SAFE-CUTTM球囊冠状动脉成形术的血管内超声观察

目的采用血管腔内超声(IVUS)观察SAFE-CUTTM球囊成形术(SFCT)治疗冠状动脉(冠脉)狭窄的安全性和疗效。方法冠脉狭窄>70%的冠心病患者81例(男性59例,女性22例,年龄61±11岁),行SFCT(n=37)和普通球囊成形术(POBA,n=44)。所有病例术前、术后即刻行定量冠脉造影(QCA),55例(SFCT组24例,POBA组31例)术前、术后行IVUS。以QCA分析最小管腔直径(MLD)、参照管腔直径(RLD)和管腔直径狭窄百分比(DS);以IVUS分析外弹力膜内横截面积(EEMA)、最小管腔横截面积(MLA)、管腔面积狭窄率(AS)以及内膜撕裂类型和夹层形成。结果SFCT和POBA手术成功率均达到100%,无严重并发症发生。SFCT组平均扩张压力为871.4kPa,小于POBA组的1013.2kPa(P<0.05)。夹层发生率SFCT组为30.5%,POBA组为62.34%(P<0.05)。术后即刻MLA和MLD增大,SFCT组的MLD在介入治疗前后分别为0.67±0.45mm和2.41±0.33mm(P<0.01),MLA分别为1.49±0.61mm2和6.01±3.44mm2(P<0.01);POBA组的MLD在介入治疗前后分别为0.66±0.48mm和2.32±0.51mm(P<0.01),MLA分别为1.47±0.55mm2和5.51±3.02mm2(P<0.01)。SFCT组的MLD即刻获得为1.74±0.34mm,POBA组的MLD即刻获得为1.66±0.49mm(P<0.05);SFCT组的MLA即刻获得为4.52±0.50mm2,POBA组的MLA即刻获得为4.04±0.50mm2(P<0.05)。结论SFCT治疗冠脉狭窄安全有效。     

基于血流储备分数标准评估冠状动脉CT、血管内超声、冠状动脉造影定量分析在中重度病变的诊断价值

目的基于血流储备分数(FFR)评估冠状动脉CT(CTA)、血管内超声(IVUS)、冠状动脉造影定量分析(QCA)在冠状动脉粥样硬化中、重度病变中诊断的准确性。方法经门诊行冠脉CTA筛查40例患者(共52处病变,狭窄为50%～99%)纳入到本项研究,入院后均行冠状动脉造影术,并完成FFR、IVUS、QCA的检测,记录50个病变的最小管腔直径(MLD),直径狭窄百分比(%DS),最小管腔面积(MLA)和面积狭窄百分比(%AS)及压力衰减情况。利用线性分析,ROC曲线和Kappa检验进行分析,以FFR为标准评估CTA、IVUS、QCA在中重度病变中诊断的准确性。结果在MLD和%DS方面,CTA跟FFR的相关性最强;但对于MLA和%AS,IVUS与FFR的相关性最强,特别在%AS中表现明显。ROC曲线和Kappa检验得出:在MLD和%DS方面,QCA和IVUS、CTA相比准确性最高[ROC AUC:MLD(0.778、0.753、0.728),%DS(0.791、0.725、0.672)],CTA与IVUS、QCA所测得MLD准确度相似;在MLA、%AS中IVUS得准确性最高(ROC AUC:0.74、0.865),其次为CTA(ROC AUC:0.664、0.763)。IVUS在%AS测得的最佳切点46%,CTA测得的最佳切点68%,对比组之间的差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论在中度至重度病变中,QCA、CTA和IVUS检测与FFR相关,其中CTA的相关性高。IVUS在MLA和%AS中的相关性和诊断精准度最高。CTA在MLD和%DS中有和QCA及IVUS相似的诊断准确性。     

