冠状动脉严重钙化病变旋磨术后植入药物洗脱长支架的长期临床疗效观察

目的 探讨冠状动脉（简称“冠脉”）旋磨术联合药物洗脱长支架用于治疗严重冠脉钙化病变的安全性及有效性。方法 入选2010年1月至12月因严重冠脉钙化而行冠脉旋磨术联合药物洗脱长支架植入治疗的患者。观察患者的手术成功率,围术期并发症及术后主要心血管事件（包括心源性死亡、心肌梗死、靶病变血运重建）的发生率。结果 共21例严重冠脉钙化病变患者接受了冠脉旋磨术联合药物洗脱长支架植入治疗,年龄（65.2±6.9）岁。合并高血压病16例（76.2%）,糖尿病7例（33.3%）,肾功能不全1例（4.8%）。旋磨部位共植入35枚国产药物支架（1.75枚/部位）,最短支架长度为28mm,病变部位平均支架总长度为48（29～66）mm,仅1例因旋磨头未能通过病变而放弃,手术成功率为95.2%（20/21）。术中1例出现冠脉痉挛,1例出现胸痛伴心率减慢;术后1例出现消化道出血。住院期间无心血管事件发生,平均随访26个月,仅1例（4.8%）患者于术后第2个月发生急性心肌梗死,余患者病情稳定。结论 冠脉旋磨术联合药物洗脱长支架植入术治疗严重冠脉钙化病变可取得很高的手术成功率,是治疗钙化病变安全、有效的方法。     

Angiographic and Clinical Outcomes After Stent-less Coronary Intervention Using Rotational Atherectomy and Drug-Coated Balloon in Patients with De Novo Lesions

ObjectivesWe investigated angiographic and clinical outcomes in patients with de novo lesions undergoing rotational atherectomy (RA) followed by drug-coated balloon (DCB) dilation (RA/DCB).BackgroundImplantation of drug-eluting stent (DES) has been a mainstay of the interventional treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD); however, there still remain several DES-unsuitable clinical/lesion conditions. Nowadays DCB for de novo lesions has attracted more attention, and RA, which tends not to cause major dissection but to debulk intima, might be one of suitable pre-treatments before DCB.Methods and resultsThirty patients (34 lesions) undergoing RA/DCB for de novo lesions were enrolled. Clinical/lesion background included severe calcification, calcified nodule, inlet/outlet of aneurysm, ostial lesion, severe thrombocytopenia, bleeding tendency, and/or sequelae of Kawasaki disease. The largest burr size used was 1.83 ± 0.23 mm, and the mean DCB diameter was 2.71 ± 0.47 mm. Angiographic success was obtained in 94% of the lesions. No acute closure but 1 no reflow occurred. Repeat angiography (mean, 6.6 months after procedure) was performed for 19 lesions. Frequency of binary restenosis was 21.1%, and late lumen loss was 0.34 ± 0.30 mm. During a mean follow-up period of 13.1 months, 6 deaths (2 sudden deaths, 1 cardiac death, 3 non-cardiac deaths), 2 strokes, and 2 target lesion revascularizations were observed.ConclusionsStent-less PCI using RA/DCB might be an alternative revascularization therapy for CAD patients complicated with DES-unsuitable conditions.     

Comparison of Morphological Patterns Between In-Stent Restenosis Lesions of Overlapping and Non-Overlapping Second- and Third-Generation Stents Using Optical Frequency Domain Imaging

PurposeTo analyze the difference in morphological patterns between in-stent restenosis (ISR) lesions of overlapping segments and ISR lesions of non-overlapping segments with second- and third-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs) using optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI).MethodsWe analyzed 23 consecutive ISR lesions after second- or third-generation DES implantation using OFDI.ResultsA total of 18 men and 5 women (median age, 68.0 years; interquartile range, 51.0–74.0 years) were included in the analysis. Fourteen and nine patients underwent second- and third-generation DES implantation, respectively. The median ISR detection timepoint was 10.0 months after implantation (interquartile range, 9.0–34.0 months). In 9 out of 23 lesions, ISR was found in the stent overlap area (overlapping segment group); the remaining 14 cases were categorized as the non-overlapping segment group. In OFDI analysis, homogeneous, layered, and heterogeneous patterns were found in 22%, 55%, and 22%, respectively, of lesions in the overlapping segment group and 14%, 50%, and 35%, respectively, of lesions in the non-overlapping segment group. There was no difference in the distribution of restenotic tissue structure patterns between the groups (p = .756).ConclusionsMorphological assessments of ISR tissue using OFDI showed no difference between the overlapping and non-overlapping segment groups with second and third-generation DESs in this hypothesis generating study.     

