Predictors of Permanent Pacemaker Insertion Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With the CoreValve Revalving System Based on Computed Tomography Analysis: An Asian Multicenter Registry Study

BACKGROUND

To determine predictive variables for permanent pacemaker (PPM) insertion after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the CoreValve Revalving System (CRS).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 121 patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) were recruited from six Asian medical centers between March 2010 and May 2013. Four patients with preexisting PPM were excluded. The mean age of the remaining 117 patients was 81.2 ± 5.1 years. Twenty-three patients (19.7%) required post-TAVR PPM, with a median time-to-insertion of 7 days (interquartile range, 5-13 days). Two variables were identified as independent predictors of PPM: (1) device depth from the non-coronary cusp (NCC) (odds ratio [OR], 1.263; P=.02) determined by aortic root angiography; and (2) the perimeter stretching index (OR, 1.584; P<.001) determined by computed tomography. The predictive cut-off values were as follows: a perimeter stretching index >1.13 (P<.001) and a device depth from the NCC >7.8 mm (P<.001). The diagnostic accuracy of these variables was 93.2% and 71%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Depth of the device from the NCC and the perimeter stretching index are independent predictors of PPM insertion after CRS-TAVR.

5,7-dihydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxyflavone attenuates ischemic damage and apoptosis in mouse islets

BACKGROUND

The transplantation of isolated pancreatic islets is a promising treatment for diabetes. 5,7-dihydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxyflavone (Eupatilin), a pharmacologically active flavone derived from the Artemisia plant species, has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study examines the hypothesis that preoperative eupatilin treatment can attenuate ischemic damage and apoptosis before islet transplantation.

METHODS

Islets isolated from Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, and cultured in medium supplemented with or without eupatilin. In vitro islet viability and function were assessed. After treatment with a cytokine cocktail consisting of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (INF)-γ, and interleukin (IL)-1β, islet cell viability, function, and apoptotic status were determined. The glutathione (GSH) and nitrous oxide (NO) levels were also measured. Proteins related to apoptosis were analyzed using Western blotting.

RESULTS

There was no difference in cell viability between the 2 groups. Islets cultured in the medium supplemented with eupatilin showed 1.4-fold higher glucose-induced insulin secretion than the islets cultured in the medium without eupatilin. After treatment with a cytokine cocktail, glucose-induced insulin release and the total insulin content of the islets were significantly improved in eupatilin-pretreated islets compared with islets not treated with eupatilin. Apoptosis was significantly decreased, and GSH levels were elevated in the eupatilin-pretreated group. Cytokine-only treated islets produced significantly higher levels of NO, iNOS, and caspase-3 than islets pretreated with eupatilin before cytokine treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that preoperative eupatilin administration enhances islet function before transplantation and attenuates the cytokine-induced damage associated with NO production and apoptosis.

Pathologic findings in patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy following active surveillance: a prospective study in a single center

AIM

Active surveillance is the recommended treatment of option for men with very low-risk prostate cancer. In this study, the clinicopathological results of patients who were initially treated with active surveillance and subsequently underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy during follow-up are described.

METHODS

A prospective cohort of 106 men enrolled in active surveillance was reviewed. Pathologic specimens for patients who ultimately underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for progression or personal preference were analyzed.

RESULTS

After exclusion of 14 patients who were lost to follow-up or with incomplete data collection, 92 men were included in the present analyses. Median follow-up was 27.6 months (range 3.3 to 193.1). Twenty-nine patients underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Progression occurred in 32 patients (34.8%), of which 23 men elected to undergo surgery. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy was performed in 6 additional patients who chose definitive intervention due to anxiety. Pathologic analyses revealed organ-confined disease in 24 patients (82.8%), and Gleason score was ≥ 7 in nine (31%). Fourteen (48.3%) specimens were identified as having an advanced disease (Gleason score ≥ 7 and/or T3). In comparison to the patients with low-risk disease post-operatively (Gleason score <7 and T2), patients with advanced disease had significantly higher PSA density level and lower prostate volume.

CONCLUSION

In this prospective active surveillance cohort, the progression rate was 34.8% over the follow-up period of 27.6 months. In specimens of patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, 48.3% displayed advanced pathologic features. Therefore we recommend that patients considering active surveillance should be counseled on risk of advanced disease as a possible hazard.

