty should be reserved for difficult lesions in which controlled dilatation is believed to provide a better acute result compared with balloon angioplasty alone.     

Improvement of Left Ventricular Function and Wall Motion Abnormalities after Recanalization of Total Occlusion of Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery by Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

PTCA was performed in 262 consecutive patients (pts) with total LAD occlusion. TIMI 3 flow was established in 164 pts (success rate was 62.6%). After 4D6 months a follow-up angiography of 72 pts showed restenosis in 39 pts (restenosis rate was 54.2%). In 33 pts without restenosis there was a significant increase in ejection fraction (EF) (54.6 +/- 15 versus 59.8 +/- 18.1 before and after PTCA respectively, p = 0.02). Improvement of wall motion abnormalities (WMA) in 12 of 26 pts was observed. Anterolateral-apical (AL-A) aneurysm disappeared in 6 pts and limited to apex in 2 pts. AL-A hypokinesia in 3 and akinesia in 1 reversed to normal wall motion (NWM). There was not a significant change in EF in either of the groups of pts with reocclusion (24 pts) or restenosis (15 pts) (p > 0.05). However, AL-A aneurysm disappeared in 2 of 12 pts with WMA before PTCA although there was restenosis (but TIMI 3 flow) on follow-up coronary angiogram. In 3 pts with restenosis but not reocclusion AL-A hypokinesia, akinesia and apical dyskinesia returned to NWM. No significant changes were observed in the left ventricular end diastolic pressures (LVEDP) in both pt groups with or without improvement of WMA(p > 0.05). Filling fractions (FF) did not change in patients with or without restenosis. CONCLUSION: The observations in patients with successful total LAD occlusion angioplasty and no restenosis are as follows: 1) There was a significant increase in EF; 2) There was no significant decrease in LVEDP and no increase in FF; 3) The rate of improvement of WMA was 46.2%; 4) There was no relation between improvement of WMA and the age of occlusion, the grade of coronary collateral vessels and involvement of other coronary arteries. However, it has been emphasized that in 11 of 12 pts (91.6%) with improvement of WMA the age of occlusion was < 3 months, in 10 (83.3%) the grade of coronary collateral vessels was 2 or 3 and in 10 (83.3%) the other coronary arteries were normal. The improvement of WMA in 41.6% of pts. who had also subtotal restenosis but not reocclusion was observed. Finally in 72 pts with follow-up coronary angiography, the rate of improvement of wall motion was 23.5 %.     

Effect of Presence of Ramus Intermedius Artery on Location of Culprit Lesions in Acute Left Circumflex Coronary Artery Occlusion

Background and aimCoronary artery anatomy frequently affects location of atherosclerotic plaques and subsequent culprit lesions. We sought to clarify whether presence or absence of Ramus Intermedius coronary artery (RI) would affect location of culprit lesions in acute left circumflex (LCX) coronary artery occlusion.MethodsThe study included 180 patients, 100 with a diagnosis of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and 80 with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). All culprit lesions were located in the LCX coronary artery. RI group included 45 patients and the No RI group included 135 patients.ResultsCulprit LCX lesions were similarly located at a comparable distance from LCX ostium in both groups and the presence of RI was not associated with significantly more proximally located culprit LCX lesions (34.7 ± 15.2 mm compared to 30.8 ± 17.9 mm respectively, p > 0.05). The frequency distribution of culprit lesions’ distance from LCX ostium showed no significant difference between both groups in any of the segments studied (10 mm each). There was no significant difference between both groups regarding markers of myocardial necrosis size as cardiac biomarkers (peak cardiac troponin-T 1077.4 ± 361.2 pg/dl vs 926 ± 462.2 pg/dl respectively, p = 0.13), (peak creatine kinase-MB 232.2 ± 81 ng/dl vs 194.7 ± 99.2 ng/dl respectively, p = 0.07) or left ventricular ejection fraction (EF 46.3 ± 6.3% vs 48.3 ± 8.3% respectively, p = 0.76).ConclusionPresence of RI coronary artery, as an additional flow divider, may not be associated with more proximal culprit lesions, compared to its absence, in cases of acute LCX coronary artery occlusion. Possible underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms remain to be clarified.     

