High speed rotational atherectomy: outcome in calcified and noncalcified coronary artery lesions

Evaluation of long-term outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with moderate to severe calcified coronary artery lesions

Background and Aims

Coronary artery calcification reduces elasticity and can cause hemodynamic disturbances, increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications. Furthermore, coronary calcifications make cardiovascular interventions difficult. The present study aimed to study the cardiovascular outcomes of the coronary intervention of calcified lesions in the Iranian population.

Methods

The present cross-sectional study evaluated patients with moderate to severe calcified coronary artery lesions on angiography who were candidates for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Demographic, echocardiographic, and angiographic data of the patients were recorded. In addition, clinical outcomes, including mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and stent thrombosis, were also measured 1 year after the procedure.

Results

A total of 125 participants (65% male and 35% female) with a median age of 69 (13.0) years old were enrolled. The most common calcification degree was 270° (43.5%), followed by 360° (35.5%) and 180° (21.0%). Most patients had thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) score of 3 (47.6%). A more than 10% residual coronary minimum lumen diameter was seen in 25.8% of patients. Puncture site hemorrhage and contrast-induced nephropathy were observed in 2 (1.6%) and 1 (0.8%) patients, respectively. Following 1 year after PCI, no cases of mortality, cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis were reported. Furthermore, we observed one case of heart failure (0.8%) and target lesion revascularization (0.8%). In addition, we revealed a significant relationship between calcification degree and TIMI (p < 0.001) and body mass index (p = 0.049).

Conclusion

Percutaneous management of calcified lesions with noncompliant balloon and one or two guidewires was associated with a good success rate and few complications.

Safety and Long-Term Outcomes of Rotablation in Patients with Reduced (<50%) Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (rEF) (The Rota-REF Study)

Clinical outcomes in patients with reduced left ventricular systolic function undergoing rotational atherectomy (RA) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain understudied. Our study sought to evaluate the impact of RA-PCI in patients with LV systolic dysfunction on long-term outcomes. Between 2015 and 2019, 4941 patients with reduced LV function (rEF) undergoing PCI (with or without RA) were included in the hospital database. The primary endpoint was in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE). The secondary endpoint was 3-year MACCE. In-hospital MACCE rates were significantly higher in RA-PCI compared to standard PCI without RA (PCI) (7.6% vs. 3.9%, p = 0.0009). However, 3-years MACCE rates were similar in RA-PCI and PCI (26.40% vs. 26.6%, p = 0.948). In conclusion, RA-PCI in patients with rEF is feasible, safe, and shows similar long-term results to PCI.

Outcomes of atherectomy in treating severely calcified coronary lesions in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Severely calcified coronary lesions with reduced left ventricular (LV) function result in worse outcomes. Atherectomy is used in treating such lesions when technically feasible. However, there is limited data examining the safety and efficacy of atherectomy without hemodynamic support in treating severely calcified coronary lesions in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Objective

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of atherectomy in patient with reduced LVEF.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL Register and ClinicalTrials.gov (inception through July 21, 2021) for studies evaluating the outcomes of atherectomy in patients with severe LV dysfunction. We used random-effect model to calculate risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). The endpoints were in-hospital and long term all-cause mortality, cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target vessel revascularization (TVR).

Results

A total of 7 studies consisting of 2,238 unique patients were included in the analysis. The median follow-up duration was 22.4 months. The risk of in-hospital all-cause mortality using atherectomy in patients with severely reduced LVEF compared to the patients with moderate reduced or preserved LVEF was [2.4vs.0.5%; RR:5.28; 95%CI 1.65–16.84; P = 0.005], the risk of long term all-cause mortality was [21 vs. 8.8%; RR of 2.84; 95% CI 1.16–6.95; P = 0.02]. In-hospital TVR risk was 2.0 vs. 0.6% (RR: 4.15; 95% CI 4.15–15.67; P = 0.04) and long-term TVR was [6.0 vs. 9.9%; RR of 0.75; 95% CI 0.39–1.42; P = 0.37]. In-hospital MI was [7.1 vs. 5.4%; RR 1.63; 95% CI 0.91–2.93; P = 0.10], long-term MI was [7.5 vs. 5.7; RR 1.74; 95%CI 0.95–3.18; P = 0.07).

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis suggested that the patients with severely reduced LVEF when using atherectomy devices experienced higher risk of clinical outcomes in the terms of all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality. As we know that the patients with severely reduced LVEF are inherently at increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes, this information should be considered hypothesis generating and utilized while discussing the risks and benefits of atherectomy in such high risk patients. Future studies should focus on the comparison of outcomes of different atherectomy devices in such patients. Adjusting for the inherent mortality risk posed by left ventricular dysfunction may be a strategy while designing a study.

Intravascular Lithotripsy for Vessel Preparation in Calcified Coronary Arteries Prior to Stent Placement - Japanese Disrupt CAD IV Study 1-Year Results

Background: Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) delivers acoustic pressure waves to modify calcium, enhance vessel compliance, and optimize stent deployment. The Disrupt CAD IV study enrolled patients with severe coronary artery calcification and demonstrated low 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and high procedural success following IVL with no final serious angiographic complications. To date, long-term outcomes have not been reported. This analysis evaluates 1-year outcomes of Disrupt CAD IV. Methods and Results: Disrupt CAD IV was a prospective single-arm multicenter study of IVL performed in a Japanese population with severe coronary artery calcification. Main outcomes included MACE (a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction [MI], or target vessel revascularization [TVR]), and target lesion failure (TLF; a composite of cardiac death, target vessel MI, and target lesion revascularization [TLR]) at 1 year. Compliance with patient follow-up at 1 year was 100%. MACE occurred in 9.4% of patients (cardiac death 0.0%, MI 6.3%, TVR 4.7%) and TLF occurred in 6.3% of patients, with both rates driven by non-Q wave MIs (6.3%). The TLR rate at 1 year was 1.6% and no stent thrombosis events were reported. Conclusions: Treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions with IVL was associated with low rates of 1-year MACE and TLR, suggesting durable safety and effectiveness of IVL-facilitated coronary stent implantation in severely calcified lesions in a Japanese population.