血管内超声成像在冠脉左主干复杂病变介入治疗中的作用

目的:研究血管内超声成像(IVUS)在冠脉左主干复杂病变介入治疗中的作用。方法:我院的102例需行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)的冠脉左主干复杂病变患者被随机均分为常规造影组(PCI术中行常规冠脉造影)与IVUS组(PCI术中行IVUS)。观察比较两组PCI治疗指标、冠脉左主干最小管腔面积(MLA)、最小管腔直径(MLD)、面积狭窄率(AS)、置入支架参数及随访12个月主要不良心血管事件(MACE)发生率。结果:与常规造影组比较,IVUS组冠脉左主干MLD[(1.63±0.75)mm比(2.18±0.61)mm], MLA[(2.50±0.96)mm~2比(4.95±1.21)mm~2],置入支架直径[(3.35±0.29)mm比(3.55±0.28)mm]、长度[(12.10±4.21)mm比(14.43±5.03)mm],治疗后扩张球囊直径[(3.78±0.39)mm比(3.98±0.51)mm]、压力[(14.45±2.48)atm比(17.05±2.81)atm]均显著升高,AS[(77.34±7.41)%比(63.25±8.16)%]显著降低,P0.05或0.01。随访12个月,IVUS组MACE发生率显著低于常规造影组(13.73%比37.25%,P=0.006)。结论:IVUS能显著提高冠脉左主干复杂病变介入治疗的精准性及疗效。     

血管内超声在冠状动脉临界病变诊断和介入治疗中的应用

目的:探讨血管内超声(IVUS)在冠状动脉(冠脉)造影显示的临界病变诊断和介入治疗中的应用价值.方法:对经选择性冠脉造影提示临界病变的96例患者的110处病变进行IVUS检查,根据IVUS测定的最小管腔面积≤4.0 mm2作为冠脉介入治疗的标准,分为干预组和未干预组,分析病变的狭窄程度及粥样硬化斑块性质.结果:110处临界病变的平均最小管腔面积为(4.83±2.24)mm2,46处最小管腔面积≤4.0 mm2 的病变成功置入冠脉支架;IVUS显示干预组的最小管腔面积小于未干预组(3.47±0.44)mm2 比(5.69±1.57)mm2,(P<0.05);同时干预组的斑块负荷大于未干预组,但差异无统计学意义(68.50±5.98)%比(62.89±7.69)%,(P>0.05).两组的定性结果差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论:对冠脉造影显示的临界病变行IVUS检查可进一步明确临界病变的狭窄程度和病变的性质,指导下一步治疗.     

冠状动脉血管内超声在冠状动脉支架置入术中的应用价值

目的探讨冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)冠状动脉(冠脉)血管内超声(IVUS)病变特点及IVUS在冠脉支架置入术中的应用价值。方法选取2016年5月~2017年3月于郑州大学附属洛阳中心医院就诊的68例冠心病患者,随机分为观察组与对照组,每组各34例。两组均接受IVUS检查,同时对照组经冠状动脉造影(CAG)指导实施冠脉支架置入术,观察组经IVUS指导实施冠脉支架置入术。统计分析冠脉病变IVUS检查特征、治疗前后病变血管最狭窄部位最小血管直径(MLD)、斑块负荷、直径狭窄率(DS)变化情况、支架置入率及达标率,并于1年后随访,统计对比两组心脏事件发生率。结果 IVUS检查可知68例患者中,冠脉狭窄程度70%者占11.76%,最小管腔面积4 mm~2者占50.00%;治疗后两组MLD较治疗前增加,斑块负荷及DS较治疗前减小,且观察组MLD高于对照组,斑块负荷及DS小于对照组(P0.05);观察组支架置入率94.12%及达标率88.24%高于对照组(70.59%、64.71%,P0.05);两组心血管事件发生率比较,观察组11.76%低于对照组20.58%,但差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论经IVUS检查可有效检出冠心病冠脉病变特征,于其辅助下实施冠脉支架置入术效果显著,可有效增加血管直径,减小斑块负荷,提高支架置入率及达标率,降低不良心血管事件发生风险,具有推广价值。     

