Aminophylline for Preventing Bradyarrhythmias During Orbital or Rotational Atherectomy of the Right Coronary Artery

BACKGROUND

Coronary atherectomy, orbital or rotational, is frequently used for plaque modification in patients with heavily calcified lesions. Atherectomy can be associated with clinically significant bradyarrhythmias or transient atrioventricular block requiring temporary pacemaker insertion, mainly in lesions involving the right coronary artery or a dominant left circumflex artery. Bradyarrhythmias may be mediated by endogenous release of adenosine from red blood cell breakdown. Aminophylline, an adenosine antagonist, can prevent adenosine-mediated bradyarrhythmias.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis examined 7 patients in whom aminophylline (250-300 mg intravenously over 10 min) was administered before coronary atherectomy. The study endpoint was the occurrence of any bradyarrhythmia.

RESULTS

Orbital atherectomy was used in 3 cases, rotational atherectomy was used in 3 cases, and both systems were used in 1 case. Technical success was 100% and all patients had Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 3 flow at the end of the procedure. Preprocedural aminophylline administration successfully prevented bradyarrhythmias or atrioventricular block in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous aminophylline represents a simple, safe, widely available, and low-cost intervention for preventing bradyarrhythmias during atherectomy of the right coronary artery or a dominant circumflex artery.

Medical simulation in interventional cardiology: "More research is needed"

Medical simulation is being used for training fellows to perform coronary angiography. Medical simulation training was associated with 2 min less fluoroscopy time per case after adjustment. Whether medical simulation really works needs to be evaluated in additional, well-designed and executed clinical studies.

The "double stingray technique" for recanalizing chronic total occlusions with bifurcation at the distal cap

Antegrade dissection re-entry is often discouraged for chronic total occlusions (CTOs) with a bifurcation at the distal cap due to risk of side branch occlusion that can lead to periprocedural myocardial infarction and incomplete revascularization. Antegrade dissection re-entry, however, is often needed, especially in complex cases. We present the novel "double Stingray technique" for CTOs involving bifurcations, in which the Stingray system is used twice for re-entry into both vessel branches, followed by two-stent bifurcation stenting to maintain the patency of both branches.

The effect of major adverse renal cardiovascular event (MARCE) incidence, procedure volume, and unit cost on the hospital savings resulting from contrast media use in inpatient angioplasty

OBJECTIVE

To determine the net economic impact of switching from low-osmolar contrast media (LOCM) to iso-osmolar contrast media (IOCM; iodixanol) in patients undergoing inpatient coronary or peripheral angioplasty in the United States (US).

METHODS

A budget impact model (BIM) was developed from a hospital perspective. Nationally representative procedural and contrast media prevalence rates, along with MARCE (major adverse renal cardiovascular event) incidence and episode-related cost data were derived from Premier Hospital Data (October 2014 to September 2015). A previously estimated relative risk reduction in MARCE associated with IOCM usage (9.3%) was applied. The higher cost of IOCM was included when calculating the net impact estimates at the aggregate, hospital type, and per hospital levels. One-way (±25%) and probabilistic sensitivity analyses identified the model's most important inputs.

RESULTS

Based on weighted analysis, 513,882 US inpatient angioplasties and 35,610 MARCE cases were estimated annually. Switching to an "IOCM only" strategy from a "LOCM only" strategy increases contrast media cost, but prevents 2,900 MARCE events. The annual budget impact was an estimated saving of $30.71 million, aggregated across all US hospitals, $6,316 per hospital, or $60 per procedure. Net savings were maintained across all univariate sensitivity analyses. While MARCE/event-free cost differential was the most important factor driving total net savings for hospitals in the Northeast and West, procedural volume was important in the Midwest and rural locations.

CONCLUSIONS

Switching to an "IOCM only" strategy from a "LOCM only" approach yields substantial net global savings to hospitals, both at the national level and within hospital sub-groups. Hospital administrators should maintain awareness of the factors that are likely to be more influential for their hospital and recognize that purchasing on the basis of lower contrast media cost may result in higher overall costs for patients undergoing inpatient angioplasty.

