A Practical Approach to the Management of Complications During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Rapid hemostatic covered stent with drug-loaded gelatin-alginate/PVDF Janus composite membrane for coronary artery perforation

The implantation of covered stents has significantly contributed much to the rescue treatment of coronary artery perforation (CAP). The ability to achieve rapid hemostasis in cases of severe coronary artery perforation using covered stents alone has so far been elusive. Here, we investigate a Janus composite covered stent for rapid hemostasis in CAP. The covered stent has the dual functions of sealing perforation and rapid hemostasis, which is suitable for the rescue of CAP. This achievement is realized by assembling the tough polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane and the drug-loaded hemostatic coating, thereby amalgamating their distinct functionalities. The PVDF membrane served as a physical shield that prevented blood leakage and blocked procoagulant drugs from forming the thrombus in the vessel. Meanwhile, the drug-loaded hemostatic coating, when in contact with the perforation area, swiftly procoagulant. The in vitro cytocompatibility and coagulation property tests demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and hemostatic performance of the Janus composite covered stent. The approach is applicable across almost all sizes of common bare stents in clinical, which has great potential for the rescue of CAP.

Left atrial compression syndrome secondary to coronary artery perforation: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management strategies

Coronary perforation (CP) poses a significant risk of morbidity and mortality, particularly, in patients with a history of cardiac surgery. The occurrence of loculated pericardial effusion presents distinctive challenges in these postcardiac surgical patients. This study delves into the complexities arising from the formation of loculated pericardial effusions subsequent to CP, with a specific focus on the loculated effusion in the posterior wall leading to left atrial compression syndrome. This analysis is dedicated to elucidating pathophysiology diagnostic and treatment strategies tailored for addressing left atrium compression syndrome, providing invaluable insights into the intricacies of diagnosing, treating, and managing this entity in the postcardiac surgical patient.

Recognizing and preventing complications regarding bioresorbable scaffolds during coronary interventions

The evolution of coronary intervention techniques and equipment has led to more sophisticated procedures for the treatment of highly complex lesions. However, as a result, the risk of complications has increased, which are mostly iatrogenic and often include equipment failure. Stent dislodgement warrants vigilance for the early diagnosis and a stepwise management approach is required to either expand or retrieve the lost stent. In the era of bioresorbable scaffolds that are not radiopaque, increased caution is required. Intravascular imaging may assist in detecting the lost scaffold in cases of no visibility fluoroscopically. Adequate lesion preparation is the key to minimizing the possibility of equipment loss; however, in the case that it occurs, commercially available and improvised devices and techniques may be applied.

Acupuncture for patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the current available evidence and to outline recommendations for the future research of acupuncture for patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

DESIGN

Seven electronic databases were searched: China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang Database, Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE. All studies on acupuncture for patients after PCI were included. The search period was from the database establishment to June 13th, 2024.

SETTING

Using full-text and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) searches, two personnel independently screened and checked articles strictly according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and they reached an agreement through discussion on articles with different opinions.

INTERVENTIONS

Post-PCI acupuncture.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Creating descriptive charts to visually express the research features.

RESULTS

38 eligible studies were included. Their main topic was the use of acupuncture in patients after PCI. The primary focus of these studies was the application of acupuncture in patients post-PCI. The majority of the included articles originated from China, with the majority published in the year 2023. The types of studies encompassed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (25, 65.8 %), protocols (6, 15.8 %), review articles (6, 15.8 %), and case report (1, 2.6 %). The acupuncture methods utilized varied, with filiform needle therapy being the most common (14, 36.8 %), followed by auricular plaster therapy (7, 18.4 %), thumbtack needle therapy (7, 18.4 %), and eye acupuncture (1, 2.6 %). The acupoints most frequently used were Shenmen (TF4) in the auricular region and Neiguan (PC6). The needle retention time was predominantly 30 min, as reported in nine studies involving filiform needles. In the control groups of the included studies, secondary prevention measures were most commonly employed, appearing in thirteen studies. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was the most frequently measured outcome, featured in nine studies. Psychological issues were identified as the most prevalent condition following PCI, mentioned in seventeen studies.

CONCLUSION

The main focus of this scoping review was on psychological issues, cardiovascular problems, and exercise capacity or quality of life of patients after PCI. The majority of research has concentrated on psychological and cardiovascular issues. However, the outcomes related to varieties of acupuncture therapy methods, acupoints selection, retention time, treatment frequency, and other aspects of acupuncture practice were interconnected and complex within the clinical application of acupuncture. These interconnected elements collectively impacted the treatment of acupuncture in the post-PCI context, making it challenging to reach definitive conclusions. The heterogeneity in acupuncture practices highlighted the need for future research. It is recommended that future studies employ more rigorous designs, standardized methodologies, larger sample sizes, and higher quality to enhance our understanding of acupuncture's role in post-PCI care. This is particularly important for elucidating its potential in addressing psychological and cardiovascular problems, which are critical areas of concern for patients post-PCI.

REGISTRATION

This scoping review has been registered in the Open Science Framework Registry (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/3HZFW). We drafted this paper following the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) (https://www.prisma-statement.org/scoping) (Appendix 1).

Snare-Assisted Retrieval of an Embolized Long Coronary Guidewire From the Aortic Arch

We report an extremely rare case of gooseneck snare-assisted retrieval of an embolized coronary guidewire from the aortic arch in an elderly male scheduled for a transradial coronary angiogram for unstable angina. In this case, the proximal end of the embolized coronary guidewire could not be retrieved from the brachial artery nor the roomy aortic root using a flower petal snare. The key takeaway from this case is that an embolized coronary guidewire can be successfully retrieved with a gooseneck snare from its proximal end in a moderately spacious area like the aortic arch.

Conquer coronary artery perforation with magic hands

Coronary artery perforation (CAP) poses a significant challenge for interventional cardiologists. Management of CAP depends on the location and severity of the perforation. The conventional method for addressing the perforation of large vessels involves the placement of a covered stent, while the perforation of distal and collateral vessels is typically managed using coils, autologous skin, subcutaneous fat, microspheres, gelatin sponge, thrombin or other substances. However, the above techniques have certain limitations and are not applicable in all scenarios. Our team has developed a range of innovative strategies for effectively managing CAP. This article provides an insightful review of the various tips and tricks for the treatment of CAP.