血管内超声在急性冠脉综合征中的运用价值

目的分析急性冠脉综合征患者冠状动脉造影(CAG)及血管内超声(IVUS)检查数据,探讨血管内超声在定量分析冠状动脉临界病变管腔狭窄率,斑块性质,评价经皮冠状动脉介入(PCI)治疗效果中的作用。研究血管内超声(IVUS)在急性冠脉综合征(ACS)临界病变中的应用价值。方法 2010年1月—2014年3月大同市三医院心内科32例根据临床表现诊断为ACS患者,行冠状动脉造影评估患者左主干(LM)、左前降支(LAD)、左回旋支(LCX)、右冠状动脉(RCA)的管腔狭窄情况;冠状动脉造影发现狭窄≥70%病变直接行PCI,临界病变血管段进行IVUS检测,观察血管壁的形态结构,分析动脉粥样硬化斑块的类型、性质及其狭窄程度,对符合PCI干预指征的病变行PCI术。PCI术后行IVUS检查即刻评价支架置入是否理想、是否合并手术并发症。结果 32例患者中CAG发现冠脉血管12支17处病变管腔直径狭窄率≥70%,予直接行支架植入术,共植入17枚支架;CAG测得38处管腔直径狭窄率为50%~70%(临界病变),经IVUS测得有33处病变管腔狭窄率≥70%,涉及28位患者,共置入33枚支架,单支架23例,双支架5例;3CAG与IVUS检测的38处临界病变处直径狭窄率及管腔面积狭窄率(斑块负荷)比较,IVUS测值显著高于CAG测值有统计学意义(P0.01)。术后行IVUS检查示均显示支架完全贴壁、扩张充分、展开均匀、完全覆盖病变,未发现冠脉内夹层形成、壁内血肿、支架断裂等PCI术后并发症。结论 CAG不同程度地低估了冠状动脉临界病变狭窄,IVUS与CAG相比发现的临界病变管腔狭窄率诊断更精确。IVUS对斑块定性较CAG更优。更能准确选择临界病变支架置入的适应证。IVUS能明确冠状动脉临界病变的性质和狭窄程度。     

血管内超声指导冠脉临界病变介入治疗的应用价值

目的：探讨血管内超声（IVUS）检查在冠状动脉临界病变介入治疗中的应用价值。方法：选择我院130例经冠状动脉造影（CAG）证实为临界病变的患者进行前瞻性研究,随机分为CAG组（95例,接受CAG检查）和IVUS组（35例,先后接受CAG和IVUS检查）。应用量化冠状动脉造影（QCA）分析法和血管内超声定量分析法测量两组最小管腔直径、参考血管直径、直径狭窄率及面积狭窄率的差异,并比较住院期间及随访期间的主要心血管事件（MACE）的发生情况。结果：与CAG组相比,IVUS组的冠脉内膜钙化率[8．4％（8／95）比28．6％（10／35）],直径狭窄率[（43．97±6．53）%比（55．25±7．41）％]及面积狭窄率[（56．48±10．38）％比（69．87±9．97）％]显著升高（P〈0．05）,而最小管腔直径及参考血管直径无显著差异（P〉0．05）。住院期间两组的MACE发生率无差异（P〉0．05）,但自随访1月起IVUS组的MACE发生率显著低于CAG组（2．86％比6．32％,P〈0．05）。结论：血管内超声检查能显著提高冠脉临界病变的检出率,更好地指导冠脉介入治疗,防止并发症,改善预后．     

应用血管内超声指导冠状动脉临界病变介入治疗

目的 探讨应用血管内超声(IVUS)检查与定量冠状动脉造影(QCA)方法在冠状动脉临界病变介入治疗中的应用价值。方法 选择经冠状动脉造影(CAG)检查显示冠状动脉狭窄程度在40％～70％的临界病变患者60例,根据检查方法不同将患者分为QCA组和IVUS组,分别应用QCA和IVUS测量两组病变血管的参考管腔直径、最小管腔直径、直径狭窄率、管腔面积狭窄率及最小管腔面积并进行比较。比较观察两组患者住院期间、随访1月、6月和12月的主要不良心血管事件(再发心绞痛、心肌梗死、靶病变再次冠状动脉成形术、死亡)的发生情况。结果 IVUS组冠状动脉的管腔直径狭窄率[(57.80％±8.18％)比(51.73％±7.91％)]及面积狭窄率[(67.01％±10.41％)比(57.07％±10.71％)]均高于QCA组(P＜0.05),而最小管腔面积[(3.90±0.79) mm²比(4.14±0.60) mm²]则低于QCA组(P＜0.05)。住院期间两组患者均无主要不良心血管事件发生,但自随访第1月开始至12月随访结束,IVUS组的主要不良心血管事件发生率显著低于QCA组(7.7％比26.7％,P＜0.05)。结论 IVUS检查与QCA相比对冠状动脉临界病变检测出的狭窄率更显著,并能更有效地发现“不稳定性”病变并指导冠状动脉临界病变支架的植入,减低心血管事件发生,改善预后。     

