Drug eluting versus bare metal stents in cardiac allograft vasculopathy: a systematic review of literature

Restenosis rates for drug-eluting stents used in treating small vessel cardiac allograft vasculopathy after orthotopic heart transplantation

BACKGROUND

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is associated with increased mortality in patients with orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). In addition to immunosuppression, CAV can be treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug eluting stents (DES) for focal lesions. There is a paucity of data on the rate of DES restenosis in patients with small vessel CAV.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study of 101 coronary vessels treated with a DES diameter of 2.5 mm or less (small vessels) in 61 OHT patients compared to 72 coronary vessels treated with a DES diameter of >2.5 mm (large vessels) in 44 OHT patients at a single center between 2004 and 2022. Baseline demographic data, angiographic characteristics, and clinical outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

At an average of 1.6 years after DES placement, follow-up angiography revealed in-stent restenosis in 36 (39 %) small vessel interventions and 11 (17 %) large vessel interventions (p = 0.003). Long term mortality did not differ between the groups (59 % vs 59 % at a median of 4.7 [IQR 2.4-7.8] years follow up).

CONCLUSION

DES restenosis rates are high in small vessel CAV. Additional studies specifically examining PCI in small vessel CAV as well as the potential role for newer treatment strategies for CAV are warranted.

The outcome of restrictive cardiac allograft physiology in severe coronary allograft vasculopathy

BACKGROUND

Microvascular dysfunction after heart transplantation leads to restrictive cardiac allograft physiology (RCP), which is classified as severe coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV); however, the prognosis of RCP remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the prognosis of RCP in comparison with that of severe angiographic CAV.

METHODS

We assessed 116 patients with severe CAV who underwent heart transplantation between 2004 and 2023. RCP was defined as symptomatic heart failure with restrictive hemodynamic values (mean right atrial pressure >12 mm Hg, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure >25 mm Hg, and cardiac index <2.0 liter/min/m2). The primary outcome was death or retransplantation.

RESULTS

Of the 116 patients with severe CAV, 42 had RCP (RCP-CAV group) and 74 had severe angiographic CAV without RCP (Angio-CAV group). A significantly shorter time from heart transplantation to diagnosis and lower subsequent percutaneous catheter intervention after diagnosis were seen in the RCP-CAV group than in the Angio-CAV group (both p < 0.001). Freedom from death or retransplantation at 5 years was significantly worse in the RCP-CAV group compared to the Angio-CAV group (18.4% vs 35.4%, p = 0.001). In the Cox proportional hazard model, RCP was independently associated with an increased risk of death or retransplantation (hazard ratio 2.08, 95% confidence intervals 1.26-3.44, p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

The prognosis of patients with RCP was significantly worse than that of patients with severe angiographic CAV. The early detection of microvascular dysfunction and retransplantation listing may improve the prognosis of patients with RCP.

Safety and efficacy of everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold for cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CART)

BACKGROUND

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is still the main drawback of heart transplantation (HTx) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a palliative measure because of the high incidence of failure.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of bioresorbable scaffolds (BRSs) as potential novel therapeutic tool for the treatment of coronary stenoses in CAV.

METHODS

This is a multicenter, single-arm, prospective, open-label study (CART, NCT02377648), that included patients affected by advanced CAV treated with PCI and second-generation ABSORB BRS (Abbott Vascular). The primary endpoint was the incidence of 12-month angiographic in-segment scaffold restenosis (ISSR). Secondary endpoints were the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) at 12- and 36-month follow-up and the incidence of ISSR at 36 months. A paired intracoronary imaging analysis at baseline and follow-up was also performed.

RESULTS

Between 2015 and 2017 35 HTx patients were enrolled and treated for 44 coronary lesions with 51 BRSs. The primary endpoint occurred in 13.5% of the lesions (5/37), with a cumulative ISSR rate up to 3 years of 16.2% (6/37). Angiographic lumen loss was 0.40 ± 0.62 mm at 12 months and 0.53 ± 0.57 mm at 36 months. Overall survival rate was 91.4% and 74.3%, and MACEs incidence 14.2% and 31.4% at 12 and 36 months, respectively. At the paired intracoronary imaging analysis, a significant increase of the vessel external elastic membrane area in the treated segment and some progression of CAV proximally to the BRS were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

BRS-based PCI for the treatment of CAV is feasible and safe, with an ISSR incidence similar to what reported in retrospective studies with drug-eluting stents.

