Continuous thermodilution and microvascular resistance reserve during the index procedure in acute coronary syndrome without obstructive coronary artery disease:A pilot study

Background: In 5%−25% of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients, coronary angiography reveals no obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). Coronary microvascular disease (CMD) is a potential causal pathophysiological mechanism in these patients and can be diagnosed by continuous thermodilution assessment. Recently, the microvascular resistance reserve (MRR) has been introduced as a novel index to assess the vasodilatory capacity of the microcirculation. However, continuous thermodilution and MRR have never been investigated in the acute setting in MINOCA patients and invasive assessment of the microcirculation in these patients are currently lacking. Aims: The objectives of the study were to investigate the incidence of CMD (MRR ≤ 2.7) in patients with MINOCA and to evaluate the feasibility and safety of continuous thermodilution-based assessment during index coronary angiography in the acute setting. Methods: This study was a prospective, observational, pilot study investigating coronary physiology in the acute setting in MINOCA patients. Patients admitted with a diagnosis of NSTE-ACS were eligible for inclusion. Results: In total, 19 MINOCA patients were included in this analysis; the mean age was 70 ± 9 years, and 79% were females. CMD was present in 6 patients (32%). Qrest was significantly higher in the MRR ≤ 2.7 group compared to the MRR &gt; 2.7 group (0.076 [0.057−0.100] vs. 0.049 [0.044−0.071] L/min, p = 0.03). Rµ,rest was significantly lower in the MRR ≤ 2.7 group compared to the MRR &gt; 2.7 group (1083 [710−1510] vs. 1563 [1298−1970] WU, p = 0.04). No periprocedural complications or hemodynamic instability have occurred during continuous thermodilution assessment during the index coronary angiography. Conclusion: In patients admitted for MINOCA undergoing immediate coronary angiography, continuous thermodilution assessment and MRR are feasible and safe in the acute setting, and evidence of functional CMD could be observed in one-third of the MINOCA patients.</p

Impact of ultra-thin struts on restenosis after chronic total occlusion recanalization: Insights from the randomized PRISON IV trial

The PRISON-IV trial showed inferior outcome in patients with chronic total occlusions (CTOs) treated with the ultrathin-struts (60\u2009\u3bcm for stent diameter 643\u2009mm, 81\u3bcm &gt;3\u2009mm) hybrid-sirolimus eluting stents (SES) compared with everolimus eluting stents (EES, 81\u2009\u3bcm). The aim of this study is to investigate if the use of smaller stents ( 643\u2009mm) was responsible for the inferior outcome reported in the trial

Impact of Bifurcation Lesions on Outcomes after FFR-Guided PCI or CABG

BACKGROUND: In the era of first-generation drug-eluting stents and angiography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the presence of a bifurcation lesion was associated with adverse outcomes after PCI. In contrast, the presence of a bifurcation lesion had no impact on outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Therefore, the presence of a coronary bifurcation lesion requires special attention when choosing between CABG and PCI. The aim of this study is to assess whether the presence of a bifurcation lesion still influences clinical outcomes after contemporary PCI using second-generation drug-eluting stent and fractional flow reserve (FFR) guidance versus CABG. METHODS: The randomized FAME 3 trial (Fractional Flow Reserve Versus Angiography for Multivessel Evaluation) compared FFR-guided PCI using current drug-eluting stents with CABG in patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease. The prespecified key end point at 3-year follow-up was the composite of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. In this substudy, the impact of bifurcation lesions on outcomes after FFR-guided PCI and CABG was investigated. RESULTS: The FAME 3 trial enrolled 1500 patients and 653 (45.2%) patients had at least 1 true bifurcation lesion. There was no difference in the composite of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke at the 3-year follow-up between patients with or without at least 1 true bifurcation lesion (11.6% versus 10.0%; hazard ratio, 1.17 [95% CI, 0.86-1.61]; P=0.32), regardless of revascularization strategy. The composite end point was not statistically different between FFR-guided PCI and CABG in patients with at least 1 true bifurcation lesion (hazard ratio, 1.27 [95% CI, 0.80-2.00]) or without a true bifurcation lesion (hazard ratio, 1.36 [95% CI, 0.87-2.12]), with no significant interaction (Pinteraction=0.81). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease, the presence of a true bifurcation lesion was not associated with a different treatment effect after FFR-guided PCI with contemporary drug-eluting stent versus CABG.</p

Recovery of Absolute Coronary Blood Flow and Microvascular Resistance After Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: An Exploratory Study

