Alternative therapeutic strategies for patients with severe end-stage coronary artery disease not amenable to conventional revascularization.

Although there have been remarkable advances in medical therapy, percutaneous coronary interventions, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery, complete revascularization remains a challenge given the more complex coronary artery disease prevalent in contemporary practice. The lack of donors for cardiac transplantation will fuel the search for effective alternative strategies for dealing with patients with severe ischemic heart disease not amenable to conventional revascularization techniques. Percutaneous laser revascularization clearly diminishes anginal symptoms; however, the blinded trials have provided conflicting results, with one study showing a definite decrease in angina and another suggesting that the placebo effect may play a major role in this modality. Similarly, surgical transmyocardial laser revascularization is limited by the lack of consistent improvement in objective measurements of ischemia and the potential confounding mechanisms of denervation and the placebo effect, and thus should be reserved for only the most highly selected patients. Although enhanced external counterpulsation is associated with an improvement in anginal symptoms and exercise tolerance, this modality is limited by its availability, tolerability, and rigid exclusion criteria. Of the alternative strategies available, therapeutic angiogenesis holds the most promise. However, the long-term results of ongoing randomized clinical trials require further scrutiny. Novel methods for vascular reconstruction are evolving techniques, but should be viewed currently as mainly experimental methods. The common goals of these new treatment options would be to reduce symptoms, decrease morbidity, and potentially improve mortality by reducing ischemia through favorably impacting myocardial oxygen supply and demand. The optimal management of patients with severe end-stage coronary artery disease not amenable to conventional revascularization techniques will continue to remain a challenge for the clinician and will be the main focus of basic cardiovascular research and clinical trials in the new millennium.     

Hybrid coronary revascularization versus coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease: A meta‐analysis

The stimulus to create this document was the recognition that ionizing radiation‐guided cardiovascular procedures are being performed with increasing frequency, leading to greater patient radiation exposure and, potentially, to greater exposure for clinical personnel. Although the clinical benefit of these procedures is substantial, there is concern about the implications of medical radiation exposure. The American College of Cardiology leadership concluded that it is important to provide practitioners with an educational resource that assembles and interprets the current radiation knowledge base relevant to cardiovascular procedures. By applying this knowledge base, cardiovascular practitioners will be able to select procedures optimally, and minimize radiation exposure to patients and to clinical personnel. Optimal Use of Ionizing Radiation in Cardiovascular Imaging: Best Practices for Safety and Effectiveness is a comprehensive overview of ionizing radiation use in cardiovascular procedures and is published online. To provide the most value to our members, we divided the print version of this document into 2 focused parts. Part I: Radiation Physics and Radiation Biology addresses the issue of medical radiation exposure, the basics of radiation physics and dosimetry, and the basics of radiation biology and radiation‐induced adverse effects. Part II: Radiological Equipment Operation, Dose‐Sparing Methodologies, Patient and Medical Personnel Protection covers the basics of operation and radiation delivery for the 3 cardiovascular imaging modalities (x‐ray fluoroscopy, x‐ray computed tomography, and nuclear scintigraphy) and will be published in the next issue of the Journal.     

Aneurysmal Coronary Artery Fistulae: How Big is Big Enough?

Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is the most common congenital anomaly of coronary arteries. Management strategies for CAF causing symptoms and large shunting are well described. With growing use of noninvasive imaging modalities, the diagnosis of asymptomatic CAF has increased. This poses challenge on the management of CAF with high-risk features as therapeutic strategy of incidentally found CAF remains open to debate. The actual risk of complications in such cases is mere speculations based on small studies and need to be revisited. We describe the case of an asymptomatic 78-year-old woman with a large saccular coronary aneurysm associated with coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistula that was treated successfully using coils. We discuss the updated literature on the management of CAF as well.     

Present status of coronary bifurcation stenting

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for bifurcation lesions is technically limited by the risk of side branch occlusion. In comparison with nonbifurcation interventions, bifurcation interventions have a lower rate of procedural success, higher procedural costs and a higher rate of clinical and angiographic restenosis. The recent introduction of drug-eluting stents (DES) has resulted in reduced incidence of main vessel restenosis compared with historical controls. However, side-branch ostial residual stenosis and long-term restenosis still remain problematic. In the era of DES, techniques employing two stents have emerged that allow stenting of the large side branch in addition to the main artery. Stenting of the main vessel with provisional side branch stenting seems to be the prevailing approach. This paper reviews outcome data with different treatment modalities for this complex lesion with particular emphasis on the use of DES as well as potential new therapeutic approaches.     