Transplant Vasculopathy Versus Native Atherosclerosis: Similarities and Differences

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is one of the leading causes of graft failure and death after heart transplantation. Alloimmune-dependent and -independent factors trigger the pathogenesis of CAV through activation of the recipients' (and to a lesser extent donor-derived) immune system. Early diagnosis of CAV is complicated by the lack of clinical symptoms for ischemia in the denervated heart, by the impact of early functional coronary alterations, by the insensitivity of coronary angiography, and by the involvement of small intramyocardial vessels. CAV in general is a panarterial disease confined to the allograft and characterized by diffuse concentric longitudinal intimal hyperplasia in the epicardial coronary arteries and concentric medial disease in the microvasculature. Plaque composition in CAV may include early fibrous and fibrofatty tissue and late atheromatous calcification. In contrast, native coronary atherosclerosis usually develops over decades, is focal, noncircumferential, and typically diminishes proximal parts of the epicardial vessels. The rapid and early development of CAV has an adverse prognostic impact, and current prevention and treatment strategies are of limited efficacy compared with established strategies in native atherosclerosis. Following acute coronary syndromes, patients after heart transplantation were more likely to have accompanying cardiogenic shock and higher mortality compared with acute coronary syndromes patients with native hearts.

First- Versus New-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents in Patients With Heart Transplant With Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy

Although several studies have previously reported on the efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with first-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) in heart transplant patients with cardiac allograft vasculopathy, few data regarding new-generation DES are currently available. We sought to compare the efficacy of new-generation versus first-generation DES in 90 consecutive patients with heart transplant (113 de novo coronary lesions) who underwent urgent or elective PCI with first-generation (28 patients) or new-generation (62 patients) DES. For each patient, the severity of cardiac allograft vasculopathy and postprocedural extent of revascularization were quantified calculating baseline and residual SYNTAX score, respectively. The primary end point was a composite of major adverse cardiac events-myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death, or target vessel revascularization-at 3 years. Overall, the median baseline SYNTAX score was 8 (5 to 15), and a total number of stents per patient of 1.6 ± 0.9 was implanted. Post-PCI residual SYNTAX score was 1.5 (0 to 4), with 13 patients having a score >8. At 3 years, the Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from major adverse cardiac events was 64%, with no differences between first-generation and new-generation DES groups (log-rank test p = 0.269). Nevertheless, patients treated with new-generation DES experienced a lower rate of target vessel revascularization (15% vs 31%, log-rank test p = 0.058). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, a post-PCI residual SYNTAX score >8 (hazard ratio 2.37, confidence interval 0.98 to 5.73, p = 0.054) was identified as an independent predictor of the primary end point.

2021 ACC/AHA/SCAI Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The guideline for coronary artery revascularization replaces the 2011 coronary artery bypass graft surgery and the 2011 and 2015 percutaneous coronary intervention guidelines, providing a patient-centric approach to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with significant coronary artery disease undergoing coronary revascularization as well as the supporting documentation to encourage their use.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from May 2019 to September 2019, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Collaboration, CINHL Complete, and other relevant databases. Additional relevant studies, published through May 2021, were also considered.

STRUCTURE

Coronary artery disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Coronary revascularization is an important therapeutic option when managing patients with coronary artery disease. The 2021 coronary artery revascularization guideline provides recommendations based on contemporary evidence for the treatment of these patients. The recommendations present an evidence-based approach to managing patients with coronary artery disease who are being considered for coronary revascularization, with the intent to improve quality of care and align with patients' interests.

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy: current review and future research directions

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a pathologic immune-mediated remodelling of the vasculature in transplanted hearts and, by impairing perfusion, is the major cause of late graft loss. Although best understood following cardiac transplantation, similar forms of allograft vasculopathy occur in other vascularized organ grafts and some features of CAV may be shared with other immune-mediated vasculopathies. Here, we describe the incidence and diagnosis, the nature of the vascular remodelling, immune and non-immune contributions to pathogenesis, current therapies, and future areas of research in CAV.

Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Cardiac Transplant Network Position Statement on Heart Transplantation: Patient Eligibility, Selection, and Post-Transplantation Care

Significant practice-changing developments have occurred in the care of heart transplantation candidates and recipients over the past decade. This Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Cardiac Transplant Network Position Statement provides evidence-based, expert panel recommendations with values and preferences, and practical tips on: (1) patient selection criteria; (2) selected patient populations; and (3) post transplantation surveillance. The recommendations were developed through systematic review of the literature and using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. The evolving areas of importance addressed include transplant recipient age, frailty assessment, pulmonary hypertension evaluation, cannabis use, combined heart and other solid organ transplantation, adult congenital heart disease, cardiac amyloidosis, high sensitization, and post-transplantation management of antibodies to human leukocyte antigen, rejection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy, and long-term noncardiac care. Attention is also given to Canadian-specific management strategies including the prioritization of highly sensitized transplant candidates (status 4S) and heart organ allocation algorithms. The focus topics in this position statement highlight the increased complexity of patients who undergo evaluation for heart transplantation as well as improved patient selection, and advances in post-transplantation management and surveillance that have led to better long-term outcomes for heart transplant recipients.

Everolimus-Eluting Second-Generation Stents for Treatment of De Novo Lesions in Patients with Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy

Background

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy is a major cause of cardiac allograft rejection. Percutaneous coronary intervention has become the main form of treatment of significant focal lesions. Despite the significance of the problem, data remain scarce. With a large population of transplant recipients undergoing coronary angiography at our center, we decided to analyze the implications of the use of everolimus-eluting second-generation stents by performing 6-month clinical and angiographic follow-up.

Material/Methods

From December 2012 and August 2019, 319 patients after heart transplantation undergoing coronary angiography at our institution were analyzed. Subsequently, 22 patients underwent de novo angioplasty with second-generation everolimus-eluting stents. The primary study endpoint was angiographic restenosis as evaluated by quantitative coronary angiography. Secondary outcomes included binary restenosis, target lesion revascularization, and cardiac death during the follow-up period (6 months).

Results

Patient comorbidities included hypertension (77.3%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (68.2%), dyslipidemia (68.2%), and obesity (31.8%). Primary success was obtained in all of the treated lesions. The analysis of quantitative coronary angiography after 6-month follow-up revealed low late lumen loss (0.22±0.40). Significant restenosis was observed in 1 of the cases. There were no deaths in the 6-month observation period.

Conclusions

In the analyzed population, invasive strategy with second-generation everolimus-eluting stents for de novo lesions in cardiac allograft vasculopathy resulted in a low rate of binary restenosis, low late lumen loss, and no deaths during the 6-month follow-up.

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy: Insights on pathogenesis and therapy

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a unique accelerated form of coronary vascular disease affecting heart transplant recipients. This complication is a significant contributor to medium- to long-term post-transplant morbidity and mortality. There is a high prevalence of CAV with approximately one in three patients developing CAV by 5 years post-transplant. Morphologically, CAV is characterized by concentric coronary intimal hyperplasia in both the epicardial arteries and intramural microvasculature. Although several immune and non-immune factors have been identified, their precise pathogenic mechanisms, interactions, and relative importance in the development of CAV are not well defined. The advent of improved imaging surveillance modalities has resulted in earlier detection during the disease process. However, overall management of CAV remains challenging due to paucity of treatment. This review aims to discuss key concepts on the pathogenesis of CAV and current management strategies, focusing on the use of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors.

Role of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the Treatment of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy

We evaluated our quarter-century experience with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). CAV is a progressive form of atherosclerosis that is characterized by diffuse intimal thickening. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Effective treatment options are limited. PCI has been used as a palliative treatment in selected patients. We retrospectively analyzed 140 patients with CAV who underwent PCI from 1992 to 2017 at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center. The primary end point was freedom from death, myocardial infarction (MI), target vessel revascularization (TVR), and repeat OHT, at a follow-up of 10 years. PCI was unsuccessful in 3 patients (2%). Balloon angioplasty (n = 7), bare metal stents (n = 50), or drug-eluting stents (DES, n = 80) were used for PCI. Freedom from the primary end point was 17 ± 8%. The use of DES did not provide significant benefit for the primary end point (23 ± 14% vs 10 ± 9%, p = 0.16). Freedom from the individual end points was low: death was 43 ± 10%, MI was 74 ± 12%, TVR was 54 ± 12%, and repeat OHT was 42 ± 15%. Freedom from TVR was not significantly different from DES and bare metal stent (67 ± 14% vs 52 ± 20%, p = 0.46). In conclusion, among patients who underwent PCI for CAV, freedom from the composite of death, MI, TVR, and repeat OHT was low.

Percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary artery bypass grafting in heart transplant recipients with coronary allograft vasculopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 1,520 patients

Background

Transplant coronary artery vasculopathy (TCAV) is the major cause of late allograft failure and death in heart transplant recipients. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the outcomes of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) as compared to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery in the management of TCAV. Our secondary objective was to compare the use and outcomes of drug eluting stents (DES) as compared to bare metal stents (BMS) in this patient population.

Methods

Electronic search was performed to identify all studies in the English literature examining PCI as compared to CABG for TCAV in heart transplant recipients. All identified articles were systematically assessed for inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

Of the 4,989 studies identified, 29 studies were included. Among 1,520 patients who developed TCAV, 1,470 patients underwent PCI and 50 patients underwent CABG. There were no significant differences in baseline demographics and comorbidities among the PCI and CABG cohorts. Compared to the PCI cohort, patients who underwent CABG had a higher early mortality (CABG 36.4% vs. PCI 4.3%, P<0.001) and overall mortality (CABG 42.3% vs. PCI 21.4%, P=0.049). When comparing DES versus BMS cohorts, there were no significant differences in the rate of in-stent stenosis (DES 14.5% vs. BMS 24.4%, P=0.476), overall mortality (DES 17.4% vs. BMS 30.8%, P=0.302) or cardiac related mortality (DES 7.7% vs. BMS 21.8%, P=0.415).

Conclusions

CABG and PCI are both feasible modalities for revascularization in patients with TCAV where PCI is associated with lower mortality. There were no differences in outcomes among patients who underwent PCI with DES as compared to BMS. Potential bias may exist due to heterogeneity in available data. Further studies are needed to delineate evidence-based guidelines to tailor the appropriate therapy, CABG or PCI, to the appropriate patient.

New developments for the detection and treatment of cardiac vasculopathy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a major limitation to long-term survival after heart transplantation. Innovative new techniques to diagnose CAV have been applied to detect disease. This review will examine the current diagnostic and treatment options available to clinicians for CAV.

RECENT FINDINGS

Diagnostic modalities addressing the pathophysiology underlying CAV (arterial wall thickening and decreased coronary blood flow) improve diagnostic sensitivity when compared to traditional (angiography and dobutamine stress echocardiography) techniques.

SUMMARY

Limited options are available to prevent and treat CAV; however, progress has been made in making an earlier and more accurate diagnosis. Future research is needed to identify the optimal time to modify immunosuppression and investigate novel treatments for CAV.

Cardiac Transplantation in the New Era

The prevalence of heart failure continues to rise due to the aging population and longer survival of people with conditions that lead to heart failure, eg, hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Although medical therapy has had an important impact on survival of patients and improving quality of life, heart transplantation remains the definitive therapy for patients that eventually deteriorate. Since the first successful heart transplantation in 1967, significant improvements have been made regarding donor and recipient selection, surgical techniques, and postoperative care. However, the number of potential organ donors has not changed and the growing number of patients in need for transplantation has resulted an increase in waiting list time, and the need for mechanical support. To overcome this issue, the United Network for Organ Sharing implemented an allocation system to prioritize the sickest patients on the list to receive organs. Despite the careful selection of patients, pretransplant immunological screening, and multidrug immunosuppressive regimens, acute and chronic rejections occur and potentially limit graft and patient survival. Treatment for rejection largely depends on the type of rejection, the presence of hemodynamic compromise, and time after transplantation. The limiting factor for long-term graft survival is allograft vasculopathy, an immune-mediated process causing diffuse narrowing of the coronary arteries. Percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass surgery are often not an option for this vasculopathy due to the lack of focal lesions, and retransplantation is the only option in appropriate patients.