不同梗死相关血管的急性下壁心肌梗死的临床特征分析

目的探讨右冠状动脉(RCA)和左回旋支(LCX)闭塞导致的急性下壁心肌梗死的临床特征。方法对连续收治的108例行急诊冠状动脉介入治疗的ST段抬高型急性下壁心肌梗死患者的临床资料进行分析,根据梗死相关血管分为两组:RCA闭塞致心肌梗死组85例(RCA组),LCX闭塞致心肌梗死组23例(LCX组),比较两组临床特征。结果 RCA组血清肌酐水平、三支血管病变、心力衰竭和三度房室传导阻滞患者比例均显著高于LCX组[(93±26)μmol/L比(79±15)μmol/L,38.8%比13.0%,34.1%比13.0%,18.8%比0,均为P<0.05],RCA组合并右心室心肌梗死的患者比例也显著高于LCX组(29.4%比0,P<0.01),两组患者右冠脉优势型、住院病死率差异无统计学意义(87.1%比69.6%,1.2%比0,均为P>0.05)。结论 RCA梗死相关的急性下壁心肌梗死患者发生心力衰竭、三度房室传导阻滞的比例高于LCX梗死相关的急性下壁心肌梗死患者。     

Clinical significance of inferior ST elevation during acute anterior myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES--To clarify the genesis and clinical significance of inferior ST elevation during acute anterior myocardial infarction. PATIENTS AND DESIGN--A total of 106 patients with first acute anterior myocardial infarction (< or = 6 h) were divided into two groups according to the presence (group A, n = 12) or absence (group B, n = 94) of ST elevation of > or = 1 mm in at least two of the inferior leads on the admission electrocardiogram. RESULTS--On admission electrocardiograms, group A had a smaller summed ST deviation in the lateral limb leads than group B. On emergency coronary arteriograms, the incidence of a wrapped left anterior descending artery was higher in group A than in group B (100% v 27%, P < 0.01). The incidence of occlusion of a left anterior descending artery distal to its first diagonal branch was higher in group A than in group B (100% v 46%, P < 0.01). Peak serum creatine kinase activity and in-hospital mortality tended to be lower in group A than in group B. Group A had better left ventricular ejection fraction and regional wall motion in the anterobasal and anterolateral regions in the chronic phase than group B. In contrast, regional wall motion in the diaphragmatic region was reduced to a greater extent in group A than in group B. CONCLUSIONS--Inferior ST elevation during acute anterior myocardial infarction appears only in the presence of a combination of a lesser degree of transmural ischaemic myocardium in the anterobasal and anterolateral wall together with transmural ischaemic myocardium in the inferior wall; in all cases there was occlusion of a wrapped left anterior descending artery distal to its first diagonal branch. Patients with such an ST elevation appear to have a better in-hospital prognosis than those without it.     

The role of acute wall recoil and late restenosis: results of the OCBAS trial (Optimal Coronary Balloon Angioplasty with Provisional Stenting versus Primary Stent)

Early deterioration of minimal luminal diameter immediately after PTCA, has been associated with an increase of late restenosis. Lesions with no early loss after PTCA have a low restenosis rate. Coronary stents reduce restenosis in lesions exhibiting early wall recoil. The purpose of the OCBAS study was to compare two strategies during coronary interventions; provision vs. elective stenting. 116 patients with good PTCA results were randomized to stent ( n = 57) or to optimal PTCA ( n = 59). After randomization in PTCA group, 13.5% of the patients crossed over to stent due to early loss (provisional stenting). Baseline demographic and angiographic characteristics were similar in both groups of patients. At 7.6 months, 96.6% of the entire population had a follow-up angiographic study; 98.2% in the stent and 94.9% in the PTCA group. Immediate and follow-up angiographic data showed that acute gain was significantly higher in the stent than in the PTCA group (1.95 vs. 1.5 mm; P < 0.03). However, late loss was significantly higher in the stent than the PTCA groups (0.63 &#45 0.59 vs. 0.26 &#45 0.44, respectively; P = 0.01). Hence, net gain with both techniques was similar (1.32 &#45 0.3 vs. 1.24 &#45 0.29 mm for the stent and PTCA groups respectively; P = NS). Angiographic restenosis rate at follow-up (19.2% in stent vs. 16.4% in PTCA; P = NS) and TVR (17.5 in stent vs. 13.5% in PTCA; P = NS) were also similar. Furthermore, event-free survival was 80.8% in the stent versus 83.1% in the PTCA group ( P = NS). Overall costs (hospital and follow-up) were US$591,740 in the stent versus US$398,480 in the PTCA group ( P < 0.02). The strategy of the PTCA with delay angiogram and provisional stent if early loss occurs, had similar restenosis rate and TVR than universal use of bare stents.     

A randomized trial of elective stenting after balloon recanalization of chronic total occlusions.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the role of Wiktor stent implantation after recanalization of chronic total coronary occlusions with regard to the clinical and angiographic outcome after six months. BACKGROUND: Beside the common use of stents in clinical practice, the number of stent indications proven by randomized trials is still limited. METHODS: Eighty-five patients with a thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 0 chronic coronary occlusion were examined. After standard balloon angioplasty, the patients were randomly assigned to stent implantation, or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) alone (no further intervention). Quantitative coronary angiography was performed at baseline and after six months. RESULTS: The minimal lumen diameter did not differ immediately after recanalization (stent group 1.61 +/- 0.30 mm vs. PTCA group 1.65 +/- 0.36 mm), and increased after stent implantation to 2.51 +/- 0.41 mm. After six months, the stent group still had a significantly greater lumen (1.57 +/- 0.59 vs. 1.06 +/- 0.90 mm; p < 0.01) and a significantly lower restenosis and reocclusion rate (32% and 3%) compared with the PTCA group (64% and 24%); restenosis analysis according to treatment was 72% (PTCA) versus 29% (stent, p < 0.01). Late loss was equal in both groups. At follow-up, the stent patients had a better angina class (p < 0.01), and fewer cardiac events (p < 0.03). A meta-analysis including this trial and three other controlled trials with the Palmaz-Schatz stent showed concordant results. CONCLUSIONS: Stent implantation after reopening of a chronic total occlusion provides a better angiographic result, corresponding to a better clinical outcome with fewer recurrence of symptoms and reinterventions after six months.     