Background: This study aimed to investigate longitudinal physiological changes in the recanalized coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) vessel and its dependent myocardium after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods and Results: In this pilot study, 25 patients scheduled for elective CTO PCI with viable myocardium and angiographically visible collaterals were included. Absolute coronary blood flow and absolute microvascular resistance were measured invasively using continuous thermodilution. Measurements were performed immediately after successful CTO PCI and at short‐term follow‐up. In a subgroup of patients, physiological measurements were performed at the predominant donor vessel before CTO PCI, immediately afterwards, and at follow‐up. Absolute coronary blood flow in the recanalized CTO artery increased from 148±53 mL/min immediately after PCI to 221±77 mL/min at follow‐up (P<0.001). In agreement, absolute resistance in the myocardial territory perfused by the CTO artery, decreased from 545±255 Wood units immediately after the procedure to 387±128 Wood units at follow‐up (P=0.014). There were no significant changes in the absolute coronary blood flow and resistance in the predominant donor between baseline and follow‐up. Positive remodeling of the distal CTO vessel with an increase in lumen diameter was observed. Conclusions: After successful CTO PCI, blood flow in the recanalized artery and microvascular function of the dependent myocardium are not immediately normal but recover over time

Bifurcation PCI with a hybrid strategy with drug- eluting balloons versus a stepwise provisional two- stent strategy:Rationale and design of the hybrid DEB study

The optimal treatment strategy for coronary bifurcation lesions by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is complex and remains a subject of debate. Current guidelines advise a stepwise provisional approach with optional two-stent strategy. However, a two-stent strategy, both upfront and stepwise provisional, is technically demanding. Therefore, there is increasing interest in the use of drug-eluting balloons (DEB) in bifurcation lesions, mainly after a provisional approach with unsatisfactory result of the side branch. Some small pilot studies already showed that the use of DEB in bifurcation lesions is safe and feasible. However, a randomized comparison of this hybrid DEB strategy with a two-stent strategy is currently lacking. Trial design: The Hybrid DEB study is a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial investigating noninferiority of a hybrid DEB approach, using a combination of a drug-eluting stent (DES) in the main vessel and DEB in the side branch, compared to stepwise provisional two-stent strategy in patients with true bifurcation lesions. A total of 500 patients with de novo true coronary bifurcation lesions, treated with a stepwise provisional approach and an unsatisfactory result of the side branch after main vessel stenting (≥ 70% stenosis and/or &lt; thrombolysis in myocardial infarction III flow), will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either treatment with a DEB or with a DES in the side branch. The primary endpoint is a composite endpoint of the occurrence of all-cause death, periprocedural or spontaneous myocardial infarction and/or target vessel revascularization at the anticipated median 2-year follow-up. Conclusion: The Hybrid DEB study will compare in a multicenter, randomized fashion a hybrid DEB approach with a stepwise provisional two-stent strategy in patients with true bifurcation lesions. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov no. NCT05731687.</p

Impact of symptom duration and mechanical circulatory support on prognosis in cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction

Background: Mortality rates in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMICS) remain high despite advancements in AMI care. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of prehospital symptom duration on the prognosis of AMICS patients and those receiving mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Methods and results: We conducted a retrospective cohort study with data registered in the Netherlands Heart Registration. A total of 1,363 patients with AMICS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention between 2017 and 2021 were included. Patients presenting after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were excluded. Most patients were male (68%), with a median age of 69 years (IQR 61–77), predominantly presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (86%). The overall 30-day mortality was 32%. Longer prehospital symptom duration was associated with a higher 30-day mortality with the following rates: &lt; 3 h, 26%; 3–6 h, 29%; 6–24 h, 36%; ≥ 24 h, 46%; p &lt; 0.001. In a subpopulation of AMICS patients with MCS (n = 332, 24%), symptom duration of &gt; 24 h was associated with significantly higher mortality compared to symptom duration of &lt; 24 h (59% vs 45%, p = 0.029). Multivariate analysis identified &gt; 24 h symptom duration, age and in-hospital cardiac arrest as predictors of 30-day mortality in MCS patients. Conclusion: Prolonged prehospital symptom duration was associated with significantly increased 30-day mortality in patients presenting with AMICS. In AMICS patients treated with MCS, a symptom duration of &gt; 24 h was an independent predictor of poor survival. These results emphasise the critical role of early recognition and intervention in the prognosis of AMICS patients.</p

ULTrasound-guided TRAnsfemoral puncture in COmplex Large bORe PCI: study protocol of the UltraCOLOR trial

