Difference in neointimal coverage at chronic stage between bare metal stent and sirolimus-eluting stent evaluated at stent-strut level by optical coherence tomography

Compared with the bare metal stent (BMS), suppression of neointimal growth in the sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) reduced restenosis at the cost of more exposed struts that could impose the risk of stent thrombosis. The present study was conducted to analyze neointimal coverage patterns of stents at a strut-level after implantation of BMS or SES with the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT). We enrolled 35 patients and analyzed neointimal coverage of every strut from 41 stents (BMS: n = 8, SES: n = 33) by using OCT at follow-up of the stent implantation. All of the 371 struts from eight BMSs were covered with ≥100 μm of neointima, while 19.8 and 3.5 % of 3,478 struts from 33 SESs were uncovered (neointimal thickness of <10 μm) and malapposed, respectively. The histogram of neointimal thickness showed basically normal distribution in BMS but skewed in SES. No regional difference in neointimal thickness was observed in BMS (proximal, 535.7 ± 25.2 μm; body, 532.4 ± 17.0 μm; distal, 485.8 ± 27.0 μm). In SES, however, the body segment showed thinner neointima [median 40 μm (interquartile range (IQR) 10–90 μm)] than proximal [60 μm (IQR 10–140 μm), p < 0.001] or distal [50 μm (IQR 10–110 μm), p < 0.001] segment, while uncovered and malapposed struts were more frequent in the proximal and body segments. In conclusion, SES, compared with BMS, showed more suppressed neointimal growth with regional variation: neointimal thickness was the least in the body part while the ratio of exposed and malapposed struts was minimal in the distal segment. OCT was useful for a strut-level analysis of neointimal coverage over the whole stent.     

Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Vascular Healing Process After Everolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation: An Optical Coherence Tomography Study

Background/purposeTo study the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on vascular healing process after implantation of everolimus-eluting stent (EES).Methods/materialsData from 3 prospective studies (HEAL-EES, REVER, and RESERVOIR), including patients with EES implantation and OCT follow-up, were merged. Differences in vascular healing process assessed by OCT were compared between DM and non-DM using generalized estimating equations. Neointimal proliferation, neointimal signal pattern (high, low, and layered), and uncovered/malapposed struts were evaluated.ResultsA total of 96 lesions (61 DM lesions and 35 non-DM lesions) were included. Mean OCT follow-up time was 8.9 ± 1.5 months and comparable between groups. DM were older, high frequently female and acute coronary syndrome, and received smaller stent than non-DM. No differences were observed in quantitative vascular healing process between groups. However, DM exhibited higher low and layered signal pattern neointima compared to non-DM at lesion level (p = 0.030) and cross-section level (p < 0.001). Uncovered/malapposed struts were comparable between groups.ConclusionsQuantitative vascular healing process was comparable between groups. However, DM was significantly associated with low signal pattern, which is characteristic of focal inflammation, after EES implantation. Further study might be required to study relationship between neointimal signal pattern and clinical events.     

Relationship between stent malapposition and incomplete neointimal coverage after drug-eluting stent implantation

Background: Using optical coherence tomography (OCT), we evaluated the relationship between malapposed and uncovered struts following implantation of drug‐eluting stents (DESs). Methods: A total of 271 patients with 306 lesions who underwent DES implantation and follow‐up OCT were included in the study. The lesions were grouped based on the presence of malapposition and then by the median value of the percentage of malapposed struts (1.3%) to produce 3 groups: lesions without malapposition (group I, n = 232) and those with percentage of malapposed struts <1.3% (group II, n = 37) or ≥1.3% (group III, n = 37). Percentages of malapposed and uncovered struts were calculated as percent ratio of malapposed or uncovered to total struts in the defined cross‐sections, respectively. We compared percentage of uncovered struts in all analyzable struts and in the residual struts without malapposed segments among the 3 groups. Results: Group III showed a significantly larger percentage of uncovered struts among all the struts (group I, 3.7 ± 6.4 vs. II, 5.5 ± 5.6 vs. III, 17.6 ± 15.9%, P < 0.001) and among residual struts without malapposed segments (3.7 ± 6.4 vs. 5.2 ± 5.7 vs. 15.0 ± 14.4%, respectively, P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between malapposed and uncovered struts in group III (r = 0.393, P = 0.016), but not in group II (r =?0.007, P = 0.965) among residual struts without malapposed segments. Conclusion: The percentage of uncovered DES struts was quite different depending on the presence and extent of malapposed struts. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:270–277)     