Characterization of novel microsatellite markers derived from Korean rose bitterling (Rhodeus uyekii) genomic library

Korean rose bitterling (Rhodeus uyekii) is a freshwater fish endemic to Korea. Natural populations of this species have experienced severe declines as a result of habitat fragmentation and water pollution. To conserve and restore R. uyekii, the genetic diversity of this species needs to be assessed at the population level. Eighteen novel polymorphic microsatellite loci for R. uyekii were developed using an enriched partial genomic library. Polymorphisms at these loci were studied in 150 individuals collected from three populations. The number of alleles at each locus ranged from 3 to 47 (mean = 17.1). Within the populations, the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.032 to 1.000, expected heterozygosity from 0.082 to 0.967, and polymorphism information content from 0.078 to 0.950. Six loci showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni's correction, and no significant linkage disequilibrium was detected between most locus pairs, except in three cases. These highly informative microsatellite markers should be useful for genetic population structure analyses of R. uyekii.

Osteoprotegerin expressed by osteoclasts: an autoregulator of osteoclastogenesis

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is secreted by stromal and osteoblastic lineage cells and inhibits osteoclastogenesis by preventing the interaction of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) with receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK). In this study, the expression of OPG in osteoclasts themselves and its biological functions during osteoclastogenesis were investigated for the first time. OPG expression in vivo in the developing rat maxilla was examined by immunofluorescence analysis. OPG expression in osteoclasts during in vitro osteoclastogenesis was determined by reverse-transcription polymerase chain-reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining. We determined the function of OPG produced by osteoclasts during osteoclastogenesis by silencing the OPG gene. The effects of OPG on bone-resorbing activity and apoptosis of mature osteoclasts were examined by the assay of resorptive pit formation on calcium-phosphate-coated plate and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, respectively. In the immunofluorescence findings, strong immunoreactivities were unexpectedly seen in multinucleated tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts around the growing and erupting tooth germs in the rat alveolar bone. In vitro, OPG expression was significantly increased during the differentiation of osteoclasts from mouse bone-marrow-derived cells treated with a combination of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and RANKL. Interestingly, it was found that OPG small interfering (si)RNA treatment during osteoclastogenesis enhanced the sizes of osteoclasts, but attenuated their bone-resorbing activity. Also, the increased chromosomal DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity in the late phase of osteoclastogenesis were found to be decreased by treatment with OPG siRNA. Furthermore, effects of OPG siRNA treatment on osteoclastogenesis and bone-resorbing activity were recovered by the treatment of exogenous OPG. These results suggest that OPG, expressed by the osteoclasts themselves, may play an auto-regulatory role in the late phase of osteoclastogenesis through the induction of apoptosis.

Investigation of thermal and electrical stabilities of a GdBCO coil using grease as an insulation material for practical superconducting applications

This paper presents the effects of thermal grease on the electrical and thermal characteristics of GdBCO pancake coils, observed through charge-discharge, sudden discharge, over-current, and thermal quench testing. In charge-discharge and sudden discharge tests, a coil using thermal grease as an insulation material demonstrated faster charging/discharging rates compared to a coil without turn-to-turn insulation. In the case of over-current tests, the coil using thermal grease exhibited the highest electrical stability. Furthermore, thermal quench testing showed the coil employing thermal grease to possess superior thermal characteristics, with rapid cooling and low temperature rise. Overall, the use of thermal grease as an insulation material may be a potential solution to the problems observed with the existing insulation materials, possessing fast charging/discharging rates with superior thermal and electrical stabilities.

Pulmonary tuberculosis among patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia in a tuberculosis-prevalent area

SETTING

A suburban teaching hospital in a tuberculosis (TB) prevalent area.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the proportion of pulmonary TB among patients hospitalised with suspected community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and to develop a diagnostic index for identifying TB among these patients.

DESIGN

TB cases confirmed using 1) sputum culture, or 2) both sputum acid-fast bacilli smear and polymerase chain reaction for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, were compared with non-tuberculous CAP by demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiographic information. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, risk factors for TB were identified. A diagnostic index was developed by summing up their simplified regression coefficients. Its performance was checked using c-statistic.

