Long‐term complication after LM bifurcation treatment

Two months after left anterior descending (LAD) artery and left circumflex (LCx) artery bare metal stent implantation, a proliferative subocclusive in‐stent restenosis in LCx coronary with severe LM coronary (LM) involvement developed. The present clinical case describes a simplified strategy for unprotected LM percutaneous coronary intervention using two bioabsorbable biolimus‐eluting stents without involvement of the LAD coronary using an “L” technique. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Trapping as retrieval technique to resolve a ruptured and entrapped coronary balloon catheter

A 69 year old male, with a previous percutaneous revascularization of the mid‐circumflex with a bare metal stent in 2007 was admitted to our centre for unstable angina. The angiography showed a severely calcified coronary tree with a functionally severe plaque on the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) and a critical focal lesion on the proximal right coronary artery. After a high pressure predilation on the proximal LAD, the balloon ruptured causing a retrograde LAD‐left main (LM) dissection that was rapidly sealed with three overlapping zotarolimus‐eluting stents from medial LAD to LM. We then used a new non‐compliant balloon for successive aggressive postdilation. After a difficult handling, when the balloon catheter was pulled out of the body and we realized that the tip and membranous part of the balloon‐catheter was separated from the rest, and entangled at the LM. After a first approach to retrieve the dislodged balloon with a snare, the ruptured balloon was successfully removed by trapping and withdrawing the whole system, including the guiding catheter and the wire.     

Neo-atherosclerosis in very late stent thrombosis of drug eluting stent

Background

Recent studies have described neo-atherosclerosis, developing inside the stent, as cause of very late stent thrombosis.

Case report

A 59-year-old man, with family history of coronary artery disease, presented to our Department because of anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Two years before he had underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with multiple drug-eluting stents (DES) implantation on proximal-mid left anterior descending artery (LAD), and mid-right coronary artery (RCA), respectively. The angiogram revealed stent thrombosis with total occlusion of proximal LAD. Multiple passages with manual thrombus-aspiration catheter were successfully performed with improvement in TIMI flow. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging revealed fully expanded stents without areas of inappropriate apposition to vessel wall; and mild to moderate intimal hyperplasia throughout the stented segment, with full covered stent struts; areas of ulcerated and ruptured plaque within the proximal struts of stented segment was depicted with intraluminal protruding material. Thus, an additional bare metal stent (BMS) was deployed inside and overlapping the previous in order to seal this plaque. OCT post procedure revealed optimal stent expansion and apposition, without residual protruding material. At 9-month follow-up patient was alive and free from symptoms. Coronary angiogram revealed patency of implanted stents without significant restenosis.

Conclusions

Neo-atherosclerosis with thrombosis on top of ruptured necrotic plaque core may play a role in the pathophysiology of very late stent thrombosis in both BMS and DES. Our report highlights the role OCT to assess the mechanism of VLST.     

Fractional flow reserve for the assessment of complex multivessel disease in a patient after hybrid coronary revascularization

We present a case of a 43‐year‐old woman with history of hybrid coronary revascularization [endoscopic atraumatic coronary artery bypass (ACAB)] of left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and stent implantation in right coronary artery (RCA), who presented 6 years later with recurrent atypical angina. Coronary angiography revealed patent LIMA to LAD and RCA stent, with a new lesion in an obtuse marginal artery and significant progression of disease in the proximal/mid LAD proximal to LIMA touchdown. To further evaluate the hemodynamic significance of these new disease segments, the patient underwent fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessment of the left coronary system with subsequent stent implantation in the proximal/mid LAD. This case illustrates (1) the critical value of FFR assessment in determining the ischemia provoking lesions in this post ACAB patient with complex multivessel coronary artery disease; and (2) the accelerated progression of atherosclerosis in bypassed segments as compared to segments proximal to stents. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

New technique to seal a long giant coronary aneurysm with PTFE-covered stents: a case report.

We report a case with a large aneurysm of right coronary artery (RCA) associated with coronary artery disease. The aneurysm was sealed with two PTFE-covered stents using a sequential technique from proximal to distal to overcome the lack of long PTFE-covered stents and existence of complex coronary anatomy. A bare metal stent was subsequently deployed to treat a lesion in the mid part of RCA. At 4-month follow-up, aneurysm was completely sealed and no restenosis occurred. Usage of sequential PTFE-covered stents enables treatment of large coronary artery aneurysms.     

