Comparison of time course of target lesion revascularization following successful saphenous vein graft angioplasty versus successful native coronary angioplasty

Optimal Stenting in Saphenous Vein Graft Intervention

Percutaneous interventions of (usually degenerated) saphenous vein grafts (SVG) are associated with higher risk of distal embolization and worse clinical outcomes, including target vessel revascularization, myocardial infarction, and death, as compared with percutaneous coronary intervention of native coronary arteries. Embolic protection devices have demonstrated value in reducing the risk of embolization and postprocedural enzyme elevation after SVG interventions. Frequently, however, such devices are not used or cannot be used. As a result, novel stenting strategies intended to decrease the risk of periprocedural myocardial infarction seem to play a major role in enhancing the results following SVG interventions.

Comparison of Bivalirudin versus Bivalirudin plus glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor versus heparin plus glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor in patients with acute coronary syndromes having percutaneous intervention for narrowed saphenous vein aorto-coronary grafts (the ACUITY trial investigators)

Clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes randomized in the Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy (ACUITY) trial who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) were examined. The ACUITY trial assessed the safety and efficacy of bivalirudin alone versus bivalirudin plus a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor versus heparin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor in 13,819 patients with moderate- and high-risk acute coronary syndromes, 7,789 of whom underwent PCI. A total of 329 patients (4.2%) underwent PCI of SVGs in ACUITY. The primary end points at 30 days were composite ischemia or major adverse cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction, or unplanned target vessel revascularization), major bleeding (unrelated to coronary artery bypass grafting), and net adverse clinical events (composite ischemia or major bleeding). The rates of ischemic, bleeding, and net clinical end points were similar with bivalirudin monotherapy, bivalirudin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor, and heparin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor. Net adverse clinical outcome rates at 30 days were 22%, 26%, and 22% (p = 0.67), respectively, for the 3 groups. Major adverse cardiac event rates at 1 year were 37%, 37%, and 43% (p = 0.95), respectively. Minor bleeding unrelated to coronary artery bypass grafting at 30 days was significantly lower with bivalirudin alone compared with heparin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor (26% vs 38%, p = 0.05). In conclusion, bivalirudin is an effective anticoagulant in PCI of SVGs in acute coronary syndromes, with similar rates of major adverse cardiac events and net adverse cardiac events and lower minor bleeding complications in comparison with heparin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor or bivalirudin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor.

Percutaneous coronary intervention in two occluded arms of a saphenous 'Y'-graft: the importance of protecting both of your arms

Percutaneous intervention in saphenous vein grafts (SVG) carries a higher risk of distal embolization than intervention in a native vessel, and use of a distal protection device has been shown to improve the outcomes in SVG interventions. We describe an intervention done in an unexpected 'Y' SVG which required dual distal protection with Filterwires placed in both limbs of the diseased graft and which was performed via a 6 Fr guide catheter.