A meta-analysis of randomized trials and adjusted observational studies of drug-eluting stents versus coronary artery bypass grafting for unprotected left main coronary artery disease

BackgroundAcute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an independent risk factor for late stent thrombosis which might be related to the impaired vascular healing after drug-eluting stent (DES) due to the disruption of plaques and thrombus formation. Therefore, we investigated the vascular response after various DES implantations between ACS and stable angina pectoris (SAP) using optical coherence tomography (OCT).MethodsNinety-one patients [49 ACS: 20 sirolimus-eluting (SES), 12 paclitaxel-eluting (PES) and 17 zotarolimus eluting stent (ZES) and 42 SAP: 15 SES, 12 PES and 15 ZES] underwent OCT at 9 months after stent implantation. Neointimal coverage and malapposition were evaluated in 21,939 struts in 2269-mm stented segments.ResultsIn the ACS group, the incidence of uncovered and malapposed struts was significantly higher (8.9 ± 13.7 vs 2.9 ± 6.2%, p = 0.01 and 2.2 ± 5.6 vs 0.5 ± 2.0%, p = 0.02). Among the three DESs tested, SES showed a significantly higher rate of uncovered struts in the ACS group (17.3 ± 13.4 vs 4.4 ± 6.2%, p = 0.003). PES had a trend toward higher rate of uncovered and malapposed struts in the ACS groups (6.7 ± 7.6 vs 4.0 ± 9.0%, p = 0.13) while ZES was similar in both groups.ConclusionThe patterns of neointimal coverage and malapposition at 9 months after DES implantation were different between ACS and SAP, and variable among the DES type between two groups. Therefore, the present study suggests that vascular response after DES implantation might be influenced by both clinical presentation and type of DES.     

Neointimal coverage and stent strut apposition six months after implantation of a paclitaxel eluting stent in acute coronary syndromes: An optical coherence tomography study

Objectives

Prospective optical coherence tomography (OCT) study of strut apposition and neointimal hyperplasia thickness (NIH) of a paclitaxel eluting stent (PES), (Infinium, Sahajanand Medical Technologies Pvt Ltd.).

Background

Few data exist concerning neointimal coverage of PES. Uncovered and malapposed struts are more common following stenting in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) than in non-ACS lesions.

Methods

All consecutive patients with ACS, treated with the above PES for single native coronary lesions between August 2008 and January 2009, who consented to invasive follow-up with OCT at six months (N = 13), were included.

Results

At 6 months no patient demonstrated angiographic restenosis. 3180 struts from 20 stents were analyzed, and 91.3% were covered with neointima (NIH 204.8 ± 159.5 μm). Standard statistics and least squares estimates (LSE) derived from a hierarchical ANCOVA model to take into account clustering effects are presented. Rate of uncovered struts was 8.6%, LSE 7.39 (95% CI 3.05-11.73), malapposed struts 2.2%, LSE 1.76 (95% CI 0.05-3.58), and protruding struts 2.9%, LSE 2.8 (95% CI 1.35-4.65). The proportion of uncovered malapposed struts was significantly higher compared to uncovered embedded struts (55.7% vs. 6.8%, p < 0.01). In total, 5 (25%) PES were fully covered by neointima. No intracoronary thrombus or clinical events were detected.

Conclusions

Six months after implantation of a specific PES in patients with ACS, most of the stents were only partially covered with neointima, especially at sites of strut malapposition or protrusion. These findings emphasize the need for optimal stent apposition during implantation and for prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy.     

Early vascular healing with rapid breakdown biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting versus durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents assessed by optical coherence tomography

BackgroundDifferences in early arterial healing patterns after stent implantation between biodegradable and durable polymer based new generation drug-eluting stents are not well understood. The aim of this study was to compare the healing patterns of a novel rapid breakdown (≤ 8 weeks) biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent (BP-SES) with a durable polymer everolimus-eluting stent (EES) using intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) at 4 months.MethodsA total of 20 patients were randomly assigned to stenting with BP-SES (n = 11) or EES (n = 9). Overall intravascular imaging was available for 15 (75%) patients. The primary endpoint was the difference in rate of uncovered struts between BP-SES and EES. To account for strut-level clustering, the results in both treatment groups were compared using a generalized linear mixed model approach.ResultsRegarding the primary endpoint, BP-SES as compared to EES showed similar rates of uncovered struts (37 [6.8%] versus 167 [17.5%], odds ratio (OR) 0.45 (95% CI 0.09-2.24), p = 0.33). There were no malapposed struts in BP-SES group and 14 malapposed struts in EES group (p = 0.97). No difference in percent neointimal volume (14.1 ± 8.2% vs. 11.4 ± 6.4%, p = 0.56) was observed.ConclusionsAlthough rapid-breakdown BP-SES as compared to EES showed signs of improved early tissue coverage, after adjustment for strut-level clustering these differences were not statistically significant. No differences in ability to suppress neointimal hyperplasia after stent implantation between 2 stents were observed.     

