Outcomes associated with drug-eluting and bare-metal stents: a collaborative network meta-analysis

Innovations in Vascular Repair from Mechanical Intervention to Regenerative Therapies

BACKGROUND

Vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and thrombosis, are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, often resulting in vessel stenosis that impairs blood flow and leads to severe clinical outcomes. Traditional mechanical interventions, such as balloon angioplasty and bare-metal stents, provided initial solutions but were limited by restenosis and thrombosis. The advent of drug-eluting stents improved short-term outcomes by inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, however, they faced challenges including delayed reendothelialization and late-stage thrombosis.

METHODS

This review highlights the progression from mechanical to biological interventions in treating vascular stenosis and underscores the need for integrated approaches that combine mechanical precision with regenerative therapies.

RESULTS

To address long-term complications, bioresorbable stents were developed to provide temporary scaffolding that gradually dissolves, yet they still encounter challenges with mechanical integrity and optimal degradation rates. Consequently, emerging therapies now focus on biological approaches, such as gene therapy, extracellular vesicle treatments, and cell therapies, that aim to promote vascular repair at the cellular level. These strategies offer the potential for true vascular regeneration by enhancing endothelialization, modulating immune responses, and stimulating angiogenesis.

CONCLUSION

Integrating mechanical precision with regenerative biological therapies offers a promising future for treating vascular stenosis. A comprehensive approach combining these modalities could achieve sustainable vascular health.

Small-Diameter Stents in Cardiovascular Applications

Small-diameter stents play a crucial role in treating congenital heart diseases and variety of vascular conditions that have application from paediatrics to geriatric conditions, and a comprehensive review in this direction is lacking. This review explores historical development, design innovations, material compositions and mechanistic insights into functions of small-diameter stents, with a specific emphasis on biodegradable options. The necessity for stents that can adapt to growth of paediatric patients is discussed, highlighting the transition from durable polymers to bioresorbable materials such as polylactic acid (PLA) and magnesium alloys. While acknowledging the advancements made in reducing complications like restenosis and thrombosis, the review addresses the challenges that persist, including the need for improved biocompatibility and minimization of late adverse cardiac events associated with certain stent technologies. A detailed examination of various stent generations emphasizes the importance of drug release kinetics, structural integrity and potential for personalized interventions based on patient-specific factors. The exploration of novel therapeutic compounds, including nanoparticles and interfering RNA, illustrates the ongoing research aimed at enhancing stent efficacy. Ultimately, the review seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of current landscape while identifying the gaps that future research must address to develop the ideal stent for diverse patient populations.

Cost-effectiveness of continuous real-time intracardiac recurrent event detection and alerting in high-risk acute coronary syndrome patients

BACKGROUND

ALERTS was a pivotal randomized clinical trial (RCT) evaluating an intracardiac monitor with real-time alerting in high-risk acute coronary syndrome patients. The cost-effectiveness however is unknown.

METHOD

A decision model estimated health effects and costs of implanting a Guardian device in a target patient population, compared to current standard-of-care (SOC). Health and economic outcomes were modeled using ALERTS trial results and relevant literature.

RESULTS

Base-case analysis indicated an incremental lifetime cost of $21,988 with Guardian as compared to SOC (increase of 0.18 life years or 0.37 quality-adjusted life years (QALY)). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was $121,056/LY or $58,668/QALY.

CONCLUSION

Real-time intracardiac monitoring with patient alerting was cost-effective using conventional thresholds in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients at high-risk for recurrent events.

Anaesthesia for hybrid revascularisation and valve replacement in a high-risk patient

Hybrid procedures offer a promising solution for complex cases where open surgery is high risk, relying on the collaboration of anaesthesiologists, cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists. We present a male patient in his 70s with severe aortic stenosis, coronary artery disease, ascending aortic aneurysm and heart failure who underwent a hybrid cardiac procedure, including transcatheter aortic valve implantation, percutaneous coronary intervention of the right coronary artery and coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Through this hybrid intervention, involving a minimally invasive transcatheter and an open surgical procedure, the patient remained haemodynamically stable with minimal blood loss. 6 months postprocedure, he showed significant improvement in daily activities, aided by consistent physical therapy and cardiac check-ups. Current literature supports the hybrid approach for optimising risk-benefit outcomes, though further research is needed to define precise indications for its use.

Use of biliary stents for large coronary arteries

Dedicated coronary artery drug-eluting stents may be inadequate in coronary arteries >6 mm in diameter, due to the risk of stent undersizing if the stent is not fully expanded or to loss of radial strength or damage to the drug coating if the stent is expanded >6 mm. We present two patients with large coronary arteries who were successfully treated with biliary balloon expandable stents.

Comparison of Drug-Coated Balloons With Drug-Eluting Stents in Patients With In-Stent Restenosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

In-stent restenosis (ISR) is the gradual narrowing of the stented coronary segment, presenting as angina or leading to an acute myocardial infarction. Although its incidence has decreased with the use of newer drug-eluting stents (DES), it still carries significant mortality and morbidity risks. We compared the 2 most common interventions for managing DES-related ISR: drug-coated balloons (DCBs) and DES. Electronic databases were searched to identify all randomized controlled trials comparing DCB with DES in patients with DES-ISR. The Mantel-Haenszel method with a random-effects model was used to calculate pooled risk ratios. Five trials comprising 1,100 patients (577 in DCB and 523 in DES group) were included in the final study. The mean follow-up was 42 months. DCB was found to have a higher risk for target lesion revascularization (risk ratio 1.41, p = 0.02) compared with DES. No difference was observed in all-cause mortality, target vessel revascularization, myocardial infarction, or stroke between the 2 intervention arms. In conclusion, management of DES-ISR with DCB has a higher risk of target lesion revascularization compared with re-stenting with DES. The 2 therapeutic interventions are comparable in terms of efficacy and safety profile.

In-Stent Re-Endothelialization Strategies: Cells, Extracellular Matrix, and Extracellular Vesicles

Arterial stenosis caused by atherosclerosis often requires stent implantation to increase the patency of target artery. However, such external devices often lead to in-stent restenosis due to inadequate re-endothelialization and subsequent inflammatory responses. Therefore, re-endothelialization strategies after stent implantation have been developed to enhance endothelial cell recruitment or to capture circulating endothelial progenitor cells. Notably, recent research indicates that coating stent surfaces with biogenic materials enhances the long-term safety of implantation, markedly diminishing the risk of in-stent restenosis. In this review, we begin by describing the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease and in-stent restenosis. Then, we review the characteristics and materials of existing stents used in clinical practice. Lastly, we explore biogenic materials aimed at accelerating re-endothelialization, including extracellular matrix, cells, and extracellular vesicles. This review helps overcome the limitations of current stents for cardiovascular disease and outlines the next phase of research and development.