Iso-osmolar contrast media and adverse renal and cardiac events after percutaneous cardiovascular intervention

Aim: To assess the relationship between type of contrast media (CM), iso-osmolar contrast media (IOCM) or low-osmolar contrast media (LOCM), and major adverse renal and cardiovascular events (MARCE). Materials & methods: Coronary or peripheral angioplasty visits were stratified into CM cohorts: IOCM or LOCM. Multivariable regression analysis used hospital fixed effects to assess the relationship between MARCE events and type of CM. Results: Among 333,533 visits (357 hospitals), the incidence of MARCE was 7.41%. After controlling for observable and unobservable time invariant within-hospital characteristics, administration of IOCM versus LOCM was associated with a 0.69% absolute and 9.32% relative risk reduction in MARCE rate. Conclusion: Our study indicates that as compared with LOCM, IOCM may be associated with reduction of MARCE events in coronary or peripheral angioplasty patients.

Abstract 113: Temporal Trends in the Use of Therapeutic Hypothermia for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Insights From the CARES Registry

Background: Despite evidence that therapeutic hypothermia improves patient outcomes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, use of this therapy remains low. It is unknown if the use of therapeutic hypothermia and patient outcomes have changed following publication of a trial that supported more lenient temperature management.

Methods: In the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES), we identified 45,935 U.S. patients who experienced out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and survived to admission at 649 hospitals between 2013 and 2016. Using segmented hierarchical logistic regression, we determined risk-adjusted trends in the use of therapeutic hypothermia overall and stratified by presenting rhythm of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) vs pulseless electrical activity or asystole (PEA/asystole). We used mediation analysis to assess the impact of temporal trends in the use of therapeutic hypothermia on risk-adjusted survival trends at a patient- and hospital-level.

Results: Overall use of therapeutic hypothermia was 46.4%. In unadjusted analyses, the use of therapeutic hypothermia dropped from 52.5% in the last quarter of 2013 to 46.0% in the first quarter of 2014 after publication of a trial that supported more lenient temperature management. Use of therapeutic hypothermia remained at or below 46.5% through 2016. After risk-adjustment, these trends in use persisted (see Figure). Compared with the last quarter of 2013, the risk-adjusted odds of therapeutic hypothermia was 18% lower in the first quarter of 2014 (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.71, 0.94, P=0.006). Similar findings were observed in analyses stratified by presenting rhythm (see Figure). Overall risk-adjusted patient survival was 36.9% in 2013, 37.5% in 2014, 34.8% in 2015, and 34.3% in 2016 (P for trend<0.001). Trends in hypothermia use did not explain trends in survival.

Conclusions: In a U.S. registry of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, the use of therapeutic hypothermia decreased after publication of a study supporting more lenient temperature thresholds. Concurrent to this change, overall risk-adjusted survival of cardiac arrest decreased, but was not attributed to lower use of therapeutic hypothermia.

Mechanical Circulatory Support in Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From a Multicenter U.S. Registry

OBJECTIVE

To study outcomes with use of percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

We examined characteristics and outcomes of 1598 CTO-PCIs performed from 2012-2017 at 12 high-volume centers.

RESULTS

Patient age was 66 ± 10 years; 86% were men. An MCS device was used electively in 69 procedures (4%) and urgently in 22 procedures (1%). The most commonly used elective MCS device was Impella 2.5 or CP (62%). Compared to patients without elective MCS, patients with elective MCS had higher prevalence of prior heart failure (55% vs 29%; P<.001), prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (49% vs 35%; P=.02), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (34 ± 14% vs 50 ± 14%; P<.001). MCS patients had a higher prevalence of moderate/ severe calcification (88% vs 55%; P<.001) and higher J-CTO scores (3.1 ± 1.2 vs 2.6 ± 1.2; P<.01), and a greater proportion underwent retrograde crossing attempts (55% vs 39%; P<.01). Despite more complex characteristics in MCS patients, technical success rates (88% vs 87%; P=.70) and procedural success rates (83% vs 87%; P=.32) were similar in the two groups. Use of elective MCS was associated with longer procedure and fluoroscopy times, and higher incidences of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (8.7% vs 2.5%; P<.01) and bleeding (7.3% vs 1.0%; P<.001).