RESULTS

TB was the second leading cause of CAP (37/528, 7.0%). Risk factors were initial symptoms >7 days, serum albumin <3.5 g/dl, cavitary/nodular infiltrates and upper lobe involvement (1 point for each). The c-statistic of the index was 0.856 (95%CI 0.789-0.923), and for bootstrapping samples of 1000 repetitions it was 0.856 (95%CI 0.791-0.921). For scores ≥2, sensitivity and specificity were respectively 81.1% and 75.8%.

CONCLUSION

TB is one of the leading causes of CAP in TB-prevalent areas. Our diagnostic index may help clinicians identify TB immediately from CAP and initiate appropriate isolation and optimal treatment.

Comparison of biolimus A9-eluting (Nobori) and everolimus-eluting (Promus Element) stents in patients with de novo native long coronary artery lesions: a randomized Long Drug-Eluting Stent V trial

BACKGROUND

Procedural and clinical outcomes still remain unfavorable for patients with long coronary lesions who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention. The current study, therefore, evaluated 2 innovative drug-eluting stents for the management of long-lesion coronary artery disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This randomized, multicenter, prospective trial, called the Long Drug-Eluting Stent (LONG-DES) V trial, compared the biodegradable polymer-based biolimus A9-eluting stent (BES) and the durable polymer-based platinum chromium everolimus-eluting stent (PtCr-EES) in 500 patients with long (≥ 25 mm) coronary lesions. The primary end point of the trial was in-segment late luminal loss at the 9-month angiographic follow-up. The BES and PtCr-EES groups had similar baseline characteristics, with a slightly shorter lesion length in the BES group versus the PtCr-EES group (29.24 ± 12.17 versus 32.27 ± 13.84 mm; P = 0.016). In-segment late luminal loss was comparable between the 2 groups at the 9-month angiographic follow-up (BES, 0.14 ± 0.38 versus PtCr-EES, 0.11 ± 0.37 mm; difference, 0.031; 95% confidence interval, -0.053 to 0.091; P = 0.03 for a noninferiority margin of 0.11, P = 0.45 for superiority), as was in-stent late luminal loss (0.20 ± 0.41 versus 0.24 ± 0.38 mm; P = 0.29). The incidence of in-segment (6.1% versus 4.9%; P = 0.63) and in-stent (3.7% versus 4.9%; P = 0.59) binary restenosis was also similar between the groups. There was no significant between-group difference in the rate of composite outcome of death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization (41, 16.7% in BES versus 42, 16.5% in PtCr-EES; P=0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

BES and PtCr-EES implantation showed analogous angiographic and clinical outcomes for patients with de novo long coronary lesions.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01186120.

The relationship between pulmonary function and bone mineral density in healthy nonsmoking women: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010

The aim of this study was to examine the association between pulmonary function and bone mineral density (BMD) in subjects who had never smoked. Pulmonary function was associated with BMD in premenopausal, but not postmenopausal, women.

INTRODUCTION

It has been reported that low bone mass is common in patients with pulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, in healthy nonsmoking women, the relationship between bone mass and pulmonary function has yet to be clarified. The object of this study was to determine whether pulmonary function is related to BMD in healthy nonsmoking women based on menopausal status.

METHODS

This study was a cross-sectional study based on data obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), a nationwide representative survey conducted by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2010. This study included 456 subjects who had never smoked and analyzed data concerning pulmonary function and BMD.

RESULTS

Functional vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were correlated with BMD at lumbar spine, femur neck (FN), and total hip in premenopausal women (p = 0.030, p = 0.003, p = 0.019, respectively, for FVC; p = 0.015, p = 0.006, p = 0.059, respectively, for FEV1). However, FVC and FEV1 were only correlated with BMD at FN in postmenopausal women (p = 0.003 for FVC; p = 0.006 for FEV1). Body mass index (BMI), FVC, and FEV1 were significantly related with BMD at FN, even after adjusting for age and other confounding factors (β = 0.334, p < 0.001; β = 0.145, p = 0.017; and β = 0.129, p = 0.037, respectively) in premenopausal women. However, only age and BMI were correlated with BMD at FN (β = -0.268, p = 0.001 and β = 0.384, p > 0.001) in postmenopausal women after adjusting for confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary function, including FVC and FEV1 are associated with BMD at FN in healthy nonsmoking premenopausal women but not in postmenopausal women.

