Immediate and long-term results of coronary stent implantation without predilatation (direct stenting) in patients with coronary heart disease

The paper assesses the immediate and long-term results of direct stenting (without the stage of predilation) and compares with the outcomes of conventional stent implantation. A prospective study included 183 patients. All the patients were divided into two groups according to the procedure of stent implantation. In 85 (46.7%) patients, the stent was implanted without preliminary predilation of stenosis (direct stenting). These patients formed Group 1. Group 2 comprised 97 (53.3%) patients in whom the stent was placed by using the routine procedure. All the patients enrolled into the study had types A, B1, and B2 stenoses according to the ACC/AHA classification and received the conventional antiaggregatory and anticoagulant therapy. The technical success of direct stenting was 97.7%. There were no cases of stent dislocation and loss during direct stenting or expansion of a balloon and stent. Analyzing the immediate results in all the patients of the both groups showed a positive angiographic success. Thus, a primary angiographic and clinical success of direct stenting was achieved in all (100%) patients. Recurrent angina pectoris with restenosis was observed in 8 (9.4%) patients in Group 1 and in 21 (21.6%) in Group 2 (p < 0.05). Direct stenting significantly differs from the routine stent implantation in all procedure parameters. Thus, direct stenting in patients with uncomplicated stenoses is a safe and feasible procedure.     

Comparison of the results of stenting ans balloon angioplasty of coronary arteries in relation to the type of stenosis

Based on the comparison of the immediate and late results of stenting and balloon angioplasty (BA), the authors consider whether it is expedient to perform stenting of coronary arteries (CA) in all cases of BA in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and different types of CA stenosis. The study included 410 patients: a group of stenting (n = 197) and a group of traditional BA (n = 213). All the patients in both groups were divided into four subgroups in relation to the type of detected stenosis according to the classification of the American Association of Cardiologists (ACC/AHA). The positive angiographic and clinical results were observed in all 197 patients after stenting. This was associated neither with the type of dilated stenosis nor with the design of an implanted stent. In dilation of types A and B1 stenoses, a stent-like result was significantly more frequently observed than in dilation of types B2 and C stenoses. There was no significant difference in the development of restenosis in patients after routine BA and stenting of types A and B1 stenoses. At the same time, after BA of types B2 and C stenoses, restenosis developed significantly more frequently than in stenting. Thus, on the basis of this study, it may be stated that the traditional BA yields the so-called stent-like result significantly more frequently in patients with uncomplicated forms of CA stenoses than in those with complicated ones. Once the stent-like result is achieved in patients with type A stenoses, stenting should not be performed since the latter fails to improve the immediate and late results of angioplasty. Despite that the stent-like result is achieved in patients with complicated forms of CA stenoses, it is expedient to make stenting. Our findings indicate that the obtained good immediate result reduces the incidence of restenosis.     

Results of point stenting of extended coronary stenoses in patients with ischemic heart disease

The paper analyzes the immediate and long-term results of point stenting in patients with extended (more than 30 mm) coronary stenoses and compares them with those obtained by routine stenting. The study included 177 patients with varying extent stenoses who underwent traditional implantation of intracoronary stents. Thirty-seven patients undergone the so-called point stenting formed a separate group. There was no significant difference in clinical and angiographic success rates between the patients of all three groups. Significant difference was also absent in subacute stent thrombosis between the patients of Groups 2 and 3 and those of the point stenting group. Thus, acute or subacute stent thrombosis was noted in 4 (2.3%) patients from the routine stenting groups, all the patients being from Groups 2 and 3, and in 2 (5.4%) from the point stenting group. No significant difference was found in the incidence of recurrent angina pectoris (restenosis) between Groups 1 and 2 and between Groups 2 and 3. At the same time, recurrent angina (restenosis) significantly more frequently developed in the patients of Group 3 than those of Group 1. As compared with Groups 2 and 3 patients, there was no significant difference in the incidence of recurrent angina (restenosis).     

