Multiple predictors of coronary restenosis after drug-eluting stent implantation in patients with diabetes

Relationship between uric acid to albumin ratio and in-stent restenosis in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing drug-eluting stenting

BACKGROUND

In-stent restenosis (ISR) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to treat coronary artery disease (CAD) is an urgent issue in clinical practice. Recent studies have highlighted uric acid-albumin ratio (UAR) as a new marker for evaluating inflammation and oxidative stress, capable of predicting cardiovascular ailments. We aimed to examine the correlation between UAR levels and ISR in patients who underwent drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.

METHODS

We included 503 patients with CAD who underwent initial DES implantation and angiography during the follow-up period. Based on coronary angiographic findings, the patients were categorized into ISR (n = 73) and non-ISR groups (n = 430). Before angiography, laboratory parameters were measured for all enrolled patients. To ascertain the influential factors linked to ISR, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. The predictive capability of UAR in determining ISR was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Statistical significance was set at P  < 0.05.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that diabetes mellitus, stent length, UAR, albumin levels, and C-reactive protein levels independently predicted ISR. ROC curve analysis revealed that UAR had an area under the curve of 0.767 (95% CI: 0.709 - 0.826) for predicting ISR and demonstrated that UAR outperformed the individual predictive abilities of uric acid and albumin for ISR.

CONCLUSION

UAR was associated with ISR in patients with CAD undergoing PCI with DES implantation. Moreover, ROC curve analysis demonstrated that UAR exhibited superior predictive accuracy for ISR compared with evaluating uric acid and albumin levels separately.

Cardiac events after using clarithromycin for anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy in patients with coronary artery disease

Clarithromycin is an antibiotic commonly used to treat Helicobacter pylori infections. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises caution before prescribing clarithromycin to patients with cardiac diseases. This study aimed to evaluate cardiac events after anti-H pylori treatment in patients with coronary artery disease. A retrospective 5-year study was conducted on outpatients who received anti-H pylori therapy. Among the 7855 patients receiving therapy, 228 patients (2.9%) underwent angiography with coronary artery disease before therapy, and 193 patients received clarithromycin. Clarithromycin users seemed not to be at risk for cardiac events as compared with non-clarithromycin users at 3 months (4.7% vs 2.9%, P = .63) and 1 year (10.9% vs 5.7%, P = .35). Neither life-threatening dysrhythmia nor cardiac death was noted. The risk factors for cardiac events within 3 months after therapy were smoker (OR:5.38, 95% CI:1.39-20.78), and events within 1 year were smoker (OR:3.8, 95% CI:1.41-10.22), and diabetes mellitus (OR:5.68, 95% CI:1.9-16.98). Among patients with coronary artery disease who received anti-H pylori therapy, short-term cardiac events did not increase in clarithromycin users but should be considered in diabetic and smoking patients.

Does the use of polymer-free drug eluting stents improve clinical outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions?

BACKGROUND

Implantation of drug eluting stents (DES) is the mainstay treatment for patients requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The polymer coating of DES has been associated with inflammatory response, increased arterial injury and long-term in-stent restenosis and thrombosis. Polymer-free stents (PFS) were designed to overcome limitations of polymer-coated stents (PCS). Our aim was to compare clinical outcomes of patients undergoing PCI with PFS versus contemporary PCS.

METHODS

This is a prospective, open-label registry study enrolling consecutive all-comers patients admitted to a single center and undergoing PCI using contemporary DES. Clinical outcomes were compared between patients treated with PFS and PCS. The primary endpoint was target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 12 months. Subgroup analyses were conducted for diabetic and nondiabetic patients.

RESULTS

Overall, 1664 patients were included: 928 (55.8%) of which were treated with PFS and 736 (44.2%) with PCS for 2046 and 1462 lesions, respectively. At 12 months, TLR rates were not significantly different between the groups (1.7% vs. 2.3% for PFS and PCS, respectively, P = 0.48). The use of PFS did not improve clinical outcomes among diabetic patients in comparison with PCS. Target vessel revascularization and major adverse cardiac events rates were also similar between groups, regardless of diabetes status.

CONCLUSION

Newer generation DES offer excellent results in diabetic and nondiabetic patients without significant differences in outcomes between PCS and PFS.

Angiographic complete revascularization versus incomplete revascularization in patients with diabetes mellitus

Background

Considering the nature of diabetes mellitus (DM) in coronary artery disease, it is unclear whether complete revascularization is beneficial or not in patients with DM. We investigated the clinical impact of angiographic complete revascularization in patients with DM.

Methods

A total of 5516 consecutive patients (2003 patients with DM) who underwent coronary stenting with 2nd generation drug-eluting stent were analyzed. Angiographic complete revascularization was defined as a residual SYNTAX (SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXus and cardiac surgery) score of 0. The patient-oriented composite outcome (POCO, including all-cause death, any myocardial infarction, and any revascularization) and target lesion failure (TLF) at three years were analyzed.