Drug-Coated Balloon Treatment for De Novo Coronary Lesions: Current Status and Future Perspectives

The outstanding development in contemporary medicine, highlighted by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), was achieved through the adoption of drug-eluting stents (DESs). Although DES is the established therapy for patients undergoing PCI for de novo coronary artery disease (CAD), their drawbacks include restenosis, stent thrombosis, and the requirement for dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with an uncertain duration regarding its optimality. Drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment leaves nothing behind on the vessel wall, providing the benefit of avoiding stent thrombosis and not necessitating obligatory extended DAPT. After optimizing coronary blood flow, DCB treatment delivers an anti-proliferative drug directly coated on a balloon. Although more evidence is needed for the application of DCB treatment in de novo coronary lesions, recent studies suggest the safety and effectiveness of DCB treatment for diverse conditions including small and large vessel diseases, complex lesions like bifurcation lesions or diffuse or multivessel diseases, chronic total occlusion lesions, acute myocardial infarctions, patients at high risk of bleeding, and beyond. Consequently, we will review the current therapeutic choices for managing de novo CAD using DCB and assess the evidence supporting their concurrent application. Additionally, it aims to discuss future important perspectives.

Safety and efficacy of the latest generation biodegradable polymer-coated ultrathin sirolimus-eluting stent in the treatment of coronary artery disease in a European all-comer population with or without high bleeding risk: The Cruz HBR Registry

BACKGROUND

The latest generation ultrathin Supraflex Cruz (Sahajanand Medical Technologies Limited, Surat, India) sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) has shown early healing properties and represents an attractive percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) device in a high bleeding risk (HBR) population. The aim of this Cruz HBR registry was to assess safety and efficacy of the Supraflex Cruz SES in a large cohort of all-comer patients, of whom about one third were patients at HBR.

METHODS

Patients undergoing PCI were enrolled in this prospective, multi-centre, open label registry and stratified into non-HBR and HBR groups. The primary endpoint was a device-oriented composite endpoint (DOCE), a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction not clearly attributable to a non-target vessel and clinically driven target lesion revascularization within 12 months after PCI. The predefined aims were to show non-inferiority of the non-HBR group to the Supraflex arm of the TALENT Trial, and of the HBR group to polymer-free biolimus-coated stent arm of LEADERS FREE Trial.

RESULTS

A total of 1203 patients were enrolled across 26 European centers, including a significant proportion (38.7%; N.=466) of HBR patients. A total of 1745 lesions were treated in 1203 patients and 2235 stents were implanted. The DOCE occurred within the total cohort in 5.8% of patients with a significant difference between HBR patients and non-HBR patients (8.1% vs. 4.4%; P<0.001). All-cause mortality at 12 months was significantly (P<0.0001) different among HBR (9.0%) and non-HBR patients (1.7%), respectively. At 12 months, the overall incidence of definite and probable stent thrombosis was 1.0%. Major bleeding occurred in 5.9% patients of the HBR group. These results met the non-inferiority criteria with respect to the TALENT trial for the non-HBR group (P<0.0001), and the LEADERS FREE trial for the HBR group (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The Cruz HBR registry confirms that PCI with the Supraflex Cruz SES is associated with a favorable clinical outcome in an all-comer population, including complex patients with HBR.

Stratified medicine for acute and chronic coronary syndromes: A patient-tailored approach

The traditional approach to management of cardiovascular disease relies on grouping clinical presentations with common signs and symptoms into pre-specified disease pathways, all uniformly treated according to evidence-based guidelines ("one-size-fits-all"). The goal of precision medicine is to provide the right treatment to the right patients at the right time, combining data from time honoured sources (e.g., history, physical examination, imaging, laboratory) and those provided by multi-omics technologies. In patients with ischemic heart disease, biomarkers and intravascular assessment can be used to identify endotypes with different pathophysiology who may benefit from distinct treatments. This review discusses strategies for the application of stratified management to patients with acute and chronic coronary syndromes.

Genetically encoded biocompatible anti-coagulant protein-coated coronary artery stents drive endothelialization

In response to the critical demand for advancements in coronary artery stents, this study addresses the challenges associated with arterial recoil and restenosis post-angioplasty and the imperative to encourage rapid re-endothelialization for minimizing thrombosis risks. We employed an innovative approach inspired by mussel adhesion, incorporating placental anticoagulant protein (AnnexinV) on stent design. The introduction of a post-translationally modified catecholic amino acid L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-Dopa), mimicking mussel characteristics, allowed for effective surface modification of Stainless steel stents through genetic code engineering in AnnexinV (AnxDopa). The efficacy of AnxDopa was analyzed through microscale thermophoresis and flow cytometry, confirming AnxDopa's exceptional binding with phosphatidylserine and activated platelets. AnxDopa coated stainless steel demonstrates remarkable bio-, hemo-, and immuno-compatibility, preventing smooth muscle cell proliferation, platelet adhesion, and fibrin formation. It acts as an interface between the stent and biological fluid, which facilitates the anticoagulation and rapid endothelialization. Surface modification of SS verified through XPS analysis and contact angle measurement attests to the efficacy of AnxDopa mediated surface modification. The hydrophilic nature of the AnxDopa-coated surface enhanced the endothelialization through increased protein absorption. This approach represents a significant stride in developing coronary stents with improved biocompatibility and reduced restenosis risks, offering valuable contributions to scientific and clinical realms alike.

Efficacy and Safety of Sirolimus-Eluting Stent With Biodegradable Polymer Ultimaster™ in Unselected Korean Population: A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study From Korean Multicenter Ultimaster Registry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Ultimaster™, a third-generation sirolimus-eluting stent using biodegradable polymer, has been introduced to overcome long term adverse vascular events, such as restenosis or stent thrombosis. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the 12-month clinical outcomes of Ultimaster™ stents in Korean patients with coronary artery disease.

METHODS

This study is a multicenter, prospective, observational registry across 12 hospitals. To reflect real-world clinical evidence, non-selective subtypes of patients and lesions were included in this study. The study end point was target lesion failure (TLF) (the composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction [MI], and target lesion revascularization [TLR]) at 12-month clinical follow up.

RESULTS

A total of 576 patients were enrolled between November 2016 and May 2021. Most of the patients were male (76.5%), with a mean age of 66.0±11.2 years. Among the included patients, 40.1% had diabetes mellitus (DM) and 67.9% had acute coronary syndrome (ACS). At 12 months, the incidence of TLF was 4.1%. The incidence of cardiac death was 1.5%, MI was 1.0%, TLR was 2.7%, and stent thrombosis was 0.6%. In subgroup analysis based on the presence of ACS, DM, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or bifurcation, there were no major differences in the incidence of the primary endpoint.

CONCLUSIONS

The present registry shows that Ultimaster™ stent is safe and effective for routine real-world clinical practice in non-selective Korean patients, having a low rate of adverse events at least up to 12 months.

The phenomenon of drug-coating embolism during lower extremity endovascular interventions with paclitaxel-coated balloon

INTRODUCTION

There is a risk of distal embolization lower extremity endovascular interventions. Possibly a drug-coating embolism caused by coating detachment from intravascular devices.

METHODS

This review focuses on providing updated information on distal embolism in endovascular revascularization of lower extremity arteries, including the use of drug-coated balloons.