多支冠状动脉病变患者1911例PCI二年疗效

目的评价多支冠状动脉病变（MVD）通过经皮冠状动脉介入（PCI）进行血运重建的长期疗效。方法1995年6月2003年12月连续2028例在我院成功接受PCI的MVD患者,对其心绞痛复发率、造影复查再狭窄率和主要不良心脏事件（MACE）的发生率进行回顾分析。结果2028例MVD患者,完全性血运重建率86.2%（1748/2028）,住院期间共死亡26例（总病死率1.3%）,对存活出院的2002例患者中的1911例随访24个月,随访率95.5%,其心绞痛复发率、造影复查再狭窄率和MACE发生率分别为10.7%、14.6%、25.4%,其中1754例植入普通金属支架（BMS）,157例植入药物洗脱支架（DES）。尽管DES组患者冠心病危险因素多、病变程度复杂,不稳定心绞痛占61.8%、糖尿病占41.4%、慢性完全闭塞病变（CTO）占37.6%、3支病变占58.0%,但心绞痛复发率、造影复查再狭窄率和MACE发生率均显著低于BMS组（分别为4.5%vs11.2%,3.2%vs15.7%,8.9%vs26.9%,均P<0.01）。结论PCI进行血运重建是治疗MVD的有效方法,但仍存在BMS支架术后不良事件发生率高,DES用于治疗MVD具有更好的长期疗效。     

Insights into degenerative aortic valve disease

Despite the dramatic decline of rheumatic heart disease over the past 5 decades, there has not been a concordant decline in the prevalence of valvular heart disease. Degenerative aortic valve disease (DAVD) has become the most common cause of valvular heart disease in the Western world, causing significant morbidity and mortality. No longer considered a benign consequence of aging, valve calcification is the result of an active process that, much like atherosclerotic vascular disease, is preceded by basement membrane disruption, inflammatory cell infiltration, and lipid deposition and is associated with diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and tobacco use. These realizations, in addition to pathological insights gained from emerging imaging modalities, have lead to the exploration of a variety of therapeutic interventions to delay or prevent the progression of DAVD. Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and matrix metalloproteinase have all been studied as potential disease modifiers. Moreover, tissue engineering, aided by emerging stem cell technology, holds immense potential for the treatment of valvular heart disease as adjuncts to surgical interventions. Here we review the epidemiology and pathophysiology of DAVD, in addition to highlighting emerging therapeutic interventions for this growing problem.     

经桡/尺动脉途径置入氮氧化钛涂层支架治疗老年冠心病

目的探讨氮氧化钛涂层支架（TITAN2）在老年经桡／尺动脉途径行冠状动脉血运重建方面的临床治疗效果。方法共入选29例冠心病患者,男16例,女13例。均采用经桡动脉或尺动脉途径行冠脉血运重建。计算TITAN2支架病变的通过率、早期支架内血栓发生率及随访主要不良心脏事件（死亡、急性心肌梗死、再次血运重建）发生率。结果29例冠状动脉造影发现43处〉75％狭窄病变,植入支架42枚,1枚支架未能通过病变（右冠状动脉）,通过率97．7％。植入支架后无残余狭窄、支架脱载、内膜撕裂、支架内早期血栓形成及冠脉破裂。随访1～5个月,无主要心脏不良事件发生。结论TITAN2支架在老年冠脉血运重建方面临床应用效果良好。     

Intracoronary ultrasound: Insights into mechanisms and results of coronary interventions

Intracoronary ultrasound imaging is a modality which allows in vivo cross-sectional visualization of coronary arteries similar to that obtained by pathology. Compared with coronary angiography, intracoronary ultrasound provides more detail on plaque morphology and topography and more accurate quantification of lumen and plaque area. Thus, it has evolved into a valuable research tool. For example, intracoronary ultrasound imaging has increased understanding of the mechanisms of action of balloon angioplasty and new interventions such as atherectomy and laser treatment. It may prove to have clinical utility by helping to individualize device selection and sizing and by assessing treatment results more accurately. Coronary imaging may be performed at low risk. Future developments will include smaller catheters, combined ultrasound and therapeutic catheters, and three-dimensional reconstruction of images.     

