Recent perspective on coronary bifurcation intervention: statement of the "Bifurcation Club in KOKURA"

Carina: A major determinant in the pathophysiology and treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions

Over the last decade, several in vivo and computational investigations have significantly advanced our understanding of the pathophysiology of coronary bifurcations, contributing to the enhancement of their percutaneous revascularization. The carina of the coronary bifurcations plays a substantial role in generating their main hemodynamic features, including distinctive flow patterns with secondary flows and specific shear stress patterns. These factors play a pivotal role in determining the susceptibility, development, and progression of atherosclerosis. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of atherosclerosis in coronary bifurcations are complex and multifactorial. Understanding these mechanisms is fundamental to comprehending lesions at the bifurcation level and informing future treatment strategies. This review aims to present the currently available data regarding the pathophysiological and prognostic role of the carina in coronary bifurcations, offering an interpretation of these findings from the perspective of interventional cardiologists, providing valuable insights for their clinical practice.

Coronary computed tomography angiography study on the relationship between the Ramus Intermedius and Atherosclerosis in the bifurcation of the left main coronary artery

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the relationship between the ramus intermedius (RI) and atherosclerosis in the bifurcation of the left coronary artery (LCA).

METHODS

Screening patients who underwent CCTA from January to September 2021, 100 patients with RI (RI group) and 100 patients without RI (no-RI group) were randomly enrolled, Evaluation of RI distribution characteristics and left main coronary artery(LM),Left anterior descending branch(LAD),left circumflex branch(LCX) proximal segment plaque distribution, measurement of LAD-LCX bifurcation angle(∠LAD-LCX),Comparison of the three distribution characteristics with the incidence of plaques in the left main trunk bifurcation area (LM, LAD, LCX) between groups and within the RI group.

RESULTS

The difference in the incidence of plaques in the proximal LCX and the LM between the RI group and the no-RI group were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The incidence of plaques in the proximal LAD in the RI group was significantly higher than that in the non-RI group (77% versus 53%, P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups after PSM. A univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that an RI was a risk factor for plaque formation in the proximal LAD (P < 0.001), and a multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that an RI was not an independent risk factor for plaque formation in the proximal LAD (P > 0.05). When compared within the RI group, the difference in the incidence of plaques in the proximal segment of LAD, the proximal segment of LCX, and the LM among the different distribution groups of RI was not statistically significant, respectively (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

RI is not an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis in the left coronary artery bifurcation zone, but it may indirectly increase the risk of atherosclerosis in the proximal segment of the LAD.

Long-term results of long segment coronary artery lesions overlapped with novolimus-eluting DESolve scaffold: Disappointment or futuristic?

OBJECTIVE

The data on using novolimus-eluting DESolve bioresorbable scaffolds (BVS) for long-segment coronary artery lesions remains insufficient. In this study, our main objective was to assess the long-term effects of the overlapping applications of both DESolve-DESolve and the drug-eluting stent (DES)-DESolve.

METHODS

A single-centered study of 103 patients scheduled for DESolve placement for long-segment lesions (>28 mm) was conducted (October 2013 to November 2016). A DESolve-DESolve overlap was used on 43 patients and a DES-DESolve overlap on 60 patients. Acute procedural success and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (stent thrombosis, targeted vessel revascularization, targeted lesion revascularization, and cardiac death) were evaluated. The patients were followed up for 48 months.

RESULTS

Revascularization was performed on 4 (6.7%) patients in the DES-DESolve group and 5 (11.6%) patients in the DESolve-DESolve group for target lesion revascularization. Among the study population, 10 (9.7%) patients had MACE, including 5 (8.3%) patients in the DES-DESolve group and 5 (11.6%) patients in the DESolve-DESolve group.

CONCLUSION

The positive results of our study concerning the use of DESolve for the treatment of long coronary lesions demonstrate that BVS will emerge with new platforms and become non-inferior to the DES.

Rescue Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for a Lethal "Jailed" Septal Perforator Branch to Resolve Delayed Complete Atrioventricular Block

Delayed complete atrioventricular (AV) block associated with an occluded septal perforator branch (SPB) is an uncommon complication after performing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Here we report the case of a 74-year-old man who underwent elective PCI for proximal LAD complicated with occlusion of the first major SPB and developed a complete AV block 78 hours after PCI was performed. The patient received a temporary transvenous pacemaker via the jugular vein and successfully underwent balloon angioplasty of the lethal "jailed" SPB, resulting in recovery from the complete AV block. Permanent pacemaker implantation was avoided. Our findings indicate the importance of postprocedural monitoring and consideration of rescue PCI for an occluded SPB in cases of complicated AV conduction disturbances.