Optical coherence tomography analysis of the stent strut and prediction of resolved strut malapposition at 3 months after 2nd-generation drug-eluting stent implantation

Our objective was to clarify whether thrombogenic problems with stent struts are resolved at 3 months after 2nd-generation drug-eluting stent implantation. Twenty-one patients with stable angina pectoris having 28 (22 zotarolimus-eluting, 6 everolimus-eluting) stents with optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were evaluated. Stent strut coverage and malapposition were evaluated by OCT immediately after PCI and at 3-month follow-up. Acute strut malapposition was observed in 26 out of 28 analyzed stents (92.9 %). At 3-month follow-up, 7 (26.9 %) of those 26 stents with strut malapposition were completely resolved, and the mean percentages of uncovered struts and malapposed struts were 8.3 and 2.0 % when analyzed by each individual stent. When analyzing a total of 30,060 struts, 807 struts (2.7 %) demonstrated acute strut malapposition. Among these, 219 struts (27.1 %) demonstrated persistent strut malapposition. On the basis of receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, a strut-to-vessel (S-V) distance ≤160 µm on post-stenting OCT images was the corresponding cutoff point for resolved malapposed struts (sensitivity 78.1 %, specificity 62.8 %, area under the curve 0.758). The S-V distance of persistent malapposed struts on post-stenting OCT images was longer than that of resolved malapposed struts (235 ± 112 vs. 176 ± 93 µm, p < 0.01). At 3 months after PCI, the prevalence rates of uncovered and malapposed struts were relatively low in 2nd-generation drug-eluting stent. Our results suggest that OCT-guide PCI with an S-V distance ≤160 µm may be recommended especially in patients with planed short-term DAPT.     

Assessment of Vascular Patency and Inflammation with Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients with Superficial Femoral Artery Disease Treated with Zilver PTX Stents

PurposeZilver PTX nitinol self-expanding drug-eluting stent with paclitaxel coating is effective for treatment of superficial femoral artery (SFA) disease. However, as with any stent, it induces a measure of vascular inflammatory response. The current clinical trial (NCT02734836) aimed to assess vascular patency, remodeling, and inflammatory markers with intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with SFA disease treated with Zilver PTX stents.MethodsSerial OCT examinations were performed in 13 patients at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Variables evaluated included neointimal area, luminal narrowing, thrombus area, stent expansion as well as measures of inflammation including, peri-strut low-intensity area (PLIA), macrophage arc, neovascularization, stent strut apposition and coverage.ResultsPercentage of malapposed struts decreased from 10.3 ± 7.9% post-intervention to 1.1 ± 2.2% at 12-month follow-up, but one patient showed late-acquired stent malapposition (LASM). The percent of uncovered struts at follow-up was 3.0 ± 4.5%. Average expansion of stent cross-sectional area from baseline to follow-up was 35 ± 19%. The average neointimal area was 7.8 ± 3.8 mm². Maximal luminal narrowing was 61.1 ± 25.0%, and average luminal narrowing was 35.4 ± 18.2%. Average peri-strut low-intensity area (PLIA) per strut was 0.017 ± 0.018 mm². Average number of neovessels per mm of stent was 0.138 ± 0.181. Average macrophage angle per frame at follow-up was 7 ± 11°. Average thrombus area at follow-up was 0.0093 ± 0.0184 mm².ConclusionAt 12-month follow-up, OCT analysis of Zilver PTX stent shows outward remodeling and minimal neointimal growth, but evidence of inflammation including PLIA, neovessels, thrombus and macrophages.SummaryThirteen patients with PAD had paclitaxel-coated stents implanted in their SFAs and were then imaged with OCT at baseline and 12-month follow-up. OCT proxy metrics of inflammation were quantified.     

