Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:This study investigated the impact of procedural success on mortality following chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a large cohort of patients in the drug-eluting stent era. BACKGROUND:Despite advances in expertise and technologies, many patients with CTO are not offered PCI. METHODS:A total of 6,996 patients underwent elective PCI for stable angina at a single center (2003 to 2010), 836 (11.9%) for CTO. All-cause mortality was obtained to 5 years (median: 3.8 years; interquartile range: 2.0 to 5.4 years) and stratified according to successful chronic total occlusion (sCTO) or unsuccessful chronic total occlusion (uCTO) recanalization. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) included myocardial infarction (MI), urgent revascularization, stroke, or death. RESULTS:A total of 582 (69.6%) procedures were successful. Stents were implanted in 97.0% of successful procedures (mean: 2.3 ± 0.1 stents per patient, 73% drug-eluting). Prior revascularization was more frequent among uCTO patients: coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (16.5% vs. 7.4%; p < 0.0001), PCI (36.0% vs. 21.2%; p < 0.0001). Baseline characteristics were otherwise similar. Intraprocedural complications, including coronary dissection, were more frequent in unsuccessful cases (20.5% vs. 4.9%; p < 0.0001), but did not affect in-hospital MACE (3% vs. 2.1%; p = NS). All-cause mortality was 17.2% for uCTO and 4.5% for sCTO at 5 years (p < 0.0001). The need for CABG was reduced following sCTO (3.1% vs. 22.1%; p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that procedural success was independently predictive of mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.32 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.18 to 0.58]), which persisted when incorporating a propensity score (HR: 0.28 [95% CI: 0.15 to 0.52]). CONCLUSIONS:Successful CTO PCI is associated with improved survival out to 5 years. Adoption of techniques and technologies to improve procedural success may have an impact on prognosis.

The retrograde approach has revolutionized the treatment of chronic total occlusions. Several retrograde techniques have recently been described. In this article, we present a practical review with step-by-step instructions on the indications for retrograde interventions, equipment and retrograde channel selection, and techniques for retrograde crossing and treatment of chronic total occlusions.

Chronic total occlusion recanalization still represents the final frontier in percutaneous coronary intervention. Retrograde chronic total occlusion recanalization has recently become an essential complement to the classical antegrade approach. In experienced hands, the retrograde technique currently has a high success rate with a low complication profile, despite frequent utilization in the most anatomically and clinically complex patients. Since its initial description, important changes have occurred that make the technique faster and more successful. We propose a step-by-step approach of the technique as practiced at experienced centers in North America. Because the technique can vary substantially, we describe the different alternatives to each step and offer what we perceived to be the most efficient techniques.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:The purpose of the study was to compare creatinine clearance (CrCl), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum creatinine (SCr) in predicting contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI), dialysis and death following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS AND MATERIALS/METHODS:Data were prospectively collected on 7759 consecutive patients within the Dartmouth Dynamic Registry undergoing PCI between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2006. Renal function was measured at baseline and within 48 h after PCI using three methods: CrCl using the Cockcroft-Gault equation, eGFR using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation and SCr. We compared CrCl, eGFR and SCr in predicting CI-AKI, post-PCI dialysis-dependent renal failure and in-hospital mortality. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) were calculated using logistic regression and tested for equality. RESULTS:On univariable analysis, CrCl [ROC: 0.69; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67-0.72] predicted CI-AKI better than eGFR (ROC: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.64-0.70) (P=.013) and SCr (ROC: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.61-0.67) (P<.001). Creatinine clearance (ROC: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.69-0.77) and eGFR (ROC: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.65-0.74) outperformed SCr for predicting in-hospital mortality. On multivariable analysis, CrCl (ROC: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.75-0.80), SCr (ROC: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.76-0.80) and eGFR (ROC: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.75-0.80) predicted CI-AKI well. Creatinine clearance (ROC: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.85-0.90) and eGFR (ROC: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.85-0.90) were strong independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS:Creatinine clearance, eGFR and SCr predict CI-AKI equally well. Creatinine clearance and eGFR are strong independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.