Catheter-delivered ultrasound therapy for native coronary arterial thrombosis and occluded saphenous vein grafts

Acute coronary thrombosis, overlying ruptured atherosclerotic plaque, is the hallmark of myocardial infarction and unstable angina. Despite use of modern therapeutic modalities, including glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists and stenting, intracoronary thrombus heralds an increased risk of serious complications following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Abundant in vitro and in vivo experimental data have proven that ultrasound energy is capable of lysing intravascular thrombus without injuring the vessel wall. Expanding experience and technological advancements now allow us to use this tool in clinical practice. In this article we review the emergence of percutaneous ultrasonic thrombolysis as a safe and effective tool for treatment of patients in various clinical settings associated with coronary thrombosis.     

Is short-stay coronary angioplasty safe?

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is usually performed as an inpatient procedure and the patients are monitored for several days afterward. Over a 13-month period, in 91 of 373 PTCA procedures, the clinical condition of the patient did not necessitate inpatient status before PTCA. PTCA was done the day of admission and discharge planned the following. Overall hospital stay was planned as less than 24 hours. PTCA was done in one vessel in 62 patients, two vessels in 24, three vessels in 3, and four vessels in 2 patients. PTCA was initially successful (less than 50% residual stenosis) in 85 patients (93%). In one of these, acute occlusion occurred the next morning and urgent bypass surgery was done. PTCA failed in 6 patients who left the catheterization laboratory with unchanged coronary anatomy. Bypass surgery was performed that day in 2 patients, on another admission in 1 patient, and medical therapy continued in the other 3 patients. Of the 88 patients not receiving same admission bypass surgery, 84 (95%) were discharged in less than 24 h. Hospitalization was prolonged (1-5 days) in 4 patients. This was because of nonobstructive dissection treated with heparin for approximately 24 h in 2 patients; a catheterization site hematoma in 1 patient, and post-PTCA noncardiac chest pain in another. No patient had inhospital myocardial infarction or death. The only late complication was in a patient treated with heparin and monitored for 2 days; 3 weeks later angina returned and he died suddenly. These data suggest PTCA can safely be done in selected patients with both single and multivessel disease in a short stay inhospital setting.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Revascularization strategies for patients with stable coronary artery disease

Patients with coronary artery disease who have prognostically significant lesions or symptoms despite optimum medical therapy require mechanical revascularization with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or both. In this review, we will evaluate the evidence‐based use of the two revascularization approaches in treating patients with coronary artery disease. CABG has been the predominant mode of revascularization for more than half a century and is the preferred strategy for patients with multivessel disease, especially those with diabetes mellitus, left ventricular systolic dysfunction or complex lesions. There have been significant technical and technological advances in PCI over recent years, and this is now the preferred revascularization modality in patients with single‐vessel or low‐risk multivessel disease. Percutaneous coronary intervention can also be considered to treat complex multivessel disease in patients with increased risk of adverse surgical outcomes including frail patients and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Improvements in both CABG (including total arterial revascularization, off‐pump CABG and ‘no‐touch’ graft harvesting) and PCI (including newer‐generation stents, adjunctive pharmacotherapy and intracoronary imaging) mean that they will continue to challenge each other in the future. A ‘heart team’ approach is strongly recommended to select an evidence‐based, yet individualized, revascularization strategy for all patients with complex coronary artery disease. Finally, optimal medical therapy is important for all patients with coronary artery disease, regardless of the mode of revascularization.     

Prior revascularization increases the effectiveness of enhanced external counterpulsation

Background and hypothesis: Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is an effective noninvasive treatment for chronic angina. However, its usefulness has been felt to be limited in patients with angiographically demonstrated triplevessel coronary artery disease (CAD), in accord with the hypothesis that a patent vessel is necessary for transmission of the EECP-augmented coronary artery pressure and volume to the distal coronary vasculature. Methods: The effect of revascularization [coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)] prior to EECP was examined in 60 patients with CAD and chronic angina (35 without and 25 with prior CABG). Patients were grouped by the extent of CAD (single-, double-, triple-vessel disease in the unrevascularized group) and by the extent of residual disease (number of stenotic native vessels unbypassed or supplied by a stenotic graft in the CABG group). Significant CAD or graft stenoses were defined as stenoses demonstrating ≥ 70% luminal diameter narrowing. Benefit was assessed by improvement in postEECP treatment over pretreatment radionuclide stress testing. Results: Radionuclide stress testing demonstrated a comparable favorable response (80 vs. 71 %; p = NS) in patients with prior CABG versus unrevascularized patients. Enhanced external counterpulsation was highly and comparably effective in patients with unrevascularized native single- and double-vessel CAD and in patients with CABG with residual single-and double-vessel CAD (88 vs. 80%; p = NS). Most notably, CABG significantly increased the beneficial response to EECP in those patients with triple-vessel CAD and stenotic grafts compared with unrevascularized patients with triplevessel CAD (80 vs. 22%; p < 0.05 by chi-square test). Conclusion: The results suggest a new role for EECP as an effective treatment for post CABG ischemia, despite extensive CAD and even in the presence of stenotic grafts.     