Left main intervention in myocardial infarction

We report an 84‐year‐old patient who suddenly developed nausea, vomiting, hypotension, and needed intubation, assisted ventilation and pharmacological vasopressor support. Admission EKG showed anterior and lateral leads ST segment depression and 2 mm ST segment elevation in avR lead. Angiogram showed unprotected left‐main coronary‐artery (LM) sub‐occlusive disease and totally occluded ostial right‐coronary‐artery (RCA), distally filled through the left‐coronary system. Unprotected LM disease was immediately treated with bare metal stent. The stent jailed the left‐circunflex coronary‐artery (LCx) ostium but did not compromise the arterial flow. Lately, the patient was discharged in a very good health condition. Ten months angiographic follow‐up showed an extremely compromised LCx ostium treated successfully with drug eluted stent (DES) and mid left anterior descendent (LAD) severe lesion, treated with DES. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Perioperative rupture of the LIMA graft leading to cardiogenic shock,emergency angiography,and stenting with a polytetrafluoroethylene‐covered stent

A 58‐year‐old man underwent an elective coronary bypass graft for severe four‐vessel stenosis. Cardiogenic shock developed just after coronary bypass grafting with a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to left anterior descending (LAD) artery and superficial venous graft to 1^st and 2^nd obtuse marginal (OM1/OM2) arteries the posterior descending artery (PDA) was too small to graft. Despite significant inotropes and an intra‐aortic balloon pump, the patient deteriorated in intensive care unit with cardiogenic shock and ventricular arrhythmia. Urgent coronary angiography revealed a rupture or torn LIMA graft with extravasation of contrast into the left pleural cavity. There was no distal LIMA to LAD flow probably due to graft thrombosis. Revascularisation was performed on the severe ostial native LAD stenosis with a drug eluting stent. The rupture graft was then stented with a polytetrafluoroethylene‐covered stent, which stopped the bleeding, and latter, led to total graft thrombosis. The patient improved significantly and supportive inotropes could be weaned down. At 11 month follow‐up, the patient had mild left ventricular dysfunction, widely patent ostial LAD stent and thrombosed LIMA graft. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Simultaneous multivessel acute drug-eluting stent thrombosis

Stent thrombosis (ST) in the era of bare metal stents (BMS) using high-pressure stent deployment and combined anti-platelet therapy is an uncommon but feared complication. There is concern for an elevated risk of stent thrombosis (ST) with drug-eluting stents (DES). We describe a case of simultaneous multivessel drug-eluting stent thrombosis 8 h after deployment of paclitaxel-eluting stents in the right coronary (RCA) and left anterior descending (LAD) arteries.     

A completely fractured zotarolimus‐eluting stent in an aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass graft

Drug‐eluting stents (DES) have significantly improved the rate of target vessel revascularization in comparison with bare metal stents. DES fracture was not reported in multicenter randomized clinical trials, but several case reports of DES fracture have been published, mostly with sirolimus‐eluting stents. DES fracture is associated with stent restenosis and thrombosis. We report a zotarolimus‐eluting stent fracture in an aortocoronary saphenous vein graft (SVG) bypass. The patient presented with chest pain and a non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction. He underwent cardiac catheterization that showed a complete fracture of a zotarolimus‐eluting stent in the ostium of a sequential SVG to the diagonal and obtuse coronary arteries. His management included coronary angioplasty and retrieval of the proximal fractured segment. We discuss the potential causes for this stent fracture and suggest caution when using a DES in an ostial location of a SVG bypass, especially in a highly mobile vessel. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Cardiogenic shock caused by simultaneous subacute stent thrombosis after implantation of sirolimus-eluting stents

Stent thrombosis is a feared complication of percutaneous coronary intervention, although there is a low incidence of thrombotic events following drug-eluting stent implantation. We report a case with cardiogenic shock complicated by acute myocardial infarction due to simultaneous subacute stent thrombosis occurring 3 days after implantation of two sirolimus-eluting stents in the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) and in the proximal right coronary artery (RCA).     

Acute coronary syndrome due to early multiple and complete fractures in sirolimus‐eluting stent: A case report and brief literature review

Despite drug eluting stents (DES), as compared to bare metal stents, have reduced in‐stent restenosis, complex and long lesions remains a challenge for interventional cardiologist. Their treatment is often associated with an unfavorable outcome, related to in‐stent restenosis, stent thrombosis, and target lesion revascularization. These complications may derive from the contact between metallic structures and coronary artery endothelium, and consequent overexpression of platelet activating factors, growth factors, and inflammatory cytokines. Recently, an additional mechanism has emerged as new cause of these complications: “stent fracture.” Several factors are involved in this phenomenon including material and stent platform, target vessel features, stent implantation technique, and implant duration. We reported a case of 69 years old man with rare early and complex DES fractures on right coronary that caused acute coronary syndrome 36 hr after a previous percutaneous coronary intervention.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Long‐term risk of clinical events from stenting side branches of coronary bifurcation lesions with drug‐eluting and bare‐metal stents: An observational meta‐analysis