RESULTS

Drug-coating embolism is a special case of distal embolization during recanalization of the arteries of the lower extremities. Preclinical studies have demonstrated embolization of drug-coated balloons during angioplasty of lower extremity arteries. However, the clinical role of drug-coating embolism is not completely clear. A 2020 meta-analysis found an increased risk of major lower extremity amputation after drug-coated balloon angioplasty in patients with critical limb ischemia. But long-term research is emerging to support the safety of using these devices. Perhaps a more thorough assessment of the quality of life and the degree of compensation of lower limb ischemia with an intraoperative assessment of the frequency of peripheral embolizations using ultrasound emboli detection, as well as microcirculation with transcutaneous oximetry and laser Doppler flowmetry of the operated lower limb will allow a more detailed study of the phenomenon of drug-coating embolism and its impact on long-term clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

According to the results of preclinical studies, the use of paclitaxel-coated balloons leads to an increase in the concentration of paclitaxel in distal skeletal muscles. However, paclitaxel concentration in skeletal muscle was significantly higher in first-generation DCBs. The non-target effects of drug-coating balloon are not fully understood and require further study. Understanding the phenomenon of drug-coating embolism can help physicians to better assess the patient risk and to minimize complications.

Revolutionizing Cardiovascular Frontiers: A Dive Into Cutting-Edge Innovations in Coronary Stent Technology

Plain balloon angioplasty was the initial method used to enlarge the intracoronary lumen size. However, it was linked to acute coronary closure due to early vessel recoil. This led to the invention of coronary stents, which offer mechanical support to open and maintain the vascular lumen. Nevertheless, the metallic scaffold introduced other issues, such as thrombosis and restenosis caused by neointimal proliferation. To address these concerns, polymers were employed to cover the scaffold, acting as drug reservoirs and regulators for controlled drug release. The use of polymers prevents direct contact between blood and metallic scaffolds. Drugs within the stent were incorporated to inhibit proliferation and expedite endothelialization in the healing process. Despite these advancements, adverse effects still arise due to the inflammatory reaction caused by the polymer material. Consequently, resorbable polymers and scaffolds were later discovered, but they have limitations and are not universally applicable. Various scaffold designs, thicknesses, materials, polymer components, and drugs have their own advantages and complications. Each stent generation has been designed to address the shortcomings of the preceding generation, yet new challenges continue to emerge. Conflicting data regarding the long-term safety and efficacy of coronary stents, especially in the extended follow-up, further complicates the assessment.

Optimising Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: The Impact of Stent Type and Diameter on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Large Coronary Arteries

Background and Objectives: Our study aimed to reveal the effect of using 4 mm bare-metal stents (BMS), 4 mm drug-eluting stents (DES), or 3 mm DES with 4 mm diameter balloon post-dilation strategies on long-term clinical outcomes and endpoints for large-diameter coronary artery percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Materials and Methods: In our study, patients who had undergone PCI were retrospectively screened between January 2014 and July 2020. The study included 350 patients and was divided into three groups; Group I (n = 134) included patients with direct 4.0 mm BMS implantation, Group II (n = 109) included patients with direct 4.0 DES implantation, and Group III (n = 107) included patients with 4mm NC post-dilatation after 3 mm DES implantation. Primary endpoints were determined as target lesion revascularisation, cardiac mortality, and myocardial infarction associated with the target vessel. Our secondary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Results: No differences were observed between the groups in terms of the baseline variables. Stent length was the highest in Group II and the shortest in Group III. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Conclusions: Our study suggests that in percutaneous coronary interventions for non-complex lesions, there is no significant difference in MACE outcomes when directly implanting a 4 mm diameter DES, a 4 mm diameter BMS, or a 3 mm diameter DES, followed by post-dilation with an appropriately sized NC balloon when the target vessel diameter is in the range of 4 to 4.4 mm.

Endovascular Drug Delivery

Drug-eluting stents (DES) and balloons revolutionize atherosclerosis treatment by targeting hyperplastic tissue responses through effective local drug delivery strategies. This review examines approved and emerging endovascular devices, discussing drug release mechanisms and their impacts on arterial drug distribution. It emphasizes the crucial role of drug delivery in modern cardiovascular care and highlights how device technologies influence vascular behavior based on lesion morphology. The future holds promise for lesion-specific treatments, particularly in the superficial femoral artery, with recent CE-marked devices showing encouraging results. Exciting strategies and new patents focus on local drug delivery to prevent restenosis, shaping the future of interventional outcomes. In summary, as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cardiovascular intervention, it becomes increasingly evident that the future lies in tailoring treatments to the specific characteristics of each lesion. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and harnessing the potential of localized drug delivery, we stand poised to usher in a new era of precision medicine in vascular intervention.

The utility and effectiveness of the newer generation high-resolution coronary computed tomography angiography in the evaluation of coronary in-stent restenosis

BACKGROUND

The importance of coronary computerized tomography angiography (CCTA) in detecting native coronary artery stenosis has been established. However, very few studies investigated the efficacy of CCTA in the assessment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in symptomatic patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the value of CCTA in diagnosing ISR.

METHODS

We included 102 symptomatic patients with stable angina, presented one to five years after PCI. All patients were subjected to CCTA, and the patients with significant coronary artery disease were directed for invasive coronary angiography (ICA). CCTA results were compared to ICA as the gold standard tool for detecting ISR.

RESULTS

In 88 (86.3 %) patients, CCTA could successfully exclude ISR together with the ICA (true negative), but in two cases, ICA detected an ISR which was not detected by CCTA (false negative). In eight patients, CCTA detected ISR. These were confirmed by ICA (true positive) and revascularized. In four patients (3.9 %), ISR was suspected by CCTA but excluded by ICA (false positive). In our study, according to the agreement of CCTA in detection or exclusion of ISR, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy were 80.0 %, 96.65 %, 66.67 %, 97.78 %, 94.12 %, respectively. These results were statistically significant (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In up to 86 % of symptomatic patients with previous PCI, ISR was accurately excluded by CCTA. CCTA was demonstrated by this study as a high yielding tool for ruling out ISR, abolishing the need for more invasive and expensive diagnostic procedures.

Intrastent Restenosis: A Comprehensive Review

The primary objective of this paper is to delineate and elucidate the contemporary advancements, developments, and prevailing trajectories concerning intrastent restenosis (ISR). We aim to provide a thorough overview of the most recent developments in this area, covering various aspects such as pathophysiological insights, therapeutic approaches, and new strategies for tackling the complex challenges of ISR in modern clinical settings. The authors have undertaken a study to address a relatively new medical challenge, recognizing its significant impact on the morbidity and mortality of individuals with cardiovascular diseases. This effort is driven by the need to fully understand, analyze, and possibly improve the outcomes of this emerging medical issue within the cardiovascular disease field. We acknowledge its considerable clinical implications and the necessity for innovative methods to mitigate its effects on patient outcomes. Therefore, our emphasis was directed towards elucidating the principal facets of the condition's prevalence, expounding upon the foundational mechanisms underscoring conspicuous restenosis, and delineating the risk factors relevant in shaping the contemporary landscape of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. This thorough examination aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the various dimensions of the condition, including epidemiological data, pathophysiological complexities, and clinical considerations critical for evaluating and enhancing current diagnostic and treatment approaches.

A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Sirolimus-Coated Balloon With Paclitaxel-Coated Balloon in De Novo Small Vessels

BACKGROUND

There are no data comparing sirolimus-coated balloons (SCBs [MagicTouch, Concept Medical]) to paclitaxel-coated balloons (PCBs [SeQuent Please Neo, B. Braun]) for the treatment of de novo small vessel disease (SVD).

