Coronary Bifurcation Intervention: What Role Do Bifurcation Angles Play?

Bifurcation angles play an important role in coronary bifurcation intervention. Bifurcation angles affect the coronary bifurcation intervention from many aspects: (1) impact the atherosclerosis proliferation via affecting the hemodynamic parameters at bifurcation regions; (2) impact side branch compromise after main vessel stenting via hemodynamics, atherosclerosis proliferation, geometric characteristics, and plaque/carina shift; (3) affect the long‐term clinical outcome after coronary bifurcation stenting. Bifurcation angles are key factors to formulate the intervention strategy of stenting procedure and can also be modified by different bifurcation stenting strategies. In the last few years, significant improvements have occurred in understanding the role of bifurcation angles. However, there are still questions remain to be clarified: (1) How to measure the bifurcation angles accurately and comprehensively? (2) How do bifurcation angles impact the immediate and long term outcome of PCI? (3) Why the results of previous studies remain controversial? The exact influence of bifurcation angles on post‐PCI effect like side branch compromise and clinical outcome has not been fully elucidated. In this review, we highlight the current knowledge of bifurcation angles, summarize the questions remained to be clarified, and discuss the implications for clinical practice and future studies. (J Interven Cardiol 2015;28:236–248)

     

Atherosclerotic Left Main Coronary Artery Aneurysm—Case Reports

Coronary artery aneurysm is uncommon and mostly caused by coronary atherosclerosis. Although usually asymptomatic, it may cause catastrophes due to aneurysm rupture, vasospasm, or thromboembolism formation. Coronary artery aneurysm most frequently involves the right coronary artery, followed in frequency by the left circumflex coronary artery and the left anterior descending coronary artery; it rarely involves the left main coronary artery. Herein present two cases with left main coronary artery aneurysm and briefly discuss their treatment.     

Benign or Malignant Anomaly? Very High Takeoff of the Left Main Coronary Artery above the Left Coronary Sinus

Very high takeoff of the left main coronary artery in the absence of another coronary anomaly is a rare finding. The pathologic consequences of this anomaly are unclear, and the literature on this subject does not agree on whether the condition is dangerous. We present our findings in 2 patients who were discovered to have this anomaly upon noninvasive computed tomographic coronary angiography, and we discuss our analysis of the literature and our management of these patients.     

Left Main Coronary Artery Disease in Diabetics: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting?

The choice between coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for myocardial revascularization in patients with left main disease (LMD) is controversial. There is general agreement that CABG is appropriate for all patients, and PCI is acceptable for those with low-to-intermediate anatomic complexity. However, there is uncertainty about the relative safety and efficacy of PCI in patients with more complex LMD and with comorbidities such as diabetes. No direct comparison trial has focused on revascularization in diabetic patients with LMD, and thus conclusions on the topic are subject to the limitations of subgroup analysis, as well as the heterogeneous exclusion criteria, and methodologies of individual trials. The available evidence suggests that among diabetics, CABG is superior in patients with LMD with SYNTAX (SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXus and dardiac surgery) score greater than 33, distal bifurcation disease, or multivessel disease. PCI may be appropriate in those with less-extensive disease or those with limited life expectancy or high surgical risk.     

Safety and Effectiveness of Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents in Patients With Left Main Coronary Artery Disease

Background

Limited data are available on the relative performances between different types of drug-eluting stents (DES) for obstructive left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD).

Syncope in a Patient With Giant Left Main Coronary Aneurysm: Is There a Link With Ventricular Arrhythmias?

Giant aneurysm of the left main coronary artery is exceedingly rare and accounts for less than 2% of patients undergoing coronary angiography. The etiology varies depending on the patient''s age and geographic area, but half are of atherosclerotic origin. In most cases, coronary aneurysms are asymptomatic, however, symptomatic patients present with symptoms characteristic of coronary artery disease such as chest pain (angina pectoris), myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and even sudden death. Coronary angiography is considered the gold standard tool to determine the presence or absence of coronary artery disease, and if present, its size and location. Herein, we report a case of giant aneurysm of the left main coronary artery presenting as syncope and documented nonsustained ventricular tachycardia.