Objectives : To compare the long‐term risks of coronary bifurcation lesions treated with side‐branch stenting using drug‐eluting versus bare‐metal stents. Background : Side‐branch stenting is an off‐label practice, but when needed, the incidence of late adverse events may differ between drug‐eluting and bare‐metal stents. Methods : We systematically searched PubMed, and the National Institutes of Health and Cochrane Registries for studies of coronary bifurcation stenting reporting clinical outcomes over at least 5 months. Data were extracted and cross checked independently by two investigators for inclusion in an observational meta‐analysis. Clinical outcomes included major adverse clinical events (MACE), death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization (TVR), and definite stent thrombosis. We used random‐effects models and meta‐regression in 6,825 subjects from 42 studies. Results : Most (79%) of the heterogeneity in MACE between treatment groups was explained by differences in stent type, side‐branch stenting, and length of follow‐up. Compared with drug‐eluting stents without side‐branch stenting, drug‐eluting stents with side‐branch stenting had a 3% higher incidence of myocardial infarction [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.3%, 5%, P < 0.05], but no significant increase in MACE, death, TVR, or stent thrombosis. Bare‐metal stenting without side‐branch stenting had 10% (95% CI = 3%, 16%, P < 0.01) higher MACE, and 10% (95% CI = 4%, 17%, P < 0.01) higher TVR, whereas bare‐metal side‐branch stenting had 31% (95% CI = 23%, 39%, P < 0.001) higher MACE, and 19% (95% CI = 10%, 28%, P < 0.001) higher TVR. Conclusions : Side‐branch stenting has a much smaller impact on long‐term MACE with drug‐eluting stents compared with bare‐metal stents. Although this study does not support routine side‐branch stenting, when side‐branch stenting is required, drug‐eluting stents are associated with less adverse outcomes.© 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Treatment of rotablation‐induced ostial left circumflex perforation by papyrus covered stent and its fenestration to recover the left anterior descending artery during CHIP procedure

Coronary artery perforation is a rare complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Covered stents have been successfully used in these situations. We report a case of ostial left circumflex (LCx) artery perforation during rotablation PCI of left main coronary artery (LMCA) and LCx artery. After failed attempts to balloon tamponade the perforation, a PK Papyrus covered stent was deployed from proximal LCx into LMCA. This resulted in acute exclusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery from coronary circulation. Using a dual lumen catheter, a stiff wire was advanced through the side port toward the occluded LAD to fenestrate the membrane of the covered stent. A series of balloons were used to dilate the fenestration in the covered stent to restore a normal flow into the LAD.     

Coronary aneurysm and stent fracture following stenting of a myocardial bridge

Myocardial bridge is the most common congenital coronary anomaly. We represent an extremely rare case of stent fracture combination with coronary aneurysm following stenting of a myocardial bridge. This 60‐years‐old male patient underwent coronary angiography in the local hospital four years ago. Coronary angiography revealed a myocardial bridge in the distal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). A 3.0 mm × 29 mm sirolimus eluting stent was deployed in the distal LAD. Three years later, repeat coronary angiography showed a large coronary aneurysm in the mid segment of the stent. The patient subsequently underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the distal segment of the LAD. But six months later, another coronary angiography showed a stent fracture in mid portion of the stent associated with a large coronary aneurysm, and the LIMA graft was totally occluded. A possible mechanism of stent fracture was long‐standing and cyclic mechanical stress on the stent by myocardium. These forces over a period of time may lead to metal fatigue and eventually fracture. Based on the observation of fracture and aneurysm in this study, we recommend that myocardial bridge should not be treated with intracoronary stenting. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Proximal coronary artery intervention: Stent thrombosis,restenosis and death

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of lesions in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) may confer a worse prognosis compared with the proximal right coronary artery (RCA) and left circumflex coronary artery (LCX).

Methods

From May 2005, to May 2011 we identified all PCIs for proximal, one-vessel coronary artery disease in the Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR). We evaluated restenosis, stent thrombosis (ST) and mortality in the LAD as compared to the RCA and LCX according to stent type, bare metal (BMS) or drug-eluting stents (DES).