Introduction Although recently published evidence favours transradial access (TRA) when using large-bore guiding catheters for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of complex coronary lesions, the femoral artery will still be used in a considerate proportion of patients undergoing complex PCI, especially in PCI of chronic total occlusions (CTO). Ultrasound-guided puncture of the femoral artery may reduce clinically relevant access site complications, but robust evidence is lacking up to date. Methods and analysis A total of 542 patients undergoing complex PCI, defined as PCI of CTO, complex bifurcation, heavy calcified lesion or left main, in which the 7-F or 8-F transfemoral access is required, will be randomised to ultrasound-guided puncture or fluoroscopy-guided puncture. The primary outcome is the incidence of the composite end-point of clinically relevant access site related bleeding and/or vascular complications requiring intervention. Access site complications and major adverse cardiovascular events up to 1 month will also be compared between both groups. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval for the study was granted by the local Ethics Committee ('Medisch Ethische Toetsing Commissie Isala Zwolle') for all Dutch sites, 'Comité Medische Ethiek Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg' for Hospital Oost-Limburg, 'Comité d'éthique CHU-Charleroi - ISPPC' for Centre Hospilatier Universitaire de Charleroi and 'Ethik Kommission de Arztekammer Nordrhein' for Elisabeth-Krankenhaus). The trial outcomes will be published in peer-reviewed journals of the concerned literature. The ultrasound guided transfemoral access in complex large bore PCI trial has been administered in the ClinicalTrials.gov database, reference number: NCT03846752. Registration details ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03846752

Characteristics, Treatment Strategies and Outcome in Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction:A Contemporary Dutch Cohort

Cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Our study aimed to gain insights into patient characteristics, outcomes and treatment strategies in CS patients. Patients with CS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 2017 and 2021 were identified in a nationwide registry. Data on medical history, laboratory values, angiographic features and outcomes were retrospectively assessed. A total of 2328 patients with a mean age of 66 years and of whom 73% were male, were included. Mortality at 30 days was 39% for the entire cohort. Non-survivors presented with a lower mean blood pressure and increased heart rate, blood lactate and blood glucose levels (p-value for all &lt;0.001). Also, an increased prevalence of diabetes, multivessel coronary artery disease and a prior coronary event were found. Of all patients, 24% received mechanical circulatory support, of which the majority was via intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs). Furthermore, 79% of patients were treated with at least one vasoactive agent, and multivessel PCI was performed in 28%. In conclusion, a large set of hemodynamic, biochemical and patient-related characteristics was identified to be associated with mortality. Interestingly, multivessel PCI and IABPs were frequently applied despite a lack of evidence.</p

Impact of symptom duration and mechanical circulatory support on prognosis in cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Mortality rates in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMICS) remain high despite advancements in AMI care. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of prehospital symptom duration on the prognosis of AMICS patients and those receiving mechanical circulatory support (MCS). METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study with data registered in the Netherlands Heart Registration. A total of 1,363 patients with AMICS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention between 2017 and 2021 were included. Patients presenting after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were excluded. Most patients were male (68%), with a median age of 69 years (IQR 61-77), predominantly presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (86%). The overall 30-day mortality was 32%. Longer prehospital symptom duration was associated with a higher 30-day mortality with the following rates:  24 h was associated with significantly higher mortality compared to symptom duration of  24 h symptom duration, age and in-hospital cardiac arrest as predictors of 30-day mortality in MCS patients. CONCLUSION: Prolonged prehospital symptom duration was associated with significantly increased 30-day mortality in patients presenting with AMICS. In AMICS patients treated with MCS, a symptom duration of > 24 h was an independent predictor of poor survival. These results emphasise the critical role of early recognition and intervention in the prognosis of AMICS patients

Characteristics, Treatment Strategies and Outcome in Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Contemporary Dutch Cohort

Cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Our study aimed to gain insights into patient characteristics, outcomes and treatment strategies in CS patients. Patients with CS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 2017 and 2021 were identified in a nationwide registry. Data on medical history, laboratory values, angiographic features and outcomes were retrospectively assessed. A total of 2328 patients with a mean age of 66 years and of whom 73% were male, were included. Mortality at 30 days was 39% for the entire cohort. Non-survivors presented with a lower mean blood pressure and increased heart rate, blood lactate and blood glucose levels ( p-value for all <0.001). Also, an increased prevalence of diabetes, multivessel coronary artery disease and a prior coronary event were found. Of all patients, 24% received mechanical circulatory support, of which the majority was via intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs). Furthermore, 79% of patients were treated with at least one vasoactive agent, and multivessel PCI was performed in 28%. In conclusion, a large set of hemodynamic, biochemical and patient-related characteristics was identified to be associated with mortality. Interestingly, multivessel PCI and IABPs were frequently applied despite a lack of evidence