Results of point stenting of extended coronary stenosis in patients with ischemic heart disease

The paper analyzes the immediate and long-term results of point stenting in patients with extended (more than 30 mm) coronary stenoses and compares them with those obtained by routine stenting. The study included 177 patients with varying extent stenoses who underwent traditional implantation of intracoronary stents. Thirty-seven patients undergone the so-called point stenting formed a separate group. There was no significant difference in clinical and angiographic success rates between the patients of all three groups. Significant difference was also absent in subacute stent thrombosis between the patients of Groups 2 and 3 and those of the point stenting group. Thus, acute or subacute stent thrombosis was noted in 4 (2.3%) patients from the routine stenting groups, all the patients being from Groups 2 and 3, and in 2 (5.4%) from the point stenting group. No significant difference was found in the incidence of recurrent angina pectoris (restenosis) between Groups 1 and 2 and between Groups 2 and 3. At the same time, recurrent angina (restenosis) significantly more frequently developed in the patients of Group 3 than those of Group 1. As compared with Groups 2 and 3 patients, there was no significant difference in the incidence of recurrent angina (restenosis).     

Results of intracoronary stenting made in different periods after diagnostic coronary angiography

The high cost of tools and expendable materials and its associated necessity of solving organizational issues force to delay the implementation of stenting for nonmedical reasons in many cases. This gives a convenient way to evaluate how much effective and safe stenting would be made just after coronary angiography or delayed intervention would be performed and at the same time to consider the way delay in stenting may affect its clinical and angiographic results. The study covered 136 patients with coronary heart disease who had been implanted an intracoronary stent. All this patients were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 included 16 patients who had undergone stent implantation just after diagnostic coronary angiography, Group 2 comprised 42 patients who had the similar procedure no later than a month after coronary angiography, and Group 3 consisted of 78 patients who had it a month or later following angiography. The angiographic success rates of stenting was 100% in Group 1, 97.6% in Group 2, and 92.3% in Group 3. The causes of poor results were evolving myocardial infarction (2.4%) and technical failure (2.4%) in Group 2; evolving myocardial infarction (2.6%), emergency aortocoronary bypass surgery (1.3%), and technical failure (3.8%) in Group 3. In Group 2, 4.8% cases of those undergone delayed stenting showed more significant stenosis than those having diagnostic intervention. In Group 3, there was more progressive stenosis in 16.7% and a transition of stenosis to occlusion in 7.8%. There were no complications (such as hemorrhage, retroperitoneal hematoma, etc.) at the site of puncture in Group 1, but in Group 2 and 3 they were 3.8 and 6.5%, respectively. Delayed stenting frequently adversely affects the outcomes of endovascular treatment due to the higher incidence of complication and to the increasing technical sophistication of the procedure no late than a month after diagnostic coronary angiography.     

Results of coronary stenting in relation to the length of an implanted stent

The paper considers the impact of the length of an implanted stent on the early and late outcomes of intracoronary stenting. The study included 177 patients on a retrospective basis. They all underwent intracoronary stenting of 215 stenoses. All the patients were divided into three groups in relation to the length of an implanted segment (under 20 mm, 20-30 mm, and under 30 mm). In 16 (9.04%) of the 177 patients, for complete stenosis correction, several, but not one, stents were inserted, i.e. multiple stenting of a coronary stenting was performed. The stents were implanted by the conventional procedure. There was no significant difference in clinical and angiographic success rates between the patients of all three groups. There were no complications, such as transmural myocardial infarction and deaths in any groups. Acute stent thrombosis was noted only in 1 (1.8%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of subacute stent thrombosis between Groups 2 and 3 patients. No case of subacute thrombosis of implanted stents was noted in Group 1 patients. Thus, acute and subacute stent thromboses were observed in 4 (2.3%) patients, they being all from Groups 2 and 3. There was no significant difference in the development of restenosis between Groups 1 and 2 and Groups 2 and 3. At the same time, restenosis significantly more frequently developed in patients from Group 3 than in those from Group 1. Thus, the findings indicate that the length of a stented segment is an important factor that influence both early and late outcomes of intracoronary stenting.     