Results

Complete revascularization was associated with a reduced risk of POCO in DM population [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.52–0.93, p = 0.016], but not in non-DM population (adjusted HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.69–1.17, p = 0.423). The risk of TLF was comparable between the complete and incomplete revascularization groups in both DM (adjusted HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.49–1.16, p = 0.195) and non-DM populations (adjusted HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.75–1.63, p = 0.611). The independent predictors of POCO were incomplete revascularization, multivessel disease, left main disease and low ejection fraction in the DM population, and old age, peripheral vessel disease, and low ejection fraction in the non-DM population.

Conclusions

The clinical benefit of angiographic complete revascularization is more prominent in patients with DM than those without DM after three years of follow-up. Relieving residual disease might be more critical in the DM population than the non-DM population.

Trial registration The Grand Drug-Eluting Stent registry NCT03507205.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12933-022-01488-7.

Diabetes and restenosis

Restenosis, defined as the re-narrowing of an arterial lumen after revascularization, represents an increasingly important issue in clinical practice. Indeed, as the number of stent placements has risen to an estimate that exceeds 3 million annually worldwide, revascularization procedures have become much more common. Several investigators have demonstrated that vessels in patients with diabetes mellitus have an increased risk restenosis. Here we present a systematic overview of the effects of diabetes on in-stent restenosis. Current classification and updated epidemiology of restenosis are discussed, alongside the main mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of this event. Then, we summarize the clinical presentation of restenosis, emphasizing the importance of glycemic control in diabetic patients. Indeed, in diabetic patients who underwent revascularization procedures a proper glycemic control remains imperative.

Diabetes Mellitus and Clinical Outcomes in Carotid Artery Revascularization Using Second-Generation, MicroNet-Covered Stents: Analysis from the PARADIGM Study

INTRODUCTION

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) using conventional (single-layer) stents is associated with worse clinical outcomes in diabetes mellitus (DM) vs. non-DM patients: an effect driven largely by lesion-related adverse events. CAS outcomes with MicroNet-covered stents (MCS) in diabetic patients have not been evaluated.

AIM

To compare short- and long-term clinical outcomes and restenosis rate in DM vs. non-DM patients with carotid stenosis treated using MCS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a prospective study in all-comer symptomatic and increased-stroke-risk asymptomatic carotid stenosis, 101 consecutive patients (age 51-86 years, 41% diabetics) underwent 106 MCS-CAS. Clinical outcomes and duplex ultrasound velocities were assessed periprocedurally and at 30 days/12 months.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics of DM vs. non-DM patients were similar except for a higher prevalence of recent cerebral symptoms in DM. Type 1 and type 1+2 plaques were more prevalent in DM patients (26.7% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.02; 62.2% vs. 37.7%, p = 0.01). Proximal embolic protection was more prevalent in DM (60% vs. 36%; p = 0.015). 30-day clinical complications were limited to a single periprocedural minor stroke in DM (2.4% vs. 0%, p = 0.22). 12-month in-stent velocities and clinical outcomes were not different (death rate 4.8% vs. 3.3%; p = 0.69; no new strokes). Restenosis rate was not different (0% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.22).

CONCLUSIONS

MCS may offset the adverse impact of DM on periprocedural, 30-day, and 12-month clinical complications of CAS and minimize the risk of in-stent restenosis. In this increased-stroke-risk cohort, adverse event rate was low both in DM and non-DM. Further larger-scale clinical datasets including extended follow-ups are warranted.

Differential Factors for Predicting Outcomes in Left Main versus Non-Left Main Coronary Bifurcation Stenting

Background: No large-scale study has compared the clinical and angiographic predictors of cardiovascular events in patients with left main bifurcation (LMB) and non-LMB stenting after second-generation DES implantation. Herein, we investigated differential clinical and angiographic factors for predicting outcomes in LMB versus non-LMB stenting. Methods: A total of 2648 patients with bifurcation lesions treated with second-generation DESs from the retrospective patient cohort were divided into an LMB group (n = 935) and a non-LMB group (n = 1713). The primary outcome was the 7-year incidence of target lesion failure (TLF), defined as the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. Results: The incidence of TLF was 9.8%. Those in the LMB group were associated with a higher risk of TLF (14.2% versus 7.5%, p < 0.001) than those in the non-LMB group. Regarding the LMB group, independent predictors of TLF were chronic kidney disease (CKD), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and two-stenting. Regarding the non-LMB group, CKD, reduced LVEF, old age, diabetes, and small diameter of the main vessel stent were independent predictors of TLF. Conclusions: The two-stent strategy could potentially increase TLF for the LMB lesions, and achieving the maximal diameter of the main vessel stent could result in better clinical outcomes for non-LMB lesions.

Acute and one-year clinical outcomes of pre-stenting intravascular ultrasound: a patient-level meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Pre-stenting intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) assessment is helpful for appropriate stent sizing and determination of the stent landing zone during percutaneous coronary intervention.

AIMS

The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of pre-stenting IVUS evaluation on procedural and clinical outcomes for diffuse lesions treated with drug-eluting stents (DES).