BACKGROUND:Several randomized trials comparing bare-metal stents to Drug-Eluting Stents (DES) have demonstrated a significant reduction in Target Vessel Revascularization (TVR) and Target Lesion Revascularization (TLR) exists with the use of drug-eluting stents, without compromising survival. These conclusions are based on restricted inclusion criteria for patients and lesion. It is unknown if these results can be generalized to an unselected patient population and more complex disease. The objective of this study was to determine to what extent the availability of DES has impacted survival, TVR, and TLR in a large regional experience without the restriction of on-label indications. METHODS:Patients registered with the Northern New England Cardiovascular Disease Study Group's PCI registry with single vessel coronary disease undergoing a first PCI were sorted according to the Bare-Metal stent (BMS) era (2001 - 2002) or the Drug-Eluting stent (DES) era (2004 - 2005) based on the time period their first PCI took place. Totally, 6,093 BMS and 5,651 DES patients were identified. Outcomes of survival, TLR and TVR were measured after one year. RESULTS:After 1 year, survival was comparable, TLR was reduced by 4.9% (absolute) and TVR was reduced by 5.4% (absolute) in the DES era compared to the BMS era. The TLR/TVR differences remained significant after propensity matching in the DES era vs BMS era (Mortality: HR 1.00, 95% CI: 0.83 - 1.28; TLR: HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.32 - 0.46; TVR: HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.38 - 0.51). CONCLUSIONS:In large regional experience with a consecutive series of patients representing the contemporary practice of PCI, including both on and off label use, the frequent use of DES reduces the risk of TVR and TLR without compromising survival.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:We sought to determine if differences existed in in-hospital outcomes, long-term rates of target vessel revascularization (TVR), and/or long-term mortality trends between patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with either a drug-eluting stent(s) (DES) or a bare metal stent(s) (BMS). BACKGROUND:Short- and long-term clinical outcomes of patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing PCI with DES versus BMS remain inconsistent between randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. METHODS:Data were collected prospectively on diabetics undergoing PCI with either DES or BMS from January 2000 to June 2008. Demographic information, medical histories, in-hospital outcomes, and long-term TVR and mortality trends were obtained for all patients. RESULTS:A total of 1,319 patients were included in the study. Diabetics receiving DES had a significant reduction in index admission MACE compared to diabetics receiving BMS. Using multivariable adjustment, after a mean follow-up of 2.5 years (maximum 5 years), diabetics who received DES had a 38% decreased risk of TVR compared to diabetics with BMS [HR 0.62 (95% CI: 0.43-0.90)]; diabetics with DES had an insignificant adjusted improvement in long-term survival compared to diabetics with BMS [HR 0.72 (95% CI: 0.52-1.00)]. These long-term survival and TVR rates were confirmed using propensity scoring. CONCLUSIONS:The use of DES when compared with BMS among diabetics undergoing PCI is associated with significant improvement in long-term TVR, with an insignificant similar trend in all-cause mortality. The long-term results of this observational study are consistent with prior RCTs after adjusting for confounding variables.

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a major complication following radiocontrast procedures. In this review, we characterize the recent literature on CI-AKI, risk factors, prevention, biomarkers, and new technologies. The premise of CI-AKI prophylaxis should focus on implementing mandatory standing orders before and after cardiac catheterization for hydration with normal saline or sodium bicarbonate and use of high-dose (1200-mg) N-acetylcysteine. Contrast agents may play a role in preventing CI-AKI. Implement catheter-laboratory technology and awareness to limit the amount of contrast dye used for any patient.

Antegrade wiring of chronic total occlusions (CTO) may fail due to subintimal wire entry and inability to reenter the true lumen. We report the use of the Venture wire control catheter to reenter the true lumen after subintimal entry in a long right coronary artery CTO.

We compare real-world, extended target vessel revascularization (TVR)-free survival following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients receiving either sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) or paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) following an index drug-eluting stent (DES) supported procedure. We analyzed 2,363 consecutive patients having first DES-supported PCI at receiving PES (n = 1,012) or SES (n = 1,332) from April 2004 to July 2006. Baseline clinical and procedural characteristics and in-hospital outcomes were recorded during the time of the index procedure and extended clinical outcomes data were obtained thereafter. TVR and all cause mortality were identified during the study period. Adjusted Kaplan-Meier and Cox's proportional hazard survival methods were performed. TVR-free survival at 2.3 years was 91.3% for SES compared with 88.9% for PES (P = 0.06). Kaplan-Meier survival curves did not significantly differ (adjusted hazard ratio -1.39 [95% CI 0.99-1.97]) between the SES and PES patient cohorts. TVR was similar between the stent platforms at one (96.6% for SES [95% CI 95.3-97.6] vs. 95.7% for PES [95% CI 94.1-96.9]) and two (95.0%[95% CI 93.0-96.4] for SES vs. 93.7% for PES [95% CI 91.6-95.3]) years. Overall survival at 2 years was 96.2% for SES (95% CI 94.7-97.3) and 95.3% for PES (95% CI 93.7-96.5). SES and PES drug-eluting stent platforms have good and similar extended outcomes in this real world registry of unselected patients having PCI.

BACKGROUND:The long-term prognostic implication of post-procedural hematocrit drops in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization outside the clinical trial setting is not well defined. METHODS:Data was prospectively collected from 12,661 patients undergoing diagnostic or interventional cardiac catheterization between July 1998 and July 2006. Patients were divided into three cohorts based upon the degree of hematocrit change: drop greater than 6, drop between 3 and 6, and drop less than 3. In-hospital major adverse events, 30-day mortality, and long-term all-cause mortality were recorded. RESULTS:Patients with larger reductions in hematocrit were more likely to be older, female, and have a higher baseline hematocrit, present with acute myocardial infarction, develop cardiogenic shock, require emergent catheterization, develop retroperitoneal bleeds and large hematomas, receive transfusions, have longer index hospitalizations, develop subacute stent thrombosis, and have higher 30-day and long-term mortality. An increase in long-term mortality was observed with progressive hematocrit drop. This finding is largely driven by early (30 day) mortality, as trends were no longer significant after rezeroing mortality. Hematocrit drop was not an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality. Transfusion and low baseline hematocrit were identified as independent predictors of near and long-term mortality. CONCLUSIONS:Periprocedural bleeding, defined by hematocrit drop, is associated with increased near-term and long-term mortality in patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac catheterization procedures. Long-term mortality is largely driven by up front 30-day mortality. Hematocrit drop was not an independent predictor for near-term mortality. Transfusion and low baseline hematocrit were independent predictors for near and long-term mortality.