Useful Respiratory Maneuvers Aiding Left Heart Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention. A Comprehensive Review

Left heart catheterizations, coronary angiography, and coronary interventions are important common cardiac procedures. Performing a successful cardiac catheterization and intervention and proper catheterization and device delivery is not always without difficulties, especially in the context of calcification or vessel tortuosity. Although there are some techniques to overcome these issues, performing respiratory maneuvers (inspiration or expiration) can be simply tried as the first step to increase successful procedures which is underreported and underutilized. The goal of this article is to review current literature regarding useful respiratory maneuvers that can aid left heart cardiac catheterization, coronary angiography, and intervention for a successful procedure.

Glasgow prognostic score and its derived scores predicts contrast-associated acute kidney injury in patients undergoing coronary angiography

Background

Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) is a reliable scoring system reflecting both nutritional and inflammatory factors. The association of inflammation and nutrition with contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) has been validated. This study set out to determine the impact of GPS and its derived scores on CA-AKI incidence.

Methods

Populations treated with coronary angiography with/without percutaneous coronary intervention were screened retrospectively. According to C-reactive protein and albumin, three kinds of GPSs were involved: GPS, modified GPS (mGPS), and the cutoff-based GPS (cGPS) which was derived by calculating the optimal cutoff values of two parameters. Primary endpoint was CA-AKI. Pearson' r correlation, linear/logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic curve as well as subgroup analyses were conducted.

Results

Totally, 3150 patients were valid for analysis, and the mean age was 67.5 years old, with 66.4 % male. Of these, 610 patients suffered CA-AKI. All three kinds of GPSs were independently associated with the SCr elevation proportion (GPS: β = 4.850, 95%CI [3.700 to 8.722], P < 0.001; mGPS: β = 3.450, 95%CI [1.896 to 6.888], P = 0.001; cGPS: β = 3.992, 95%CI [2.368 to 6.940], P < 0.001). GPS, mGPS and cGPS were proved to be the independent risk factors for CA-AKI risk (all P for trend <0.05). Compared with GPS and mGPS, cGPS was of greater prognostic value for predicting CA-AKI incidence (cGPS: AUC = 0.633; mGPS: AUC = 0.567; GPS: AUC = 0.611). Main findings were also consistent in all subgroup analysis.

Conclusion

Preprocedural GPS and its derived scores (mGPS and cGPS), especially cGPS, were correlated with the incidence of CA-AKI, which might assist in clinical decision making in treating CA-AKI.

Ping-pong snaring of a totally dislodged stent across left main ostium: "All is not lost"

Undeployed stent loss is a rare but potentially serious complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. Its management is not assisted by well-defined guidelines, and it is made even more difficult when the dislodged stent is not protected by in situ guidewire. In this work, we present the case of a total stent loss with a crushed device protruding out of the left main. In this hopeless circumstance, an innovative ping-pong technique was used to contralaterally perform a successful stent retrieval.

Case report: acute isolated cilioretinal artery occlusion secondary to percutaneous coronary intervention

INTRODUCTION

This case report aims to describe in detail the acute isolated cilioretinal artery occlusion (CLRAO) secondary to complicated therapeutic percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 68-year-old Chinese man with coronary artery disease (CAD) complained of sudden, sharp chest pain. Coronary angiography revealed severe stenoses of the coronary arteries. The patient was then treated with PCI. One hour after the procedure, the patient presented with a sudden reduction in vision in the right eye. The patient was diagnosed with acute isolated CLRAO and treated with Salvia miltiorrhiza injections.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the report to provide a detailed description of acute isolated CLRAO secondary to therapeutic PCI treated with Salvia miltiorrhiza. The visual prognosis of the untreated patients is poor. Suitable management and prevention are essential for interventional cardiologists to prevent these complications.

Advances in drug delivery to atherosclerosis: Investigating the efficiency of different nanomaterials employed for different type of drugs

Atherosclerosis is the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries, which is the main underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases and the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Current pharmaceutical treatment options are unable to effectively treat the plaque in the later stages of the disease. Instead, they are aimed at resolving the risk factors. Nanomaterials and nanoparticle-mediated therapies have become increasingly popular for the treatment of atherosclerosis due to their targeted and controlled release of therapeutics. In this review, we discuss different types of therapeutics used to treat this disease and focus on the different nanomaterial strategies employed for the delivery of these drugs, enabling the effective and efficient resolution of the atherosclerotic plaque. The ideal nanomaterial strategy for each drug type (e.g. statins, nucleic acids, small molecule drugs, peptides) will be comprehensively discussed.

Safe and predictable transcatheter removal of broken coronary guidewires: the 'knuckle-twister' technique: a case series report

Background

Guidewire fracture and loss is a rare but well-known and feared complication of percutaneous coronary interventions. With the increasing number of complex coronary interventions and procedures for chronic total occlusions, operators face new challenges and boundaries, and the need for solutions to otherwise rare complications is increasing.

Case summary

We have developed a simple and practical method for retrieving fractured and lost guidewires, called the 'knuckle-twister' technique. This article summarizes seven cases in which guidewires lost in the coronary vasculature have been successfully removed and describes this technique in detail. The goal was to gather different clinical scenarios: free wire lost in situ, wire jailed behind stent struts, wire in small branches, part of the wire protruding into the aorta, 'invisible' guidewire microfilaments/coils, etc.

Discussion

The innovation of the knuckle-twister consists in folding a polymer-jacketed guidewire and transforming it into an open lasso that tightens when twisted. In vitro, its grip strength and pulling force was tested and exceeded 1.5 kg. Moreover, in all in vivo cases, the lost material could be efficiently and quite rapidly retrieved with this simple and highly reproducible technique.

Key clinical message

Broken guidewires that were lost in the coronary vasculature can be safely retrieved with this novel and simple technique requiring no special safety equipment.