Ventriculocoronary Revascularization: Is It as Effective as Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting?

Background: The ventriculocoronary revascularization (VCR) system creates a direct bypass flow channel between the left ventricle and a target coronary artery. We investigated the ability of such a system to support regional and global cardiac function. Methods: Three experimental groups were studied. Controls (group A, n = 4) underwent thoracotomy and left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) dissection only. Ventricle to coronary artery bypass was performed in four pigs. After thoracotomy, a conduit was established between the left ventricle and the LAD, (group B). In group C (n = 4) the left internal thoracic artery (LIMA) was anastomosed to the LAD. In group B and C the LAD was ligated prior to the anastomosis. Changes of haemodynamics, cardiac function evaluated with the conductance catheter technique, and distal (LAD) flow were studied.Results: In group A all parameters remained stable throughout the study time. After LAD occlusion and release of VCR system (group B) ejection fraction (EF), maximum derivative of change in systolic pressure over time (dp/dt_max), and distal LAD flow decreased significantly. The end-systolic and end-diastolic pressure volume relationship (ESPVR, EDPVR) as haemodynamic parameters remained stable during the course of the experiment. In group C dp/dt_max decreased significantly after the LAD dissection but showed no significant difference to the control group at the end of the experiment. The other parameters remained stable during the study time. Conclusions: The VCR system appears to be not able to provide enough coronary blood flow to maintain regional and global myocardial function.     

肾动脉狭窄并冠状动脉多支病变患者部分或完全冠状动脉血运重建对比分析

目的 探讨在肾动脉狭窄合并冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病（冠心病）的患者中进行冠状动脉介入治疗时,选择部分或完全冠状动脉血运重建方法的临床效果差异.方法 收集2006年1月至2011年1月在广东省人民医院进行肾动脉及冠状动脉介入治疗的肾动脉狭窄合并冠心病患者共287例,其中177例进行了冠状动脉完全血运重建（complete revascularization,CR）,110例为部分冠状动脉血运重建（incomplete revascularization,ICR）.然后进行术后2年的随访调查,比较两种介入治疗策略的临床疗效以及其远期预后的差异.结果 两种治疗策略的整体住院病死率比较,差异无统计学意义（Х^2=0.474,P=0.491）.术后CR组的收缩压及舒张压较基线降低,差异有统计学意义（P均＜0.01）;而ICR组收缩压及舒张压与基线相比,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.两组术前和术后肾功能、心功能改善的情况及住院时间比较,差异无统计学意义（P均＞0.05）.两组2年随访病死率及主要心血管事件发生率比较,差异无统计学意义（P均＞0.05）.结论 肾动脉狭窄患者在进行肾动脉及冠状动脉介入治疗时,进行冠状动脉完全血运重建和部分冠状动脉血运重建术效果相近,但完全血运重建有助于血压的控制.     

Should We Revascularize Before Implanting a Pacemaker?

BACKGROUND: The effect of coronary revascularization on disappearance of the severe conduction disturbances is still unclear. HYPOTHESIS: We sought to determine whether revascularization may induce recovery of sinus rhythm in patients with significant coronary artery disease and complete atrioventricular block (AVB). METHODS: Fifty-three patients who had third-degree AVB and significant coronary artery disease were enrolled. Patients with acute coronary syndromes were excluded. Thirty-three (62%) patients were men and the mean age was 65 +/- 10 y. All patients received a permanent dual-mode, dual-pacing, dual-sensing (DDD) pacemaker. Coronary disease was treated medically in 16 (30%) patients due to patient preference or ineligibility. Thirty-seven (70%) patients underwent a revascularization procedure (coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG]: 16, percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]: 21 pts). Mean follow-up was 36 +/- 6 mo and patients were evaluated every 3 mo according to their resting electrocardiograms (ECGs) at each visit. RESULTS: In the medically treated group, 13 (81%) patients still had third-degree AVBs at the end of the follow-up period, while 3 (19%) patients returned to normal sinus rhythm. On the other hand, 27 out of 37 patients (73%) who were revascularized were still in complete AVB, and 10 patients from this group (27%) had returned to normal sinus rhythm. There was no statistically significant difference between the revascularized and medically treated groups in terms of need for a pacemaker. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who have concomitant severe conduction disturbances and significant coronary disease may well receive a pacemaker before a revascularization procedure. Our data shows that coronary revascularization has little, if any, impact on returning to normal AV conduction.     