Early results of endovascular treatment of chronic coronary occlusion in patients with ischemic heart disease

The early results of endovascular treatment of chronic coronary occlusion were studied. Immediate success rates were 67%. The factors that promote successful endovascular treatment in patients with this condition were as follows: less than 2-month disease duration, well-developed intersystemic collaterals, no "bridge" collaterals. Successful recanalization for chronic coronary occlusion improves the quality of life and bicycle ergometer test finding in patients, which reduces their needs of nitrates and beta-blockers. Coronary occlusion stenting yields better immediate angiographic results than does balloon angioplasty: residual stenosis and the minimum diameter of stenosis after stenting were 13.61 +/- 6.3% and 2.69 +/- 0.4 mm, respectively; those after balloon angioplasty were 23.1 +/- 8.1% and 2.31 +/- 0.37 mm, respectively.     

Use of "Cypher" sirolimus-eluting stents in coronary heart disease patients with different types of coronary arterial lesions

The purpose of our study was to assess the immediate and late results of treatment with Cypher drug-eluting stents (Cordis, Johnson & Johnson, USA) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). This was a prospective study that included 738 patients who had been implanted Cypher stents in May 2002 to March 2006. The patients' mean age was 56 +/- 9 years; there were 87% of males. The patients were randomly included into the study and they underwent coronary stenting in the routine laboratory setting. A control group comprised 162 patients who had undergone Velocity or Sonic nondrug-eluting stents of the same firm, which had the similar structure. The groups did not differ in clinical characteristics. 827 stenoses in the eluting stent group and 225 stenoses in the control group were subject to revascularization. The immediate cure rate was 95 and 94%, respectively. The total number of events (myocardial infarction, emergency coronary bypass surgery, subacute occlusion of a stented segment) was 2.3% in the eluting stent group and 2.4% in the control group. A repeated examination 1 year after surgery was made in 482 and 119 patients in the drug-eluting and nondrug-eluting groups, respectively. During the follow-up, one patient died of a extracardiac cause and 3 (0.6%) patients underwent coronary bypass surgery in the nondrug-eluting stent group; there were no deaths and 2 (1.6%) patients had coronary bypass surgery in the control group. In the eluting stent group, there were fewer cases of repeated endovascular procedures of target stenosis revascularization than in the control group (3.7% versus 11.7%; p < 0.0005). In the eluting stent group, the total number of unfavorable cardiovascular events was significantly less than that in the control group and it amounted to 3.3% as compared with 15.9% in the non-eluting stent group; p < 0.0005. Cardiovascular event-free survival was significantly higher in the eluting stent group: 92% versus 77% in the non-eluting stent group (p < 0.0005).     

Intravascular ultrasound assessment of culotte stent deployment for the treatment of stenoses at major coronary bifurcations

BACKGROUND: The mechanism for the disappointing late outcome following stenting of bifurcation lesions is unclear. This prospective observational study aims to evaluate culotte stent deployment and dimensions with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with bifurcation stenoses were treated using two stents in a culotte configuration. After optimizing the angiographic appearance of both stents, IVUS was used to evaluate both limbs of the culotte. The main outcome measures were cross-sectional area (CSA) and minimal lumen diameter (MLD) assessed by IVUS. RESULTS: Within the culotte stent, the final mean CSA in the main limb was 6.1 mm(2) (97% of reference) and in the side-limb was 5.9 mm(2) (97% of reference). However, in each case, the minimum CSA and IVUS MLD of both limbs was at the bifurcation point. For all patients, the final mean CSA at the bifurcation point of the main limb was 4.3 mm(2) (70% of main stent) and of the side-limb was 4.4 mm(2) (75% of side stent). The IVUS MLD at the bifurcation point of the main limb was 2.1 mm (78% of main stent) and of the side-limb was 2.1 mm (84% of the side stent). Importantly, this significant residual stenosis was not detectable with quantitative coronary angiography. CONCLUSIONS: IVUS evaluation of culotte stents is feasible. The minimum IVUS CSA and MLD of both limbs of the culotte stent is at the bifurcation point. Despite an optimal angiographic appearance a significant residual stenosis was noted with IVUS at each bifurcation point.     

