Drug-Eluting Stents Versus Bare Metal Stents in Saphenous Vein Graft Intervention

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of saphenous vein graft (SVG) is associated with higher adverse event rates, lower procedural success, and inferior longterm patency rates compared with native vessel PCI. The ability to comply with dual antiplatelet therapy, and whether the patient will need an interruption in dual antiplatelet therapy, should be considered when deciding whether to implant a drug-eluting stent (DES) or bare metal stent (BMS) in an SVG. DES should be used for SVG PCI because they seem to reduce target vessel revascularization. This article reviews the evolution and contemporary evidence regarding use of DES versus BMS in SVG PCI.

Uncertainties in managing myocardial infarction associated with infective endocarditis

Embolic myocardial infarction is an uncommon but increasingly recognised complication of infective endocarditis. This complication has a high mortality rate and is deemed a relative contraindication to thrombolytic therapy. The present article describes an episode of acute myocardial infarction associated with infective endocarditis. Systemic thrombolytic therapy was administered, which resulted in resolution of cardiac ischemia but was complicated by a fatal intracerebral bleed. There are a number of published cases describing the use of systemic thrombolysis, primary percutaneous intervention and early valvular surgery in this circumstance, but the optimal course of treatment for myocardial infarction in the context of infective endocarditis remains to be elucidated. Additional guidance for those who are likely to encounter this condition in clinical practice would be welcomed.

Real World Application of Stenting of Unprotected Left Main Coronary Stenosis: A Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to summarize our single-center real-world experience with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) stenting of unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA). PCI-stenting of the ULMCA, while controversial, is emerging as an alternative to coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in select patients and clinical situations.

METHODS

Between January 2005 and December 2008, PCI-stenting was performed on 125 patients with ULMCA lesions at our institution. Clinical and procedural data were recorded at the time of procedure, and patients were followed prospectively (mean 1.7 years; range 1 day-4.1 years) for outcomes, including death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target vessel revascularization (TVR).

RESULTS

The majority of cases were urgent or emergent (82.5%), 50.4% of patients were non-surgical candidates, and 63.2% had 3 vessel disease. Many emergent patients presented in shock (62.1%), were not surgical candidates (89.7%), and had high mortality (20.7% in-hospital, 44.8% long-term). Mortality in the elective group was 6.3%. Cumulative death and TVR rates were 28.8% and 13.6%, respectively. Independent predictors of mortality were ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 35% (HR 2.4, CI 1.1 - 5.4) and left main bifurcation (HR 2.7, CI 1.2 - 5.7).

CONCLUSIONS

PCI-stenting is a viable option in patients with LMCA disease and extends options to patients who are poor candidates for CABG. Elective PCI in low-risk CABG patients results in good long-term survival. Cumulative TVR is 13.6%. EF ≤ 35% and left main bifurcation are independently associated with increased mortality.

Interventional Management of ACS in Women: STEMI and NSTEMI

Acute coronary syndromes and ST elevation myocardial infarction are a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in women. However, emerging data now suggest that the poorer outcomes of women undergoing percutaneous intervention may have less to do with differing vascular biology between males and females or the technical challenges of their coronary anatomy, but more with risk factors, such as age and comorbidities. Nevertheless, females have clearly been underrepresented in clinical trials, and further efforts are now required to properly define effective ways to tackle the risk-factor burden and clinical outcomes in women presenting to the catheterization laboratory.