血管内超声对复杂冠状动脉左主干病变患者介入治疗的指导价值

目的研究血管内超声(IVUS)对复杂冠状动脉左主干病变患者PCI的指导价值。方法收集2014年1月～2017年1月我科收治的复杂冠状动脉左主干病变并且行PCI的患者110例,分为对照组55例和观察组55例(PCI术中采用IVUS技术进行指导)。比较2组患者基本资料、最小管腔直径(MLD)、最小管腔面积(MLA)、面积狭窄率(AS)、支架直径及长度、支架释放压力、后扩张球囊压力及直径等指标;随访1年,观察2组靶病变血运重建和主要不良心脏事件(MACE)情况。结果观察组MLD[(2.17±0.36)mmvs (1.62±0.59)mm,P=0.000]、MLA[(4.94±1.61)mm~2 vs (2.51±1.77)mm~2,P=0.000]、支架直径[(3.54±0.24)mmvs (3.34±0.31)mm,P=0.002]、支架长度[(14.41±5.25)mmvs (12.11±4.21)mm,P=0.038]、后扩张球囊直径[(3.98±0.51)mmvs (3.77±0.38)mm,P=0.040]、后扩张球囊压力明显大于对照组(P=0.000),AS明显低于对照组[(63.23±8.17)%vs (77.31±7.42)%,P=0.000)];随访期观察组总MACE发生率虽低于对照组,但无统计学差异(9.09%vs 12.73%,P=0.540)。结论 IVUS能有效指导左主干病变PCI支架定位,辅助判断支架扩张和贴壁情况。     

血管内超声在冠状动脉临界病变中的应用研究

目的:研究传统冠状动脉定量分析方法(QCA)与血管内超声(IVUS)在冠状动脉临界病变中的应用。方法:共入选经过冠状动脉造影(至少4体位造影)证实病变狭窄处于临界病变的患者150例。将入选者分为:常规冠状动脉造影组90例(QCA),血管内超声组60例(IVUS)。通过QCA和血管内超声定量分析方法分析2组最小管腔直径、参考血管直径、直径狭窄率及最小管腔面积等参数指标;将相关数据建立直线回归分析方程,分析二者之间是否具有线性关系;采用Cox回归模型分析2组免于心血管事件方面差异,观察2组术后住院期间、30d、3个月、6个月、9个月和12个月主要心血管事件。结果:血管内超声组分别采用QCA和IVUS分析,参考血管直径2者具有正相关性分别为(3.28±0.19)mmvs.(3.17±0.21)mm,R=0.627。最小管腔直径分别为(2.04±0.18)mmvs.(2.0±0.17)mm,R=0.782。比较2组之间的参数:QCA组通过计算得出直径狭窄率,与IVUS管腔面积狭窄率之间无相关性(R20.05,P=0.222),IVUS最小管腔面积(4.7±0.67)mm2。通过COX回归模型显示2组在免于心血管事件方面的差异,可见QCA组发生心血管事件率具有较高的趋势。结论:对于临界病变的患者,采用IVUS的方法能够检测出更严重狭窄的发生率,传统冠状动脉造影判定结果往往低估真正的病变情况。对于临界病变的患者,采用IVUS进行测量分析,具有减低心血管事件风险的趋势。     

定量多层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像与定量冠状动脉造影的对比研究

目的通过与同期定量冠状动脉造影(QCA)作对照,评价定量冠状动脉多层螺旋CT(QCT)成像对冠状动脉疾病的诊断价值。方法选择冠心病患者78例,利用QCA和QCT测量同一病变的最小管腔直径、最小管腔面积、参考直径、参考面积、靶病变长度、直径狭窄率、面积狭窄率等指标,比较2种方法结果的相关性及一致性。结果 78例患者中,存在明显冠状动脉病变62例(79.49%),QCT和QCA一致认为重度狭窄(>75%)的节段共为47段,其中右冠状动脉1 5段,前降支27段,回旋支5段。QCT和QCA测量的最小管腔面积、面积狭窄率比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),2种测量最小管腔直径、参考直径、参考面积、靶病变长度和直径狭窄率的比较,差并均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。QCT和QCA测量最小管腔直径,靶病变长度,参考直径,参考面积,直径狭窄率一致性较好(0.5≤r_c≤0.85),最小管腔面积、面积狭窄率则一致性不佳(r_c<0.5)。结论 QCT检查能良好评价冠状动脉病变.可用于术前即可指导对经皮冠状动脉介入治疗中球囊和支架的选择。     