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to compare quantitative coronary angiographic outcomes at 6 months after treatment of de novo SVD with a PCB or SCB.

METHODS

This prospective, multicenter, noninferiority trial randomized 121 patients (129 SVD lesions) to treatment with an SCB or PCB, with balloon sizing determined using optical coherence tomography. The primary endpoint was noninferiority for the 6-month angiographic net lumen gain.

RESULTS

Angiographic follow-up was completed in 109 (90.1%) patients in the per-protocol analysis. The mean ± SD angiographic net gains were 0.25 ± 0.40 mm with SCBs vs 0.48 ± 0.37 mm with PCBs, resulting in SCBs failing to meet the 0.30 mm criterion for noninferiority (Pnoninferiority = 0.173), with an absolute difference of -0.23 mm (95% CI: -0.37 to -0.09) secondary to a smaller late loss (0.00 ± 0.32 mm vs 0.32 ± 0.47 mm; P < 0.001) and more frequent late lumen enlargement (53.7% vs 30.0%; OR: 2.60; 95% CI: 1.22-5.67; P = 0.014) with PCBs. Binary restenosis rates were 32.8% and 12.5% following treatment with SCBs and PCBs, respectively (OR: 3.41; 95% CI: 1.36-9.44; P = 0.012). The mean angiography-derived fractional flow ratio at follow-up was 0.86 ± 0.15 following treatment with SCBs and 0.91 ± 0.09 following PCBs (P = 0.026); a fractional flow ratio ≤0.80 occurred in 13 and 5 vessels after treatment with SCBs and PCBs, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The SCB MagicTouch failed to demonstrate noninferiority for angiographic net lumen gain at 6 months compared to the PCB SeQuent Please Neo.

Targeted therapy with a localised abluminal groove, low-dose sirolimus-eluting, biodegradable-polymer coronary stent - five-year results of the TARGET All Comers randomised clinical trial

BACKGROUND

In the prospective, multicentre, randomised TARGET All Comers study, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the FIREHAWK biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting stent (BP-SES) was non-inferior to the durable-polymer everolimus-eluting stent (DP-EES) for the primary endpoint of target lesion failure (TLF) at 12 months.

AIMS

We aimed to report the final study outcomes at 5 years.

METHODS

Patients referred for PCI were randomised to receive either a BP-SES or DP-EES in a 1:1 ratio in 10 European countries. Randomisation was stratified by centre and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) presentation, and clinical follow-up extended to 5 years. The primary endpoint was TLF (composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction [MI], or ischaemia-driven target lesion revascularisation). Secondary endpoints included patient-oriented composite events (POCE; composite of all-cause death, all MI, or any revascularisation and its components).

RESULTS

From December 2015 to October 2016, 1,653 patients were randomly assigned to the BP-SES or DP-EES groups, of which 93.8% completed 5-year clinical follow-up or were deceased. At 5 years, TLF occurred in 17.1% of the BP-SES group and in 16.3% of the DP-EES group (p=0.68). POCE occurred in 34.0% of the BP-SES group and 32.7% of the DP-EES group (p=0.58). Revascularisation was the most common POCE, occurring in 19.3% of patients receiving BP-SES and 19.2% receiving DP-EES, of which less than one-third was ischaemia-driven target lesion-related. In the landmark analysis, there were no differences in the rates of TLF and POCE between groups from 1 to 5 years, and these results were consistent across all subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

In an all-comers population requiring stent implantation for myocardial ischaemia, the BP-SES was non-inferior to the DP-EES for the primary endpoint of TLF at 12 months, and results were sustained at 5 years, confirming the long-term safety and efficacy of the FIREHAWK BP-SES.

High on-aspirin treatment platelet reactivity and restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention: results of the Intracoronary Stenting and Antithrombotic Regimen-ASpirin and Platelet Inhibition (ISAR-ASPI) Registry

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the association between high on-aspirin treatment platelet reactivity (HAPR) and the subsequent risk of restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with predominantly drug-eluting stents.

BACKGROUND

The association between HAPR and subsequent risk of restenosis after PCI is unclear.

METHODS

This study included 4839 patients undergoing PCI (02/2007-12/2011) in the setting of the Intracoronary Stenting and Antithrombotic Regimen-ASpirin and Platelet Inhibition (ISAR-ASPI) registry. Platelet function was assessed with impedance aggregometry using the multi-plate analyzer immediately before PCI and after intravenous administration of aspirin (500 mg). The primary outcome was clinical restenosis, defined as target lesion revascularization at 1 year. Secondary outcomes included binary angiographic restenosis and late lumen loss at 6- to 8-month angiography.

RESULTS

The upper quintile cut-off of platelet reactivity measurements (191 AU × min) was used to categorize patients into a group with HAPR (platelet reactivity > 191 AU × min; n = 952) and a group without HAPR (platelet reactivity ≤ 191 AU × min; n = 3887). The primary outcome occurred in 94 patients in the HAPR group and 405 patients without HAPR (cumulative incidence, 9.9% and 10.4%; HR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.77-1.19; P = 0.70). Follow-up angiography was performed in 73.2% of patients. There was no difference in binary restenosis (15.2% vs. 14.9%; P = 0.79) or late lumen loss (0.32 ± 0.57 vs. 0.32 ± 0.59 mm; P = 0.93) between patients with HAPR versus those without HAPR.

CONCLUSIONS

This study did not find an association between HAPR, measured at the time of PCI, and clinical restenosis at 1 year after PCI.

A novel biodegradable polymer-coated sirolimus-eluting stent: 1-year results of the HELIOS registry

BACKGROUND

The HELIOS stent is a sirolimus-eluting stent with a biodegradable polymer and titanium oxide film as the tie-layer. The study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HELIOS stent in a real-world setting.

METHODS

The HELIOS registry is a prospective, multicenter, cohort study conducted at 38 centers across China between November 2018 and December 2019. A total of 3060 consecutive patients were enrolled after application of minimal inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF), defined as a composite of cardiac death, non-fatal target vessel myocardial infarction (MI), and clinically indicated target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 1-year follow-up. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate the cumulative incidence of clinical events and construct survival curves.

RESULTS

A total of 2998 (98.0%) patients completed the 1-year follow-up. The 1-year incidence of TLF was 3.10% (94/2998, 95% closed interval: 2.54-3.78%). The rates of cardiac death, non-fatal target vessel MI and clinically indicated TLR were 2.33% (70/2998), 0.20% (6/2998), and 0.70% (21/2998), respectively. The rate of stent thrombosis was 0.33% (10/2998). Age ≥60 years, diabetes mellitus, family history of coronary artery disease, acute myocardial infarction at admission, and device success were independent predictors of TLF at 1 year.

CONCLUSION

The 1-year incidence rates of TLF and stent thrombosis were 3.10% and 0.33%, respectively, in patients treated with HELIOS stents. Our results provide clinical evidence for interventional cardiologists and policymakers to evaluate HELIOS stent.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03916432.