Association of hemoglobin glycation index with prognosis of coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention: A retrospective cohort study

AIMS

To analyze the association between hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) and the long-term prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

Predicted glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level was calculated using an established formula and HGI represented the difference between laboratory measured HbA1c and predicted HbA1c. A total of 1780 patients were stratified into three subgroups (HGI < -0.4, -0.4 ≦ HGI < 0.12 and HGI ≧ 0.12). The primary endpoints included all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiac mortality (CM). The secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs).

RESULTS

ACM occurred in 54 patients: 22 (3.7) in the low-HGI subgroup, 8 (1.3) in the moderate-HGI subgroup and 24 (4.1) in the high-HGI subgroup (p = .012). After adjusting for the traditional clinical prognostic factors, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that patients in both the low and high HGI subgroups had significantly increased risk of ACM as compared with patients in the moderate HGI subgroup (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.979, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.865-13.297, p = .001 and HR = 2.918, 95% CI: 1.075-7.922, p = .036). However, we did not find significant differences in the incidence of CM, MACEs and MACCEs.

CONCLUSION

HGI can predicts risk for long-term mortality in patients undergoing PCI. This index could be helpful for the effective clinical management of the CAD population.

Coronary artery perforation successfully treated with a second drug-eluting stent

A coronary artery perforation is a rare, but potentially lethal, complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. We present a case of massive main vessel coronary perforation of the right coronary artery in a patient with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, which was successfully treated with a second drug-eluting stent. This uncommon therapeutic approach was used to preserve flow to the large side branch. Early recognition, rapid balloon re-inflation at the perforation site and a "ping-pong" guiding technique allowed us to prepare the optimal strategy and to treat the perforation without developing cardiac tamponade.

Development of a Periprocedure Trigger for Outpatient Interventional Radiology Procedures in the Veterans Health Administration

OBJECTIVES

Interventional radiology (IR) is the newest medical specialty. However, it lacks robust quality assurance metrics, including adverse event (AE) surveillance tools. Considering the high frequency of outpatient care provided by IR, automated electronic triggers offer a potential catalyst to support accurate retrospective AE detection.

METHODS

We programmed previously validated AE triggers (admission, emergency visit, or death up to 14 days after procedure) for elective, outpatient IR procedures performed in Veterans Health Administration surgical facilities between fiscal years 2017 and 2019. We then developed a text-based algorithm to detect AEs that explicitly occurred in the periprocedure time frame: before, during, and shortly after the IR procedure. Guided by the literature and clinical expertise, we generated clinical note keywords and text strings to flag cases with high potential for periprocedure AEs. Flagged cases underwent targeted chart review to measure criterion validity (i.e., the positive predictive value), to confirm AE occurrence, and to characterize the event.

RESULTS

Among 135,285 elective outpatient IR procedures, the periprocedure algorithm flagged 245 cases (0.18%); 138 of these had ≥1 AE, yielding a positive predictive value of 56% (95% confidence interval, 50%-62%). The previously developed triggers for admission, emergency visit, or death in 14 days flagged 119 of the 138 procedures with AEs (73%). Among the 43 AEs detected exclusively by the periprocedure trigger were allergic reactions, adverse drug events, ischemic events, bleeding events requiring blood transfusions, and cardiac arrest requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

CONCLUSIONS

The periprocedure trigger performed well on IR outpatient procedures and offers a complement to other electronic triggers developed for outpatient AE surveillance.

Coronary Stent Off-Wire Dislodgement: Case Report of a Rare Complication

Although several techniques have been reported for managing an on-wire dislodged stent in the coronary artery, very few reports have focused on the much rarer complication of an off-wire dislodged stent. In a 73-year-old man who experienced an off-wire dislodged coronary stent, the proximal elongated segment was lodged in the left main coronary artery, and the distal segment was floating in the aorta like a wind sock. After a failed attempt at retrieval using a gooseneck microsnare, the dislodged stent was successfully removed using a 3-loop vascular snare via the left radial artery. There was no obvious vascular injury. This novel technique for removing a partially floating dislodged stent was successful after conventional retrieval techniques failed.

Effects of home-based cardiac telerehabilitation programs in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Recent advances in telecommunications technology have raised the possibility of telehealth intervention delivering cardiac telerehabilitation, which may provide the efficacy of health services in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to investigate the effects of home-based cardiac telerehabilitation (HBCTR) in patients undergoing PCI.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive search of the following electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, and WANFANG. For the prespecified outcomes, the primary outcomes were results of physical function (the six-minute walking test, 6MWT) and quality of life (QoL) of the participants. The secondary outcomes were results of (1) blood pressure; (2) full lipid profile (3) reliable assessment of anxiety and depression in patients.

RESULTS

All studies were conducted between 2013 and 2022, and a total of 5 articles could be included in the quantitative meta-analysis. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the HBCTR intervention group and the control group in 6WMT (MD 16.59, 95%CI 7.13 to 26.06, P = 0.0006), but there was no difference in QoL (SMD  - 0.25, 95%CI  - 1.63 to 1.13, P = 0.73). According to the fixed effects model, there was a statistically significant difference between the HBCTR group versus the control group (MD - 2.88, 95%CI - 5.19 to - 0.57, P = 0.01), but not in diastolic blood pressure. Likewise, significant improvements of triglycerides and in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed in HBTCR groups, but no significant differences were observed regarding total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis have proven that the HBCTR is one of the promisingly effective cardiac rehabilitation strategies that improve cardiorespiratory fitness and reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors. With the continuous improvement of the telerehabilitation network, it is expected to serve in clinical.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Influences of Chronic Kidney Disease on Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusions

Objective

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a clinical collective term for kidney disease with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 mL/min for more than three months due to various factors and is usually associated with coronary heart disease and is also an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. This study is aimed at systematically reviewing the influence of CKD on the outcomes of patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTOs).

Methods

The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, China biomedical literature database (SinoMed), China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang database were searched for case-control studies on the influence of CKD on outcomes after PCI for CTOs. After screening the literature, extracting data, and evaluating the quality of literature, RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis.

