1,721,116 research outputs found

    The Role of Coronary Physiology in Contemporary Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

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    Invasive assessment of coronary physiology has radically changed the paradigm of myocardial revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease. Despite the prognostic improvement associated with ischemia-driven revascularization strategy, functional assessment of angiographic intermediate epicardial stenosis remains largely underused in clinical practice. Multiple tools have been developed or are under development in order to reduce the invasiveness, cost, and extra procedural time associated with the invasive assessment of coronary physiology. Besides epicardial stenosis, a growing body of evidence highlights the role of coronary microcirculation in regulating coronary flow with consequent pathophysiological and clinical and prognostic implications. Adequate assessment of coronary microcirculation function and integrity has then become another component of the decision-making algorithm for optimal diagnosis and treatment of coronary syndromes.This review aims at providing a comprehensive description of tools and techniques currently available in the catheterization laboratory to obtain a thorough and complete functional assessment of the entire coronary tree (both for the epicardial and microvascular compartments)

    Invasive “in the cath-lab” assessment of myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease: When does the gold standard not apply?

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    International guidelines recommend that revascularization for coronary artery disease (CAD) should be guided by evidence of myocardial ischemia. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous free wave ratio (iFR) are the main invasive indices for assessing the ischemic potential of angiographically intermediate coronary stenosis as a large body of evidence supports their routine application. Both indices have been tested and validated in patients with isolated stable CAD, but notably their application outside this specific context is a matter of debate and investigation. In the present review we aim to look into the available evidence about the reliability and feasibility of FFR and iFR in clinical contexts different from stable angina where these techniques have been validated. We aim to shed light on which technique can be used to invasively assess ischemia when an angiographic moderate coronary stenosis is observed in a clinical setting other than isolated stable CAD

    Intravascular ultrasound to guide the management of intracoronary thrombus: a Case Report

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    Abstract Percutaneous coronary intervention can be associated with distal embolization of thrombotic material causing myocardial necrosis and infarction. We discuss the role of intravascular imaging to guide the use of a distal protection device by describing the outcome of a young woman presenting with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography demonstrated an isolated minor stenosis in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery with slight haziness beyond the lesion. Intravascular ultrasound confirmed an extensive thrombus overlying a bulky atherosclerotic plaque. A distal filter wire was therefore successfully used to reduce the risk of distal embolization. The use of intravascular ultrasound in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome may reveal large thrombi that are difficult to image using conventional angiographic techniques. Intravascular ultrasound can therefore be used as a tool to select lesions requiring distal protection.</p

    Rescue aortic balloon valvuloplasty during procedural cardiac arrest while treating critical left main stem stenosis: a case report

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    Background Best timing for coronary revascularization in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who was a candidate for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is still matter of debate.Case summary We here report the case of an 87-year-old man with severe AS presenting with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography revealed a highly complex and calcific left main stem (LMS) lesion. Rotablation-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was attempted but was complicated by post-stenting rapidly evolving haemodynamic impairment. A rescue 'pacing-free' balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) was performed to rescue the patients, allowing prompt restoration of cardiac output and coronary perfusion.Discussion According to guidelines and preliminary evidence, decision should be performed case by case and based on the degree of severity and complexity of either AS or coronary disease. The strategy of treating coronary lesions first may limit the risk of potential ischaemic complications during TAVI. However, the downside of it is the risk of hemodynamic crash with potential catastrophic evolution in case of PCI complications in presence of severe AS. A 'bailout BAV' can be considered as a salvage-strategy in case of complex and complicated LMS-PCI in the context of severe AS and advanced status of haemodynamic impairment. This approach must be seen as very last resort, while appropriate pre-procedural planning is still highly recommended in order to prevent potentially fatal procedural complications in this fragile clinical setting

    Management of failed stenting of the unprotected left main coronary artery

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    Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is increasingly accepted as treatment for unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease especially in those patients who are unsuitable for cardiac surgery. Treatment of any stent failure is associated with increased complexity and worse clinical outcomes when compared with de novo lesion revascularization. Intracoronary imaging has provided new insight into mechanisms of stent failure and treatment options have developed considerably over the last decade. There is paucity of evidence on the management strategy for stent failure in the specific setting of ULMCA. Treating any left main with PCI requires careful consideration and consequently treatment of failed stents in ULMCA is complex and provides unique challenges. Consequently, we provide an overview of ULMCA stent failure, proposing a tailored algorithm to guide best management and decision in daily clinical practice, with a special focus on intracoronary imaging characterization of causal mechanisms and specific technical and procedural considerations
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