One-year follow-up after intravascular ultrasound assessment of moderate left main coronary artery disease in patients with ambiguous angiograms.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to correlate angiographic and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) findings in left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease and identify the predictors of coronary events at one year in patients with LMCA stenoses. BACKGROUND: Significant (> or =50% diameter stenosis [DS]) LMCA disease has a poor long-term prognosis. METHODS: One hundred twenty-two patients who underwent angiographic and IVUS assessment of the severity of LMCA disease and who did not have subsequent catheter or surgical intervention were followed for one year. Standard clinical, angiographic and IVUS parameters were collected. RESULTS: The quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) reference diameter (3.91 +/- 0.76 mm, mean +/- 1 SD) correlated moderately with IVUS (4.25 +/- 0.78 mm, r = 0.492, p = 0.0001). The lesion site minimum lumen diameter (MLD) (2.26 +/- 0.82 mm) by QCA correlated less well with IVUS (2.8 +/- 0.82 mm, r = 0.364, p = 0.0005). The QCA DS measured 42 +/- 16%. During the follow-up period, 4 patients died, none had a myocardial infarction, 3 underwent catheter-based LMCA intervention and 11 underwent bypass surgery. Univariate predictors of events (p < 0.05) were diabetes, presence of another lesion whether treated with catheter-based intervention or untreated with DS > 50% and IVUS reference plaque burden and lesion lumen area, maximum lumen diameter, MLD, plaque area and area stenosis. Using logistic regression analysis diabetes mellitus, an untreated vessel (with a DS > 50%) and IVUS MLD were independent predictors of cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients assessed by IVUS, moderate LMCA disease had a one-year event rate of only 14%. Intravascular ultrasound MLD was the most important quantitative predictor of cardiac events. For any given MLD, the event rate was exaggerated in the presence of diabetes or another untreated lesion (>50% DS).     

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.     

Intravascular ultrasound criteria for the assessment of the functional significance of intermediate coronary artery stenoses and comparison with fractional flow reserve

The functional significance of coronary artery stenoses of intermediate severity is important in determining strategy in patient care. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is often used to evaluate coronary stenosis severity. However, at present, few data are available about the role IVUS in the assessment of functional significance of intermediate lesions. Myocardial fractional flow reserve (FFR) <0.75 is a reliable index of a functionally severe coronary stenosis. In 53 lesions we assessed (1) by pressure wire: FFR (index of functional significance), and (2) by IVUS: minimal lumen cross-sectional area (MLA, square millimeters), minimal lumen diameter (MLD, millimeters), lesion length (millimeters), and percent area stenosis at the lesion site. By regression analysis, percent area stenosis and lesion length had a significant inverse correlation with FFR (r = -0.58, p <0.001, r = -0.41, p <0.004, respectively). MLD and MLA showed a significant positive relation with FFR (r = 0.51, p <0.001, r = 0.41, p <0.004, respectively). By using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, we identified a percent area stenosis > 70% (sensitivity 100%, specificity 68%), a MLD < or = 1.8 mm (sensitivity 100%, specificity 66%), a MLA < or =4.0 mm2 (sensitivity 92%, specificity 56%), and a lesion length of >10 mm (sensitivity 41%, specificity 80%) to be the best cut-off values to fit with a FFR <0.75. The combined evaluation of both percent area stenosis and MLD made the IVUS examination more specific (sensitivity 100%, specificity 76%). In 53 intermediate coronary lesions found by angiography, IVUS area stenosis >70%, MLD < or =1.8 mm, MLA < or =4.0 mm2, and lesion length > 10 mm reliably identified functionally critical intermediate coronary stenoses.     

