Intravascular imaging in coronary stent restenosis: Prevention, characterization, and management

Study on the potential clinical significance of subclinical stent edge effects after drug-eluting stent implantation

The edge effect (EE) of isolated restenosis at one or both ends of a stent is not reduced by drug-eluting stent (DES). The purpose of the study was to investigate the long-term outcome of 1-year subclinical DES-EE (sDES-EE), which was defined as any reduction in the minimal lumen area (MLA) at stent edge without any evidence of clinical ischemia. A total of 252 patients were enrolled from one of our previous randomized controlled studies, who were detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) immediately after DES implantation and 1 year later. The primary endpoint was EE-related target lesion failure (EE-TLF) at 5 years. Secondary endpoints were the changes of morphologies and composition of stent edge plaque, and each component of EE-TLF. sDES-EE at 1 year was significantly correlated with EE-TLF at 5 years by binary logistic regression analysis after propensity scoring. The most valuable cutoff value of sDES-EE at 1 year was a 25% MLA reduction at the stent edge, according to receiver operating characteristic analysis, which showed a major increase in lipid normalized total volume (0.99 ± 0.25 mm3 vs. -0.21 ± 0.06 mm3, p = 0.025) and lipid percent atheroma volume (3.92 ± 1.34% vs. -1.22 ± 0.78%, p = 0.029). EE-TLF at 5 years was significantly higher in the sDES-EE group than in the non-sDES-EE group (15.6% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.001). sDES-EE with MLA reduction ≥ 25% at the stent edge at 1 year after PCI was an independent predictor of EE-TLF at 5 years, which was mainly caused by the progression of lipid components measured by OCT.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov. Number NCT02140801.

STUDY REGISTRATION

http://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov . identifier: NCT02140801.

Optical coherence tomography versus angiography to guide percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with in-stent restenosis: an observational study

BACKGROUND

Although optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance with the 'MLDMAX' criteria is very useful for de-novo lesions during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), there are limited studies on its benefits in patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR). This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with ISR who underwent repeat PCI (re-PCI) with OCT or angiographic guidance.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 2142 patients with ISR who underwent re-PCI at Nanjing First Hospital from January 2016 to January 2023. The primary endpoint was the incidence of target vessel failure (TVF) post-re-PCI within 3 years. The secondary endpoints included each component of TVF.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching, 161 matched pairs were enrolled. OCT guidance of re-PCI was associated with a significantly lower risk of TVF compared with angiographic guidance alone [hazard ratio (HR), 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.31-0.83; P  = 0.007] in patients with ISR. However, only 68.9% of patients with ISR met the final criteria of 'MLDMAX' post-re-PCI, which was associated with a lower risk of TVF compared with patients without meeting the OCT criteria (HR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.11-0.54; P  < 0.001), and satisfied the angiographic criteria (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.19-0.85; P  = 0.017).

CONCLUSION

Compared with angiographic guidance, OCT guidance significantly reduced TVF risk following re-PCI for ISR lesions, especially for patients who met the final criteria of 'MLDMAX'.

Clinical Significance of Optical Coherence Tomography-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for In-Stent Restenosis Within Drug-Eluting Stents: Impact on Patient Outcomes

BACKGROUND

The evidence for optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in improving the prognosis of individuals with in-stent restenosis (ISR) is lacking.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This retrospective study enrolled 588 consecutive individuals with drug-eluting stent ISR undergoing PCI from March 2010 to March 2022. Two hundred seven (35.2%) underwent OCT guidance, and 381 (64.8%) underwent angiography guidance. Clinical outcomes were analyzed using survival curves. The primary clinical endpoint was 2-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and target-vessel revascularization. Compared with angiography guidance, OCT guidance demonstrated a higher frequency of drug-coated balloon use and adjunctive therapeutic modalities, including predilation, postdilation, nonslip element balloons, and noncompliant balloons (P<0.05). Following PCI, the OCT-guided group achieved a significantly larger minimum lumen diameter (2.36 versus 2.15 mm, P<0.001) and a lower percentage diameter stenosis (17% versus 20%, P<0.001) than the angiography-guided group. Survival analysis revealed significantly lower 2-year MACEs in the OCT-guided group compared with the angiography-guided group (7% versus 15%, P=0.007), validated in the propensity matching analysis (7% versus 15%, P=0.001). Multiple sensitivity analyses showed that OCT-guided PCI treatment was an independent protective factor for 2-year MACEs in individuals with drug-eluting stent ISR.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with angiography guidance, OCT guidance is associated with a lower 2-year MACE risk among individuals with drug-eluting stent ISR. Therefore, OCT should be actively considered for guiding PCI treatment in individuals with drug-eluting stent ISR.