METHODS

In four randomised trials comparing IVUS- and angiography-guided DES placement, a total of 1,396 patients who underwent DES implantation with IVUS guidance were identified. Pre-stenting IVUS assessment was performed in 905 patients along with post-stenting IVUS (65%; pre-stenting IVUS(+) group). Post-stenting IVUS evaluation alone was conducted on 491 patients (35%; pre-stenting IVUS(-) group).

RESULTS

The pre-stenting IVUS(+) group had a larger angiographic minimal lumen diameter and IVUS-derived minimal stent area (MSA) than did the pre-stenting IVUS(-) group. After adjusting, these findings were consistent. The one-year composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularisation did not differ between the groups. In subgroup analysis, the pre-IVUS(+) group was significantly favoured over the pre-IVUS(-) group in the subset of patients with acute myocardial infarction and lesions with small vessels in terms of larger MSA, and in the subset of patients with chronic total occlusions in terms of better clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-stenting IVUS assessment prior to DES placement was associated with better acute procedural outcomes, though this did not translate into one-year clinical outcomes in the context of post-stenting IVUS assessment. Visual summary. Acute and one-year outcomes of pre-stenting intravascular ultrasound: a meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.

Coronary Stent Healing in Cancer Patients-An Optical Coherence Tomography Perspective

Objective: This study assessed stent healing patterns and cardiovascular outcomes by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in cancer patients after drug-eluting stent (DES) placement.

Background: Cancer treatment, owing to its cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects, could delay stent healing and increase stent thrombosis risk, especially when dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is discontinued early for oncological treatment. OCT can assess stent endothelialization and other healing parameters, which may provide clinical guidance in these challenging scenarios.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study enrolled all cancer patients who underwent OCT for assessment of vascular healing patterns after prior DES placement from November 2009 to November 2018. Primary study endpoints were stent healing parameters, including stent coverage, apposition, degree of expansion, neointimal hyperplasia heterogeneity, in-stent restenosis, stent thrombosis, and overall survival (OS).

Results: A total of 67 patients were included in this study. Mean time between DES placement and OCT evaluation was 154 ± 82 days. Stent healing matched published values for DES in non-cancer patients (P ≥ 0.063). At 1 year, the OS was 86% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 78–96%) with 0% incidence of acute coronary syndrome. Advanced cancers and active chemotherapies were associated with inferior OS (P = 0.024, hazard ratio [HR]: 3.50, 95% CI: 1.18–10.42 and P = 0.026, HR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.13–6.22, respectively), while stent healing parameters were unassociated with OS. Forty-one patients (61%) had DAPT duration ≤6 months.

Conclusions: Stent healing of contemporary DES appears similar in cancer and non-cancer patients. Cardiovascular risk of cancer patients after DES placement can be managed to facilitate timely cancer therapies, as the underlying malignancy and active chemotherapy ultimately determine survival.

A meta-analysis of everolimus-eluting stents versus sirolimus-eluting stents and paclitaxel-eluting stents in diabetic patients

Objective

We performed this meta-analysis to determine which stent among everolimus eluting stents (EES), sirolimus eluting stents (SES) and paclitaxel eluting stents (PES) should be preferred for the treatment of DM patients.

Methods

A systematic search of publications about randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focused on diabetic patients received EES, SES or PES was conducted. We evaluated the following indicators: target vessel revascularization (TVR), target lesion revascularization (TLR), late luminal loss (LLL), stent thrombosis (ST), myocardial infarction (MI), all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality.

Results

EES showed obvious advantages over SES for DM patients, as it induced the lowest rate of target vessel revascularization and target lesion revascularization (TLR) (p = 0.04). In addition, EES induced lower in-segment LLL than PSE and SES and lower in-stent LLL than PES in DM patients (all p < 0.05). Moreover, EES effectively reduced all-cause mortality compared to SES (RR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.52–0.99, p = 0.04) and MI rates compared to PES (RR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.26–0.73, p = 0.0002). Furthermore, EES could reduce the ST rate compared with both SES (RR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.28–0.98, p = 0.04) and PES (RR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.07–0.51, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Among those three types of stents, EES should be the first recommended stent for DM patients.

The Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Clinical Outcomes after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Drug-Eluting Stents for Left Main Distal Bifurcation Lesions in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND

The impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for unprotected left main (ULM) distal bifurcation lesions in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is poorly understood in the era of drug-eluting stents (DESs).

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the impact of DM on clinical outcomes after PCI for ULM distal bifurcation lesions in CKD patients compared to patients without DM.

METHODS

We identified 1,832 consecutive patients who underwent PCI for ULM lesions at New Tokyo Hospital, Matsudo, Japan, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, and EMO-GVM, Centro Cuore Columbus, Milan, Italy between January 2005 and August 2015. Of the 1,832 patients, 1,391 were treated with DESs. We excluded 750 patients without CKD and 89 hemodialysis patients. Finally, 552 patients with CKD were included: 219 with DM (DM group) and 333 without DM (no DM group). The primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF) at 5 years. TLF was defined as a composite of cardiac death, target lesion revascularization (TLR), and myocardial infarction.