Results

There were 11 articles with a total of 558,440 patients included. Meta-analysis results indicated that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) level, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, coronary artery bypass grafting, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), β-blockers, age, and renal insufficiency were the factors affecting outcomes after PCI for CTOs [risk ratio and 95% confidence interval were: 0.88 (0.86, 0.90), 0.96 (0.95, 0.96), 0.76 (0.59, 0.98), 1.39 (0.89, 2.16), 0.73 (0.38, 1.40), 0.24 (0.02, 3.9), 0.78 (0.77, 0.79), 0.81 (0.80, 0.82), and 1.50 (0.47, 4.79)].

Conclusion

LVEF level, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, coronary artery bypass grafting, ACEI/ARB, β-blockers, age, renal insufficiency, etc. are important risk factors for outcomes after PCI for CTOs. Controlling these risk factors is of great significance for the prevention, treatment, and prognosis of CKD.

Lipoprotein (a) variability is associated with mean follow-up C-reactive protein in patients with coronary artery disease following percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Increased lipoprotein (a) [lp (a)] has proinflammatory effects, which increase the risk of coronary artery disease. However, the association between lp (a) variability and follow-up C-reactive protein (CRP) level in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been investigated.

AIM

To explore the association between lp (a) variability and mean CRP levels within the 1^st year post-PCI.

METHODS

Results of lp (a) and CRP measurements from at least three follow-up visits of patients who had received PCI were retrospectively analyzed. Standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), and variability independent of the mean (VIM) are presented for the variability for lp (a) and linear regression analysis was conducted to correlate lp (a) variability and mean follow-up CRP level. The relationship of lp (a) variability and inflammation status was analyzed by restricted cubic spline analysis. Finally, exploratory analysis was performed to test the consistency of results in different populations.

RESULTS

A total of 2712 patients were enrolled. Patients with higher variability of lp (a) had a higher level of mean follow-up CRP (P < 0.001). lp (a) variability was positively correlated with the mean follow-up CRP (SD: β = 0.023, P < 0.001; CV: β = 0.929, P < 0.001; VIM: β = 1.648, P < 0.001) by multivariable linear regression analysis. Exploratory analysis showed that the positive association remained consistent in most subpopulations.

CONCLUSION

Lp (a) variability correlated with mean follow-up CRP level and high variability could be considered an independent risk factor for increased post-PCI CRP level.

Acute mesenteric ischemia due to percutaneous coronary intervention: A case report

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is extensively used to treat acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Acute mesenteric ischemia is a life-threatening disease if untreated.

CASE SUMMARY

An 81-year-old female presented with 3 d of lethargy and 1 d of dyspnea. On November 16, 2021, the patient developed a coma. Her oxygen saturation dropped to 70%-80%, the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit for further treatment. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and multiple lung infections. Abdominal CT scan showed no obvious abnormalities, but have severely calcified abdominal vessels. The patient received assisted ventilation, and vasoactive, and anti-infection drugs. Troponin level was elevated. Since the patient was in a coma, it could not be determined whether she had chest pain. The cardiologist assumed that the patient had developed ACS; therefore, the patient underwent PCI via the left femoral artery approach, and no obvious abnormalities were found in the left and right coronary arteries. On the second postoperative day, the patient presented with abdominal distension and decreased bowel sounds; constipation was considered and a glycerin enema was administered. On day 4, the patient suddenly lost consciousness, and had decreased blood pressure, abdominal wall swelling with increased tension, and absence of bowel sounds. An urgent abdominal CT scan revealed gas in her hepatic portal system with extensive bowel wall necrosis. The patient died on day 5 due to intractable shock.

CONCLUSION

The potential serious complications in patients undergoing PCI, especially the patients who are hemodynamically unstable and have severely calcified abdominal vessels, should all be considered.

Intracoronary injection of nitroglycerine can prevent unnecessary percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

Despite the recommendation of the current guidelines, intracoronary administration of nitroglycerine during coronary angiography is often neglected. We investigated the effect of intra-coronary nitroglycerin on the relief of coronary artery stenosis in the candidates for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

We included patients with angina pectoris or myocardial infarction who were candidates for PCI. In the coronary angiography, the culprit vessel involved was evaluated, and bolus nitroglycerin at a dose of 25–200 mcg was injected into the affected coronary artery. A significant change in the percentage of coronary artery stenosis was considered a positive response, and these patients were then compared with patients who did not have a substantial change in the percentage of stenosis at the same time. Univariate analysis and then multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of response to intracoronary nitroglycerin.

Results

Among 360 patients, 27 (7.5%) responded to nitroglycerine, and 333 (92.5%) were non-responsive. The mean age of patients was 60.2 ± 11.6 years, ranging from 23 to 93 years, and 265 (73.6%) were men. The study groups were not significantly different in the baseline demographic characteristics. The presence of multivessel disease (Odds ratio (OR) = 16.26, 95% confidence interval (CI):2.07–127.6; P = 0.008) and stenosis in the left circumflex artery (OR = 3.62, 95% CI: 1.03–12.70; P = 0.044) were the independent predictors for nonresponse to nitroglycerine, leading to PCI.

Conclusion

In some cases, especially those without multivessel diseases, intracoronary nitroglycerine administration can efficiently relieve coronary stenosis and prevent unnecessary PCI.

Risk Factors of Ischemia Reperfusion Injury After PCI in Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction and its Influence on Prognosis

Purpose

To explore the risk factors of ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and its influence on prognosis.

Methods

The clinical data of 80 patients with STMEI undergoing PCI in our hospital from June 2020 to June 2021 were collected. According to whether IRI occurred after PCI, STMEI patients were divided into IRI group and non-IRI group. The basic information, clinical characteristics, examination parameters and other data of all patients were collected, and the prognosis of the two groups was observed. Risk factors were analyzed by fitting binary Logistic regression model. The survival prognosis was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve.