Retransplant and Medical Therapy for Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy: International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Registry Analysis

Cardiac retransplantation for heart transplant recipients with advanced cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) remains controversial. The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Registry was used to examine survival in adult heart recipients with CAV who were retransplanted (ReTx) or managed medically (MM). Recipients transplanted between 1995 and 2010 who developed CAV and were either retransplanted within 2 years of CAV diagnosis (ReTx) or alive at ≥2 years after CAV diagnosis, managed medically (MM), without retransplant, constituted the study groups. Donor, recipient, transplant characteristics and long-term survival were compared. The population included 65 patients in ReTx and 4530 in MM. During a median follow-up of 4 years, there were 24 deaths in ReTx, and 1466 in MM. Survival was comparable at 9 years (55% in ReTx and 51% in MM; p = 0.88). Subgroup comparison suggested survival benefit for retransplant versus MM in patients who developed systolic graft dysfunction. Adjusted predictors for 2-year mortality were diagnosis of CAV in the early era and longer time since CAV diagnosis following primary transplant. Retransplant was not an independent predictor in the model. Challenges associated with retransplantation as well as improved CAV treatment options support the current consensus recommendation limiting retransplant to highly selected patients with CAV.

Clinical characteristics and in hospital outcomes of heart transplant recipients with allograft vasculopathy undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry

BACKGROUND

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality following heart transplantation. Large multicenter studies evaluating the clinical characteristics and inhospital outcomes of heart transplant recipients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns and inhospital outcomes of heart transplant recipients undergoing PCI compared to general population.

METHODS

We analyzed 1,897,328 patients from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry CathPCI registry who underwent PCI of at least 1 native vessel between July 2009 and December 2013 from 1,477 centers, of which 542 patients (0.03%) were heart transplant recipients. Clinical characteristics were evaluated and, after 1:4 propensity matching, inhospital outcomes were compared between 538 heart transplant patients and 2,128 non-transplant patients.

RESULTS

Transplant recipients undergoing PCI had a higher prevalence of diabetes, dyslipidemia and peripheral vascular disease; lower prevalence of angina, acute coronary syndrome, abnormal noninvasive functional study, and type C coronary lesions compared to the non-transplant PCI population. After propensity matching, all-cause inhospital mortality was similar between transplant and non-transplant groups (1.3% vs 1.0%; OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.54-2.67).

CONCLUSION

This is the largest series to date outlining the characteristics of heart transplant recipients undergoing PCI. Similar inhospital outcomes were noted in heart transplant recipients compared to the general population. Further studies evaluating long-term outcomes are warranted.

Long-term mortality after cardiac allograft vasculopathy: implications of percutaneous intervention

OBJECTIVES

This study compared the prognosis of patients with proximal cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) treated with percutaneous intervention (PCI) to the prognosis of those with severe CAV not amenable to PCI.

BACKGROUND

CAV is a progressive form of arterial narrowing affecting patients with orthotopic heart transplants (OHTs). PCI has been used to treat patients with focal CAV, but its efficacy remains unclear.

METHODS

Of 853 patients undergoing OHT and subsequent coronary angiographies at the Cleveland Clinic, all patients with at least moderate CAV (>30%) on any coronary angiogram following OHT were included. Of remaining patients with no/mild CAV, 200 patients were randomly chosen to represent the comparison group. All angiograms of the included patients were reviewed and graded according to the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) nomenclature.

RESULTS

Of the 393 included patients, 100 patients underwent definitive intervention for CAV. Of these 100 patients, 90 patients underwent PCI only, 6 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, and 4 patients underwent repeat OHT. We observed a progressive increase in long-term mortality with worsening CAV. Patients with ISHLT grade 3 CAV had the highest long-term mortality compared with other groups. In addition, there was a significant reduction in the risk for mortality at 2-year follow-up (adjusted odds ratio: 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08 to 0.82) and 5-year follow-up (adjusted odds ratio: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.93) after PCI compared with patients diagnosed with ISHLT grade 3 CAV, who were deemed unsuitable for PCI. Furthermore, statin use was associated with a significant survival benefit in patients with CAV (hazard ratio: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.61).