RESULTS

Patients in the DM group were more likely to have hypertension, dyslipidemia, peripheral artery disease, and lower ejection fraction and were more frequently using insulin for DM. The TLF rate during the follow-up period was significantly higher in the DM than in the no DM group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-2.13; p = 0.023). Cardiac mortality was comparable between both groups (adjusted HR 1.11; 95% CI 0.63-1.95; p = 0.71). The TLR rate was significantly higher in the DM group than in the no DM group (adjusted HR 1.69; 95% CI 1.12-2.54; p = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

DM is strongly associated with adverse event after PCI for ULM distal bifurcation lesions in CKD patients compared to those without DM.

Efficacy of Zotarolimus-Eluting Stents in Treating Diabetic Coronary Lesions: An Optical Coherence Tomography Study

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) plays an important role in restenosis and late in-stent thrombosis (ST). The current study using optical coherence tomography (OCT) aims to compare target lesion neointima in patients with or without diabetes after zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES) treatment.

METHODS

OCT images of 90,212 struts and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) in 62 patients (32 with DM and 30 without DM) with 69 de novo coronary lesions (34 DM and 35 non-DM) both after ZES implantation and 12 ± 1 month angiographic follow-up were recorded. Patient characteristics, lesion characteristics, clinical outcomes, and OCT findings including neointimal thickness, coverage, malapposition, and intimal morphology were analyzed.

RESULTS

Baseline patient characteristics and lesion characteristics data were similar between the two groups. Higher neointimal thickness (0.14 ± 0.09 mm vs. 0.09 ± 0.04 mm, p = 0.021), more neovascularization (3.03 ± 6.24 vs. 0.52 ± 1.87, p = 0.017) and higher incidence of layered signal pattern (12.19 ± 19.91% vs. 4.28 ± 9.02%, p = 0.049) were observed in diabetic lesions comparing with non-diabetic lesions. No differences were found in malapposition, uncovered percentage, and thrombus between the two groups (all p > 0.05). Occurrence of clinical adverse events was also similar during the follow-up period (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Although more neointimal proliferation and more neovascularization were found in diabetic coronary lesions when compared with non-diabetic lesions, treatment with ZES showed similar stent malapposition rate at 1-year follow-up. The data indicated that ZES treatment could possibly be effective in treating diabetic coronary lesions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01747356.

C-reactive protein derived from perivascular adipose tissue accelerates injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia

AIM

Inflammation within the perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) in obesity plays an important role in cardiovascular disorders. C-reactive protein (CRP) level in obesity patients is significantly increased and associated with the occurrence and progression of cardiovascular disease. We tested the hypothesis CRP derived from PVAT in obesity contributes to vascular remodeling after injury.

METHODS

A high-fat diet (HFD) significantly increased CRP expression in PVAT. We transplanted thoracic aortic PVAT from wild-type (WT) or transgenic CRP-expressing (CRPTG) mice to the injured femoral artery in WT mice.

RESULTS

At 4 weeks after femoral artery injury, the neointimal/media ratio was increased significantly in WT mice that received PVAT from CRPTG mice compared with that in WT mice that received WT PVAT. Transplanted CRPTG PVAT also significantly accelerated adventitial macrophage infiltration and vasa vasorum proliferation. It was revealed greater macrophage infiltration in CRPTG adipose tissue than in WT adipose tissue and CRP significantly increased the adhesion rate of monocytes through receptor Fcγ RI. Proteome profiling showed CRP over-expression promoted the expression of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 7 (CXCL7) in adipose tissue, transwell assay showed CRP increased monocyte migration indirectly via the induction of CXCL7 expression in adipocytes.

CONCLUSION

CRP derived from PVAT was significantly increased in HFD mice and promoted neointimal hyperplasia after vascular injury.

Impact of Insulin-Treated and Noninsulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus in All-Comer Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Interventions With Polymer-Free Biolimus-Eluting Stent (from the RUDI-FREE Registry)

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have worse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Recent evidences suggest a differential impact of insulin-treated and noninsulin-treated DM on prognosis. We evaluated the clinical outcome of diabetic patients after PCI with polymer-free biolimus-eluting stent from the RUDI-FREE Registry, investigating a possible different prognostic impact of insulin-treated and noninsulin-treated DM. A total of 1,104 consecutive patients who underwent PCI with polymer-free biolimus-eluting stent, enrolled in the RUDI-FREE observational, multicenter, single-arm registry, were stratified by diabetic status; diabetic population was further divided on the basis of insulin treatment. Primary end points of the study were target lesion failure (TLF; composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (composite of cardiac death, stroke, and myocardial infarction). Multiple ischemic adverse events were also single-handedly considered as secondary end points. At 1 year, TLF was significantly higher in the diabetic cohort, as compared with nondiabetic patients (6.0% vs 3.1%, p 0.022). None of the end points resulted significantly different between nondiabetics and noninsulin-treated diabetic patients. Divergently, compared with nondiabetic, insulin-treated diabetic patients faced significant higher rates of TLF (10.8% vs 3.1%, p 0.003), major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (10.8% vs 3.4%, p 0.004), and of most of the analyzed adverse events. In conclusion, patients with DM had a higher risk of TLF compared with nondiabetics; nonetheless, the worse outcome of the diabetic population seems to be driven by the insulin-treated diabetic subpopulation. This finding suggests a different risk profile of insulin-treated and noninsulin-treated diabetic patients in the modern era of PCI.