REGISTRATION

Url: clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT03809754.

A Meta-Analysis of 3-Year Outcomes of Drug-Coated Balloons Versus Drug-Eluting Stents for Small-Vessel Coronary Artery Disease

Background

Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) may be a viable alternative to drug-eluting stents (DES) for de novo small caliber coronary artery lesions. However, there remains a lack of data regarding the long-term efficacy of this approach.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare the rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after 3-year follow-up among patients randomized to DCB versus DES for the treatment of small caliber coronary arteries with reference vessel diameter between 2 and 3 mm.

Methods

We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases from their inception to July 2023 for randomized controlled trials comparing DCB versus DES for small caliber coronary artery disease. The primary end point was MACE at 3-year follow-up. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool (RoB 2). Pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs were estimated using random effects meta-analytic models.

Results

Four randomized controlled trials (n = 1,402) were included. In total, 706 patients were randomized to DCB and 696 to DES. Participants were mostly male (74%), with a mean/median age ranging from 60 to 68 years. Pooled data across trials for MACE showed wide CIs, with little indication of DES superiority over DCB (RR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.36-1.41). Most individual components of MACE were inconclusive. There was a potential signal for a reduction of target vessel thrombosis with DCB compared to DES (RR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.06-1.08).

Conclusions

Although sample sizes are small, 3-year outcomes suggest that DCB may be a reasonable alternative to DES for the treatment of small coronary arteries.

Consensus of the National Heart Center in collaboration With the Saudi Arabian Cardiac Interventional Society on the Clinical Use of Intracoronary Imaging

Objectives

Studies show that intracoronary imaging (ICI)-guided PCI is associated with a significantly lower risk of stroke, Q-wave myocardial infarction, and death compared to angiography-guided PCI in the management of acute coronary syndromes, complex coronary lesions and left-main interventions. Despite these well-established clinical benefits, the utilization of ICI-guided PCI in Saudi Arabia remains suboptimal.

Methods

The National Heart Center (NHC) and the Saudi Arabian Cardiac Interventional Society (SACIS) gathered national experts to develop a consensus document on how to integrate ICI-guided PCI in routine clinical practice in Saudi Arabia. The consensus was based on the nominal group technique, whereby a committee of interventional cardiologists affiliated with the NHS and SACIS developed and discussed a number of statements on the clinical use of intracoronary imaging based on a systematic review of the literature.

Results

A total of 17 statements were discussed in light of scientific evidence and agreed upon. Initiatives to improve operator skills when it comes to image acquisition and interpretation are crucial in the incorporation of ICI-imaging guided PCI in Saudi Arabia. Local data on reference diameters and measurements and epidemiological data on Saudi patients being treated in catheterization laboratories are necessary.

Conclusions

Herein, we provide the first national consensus on the use of ICI-guided PCI in Saudi Arabia. We anticipate that this document contributes to a more optimal and integrative use of ICI-guided PCI in the Kingdom.

High-frequency optical coherence tomography for endovascular management of cerebral aneurysms

Endovascular management of intracranial aneurysms has become the mainstay of treatment in recent years; however, retreatment rates remain as high as 1 in 5. High-frequency optical coherence tomography (HF-OCT) is an emerging imaging modality for the assessment, treatment and follow-up of cerebral aneurysms. EMBASE and SCOPUS databases were searched for studies relating to the management of intracranial aneurysm with OCT. A combination of keywords were used including 'cerebral aneurysm', 'intracranial aneurysm', 'high-frequency optical coherence tomography', 'optical coherence tomography', and 'optical frequency domain imaging'. There were 23 papers included in this review. For the assessment of intracranial aneurysm, OCT was able to accurately assess aneurysm morphology as well as detailed analysis of arterial wall layers. During IA treatment, OCT was used to assess and troubleshoot stent placement to optimise successful isolation from the circulation. In the follow-up period, endothelial growth patterns were visualised by OCT imaging. OCT shows promise for the treatment of IAs at all stages of management. Due to the novel development of HF-OCT, there is limited longitudinal data in human studies. Further research in this area is required with a focus specifically on long-term treatment outcomes in humans.