CONCLUSION

Elective MCS was used in 4% of patients undergoing CTO-PCI. Despite more complex clinical and angiographic characteristics, elective use of MCS in high-risk patients is associated with similar technical and procedural success rates, but higher risk of complications, compared to cases without elective MCS.

Retrograde CTO-PCI of Native Coronary Arteries Via Left Internal Mammary Artery Grafts: Insights From a Multicenter U.S. Registry

BACKGROUND

Retrograde percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of native coronary artery chronic total occlusion (CTO) via left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft has received limited study.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We compared the clinical and procedural characteristics and outcomes of retrograde CTO-PCI through LIMA grafts vs other conduits in a contemporary multicenter CTO registry. The LIMA was used as the collateral channel in 20 of 990 retrograde CTO-PCIs (2.02%) performed at 18 United States centers. The mean age of the study patients was 69 ± 7 years and 95% were men. The most common CTO target vessel was the right coronary artery (55%). The mean J-CTO score in the LIMA group was high (3.45 ± 0.76). The technical success rates were 70% for retrograde PCI via LIMA graft vs 81.05% for retrograde via other conduits (P=.25), while procedural success rates were 70% for retrograde PCI via LIMA graft and 78.19% for retrograde via other conduits (P=.41). The incidence of major in-hospital complications was also similar between the LIMA and non-LIMA retrograde groups (5% vs 6%; P>.99). Use of guide-catheter extensions (40% vs 28%; P=.22), intravascular ultrasound (45% vs 31%; P=.20), and left ventricular assist devices (24% vs 10%; P=.08) was numerically higher in retrograde CTO-PCIs via LIMA grafts.

CONCLUSIONS

Retrograde CTO-PCI is infrequently performed via LIMA grafts and is associated with similar success and major in-hospital complication rates as retrograde CTO-PCI performed via other conduits.

Bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin in peripheral vascular interventions

BACKGROUND

A number of studies suggest that bivalirudin (BIV) is associated with similar efficacy but reduced bleeding when compared with unfractionated heparin (UFH) in patients undergoing peripheral vascular interventions (PVI).

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted with the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL. These were queried to identify studies comparing BIV with UFH in PVI. Study endpoints included total bleeding events, major and minor bleeding events and procedural success. Random-effects meta-analysis method was used to pool endpoint odds ratios (OR) for both UFH and BIV with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

A total of 12,335 patients (70.6 years; 59.7% male) were included from seven observational cohort studies (two prospective and five retrospective) comparing outcomes between BIV and UFH during PVI between January 2000 and May 2017. Compared with BIV, UFH was associated with significantly higher total bleeding, (OR 1.52 with 95% CI 1.11 to 2.09, p = 0.009), major bleeding (OR 1.38 with 95% CI 1.13 to 1.68, p = 0.002), and minor bleeding (OR 1.51 with 95% CI 1.09 to 2.08, p = 0.01). Procedural success rates were not different between the two groups (BIV vs HEP: OR 0.90 with 95% CI 0.49 to 1.64, p = 0.72) CONCLUSION: Compared with BIV, UFH was associated with more bleeding when used during PVI. There was no significant difference in procedural success between the two anticoagulation strategies.

Current Perspectives and Practices on Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

OBJECTIVES

We sought to examine contemporary perspectives and practices on chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

BACKGROUND

The frequency and success of CTO-PCI have been increasing in recent years.

METHODS

An online questionnaire was created and distributed to cardiologists within the United States and internationally.