High-resolution impedance manometry facilitates assessment of pharyngeal residue and oropharyngeal dysphagic mechanisms

The utility of high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) for evaluating oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) has been investigated. These approaches are limited because of the sophisticated methodology. A method of transforming HRIM into a simple and useful diagnostic tool for evaluating OPD is needed. A videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and HRIM were performed by independent blinded examiners in 26 consecutive healthy volunteers (12 men; median age, 56.5 years) and 10 OPD patients (five men; median age, 59.5 years). Upper esophageal sphincter (UES) relaxation parameters were measured using a standard HRIM protocol. Peristalsis and bolus transit of the pharyngoesophageal (PE) segment were assessed using an HRIM-modified protocol in which the catheter was pulled back 10 cm. PE bolus transits were evaluated with an impedance contour pattern (linear vs. stasis) method. A significant difference was observed between the manometric measures of healthy volunteers and OPD patients for only the duration of pharyngeal contraction (0.49 ± 0.19 vs. 0.76 ± 0.33 s, P = 0.04). The percentage agreement and kappa value for detecting pharyngeal residue between the VFSS and the impedance analysis were 100% and 1.00, respectively. HRIM allowed for comprehensive assessment of abnormal pharyngeal components that caused pharyngeal residue on VFSS in two patients; reduced base of the tongue versus weak pharyngeal contraction in one, and reduced relaxation of the UES versus reduced laryngeal elevation in the remaining patient. Our findings demonstrated that HRIM using a simple methodology (i.e., pull-back of the catheter) detected pharyngeal residue through a simple analysis of the impedance contour pattern (linear vs. stasis). Furthermore, HRIM facilitated a comprehensive assessment of OPD mechanisms and recognition of subtle abnormalities not yet visible to the naked eye on VFSS.

Impact of the angiographic mechanisms underlying periprocedural myocardial infarction after drug-eluting stent implantation

Periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) can be induced by several angiographic mechanisms. However, there are limited data on whether these mechanisms differentially affect clinical outcomes. The purpose of our study was to investigate the impact of periprocedural MI on mortality according to the underlying angiographic mechanisms after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. We pooled the databases from 7 coronary stent trials using DES. Periprocedural MI was classified according to its underlying angiographic mechanisms as type 1 (due to side-branch occlusion), type 2 (due to other angiographic complications), or type 3 (without angiographically identifiable causes). Among 10,889 patients treated with DES, 768 (7.1%) experienced periprocedural MI; 463 cases (60.3%) were driven by type 1 cause, 138 (18.0%) by type 2 cause, and 167 (21.7%) by type 3 cause. Mortality rates at 2 years were higher in patients with periprocedural MI than in those without (3.5% vs 2.1%, respectively). Significant differences in mortality were observed according to the angiographic mechanisms of MI (type 1: 2.8% vs type 2: 6.1% vs type 3: 3.1%). After multivariable adjustment, type 2 MI was significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio 2.65, 95% confidence interval 1.77 to 3.96), whereas type 1 and type 3 MI were not related with increased mortality. In conclusion, among patients receiving DES implantation, periprocedural MI was associated with increased mortality, and there were differential associations with mortality according to the underlying angiographic mechanisms.

S100A9 and EGFR gene signatures predict disease progression in muscle invasive bladder cancer patients after chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

In our previous gene expression profile analysis, IL1B, S100A8, S100A9, and EGFR were shown to be important mediators of muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) progression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of these gene signatures to predict disease progression after chemotherapy in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic MIBC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with locally advanced MIBC who received chemotherapy were enrolled. The expression signatures of four genes were measured and carried out further functional analysis to confirm our findings.

RESULTS

Two of the four genes, S100A9 and EGFR, were determined to significantly influence disease progression (P = 0.023, 0.045, respectively). Based on a receiver operating characteristic curve, a cut-off value for disease progression was determined. Patients with the good-prognostic signature group had a significantly longer time to progression and cancer-specific survival time than those with the poor-prognostic signature group (P < 0.001, 0.042, respectively). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, gene signature was the only factor that significantly influenced disease progression [hazard ratio: 4.726, confidence interval: 1.623-13.763, P = 0.004]. In immunohistochemical analysis, S100A9 and EGFR positivity were associated with disease progression after chemotherapy. Protein expression of S100A9/EGFR showed modest correlation with gene expression of S100A9/EGFR (r = 0.395, P = 0.014 and r = 0.453, P = 0.004). Our functional analysis provided the evidence demonstrating that expression of S100A9 and EGFR closely associated chemoresistance, and that inhibition of S100A9 and EGFR may sensitize bladder tumor cells to the cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The S100A9/EGFR level is a novel prognostic marker to predict the chemoresponsiveness of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic MIBC.