Assessment of the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio as a predictor of one year clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes after percutaneous coronary intervention and drug-eluting stent implantation

Background

Despite significant advances in the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), there are still plenty of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and stent implantation suffered poor prognosis and high treatment expenditure. Evidence increasingly suggests that the ratio of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C/HDL-C) ratio might be a novel marker for the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but the impact of LDL-C/HDL-C ratio on 1-year prognosis of drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation patients after PCI is still not reported. Our aim of the study was to investigate the impact of LDL-C/HDL-C ratio on 1-year prognosis of DES implantation patients after PCI.

Methods

Between May 2014 and July 2016, 1937 patients who were underwent primary PCI and DES implantation and achieving LDL-C with statins were enrolled and divided into two groups based on the ratio of LDL-C/HDL-C.

Results

The entire occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events according to the ratio of LDL-C/HDL-C showed that there were no significant differences in 1-year cardiovascular death (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.49 to 7.84, P = 0.329), myocardial infarction (MI) (HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 0.84 to 3.28, P = 0.172) and bleeding events (HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.83 to 1.41, P = 0.598) The cumulative incidence of target lesion revascularization (TLR) (HR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.86, P = 0.007), stent thrombosis (ST) (HR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.06 to 3.93, P = 0.037) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (HR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.24 to 1.91, P <  0.001) were significantly higher in high group than in low group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age (HR: 1.556, 95%, CI: 1.198 to 2.021, P <  0.001), together with diabetes mellitus (HR: 1.490, 95% CI: 1.142 to 1.945, P = 0.003), and ratio of LDL-C/HDL-C (HR: 1.638, 95% CI: 1.260 to 2.218, P <  0.001) were independent predictors of 1-year MACE. The Kaplan-Meier cumulative MACE-free survival curves with a log-rank test showed that the presence of high ratio of LDL-C/HDL-C was associated with higher incidences of MACE after PCI with DES implantation.

Conclusions

The high LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was associated with cardiovascular events in patients with ACS after PCI and DES implantation.

Glucose Variability and Coronary Artery Disease

Fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin are considered three important indicators for diabetes treatment. There is increasing evidence that glucose variability has more detrimental effects on the coronary arteries than does chronic sustained hyperglycaemia. This overview summarises recent findings in the field of glucose variability and its possible relationship with coronary artery disease. Glucose variability may be a marker of increased progression of coronary disease and plaque vulnerability. It might be a potential new therapeutic target for secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. Future studies will focus on the early detection and control of glucose variability to improve the clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease.

Effects of lowest-dose vs. highest-dose pitavastatin on coronary neointimal hyperplasia at 12-month follow-up in type 2 diabetic patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome: an optical coherence tomography analysis

Current ACC/AHA guidelines recommend high-dose statin therapy after coronary stenting, especially in diabetic patients; however, pitavastatin 4 mg or pitavastatin 1 mg are frequently used after coronary stenting in Asia, even in patients with acute coronary syndrome. We compared the effects of highest-dose and lowest-dose pitavastatin therapy on coronary neointimal hyperplasia at 12-month follow-up in diabetic patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) using optical coherence tomography. A total of 72 diabetic patients with NSTE-ACS were randomized to lowest-dose pitavastatin [1 mg (n = 36)] or highest-dose pitavastatin [4 mg (n = 36)] after everolimus-eluting stent implantation. The primary endpoint was to compare the normalized neointimal volume at 12-month follow-up. Normalized neointimal volume was significantly lower in the pitavastatin 4 mg group (4.00 ± 2.80 vs. 8.24 ± 2.83 mm³/mm, p < 0.01) at 12-month follow-up. There was also significant difference in neointimal area between the pitavastatin 4 mg group and pitavastatin 1 mg group (0.41 ± 0.28 vs. 0.74 ± 0.23 mm², p < 0.01). Improvement of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (baFMD) was significantly higher in the pitavastatin 4 mg group than in pitavastatin 1 mg group (0.15 ± 0.15 vs. - 0.03 ± 0.19 mm, p < 0.001). In addition, the improvement of adiponectin levels was significantly greater in the pitavastatin 4 mg group than in the pitavastatin 1 mg group (2.97 ± 3.98 vs. 0.59 ± 2.80 μg/mL, p < 0.05). Pitavastatin 4 mg significantly improved inflammatory cytokines and lipid profiles compared to pitavastatin 1 mg during the 12-month follow-up, contributing to the reduction of neointimal hyperplasia and to the improvement of baFMD in diabetic patients with NSTE-ACS requiring coronary stenting. Thus, the administration of pitavastatin 4 mg can be safely and effectively used in high-risk patients requiring coronary stenting. Trial registration NCT02545231 (Clinical Trial registration information: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02545231 ).