Feasibility and usefulness of three-dimensional optical coherence tomography guidance for optimal side branch treatment in coronary bifurcation stenting

BACKGROUND

For the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions, optimal guidewire (GW) recrossing after main vessel stenting is important for good stent apposition at the side branch (SB) orifice in kissing balloon inflation (KBI).

METHODS

We analyzed 150 bifurcation lesions treated with single stenting following KBI in the three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (3D-OCT) bifurcation registry study (2015-16) and a single center experience (2012-16). OCT examination was performed after GW recrossing to the SB and after KBI. Patients were divided into two-dimensional (2D, n=78) and 3D groups (n=72) according to 2D- or 3D-OCT guidance. GW recrossing position, jailing configuration of the stent over the SB (divided into Link-connecting type: stent link connecting to the carina and Link-free type: no stent link at the carina) and stent apposition were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

Distal GW recrossing was achieved in 75.6% and 91.7% in the 2D and 3D groups, respectively (P=0.004). Compared with the 2D group, the incidence of incomplete stent apposition (ISA) toward the SB in the 3D group tended to be lower in the whole cohort (14.5±13.6% vs 10.0±9.0%, P=0.077), and was significantly lower in left main trunk bifurcations (18.7±12.8% vs 10.3±8.9%, P=0.014). Independent contributors to ISA were the Link-connecting type (β 0.089, P<0.001), distal GW recrossing (β -0.078, P=0.001), and age (β -0.0020, P=0.012).

CONCLUSION

Optimal GW recrossing under 3D-OCT guidance is feasible and improves stent apposition, which may lead to a better clinical outcome in the treatment of bifurcation lesions.

Coronary bifurcation stenting: insights from in vitro and virtual bench testing

The various techniques and devices that have been proposed for the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions have differing levels of complexity and each has one or more limitations. Two highly complementary ex vivo methods are available to study the treatment of bifurcation lesions: in vitro and virtual bench testing. Both methods can be used to develop, evaluate and optimise bifurcation stenting techniques and dedicated devices. The basics, the evolution, the advantages and limitations of both methods are discussed in this paper. Subsequently, a literature overview of the main insights gained from ex vivo testing in the field of bifurcation stenting is given.

New strategies in the treatment of coronary bifurcations

Despite major improvements in stent technology (i.e., drug-eluting stents, DES), treatment of coronary bifurcations is an ever occurring problem of the interventional cardiology. While stenting the main branch with provisional side branch stenting seems to be the prevailing approach, in the era of DES various two-stent techniques emerged (crush) or were re-introduced (V or simultaneous kissing stents, crush, T, culottes, etc.) to allow stenting in the side branch when needed. New techniques in imaging like optical coherence tomography help in better understanding bifurcation anatomy and, thus, have the potential to help us better treat this challenging subset of lesions. In addition, new dedicated bifurcation stents have been proposed in an attempt to overcome limitations associated with current approaches, and they showed promising results in early studies; however, the safety and the efficacy of these devices remain to be seen in the ongoing and upcoming trials. This review focuses on the current approaches and the development of new techniques employed for the treatment of bifurcation disease.

Editorial: at the bifurcation of the last frontiers

The concept of coronary angioplasty percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was pioneered by Andreas Gruntzig. Since then, several modifications, innovative devices, techniques, and advances have revolutionized the practice of interventional cardiology. Coronary bifurcation and chronic total occlusion are the last two frontiers that continue to challenge the skills of the interventional cardiologists. Proceedings of the second Bifurcation Summit held from November 26 to 28, 2009 in Nanjing, China are published in this symposium. In a general review, the state of the art in management of bifurcation lesion is summarized in the statement of the "Bifurcation Club in KOKURA." A new-presented concept was the "extension distance" between the main vessel and the sidebranch ostia and its association with restenosis. The results of two studies on shear stress (SS) after PCI showed that contradictory lower SS after stenting was associated with lower in-stent restenosis. There was better fractional flow reserve after double kissing crush technique than provisional one-stent technique. There was also lower rate of stent thrombosis after bifurcation stenting with excellent final angiographic results. In a negative note, the SYNTAX score had no predictive values on trifurcated left main stenting. In summary, different aspects of percutaneous management for bifurcated lesion are described seen from different perspectives and evidenced by novel techniques and strategies.