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder in HIV-infected Koreans: the Korean NeuroAIDS Project

OBJECTIVES

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is an independent predictor of early mortality and is associated with many difficulties in activities of daily living. We sought to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for HAND in HIV-infected Koreans. In addition, we investigated the performance of screening tools and components of neuropsychological (NP) tests for diagnosing HAND.

METHODS

HIV-infected patients were enrolled consecutively from two different urban teaching hospitals in Seoul, South Korea between March 2012 and September 2012. Participants completed a detailed NP assessment of six cognitive domains commonly affected by HIV. The Frascati criteria were used for diagnosing HAND. Four key questions, the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)-K were also assessed as potential tools for screening for HAND.

RESULTS

Among the 194 participants, the prevalence of HAND was 26.3%. Asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment and minor neurocognitive disorder accounted for 52.9 and 47.1% of the patients with HAND, respectively. In multivariate analysis, haemoglobin (Hb) level ≤ 13 g/dL (P = 0.046) and current use of a protease inhibitor-based regimen (P = 0.031) were independent risk factors for HAND. The sensitivity and specificity of the IHDS were 72.6 and 60.8%, and those of MoCA-K were 52.9 and 73.4%, respectively. The IHDS (P < 0.001) and MoCA-K (P < 0.001) were both useful for screening for HAND. Among NP tests, the sensitivity and specificity of the Grooved Pegboard Test were 90.2 and 72.0%, and those of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test were 61.2 and 84.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

HAND is a prevalent comorbidity in HIV-infected Koreans. Active screening and diagnosis with effective tools, such as the IHDS, MoCA-K and Grooved Pegboard Test, could be used to identify this important complication.

Sex differences in the visual-functional mismatch between coronary angiography or intravascular ultrasound versus fractional flow reserve

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to assess differences in visual-functional mismatches between men and women.

BACKGROUND

Sex differences in mismatch between coronary anatomy and function remain poorly understood.

METHODS

We assessed quantitative coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), fractional flow reserve (FFR), and echocardiographic left ventricular mass in a prospective cohort of 700 patients (493 male and 207 female patients) with 700 left anterior descending coronary lesions.

RESULTS

The female patients were older than the male patients (64 ± 10 years vs. 60 ± 10 years, p < 0.001) and body surface area (BSA) (57 ± 0.13 m(2) vs. 1.79 ± 0.13 m(2), p < 0.001) and left ventricular mass (151 ± 37g vs. 171 ± 41 g, p < 0.001) were smaller. Although there were no sex differences in angiographic diameter stenosis, lesion length, and IVUS minimal lumen area (MLA), FFR was higher in female patients (0.83 ± 0.09 vs. 0.79 ± 0.09, p < 0.001). Female patients had a smaller reference vessel area (11.4 ± 3.3 mm(2) vs. 13.1 ± 4.0 mm(2)), vessel area (9.0 ± 3.3 mm(2) vs. 11.1 ± 4.2 mm(2)), and plaque burden (69.8 ± 13.7% vs. 73.8 ± 12.2%) at the MLA site compared with male patients (all p < 0.001). To predict FFR <0.80, angiography had a lower positive predictive value in female patients (44% vs. 60%, p = 0.014); this was also seen in the IVUS analysis. Unlike angiography, the IVUS-MLA had a lower concordance rate in female patients (64% vs. 71%, p = 0.046). Independent predictors of FFR were age, BSA, lesion length, angiographic diameter stenosis, and IVUS-MLA and plaque burden. When left ventricular mass was included, it also predicted FFR, replacing BSA.