Long-term comparison of balloon angioplasty with provisional stenting versus routine stenting in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome

Background. In patients with unstable angina or non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) who are eligible for PCI, routine stenting is the recommended treatment strategy, based on the opinion of experts. Provisional stenting may provide a viable alternative by retaining the early benefits of stenting without its potential late hazards. Method. Patients with NSTE-ACS were randomised to provisional or routine stenting after coronary angiography. Patients were followed for up to ten years. The occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was recorded. Results. 237 consecutive patients with NSTE-ACS were randomly assigned to routine stenting (n=116) or provisional stenting (n=121). No difference in the incidence of MACE at 30 days was observed. At six months, angiographic restenosis was lower in the routine stenting group (41 vs. 20%, p=0.02), paralleled by more MACE in the provisional stenting group at one year (40.5 vs. 27.6%, p=0.036). At complete follow-up the difference in MACE was not significant (61.2 vs. 50%, p=0.084) because of relatively more target lesion revascularisations in the routine stent group. There was no difference in the incidence of very late stent thrombosis (1.7 vs. 3.4%, p=0.439). The only independent predictor of MACE was β-blocker use (RR 0.62 [0.431; 0.892] p=0.010). Conclusion. In selective patients with NSTE-ACS, routine stenting was more beneficial than provisional stenting for a period of up to five years, driven by a reduction in repeat revascularisation procedures. After this period, the benefit was no longer significant. Beta-blocker use was the only independent predictor of MACE throughout the complete follow-up period. (Neth Heart J 2010;18:307-313.)     

Provisional stenting in the real world: results in 1058 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous coronary angioplasty

OBJECTIVE: To study a strategy of aggressive coronary balloon angioplasty with provisional stenting in allcomers. In randomized trials, stenting has improved the outcome of patients undergoing coronary intervention. However, whether these results hold up in clinical practice is largely unknown. Furthermore, the results of balloon angioplasty have also improved dramatically. It is therefore essential to evaluate the current results of balloon angioplasty and to assess whether stents are required in all patients. METHODS: The authors prospectively studied the occurrence of death, myocardial infarction (MI) and target lesion revascularization (TLR) of a large consecutive group of patients undergoing aggressive balloon angioplasty with provisional stenting. None of the patients received a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blocker. The results were compared with the outcome of routine stenting in recent randomized trials. RESULTS: Angioplasty was performed in 1058 patients of whom 369 (34.9%) received a stent. The angiographic success rate was 98.9%. During hospital stay, 4.8% of the patients suffered any cardiac event. At one-year follow-up, death occurred in 1.1%, MI in 3.3%, TLR in 12.4% and any event in 16.7% of the patients. Event-free survival at one-year was 82.3%. These results compare favorably with routine stenting in recent trials. CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive balloon angioplasty with provisional stenting yields excellent results in a general patient population.     

Intravascular-ultrasound-guided percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty/provisional stent implantation strategy: impact on long-term clinical follow-up

Two hundred and eighty-four consecutive patients with 438 native coronary artery stenoses were enrolled prospectively in a study of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with provisional stenting: (1) aggressive lesion-site media-to-media balloon-sizing; (2) IVUS-assessment of residual lumen dimensions to identify optimal PTCA results (minimum lumen area = 65% of the average of the proximal and distal reference lumen areas or = 6.0 mm(2) and no major dissection); and (3) liberal stent crossover. Overall, 206 stenoses in 134 patients (47%) were treated with PTCA alone. Reasons for crossover were flow-limiting or lumen-compromising dissections in 28% of patients and suboptimal IVUS minimum lumen area in 72% of patients. At one year, 8% of stenoses in the PTCA group and 16% in the stent crossover group required revascularization. In approximately half of the patients treated using an IVUS-guided aggressive PTCA strategy, stent implantation could be avoided without sacrificing an increase in acute complications or worse clinical outcome.     