Outcomes in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus According to Insulin Treatment After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stent Era

Limited data exist regarding the clinical outcomes of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES), especially according to DM treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes among patients without DM, with non-insulin-treated DM (non-ITDM), and with ITDM after PCI using second-generation DES. We analyzed 4,812 consecutive patients who underwent PCI using second-generation DES. Primary outcomes were patient-oriented composite outcome (a composite of all-cause mortality, any myocardial infarction, and any revascularization) at 3 years. Among the total population, 3,026 patients have no DM, 1,169 have non-ITDM, and 617 have ITDM. Patients with DM, regardless of non-ITDM and ITDM, showed significantly higher risk of patient-oriented composite outcome (21.0% vs 14.5%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR_adj]1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19 to 1.66, p <0.001), mainly driven by significantly higher risk of cardiac death and any revascularization compared with non-DM. Among DM population, ITDM showed significantly higher risk of cardiac death (7.7% vs 3.7%; HR_adj 1.97, 95% CI 1.19 to 3.27, p = 0.009), any revascularization (17.0% vs 11.4%; HR_adj 1.40, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.93, p = 0.041), and definite/probable stent thrombosis (1.7% vs 0.7%; HR_adj 2.80, 95% CI 1.04 to 7.56, p = 0.042) compared with non-ITDM. In conclusion, even in the era of second-generation DES, patients with DM are at significantly higher risk of patient-oriented adverse events. Among these, patients with ITDM showed the highest risk of adverse events, mainly driven by higher risk of mortality, any revascularization, and definite/probable stent thrombosis.

Safety and effectiveness of zotarolimus-eluting stents for percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review

Drug-eluting stents revolutionized the treatment of coronary artery disease with vastly improved outcomes compared with bare metal stents. As stent technology has evolved, a wide variety of antiproliferative drugs have been developed to prevent stent restenosis and stent thrombosis. The Resolute stent system (Medtronic, CA, USA) elutes zotarolimus from a multipolymer blend to prevent early and late stent-related complications. The Resolute stents have evolved from the initial Resolute stent, to the Resolute Integrity™ and most recently, the Resolute Onyx™. These stents have been studied across a wide range of patients and coronary syndromes. They compare similarly in performance to their contemporary second generation stents. We present a review of the major trials involving these zotarolimus-eluting stents.

Nine-month clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes treated with polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stents and 6‑month vs. 12‑month dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT)

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is known to be associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES). Defining the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after DES implantation is still under debate. The objective of this subgroup analysis of the all-comers ISAR 2000 registry was to assess the safety and efficacy of a short DAPT (<6 month) versus a longer DAPT (>6 month) in patients with diabetes electively treated with the polymer-free sirolimus-coated ultrathin strut drug-eluting stent (PF-SES).

METHODS

Patients who received the PF-SES were investigated in a multicenter all-comers observational study. The primary endpoint was the 9‑month target lesion revascularization (TLR) rate, whereas secondary endpoints included the 9‑month major adverse cardiac event (MACE) and procedural success rates.

RESULTS

In all, 167 patients were treated with DAPT for ≤6 months (S-DAPT group) and 350 patients underwent DAPT treatment for 12 months (L-DAPT group). There was no significant difference in the overall MACE rate (4.6% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.441), the 9‑month accumulated stent thrombosis rates (0.8% vs. 0.3%, p = 0.51), or the accumulated rate of bleeding complications (5.3% vs. 3.4%, p = 0.341).

CONCLUSION

PF-SES are safe and effective in daily clinical routine with low rates of TLR and MACE in patients with diabetes and stable disease. Our data suggest that extending the duration of DAPT beyond 6 months does not improve MACE or TLR at 9 months in patients with stable CAD (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02629575).

Coronary Stents in Diabetic Patients: State of the Knowledge

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review article aims to summarize the findings of the most relevant research that compared the use of paclitaxel vs. "limus" based drug eluting stent (DES) in diabetic patients and to define the current state of knowledge with new stent technologies in this patient population.

RECENT FINDINGS

Since drug eluting stents (DES) were introduced, it has been of great interest to establish whether paclitaxel or sirolimus eluting stents have the same safety and efficacy features for patients with coronary artery disease. The answer to this question is particularly relevant for diabetic patients. Several randomized trials, registry-based studies, and meta-analyses have assessed the performance of these different DES in diabetic patients. The most recently published data favors limus over paclitaxel DES in diabetic patients, but most of these studies compared first vs. second generation DES with the inherent caveats of comparing different platforms, alloys, and drug delivery vehicles. In this literature review, we found that there is robust evidence favoring the use of DES over bare metal stents in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease. We also found that the current state of knowledge is that the everolimus eluting stents have better safety and efficacy than paclitaxel eluting stents in diabetic patients and hence should be the preferred choice. New revascularization strategies including bio-absorbable scaffolds, polymer free stents, and bio-degradable polymers are being studied in diabetic patients with encouraging results.