Clinical significance of distal embolism in intravascular recanalization of the superficial femoral artery

The article discusses different views on distal embolism in endovascular revascularization of lower limb arteries. Attention is drawn to the con­tribution of the drug coating of the balloon catheter to the development of distal embolization.

A prospective double-blinded randomized study on drug-eluting stent implantation into nitrate-induced maximally dilated vessels in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been developed using drug-eluting stents (DES); however, stent implantation is associated with concerns of stent thrombosis and target vessel revascularization (TVR). The stent diameter is a critical factor in TVR and clinical events. The nitrate administration in coronary angiography can dilate the reference vessel diameter, enabling accurate vessel size measurement and optimal stent implantation support. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of stent implantation in the maximally dilated coronary artery in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODS

This prospective double-blinded randomized (1:1) study is designed to compare the efficacy and safety between DES implantation into the nitrate-induced maximally dilated vessels and conventional DES implantation in patients with CAD. A total of 400 patients who underwent PCI with a sirolimus-eluting stent will be enrolled. The primary endpoint is the mean diameter of the deployed stents. Secondary endpoints include cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, or ischemia-driven TVR 1 year after the procedure.

DISCUSSION

This study will be the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of DES implantation on nitrate-induced maximally dilated vessels in patients with CAD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered on 18 June 2021 as Effect of Ultimaster Stents Treated to the Most Dilated Coronary Vessels (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04931784).

Biolimus-eluting vs. other limus-eluting stents in NSTE-ACS: A pooled analysis of GLASSY and TWILIGHT

BACKGROUND

Biodegradable polymer biolimus-eluting stents (BP-BES) may be associated with better outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared to other current-generation limus-eluting stents (LES).

AIMS

To compare BP-BES with other current-generation LES in ACS patients undergoing PCI.

METHODS

We pooled individual data of Non-ST-segment elevation (NSTE)-ACS patients from two large randomized controlled trials (GLASSY and TWILIGHT). The BP-BES groups consisted mostly of GLASSY patients, while the control group (other current-generation LES) included exclusively TWILIGHT patients. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis; the key secondary outcome was target-vessel failure (TVF). To account for trial design differences, outcomes were assessed at 3 months (short-term) and between 3 and 12 months (long-term) after PCI and subsequently pooled to estimate the 12-month hazards.

RESULTS

Of 7107 and 6053 NSTE-ACS patients included in the short- and long-term analysis, 32.7% and 36.5% received a BP-BES, respectively. Risk of MACE associated with BP-BES versus other LES was similar at short-term (1.1% vs 1.3%, adjusted HR 0.86, 95%CI 0.53-1.38), lower at long-term (1.7% vs 3.1%, adjusted HR 0.49, 95%CI 0.34-0.72), and lower in the entire 12-month period (pooled adjusted HR 0.61, 95%CI 0.45-0.82). The cumulative 12-month risk of TVF was reduced with BP-BES (adjusted HR 0.52, 95%CI 0.38-0.70).

CONCLUSION

BP-BES was associated with lower 12-month risks of MACE and TVF compared to other current generation LES among NSTE-ACS patients treated with abbreviated or standard ticagrelor-based DAPT. These non-randomized findings are hypothesis-generating.

CONDENSED ABSTRACT

Differences in clinical outcomes may exist between biodegradable polymer biolimus-eluting stents (BP-BES) and other current-generation limus-eluting stent (LES) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We pooled individual data of about 7000 Non-ST-segment elevation ACS patients undergoing PCI and treated with ticagrelor with or without aspirin from two large randomized controlled trials (GLASSY and TWILIGHT). BP-BES patients derived very largely from GLASSY and other LES patients from TWILIGHT. In this population, BP-BES compared to other current generation LES, were associated with a lower 12-month risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and target-vessel failure.

Prevalence, Management and Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Coronary In-Stent Restenosis: Insights From the France PCI Registry

BACKGROUND

Despite the evolution of stent technology, there is a non-negligible risk of in-stent restenosis (ISR) after Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Large-scale registry data on the prevalence and clinical management of ISR is lacking.

METHODS

The aim was to describe the epidemiology and management of patients with ≥1 ISR lesions treated with PCI (ISR PCI). Data on characteristics, management and clinical outcomes were analyzed for patients undergoing ISR PCI in the France-PCI all-comers registry.

RESULTS

Between January 2014 and December 2018, 31,892 lesions were treated in 22,592 patients, 7.3 % of whom underwent ISR PCI. Patients undergoing ISR PCI were older (68.5 vs 67.8; p < 0.001), and more likely to have diabetes (32.7 % vs 25.4 %, p < 0.001), chronic coronary syndrome or multivessel disease. ISR PCI concerned drug eluting stents (DES) ISR in 48.8 % of cases. Patients with ISR lesions were more frequently treated with DES than drug eluting balloon or balloon angioplasty (74.2 %, 11.6 % and 12.9 %, respectively). Intravascular imaging was rarely used. At 1 year, patients with ISR had higher target lesion revascularization rates (4.3 % vs. 1.6 %; HR 2.24 [1.64-3.06]; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In a large all-comers registry, ISR PCI was not infrequent and associated with worse prognosis than non-ISR PCI. Further studies and technical improvements are warranted to improve the outcomes of ISR PCI.

Empagliflozin inhibits neointimal hyperplasia through attenuating endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition via TAK-1/NF-κB pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether empagliflozin could prevent injury-induced vascular neointimal hyperplasia and to further explore its mechanism.

METHODS

Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into two groups with or without the empagliflozin treatment, and carotid ligation injury was performed to induce neointimal hyperplasia. The injured carotid arteries were collected for Western blotting (WB), histology and immunofluorescence analysis after four weeks. The inflammatory responses were analyzed by qRT-PCR to detect the inflammatory gene mRNA expression. To further explore its mechanism, HUVECs were treated with TGFβ-1 to induce EndMT followed by empagliflozin or vehicle treatment in vitro. A23187 (Calcimycin), an agonist of NF-κB signaling was used in the experiment.

RESULTS

The wall thickness and the neointima area was significantly reduced in the empagliflozin treatment group on day 28 after artery ligation. The Ki-67 positive cells were 28.33 ± 12.66% and 48.83 ± 10.41% in the empagliflozin-treated group and control group, respectively (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory genes and inflammatory cells were decreased in the empagliflozin treatment group, as well as the MMP2 and MMP9. Meanwhile, empagliflozin can significantly reduce the migratory ability of inflammatory-treated HUVECs. The CD31 was increased in the TGFβ1+empagliflozin group, whereas the FSP-1, phosphorylation of TAK-1 (p-TAK-1) and phosphorylation of NF-κB (p- NF-κB) expression level were decreased, compared to the control group without empagliflozin treatment. However, the expression level of FSP-1 and p-NF-κB were reversed after co-treatment with A23187, whereas the (p-TAK-1 expression level was without any significant difference.

CONCLUSION

Empagliflozin inhibits the inflammation-induced EndMT via the TAK-1/NF-κB signaling pathway.

A technology evaluation of the Onyx Frontier drug-eluting stent

INTRODUCTION

Onyx FrontierTM represents the latest iteration within the family of zotarolimus-eluting stents (ZES), designed for the treatment of coronary artery disease. Approval by the Food and Drug Administration was granted in May 2022, and Conformité Européenne marking followed in August 2022.