Influence of Plaque Characteristics on Early Vascular Healing in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

ObjectivesTo compare the early vascular healing of ruptured plaques (RP) and non-ruptured plaques (NRP) one month after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), using optical coherence tomography (OCT).BackgroundVascular healing and strut coverage are important factors in reducing the risk of stent thrombosis after PCI. Influence of underlying lesion characteristics and differences in healing response between RP and NRP are unknown.MethodsTwenty-six STEMI-patients underwent PCI and implantation of a polymer-free drug-coated Biofreedom stent (BF-BES). OCT was performed pre-PCI, post-PCI and at 1-month follow-up. The patients were divided into two groups: RP = 15 and NRP = 11. OCT analyses of culprit lesion, post stent implantation at baseline and follow-up were performed to determine the difference in vascular healing based on presence of uncovered and/or malapposed stent struts and intraluminal filling defects.ResultsThe stent coverage did not differ significantly between the two groups at 1-month follow-up with percentage of uncovered struts: RP 26.5% [IQR 15.0–49.0] and NRP 28.1% [IQR 15.5–38.8] for NRP (p = 0.78). At 1-month, RP showed an increased percentage of late acquired malapposed struts (1.4% [IQR 0.8–2.4] vs. 0.0% [IQR 0.0–1.4], p = 0.03) and a larger total malapposition area (1.3 mm² [IQR 0.4–2.5] vs. 0.0 mm² [IQR 0.0–0.9], p = 0.01), compared to NRP.ConclusionThree out of four struts were covered within one month after stenting. The vascular healing was comparable in RP and NRP on stent coverage. However, RP had more and larger late acquired malapposition areas.     

Impact of drug-eluting balloon (pre- or post-) dilation on neointima formation in de novo lesions treated by bare-metal stent: the IN-PACT CORO trial

The efficacy of DEB in modifying the high restenosis risk associated with BMS implantation is doubtful. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) may allow precise assessment of neointimal formation after stent implantation. We performed a single-center, prospective, 1:2 randomized trial comparing BMS implantation alone (BMS group) vs. additional DEB (DEB group). DEB patients were further randomized 1:1 to DEB before stenting (pre-DEB group), or after stenting (post-DEB group). Primary endpoint was OCT-assessed neointimal hyperplasia (expressed both as mean in-stent neointimal area and as percentage obstruction of the mean stent area) at 6 months. Secondary endpoints were the percentage of uncovered and malapposed stent struts. Thirty patients were enrolled and randomized to BMS (n = 10), pre-DEB (n = 10), post-DEB (n = 10). At 6-month OCT follow-up, DEB significantly reduced neointimal area compared with BMS: mean neointimal area 2.01 ± 0.89 vs. 3.03 ± 1.07 mm² (p = 0.02), percentage area obstruction 24.56 ± 12.50 vs. 37.51 ± 12.26 % (p = 0.02). The percentage of uncovered and malapposed stent struts did not differ significantly between BMS and DEB. In the comparison between pre-DEB and post-DEB, no significant difference was observed for both primary and secondary endpoints. In de novo coronary lesions treated with BMS, DEB use could be associated with a mild reduction in neointimal hyperplasia at 6 months; this effect could be unrelated to the timing of DEB dilation (pre- or post-stenting).Clinical Trial Registration Information: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT01057563.     

Estudio comparativo de la cobertura neointimal entre los stents con recubrimiento de titanio-óxido nítrico y los liberadores de everolimus en el sindrome coronario agudo

Introduction and objectivesTo evaluate by optical coherence tomography neointimal healing response after implantation of cobalt-chromium-based titanium-nitride-oxide-coated (TiNO) stents and platinum-chromium-based biodegradable-polymer-coated everolimus-eluting stents (EES) in patients with acute coronary syndrome.MethodsPatients were randomized (1:1) to receive either a TiNO-stent or EES. Optical coherence tomography images were obtained at 30-day (cohort A, n = 52) and 6-month (cohort B, n = 30) follow-up. The primary endpoint was the percentage of uncovered struts per patient.ResultsIn cohort A, the percentage of uncovered struts was lower with TiNO-stents vs EES (3.2% vs 19.6%, P < .001). The percentage of malapposed struts was 0.4% in the TiNO-group and 2.1% in the EES group (P < .001). In cohort B, the percentage of uncovered struts was also lower with TiNO-stents (0.0% vs 8.7% (P < .001). The percentage of malapposed struts was 0% in the TiNO-stent group and 0.3% in the EES group (P = .008). None of the patients had repeat revascularization during the 6 months of follow-up.ConclusionsFollowing percutaneous intervention for acute coronary syndrome, TiNO stent implantation was associated with a lower percentage of uncovered and malapposed struts per patient, compared with EES, at early and mid-term follow-up.This study is registered under ClinicalTrials.gov, with number NCT02464397.     