Cerebral perfusion changes in patients with internal carotid artery stenoses after surgical revascularization

Changes of cerebral perfusion and the condition of collateral blood supply in patients with internal carotid artery stenoses may have a prognostic value for effective blood flow restoration after revascularization of the internal carotid arteries (ICAs). To determine the patterns of cerebral perfusion changes in patients with ICA stenoses before and after surgical treatment, a clinical CT perfusion study of 41 patients with moderate to severe ICA stenoses was performed. Perfusion CT (PCT) had been conducted in 17 patients with moderate ICA stenoses (50–69%) and in 24 patients with severe ICA stenoses (70–99%) 3 times: before intervention (balloon angioplasty with stenting or carotid endarterectomy), on the 3rd to 7th day, and within 1 to 3 months after surgery. Scanning was performed at the level of the basal ganglia and semioval centers. In patients without ICA stenosis (control group of 39 individuals), PCT was conducted once. We found that surgical recanalization of the ICA leads to normalization of the cerebral blood flow parameters in the perfusion area of the middle cranial artery, as evidenced by a decrease of MTT and CBV and an increase of CBF to values comparable to those in the control group. However, blood flow restoration in the anterior and posterior watershed areas, which are known to be mostly affected under chronic hypoperfusion conditions, was observed only in patients with a complete circle of Willis (CW) and moderate ICA stenosis. Therefore, severe stenosis (>70%) and the incomplete CW are the prognostic factors for inadequate blood flow restoration after revascularization in patients with ICA stenoses.     

Quantitative and qualitative assessment of X-ray morphology of coronary restenosis after balloon angioplasty and stenting

The study was undertaken to compare the data of quantitative angiographic analysis of early and late outcomes of intracoronary stenting (ICS) and balloon coronary angioplasty (BCA) with the X-Ray morphology of restenosis. The prospective study enrolled 67 patients undergone repeated coronary angiography 2-10 months after successful BCA. Group I included 34 patients with coronary restenosis. Group II comprised 33 patients without restenosis signs. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups: A--patients undergone BCA; B--patients undergone ICS. Subgroups IA and IB included 22 and 12 patients, respectively, and subgroups IIA and IIB consisted of 24 and 19. The X-ray morphology of the underlying versus restenosis lesions in the subgroups was quantitatively and qualitatively assessed. The findings have led to the following conclusions that ICS yields more optimal early and late angiographic results than does BCA; according to the site of restenosis against the underlying lesion, the following types of restenosis following BCA and ICS are identified: diffuse, localized, marginal, and mixed; restenosis after ICS is characterized by for concentric morphology while that following BCA preserves the morphology of a primary lesion.     

Usefulness of Contrast Intracardiac Echocardiography in Performing Pulmonary Vein Balloon Occlusion during Cryo-ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

BackgroundCryoballoon ablation (CBA) has been proven to be very effective for pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) if complete occlusion is achieved and conventionally assessed by angiographic injection of contrast within PV lumen. The aim of our study was to assess the usefulness of saline contrast intracardiac echocardiography in guiding CBA with respect to PV angiography.MethodsThirty consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were randomly assigned fluoroscopy plus color-flow Doppler (n = 15; group 1: an iodinated medium as both angiographic and echographic contrast) or contrast intracardiac echocardiography plus color-flow Doppler (n = 15; group 2: saline contrast) for guidance of CBA.ResultsWe evaluated 338 occlusions of 107 PVs. The intracardiac echocontrastography-guided assessment of occlusion, defined as loss of echocontrastographic back-flow to the left atrium after saline injection regardless of the visualization of PV antrum, showed a high level of agreement with the angiographic diagnosis of occlusion. PVI rate was similar in both groups and effectively guided by intracardiac echocontrastography (PVI using ≤ 2 double cryofreezes: 89% of PVs in group 1 vs. 91% in group 2; p=n.s.). Group 2 patients had significantly shorter procedure (127 ± 16 vs. 152 ± 19 minutes; p<0.05) and fluoroscopy times (30 ± 12 vs. 43 ± 9 minutes, p<0.05) and used a lower iodinated contrast (88 ± 26 vs. 190 ± 47 mL, p<0.05).ConclusionsPV occlusion and PVI during cryoablation can be effectively predicted by intracardiac saline echocontrastography. This technique reduces procedural time, radiological exposure and iodinated contrast use.     