AREAS COVERED

We hereby review the principal design features of Onyx Frontier, highlighting differences and similarities with other currently available drug-eluting stents. In addition, we focus on the refinements of this newest platform as compared with previous ZES versions, including the attributes yielding its exceptional crossing profile and deliverability. The clinical implications related to both its newest and inherited characteristics will be discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

The nuances of the latest Onyx Frontier, together with the continuous refinement previously witnessed throughout the development of ZES, lead to a latest generation device ideal for a diverse spectrum of clinical and anatomical scenarios. In particular, its peculiarities will be of benefit in the settings often offered by a progressively aging population, such as high bleeding risk patients and complex coronary lesions.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Non-ST-Elevation Coronary Syndromes and Multivessel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

There is lack of evidence regarding the optimal revascularization strategy in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and multivessel disease (MVD). This systematic review and meta-analysis compares the clinical impact of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with that of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in this subset of patients. EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Knowledge were searched for studies including patients with NSTE-ACS and MVD who underwent PCI or CABG up to September 1, 2021. The primary end point of the meta-analysis was all-cause mortality at 1 year. The secondary end points were myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or repeat revascularization at 1 year. The analysis was conducted using the Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model to calculate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Four prospective observational studies met the inclusion criteria, including 1,542 patients who underwent CABG and 1,630 patients who underwent PCI. No significant differences were found in terms of all-cause mortality (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.21, p = 0.51), MI (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.51, p = 0.46), or stroke (OR 1.54, 95% CI 0.55 to 4.35, p = 0.42) between PCI and CABG. Repeat revascularization was significantly lower in the CABG group (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.34, p <0.00001). In patients presenting with NSTE-ACS and MVD, 1-year mortality, MI, and stroke were similar between patients treated with either PCI or CABG, but the repeat revascularization rate was higher after PCI.

Adjusted closed-form confidence interval formulas for network meta-analysis with a small number of studies

We derive simple formulas for closed-form confidence intervals for the Wald statistic, likelihood ratio statistic, and score statistic for network meta-analysis (NMA). Additionally, we consider resolutions of concerns that network meta-analyzes with a small number of studies cannot maintain a nominal confidence level. For bias adjustment in analyzes with a small number of studies, the Bartlett-type adjustment is a well-known method. Many Bartlett-type adjustment-type methods are based on maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs). However, NMA often uses restricted MLEs that have not been extensively discussed with respect to the Bartlett-type adjustment. In this article, we propose a Bartlett-type adjustment method for the Wald statistic, likelihood ratio statistic, and score statistic when nuisance parameters are estimated by not only the maximum likelihood method but also the restricted maximum likelihood method. We can compute closed-form confidence intervals adjusted using the Bartlett-type adjustment immediately without any numerical calculations (eg, bootstrap method). Additionally, we propose a higher-order adjustment by applying the bootstrap method to Bartlett-type adjusted statistics. Using a computer simulation, we confirmed that the adjusted confidence intervals maintained a nominal confidence level. Additionally, we confirmed that the confidence intervals of the Wald statistic, likelihood ratio statistic, and score statistic based on the restricted maximum likelihood method performed well without further bootstrap adjustment and the performances of the three adjusted confidence intervals were comparable. Finally, we demonstrated that confidence intervals were adjusted for actual NMA. In the actual NMA, the adjusted confidence intervals of the Wald statistic were wider, the adjusted confidence intervals of the likelihood ratio statistic were also wider, and the adjusted confidence intervals of the score statistic were narrower. We recommend using the likelihood ratio test statistic with the restricted maximum likelihood estimator; however, just in case, we recommend applying the Bartlett-type adjustment to remove the second order bias. From demonstrations in actual studies, we confirmed that the adjusted confidence intervals improved compared with the naive confidence intervals.

Drug-Eluting Stents: Technical and Clinical Progress

Drug-eluting stents (DES) demonstrated superior efficacy when compared to bare metal stents and plain-old balloon angioplasty and are nowadays used in almost all percutaneous revascularization procedures. The design of the stent platforms is constantly improving to maximize its efficacy and safety. Constant development of DES includes adoption of new materials used for scaffold production, new design types, improved overexpansion abilities, new polymers coating and, finally, improved antiproliferative agents. Especially nowadays, with the immense number of available DES platforms, it is crucial to understand how different aspects of stents impact the effect of their implantation, as subtle differences between various stent platforms could impact the most important issue-clinical outcomes. This review discusses the current status of coronary stents and the impact of stent material, strut design and coating techniques on cardiovascular outcomes.

Stent Thrombosis and Restenosis with Contemporary Drug-Eluting Stents: Predictors and Current Evidence

Iterations in stent technologies, advances in pharmacotherapy, and awareness of the implications of implantation techniques have markedly reduced the risk of stent failure, both in the form of stent thrombosis (ST) and in-stent restenosis (ISR). However, given the number of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) performed worldwide every year, ST and ISR, albeit occurring at a fairly low rate, represent a public health problem even with contemporary DES platforms. The understanding of mechanisms and risk factors for these two PCI complications has been of fundamental importance for the parallel evolution of stent technologies. Risk factors associated with ST and ISR are usually divided into patient-, lesion-, device- and procedure-related. A number of studies have shown how certain risk factors are related to early (1 month) versus late/very late ST (between 1 month and 1 year and >1 year, respectively). However, more research is required to conclusively show the role of time-dependence of risk factors also in the incidence of ISR (early [1 year] or late [>1 year]). A thorough risk assessment is required due to the complex etiology of ST and ISR. The most effective strategy to treat ST and ISR is still to prevent them; hence, it is crucial to identify patient-, lesion-, device- and procedure-related predictors.

Post market surveillance registry (PIONEER) of the Yukon Choice PC-Elite Coronary Stent System for percutaneous coronary intervention in Indian acute coronary syndrome population

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy profile of a newer generation biodegradable DES, the Yukon Choice PC Elite with a temperature controlling mechanism, in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

This prospective multi-center study (PIONEER Registry) was conducted in an Indian ACS population, therefore providing data in real world clinical practice. Patients with ACS underwent DES implantation in de novo native-vessel coronary lesions with the Yukon Choice PC Elite biodegradable polymer DES and were followed up for a year.

RESULTS

A total 999 patients were evaluated. The majority of patients were male (79.2%). A total of 6.7% of the patients had a history of prior myocardial infarction (MI) and 2.7% of patients had a history of previous coronary artery bypass graft. The clinical presentations of the patients included: unstable angina pectoris (UA) (46.4%), ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) (38.1%), and Non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI) (15.4%). Implantation of the device was successful in 99.9% of cases. The median stent length and stent size were 21.0 mm (Range: 8.0-40.0 mm) and 2.8 mm (Range 2.0-4.0 mm), respectively. Through to one-year clinical follow-up after percutaneous coronary intervention, all-cause death occurred in 4 of 999 patients (Crude Percentage: 0.4%). Cardiac death, MI, TLR, and stent thrombosis were occurred in 1 (0.1%), 8 (0.8%), 12 (1.2%) and 1 (0.1%) patients, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results of this post marketing surveillance registry suggest favorable safety and efficacy outcomes associated with the Yukon Choice PC Elite biodegradable DES in a real world Indian ACS population.