A Comparison of Intravascular Imaging Modalities for Detection of Stent Struts in Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background

We used optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to assess the struts of implanted stents in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods

A totle of 10,756 stent struts were analyzed with OCT in 42 patients of ACS. Of them, both of IVUS and OCT imaging were performed in 33 patients. Appearance of stent struts was classified as well apposed, buried, malapposed, and nondetectable, and the number of stent struts were counted by OCT and IVUS was compared.

Results

Most of stent struts were well apposed (78.1%, 8,407/10,756). However, malapposed struts were 5.6% (607/10,756), and 14.1% (1,514/10,756) of stent struts were buried by thrombus. The nondetectable struts were 2.11% (228/10,756) in ACS. 94.7% (216/228) of nondetectable stent struts were associated with red thrombus, and plaque prolapse was in 5.3% (12/228). The number of stent struts counted by OCT were larger than that of IVUS. The mean number of stent struts at the proximal and distal stent edges were 24 ± 6.57 in OCT, the stent struts IVUS counted were 20 ± 4.18 (P < 0.0001). Although the frequency of malapposed struts were similar 4.6% (376/8,248) in OCT versus 4.8% (369/7,674) in IVUS (P = 0.788). Stent struts were often buried by thrombus in ACS 15.2% (1,252/8,248) in OCT versus 9.7% (747/7,674) in IVUS; P = 0.006. The nondetectable struts were fewer in IVUS than OCT 0.2% (16/7,674) in IVUS versus 2.2% (187/8,248) in OCT; P < 0.0001.

Conclusion

Stent struts are frequently buried and nondetectable due to thrombi burden in ACS patients. Adequate thrombus removal and proper selection of the imaging device is warranted in ACS. (J Interven Cardiol 2016;29:99–107)

     

Neointimal coverage of zotarolimus-eluting stent at 1, 2, and 3 months’ follow-up: an optical coherence tomography study

Incomplete neointimal coverage and malapposed struts after stenting are associated with increased risk of stent thrombosis. We aimed to evaluate neointimal coverage early after Resolute zotarolimus-eluting stent (R-ZES) implantation using optical coherence tomography (OCT). A total of 20 patients with de novo native coronary lesions with R-ZES were enrolled. Among these patients, 20 stented lesions in 19 patients were evaluated at 1, 2, and 3 months after R-ZES implantation. The strut apposition and neointimal coverage were evaluated by OCT. Neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) thickness and percentage of covered struts and the proportion of incompletely apposed struts were measured at 1-mm intervals. The mean percentages of covered stent struts were over 85 % within 3 months (88.4 ± 6.3 % at 1 month, 95.5 ± 5.5 % at 2 months, 93.6 ± 3.5 % at 3 months). The percentages of incompletely apposed struts were not significantly different among the groups (4.4 ± 4.2 % at 1 month, 1.9 ± 1.9 % at 2 months, 3.1 ± 2.2 % at 3 months, p = 0.51). Mean NIH thickness (38.9 ± 8.1 μm at 1 month, 70.6 ± 18.8 μm at 2 months, 54.1 ± 5.9 at 3 months, p = 0.0016) was thickest in the 2 months group. Most of all OCT findings within 2 months demonstrated neointimal coverage with low signal intensity. The neointimal coverage of ZES-R was over 85 % within 3 months. These data may support shorter requirement of dual antiplatelet therapy duration with R-ZES.     