药物洗脱支架治疗冠脉无保护左主干病变的近中期疗效

目的：评价药物洗脱支架治疗冠脉无保护左主干病变的临床疗效。方法：回顾性分析2009年1月～2011年1月完成的65例无保护左主干病变药物洗脱支架置入术患者的临床资料。结果：65例无保护左主干病变患者全部成功置入支架,住院期间无主要心血管事件发生;术后6个月冠脉造影随访28例（43.1%）,其中2例发生再狭窄,再狭窄率7.1%;3年电话随访54例（83.1%）,其中8例患者心绞痛复发（14.8%）;2例（3.7%）行冠状动脉旁路移植术,余均无症状生存,3年生存率为100%。结论：药物洗脱支架治疗经选择的冠脉无保护左主干病变是安全可行的,有较理想的近期和中期疗效。     

Aggressive Plaque Modification with Rotational Atherectomy and/or Cutting Balloon before Drug‐Eluting Stent Implantation for the Treatment of Calcified Coronary Lesions

Introduction: Calcified coronary lesions may be associated with stent underexpansion, malapposition, and high rates of restenosis. The use of drug‐eluting stents (DES) in such lesions has not been fully addressed in the major trials. We sought to examine the outcomes of patients who were treated with plaque modification (PM) to facilitate DES implantation. Methods: We analyzed 164 calcified coronary lesions in 145 consecutive patients who underwent aggressive PM with either rotational atherectomy (RA) and/or cutting balloon (CB) before DES implantation. CB was used in moderate calcified lesions and RA alone or followed by CB in severe calcified lesions. Results: Patients were 68.7 ± 10.1 years old, 47% were diabetic, 34% had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤50%, and 39% had 3‐vessel disease. Ninety‐five percent of lesions were classified as B2/C, 100% as moderately/severely calcified. PM was achieved by using CB in 57% and by RA alone or followed by CB in 43%. In 100%, a DES was implanted. There was no failure to deliver a stent. At 15 ± 11 months follow‐up, the overall major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rate was 9.6% (3.4% cardiac death, 2.3% myocardial infarction, and 3.4% target lesion revascularization [TLR]). The only independent predictor of MACE was LVEF ≤50% (odds ratio 3.88; 95% confidence interval: 1.15–13.1; P = 0.03). The incidence of stent thrombosis (ST) was 2.1%. There were no significant differences in MACE and TLR based on the type of PM used. Conclusions: In this population at high risk of restenosis, aggressive PM by CB and/or RA before DES implantation provides excellent mid‐term outcomes with only 3.4% TLR and 2.1% ST. (J Interven Cardiol 2010;23:240–248)     

The state of the excimer laser for coronary intervention in the drug-eluting stent era

ObjectivesThis study aims to determine how excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA) performs in the drug-eluting stent (DES) era.BackgroundFor more than 20 years, ELCA has been used for coronary intervention. With developments in the coronary intervention field, the role of ELCA is in question.MethodsThe study includes 119 patients with 124 lesions who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with ELCA in our institution from January 2004 to May 2011.ResultsThe main indications for ELCA use were saphenous vein graft (SVG) (45 lesions), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (7 lesions), chronic total occlusion (CTO) (32 lesions), in-stent restenosis (ISR) (15 lesions), and calcified de-novo lesions (25 lesions). High success rates were recorded for the SVG, AMI, CTO, ISR, and calcified lesion indications (91.1%, 85.7%, 93.8%, 86.7%, and 80%; respectively). ELCA related complications were reported in 10 patients (8%); four dissections, three no-reflow phenomena, two perforations, and one thrombus formation.ConclusionELCA is an alternative solution with acceptable performance in the treatment of complex coronary lesions not ideally suitable for balloon angioplasty.     