High-speed rotational atherectomy in coronary artery calcification: The randomized ROTAXUS and PREPARE-CALC trials

BACKGROUND

The clinical outcomes of high-speed rotational atherectomy (RA) to optimize target lesion preparation in coronary artery calcification (CAC) have been examined in several trials.

AIMS

This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RA for CAC.

METHODS

Patient data were pooled from ROTAXUS and PREPARE-CALC. The primary endpoint was the in-stent late lumen loss and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 9 months. Secondary endpoints included in-segment late lumen loss, binary restenosis, strategy success, procedural duration, and contrast amount.

RESULTS

Four hundred and forty patients were enrolled from Germany in this study, 220 patients were randomized to the RA group and 220 patients were randomized to the Control group. Despite similar baseline characteristics, significantly more patients in the Control group were crossover (14.1% vs. 2.3%, p < 0.0001), resulting in higher strategy success in the RA group (95.0% vs. 82.3%, p < 0.0001). At 9 months, in-stent late lumen loss was higher in the RA group (0.34 ± 0.52 mm vs. 0.24 ± 0.47 mm, p = 0.03) and procedural duration was longer in the RA group (76.3 ± 41.8 min vs. 67.0 ± 38.8 min, p = 0.02). MACE (17.8% vs. 25.2%, p = 0.06), in-segment late lumen loss (0.28 ± 0.66 mm vs. 0.17 ± 0.55 mm, p = 0.05), binary restenosis (7.3% vs. 8.2%, p = 0.71 in-stent; 7.7% vs. 9.0%, p = 0.62 in-segment), and contrast amount (215.5 ± 112.5 ml vs. 203.7 ± 96.5 ml, p = 0.24) were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Lesion preparation with upfront RA before drug-eluting stent implantation is feasible in CAC, is more strategy successful, and is associated with excessive in-stent late lumen loss and excellent clinical outcomes at 9 months although longer procedural duration.

Comparison of Drug-Eluting Stent and Plain Old Balloon Angioplasty After Rotational Atherectomy in Severe Calcified and Large Coronary

Drug-eluting stent (DES) is well known to be effective in severely calcified lesion after rotational atherectomy (ROTA). However, there are still some situations when stents should be avoided and plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) should be the preferred option. The present study aims to explore whether POBA is comparably effective to DES in large and calcified coronary pretreated by ROTA in clinical outcomes.Consecutive patients treated for severely calcified lesions in the large (≥ 3 mm) coronary using ROTA + DES or ROTA + POBA were retrospectively analyzed. The major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including all-cause/cardiac death and target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 1 year and 2 years posttreatment, were compared between groups using the Cox regression analysis to identify independent predictors of TLR and MACE.The analysis included 285 cases in the ROTA + DES group and 47 cases in the ROTA + POBA group, without relevant differences in clinical baseline characteristics. Of note, lesion length was greater in the ROTA + DES group (37.2 versus 19.3 mm, P < 0.001); the ROTA + DES group had a higher rate of chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions, with 8.4%, and the ROTA + POBA group had none. The inhospital/30-day mortality rate (5.3%, ROTA + DES; 6.4%, ROTA + POBA) and the 12- and 24-month all-cause/cardiac mortality rate (9.3%, ROTA + DES; 7.7%, ROTA + POBA) were not significantly different between the two groups. TLR rates were not significantly different between the two groups at 12 (4.6%, ROTA + DES; 4.3%, ROTA + POBA) and 24 (5.3%, ROTA + DES; 6.4%, ROTA + POBA) months.Outcomes were comparable for ROTA + DES and ROTA + POBA in severely calcified large coronary artery intervention with respect to midterm death or TLR rate, especially for short lesion of < 20 mm.

Excimer Laser Coronary Angioplasty: Clinical Applications and Procedural Outcome, in a Large-Volume Tertiary Centre

Excimer-laser coronary angioplasty can be used to modify undilatable and uncrossable lesions in native arteries and in-stent restenosis which are increasingly encountered with the ageing population undergoing coronary intervention. We present our laser experience over a 10-year period in a large cardiac tertiary centre.

METHOD

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on all procedures where laser was used from August 2008 to December 2019. Clinical presentation, demographics, and procedural details were all recorded. Successful procedures were defined as <30% stenosis at the end. Periprocedural and in-hospital complications were recorded and verified. Results are presented as numbers and percentages.

RESULTS

A total of 331 patients were identified with 473 lesions treated with laser and an overall total of 637 lesions. Of the 473 lesions treated, 46 (9.9%) were in-stent restenosis, 146 (30.9%) were chronic total occlusions, and the rest were uncrossable or undilatable lesions. The vast majority of procedures (97.0%) were performed with the 0.9-mm laser catheter. The overall success rate was 81.6% (58-87%) from low- to high-volume user. Complications included dissection 3 (0.6%), no-reflow 3 (0.6%), coronary perforation 13 (2.7%), and tamponade in 1 (0.2%). Only 3 (0.6%) of the perforations were seen after the laser catheter passage, the rest were seen later following balloon preparation or stent insertion.