Long-term assessment of clinical parameters in patients with coronary heart disease after balloon angioplasty and stenting balloon angioplasty

The aim of this study was to assess clinical parameters in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) in the late period after balloon coronary angioplasty (BCA) and intracoronary stenting (ICS). The study included 104 patients who underwent repeated coronary angiography (CA) 2-10 months after successful coronary angioplasty. Clinical parameters were analyzed in 2 groups comparable at the moment of its performance in terms of major clinical characteristics. Group 1 comprised 51 patients following BCA and group 2 included 53 patients after ICS. Six months after the first procedure, repeated coronary angioplasty was performed in 19 (37.2%) and 6 (9.4%) patients after BCA and ICS, respectively (p < 0.05). Recurrent angina pectoris was observed in 42 patients from group 1 and in 25 ones from group 2, which was 82.3 and 47.2%, respectively (p < 0.05). Control CA revealed restenosis of the dilated artery in 22 (43.1%) of the 51 patients of group 1 and in 12 (22.6%) of the 53 patients of group 2. There were no differences between the groups in late postoperative bicycle ergometric and 24-hour ECG monitoring findings. The findings have led to the conclusion that implantation of a stent into the coronary artery greatly prolongs the antiischemic effect of coronary angioplasty and reduces a need for repeated endovascular intervention, which appears as lower incidence rates of restenosis and recurrent angina as compared to routine balloon angioplasty.     

Cardiac autonomic control during balloon carotid angioplasty and stenting

Hemodynamic alterations during balloon carotid angioplasty (BCA) and stenting have been ascribed to the consequences of direct carotid baroreceptor stimulation during balloon inflation. BCA with stenting in patients with carotid atheromatous stenoses offers a unique opportunity for elucidating the cardiovascular autonomic response to direct transient intravascular stimulation of the baroreceptors. We analysed the consequences of BCA on the autonomic control of heart rate and on breathing components in nine patients with atheromatous stenoses involving the bifurcation and the internal carotid. A time-frequency domain method, the smoothed pseudo-Wigner-Ville transform (SPWVT), was used to evaluate the spectral parameters (i.e., the instantaneous amplitude and centre frequency (ICF) of the cardiovascular and respiratory oscillations). Those parameters and their dynamics (8 and 24 h later) were evaluated during and after the procedure. BCA stimulates baroreceptors in all patients, which markedly reduces heart rate and blood pressure. Vagal baroreflex activation altered the respiratory sinus arrhythmia in terms of amplitude and frequency (ICF HF RR shifted from 0.27 +/- 0.03 to 0.23 +/- 0.04 Hz pre-BCA vs. BCA, respectively; p < 0.01). Both the high- and low-frequency amplitudes of heart rate oscillations were altered during carotid baroreceptor stimulation, strongly supporting a contribution of the baroreflex to the generation of both oscillations of heart rate. Carotid baroreceptors stimulation increased the inspiratory time (Ti) (1.5 +/- 0.5 to 2.3 +/- 0.6 s pre-BCA vs. BCA, respectively; p < 0.01). In awake patients, BCA with stenting of atheromatous stenosis involving the bifurcation and internal carotid causes marked changes in the cardiac autonomic and respiratory control systems.     