Effect of Adjunct Balloon Dilation after Long Everolimus-eluting Stent Deployment on Major Adverse Cardiac Events

Background and Objectives

The effectiveness of adjunct balloon dilation after drug-eluting stent (DES) deployment has not been sufficiently evaluated. We evaluated whether adjunct balloon dilation was associated with a reduction in major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) after long everolimus-eluting stents (EESs) implantation.

Subjects and Methods

Drawing from 2 randomized trials, a total of 1,672 patients treated with long EES were analyzed. Of 1,672 patients, 1,061 patients (64%) received post-stent adjunct balloon dilation. MACE, defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target-lesion revascularization (TLR), was compared between patients who received post-stent adjunct balloon dilation and patients who did not in 595 propensity score-matched pairs.

Results

For the matched population, MACE occurred in 29 patients (4.9%) who received adjunct balloon dilation and in 29 patients (4.9%) who did not (hazard ratio [HR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60–1.69; p=0.972). However, significant interactions were observed among the subgroups for clinical presentation and vessel size. Adjunct balloon dilation was more favored within the subset of patients with stable angina vs. the subset of patients with acute coronary syndrome (p for interaction=0.037), and within the subset of lesions with small vessel diameter (reference vessel diameter [RVD] <3 mm) vs. the subset of lesions with larger vessel diameter (RVD ≥3 mm; p for interaction=0.027).

Conclusion

Adjunct balloon dilation was not associated with MACE reduction at 1 year among patients requiring long EES implantation. However, post-stent adjunct balloon dilation may be necessary for patients requiring long EES implantation who present with stable angina or for lesions with small vessel diameters.

Association between plasma BMP-2 and in-stent restenosis in patients with coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the association between plasma bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) level and in-stent restenosis in patients with coronary artery disease.

METHODS

A total of 96 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and were followed up after PCI were enrolled in this study. 47 patients diagnosed with in-stent restenosis (ISR) were recruited to ISR group and 49 patients without ISR were recruited to Control group according to the results of coronary angiography (CAG). Baseline characteristic data were collected, and plasma BMP-2 level was evaluated. The results were analyzed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

There were 47 patients in the ISR group and 49 patients in the Control group. Plasma levels of BMP-2 were higher in the ISR group than in the non-ISR group [20.96 (18.44, 27.05) pg/ml vs. 29.53 (25.03, 34.07) pg/ml, P<0.01]. Furthermore, the ISR group had significantly longer stent lengths and lower stent diameters than the Control group (P<0.01 and P<0.01, respectively). In multivariate analysis, BMP-2 level, diabetes, stent length and stent diameter were independently associated with ISR [odds ratio (OR)=1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.03-1.18, P<0.01; OR=4.75, 95% CI=(1.44-15.61), P=0.01; OR=1.06, 95% CI=(1.02-1.11), P<0.01; and OR=0.15, 95% CI=(0.02-0.95), P=0.04, respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

Increased BMP-2 levels were independently associated with ISR in patients with coronary artery disease. Plasma BMP-2 may be useful in predicting ISR.

MicroRNA-99a inhibits insulin-induced proliferation, migration, dedifferentiation, and rapamycin resistance of vascular smooth muscle cells by inhibiting insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor and mammalian target of rapamycin

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are characterized by insulin resistance and are subsequently at high risk for atherosclerosis. Hyperinsulinemia has been associated with proliferation, migration, and dedifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Moreover, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) have been demonstrated to be the underlying signaling pathways. Recently, microRNA-99a (miR-99a) has been suggested to regulate the phenotypic changes of VSMCs in cancer cells. However, whether it is involved in insulin-induced changes of VSCMs has not been determined. In this study, we found that insulin induced proliferation, migration, and dedifferentiation of mouse VSMCs in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the stimulating effects of high-dose insulin on proliferation, migration, and dedifferentiation of mouse VSMCs were found to be associated with the attenuation of the inhibitory effects of miR-99a on IGF-1R and mTOR signaling activities. Finally, we found that the inducing effect of high-dose insulin on proliferation, migration, and dedifferentiation of VSMCs was partially inhibited by an active mimic of miR-99a. Taken together, these results suggest that miR-99a plays a key regulatory role in the pathogenesis of insulin-induced proliferation, migration, and phenotype conversion of VSMCs at least partly via inhibition of IGF-1R and mTOR signaling. Our results provide evidence that miR-99a may be a novel target for the treatment of hyperinsulinemia-induced atherosclerosis.

Short- and long-term outcomes in Middle Eastern diabetic patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: results from The First Jordanian PCI Registry (JoPCR1)

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is highly prevalent among Middle Eastern patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study used data from the First Jordanian PCI Registry (JoPCR1) to determine the short- and long-term outcomes in a subgroup of diabetic patients within a large PCI population.