Results

Logistic regression analysis showed that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), pre-hospital delay time (PHD) and door-to-balloon expansion time (DTB) were the influencing factors of IRI in patients with STMEI (p < 0.05). MACE occurred in 11 cases (32.35%) in the IRI group and 13 cases (28.26%) in the non-IRI group. Log-rank test showed p = 0.503, indicating no statistically significant difference.

Conclusion

T2DM, PHD and DTB were the influencing factors of IRI in patients with STMEI, and IRI will not reduce the prognosis of patients.

Association of Hemoglobin Glycation Index With Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography: A Retrospective Study

Background: The hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) quantifies interindividual variation in glycation and is positively associated with cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between HGI and contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the association of HGI with CI-AKI.

Methods: In this observational study, a total of 3,142 patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included. The HGI was calculated as the difference between the measured glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and predicted HbA1c. CI-AKI was defined as an increase of either 25% or 0.5 mg/dl (44.2 μmol/L) in the serum creatinine (SCr) level within 72 h following the exposure to contrast medium. Piecewise linear regression analysis was conducted to testify the association of HGI with the proportion of SCr elevation. Modified Poisson’s regression analysis was performed to determine the association between HGI and CI-AKI. Exploratory analysis was also performed according to the stratification of HbA1c levels.

Results: Among 3,142 patients, the average age was 66.9 years and 483 of them (15.4%) suffered CI-AKI. Piecewise linear regression analysis demonstrated the linear association of HGI with the proportion of SCr elevation on both positive and negative sides of HGI [HGI <0: β = −9.537, 95% CI (−12.057 to −7.017), p < 0.001; HGI ≥0: β = 1.655, 95% CI (0.125 to 3.186), p = 0.034]. Modified Poisson’s regression analysis showed that the higher absolute value of HGI was strongly associated with higher incidence of CI-AKI [(<−1.0 vs. −0.2 to 0.2): aRR = 1.897, 95% CI [1.467 to 2.452], p < 0.001 (≥1.0 vs. −0.2 to 0.2): aRR = 1.545, 95% CI (1.171 to 2.037), p = 0.002]. Furthermore, the results in exploratory analysis showed that such association still remained irrespective of HbA1c levels.

Conclusion: The higher absolute value of HGI was strongly associated with higher incidence of CI-AKI in patients undergoing CAG and PCI.

Segmentation Algorithm-Based Safety Analysis of Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography to Evaluate Doctor-Nurse-Patient Integrated Nursing Management for Cardiac Interventional Surgery

To deeply analyze the influences of doctor-nurse-patient integrated nursing management on cardiac interventional surgery, 120 patients with coronary heart disease undergoing cardiac interventional therapy were selected as the subjects and randomly divided into two groups, 60 cases in each group. The experimental group used the doctor-nurse-patient integrated nursing, while the control group adopted the routine nursing. The Hessian matrix enhanced filter segmentation algorithm was used to process the cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA) images of patients to assess the algorithm performance and the safety of nursing methods. The results showed that the Jaccard, Dice, sensitivity, and specificity of cardiac CTA images of patients with coronary heart disease processed by Hessian matrix enhanced filter segmentation algorithm were 0.86, 0.93, 0.94, and 0.95, respectively; the disease self-management ability score and quality of life score of patients in the experimental group after nursing intervention were significantly better than those before nursing intervention, with significant differences ( $P<0.05$ ). The number of cases with adverse vascular events in the experimental group was 3 cases, which was obviously lower than that in the control group (15 cases). The diagnostic accuracy of the two groups of patients after segmentation algorithm processing was 0.87 and 0.88, respectively, which was apparently superior than the diagnostic accuracy of conventional CTA (0.58 and 0.61). In summary, cardiac CTA evaluation of doctor-nurse-patient integrated nursing management cardiac interventional surgery based on segmentation algorithm had good safety and was worthy of further promotion in clinical cardiac interventional surgery.

Managing coronary artery perforation after percutaneous coronary intervention

INTRODUCTION

Coronary artery perforation is a serious complication during percutaneous coronary intervention that results in significant increase in morbidity and mortality. In this article, we provide a state-of-the-art overview of the contemporary management of coronary perforation and the possible scenarios that operators may run into during percutaneous coronary interventions.

AREA COVERED

Coronary perforation during percutaneous coronary intervention. Literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify the most recently published articles covering this topic.

EXPERT OPINION

As part of this review, we also provide an expert commentary discussing the nuances in the recognition and management of coronary artery perforation, in addition to future directions, and improvements in technology that could make the management of coronary perforation safer and more effective.

International percutaneous coronary intervention complication survey

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the perceptions of interventional cardiologists (IC) regarding the frequency, impact, and management strategies of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) complications.

BACKGROUND

The perceptions and management strategies of ICs of PCI complications have received limited study.

METHODS

Online survey on PCI complications: 46 questions were distributed via email lists and Twitter to ICs.

RESULTS

Of 11,663 contacts, 821 responded (7% response rate): 60% were from the United States and the median age was 46-50 years. Annual PCI case numbers were <100 (26%), 100-199 (37%), 200-299 (21%), and ≥300 (16%); 42% do not perform structural interventions, others reported performing <40 (30%), or >100 (11%) structural cases annually. On a scale of 0-10, participating ICs were highly concerned about potential complications with a median score of 7.2 (interquartile range: 5.0-8.7). The most feared complication was death (39%), followed by coronary perforation (26%) and stroke (9%). Covered stents were never deployed by 21%, and 32% deployed at least one during the past year; 79% have never used fat to seal perforations; 64% have never used coils for perforations. Complications were attributed to higher patient/angiographic complexity by 68% and seen as opportunities for improvement by 70%; 97% of participants were interested in learning more about the management of PCI complications. The most useful learning methods were meetings (66%), webinars (48%), YouTube (32%), and Twitter (29%).

CONCLUSION

ICs who participated in the survey are highly concerned about complications. Following complication management algorithms and having access to more experienced operators might alleviate stress and optimize patient outcomes.