CONCLUSIONS

In female patients with smaller BSA, left ventricular mass, and vessel size, smaller myocardial territory may be responsible for the higher FFR value for any given stenosis compared with male patients. Considering the higher rate of visual-functional mismatch, FFR-guided decision making is especially important in female patients to avoid unnecessary procedures. (Natural History of FFR-Guided Deferred Coronary Lesions [IRIS FFR-DEFER Registry]; NCT01366404).

Decision support for ecological river rehabilitation using fish habitat database

After the recent success of several river rehabilitation projects including the Cheong-gye river case, a large number of local governments have been promoting their own projects in Korea. Most of the projects are aimed at securing the soundness of aquatic ecosystems according to the guidelines presented by the Korea Ministry of Environment. However, there is no clear guidance for the management goals of water quality and quantity. In this study, we have made an attempt to construct a habitat database (DB) for each domestic freshwater fish species. The fish population, and physical and physicochemical properties of the habitat of 70 domestic freshwater fish species were investigated using field monitoring data. After the statistical processing, the inhabitable range and optimal range of each species were suggested. Furthermore, based on the DB, a decision support system for ecological river restoration and rehabilitation has been developed, and applied for field tests. It became clear that the decision support procedure based on the fish habitat DB is useful in the planning stage of river rehabilitation projects to select the flagship fish, to decide the restoration goals considering their appropriate habitat and to suggest the optimum quantitative combination of each available water resource.

Comparison of dual versus triple antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent according to stent length (from the pooled analysis of DECLARE trials)

There are no practical criteria for the use of triple antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. In our present report, pooled analysis of 3 randomized studies in patients with diabetes mellitus (Drug-Eluting Stenting Followed by Cilostazol treatment reduces LAte Restenosis in patients with diabetes mellitus trial) and long coronary narrowings (Drug-Eluting Stenting Followed by Cilostazol Treatment Reduces Late Restenosis in Patients with Long Coronary Lesions trials I and II) compared triple (aspirin, clopidogrel, and cilostazol; triple group, n = 700) and dual antiplatelet therapies (aspirin and clopidogrel; dual group, n = 699) after DES implantation. Among pooled population (n = 1,399 patients), 1,173 patients with follow-up angiography were divided into 3 stent length categories (≤20, 20 to 40, and >40 mm). There was no statistical significance of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in ≤20- and 20- to 40-mm categories between 2 groups. However, ISR rate was significantly reduced in triple versus dual group in >40-mm stent length category (12.4% vs 22.1%, p = 0.008). In diabetic patients, triple group also showed significant reduction in the ISR rate in >40-mm stent length category (15.4% vs 32.3%, p = 0.003). According to postprocedural minimal lumen diameter, triple group showed a trend toward a lower ISR than that of the dual group in all categories (p = 0.033 for ≤2.5 mm, p = 0.087 for 2.5 to 3.0 mm, and p = 0.119 for >3.0 mm). In conclusion, the triple group had a significantly reduced ISR in patients with >40-mm stent length after DES implantation compared with the dual group. Therefore, this suggestion for use of triple antiplatelet therapy could be easily applied after DES implantation in routine clinical practice.

Comparison of Zotarolimus-Eluting stent versus Sirolimus-Eluting stent for de novo coronary artery disease in patients with diabetes mellitus from the ESSENCE-DIABETES II trial

Angiographic and clinical outcomes remain relatively unfavorable for diabetic patients even after the use of drug-eluting stent. This prospective, multicenter, randomized study compared the relative efficacy and safety of resolute zotarolimus-eluting stent (R-ZES) and sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease. The primary end point was noninferiority of angiographic in-segment late loss at 9 months. Clinical events were also monitored for at least 12 months. Patient recruitment was prematurely stopped after enrollment of 256 patients (127 in R-ZES group and 129 in SES) because of discontinuing production of SES. The R-ZES was noninferior to the SES for 9-month in-segment late loss (0.34 ± 0.30 vs 0.39 ± 0.43 mm; difference -0.048; 95% confidence interval -0.157 to 0.061; upper 1-sided 95% confidence interval 0.044; p <0.001 for noninferiority). In addition, in-stent late loss (0.22 ± 0.29 vs 0.21 ± 0.40 mm, p = 0.849) and the rates of in-segment (1.2% vs 6.7%, p = 0.119) and in-stent (1.2% vs 3.3%, p = 0.621) binary restenoses were similar between the 2 groups. At 12 months, there were no statistical differences between the 2 groups in the incidence of any clinical outcomes (death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization, ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization, and composite outcomes). In conclusion, despite having reduced power because of early study termination, our study suggests that the R-ZES has noninferior angiographic outcomes at 9 months to the SES in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease.