Comparison of intravascular ultrasound to contrast-enhanced 64-slice computed tomography to assess the significance of angiographically ambiguous coronary narrowings

The efficacy of contrast-enhanced multislice computed tomography (MSCT) for assessment of ambiguous lesions is unknown. We compared both quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and MSCT to the gold standard for a significant stenosis-minimum luminal area (MLA) by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-in 51 patients (64 +/- 10 years old, 19 men) with 69 angiographically ambiguous, nonleft main lesions. The MSCT was performed 17 +/- 18 days before IVUS analysis. Overall diameter stenosis by QCAwas 51.0 +/- 9.8%; 39 of 51 patients (76%) eventually underwent revascularization (38 by percutaneous coronary intervention and 1 by coronary artery bypass graft). By univariate analysis, minimum luminal diameter, MLA, lumen visibility by MSCT, and minimum luminal diameter by QCA were significant predictors of MLA by IVUS 相似文献   

Prognostic value of absolute versus relative measures of the procedural result after successful coronary stenting: importance of vessel size in predicting long-term freedom from target vessel revascularization

BACKGROUND: The procedural result is a major determinant of the incidence of 6-month target vessel revascularization (TVR) after successful coronary stenting. However, the prognostic implications of the different measures of the procedural result or procedural end points have not been directly compared. In this study, we sought to assess and compare the impact of achieving different procedural end points on the long-term (2-year) incidence of TVR. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 234 patients in whom 1 or 2 stents were successfully deployed and ultrasound imaging performed after angiographic optimization. End points included a visually estimated angiographic residual stenosis <10% and ultrasound stent-to-mean reference lumen area > or = 80%. After 2 years, TVR was required in 48 (20.5%) patients. Qualitative predictors of TVR were vein graft lesions, 3-vessel disease, and baseline TIMI flow grade < 3. Quantitatively, reference diameter by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), final minimum lumen diameter (MLD) by QCA, and in-stent minimum lumen area (MLA) by ultrasound were predictive of TVR. Stent-to-reference ratios were not significantly predictive of TVR. By multivariable analysis, vein graft location and MLA by ultrasound were the only significant predictors of TVR (relative risk, 2.9 [1.5, 5.4] and 0.72 [0.6, 0.9], respectively). Receiver operator curves for MLD by QCA and MLA by ultrasound were similar in predicting TVR. Neither was significantly superior to reference vessel diameter. CONCLUSIONS: Commonly used angiographic and ultrasound stent-to-reference ratios do not predict the incidence of TVR. Absolute measures of the lumen size (MLA by ultrasound and MLD by QCA) were the most important quantitative predictors of TVR within 2 years. This emphasizes the role of the vessel size as the limiting factor in determining the long-term outcome of coronary stenting.     

Impact of intravascular ultrasound guidance on directional coronary atherectomy

In contrast to the luminogram of coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has proven to accurately assess both coronary lumen and vessel morphology due to its 360 degrees imaging capacity. Directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) improves the coronary lumen by removing plaque mass rather than stretching the vessel and compressing the plaque as with conventional percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. In an attempt to optimize the procedural result of DCA we prospectively investigated the impact of IVUS guidance in a head to head comparison to on-line quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) on the result of DCA. In 16 consecutive patients IVUS demonstrated significant residual plaque mass after DCA irrespective of a satisfactory angiographic result. After a mean of 9 +/- 2 cuts luminal improvement was obtained with an area stenosis by angiography of 39 +/- 17% and by IVUS of 50 +/- 10% (p < 0.05), a diameter stenosis by angiography of 23 +/- 10% and IVUS of 35 +/- 14% (p < 0.05) and finally a minimal lumen diameter (MLD) by angiography of 2.9 +/- 0.5 mm and by IVUS of 2.3 +/- 0.5 mm (p < 0.005). After both on-line QCA and IVUS measurements a second series of 7 +/- 2 cuts were initiated to debulk more atheroma and improve stenosis dimensions. After additional cuts IVUS revealed further luminal improvement with an area stenosis by angiography of 25 +/- 16% and IVUS of 21 +/- 18% (n.s.), a diameter stenosis by angiography of 16 +/- 11% and by IVUS of 13 +/- 19% (n.s.) and finally a MLD by angiography of 3.1 +/- 0.5 mm and by IVUS of 2.8 +/- 0.3 mm (p < 0.05). Intraprocedural use of IVUS is superior to on-line QCA to assess the immediate result of DCA. IVUS-guided DCA results in more effective atheroma debulking than luminographic evaluation. Results of larger follow-up studies are needed to substantiate the intraprocedural advantage of IVUS with DCA.     