Results

7840 single vessel proximal PCI procedures were identified. Mean follow-up time was 792 days. No differences in restenosis or ST were seen between the LAD and the RCA. The frequency of restenosis and ST was higher in the proximal LAD compared to the proximal LCX (restenosis: hazard ratio (HR) 2.28, confidence interval (CI) 1.56–3.34 p < 0.001; ST: HR 2.32, CI 1.11–4.85 p = 0.024). We found no difference in mortality related to coronary artery. In the proximal LAD, DES implantation was associated with a lower restenosis rate (HR 0.39, CI 0.27–0.55 p < 0.001) and mortality (HR 0.58, CI 0.41–0.82 p = 0.002) compared with BMS. In the proximal RCA and LCX, DES use was not associated with lower frequency of clinical restenosis or mortality.

Conclusions

Following proximal coronary artery intervention restenosis was more frequent in the LAD than in the LCX. Solely in the proximal LAD we found DES use to be associated with a lower risk of restenosis and death weighted against BMS.     

Stent thrombosis following the STAR technique in a complex RCA chronic total occlusion.

Four drug-eluting stents were deployed in the right coronary artery (RCA) of a symptomatic young woman who presented with a chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the RCA. The occlusion was successfully crossed using the recently described STAR technique. However, the patient died suddenly 15 hr later. Autopsy demonstrated a long segment of subintimal stenting in the proximal and mid RCA that was intraluminal in the distal vessel. Acute stent thrombosis in the subintimal stents was responsible for sudden death. This case highlights the potential risk of performing extensive subintimal stenting for CTO.     

Very Late Development of Coronary Artery Aneurysm with Total Occlusion following Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation

A 41-year-old African American woman presented with chest pain and was found to have non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction with a peak cardiac troponin I of 28.5. Elective cardiac catheterization revealed a 70% ostial left anterior descending (LAD) artery stenosis. The patient underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and a sirolimus-eluting stent (Cypher, Miami, FL, 3.5 × 8 mm) was successfully deployed. Three years after stent implantation, the patient presented with recurrent angina. Repeat coronary angiography revealed a large aneurysm involving the proximal portion of the stent with a total occlusion at the mid to distal portion of the stent with collaterals to LAD from left circumflex artery. The patient underwent coronary artery bypass surgery with left internal mammary artery graft to LAD and ligation of LAD at its origin proximal to the aneurysm.     

Stent‐based percutaneous coronary interventions in small coronary arteries

A third to half of all percutaneous coronary interventions involve small diameter vessels of less than 3?mm. Small vessel size is a predictor of restenosis after balloon angioplasty, as well as after stent placement. Stents deployed in small arteries, have a higher metal‐to‐artery ratio; this may increase the risk of sub‐acute thrombosis or restenosis. Various studies have shown that stent design, stent coating, and stent strut thickness may determine event‐free survival. Dedicated stents for small vessels with less amount of metal, appropriate expansion to the vessel size with correct radial force and cells morphology, and less prothrombotic properties, may further improve the results of stenting in this setting (thinner struts, fewer cells, or loops per circumference). This review provides an update on the current status, review the major trials and define the clinical utility of small vessel stenting, particularly in the era of drug‐eluting stents.     

Aneurysm formation after drug‐eluting balloon treatment of drug‐eluting in‐stent restenosis: First case report

A 55‐year‐old male underwent paclitaxel‐eluting stent implantation in a bifurcation lesion of his left anterior descending artery (LAD) during an episode of unstable angina in 2008. A late in‐stent restenosis developed 15 months after implantation of the drug‐eluting stent (DES) and was treated with paclitaxel eluting balloon. Two months later, during angiography for functional assessment of the significance of lesions in the circumflex artery, an aneurysm at the place of drug‐eluting balloon (DEB) inflation was observed. The patient was left on double antiplatelet therapy and scheduled for clinical observation after 3 months and control coronary angiography after 6 months for aneurysm progression follow‐up. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Multiple coronary artery aneurysm formation one year and four years after sirolimus-eluting coronary stent implantation

A 61 years old male patient having the complaint of angina pectoris underwent coronary angiography that revealed critical luminal stenosis at left anterior descending artery (LAD) and diagonal branch. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed and sirolimus eluting stents (CYPHER; Johnson & Johnson – Cordis) 2.75 ×10 mm and 2.75×10 mm were deployed respectively. One year after the procedure coronary angiography revealed coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) formation in diagonal branch and mild ectasia in LAD stent area. Last coronary angiography four years and three months after initial intervention showed multiple CAA at diagonal branch and LAD. This case report is an example of late formation of CAA by sirolimus-coated coronary stent.