Long-Term Outcomes of Neointimal Hyperplasia Without Neoatherosclerosis After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between in-stent neointimal tissue without features of neoatherosclerosis and long-term clinical outcomes.BackgroundRecent studies have reported differential morphological characteristics of in-stent neointimal tissue assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT).MethodsThe study population consisted of 336 patients with 368 drug-eluting stent-treated lesions. Patients received a follow-up OCT examination without any intervention. OCT-based neointima was categorized as homogeneous (n = 227 lesions in 208 patients), heterogeneous (n = 79 lesions in 73 patients), or layered (n = 62 lesions in 55 patients). Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (a composite of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization) were assessed according to neointimal patterns during long-term clinical follow-up after OCT examination.ResultsThe time interval between stent implantation and OCT examination was similar among the 3 groups (p = 0.64). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, the significant determinant for the heterogeneous neointima was age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.037, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.007 to 1.068, p = 0.015) and an initial clinical presentation of acute coronary syndrome (OR: 1.967, 95% CI: 1.159 to 3.339, p = 0.012). The overall median follow-up duration for all patients after follow-up OCT examination was 31.0 months, and this was statistically different among the heterogeneous group (22.0 months), the homogeneous group (34.0 months), and the layered group (28.0 months, overall p = 0.002). MACE occurred more frequently in patients with heterogeneous neointima over a median 31-month follow-up period after OCT examination (13.7% vs. 2.9% in homogeneous vs. 7.3% in layered, p = 0.001). A propensity score–adjusted Cox regression analysis showed that independent risk factors for MACE were inclusion in the heterogeneous neointima (hazard ratio: 3.925, 95% CI: 1.445 to 10.662, p = 0.007) and minimal lumen cross-sectional area (hazard ratio: 0.368, 95% CI: 0.242 to 0.560, p < 0.001).ConclusionsDetermination of neointimal characteristics is helpful in predicting long-term clinical outcomes. Our data suggest that heterogeneous lesions are linked to poor long-term clinical prognoses.     

Preliminary observations using optical coherence tomography to assess neointimal coverage of a metal stent in a porcine model

BackgroundConcerns surrounding late stent thrombosis have prompted the development of novel imaging techniques to assess neointimal coverage. Recent clinical studies have evaluated optical coherence tomography (OCT) to evaluate neointimal coverage, but pathologic correlation in an animal model is lacking. We assessed the hypothesis that OCT could accurately assess early neointimal coverage in a porcine model.MethodsOCT imaging of bare metal stents in each coronary artery was performed at implantation (n=6), Day 4 (n=3), and Day 20 (n=3), and images were evaluated at three cross-sections per stented segment. Neointimal strut coverage was categorized by OCT as covered or uncovered, and neointimal thickness was determined (Day 20). Pathological correlation was obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess strut coverage (Day 4) and histomorphometry to quantify neointimal thickness (Day 20).ResultsAt Day 4, OCT imaging detected 28 (26%) of 109 uncovered struts, and the ratio of uncovered/total strut area by SEM was 31%. All imaging modalities showed complete coverage at Day 20. Mean (±SE) neointimal thickness at Day 20 was 109±6 μm by OCT (n=116 struts) and 93±5 μm by pathology (n=68). Mean neointimal thickness on a segment-by-segment basis determined by OCT correlated with mean histomorphometric analysis (Reviewer 1: r=.74, P=.092 and Reviewer 2: r=0.60, P=.212).ConclusionsDay 4 represents an important time point for the assessment of early neointimal coverage in the porcine model. OCT imaging accurately assesses the extent and thickness of early neointimal coverage with good pathologic correlation. OCT represents a promising imaging modality for the in vivo assessment of neointimal coverage.     

药物洗脱支架术后冠状动脉造影随访无再狭窄患者光学相干断层成像检查结果分析

Objective:To evaluate neointimal coverage after Drug Eluting Stent implantation without no restenosis during angiographic follow up by using optical coherence tomography(OCT).Methods:18 case enrolled into this project who received angiography follow up and OCT checkout.Results:1.Totally,4709 struts were analyzed and 88.6% were completely covered with neointimal,and 0.7% were partly covered and 8.1% were uncovered.The rate of late malapposition of struts was 2.6%.The average neointimal hyperplasia thickness...     

Impact of preprocedural high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels on uncovered stent struts: an optical coherence tomography study after drug-eluting stent implantation

Background

There are no sufficient data to evaluate the relationship between high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) and uncovered stent struts on optical coherence tomography (OCT) after drug‐eluting stent (DES) implantation.

Hypothesis

We evaluated the relationship between the preprocedural level of hs‐CRP and incomplete neointimal coverage of DES struts on OCT.