The angiographic and clinical outcomes after coronary stenting in patients with metabolic syndrome

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is regarded as a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). But the influence of MetS on morbidity and mortality after stent implantation in CAD patients remains unknown.MethodsThis article presents a meta-analysis of available data on the association between the MetS and the risk of angiographic and clinical outcomes following stent implantation.ResultsMetS was associated with a significant increased risk of post-stent all-cause mortality (odd ratio (OR), 2.17, 95% CI, 1.56–3.01), in-lesion restenosis (OR, 1.35, 95% CI, 1.00–1.84) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.13–1.61) in CAD patients. Even with drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation, significant increased risk in all-cause mortality (OR, 2.25, 95% CI, 1.61–3.15) and MACE (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.14–1.76) were remain in patients with MetS. However, the OR of cardiovascular (CV) mortality (1.25, 95% CI 0.71–2.22), MI (1.27, 95% CI 0.87–1.85) and TLR (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.96–1.53) was not statistically different between the patients with and without metabolic syndrome.ConclusionsMetabolic syndrome is an important risk factor in patients with CAD following stent implantation. Although DES implantation decreased the incidence of angiographic events, further progress in adequate treatment of MetS is still required to improve the clinical outcome.     

光学相干断层成像指导下冠状动脉旋磨成形术联合药物洗脱支架治疗严重钙化病变临床观察

目的评价光学相干断层成像（OCT）指导下经皮冠状动脉旋磨成形术联合药物洗脱支架（DES）治疗严重钙化病变的疗效。方法 13例冠状动脉严重钙化患者在OCT指导下行冠状动脉旋磨成形术及支架置入术,评价病变特点及手术即刻成功率、术后管腔直径、有效管腔面积变化。结果 13例入选患者三支病变7例（53.8%）,双支病变5例（38.5%）,单支病变1例（7.7%）。OCT图像分析显示钙化病变长度为（24.7±15.2）mm,钙化病变弧度为（236.7±46.3）度。靶病变管腔直径由术前（1.96±0.57）mm增加至术后（3.12±0.34）mm,有效管腔面积由术前（3.37±1.62）mm2增加至术后（7.24±2.76）mm2,差异均有统计学意义。支架贴壁不良10例（76.9%）。手术即刻成功率为100%。结论应用OCT指导冠状动脉旋磨成形术联合DES置入治疗严重钙化病变安全有效。     

Rotational atherectomy in the drug-eluting stent era: a recent single-center experience

IntroductionPercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of heavily calcified lesions is a challenge for the interventional cardiologist and is associated with a high rate of restenosis and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Adequate lesion preparation by rotational atherectomy followed by drug-eluting stent implantation has shown favorable results.ObjectiveTo report the recent experience of our center with rotational atherectomy (RA) of complex and heavily calcified coronary lesions.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent PCI with RA in our center between January 2009 and December 2010. A total of 42 patients were included, 65% of whom had been previously refused for coronary artery bypass grafting due to unfavorable coronary anatomy or high surgical risk. RA was performed using the standard Boston Scientific Rotablator^® system. The procedure was performed ad-hoc in 50% of patients and transradial access was used in 35%. Data were collected on immediate post-procedural events and major cardiac events during follow-up – cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, TLR and recurrent angina.ResultsOf 1650 PCIs performed in a 23-month period from January 2009, 42 (2.5%) involved RA, a total of 42 patients (mean age 70.3±10.1 years, 67% male, 55% diabetic), three of whom had left main disease, six had three-vessel disease, 18 had two-vessel disease and the other 15 had single-vessel disease. Of the lesions treated, 71% were >20 mm long and classified in 69% of cases as type C according to the ACC/AHA lesion classification, 4% being chronic total occlusions. The left anterior descending artery was treated in 56% of the procedures. The mean number of burrs used per lesion was 1.3 and a total of 69 stents were implanted, 81% of which were drug-eluting. During follow-up three patients had recurrent angina, one required TLR and two died due to a cardiovascular event. There was significant clinical improvement in 83% of patients.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that rotational atherectomy followed by stenting in heavily calcified lesions can nowadays be performed with high success rates and few complications, extending the possibility of coronary revascularization to a greater number of patients.     

63例冠状动脉复杂病变介入治疗的临床分析

目的：探讨经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）对冠状动脉复杂病变的疗效。方法：回顾性分析3年来对63例冠状动脉复杂病变患者进行介入治疗的成功率、并发症及预后。结果：61例复杂病变（包括慢性闭塞、分叉病变、长病变和再狭窄）病人成功置入支架（96.82%）,无残余狭窄或残余狭窄〈10%。2例病人放置支架后出现侧支血管阻塞,3例出现动脉夹层,2例支架内形成再狭窄。未见其他严重并发症。结论：研究表明,介入治疗对于冠状动脉复杂病变是安全有效的。     

Drug-coated balloon strategy following orbital atherectomy for calcified coronary artery compared with drug-eluting stent: One-year outcomes and optical coherence tomography assessment

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for calcified coronary artery remains challenging in the drug-eluting stent (DES) era. While recent studies reported the efficacy of orbital atherectomy (OA) combined with DES for calcified lesion, the effectiveness of drug-coated balloon (DCB) following OA has not been fully elucidated.