CONCLUSION

Laser is a valuable tool for treating complex and resistant coronary lesions. Its efficacy and safety are well established and when applied appropriately, it helps to achieve optimal outcomes for our patients.

Stentless Interventional Procedure Using Rotational Atherectomy and Drug-Coated Balloon for Noncalcified De Novo Lesions

Background

Several recent reports have shown that a stentless interventional procedure using rotational atherectomy followed by drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment (RA/DCB) is a potent revascularization therapy for calcified de novo lesions even in the new-generation drug-eluting stent era; however, the role of the RA/DCB procedure for noncalcified de novo lesions remains unclear.

Methods

A total of 47 consecutive patients (53 lesions) who underwent RA/DCB for coronary de novo lesions were enrolled. According to the presence or absence of severe calcification at target lesions on fluoroscopy, the 47 patients were divided into the noncalcified cases (n = 12) and the calcified cases (n = 35), and the 53 lesions were divided into the noncalcified lesions (n = 14) and the calcified lesions (n = 39).

Results

The noncalcified cases tended to have a higher frequency of bleeding risk and had a significantly lower prevalence of dual antiplatelet therapy compared with the calcified cases. The main lesion-specific factors for the RA/DCB procedure among the noncalcified lesions were presence of left circumflex coronary artery ostial lesion. The final burr size, DCB diameter used, and angiographic success rate did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. The noncalcified lesions had a larger reference diameter and a shorter lesion length than the calcified lesions, whereas acute gain and late lumen loss did not differ between the 2 groups. Nine-month clinical outcomes were comparable between the 2 groups.

Conclusions

Under drug-eluting stent-unsuitable clinical or lesion conditions, acute and midterm outcomes of RA/DCB for noncalcified de novo lesions might be comparable with those for calcified de novo lesions.

Biologically-engineered mechanical model of a calcified artery

Vascular calcification is a commonly occurring pathological process and is recognized as an independent prognostic marker for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent progress in developing novel therapies to modify vascular calcification is critically hampered due to the lack of reliable in vitro experimental models that recapitulate the structural and mechanical attributes of calcified arteries. In this study, we show the ability to model the behavior of diffuse vascular calcification in vitro using biologically-engineered grafts approximating the composition, structure, and mechanical properties of arteries. Transmural calcification was achieved by exposing the acellular grafts of collagenous ECM to complete medium containing elevated Calcium (Ca) and Phosphate (P) concentrations. It was found that increasing the serum concentration from 2% to 10% increased the extent and degree of calcification based on histochemical, ultrastructural, chemical and thermal analyses. The presence of variably-sized spherical calcific deposits within the matrix further confirmed its morphological similarity to pathologic calcification. Mechanical testing demonstrated up to a 16-fold decrease in compliance due to the calcification, consistent with prior reports for calcified arteries. The model developed thus has potential to improve the design and development of interventional devices and therapies for the diagnosis and treatment of arterial calcification. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The presence of extensive vascular calcification makes angiographic/interventional procedures difficult due to reduced arterial compliance. Current attempts to develop safe and effective non-surgical adjunctive techniques to treat calcified arteries are largely limited by the lack of a physiologically relevant testing platform that mimics the structural and mechanical features of vascular calcification. Herein, we developed an off-the-shelf calcified artery model, with the goal to accelerate the pre-clinical development of novel therapies for the management of arterial calcification. To the extent of our knowledge, this is the first report of an in vitro tissue-engineered model of diffuse arterial calcification.

Outcomes of coronary rotational atherectomy in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction

Objective

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of rotational atherectomy (RA) in patients with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods

In total, 140 consecutive patients with severe coronary artery calcification (CAC) who underwent RA were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were grouped based on LVEF: ≤35% (n = 10), 36% to 50% (n = 11), and >50% (n = 119). We assessed procedural success and periprocedural complication rates as well as the incidences of in-hospital and 2-year major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as hospitalization for myocardial infarction and worsening heart failure, target vessel revascularization, and cardiac death.

Results

Procedural success was achieved in nearly all patients in each group. Most periprocedural complications were minor, and major complications were uncommon. The 2-year MACE rate was significantly higher in the LVEF ≤35% than LVEF >50% group (40.0% vs. 6.7%, respectively). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that the LVEF was the only independent predictor of 2-year MACEs in patients who underwent RA.

Conclusions

Patients with a reduced LVEF who underwent RA had procedural success rates similar to those of patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function. The LVEF might be an independent predictor of 2-year MACEs in patients with severe CAC after percutaneous coronary intervention following RA.

Prolonged Inflation Technique Using a Scoring Balloon for Severe Calcified Lesion

Percutaneous coronary intervention for the treatment of a severe calcified lesion is still one of the most technically challenging areas of interventional cardiology. Calcified lesions are a cause of stent underexpansion, which significantly increases the subsequent risks of in-stent restenosis and thrombosis, even when drug-eluting stents are used. In this report, we describe the usefulness of prolonged inflations using a scoring balloon catheter (Scoreflex) for severe calcified lesions. Prolonged inflation using a scoring balloon enables an adequate dilation for treatment of a severe calcified plaque that was unresponsive to conventional technique with or without rotational atherectomy.