Comparison of invasive blood pressure monitoring versus normal non-invasive blood pressure monitoring in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Hypotension post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) causes stent thrombosis and reduced coronary perfusion, which aggravate myocardial ischemia and lead to patient death. Therefore, the accuracy and timeliness of blood pressure monitoring (BPM) are crucial for the nursing of patients post PCI. However, it is still controversial whether invasive blood pressure monitoring (IBPM) or non-invasive blood pressure monitoring (NIBPM) should be used for patients post PCI, and the magnitude of their assistance for patients' recovery remains unclear.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was performed in this study. 126 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients post PCI were recruited and randomly divided into two groups (NIBPM group n = 63; IBPM group n = 63).

RESULTS

Clinical characteristics and physiological outcomes of participants received different BPM methods were collected and analyzed to compare the effects of these two methods on the nursing of PCI patients. Compared to NIBPM group, IBPM assisted to shorten the time of myocardial ischemia, promote coronary reperfusion, reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular disease and other complications, and ultimately reduce the mortality of patients post PCI.

CONCLUSION

The application of IBPM contributed to reduce the occurrence of complications, shorten the time of vascular reperfusion, and guide treatment of clinicians in time.

Life-threatening subclavian artery bleeding following percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Vascular complications of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are rare and usually occur at the access site below the elbow. Life-threatening vascular complications during transradial PCI therapy, such as vessel perforation and dissection in the brachiocephalic, subclavian, internal mammary, and thyrocervical arteries, are rarely reported. Subclavian artery bleeding is a potentially serious complication of vascular interventional procedures leading to tracheal obstruction, hemothorax, respiratory failure, hemorrhagic shock, and death if not diagnosed early and treated promptly.

CASE SUMMARY

A male patient with typical angina pectoris underwent coronary angiography and stent implantation. During the procedure, the patient felt pharyngeal pain and tightness, which we mistook for myocardial ischemia. After PCI, swelling in the right neck and supraclavicular area was observed. The patient experienced dyspnea, emergency endotracheal intubation was performed, and then a sudden drop in blood pressure was observed. Ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans demonstrated a cervical hematoma severely compressing the trachea due to subclavian artery bleeding. Brachiocephalic angiography revealed a vascular injury site at the root of the right subclavian artery at the intersection of the right common carotid artery. A covered stent was deployed to the right subclavian artery with successful sealing of the perforation, and a bare stent was implanted in the junction of the right common carotid and brachiocephalic arteries to prevent obstruction of blood flow to the brain.

CONCLUSION

Subclavian artery bleeding is a lifethreatening complication of PCI. Early prevention, rapid recognition, and prompt treatment may improve the prognosis.

Case report: A novel application of the MicroVascular Plug (MVP) in treating distal coronary perforation

Coronary artery perforation during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a rare but severe complication which has been associated with a high rate of major adverse outcomes and is potentially fatal. We report a case of a 70-year-old male who presented with an anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary angiogram revealed a proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery occlusion. Successful PCI was performed with stenting of the LAD. However, subsequent attempts to retrieve a jailed diagonal branch inadvertently led to distal coronary perforation of the LAD. After failed attempts to tamponade the perforation with prolonged balloon inflation, this was successfully sealed with the MicroVascular Plug (Medtronic) system. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of such an application in the coronary system. This may prove to be a viable alternative in closure of distal coronary perforations.

Nanotechnological approach to delivering nutraceuticals as promising drug candidates for the treatment of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is Caesar's sword, which poses a huge risk to the present generation. Understanding the atherosclerotic disease cycle would allow ensuring improved diagnosis, better care, and treatment. Unfortunately, a highly effective and safe way of treating atherosclerosis in the medical community remains a continuous challenge. Conventional treatments have shown considerable success, but have some adverse effects on the human body. Natural derived medications or nutraceuticals have gained immense popularity in the treatment of atherosclerosis due to their decreased side effects and toxicity-related issues. In hindsight, the contribution of nutraceuticals in imparting enhanced clinical efficacy against atherosclerosis warrants more experimental evidence. On the other hand, nanotechnology and drug delivery systems (DDS) have revolutionized the way therapeutics are performed and researchers have been constantly exploring the positive effects that DDS brings to the field of therapeutic techniques. It could be as exciting as ever to apply nano-mediated delivery of nutraceuticals as an additional strategy to target the atherosclerotic sites boasting high therapeutic efficiency of the nutraceuticals and fewer side effects.

[Our enemy : the clot. Coronary thrombosis : strategy and therapeutic arsenal]

Intra coronary thrombus is  frequently encountered during acute coronary syndromes revascularisation procedures. It can also be encountered during angioplasty procedures in a stable angina context, although at a much lesser frequency.In both situations, it harbors a risk of poor angiographic result and poor prognosis. Intracoronnary thrombus may cause coronary occlusion at the angioplasty site or distal embolic  flow obstruction. Per procedure thrombus prevention rests on an prior optimal anti thrombotic treatment and in some circumstances the choice to defer the revascularisation procedure in the complex high risk setting. Treating the initiated thrombus remains controversial concerning thrombectomy and GPIIBIIIa inhibitors which are still in use in common practice. No reflow phenomenon is a particularly complex setting during cornary angioplasties, partially but not solely related to a thrombotic complication. It's treatment remains unclear in the absence of related oriented studies.The current mechanical and pharmacological antithrombotic therapies must remain common practice and used appropriately as of the clinical and angiographic setting, until further scientific outbrakes.

Platelet miR-107 Participates in Clopidogrel Resistance after PCI Treatment by Regulating P2Y12

INTRODUCTION

High platelet reactivity (HPR) caused by clopidogrel tolerance is an adverse reaction of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients who receive clopidogrel antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) surgery. Platelet microRNA (miRNA) is related to platelet reactivity. This study explored the mechanism of platelet miRNA in regulating platelet reactivity.