Methods

Between June 2018 and June 2021, 135 patients who received PCI for calcified de novo coronary lesions with OA were enrolled and divided into two groups; OA followed by DCB (n = 43) if the target lesion achieved acceptable preparation, or second- or third-generation DESs (n = 92) if the target lesion showed suboptimal preparation between June 2018 and June 2021. All patients underwent PCI with optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. The primary endpoint was 1-year major adverse cardiac event (MACE), that was a composite of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization.

Results

Mean age was 73 years and 82% was male. In OCT analysis, maximum calcium plaque was thicker (median: 1050 µm [interquartile range (IQR): 945–1175 µm] vs. 960 µm [808–1100 µm], p = 0.017), calcification arc tended to larger (median: 265° [IQR: 209–360°] vs. 222° [162–305°], p = 0.058) in patients with DCB than in DES, and the postprocedure minimum lumen area was smaller in DCB compared with minimum stent area in DES (median: 3.83 mm² [IQR: 3.30–4.52 mm²] vs. 4.86 mm² [4.05–5.82 mm²], p < 0.001). However, 1 year MACE free rate was not significantly different between 2 groups (90.3% in DCB vs. 96.6% in DES, log-rank p = 0.136). In the subgroup analysis of 14 patients who underwent follow-up OCT imaging, late lumen area loss was lower in patients with DCB than DES, despite lower lesion expansion rate in DCB than DES.

Conclusions

In calcified coronary artery disease, DCB alone strategy (if acceptable lesion preparation was performed with OA) was feasible compared with DES following OA with respect to 1-year clinical outcomes. Our finding indicated using DCB with OA might be reduce late lumen area loss for severe calcified lesion.     

Early and long-term results of stenting of diffuse coronary artery disease

Diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD) is considered unfavorable for interventional procedures; however, the results of stenting of diffuse CAD have not been completely characterized. We performed stenting in 100 consecutive patients with diffuse CAD, defined as significant stenosis >20 mm (n = 59 patients), multiple significant stenoses in the same artery (n = 23 patients), or significant narrowing involving the whole length of the coronary artery (n = 18 patients). Angiographic success was achieved in 103 arteries (100%) and clinical success was obtained in all 100 patients. There were no deaths; no patient had stent closure, acute myocardial infarction, or required emergency coronary artery bypass surgery. All 100 patients had >6 months follow-up (mean 18 +/- 7 months, range 7 to 31); 77 (77%) remained asymptomatic, and 5 (5%) had acute myocardial infarction, of whom 2 died (2%). In-stent restenosis was observed in 12 patients (12%) and repeat angioplasty was performed in 10. Including those patients who underwent repeat angioplasty, 89 (89%) maintained clinical improvement and 95 (95%) were alive and free of bypass surgery during follow-up. Life-table analysis showed 86% freedom from death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization at 28 months. Thus, selected patients with diffuse CAD may be treated with satisfactory acute and long-term results by stent implantation.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention in small coronary vessels: from balloon angioplasty to drug eluting stent era

Small vessel (< 3 mm) coronary artery disease is common and has been identified as independent predictor of restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention. It remains controversial whether bare metal stent (BMS) implantation in small vessels has an advantage over balloon angioplasty in terms of angiographic and clinical outcomes. Introduction of drug-eluting stent (DES) has resulted in significant reduction in restenosis and the need for repeat revascularisation. Several DESs have been introduced resulting in varying reduction in outcomes as compared to BMS. However, their impact on outcomes in small vessels is not clearly known. It is expected that DES could substantially reduce restenosis in smaller vessels. Large, randomised studies are warranted to assess the impact of different DES on outcomes in patients with small coronary arteries.     