Editor's Choice - Real World Study of Mortality After the Use of Paclitaxel Coated Devices in Peripheral Vascular Intervention

OBJECTIVE

This observational cohort study examined outcomes after peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) with paclitaxel coated devices (PCD) and non-PCD, and evaluated heterogeneity of treatment effect in populations of interest.

METHODS

The study included patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and or stent placement between 1 October 2015 and 31 December 2018 in the Vascular Quality Initiative Registry linked to Medicare claims. It determined differences in patient mortality and ipsilateral major amputation after PVI with PCD and non-PCD using Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox regressions with inverse probability weighting in three cohorts: (A) patients treated for femoropopliteal or infrapopliteal occlusive disease with or without any other concurrent treatment (n = 11 452); (B) those treated for isolated superficial femoral or popliteal artery disease (n = 5 519); and (C) patients with inclusion criteria designed to approximate RCT populations (n = 2 278).

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 72.3 (SD = 10.9) years, and 40.6% were female. In cohort A, patients receiving PCD had a lower mortality rate (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.79 - 0.98) than those receiving non-PCD. There was no significant difference in mortality between groups in cohort B (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.80 - 1.04) and cohort C (HR 1.10, 95% CI 0.84 - 1.43). Patients receiving PCD did not have a significantly elevated risk of major amputation compared with those receiving non-PCD (cohort A: HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.70 - 1.00; cohort B: HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.67 - 1.06; and cohort C: HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.51 - 2.14).

CONCLUSION

No increased patient mortality or major amputation was found at three years after PVI with PCD vs. non-PCD in this large, linked registry claims study, after accounting for heterogeneity of treatment effect by population. The analysis and results from three cohorts intended to mirror the cohorts of previous studies provide robust and niche real world evidence on PCD safety and help to understand and reconcile previously discrepant findings.

Coronary Bifurcation Stenting: Review of Current Techniques and Evidence

BACKGROUND

Coronary bifurcation stenting constitutes 20% of all PCI performed. Given the extensive prevalence of bifurcation lesions, various techniques have sought to optimally stent the bifurcation to improve revascularization while also decreasing rates of stent thrombosis and lesion recurrence. Advanced techniques, such as planned two-stent approaches, have been shown to have improved outcomes but also require fluoroscopy and procedure time, posing an economic argument as well as a patient-outcome one.

OBJECTIVE

Because of the many strategies posited in the literature, it becomes essential to objectively evaluate evidence from randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses to help determine the optimal stenting strategy.

METHODS

We reviewed the clinical evidence on the efficacy of coronary bifurcation stenting.

RESULTS

In this paper, we review the most recent randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses on the efficacy of various stenting techniques and advances in stenting technologies published to gauge the current state of understanding and chart where the field is heading.

CONCLUSION

Bifurcation stenting is a maturing problem in the field of interventional cardiology that is adapting to the needs of the patients and advances in technology.

Recent advances in regenerative biomaterials

Nowadays, biomaterials have evolved from the inert supports or functional substitutes to the bioactive materials able to trigger or promote the regenerative potential of tissues. The interdisciplinary progress has broadened the definition of 'biomaterials', and a typical new insight is the concept of tissue induction biomaterials. The term 'regenerative biomaterials' and thus the contents of this article are relevant to yet beyond tissue induction biomaterials. This review summarizes the recent progress of medical materials including metals, ceramics, hydrogels, other polymers and bio-derived materials. As the application aspects are concerned, this article introduces regenerative biomaterials for bone and cartilage regeneration, cardiovascular repair, 3D bioprinting, wound healing and medical cosmetology. Cell-biomaterial interactions are highlighted. Since the global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019, the review particularly mentions biomaterials for public health emergency. In the last section, perspectives are suggested: (i) creation of new materials is the source of innovation; (ii) modification of existing materials is an effective strategy for performance improvement; (iii) biomaterial degradation and tissue regeneration are required to be harmonious with each other; (iv) host responses can significantly influence the clinical outcomes; (v) the long-term outcomes should be paid more attention to; (vi) the noninvasive approaches for monitoring in vivo dynamic evolution are required to be developed; (vii) public health emergencies call for more research and development of biomaterials; and (viii) clinical translation needs to be pushed forward in a full-chain way. In the future, more new insights are expected to be shed into the brilliant field-regenerative biomaterials.

Ten-year patterns of stent thrombosis after percutaneous coronary intervention with new- versus early-generation drug-eluting stents: insights from the DECADE cooperation

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The DECADE cooperation is a pooled analysis of individual patient data from drug-eluting stent (DES) trials with a 10-year follow-up. This analysis reports the risk of definite stent thrombosis (ST) through to 10 years after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients treated with early- and new-generation DES.

METHODS

Individual patient data from 5 DES trials with a 10-year follow-up were pooled. The primary endpoint was definite ST up to 10 years after PCI. Patients were divided into 2 groups as per the generation of DES implanted (early and new DES). Individual participant data were analyzed using a 1-stage approach.

RESULTS

We included 9700 patients, 6866 in the new DES group and 2834 in the early DES group. Through to 10 years, definite ST occurred in 69 of 6866 patients treated with new DES and in 91 of 2834 patients treated with early DES (1.0% vs 3.5%, adjusted hazard ratio, 0.32; 95%CI, 0.23-0.45). The rate of definite ST was lower in the new DES group than in the early DES group from 1 to 5 years (rate ratio, 0.14; 95%CI, 0.08-0.26) and from 5 to 10 years (rate ratio, 0.23; 95%CI, 0.08-0.61) after PCI.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of definite ST through to 10 years after PCI with new-generation DES was 1%. New-generation DES are associated with a lower 10-year incidence of definite ST than early-generation DES, particularly beyond 1 year after PCI.

In-Stent Restenosis

In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a potential complication after percutaneous coronary intervention, even in the era of drug-eluting stents, and its treatment remains suboptimal. Neoatherosclerosis is an important component of the pathology of ISR and is accelerated in drug-eluting stents compared with bare-metal stents. Coronary angiography is the gold standard for evaluating the morphology of ISR, although computed tomography angiography is emerging as an alternative noninvasive modality to evaluate the presence of ISR. Drug-coated balloons and stent reimplantation are the current mainstays of treatment for ISR, and the choice of treatment should be based on clinical background and lesion morphology.

Predictors of restenosis following percutaneous coronary stent implantation: The role of trimetazidine therapy

Aims

In-stent restenosis (ISR) is an unresolved problem following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), having a negative impact on clinical outcome. The main goal of this study was to find new independent predictors that may influence the development of ISR.

Methods and results

In this retrospective analysis, 653 PCI patients were involved. All patients had coronary stent implantation and a follow-up coronary angiography. Based on the presence of ISR at follow-up, patients were divided into two groups: 221 in the ISR and 432 in the control group. When evaluating the medical therapy of patients, significantly more patients were on trimetazidine (TMZ) in the control compared to the ISR group (p = 0.039). TMZ was found to be an independent predictor of a lower degree of ISR development (p = 0.007). TMZ treatment was especially effective in bare metal stent (BMS)-implanted chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) patients with narrow coronary arteries. The inflammation marker neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was significantly elevated at baseline in the ISR group compared to controls. The reduction of post-PCI NLR was associated with improved efficacy of TMZ to prevent ISR development. Drug eluting stent implantation (p < 0.001) and increased stent diameter (p < 0.001) were the most important independent predictors of a lower degree of ISR development, while the use of longer stents (p = 0.005) was a major independent predictor of an increased ISR risk.