Intravascular ultrasound assessment of optimal stent area to prevent in-stent restenosis after zotarolimus-, everolimus-, and sirolimus-eluting stent implantation

OBJECTIVES AND BACKGROUND

The impact of underexpansion and minimal stent area (MSA) criteria in the second generation drug-eluting stents (DES) has not been addressed yet.

METHODS

Using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), we assessed the optimal cut-off values of post-stenting MSA to prevent in-stent restenosis (ISR). Poststenting IVUS data and 9-month follow-up angiography were available in 912 patients with 990 lesions: 541 sirolimus-eluting stents (SES), 220 zotarolimus-eluting stents (ZES) and 229 everolimus-eluting stents (EES).

RESULTS

For the prediction of angiographic ISR, the MSA of each DES was measured. The poststenting MSA was 6.4 ± 1.8 mm(2) in SES, 6.2 ± 2.1 mm(2) in ZES and 6.2 ± 2.1 mm(2) in EES. At the 9-months follow-up, the incidence of angiographic ISR was similar between SES (3.3%) vs. ZES (4.5%) vs. EES. (4.4%), (P = 0.53). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified the post-stenting MSA as the only independent predictor of angiographic ISR in ZES (Odds ratio 0.722, 95% confidence interval 0.581-0.897, P = 0.001) and in EES (Odds ratio 0.595, 95% confidence interval 0.392-0.904, P = 0.015). The best MSA cut-off value was 5.5 mm(2) for the prediction of SES restenosis (sensitivity 72.2% and specificity 66.3%). For ZES, the optimal MSA predicting ISR was 5.3 mm(2) (sensitivity 56.7% and specificity 61.8%). For EES, the MSA <5.4 mm(2) predicted ISR (sensitivity 60.0% and specificity 60.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

As a preventable mechanism of ISR, smaller stent area predicted angiographic restenosis of the second generation DES as well as the first generation. The optimal cut-off values of post-stenting MSA for preventing restenosis were similar between ZES vs. EES vs. SES.

Differential impact of cilostazol on restenosis according to implanted stent type (from a pooled analysis of three DECLARE randomized trials)

Even in the drug-eluting stent era, restenosis has remained an unresolved issue, particularly in the treatment of complex coronary lesions. In this study, patient-level data from 3 randomized trials (Drug-Eluting Stenting Followed by Cilostazol Treatment Reduces Late Restenosis in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus [DECLARE-DIABETES] and Drug-Eluting Stenting Followed by Cilostazol Treatment Reduces Late Restenosis in Patients With Long Native Coronary Lesions [DECLARE-LONG] I and II) were pooled to estimate the differential antirestenotic efficacy of add-on cilostazol according to the implanted drug-eluting stent in patients at high risk for restenosis. A total of 1,399 patients underwent sirolimus-eluting stent (SES; n = 450), paclitaxel-eluting stent (n = 450), and zotarolimus-eluting stent (n = 499) implantation and received triple-antiplatelet therapy (TAT; aspirin, clopidogrel, and cilostazol, n = 700) and dual-antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel, n = 699). Randomization of antiplatelet regimen was stratified by stent type. In-stent late loss after TAT was significantly lower than that after dual-antiplatelet therapy, regardless of implanted stent type. However, the incidence of in-segment restenosis after TAT was significantly lower with SES (0.5% vs 6.7%, p = 0.014) and zotarolimus-eluting stent (12.2% vs 20.0%, p = 0.028) implantation but not paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation (14.4% vs 20.0%, p = 0.244). A significant interaction was present between stent type and antiplatelet regimen for the risk for in-segment restenosis (p = 0.004). Post hoc analysis using bootstrap resampling methods showed that the relative risk reduction for in-segment restenosis after TAT was most prominent with SES implantation. In conclusion, add-on cilostazol effectively reduced restenosis in patients at high risk for restenosis, particularly in those receiving SES, suggesting the sustainable utility of add-on cilostazol therapy in newer generation drug-eluting stents with comparable efficacy with that of SES.