Therapeutic effect of rotational atherectomy with implantation of drug eluting stent in heavily coronary calcified patients

Background Rotational atherectomy (RA) could facilitate the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in heavily coronary calcified patients. The effectiveness and safety of this technique needs to be further evaluated. Methods & Results Eighty patients who underwent RA in our center from September 2011 to June 2014 were enrolled. The mean age was 72.4 ± 10.4 years. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was average 52.3% ± 8.48% and the estimated glomerular filtration rate was 73.2 ± 3.20 mL/min per 1.73 m². The coronary lesions were complex, with Syntax score 29.5 ± 9.86. The diameter of reference vessel was 3.4 ± 0.45 mm and the average diameter stenosis of target vessels was 80% ± 10%. All the patients were deployed with drug eluting stents (DES) successfully after RA. The patients were followed up for 12–18 months. Kaplan-Meier plots estimated the survival rate was 93.4% and the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE) was 25.4%. Bleeding and procedural-related complications were quite low. COX proportional hazards model for multivariate analysis demonstrated that diabetes, LVEF and maximum pressure of postdilatation were the predictors of MACCE. Conclusions RA followed by implantation of DES was effective and safe for heavily coronary calcified patients. Diabetes, LVEF and maximum pressure of postdilatation were predictive for MACCE.     

Potent Stent-Less Procedure Using Rotational Atherectomy and Drug-Coated Balloon to Right Coronary Ostial Lesion

BackgroundEven in the drug-eluting stent era, ostial lesion of the right coronary artery (RCA) still remains therapeutic challenge for interventional cardiologists. Case Series Case 1 (76 y.o. male) with angina on effort underwent transradial stent-less percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using rotational atherectomy (RA) followed by drug-coated balloon (DCB) dilation alone (RA/DCB) against a calcified de novo RCA ostial lesion. Case 2 (86 y.o. female) with recurrent unstable angina and hemodialysis underwent transfemoral RA/DCB against a severe repeat in-stent restenosis probably due to calcified nodule in the RCA ostium. In the both patients, PCI was successfully completed under intravascular ultrasound imaging (IVUS) guidance without complications. Follow-up CAG performed 4–5 months after the procedure revealed no significant lumen narrowing in the both RCA ostial lesions.ConclusionsThe both cases suggest that stent-less PCI using RA/DCB under IVUS might be an alternative revascularization therapy of choice for calcified RCA ostial lesions.     

Stent-less percutaneous coronary intervention using rotational atherectomy and drug-coated balloon: A case series and a mini review

BackgroundExperiences of rotational atherectomy (RA) followed by drug-coated balloon (DCB) dilation alone (RA/DCB) for de novo coronary artery lesion have been limited.Case seriesCase 1 (65 year-old male) with silent myocardial ischemia and hemodialysis had old anterior myocardial infarction and intact LM/LCx, and underwent RA/DCB against a diffuse calcified lesion in the proximal LAD and a tandem lesion in the proximal RCA. Case 2 (88 year-old female) with post-infarction unstable angina had severe thrombocytopenia and anemia due to myelodysplastic syndrome (platelet 6000/μL, hemoglobin 8.3 g/dL), and underwent RA/DCB against a severe stenosis in the mid LCx after transfusions. Case 3 (47 year-old male) with silent myocardial ischemia due to possible sequelae of Kawasaki disease underwent RA/DCB against a restenotic lesion at the in-let of the calcified aneurysm in the proximal LAD. In all of the patients, PCI was successfully completed under optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) without complications. Follow-up CAG performed 6–7 months after the procedure revealed no restenosis in case 1 and case 3, and all of the 3 cases have been free of cardiovascular/hemorrhagic events for 11–37 months since the last stent-less procedures.ConclusionsThese cases suggest that RA/DCB under OFDI might be an alternative stent-less revascularization therapy of choice for patients who may be unsuitable for drug-eluting stent implantation.     

Acute and long-term outcomes of rotational atherectomy in small (< 3.0 mm) coronary arteries