A contemporary re-evaluation of culprit lesion severity in patients presenting with STEMI

Background: Historical data report fatal myocardial infarction occurring when mildly-stenotic coronary plaques rupture; however, recent data suggest haemodynamically-significant coronary stenoses with fractional flow reserve (FFR) ≤ 0.8 and vessels with high plaque burden and minimum luminal area (MLA) < 4 mm² by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) may be prognostically important. Therefore, we sought to re-evaluate culprit stenosis severity in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: Patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for STEMI with adjunctive thrombectomy between October 2008 and February 2010 (n = 336/572; 59%) underwent quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) after thrombus aspiration to determine vessel reference area (RA), MLA and percentage area stenosis (AS). To validate findings, QCA and FFR were measured in 50 patients with stable angina and an angiographically-intermediate lesion.

Results: STEMI patients had anatomically-severe underlying culprit disease similar to that of the stable cohort (AS: 91.6 ± 9.5% versus 90.1 ± 8.1%; P = 0.11). Additionally, anatomically-severe lesions defined by QCA were more likely to be functionally-significant by FFR and vice-versa (P = 0.02 and 0.002 respectively).

Conclusion: These contemporary data suggest that STEMI culprit lesions, defined by luminal stenosis after thrombus aspiration, are angiographically significant, with similar stenosis severity to stable, ischaemia-inducing lesions.     

Factors influencing the functional significance in intermediate coronary stenosis

Objective To analyze the influencing factors of the functional significance determined by fractional flow reserve (FFR) in interme-diate coronary artery stenosis. Methods The study enrolled 143 patients with 203 intermediate coronary lesions. Pressure-derived FFR of these lesions was gained at maximal hyperemia induced by intravenous adenosine infusion. An FFR < 0.80 was considered as abnormal functional significance. Anatomic parameters at the lesion sites were obtained by off-line quantitative coronary angiography analysis (QCA). The predictive value of the demographic characteristics and anatomic parameters for FFR in these intermediate lesions was assessed using multiple linear and binary logistic regression analysis. Results Overall, FFR < 0.8 was found in 70 (34%) of the total 203 intermediate coronary lesions. FFR values were positively correlated with QCA-measured minimum lumen diameters (MLD, r = 0.372, P = 0.000) and the reference vessel diameters (RVD, r = 0.217, P = 0.002) were negatively correlated with percent area stenosis (AS, r = -0.251, P = 0.000) and percent diameter stenosis (DS, r = -0.210, P = 0.000). Age, MLD and the lesion location in different coronary arteries were the independent determinants of FFR < 0.8. Conclusions MLD can predict the functional significance of intermediate coro-nary stenosis, while age and the lesion location in different coronary arteries should be taken into account as important influencing factors of FFR values.     

Intravascular ultrasound for evaluation of initial vessel patency and early outcome following directional coronary atherectomy

Elastic recoil and thrombus formation may potentially occur following directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) confounding the assessment of late vascular remodeling. Since intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) data on early outcome of DCA is not available, we used IVUS to investigate whether elastic recoil or thrombus formation can affect early (4 hr) outcome. Quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and IVUS were performed in high-grade coronary lesions in 32 consecutive patients before, immediately after, and 4 hr after DCA. Late clinical follow-up was obtained after a maximum interval of 2 years. Significant acute elastic recoil was observed by both IVUS (19% ± 14%) and QCA (19% ± 12%), but there was no further recoil after 4 hr. DCA reduced plaque area by 51% ± 13%, an effect that was stable after 4 hr, indicating the absence of relevant thrombus formation. Residual area stenosis by IVUS was not related to the occurrence of late clinical events (n = 8). Mechanical recoil or thrombus formation do not hamper initial lumen gain achieved by DCA. Although QCA significantly underestimated residual plaque burden after DCA when compared to IVUS, the degree of residual area stenosis did not identify patients suffering from cardiac events on follow-up.Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 47:14–22, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.