Relation to restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty to vasomotion of the dilated coronary arterial segment

Among 868 patients with successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), 437 were restudied angiographically and had a provocative test with ergonovine during coronary angiography performed before and 6 months after the procedure. The relation between provoked coronary artery spasm and restenosis was studied and 4 groups of patients were analyzed. Those in group 1 (n = 63) had spasm before and after PTCA and their rate of restenosis was high (55%), especially when spasm after PTCA was observed on the dilated coronary segment (restenosis rate 58%). Patients in group 2 (n = 78) had spasm before PTCA but without abnormal vasoconstriction at 6 months and their incidence of restenosis was 19%. Sixty-one patients in group 3 had no spasm before PTCA but developed spasm at restudy. The rate of restenosis was high (38%) in this group, especially when the spasm after PTCA was located on the dilated segment (43%). In group 4 (n = 235), patients had no spasm before or after PTCA and the restenosis rate was 20%. Thus, the presence of coronary artery spasm on the dilated coronary segment, 6 months after a successful PTCA, is frequently accompanied (43% in group 3 and 58% in group 1) by restenosis.     

Percutaneous Intervention of Circumflex Chronic Total Occlusions Is Associated With Worse Procedural Outcomes: Insights From a Multicentre US Registry

BackgroundWe sought to determine whether outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) vary according to CTO target vessel: left anterior descending artery (LAD), left circumflex artery (LCX), and right coronary artery (RCA).MethodsWe evaluated the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 636 patients who underwent CTO PCI at 6 high-volume centres in the United States between January 2012 and March 2014.ResultsThe CTO target vessel was the RCA in 387 cases (61%), LAD in 132 (21%), and LCX in 117 (18%). LCX lesions were more tortuous and RCA lesions had greater occlusion length and Japanese Chronic Total Occlusion (J-CTO) score, but were less likely to have a side branch at the proximal cap and had more developed collateral circulation. The rate of procedural success was lower in LCX CTOs (84.6%), followed by RCA (91.7%), and LAD (94.7%) CTOs (P = 0.016). Major complications tended to occur more frequently in LCX PCI (4.3% vs 1.0% for RCA vs 2.3% for LAD; P = 0.07). LCX and RCA CTO PCI required longer fluoroscopy times (45 [interquartile range (IQR), 30-74] minutes vs 45 [IQR, 21-69] minutes for RCA vs 34 [IQR, 20-60] minutes for LAD; P = 0.018) and LCX CTOs required more contrast administration (280 [IQR, 210-370] mL vs 250 [IQR, 184-350] mL for RCA and 280 [IQR, 200-400] mL for LAD).ConclusionsIn a contemporary, multicentre CTO PCI registry, LCX was the least common target vessel. Compared with LAD and RCA, PCI of LCX CTOs was associated with a lower rate of procedural success, less efficiency, and a nonsignificant trend for higher rates of complications.     

右冠状动脉狭窄程度对左冠状动脉狭窄患者左室射血分数的影响

目的研究右冠状动脉不同程度狭窄对左冠状动脉狭窄患者左室射血分数（LVEF）的影响。方法根据左冠状动脉病变部位不同,将1 000例左冠状动脉狭窄患者分为左前降支（LAD）狭窄,左回旋支（LCX）狭窄,左主干（LM）狭窄,左前降支+左回旋支（LAD+LCX）狭窄4个系列。每个系列再根据右冠状动脉（RCA）病变程度不同分为RCA正常组（直径狭窄<50%）、RCA非闭塞组（99%>直径狭窄≥50%）和RCA闭塞组（直径狭窄≥99%）,比较分析3组间LVEF的差异。结果在LAD,LCX,LM,LAD+LCX狭窄时,与RCA正常组LVEF相比,RCA非闭塞组LVEF分别下降0.9%,0.3%,3.4%和2.8%;RCA闭塞组LVEF分别下降10.9%,3.7%,6.5%和5.2%。LAD狭窄时,RCA非闭塞组和RCA闭塞组之间LVEF有统计学差异（P<0.01）。结论右冠状动脉病变可在左冠状动脉狭窄的基础上使左室射血分数进一步下降;当左冠状动脉狭窄为闭塞性病变时,影响更为明显。