METHODS

We recruited 50 ACS/PCI patients and divided them into the HPR group (P2Y12 reaction units [PRU] ≥300) and the LPR group (PRU < 170) according to the PRU through the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay. P2Y12-related miRNAs were screened by TargetScan, miRWalk, and Gene Expression Omnibus. The expressions of P2Y12 and miRNAs in the HPR group and the LPR group were determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between P2Y12 and miRNAs. The interactions between P2Y12 and miR-107 were predicted by TargetScan and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The regulation of miR-107 mimic or inhibitor on P2Y12 expression was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS

There were 22 patients in the LPR group and 28 patients in the HPR group. PY212 was highly expressed in the HPR group compared with the LPR group. We screened the P2Y12-related miRNAs (miR-145-5p, miR-4701-3p, miR-107, and miR-15b-5p), but only miR-107 and miR-15b-5p expressions were downregulated in the HPR group and were negatively correlated with PY212 expression. P2Y12 was the target gene of miR-107. PY212 expression was inhibited by miR-107 overexpression but suppressed by miR-107 silencing.

CONCLUSION

Platelet miR-107 participated in clopidogrel resistance in ACS/PCI patients by regulating P2Y12 expression.

[Technical armamentarium for chronic total occlusion of coronary vessels]

Percutaneous revascularization of chronic total occlusion (CTO) of coronary vessels represents a major challenge for contemporary interventional cardiologists. In the last decade there has been an unprecedented effort towards the standardization of revascularization procedures for CTO of coronary vessels. This endeavour has been possible by virtue of the growing interest of various cardiological societies for this patient group. Along with supportive endovascular technologies and percutaneous devices specifically dedicated to this interventional target, the increasing experience of interventionalists enabled continuously growing success for revascularization of CTO of coronary vessels. This review article highlights the currently available tools as well as technologies, techniques and strategies for the percutaneous recanalization of CTO of coronary vessels.

Manual der Arbeitsgruppe Interventionelle Kardiologie (AGIK) der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kardiologie – Herz- und Kreislaufforschung e. V. (DGK)

Dieses Manual zur diagnostischen Herzkatheteruntersuchung (Teil 1) ist eine Anwendungsempfehlung für interventionell tätige Ärzte, die den gegenwärtigen Kenntnisstand unter Berücksichtigung neuester Studienergebnisse wiedergibt. Hierzu wurde in den einzelnen Kapiteln speziell auf die Alltagstauglichkeit der Empfehlungen geachtet, sodass dieses Manual jedem interventionell tätigen Kardiologen als Entscheidungshilfe im Herzkatheterlabor dienen soll. Trotz der von vielen Experten eingebrachten praktischen Hinweise kann dieses Manual dennoch nicht die ärztliche Evaluation des individuellen Patienten ersetzen und damit eine Anpassung der Diagnostik bzw. Therapie ersetzen.

Guiding catheter inner lumen damage during percutaneous coronary intervention

Guiding catheter damage and body wire intermingling are uncommon complications of standard operational procedures. Optimal application of this device includes replacing the small guiding catheter upon excessive resistance during stent insertion.

Improved Cardiac Function and Attenuated Inflammatory Response by Additional Administration of Tirofiban during PCI for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is one of the acute coronary syndromes, and it is the main cause of cardiac death worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether tirofiban improves cardiac function and attenuates inflammatory response in STEMI patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). From May 2016 to May 2019, a total of 124 patients who admitted into our hospital due to STEMI fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to PCI + tirofiban and PCI groups, 62 cases per groups. Intravenous administration of 10 μg kg-1 min-1 tirofiban was performed 30 min prior to PCI. During PCI, tirofiban infusion through a micropump with 0.15 μg kg-1 min-1 lasted for 48 h. It was found that the PCI + tirofiban group was significantly different from the PCI group in total corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) after PCI (15.88 ± 5.11 vs. 22.47 ± 6.26, P < 0.001). At day 7 and day 30 post-PCI, a significant time-dependent decrease in the levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) in both groups was observed after PCI (P < 0.001). More importantly, the patients in the PCI + tirofiban group had much lower levels of BNP, cTnI, and CK-MB compared with those in the PCI group at days 7 and 30 post-PCI (P < 0.001). At day 7 following PCI, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was statistically higher in the PCI + tirofiban group than in the PCI group (P < 0.05). At day 30 post-PCI, increased LVEF concomitant with reduced left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD) was observed in the PCI + tirofiban group compared with the PCI group. At day 7 and day 30 post-PCI, both groups displayed a time-dependent decline in the levels of C reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and procalcitonin (PCT) after PCI (P < 0.05). Additionally, the patients in the PCI + tirofiban group had lower levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and PCT compared with those in the PCI group at days 7 and 30 post-PCI (P < 0.05). All patients in the PCI + tirofiban and PCI groups were followed up for 12 months by outpatient or telephone after discharge. There were fewer patients with LVEF < 50% in the PCI + tirofiban group than the PCI group (P=0.044). Furthermore, it was found that the incidence rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in the PCI + tirofiban group was evidently lower than that in the PCI group (12.90% vs. 29.03%, P=0.028). Taken together, our data suggest that additional administration of tirofiban could improve cardiac function and attenuate inflammatory response in STEMI patients undergoing PCI, which is worthy of promotion in clinic.

Modified double guiding catheter 'Ping Pong' technique to treat large coronary perforation: a case report

Background 

Despite improvement in available tools and techniques, procedural complications like coronary perforation can occur during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Severe proximal coronary perforations are usually caused by balloon and vessel size mismatch but can also occur with appropriately sized balloons or stents if the coronary vessel has very eccentric calcification or if there is negative remodelling of the vessel.

Case summary 

A 74-year-old man with a history of type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic coronary syndrome (previous PCI 10 years before) presented with unstable angina of 2 weeks of duration. Coronary angiography revealed a patent stent in left anterior descending artery, significant disease in left circumflex artery and diffuse calcified lesion in dominant right coronary artery (RCA). During angioplasty of RCA, the patient developed severe Ellis grade III perforation, which was successfully managed with modified double guiding catheter ‘Ping Pong’ technique. In this technique, the already engaged 7 French (F) Amplatz Left 1 guide catheter was used to deliver the bulky covered stent in highly tortuous and calcified RCA while a second 6F guide catheter (Judkin Right) introduced through contralateral femoral access was used for introducing the balloon, which initially sealed the perforation and subsequently acted as a distal anchor to provide strong support to deliver the covered stent.