CONCLUSIONS

Worsening severity of CAV was associated with progressively worse long-term survival among heart transplant recipients. Among patients with CAV, long-term survival in those with CAV amenable to PCI was greater than that in those with severe CAV not treatable with PCI.

Systematic review of effectiveness of oral sirolimus after bare-metal stenting of coronary arteries for prevention of in-stent restenosis

Neointimal hyperplasia after percutaneous coronary intervention is a major determinant of in-stent restenosis (ISR). Drug-eluting stents (DES) mitigate neointimal hyperplasia and thereby lead to a lower rate of ISR compared with bare-metal stents (BMS). Recent studies have demonstrated that short-term use of oral sirolimus after BMS leads to a significant reduction in ISR. We therefore sought to do a systematic review of studies to determine the angiographic and clinical benefits of early short-term use of oral sirolimus after BMS of native coronary arteries. We conducted PubMed, Embase, Cochrane database review, and Web of Science search of studies comparing oral sirolimus after BMS to BMS alone or DES. Outcomes analyzed were ISR and target lesion revascularization (TLR) as well as major adverse cardiovascular events. A total of 488 patients from 4 studies were included in the review (2006 to 2010). Three studies, comparing BMS alone versus BMS plus oral sirolimus, demonstrated significant reduction in ISR in the oral sirolimus group. Two of these studies also demonstrated significant reduction in TLR at 6-12 month follow-up. The fourth study comparing BMS plus oral sirolimus versus DES showed a lower but nonsignificant reduction in TLR in addition to significant cost saving in the group treated with oral sirolimus. In conclusion, our systematic review demonstrates that early short-term systemic use of sirolimus after BMS resulted in a significant reduction in ISR and TLR. In addition, ISR rates were comparable to DES with the added benefit of cost saving.

Clinical and angiographic outcomes with everolimus eluting stents for the treatment of cardiac allograft vasculopathy

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine clinical efficacy, safety, and intermediate clinical outcomes with everolimus-eluting stents (EESs) in patients with transplant coronary artery disease (TCAD).

BACKGROUND

TCAD is a major cause of mortality in patients following orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Systemic everolimus in OHT patients has been shown to reduce TCAD. The safety and efficacy of an EES, the Xience V, have not been evaluated in this population.

METHODS

Patients post-OHT with hemodynamically significant CAD who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with EES were included. Participants were maintained on dual antiplatelet therapy for 1-year post-PCI. We examined procedural success, in-hospital and 1-year mortality, stent thrombosis, angiographic restenosis, and myocardial infarction rates. All patients had follow-up angiography 1-year after PCI. Target vessel revascularization (TVR), target lesion revascularization (TLR), in-segment restenosis, target vessel failure (TVF), and lumen late loss were noted.

RESULTS

PCI was performed in 34 de novo lesions in 21 patients, and 40 EES were placed. Procedural success rate was 100%. Average stent was 16.5 ± 5.1 mm long and 3.0 ± 0.6 mm in diameter. All patients had angiographic follow-up (409 ± 201 days). There was no stent thrombosis, deaths, or myocardial infarctions during follow-up. Two patients had focal in-stent restenosis. TLR rate was 5.9% (2/34), and TVR rate was 11.1% (3/27). Quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) showed stenosis diameter to be 19.98 ± 17.57%.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of an EES is associated with a low incidence of TVR and TLR in patients with TCAD. Further studies are needed to determine whether PCI with EES changes long-term outcomes.

Myocardial infarction in an adult with cystic fibrosis and heart and lung transplant

We present a case of myocardial infarction in a 19 year old female with cystic fibrosis who had a heart and lung transplant performed at the age of four years old. She presented atypically with a one day history of severe, intermittent, central, sharp chest pain, radiating to her back and down her left arm. A coronary angiogram showed proximal stenosis of the left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery. She was treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, involving drug eluting stents to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the right coronary artery (RCA). In this study we discuss the pathophysiology, investigations and treatment of cardiac transplant vasculopathy. Although complete reversal of LAD and RCA stenosis was achieved, routine follow-up with coronary angiography and careful control of cardiac risk factors will be important to identify and reduce future restenosis and adverse cardiac events.