The miracle of IVUS for unforeseen stent thrombosis: A case report

Stent thrombosis is a serious complication with high morbidity and mortality rates resulting in cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction that occurs following stent placement during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Stent underexpansion or malapposition are avoidable risk factors for stent thrombosis. Sufficient postdilation should be considered to mitigate this risk, especially with the guidance of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). We present the case of a 60-year-old man developing a thrombotic lesion inside a stent 2 weeks after PCI for Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI), which was strongly related to stent underexpansion and malapposition. This case highlights the importance of IVUS in evaluating procedural success, particularly in assessing stent expansion and apposition.

Factors influencing coronary artery target lesion revascularization after drug-coated balloon angioplasty

Background

Concerns regarding restenosis after treatment with drug-coated balloons (DCB) remain. We aimed to identify the incidence of target lesion revascularization (TLR) and explore clinical, procedural, and other factors influencing it.

Methods

Single-center retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort PCI registry study included 80 patients (100 lesions) who underwent successful DCB angioplasty between January 2020 and October 2023 and follow-up angiography within 2 years of either planned or unplanned reason. Incidence and factors associated with TLR were analyzed.

Results

Angiographic evaluation was conducted within a median of 151 days (interquartile range: 109 days). During index procedure, 54% were complex lesions. Intravascular imaging (IVI) was performed in 80% of lesions. TLR occurred in 11% of the lesions and was less frequent in the IVI group compared to the angiography-alone group [6.3 vs. 54.5%; odds ratio: 0.156, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.042-0.580; p = 0.002]. No association was found between baseline and lesion characteristics, lesion complexity, plaque morphology, pre-dilatation procedure balloon type, maximal inflation pressure, or length of DCB between the groups (p > 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that IVI utilization was independently associated with a lower TLR rate (adjusted odds ratio: 0.116, 95% CI: 0.020-0.669; p = 0.016).

Conclusion

In DCB angioplasty, only IVI use exhibited a significant difference in the TLR rate among baseline lesion characteristics and lesion preparation and was independently associated with a lower TLR rate.

In-Stent Restenosis Overview: From Intravascular Imaging to Optimal Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Management

Despite ongoing progress in stent technology and deployment techniques, in-stent restenosis (ISR) still remains a major issue following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and accounts for 10.6% of all interventions in the United States. With the continuous rise in ISR risk factors such as obesity and diabetes, along with an increase in the treatment of complex lesions with high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (CHIP), a substantial growth in ISR burden is expected. This review aims to provide insight into the mechanisms, classification, and management of ISR, with a focus on exploring innovative approaches to tackle this complication comprehensively, along with a special section addressing the approach to complex calcified lesions.

Intrastent Restenosis: A Comprehensive Review

The primary objective of this paper is to delineate and elucidate the contemporary advancements, developments, and prevailing trajectories concerning intrastent restenosis (ISR). We aim to provide a thorough overview of the most recent developments in this area, covering various aspects such as pathophysiological insights, therapeutic approaches, and new strategies for tackling the complex challenges of ISR in modern clinical settings. The authors have undertaken a study to address a relatively new medical challenge, recognizing its significant impact on the morbidity and mortality of individuals with cardiovascular diseases. This effort is driven by the need to fully understand, analyze, and possibly improve the outcomes of this emerging medical issue within the cardiovascular disease field. We acknowledge its considerable clinical implications and the necessity for innovative methods to mitigate its effects on patient outcomes. Therefore, our emphasis was directed towards elucidating the principal facets of the condition's prevalence, expounding upon the foundational mechanisms underscoring conspicuous restenosis, and delineating the risk factors relevant in shaping the contemporary landscape of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. This thorough examination aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the various dimensions of the condition, including epidemiological data, pathophysiological complexities, and clinical considerations critical for evaluating and enhancing current diagnostic and treatment approaches.

Drug-Eluting Stent Restenosis: Modern Approach to a Classic Challenge

In-stent restenosis (ISR) is a recognized complication following percutaneous coronary intervention in which the luminal diameter is narrowed through neointimal hyperplasia and vessel remodeling. Although rates of ISR have decreased in most recent years owing to newer generation drug-eluting stents, thinner struts, and better intravascular imaging modalities, ISR remains a prevalent dilemma that proves to be challenging to manage. Several factors have been proposed to contribute to ISR formation, including mechanical stent characteristics, technical factors during the coronary intervention, and biological aspects of drug-eluting stents. Presentation of ISR can range from asymptomatic to late myocardial infarction and could be difficult to differentiate from acute thrombus formation. No definite guidelines are present on the management of ISR. In this review, we will discuss the mechanisms underlying ISR and provide insight into patient-related and procedural risk factors contributing to ISR, in addition to highlighting common treatment approaches utilized in the management of ISR.