Clinical Characteristics and Long-Term Outcomes of Rotational Atherectomy - J2T Multicenter Registry

BACKGROUND

Rotational atherectomy (RA) is an adjunct tool for the management of heavily calcified coronary lesions during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but the long-term clinical outcomes of RA use remain unclear in this drug-eluting stent era.Methods and Results:This multi-center registry assessed the characteristics and outcomes of patients treated by RA for calcified coronary lesions between 2004 and 2015. Among 1,090 registered patients, mean age was 70±10 years and 815 (75%) were male. Sixty percent of patients had diabetes mellitus and 27.7% were receiving hemodialysis. The procedure was successful in 96.2%. In-hospital death occurred in 33 patients (3.0%), and 14 patients (1.3%) developed definite/probable stent thrombosis. During the median follow-up period of 3.8 years, the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as all-cause death, acute coronary syndrome, stent thrombosis, target vessel revascularization and stroke, was 46.7%. On multivariable Cox hazard analysis, hemodialysis (HR, 2.08; 95% CI: 1.53-2.86; P<0.0001) and age (HR, 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01-1.04; P<0.0001) were strong independent predictors of MACE. Conversely, statin treatment was associated with lower incidence of MACE (P=0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

This study has provided the largest Japanese dataset for long-term follow-up of RA. Although RA in calcified lesions appears feasible with a high rate of procedural success, a high incidence of MACE was observed.

In-Hospital and 1-Year Outcomes of Rotational Atherectomy and Stent Implantation in Patients With Severely Calcified Unprotected Left Main Narrowings (from the Multicenter ROTATE Registry)

Heavily calcified unprotected left main (ULM) disease continues to be a challenging situation and represent a high-risk subset for interventional cardiologist. To date, there are limited data investigating the results after rotational atherectomy (RA) in this setting. The aim of this study was to investigate the in-hospital and 1-year outcomes after RA of heavily calcified ULM lesions. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on all calcified patients with ULM (n = 86) enrolled in the multicenter international ROTATE registry (overall patients, n = 962). End points of the study were the in-hospital and 1-year incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE): a composite of death, myocardial infarction, and target-vessel revascularization in the ULM versus non-ULM group. Patients in the ULM group were older (p = 0.01) and more frequently with diabetes (p = 0.001) compared with the non-ULM group, whereas intravascular ultrasound guidance was higher, even if not systematic, in the ULM group (p <0.001). No difference was reported between ULM versus non-ULM groups in terms of in-hospital MACE (5.8% vs 8%). At 1 year, MACE rate was higher in ULM versus non-ULM (26.4% vs 14.9%, p = 0.002) mostly driven by target-vessel revascularization (20.3% vs 12.7%, p = 0.05). Even definite/probable stent thrombosis rate was higher in the ULM group (3.9% vs 0.8%). All these events were subacute and 2/3 (75%) were fatal. In conclusion, our multicenter experience shows that RA followed by stent implantation in patients with heavily calcified ULM narrowing is feasible and associated with good in-hospital results. Patient (age and diabetes) and procedural aspects (relatively low intravascular ultrasound guidance) may affect the worse subacute mid-term prognosis in the more complex ULM group.

Ten Years of Advancements in Interventional Cardiology

The past decade has seen the evolution of an exciting technology that has changed forever the treatment of aortic aneurysmal disease. From rather crude homemade stent-grafts constructed in the surgical suite to elegant commercially manufactured devices in a variety of configurations and sizes, the aortic endograft has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity to become a beneficial, minimally invasive therapy that can obviate the risk of rupture and death. There are now 3 approved endovascular devices on the market for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, and it is likely that additional and improved devices will become available in the future. This review revisits the developmental history of the aortic endograft, noting the ongoing refinements that have arisen from our experiences with the growing population of stent-graft patients. Although research continues to search for solutions to the problems of endoleak and migration, long-term results even with the earlier second and third-generation devices are better than has been achieved with open surgical repair.

Real-World Multicenter Registry of Patients with Severe Coronary Artery Calcification Undergoing Orbital Atherectomy

Objectives

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of orbital atherectomy in real‐world patients with severe coronary artery calcification (CAC).

Background

The presence of severe CAC increases the complexity of percutaneous coronary intervention as it may impede stent delivery and optimal stent expansion. Atherectomy may be an indispensable tool for uncrossable or undilatable lesions by modifying severe CAC. Although the ORBIT I and II trials report that orbital atherectomy was safe and effective for the treatment of severe CAC, patients with kidney disease, recent myocardial infarction, long diffuse disease, severe left ventricular dysfunction, and unprotected left main disease were excluded.

Methods

This retrospective study included 458 consecutive patients with severe CAC who underwent orbital atherectomy followed by stenting from October 2013 to December 2015 at 3 centers.

Results

The primary endpoint of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events at 30 days was 1.7%. Low rates of 30‐day all‐cause mortality (1.3%), myocardial infarction (1.1%), target vessel revascularization (0%), stroke (0.2%), and stent thrombosis (0.9%) were observed. Angiographic complications were low: perforation was 0.7%, dissection 0.9%, and no‐reflow 0.7%. Emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery was performed in 0.2% of patients.

Conclusion

In the largest real‐world study of patients who underwent orbital atherectomy, including high‐risk patients who were not surgical candidates as well as those with very complex coronary anatomy, acute and short‐term adverse clinical event rates were low. A randomized clinical trial is needed to identify the ideal treatment strategy for patients with severe CAC.

Treatment of calcified coronary artery lesions

Heavily calcified coronary plaques represent a complex lesion subset and a challenge to the interventional cardiologist, as they are often resistant to simple plaque modification with conventional balloon angioplasty. Inadequate plaque modification can lead to stent underdeployment, which itself predisposes to in-stent restenosis and stent thrombosis. Over the years, a number of mechanical devices ranging from modified angioplasty balloons to atherectomy devices have become available in order to tackle such lesions. Here we review these devices concentrating on the evidence behind their use.