In-hospital resource utilization in coronary angioplasty: the impact of increased coronary stenting rates and antiplatelet therapy

BACKGROUND: The technique of coronary stenting has evolved over recent years, with improved stent technology and effective antiplatelet therapies to prevent stent thrombosis. In Europe, reductions in stent and equipment costs have resulted from increased market competition. The impact of these changes on the in-hospital procedural cost of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the current clinical setting is not known. METHODS: We compared the initial equipment and pharmaceutical costs of one hundred consecutive, unselected patients undergoing PCI in 1998 to a similar population who underwent PCI in 1994. RESULTS: Similar patient characteristics were noted, yet more complex disease (multivessel, AHA type B2/C lesions) was treated in the 1998 population. The stent utilization rate (83% vs 15%, p < 0.0001) and use of intravenous and/or oral antiplatelet therapy (abciximab, ticlopidine) (64% vs 4%, p < 0.0001) was higher in 1998. Similar angiographic success was achieved in each group with low complication rates. Mean hospital stay was reduced in the 1998 group (2.6 +/- 2.8 vs 4.3 +/- 3.8 days, p < 0.001). Repeat PCI was required more frequently in the 1994 population (26% vs 9%, p < 0.001). Overall there was no significant difference in the mean equipment cost between the two groups ( pound 1551 vs pound 1422, p=ns). CONCLUSION: Despite the widespread use of coronary stenting and antiplatelet therapies there appears to be no difference in current in-hospital equipment costs for PCI compared to 1994. Improved clinical outcomes in the 1998 population imply that stenting is a cost-effective therapy.     

Carotid Doppler evaluation in cerebrovascular disease.

The Doppler technique has proven to be a useful noninvasive technique for evaluating the patency of the carotid artery in patients at risk of stroke. The data obtained from 246 carotid Doppler examinations were compared with the angiographic findings in the same patients. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were high when the degree of stenosis was greater than 50%, but occlusions were less reliably detected, with 8 (33%) of the 24 being misdiagnosed as high-grade stenoses. Carotid Doppler evaluation guides and accelerates decisions regarding further investigations, such as cerebral angiography. It helps one decide whether a neck bruit is of arterial origin and aids assessment following cerebrovascular surgery. It is not a substitute for cerebral angiography because it poorly visualizes both the posterior and the intracranial circulations and cannot accurately detect low-grade (less than 50%) stenoses or ulcerated arterial plaques. Detection of stenosis in a carotid artery in an otherwise uncertain case is an indication for cerebral angiography, so the Doppler technique will probably increase the number of angiograms performed. However, this technique is also useful in follow-up, being without hazard, and should, therefore, reduce the likelihood of unnecessary angiographic examinations.     

Comparative analysis of the X-ray morphology of coronary atherosclerosis and the results of endovascular interventions performed in the subacute period and 6 months after prior myocardial infarction

The study was undertaken to analyze the morphology of coronary lesion and the angiographic results of interventions made in the subacute period and 6 months after prior myocardial infarction. It included 593 patients with and without prior Q-wave myocardial infarction. The X-ray morphological parameters of the coronary bed were analyzed in the patients who had undergone invasive studies within a month (n = 362) and 6 months (n = 231) after sustained myocardial infarction. In both groups, the successful intervention rate was also estimated during endovascular treatment. The study showed that the number of stenoses with the complicated morphology (type B) was significantly more 6 months after sustained myocardial infarction than that in the subacute period. The number of occluded segments with the characteristics that were unfavorable for endovascular intervention (bridge collaterals, extended occlusions) was also significantly more in the late periods. In the subacute period, the angiographic success rate of endovascular recanalizations of chronic occlusions was 83.4%, which was significantly higher than that (62.6%) 6 months following infarction. The findings have led us to the conclusion that it is necessary to make routine coronary angiography in all postinfarction patients during their hospital stay in order to define the potentialities of early revascularization.