RESULTS

A total of 1149 responses were obtained. The United States (n = 845; 73.5%), Asia (n = 98; 8.5%), Europe (n = 88; 7.7%), South America (n = 42; 3.7%), and Canada (n = 33; 2.9%) accounted for most responses. Mean practice duration of the respondents was 16.4 ± 11.5 years and 66.9% were interventional cardiologists. Most respondents agreed that CTO-PCI results in an improvement of patient symptoms (90.7%), left ventricular function (79.3%), arrhythmia risk (69.2%), and overall survival (63.1%). Interventional cardiologists had a more favorable view of the benefits of CTO-PCI as compared with non-interventional cardiologists (P<.001). Most respondents estimated the procedural success rates of contemporary CTO-PCI to be between 51%-75% (34.2%) and 76%-85% (30.2%), with interventional cardiologists estimating higher success rates than non-interventionalists (P<.001). Perforation, mortality, and tamponade were the three most concerning complications. Time and procedure complexity were reported to be the most significant barriers to the development of a CTO-PCI program.

CONCLUSIONS

Most cardiologists believe that CTO-PCI can provide significant clinical benefits and can be accomplished with moderate to high success rates. Interventional cardiologists have a more favorable view of CTO-PCI as compared with non-invasive cardiologists.

Wanted: Expert operators for coronary chronic total occlusion interventions

Coronary chronic total occlusions can be recanalized by expert operators with high success and acceptable complication rates. Developing a procedural plan (using the hybrid or another algorithm) is critical for success. Live case demonstrations appear safe and can be of high educational value. The key factor for achieving good outcomes in chronic total occlusion interventions remains operator expertise. Development of more expert operators will improve the treatment options for this challenging group of lesions and patients.

Prevalence, Presentation and Treatment of 'Balloon Undilatable' Chronic Total Occlusions: Insights from a Multicenter US Registry

BACKGROUND

The prevalence, treatment and outcomes of balloon undilatable chronic total occlusions (CTOs) have received limited study.

METHODS

We examined the prevalence, clinical and angiographic characteristics, and procedural outcomes of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) for balloon undilatable CTOs in a contemporary multicenter US registry.

RESULTS

Between 2012 and 2017 data on balloon undilatable lesions were available for 425 consecutive CTO PCIs in 415 patients in whom guidewire crossing was successful: 52 of 425 CTOs were balloon undilatable (12%). Mean patient age was 65 ± 10 years and most patients were men (84%). Patients with balloon undilatable CTOs were more likely to be diabetic (67 vs. 41%, P < 0.001) and have heart failure (44 vs. 28%, P = 0.027). Balloon undilatable CTOs were longer (40 mm [interquartile range, IQR 20-50] vs. 30 [IQR 15-40], P = 0.016), more likely to have moderate/severe calcification (87 vs. 54%, P < 0.001), and had higher J-CTO score (3.2 ± 1.1 vs. 2.5 ± 1.3, P < 0.001) and PROGRESS-CTO complications score (3.9 ± 1.7 vs. 3.1 ± 2.0, P < 0.005). They were associated with lower technical and procedural success (92 vs. 98%, P = 0.024; and 88 vs. 96%, P = 0.034, respectively) and higher risk for in-hospital major adverse events (8 vs. 2%, P = 0.008) due to higher perforation rates. The most frequent treatments for balloon undilatable CTOs were high pressure balloon inflations (64%), rotational atherectomy (31%), laser (21%), and cutting balloons (15%).

CONCLUSIONS

Balloon undilatable CTOs are common and are associated with lower success and higher complication rates.

Performance of J-CTO and PROGRESS CTO Scores in Predicting Angiographic Success and Long-term Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Interventions for Chronic Total Occlusions

Patient selection for and predicting clinical outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain challenging. We hypothesized that both J-CTO (Multicenter Chronic Total Occlusion Registry of Japan) and PROGRESS CTO (Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention) scores will predict not only angiographic success but also long-term clinical outcomes of the patients who underwent PCI of CTO. Of 325 CTO PCIs performed at 2 Emory University hospitals from January 2012 to August 2015, 249 patients with complete baseline clinical, angiographic and follow-up data, were included in this analysis. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) consisted of a composite of death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. Mean age was 63 ± 11 years old and mean follow-up was 19.8 ± 13.1 months. Angiographic success rates increased from 74.5% in 2012 to 85.7% in 2015. Greater J-CTO and PROGRESS CTO scores were not only associated with lower likelihood of angiographic success but also higher rates of long-term MACE. Compared with the scores of 0 to 2, J-CTO and PROGRESS CTO scores of ≥3 were associated with higher MACE. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that PROGRESS CTO scores of ≥3, male sex, and peripheral vascular disease were independent predictors of MACE. In conclusion, J-CTO and PROGRESS CTO scores are useful in predicting procedural success. In addition, the PROGRESS CTO score, and to a lesser degree J-CTO score, have predictive value for long-term outcomes in patients who underwent CTO PCI.