Current understanding of coronary artery calcification

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is highly prevalent in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events. There are two recognized type of CAC—intimal and medial calcification, and each of them have specific risk factors. Several theories about the mechanism of vascular calcification have been put forward, and we currently believe that vascular calcification is an active, regulated process. CAC can usually be found in patients with severe CHD, and this asymptomatic phenomenon make early diagnosis of CAC important. Coronary computed tomographic angiography is the main noninvasive tool to detect calcified lesions. Measurement of coronary artery calcification by scoring is a reasonable metric for cardiovascular risk assessment in asymptomatic adults at intermediate risk. To date, effective medical treatment of CAC has not been identified. Several strategies of percutaneous coronary intervention have been applied to CHD patients with CAC, but with unsatisfactory results. Prognosis of CAC is still a major problem of CHD patients. Thus, more details about the mechanisms of CAC need to be elucidated in order to improve the understanding and treatment of CAC.

Impact of residual platelet reactivity under clopidogrel treatment for lesions and the clinical outcome after drug-eluting stent implantation in patients with hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Hemodialysis (HD) patients are at high risk for adverse clinical outcomes after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. However, the impact of residual platelet reactivity under dual anti-platelet therapy in this subset of patients remains unclear.

METHODS

We enrolled 142 stable angina patients (194 lesions) treated with DES, who were taking aspirin and 75mg clopidogrel and had undergone 8-month angiography with optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT findings and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) at 1 year (cardiac death, acute coronary syndrome, target lesion and vessel revascularization, and stent thrombosis) were compared between 28 HD patients and 114 non-HD patients. Responsiveness to clopidogrel was assessed by measuring P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) at 8 months.

RESULTS

PRU was significantly higher in HD patients than in non-HD patients (p=0.006), even though proportion of cytochrome P450 2C19 genotype was equivalent. HD patients had a significantly higher rate of thrombi formation (assessed using OCT) and MACEs than non-HD patients (thrombi: p=0.001; MACEs: p=0.0001). The PRU value was independently associated with MACEs in both groups. The optimal cutoff values of PRU for predicting MACEs were 235 for HD patients and 259 for non-HD patients.

CONCLUSIONS

HD was associated with a high residual platelet reactivity, which may contribute to the higher incidence of MACEs after DES implantation in HD patients. HD may be a patient profile that merits a more potent anti-platelet regimen.

Rotational atherectomy: Technical update

Percutaneous coronary intervention is currently the most common form of revascularization for symptomatic coronary artery disease. In elderly, diabetic and renal patients, there is an increased prevalence of calcified coronary disease. Rotational atherectomy (RA) can be useful in the treatment of these lesions. Plaque removal was initially proposed as an alternative to balloon angioplasty, hence RA required high-velocity protocols with large-sized burrs (over 2.0 mm). With a high incidence of acute complications and disappointing restenosis rates, the use of RA dwindled. However, the advent of drug-eluting stents, which significantly decreased the rate of restenosis, led to the repositioning of RA as an adjunctive technique in the preparation of densely calcified lesions, improving stent delivery and expansion. In recent years, a better understanding of the mechanism of action of RA has changed it from a plaque debulking to a compliance modifying technique. As a result, RA has become less aggressive, using smaller size burrs and lower rotational speeds. This conservative approach has improved immediate results, with increased safety and better long-term outcomes. In this review paper, the technique of RA is explained in the light of current knowledge.

Atherectomy devices: technology update

Atherectomy is a procedure which is performed to remove atherosclerotic plaque from diseased arteries. Atherosclerotic plaques are localized in either coronary or peripheral arterial vasculature and may have different characteristics depending on the texture of the plaque. Atherectomy has been used effectively in treatment of both coronary and peripheral arterial disease. Atherectomy devices are designed differently to either cut, shave, sand, or vaporize these plaques and have different indications. In this article, current atherectomy devices are reviewed.

Targeted chelation therapy with EDTA-loaded albumin nanoparticles regresses arterial calcification without causing systemic side effects

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Elastin-specific medial arterial calcification (MAC) is an arterial disease commonly referred as Monckeberg's sclerosis. It causes significant arterial stiffness, and as yet, no clinical therapy exists to prevent or reverse it. We developed albumin nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with disodium ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) that were designed to target calcified elastic lamina when administrated by intravenous injection.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We optimized NP size, charge, and EDTA-loading efficiency (150-200 nm, zeta potential of -22.89--31.72 mV, loading efficiency for EDTA~20%) for in vivo targeting in rats. These NPs released EDTA slowly for up to 5 days. In both ex-vivo study and in vivo study with injury-induced local abdominal aortic calcification, we showed that elastin antibody-coated and EDTA-loaded albumin NPs targeted the damaged elastic lamina while sparing healthy artery. Intravenous NP injections reversed elastin-specific MAC in rats after four injections over a 2-week period. EDTA-loaded albumin NPs did not cause the side effects observed in EDTA injection alone, such as decrease in serum calcium (Ca), increase in urine Ca, or toxicity to kidney. There was no bone loss in any treated groups.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that elastin antibody-coated and EDTA-loaded albumin NPs might be a promising nanoparticle therapy to reverse elastin-specific MAC and circumvent side effects associated with systemic EDTA chelation therapy.

Complex coronary lesions and rotational atherectomy: one hospital's experience

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of rotational atherectomy followed by drug eluting stent (DES) implantation in patients with complex coronary lesions.

METHODS

From August 2006 to August 2012, 253 consecutive patients with 289 lesions and who underwent rotational atherectomy in our center were enrolled in this study.