Non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic assessment of single-vessel coronary artery disease: focus on stress echocardiography.

AIMS: Revascularization procedures are increasingly applied in patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease in spite of the fact that a prognostic benefit has been proved only for soft end-points. This review summarizes the results of stress echocardiography in the diagnostic and prognostic assessment of these patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The diagnostic and prognostic assessment of patients with single-vessel disease using stress (exercise, dobutamine, adenosine and dipyridamole) echocardiography are focused upon in the light of pathophysiological considerations and the results of clinical studies. Factors affecting test accuracy are individually addressed and comparisons made with different stress testing modalities, including exercise electrocardiography and nuclear techniques. Finally, therapeutic options are discussed and the superior accuracy of the physiological assessment of coronary stenosis as compared to the simple anatomic evaluation emphasized. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with single-vessel disease represent an anatomically heterogeneous group. Although the suboptimal performance of any technique in their evaluation has to be acknowledged, stress echocardiography can effectively contribute to selection of the management strategy.     

Coronary artery ectasia–Is it time for a reappraisal?

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a well recognized clinical entity encountered during diagnostic cardiac catheterization. The etiopathogenesis of this condition is poorly understood. Due to the frequent presence of associated obstructive coronary artery disease it is considered to be a maladaptive process of atherosclerosis. Based on its association with aortic aneurysm, coronary ectasia is considered to be caused by genetic abnormalities. It is usually not a benign condition, as normal smooth laminar flow is disrupted with a potential of thrombus formation. The role of long-term anticoagulation in this condition has not been well established. It is speculated that with increasing use of newer, noninvasive modalities the incidence of ectasia may rise, therefore necessitating this review.     

Acute myocardial infarction in pregnancy: Current diagnosis and management approaches

Acute myocardial infarction during pregnancy is a very uncommon condition; atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is by far the most common cause of an acute coronary syndrome in the general population. The causes of an acute coronary syndrome in the pregnant patient are wide and varied. This has important implications with respect to the diagnosis of the etiology and the subsequent management of the cause of the acute coronary syndrome. There are a number of diagnostic tools for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease but it is important to understand their role in pregnant patients. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is one of the most common causes of acute coronary syndrome in pregnant patients. Understanding its pathophysiology and knowing the natural history of this condition is paramount in the management of this condition. The article also lists the various therapeutic modalities available to the clinician faced with an acute coronary syndrome in the pregnant patient. Finally, we discuss the delivery of the baby and post partum care of these complex patients.     

Endovascular stenting of an unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis in a heart transplant patient

Endoluminal revascularization of left main coronary artery vessels is considered to be relatively contraindicated because of a high procedural mortality and restenosis rate. This report describes the first successful case of endovascular stenting in an unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis in a heart transplant patient.     

Coronary angioplasty and Rotablator atherectomy trial (CARAT): immediate and late results of a prospective multicenter randomized trial.

Mechanical rotational atherectomy with the Rotablator is widely used for percutaneous coronary revascularization, but the ideal debulking strategy remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate and late results after Rotablator using two treatment strategies: Large burrs (burr/artery ratio of >0.7) to achieve maximal debulking (lesion debulking strategy) or small burrs (burr/artery ratio < or = 0.7) to modify lesion compliance (lesion modification strategy). Two hundred twenty-two patients at six centers were prospectively enrolled in this study and randomly assigned to large (n = 104 patients with 118 lesions) or small (n = 118 patients with 136 lesions) burrs. The primary endpoint was final diameter stenosis at the end of the procedure, and secondary endpoints included inhospital angiographic and clinical complications, and target lesion revascularization at 6 months. Baseline demographic and angiographic characteristics were similar. There were no differences in procedural success, the extent of immediate lumen enlargement, inhospital ischemic complications, or late target vessel revascularization. However, compared with small burrs, patients randomized to large burrs were more likely to experience serious angiographic complications (5.1% vs. 12.7%, P < 0.05) immediately after atherectomy. This study suggests that a routine lesion modification strategy employing small burrs (burr/artery ratio < or = 0.7) achieves similar immediate lumen enlargement and late target vessel revascularization compared with a more aggressive debulking strategy (burr/artery ratio >0.7), but with fewer angiographic complications.