Effect of PCSK9 Inhibitors on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Hypercholesterolemia: A Meta-Analysis of 35 Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

We sought to examine the efficacy and safety of 2 PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) inhibitors: alirocumab and evolocumab.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing treatment with and without PCSK9 inhibitors; 35 randomized controlled trials comprising 45 539 patients (mean follow-up: 85.5 weeks) were included. Mean age was 61.0±2.8 years, and mean baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 106±22 mg/dL. Compared with no PCSK9 inhibitor therapy, treatment with a PCSK9 inhibitor was associated with a lower rate of myocardial infarction (2.3% versus 3.6%; odds ratio [OR]: 0.72 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.64-0.81]; P<0.001), stroke (1.0% versus 1.4%; OR: 0.80 [95% CI, 0.67-0.96]; P=0.02), and coronary revascularization (4.2% versus 5.8%; OR: 0.78 [95% CI, 0.71-0.86]; P<0.001). Overall, no significant change was observed in all-cause mortality (OR: 0.71 [95% CI, 0.47-1.09]; P=0.12) or cardiovascular mortality (OR: 1.01 [95% CI, 0.85-1.19]; P=0.95). A significant association was observed between higher baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and benefit in all-cause mortality (P=0.038). No significant change was observed in neurocognitive adverse events (OR: 1.12 [95% CI, 0.88-1.42]; P=0.37), myalgia (OR: 0.95 [95% CI, 0.75-1.20]; P=0.65), new onset or worsening of preexisting diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.05 [95% CI, 0.95-1.17]; P=0.32), and increase in levels of creatine kinase (OR: 0.84 [95% CI, 0.70-1.01]; P=0.06) or alanine or aspartate aminotransferase (OR: 0.96 [95% CI, 0.82-1.12]; P=0.61).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with a PCSK9 inhibitor is well tolerated and improves cardiovascular outcomes. Although no overall benefit was noted in all-cause or cardiovascular mortality, such benefit may be achievable in patients with higher baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

A Meta-Analysis of Contemporary Lesion Modification Strategies During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in 244,795 Patients From 22 Studies

OBJECTIVES

Outcomes with use of lesion-modification strategies in the drug-eluting stent era have received limited study.

METHODS

We conducted a meta-analysis of 22 studies published between 2004-2016 reporting outcomes after use of rotational atherectomy, cutting-balloon, and scoring-balloon angioplasty.

RESULTS

In observational trials, acute luminal gain was higher after lesion modification as compared with control (standardized mean difference, 0.23 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.44; P=.04), with no difference in acute gain in randomized studies. Compared with control, lesion modification was associated with lower restenosis in randomized trials (odds ratio [OR], 0.64; 95% CI, 0.45-0.90; P=.01). Ninety-day incidence of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) was higher after lesion modification in observational studies (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.05-1.83; P=.02), but similar in randomized trials. Ninety-day incidence of target-lesion or target-vessel revascularization (TLR-TVR) and myocardial infarction (MI) was similar. Ninety-day incidence of death was higher after lesion modification in observational studies (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.04-1.95; P=.03), but similar in randomized trials. At 1 year, the MACE rate was similar for lesion modification compared with control in observational studies, but lower after lesion modification in randomized trials (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.48-0.88; P<.01). TLR-TVR was higher with lesion modification in observational studies, but lower in randomized trials (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.46-0.88; P<.01).

CONCLUSIONS

While observational studies suggest a higher early MACE rate and more restenosis, randomized trials show similar short-term and improved long-term outcomes with pre-stenting lesion modification compared with control.