Orbital Atherectomy for Treatment of Severely Calcified Coronary Artery Bifurcation Lesions: A Multicenter Analysis

SCAI Expert Consensus Statement on the Management of Calcified Coronary Lesions

The prevalence of calcification in obstructive coronary artery disease is on the rise. Percutaneous coronary intervention of these calcified lesions is associated with increased short-term and long-term risks. To optimize percutaneous coronary intervention results, there is an expanding array of treatment modalities geared toward calcium modification prior to stent implantation. The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, herein, puts forth an expert consensus document regarding methods to identify types of calcified coronary lesions, a central algorithm to help guide use of the various calcium modification strategies, tips for when using each treatment modality, and a look at future studies and trials for treating this challenging lesion subset.

Management strategies for heavily calcified coronary stenoses: an EAPCI clinical consensus statement in collaboration with the EURO4C-PCR group

Since the publication of the 2015 EAPCI consensus on rotational atherectomy, the number of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) performed in patients with severely calcified coronary artery disease has grown substantially. This has been prompted on one side by the clinical demand for the continuous increase in life expectancy, the sustained expansion of the primary PCI networks worldwide, and the routine performance of revascularization procedures in elderly patients; on the other side, the availability of new and dedicated technologies such as orbital atherectomy and intravascular lithotripsy, as well as the optimization of the rotational atherectomy system, has increased operators' confidence in attempting more challenging PCI. This current EAPCI clinical consensus statement prepared in collaboration with the EURO4C-PCR group describes the comprehensive management of patients with heavily calcified coronary stenoses, starting with how to use non-invasive and invasive imaging to assess calcium burden and inform procedural planning. Objective and practical guidance is provided on the selection of the optimal interventional tool and technique based on the specific calcium morphology and anatomic location. Finally, the specific clinical implications of treating these patients are considered, including the prevention and management of complications and the importance of adequate training and education.

Prophylactic Intravenous Aminophylline for Preventing Bradyarrhythmias During Coronary Atherectomy: A 10-Year Single-Center Experience

Background

Aminophylline, an adenosine antagonist, can be used to prevent adenosine-mediated bradyarrhythmias.

Methods

Retrospective, observational, descriptive analysis of patients undergoing rotational atherectomy with intravenous (IV) aminophylline pretreatment during a 10-year period (2010-2020). The primary composite outcome was the occurrence of a documented bradyarrhythmia requiring pharmacologic intervention and/or temporary pacemaker (TPM) implantation.

Results

A total of 296 patients received IV aminophylline pretreatment. The primary composite outcome occurred in 1.7% (n = 5) of patients. None of the patients required rescue TPM. Bradyarrhythmias were documented in 2.4% (n = 7) of patients. Pharmacologic interventions, typically with IV atropine, were used in 15% (n = 43) of patients. Per-vessel analyses demonstrated that patients undergoing atherectomy to the circumflex and right coronary arteries were more likely than those undergoing atherectomy to other vessels to have bradyarrhythmias requiring pharmacologic intervention (3.4% vs 0%, P = .01).

Conclusions

In this 10-year single-center experience using IV aminophylline pretreatment to prevent major bradyarrhythmias in patients undergoing coronary atherectomy, none of the patients required rescue TPM implantation. These data demonstrate that coronary atherectomy can be performed safely without prophylactic TPM, with aminophylline pretreatment and selective use of atropine representing an effective noninvasive approach.

Percutaneous coronary intervention of bifurcation lesions

Bifurcation coronary artery disease is common as the development of atherosclerosis is facilitated by altered endothelial shear stress. Multiple anatomical and physiological factors need to be considered when treating bifurcation lesions. To achieve optimal results, various stenting techniques have been developed, each with benefits and limitations. In this state-of-the-art review we describe technically important characteristics of bifurcation lesions and summarise the evidence supporting contemporary bifurcation techniques.

Side Branch is the Main Determinant Factor of Bifurcation Lesion Complexity: Critical Review with a Proposal Based on Single-centre Experience

Although bifurcation stenting can be often managed with a simple provisional approach, in some settings, more complex techniques are appropriate. Based on our clinical experience and on data from literature, we propose a simple algorithm that may assist in selecting cases for elective double stenting. We found that, when the side branch is of adequate dimensions and affected by significant disease (longer than 10 mm and/or with presence of ostial calcifications), double stenting is associated with a lower incidence of adverse events, compared with provisional stenting.