Conclusion

TMZ reduces the occurrence of ISR following PCI, with special effectiveness in BMS-implanted patients having CCS and narrow coronary arteries. TMZ treatment may help to lower ISR formation in countries with high BMS utilization rates.

Evolution of drug-eluting coronary stents: a back-and-forth journey from the bench-to-bedside

Coronary stents have revolutionized the treatment of coronary artery disease. Compared with balloon angioplasty, bare-metal stents effectively prevented abrupt vessel closure but were limited by in-stent restenosis due to smooth muscle cell proliferation and neointimal hyperplasia. The first-generation drug-eluting stent (DES), with its antiproliferative drug coating, offered substantial advantages over bare-metal stents as it mitigated the risk of in-stent restenosis. Nonetheless, they had several design limitations that increased the risk of late stent thrombosis. Significant advances in stent design, including thinner struts, enhanced polymers' formulation, and more potent antiproliferative agents, have led to the introduction of new-generation DES with a superior safety profile. Cardiologists have over 20 different DES types to choose from, each with its unique features and characteristics. This review highlights the evolution of stent design and summarizes the clinical data on the different stent types. We conclude by discussing the clinical implications of stent design in high-risk subsets of patients.

Appropriate Surrogate Endpoint in Drug-Coated Balloon Trials for Coronary Artery Diseases

Background

The appropriateness of using late lumen loss (LLL) as a surrogate endpoint was established in drug-eluting stent (DES) studies, but it was less supportive for drug-coated balloon (DCB) trials.

Methods

Studies published until 23 June 2021 were searched from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The correlation between LLL, MLD (minimal lumen diameter), and %DS (percentage diameter stenosis) and clinical endpoints was evaluated by linear regression. Standardized effect size and its 95% CIs were used to illustrate the difference among LLL, MLD, and %DS.

Results

A total of 24 clinical trials were eligible [16 DCB vs. DES, 7 DCB vs. plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA), and 1 DCB vs. DES vs. POBA]. Thirteen (54.2%) trials used LLL as the primary endpoint. LLL, MLD, and %DS all had significant associations with clinical endpoints. For DCB vs. DES trials, the number of studies that reported inconsistent results between LLL and MLD was 12/16 (75.0%) and between LLL and %DS was 10/15 (66.7%), while in MLD and %DS, it was 1/16 (6.3%). The difference of standardized effect size between LLL and MLD was −0.47 (95% CI, −0.69 to −0.25, p < 0.001) and LLL and %DS was−0.31 (95%CI,−0.43 to−0.20, p < 0.001) while in MLD and %DS, there was no difference, 0.1 (95%CI,−0.02 to 0.22, p = 0.084).

Conclusions

For DCB trials, an appropriate surrogate is associated with the control device. The traditional LLL could be used in the DCB vs. POBA trials. However, MLD/%DS should be considered a more suitable surrogate endpoint when comparing DCB with DES.

Management of in-stent restenosis

In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains the most common cause of stent failure after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Recent data suggest that ISR-PCI accounts for 5-10% of all PCI procedures performed in current clinical practice. This State-of-the-Art review will primarily focus on the management of ISR but will begin by briefly discussing diagnosis and classification. We then move on to detail the evidence base underpinning the various therapeutic strategies for ISR before finishing with a proposed ISR management algorithm based on current scientific data.

A Polyphenol-Network-Mediated Coating Modulates Inflammation and Vascular Healing on Vascular Stents

Localized drug delivery from drug-eluting stents (DESs) to target sites provides therapeutic efficacy with minimal systemic toxicity. However, DESs failure may cause thrombosis, delay arterial healing, and impede re-endothelialization. Bivalirudin (BVLD) and nitric oxide (NO) promote arterial healing. Nevertheless, it is difficult to combine hydrophilic signal molecules with hydrophobic antiproliferative drugs while maintaining their bioactivity. Here, we fabricated a micro- to nanoscale network assembly consisting of copper ion and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) via π-π interactions, metal coordination, and oxidative polymerization. The network incorporated rapamycin and immobilized BVLD by the thiol-ene "click" reaction and provided sustained rapamycin and NO release. Unlike rapamycin-eluting stents, those coated with the EGCG-Cu-rapamycin-BVLD complex favored competitive endothelial cell (EC) growth over that of smooth muscle cells, exhibited long-term antithrombotic efficacy, and attenuated the negative impact of rapamycin on the EC. In vivo stent implantation demonstrated that the coating promoted endothelial regeneration and hindered restenosis. Therefore, the polyphenol-network-mediated surface chemistry can be an effective strategy for the engineering of multifunctional surfaces.

Spectral Photon-Counting Computed Tomography: A Review on Technical Principles and Clinical Applications

Photon-counting computed tomography (CT) is a technology that has attracted increasing interest in recent years since, thanks to new-generation detectors, it holds the promise to radically change the clinical use of CT imaging. Photon-counting detectors overcome the major limitations of conventional CT detectors by providing very high spatial resolution without electronic noise, providing a higher contrast-to-noise ratio, and optimizing spectral images. Additionally, photon-counting CT can lead to reduced radiation exposure, reconstruction of higher spatial resolution images, reduction of image artifacts, optimization of the use of contrast agents, and create new opportunities for quantitative imaging. The aim of this review is to briefly explain the technical principles of photon-counting CT and, more extensively, the potential clinical applications of this technology.

IMP3 promotes re-endothelialization after arterial injury via increasing stability of VEGF mRNAhv

IMP3, an RNA‐binding protein (RBP) that participates in the process of post‐transcriptional modifications of mRNA transcripts, is capable of altering cellular functions, and in some cases, be involved in specific disease progression. We aimed to investigate whether IMP3 has the ability to regulate the functional properties of endothelial cells and re‐endothelialization in response to arterial injury. Wire injury was introduced to the right carotid arteries of wildtype C57/BL6 mice. As a result, IMPs’ expressions were up‐regulated in the induced arterial lesions, and IMP3 was the most up‐regulated RNA among other IMPs. We overexpressed IMP3 before the wire‐injured surgery using adeno‐associated virus AAV2‐IMP3. In vivo studies confirmed that IMP3 overexpression accelerated the progress of re‐endothelialization after arterial injury. In vitro, endothelial cells were transfected with either ad‐IMP3 or Si‐IMP3, cell functional studies showed that IMP3 could promote endothelial cell proliferation and migration, while reducing apoptosis. Mechanistic studies also revealed that IMP3 could enhance VEGF mRNA stability and therefore up‐regulate activities of VEGF/PI3K/Akt signalling pathway. Our data indicated that IMP3 promotes re‐endothelialization after arterial injury and regulates endothelial cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis via increasing stability of VEGF mRNA and activation of VEGF/PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.