Conventional balloon angioplasty (BA) of small coronary arteries (SCA) is followed by a high rate of restenosis. Rotational atherectomy may be effective as an alternate treatment of stenoses unsuitable for other devices. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of RA in the treatment of SCA. A retrospective analysis was performed of 226 lesions in 159 consecutive patients who underwent RA of SCA (mean diameter = 2.36 +/- 0.49 mm). One hundred forty-eight lesions (65.5%) were type B2 or C of AHA/ACC criteria. Follow-up angiography was performed at 3 and 6 months after the procedure. Procedural success was achieved in 96.9% of patients. The mean burr-to-artery ratio was 0.74 +/- 0.17. Adjunctive BA and stent implantation were needed in 94.2% and 22.6% of lesions, respectively. Minimal lumen diameter (MLD) increased from 0.66 +/- 0.35 mm to 1.97 +/- 0.58 mm (P < 0.01). Angiographic complications consisted of acute reclosure (3.5%), no reflow/slow flow (12.4%), and coronary artery perforation (1.8%). No death, Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI), or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) occurred during the initial hospitalization. Restenosis rates at 3 and 6 months were 40.6% and 44.2%, respectively, and target lesion revascularization (TLR) rates were 28.5% and 33.0%, respectively. Restenosis and TLR rates during follow-up were comparable among patients who underwent RA + adjunctive BA versus patients who underwent RA + stenting. Long-term clinical follow-up was complete in 143 patients over a mean period of 348 +/- 166 days. The survival free from cardiac death, MI, CABG or repeated BA was 59.6% at 1 year. In conclusion, RA of SCA has relatively high restenosis rates, but may be appropriate for more complex, calcified lesions unsuitable for other devices.     

Rotational atherectomy for fibro‐calcific coronary artery disease in drug eluting stent era: Procedural outcomes and angiographic follow‐up results

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the binary re‐stenosis rates, procedural success, and in hospital outcomes following treatment of fibro‐calcified coronary lesion with rotational atherectomy in drug eluting stent era. Background: Binary restenosis rates have remained high with the use of bare metal stents following rotational atherectomy in calcified lesions. There is limited data available following rotational atherectomy in drug eluting stent era. Methods: We evaluated the procedural and angiographic outcomes following a consecutive series of 516 procedures treated with rotational atherectomy followed by stenting. We compared the results between Rota + Drug eluting stent (DES) and Rota + bare metal stent (BMS) groups. Results: Procedural success was achieved in 97.1% of the lesions with overall low in hospital adverse events (death in 1.1%, Q MI in 1.3%, Non Q MI in 5.3%, and urgent repeat PCI in 0.4%). There was significant reduction in the binary restenosis rates following Rota + DES use as compared to Rota + BMS use (11% vs. 28.1%, P < 0.001; OR = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.76–5.93) and similar reduction was seen in the target lesion revascularization (10.6% vs. 25%, P = 0.001; OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.53–5.14). We have identified ostial lesions, chronic total occlusion lesions, and use of bare metal stents as independent predictors of restenosis in this group of patients. Conclusions: Rotational atherectomy can be performed with high success rates and low complications, and rotational atherectomy followed by drug eluting stent implantation significantly reduces binary restenosis rates in fibrocalcific lesions as compared to rotational atherectomy and bare metal stents. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Percutaneous treatment of a coronary aneurysm by stent graft and drug-eluting stent implantation: a potential method to reduce stent graft restenosis

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) can occur congenitally or secondary to specific disorders such as Kawasaki disease or atherosclerosis. Apart from a surgical approach, CAA can be treated by coronary stent graft (CSG) implantation. However, restenosis is frequent after CSG placement, precluding a wider use of this technique. We hypothesized that implantation of a drug-eluting stent (DES) within a CSG could be of use to avoid CSG restenosis. We report the case of a patient with a large aneurysm of the right coronary artery who underwent CSG implantation followed by DES placement. The immediate angiographic result showed complete exclusion of the aneurysm. Intravascular ultrasound confirmed good apposition of both the CSG and DES. Follow-up angiography after 23 weeks demonstrated a good long-term result without restenosis. The patient has remained asymptomatic during 12 months of follow-up. In conclusion, the present case suggests that CSG placement followed by DES implantation is a safe and effective approach to treat coronary aneurysms interventionally.     

One-year clinical outcomes in patients with very small coronary artery disease treated with drug-eluting stents: An observational study in the Indian population

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in very small vessel coronary arteries is challenging due to adverse short-term as well as long-term outcomes. This single-arm, open-label, observational study assessed 1-year clinical outcomes of drug-eluting stents (DES) in Indian patients undergoing PCI for symptomatic very small-calibre coronary artery disease. It enrolled 66 Indian patients with 74 very small coronary artery lesions (reference vessel diameter: ≥2.0 and ≤ 2.25 mm); eligible for implantation with 2.25 mm DES. The primary endpoint of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was 3.0% indicating favourable 1-year clinical outcomes of DES in very small coronary artery lesions in Indian patients.