RESULTS

The overall procedure success rate was 98% with the cost of two (0.8%) coronary perforations, three (1.2%) dissections, five (2.0%) slow flows or no flows, three (1.2%) peri-procedure myocardial infarctions, and two (0.8%) in hospital deaths. During follow-up (mean three years), one (0.4%) patient died, two (0.8%) patients had acute myocardial infarction, 14 (5.5%) had restenosis, and target lesion revascularization occurred in eight patients (3.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Rotational atherectomy followed by DES implantation is a safe and effective technique for patients with complex coronary lesions, especially calcified and non-dilatable lesions.

Deep seating of 5 Fr. guiding catheter across the stenosis with 5 in 7 method was effective for severely calcified lesion

A 57-year-old male with end stage renal disease underwent coronary angiography (CAG). The CAG revealed two vessel disease with severe calcification. A week after the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), we performed PCI to the right coronary artery (RCA). Because of the calcification, no devices could be crossed. We then performed 5 in 7 method using Heartrail ST01, and inserted it across the stenosis, with dilatation balloon at the distal RCA as anchoring. Finally we managed to implant two stents. We report that 5 in 7 method and deep seating of 5 Fr. guiding catheter were effective for the severely calcified lesion.

Rotational atherectomy: a "survivor" in the drug-eluting stent era

Mechanical debulking of coronary plaques with rotational atherectomy (RA) has been used for more than 20 years during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Modification of plaque characteristics may be accomplished with selective ablation of inelastic fibrocalcific tissue. The use of RA, though reduced with the development of bare-metal stents (BMS) and even more with drug-eluting stents (DES), has never been completely abandoned. The present review will analyze reasons for conflicting results obtained in large series and randomized trials on this topic in the past, and will identify criteria for an appropriate use in current times.

Rotational Atherectomy and Stent Implantation for Calcified Left Main Lesions

Background

Left main coronary artery (LMCA) bifurcation and heavily calcified lesions are common and challenging to treat percutaneously. Rotational atherectomy (RA) may be beneficial in this setting to facilitate stent placement though direct supporting evidence is lacking. This study sought to analyze patients who underwent RA of the LMCA.

Methods

Consecutive cases involving RA of the LMCA between 1/1/2004 and 12/31/2009 at a private, tertiary referral hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Medical records, angiograms and clinically driven follow-up were reviewed.

Results

Thirty-one cases were identified (20 protected, 11 unprotected), including 23 with stent implantation (21 drug-eluting, 2 bare metal). All 31 lesions had moderate to severe calcification, 84% involved the distal segment. Mean burr-to-vessel ratio was 0.43. Overall angiographic success was 90% (28/31) and was higher with a drug-eluting stent versus no stent (100% vs. 62%; P = 0.0153). In-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) occurred in 1 patient (3%). Mid-term MACE occurred in 6 patients (26%) and tended to occur less frequently in patients with protected LMCAs (P = 0.0697). At final follow-up, patients were more likely to be alive and free from angina with a protected LMCA (94% vs. 57% unprotected; P = 0.0564) and with a drug-eluting stent (89% vs. 50% with no stent; P = 0.0281).

Conclusions

RA of the LMCA to facilitate stent implantation appears to be safe and effective with favorable mid-term outcomes. In the setting of severe calcification and distal LMCA involvement RA and drug-eluting stent implantation should be considered.

Provisional T stenting following alternating rotational atherectomy for severely calcified left main stenosis in a very old male

An 88-year-old male was referred to our medical center for the treatment of severe angina pectoris. Coronary angiography revealed severely calcified tight stenosis in the left main (LM), the left circumflex (LCX) ostium, and the proximal portion of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery (Medina 1, 1, 1). We performed T-stenting with two everolimus-eluting stents. Prior to T-stenting, we performed alternating rotational atherectomy (RA) of the vessel segments from the LM to LCX and from the LM to LAD. The effectiveness of alternating RA was confirmed by a "pendulous calcification" at the carina of the LM bifurcation.

GuideLiner, a child-in-a-mother catheter for successful retrieval of an entrapped rotablator burr

Entrapment of the rotablator burr within heavily calcified lesions is a recognized complication, which usually necessitates sternotomy and open surgical intervention to retrieve the trapped burr. In some cases, the trapped burr can be retrieved using simple traction, but this is potentially hazardous with possible trauma and perforation of the vessel. Passing a wire alongside the trapped burr with ballooning to free the burr can be attempted. We describe a novel technique to remove a trapped rotablator burr from a heavily calcified lesion using counter-traction with a GuideLiner, child-in-a-mother catheter, which successfully removed the entrapped burr without the need for surgery when simple traction alone had been ineffective.

The role of the out-of-operating room anesthesiologist in the care of the cardiac patient

Modern invasive cardiovascular procedures require patients to be both comfortable and cooperative. In addition, these procedures demand the complete attention of the attending cardiovascular specialist, and, to a large degree, the outcomes of these procedures depend on the amount of focus and concentration the cardiovascular specialist can give to performing the procedure itself. A team approach using the specialized skills of a cardiologist and an anesthesiologist frequently is required to optimize results. This article clearly delineates the procedures cardiologists perform that might involve anesthesiologists. Mutual knowledge, understanding, and respect are fundamental requirements for integration of cardiology and anesthesia services to optimize patient outcomes.

Impact of lesion calcification on clinical and angiographic outcome after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation in real-world patients

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated similar efficacy of the drug-eluting stent (DES) in patients with and without calcified lesions. However, most of the randomized trials have excluded patients with severe calcified lesions. This study aimed to examine the impact of lesion calcium on clinical and angiographic outcome after sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation in real-world patients.