Conclusion 

In a case of severe coronary perforation, modified Ping Pong technique using a small-sized second guide catheter complimentary to the first guide catheter, can be used to deploy bulky covered stent.

Incidence, Management, Immediate and Long-Term Outcome of Guidewire and Device Related Grade III Coronary Perforations (from G3CAP - Cardiogroup VI Registry)

Ellis grade III coronary artery perforations (G3-CAP) remain a life-threatening complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), with high morbidity and mortality and lack of consensus regarding optimal treatment strategies. We reviewed all PCIs performed in 10 European centers from 1993 to 2019 recording all G3-CAP along with management strategies, in-hospital and long-term outcome according to Device-related perforations (DP) and Guidewire-related perforations (WP). Among 106,592 PCI (including 7,773 chronic total occlusions), G3-CAP occurred in 311 patients (0.29%). DP occurred in 194 cases (62.4%), more commonly in proximal segments (73.2%) and frequently secondary to balloon dilatation (66.0%). WP arose in 117 patients (37.6%) with chronic total occlusions guidewires involved in 61.3% of cases. Overall sealing success rate was 90.7% and usually required multiple maneuvers (80.4%). The most commonly adopted strategies to obtain hemostasis were prolonged balloon inflation (73.2%) with covered stent implantation (64.4%) in the DP group, and prolonged balloon inflation (53.8%) with coil embolization (41%) in the WP group.  Procedural or in-hospital events arose in 38.2% of cases: mortality was higher after DP (7.2% vs 2.6%, p = 0.05) and acute stent thrombosis 3-fold higher (3.1% vs 0.9%, p = 0.19). At clinical follow-up, median 2 years, a major cardiovascular event occurred in one-third of cases (all-cause mortality 8.2% and 7.1% respectively, without differences between groups). In conclusion, although rare and despite improved rates of adequate perforation sealing G3-CAP cause significant adverse events. DP and WP result in different patterns of G3-CAP and management strategies should be based on this classification.

A Rare Case of Thrombus Aspiration Device Stuck in the Stent

Hardware loss and entrapment during percutaneous coronary intervention is one of the important complications, which an interventionist should anticipate in his practice. Basic knowledge about various extraction methods is essential to bail out in such situations. We describe a 74-year-old male, in whom a used thrombuster device got stuck in struts of an already deployed stent in the right coronary artery. The device could not be retrieved via various percutaneous maneuvers, necessitating an emergency surgical device retrieval and concomitant coronary bypass.

Complications of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention

Chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary interventions can be highly complex and are associated with an increased risk of complications, such as perforation, acute vessel closure (which can lead to rapid haemodynamic compromise if it involves the donor vessel), and equipment loss or entrapment. Awareness of the potential complications and meticulous attention to equipment position and patient monitoring can help minimise the risk of complications and allow prompt treatment should they occur.

The Clinical Efficacy of N-Acetylcysteine in the Treatment of ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the treatment of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched systematically from the establishment of the database to June 2020. Two researchers independently completed literature screening and data extraction and conducted a meta-analysis.Nine articles including 1419 patients were enrolled. Meta-analysis showed that all-cause mortality [RR = 0.56, 95%CI (0.33, 0.93), P = 0.02], occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) [RR = 0.63, 95%CI (0.47, 0.85), P = 0.002], and myocardial enzyme hs-TnT level [SMD = -0.42, 95%CI (-0.71, -0.13), P = 0.005] were significantly lower in patients with STEMI treated with NAC than those in the control group. There was no significant difference between the NAC group and the control group in new congestive heart failure [RR = 0.94, 95%CI (0.48, 1.82), P = 0.84], ejection fraction [MD = 2.00, 95%CI (-0.59, 4.60), P = 0.13], and CK-MB [SMD = -0.18, 95%CI (-0.47, 0.11), P = 0.23]. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of adverse reactions between the NAC group and the control group [RR = 1.04, 95%CI (0.57-1.89), P = 0.90].NAC can reduce the all-cause mortality and MACE cases of STEMI.

A cascade of multiple complications hampering a complex high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (CHIP-PCI): When ingenuity overcomes troubles!

Even skilled CHIP operators can run into multiple complications. Some are unexpected and not related to the operator, and others are fully preventable by careful procedural choices. If those occur, the knowledge of devices and cognitive skills become lifesaving elements and sudden issues need to be dealt with calmly and efficiently.

Lost in circulation

BACKGROUND

Device complications in complex percutaneous coronary interventions are rare but potentially deadly. Surgical removal is often required. However, an evaluation of surgical therapy beyond case reports is practically not existent.

METHODS

We prospectively followed all cases of retained guide wires and/or other devices referred to us for surgical removal between 2015 and 2019 and retrospectively searched our database for such cases between 2010 and 2014.

RESULTS

From 2015 on, eight cases were referred for surgical removal from six different cardiology departments. In the 5 years before, there was not a single case. Six patients were operated emergently. Patients were 60.5 ± 5.42 years old, overweight (body mass index 30.1 ± 3.77) and except for one case (left ventricular-assist device) showed preserved ejection fraction (EF) (mean EF 57 ± 18.01). The retained devices were mostly located in the right coronary artery (50%), followed by the circumflex artery (37.5%) and diagonal branch (12.5%). The devices were remnants of guide wires (n = 4), balloon catheters (n = 3), and in one case a rotablator. Full sternotomy was performed in six patients and two received a left-sided minithoracotomy (n = 2). The operations were performed on-pump in five (62.5%) and off-pump in three patients. Complete extraction of the foreign bodies was possible in all patients. Two patients died; one in unrelated multiorgan failure and one due to retained-device-related right heart failure. The other patients survived and had uneventful postoperative courses.

CONCLUSIONS

Retained foreign bodies from cardiac interventions can be completely removed surgically using individualized approaches. There appears to be a trend toward a rising incidence of such interventional complications.