Methods

This study was conducted using 124 eligible patients (132 lesions) treated with sirolimus‐eluting stents (SES) or zotarolimus‐eluting stents (ZES). The subjects were divided into 2 groups based on the preprocedural hs‐CRP level: high‐CRP (≥3 mg/L; 58 lesions) and normal‐CRP (<3 mg/L, 74 lesions) groups. The percentage of uncovered struts, calculated as the ratio of uncovered struts to total struts in all OCT cross‐sections, was compared between the 2 groups according to initial clinical presentation (stable angina [SA] vs acute coronary syndrome) and the type of implanted DES (SES vs ZES).

Results

There was no significant correlation between hs‐CRP and the percentage of uncovered struts on OCT in all enrolled lesions. In the SA subgroup, the percentage of uncovered struts was significantly higher in the high‐CRP group than in the normal‐CRP group (8.1 ± 11.6% vs 3.8 ± 7.9%, P = 0.018). There was significant correlation between hs‐CRP level and the percentage of uncovered struts in SA patients with SES (r = 0.280, P = 0.039), but not ZES (r = ? 0.063, P = 0.729).

Conclusions

Preprocedural hs‐CRP level could affect incomplete neointimal coverage of struts after DES implantation depending on the initial clinical presentation and the type of implanted DES. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. This study was partly supported by grants from the Korea Healthcare Technology R&D Project, Ministry for Health, Welfare & Family Affairs, Republic of Korea (No. A085012 and A102064), the Korea Health 21 R&D Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (No. A085136), and the Cardiovascular Research Center, Seoul, Korea. The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.

     

Differential healing response attributed to culprit lesions of patients with acute coronary syndromes and stable coronary artery after implantation of drug-eluting stents: An optical coherence tomography study

Background

Pathology studies have shown delayed arterial healing in culprit lesions of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) after placement of drug-eluting stents (DES). It is unknown whether similar differences exist in-vivo during long-term follow-up. Using optical coherence tomography (OCT), we assessed differences in arterial healing between patients with ACS and stable CAD five years after DES implantation.

Methods and results

A total of 88 patients comprised of 53 ACS lesions with 7864 struts and 35 stable lesions with 5298 struts were suitable for final OCT analysis five years after DES implantation. The analytical approach was based on a hierarchical Bayesian random-effects model. OCT endpoints were strut coverage, malapposition, protrusion, evaginations and cluster formation. Uncovered (1.7% vs. 0.7%, adjusted p = 0.041) or protruding struts (0.50% vs. 0.13%, adjusted p = 0.038) were more frequent among ACS compared with stable CAD lesions. A similar trend was observed for malapposed struts (1.33% vs. 0.45%, adj. p = 0.072). Clusters of uncovered or malapposed/protruding struts were present in 34.0% of ACS and 14.1% of stable patients (adj. p = 0.041). Coronary evaginations were more frequent in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction compared with stable CAD patients (0.16 vs. 0.13 per cross section, p = 0.027).

Conclusion

Uncovered, malapposed, and protruding stent struts as well as clusters of delayed healing may be more frequent in culprit lesions of ACS compared with stable CAD patients late after DES implantation. Our observational findings suggest a differential healing response attributable to lesion characteristics of patients with ACS compared with stable CAD in-vivo.     

Clinical Outcomes and OCT Analysis After Culotte Stenting With 2nd- and 3rd-Generation Everolimus-Eluting Stents: Two-Year Follow-Up of the CELTIC Bifurcation Study

PurposeThe aim of this study was to provide 2-year clinical outcomes for patients with Medina 1,1,1 bifurcation lesions treated with a culotte technique, comparing Synergy and Xience drug eluting stent (DES) platforms. A sub-group analysis of 9-month Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) was performed to assess stent healing.MethodsA total of 170 patients with non-left main stem Medina 1,1,1 lesions, were randomized to treatment with Synergy or Xience DES. The primary outcome was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, target vessel failure, stent thrombosis and angiographic restenosis. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of 30 bifurcations were carried out on OCT images taken at 9-month follow-up.ResultsAfter 2 years, the primary outcome had occurred in 17.7% of patients in the Synergy group and 18.8% of patients in the Xience group. The non-inferiority test was met (p = 0.0055). MACCE occurred in 7.3% of all patients by 2 years.OCT analysis found smaller stent and lumen areas in patients treated with Synergy stents. There was a higher proportion of malapposed struts in patients treated with Xience stents.ConclusionsThe first report of the CELTIC bifurcation study demonstrated a low MACCE rate after 9 months. There was little accrual of events after this timepoint. There was no difference in clinical outcomes between the platforms tested. OCT analysis demonstrated excellent healing of both platforms.