METHODS

Consecutive 380 patients with 556 lesions treated with SES were enrolled. Lesions were divided into Calc lesions (moderate or sever calcification; 195 lesions) and non-Calc lesions (none or mild calcification; 361 lesions) according to the lesion calcium. Quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) parameters, binary restenosis rate (%restenosis), target lesion revascularization (TLR) rate, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during follow-up were compared between the two groups. All patients were contacted at 1, 6, and 12 months after the procedure.

RESULTS

Lesion success rate was similar in the two groups. %Restenosis (9.2% vs. 3.6%; P<.05) and TLR (7.3% vs. 2.8%; P<.05) were significantly higher in Calc lesions. Stent thrombosis was observed in 0.7% of overall lesions with no difference between the two groups. The MACE rate in Calc patients (13.8%) was significantly higher than in non-Calc patients (6.1%). By multivariate analysis, hemodialysis (HD) and requirement of rotational atherectomy (RA) were predictive factors of TLR in the Calc lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Coronary lesions with calcification comprise a high-risk cohort and are associated with a higher TLR and binary restenosis rates in real-world patients treated with SES. Moreover, patients with calcified lesions and on HD are associated with higher MACE rate.

Periprocedural creatine kinase-MB elevations: long-term impact and clinical implications

Since the introduction of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), percutaneous intervention with balloon catheters, stents, and atherectomy devices has become a widely accepted practice. The persistent complication of non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI), as evidenced by increased cardiac enzyme levels after intervention, has aroused only moderate concern because its incidence was perceived to be small and not clinically relevant. With more systematic assessments of cardiac enzymes--specifically, creatine kinase (CK) and its MB isoform--evidence has begun to clarify both the incidence and the prognosis of periprocedural non-Q-wave MI: It appears to occur nearly three times more often than is clinically evident across all device types (8 to 9% of all interventions) and is directly and continuously associated with adverse outcomes, including late death. Although directional and rotational atherectomy improve angiographic outcome compared with PTCA, periprocedural infarction occurs at least twice as often with these newer technologies; the incidence associated with stent placement is comparable to and possibly higher than that of PTCA. Factors that may cause elevated CK-MB levels include distal embolization, side branch occlusion, thrombus, and coronary spasm. Analyses of the major trials of platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors, a class of potent antiplatelet agents, show striking effectiveness of these drugs in reducing the incidence of "enzyme-only" or "silent" MI and in improving long-term clinical outcomes. The findings implicate platelet mediation in the occurrence of periprocedural infarction and suggest an important role for antiplatelet therapy, particularly GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibition, in protecting patients undergoing percutaneous intervention.

An evidence-based approach to the use of rotational and directional coronary atherectomy in the era of drug-eluting stents: when does it make sense?

Advances in percutaneous interventions have profoundly changed the way we manage patients with coronary and peripheral arterial disease. Though the use of stents, particularly drug-eluting stents, is the preferred method for revascularization because of ease of use and lower restenosis rates, there are many short comings. Ostial and bifurcation lesions as well as heavily calcified and tortuous arteries remain problematic. Mechanical debulking with rotational and direct coronary atherectomy may be beneficial in these situations. In this review, we present the general concepts of mechanical debulking and attempt to summarize the available data on its use in the setting of drug-eluting stents. In addition, we will discuss its special role in the management of peripheral arterial disease.

123I-MIBG imaging can be used to evaluate microvascular disturbance caused by embolization by microdebris after rotational atherectomy

BACKGROUND

During rotational atherectomy (RA), the coronary atherosclerotic plaque is largely pulverized into microdebris, which may cause serious hemodynamic instability owing to significant segmental left ventricular asynergy embolization of the distal microvasculature by atheromatous debris and associated vasospasm.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the usefulness of 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) in the examination of microvascular embolization after RA.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Nineteen patients with stable effort angina pectoris who had undergone RA were evaluated in this study. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was determined by left ventriculography immediately before and after RA. The serum concentration of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), creatine phosphokinase-myocardial band (CPK-MB) isozyme, and cardiac troponin-T was determined after RA. 99mTc-methoxyiso-butylisonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) and 123I-MIBG scintigraphic examinations were also performed 1 day after RA. The regional defect score (RDS) was determined from 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphic findings, while early and delayed RDS, heart-to-mediastinum count ratios (H/M ratios), and washout rate (WR) were determined from 123I-MIBG scintigraphy. After RA, the left ventriculographic LVEF mildly decreased by <10% in ten patients (group A), but it decreased by >10% in the remaining nine patients (group B). There were no differences in baseline clinical characteristics between the two groups. The CPK, CPK-MB isozyme, troponin-T, RDS by 99mTc-MIBI, H/M ratios, and WR after RA were similar in the two groups. However, the RDSs determined from early and delayed 123I-MIBG in group A were significantly lower than those in group B (4.5 +/- 3.8 vs. 13.4 +/- 10.8, P < 0.05; 9.0 +/- 6.3 vs. 17.7 +/- 10.0, P < 0.05, respectively). Moreover, there were significant correlations between delta LVEF and troponin-T (r = 0.54, P < 0.05) and RDSs of early and delayed 123I-MIBG (r = 0.46, P < 0.05; r = 0.64, P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that 123I-MIBG imaging can be used to evaluate microvascular disturbance caused by embolization by microdebris after RA.

Rotational atherectomy in the distal left anterior descending coronary artery through an internal mammary artery graft

We report the case of a 53-year-old white man who began complaining of dyspnoea and angina 19 months after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Coronary angiography revealed the presence of a long and critical stenosis in the native left anterior descending coronary artery, shortly after distal anastomosis of the left internal mammary artery. After failed predilatations with standard or cutting balloons, we successfully used the rotablator system, which allowed us to implant a bare-metal stent in the native left anterior descending coronary artery. However, stent deployment caused long linear graft dissection, which was reduced by drug-eluting stent implantation in the proximal and distal segments of the left internal mammary artery.

Management of calcified lesions in 2004

Calcified lesions are encountered with increasing frequency in the catheterization laboratory. Percutaneous coronary interventions of calcified lesions are associated with a higher complication rate than percutaneous intervention on non-calcified lesions. The review focuses on current management strategies in the drug eluting stent era of this complex lesion subset. Evidence based approaches to treat calcified coronary lesions with balloon based and atherectomy devices as adjunctive modalities in the drug eluting stent era are discussed in this article.

Coronary angioplasty on an impassable calcified stenosis using a buddy balloon technique

We report our experience in coronary angioplasty on a calcified lesion that was not passable with balloon catheters despite an adequate preangioplasty lumen size on angiogram and intravascular ultrasonography study. The angioplasty was successfully performed with a simple and inexpensive buddy balloon technique.

Coronary rotational atherectomy in current practice: Acute and mid-term results in high- and low-volume centers

We conducted a prospective observational study to evaluate the indications, technique, in-hospital and 9-month results of consecutive patients treated with rotational atherectomy (RA) in 12 centers during 1 year, as well as their relationship with volume of RA activity. The study included 345 lesions in 289 patients treated (4.4% +/- 2.6% of procedures at the participating centers). The lesions were mostly calcified (63%) and type B2 or C (74%). Procedural success was obtained in 94% of patients, with a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate of 4.5%. At 9 months, MACE occurred in 17.3%. Multivariate analysis identified multivessel disease and slow flow as negative predictors of procedural success, whereas balloon pressure <or= 6 atm and hypercholesterolemia were associated with decreased MACE at 9 months. Center RA volume was not associated with in-hospital or 9-month outcome. We conclude that RA, even when used sporadically in selected complex lesions, can provide good immediate and mid-term results.

Current status of rotational atherectomy

Despite the increasing use of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and intracoronary stent placement for the treatment of obstructive coronary artery disease, a large subset of coronary lesions cannot be adequately treated with balloon angioplasty and/or intracoronary stenting alone. Such lesions are often heavily calcified or fibrotic and undilatable with the present balloon technology and attempts to treat them with balloon angioplasty or intracoronary stent placement often lead to vessel dissection or incomplete stent deployment with resultant adverse outcomes. Rotational atherectomy remains a useful niche device for the percutaneous treatment of such complex lesions, usually as an adjunct to subsequent balloon angioplasty and/or intracoronary stent placement. In contrast to balloon angioplasty or stent placement that widen the coronary lumen by displacing atherosclerotic plaque, rotational atherectomy removes plaque by ablating the atherosclerotic material, which is dispersed into the distal coronary circulation. Other lesion subtypes amenable to treatment with this modality include ostial and branch-ostial lesions, chronic total occlusions, and in-stent restenosis. This review discusses the technique and principles of rotational atherectomy, the various treatment strategies for its use (including adjunctive pharmacotherapy), the lesion-specific applications for this device, and the complications unique to this modality. Recommendations are also made for its use in the current interventional era.

Clinical outcome of percutaneous transluminal coronary rotational atherectomy in patients with end-stage renal disease

The clinical results of percutaneous transluminal coronary rotational atherectomy (PTCRA) in dialysis patients were retrospectively evaluated in comparison with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). From 1997 to 2001, 44 consecutive dialysis patients with 61 lesions underwent PTCRA and 55 consecutive dialysis patients underwent CABG. The initial success rate of PTCRA was 98%. The PTCRA group had a shorter hospital stay (13+/-17 vs 60+/-35 days, p=0.0001) and a lower rate of complications (11% vs 42%, p=0.001) than the CABG group. Although neither event-free survival without death nor myocardial infarction (MI) was significantly different between the CABG and PTCRA groups during the mean follow-up period of 21+/-14 months, 20 patients (45%) in the PTCRA group needed repeat revascularization of the target lesion. In conclusion, PTCRA may be a safe alternative modality for revascularization of high-risk CABG candidates, with excellent short-term results although the long-term outcome is inferior to that of CABG because of the higher restenosis rate.

Clinical significance of coronary calcification

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) was assessed by cinefluoroscopy and its extent was scored (CAC score) in 2,163 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography, based on the angiographic and clinical data, the patients were categorized into 8 types of coronary artery disease (CAD). The CAC score was lowest in angiographically normal subjects (0.12+/-0.60) and highest in patients with silent myocardial ischemia (14.31+/-8.61). Risk factors for CAC were advanced age, male sex (at age <80 years), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and a high grade of organic coronary stenosis. The CAC score in patients with acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina+acute myocardial infarction; 5.48+/-7.42) was significantly lower than that in those with chronic CAD (silent ischemia+stable angina; 9.72+/-8.73; p<0.0001), but was still higher than that in normal subjects or those with vasospastic angina (0.92+/-2.88; p<0.0001). The results indicate that CAC is a manifestation of coronary atherosclerosis and its appearance depends on the pathological type of ischemic heart disease. Fixed stenosis with a slow and chronic process tends to be associated with CAC. The clinical implication of extensive CAC in acute coronary syndrome compared with normal subjects should be further investigated.