METHODS

JoPCR1, a prospective, multicenter study of consecutive patients who underwent PCI from January 2013 to February 2014, assessed the incidence of major cardiovascular events (cardiac mortality, stent thrombosis, major bleeding events and coronary revascularization) in diabetic compared with nondiabetic patients from the index hospitalization to 1 year of follow-up.

RESULTS

Of 2426 patients enrolled, 1300 (53.6 %) were diabetics. Compared with nondiabetic patients, diabetic patients were older, more likely to be female and to have hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and chronic renal disease. Diabetic patients had higher prevalences of multivessel coronary artery disease and PCI than nondiabetic patients. Although both groups had similar proportions of patients undergoing PCI for ACS (76.3 vs. 78.4 %; p = 0.237), fewer diabetic patients had PCI for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction than nondiabetics (27.5 vs. 33.7 %; p = 0.0002). Both groups had similar incidences of stent thrombosis (ST) during hospitalization (0.46 vs. 0.27 %; p = 0.665) and at 1 year (2.36 vs. 1.53 %; p = 0.196). Similarly, major bleeding events were not different between diabetic and nondiabetic patients during hospitalization (1.31 vs. 0.53 %; p = 0.077) and at 1 year (1.47 vs. 0.98 %; p = 0.377). Compared with nondiabetic patients, diabetic patients had a higher incidence of readmission for ACS and coronary revascularization at 1 year. Diabetic patients had higher incidences of cardiac mortality than nondiabetic patients during the index hospitalization (1.23 vs. 0.27 %; p = 0.015) and at 1 year (2.58 vs. 0.81 %; p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, diabetic patients were four times more likely to die in the hospital compared to nondiabetic patients (odds ratio = 4.2; 95 % CI 1.2-14.8, p = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetic patients, who accounted for more than half of this Middle Eastern PCI population, had a higher risk of cardiac mortality, readmission for ACS and coronary revascularization at 1 year compared with nondiabetic patients.

Clinical Outcomes in Diabetic Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention during the Plain Old Balloon Angioplasty (POBA)-, Bare Metal Stents (BMS)- and Drug-eluting Stents (DES)-eras from 1984 to 2010

Objective Diabetes is a negative predictor in coronary artery disease patients. Since the introduction of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), PCI has evolved through technological advances in devices, improvements in operators' techniques and the establishment of effective therapeutic protocols. The aim of this study is to examine the changes in the clinical outcomes following PCI in patients with diabetes. Methods We compared the clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes following PCI from 1984 to 2010 at Juntendo University over three eras (plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA)-, bare metal stents (BMS)- and drug-eluting stents (DES)-eras). The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke and repeat revascularization within 3 years after the index PCI. Results A total of 1,584 patients were examined. The baseline characteristics became unfavorable over time with regard to age, prevalence of hypertension, presentation with acute coronary syndrome and a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The administration of aspirin, statins and -blockers increased over time. The event-free survival rate for the 3-year cardiovascular events was lower in the DES-era. The adjusted relative risk reduction for 3-year cardiovascular events was 46 % in the DES-era compared with the POBA-era. Conclusion The incidence of 3-year cardiovascular events decreased from 1984 to 2010 in patients with diabetes following PCI, despite the higher risk profiles in the DES-era.

Impact of free thyroxine levels and other clinical factors on bare metal stent restenosis

Objective

Thyroid hormones have both direct and indirect effects on thermogenesis such as modulating vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. However, the influence of more subtle changes in thyroid hormones on coronary atherosclerosis remains a matter of speculation. Smooth muscle cells play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of in-stent restenosis (ISR). However, the relationship between free thyroxine (fT4) and ISR has not been studied. In the present study, we aimed to assess the role of preprocedural serum fT4 level on the development of ISR in patients undergoing coronary bare metal stent (BMS) implantation.

Materials and methods

We enrolled and analyzed clinical, biochemical, and angiographic data from 705 consecutive patients without a history of primary thyroid disease [mean age 60.3 ± 9.3 years, 505 (72%) male]; all patients had undergone BMS implantation and further control coronary angiography owing to stable or unstable angina pectoris. Patients were divided into 3 tertiles based on preprocedural serum fT4 levels.

Results

ISR was observed in 53 (23%) patients in the lowest tertile, 82 (35%) patients in the second tertile, and 107 (46%) patients in the highest fT4 tertile (p < 0.001). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, five characteristics emerged as independent predictors of ISR: diabetes mellitus, smoking, HDL-cholesterol, stent length, and preprocedural serum fT4 level. In receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, fT4 level > 1.23 mg/dL had 70% sensitivity and 73% specificity (AUC: 0.75, p < 0.001) in predicting ISR.

Conclusion

Higher preprocedural serum fT4 is a powerful and independent predictor of BMS restenosis in patients with stable and unstable angina pectoris.

Vessel healings after stenting with different polymers in STEMI patients

BACKGROUND

Different stents implantation in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients may influence the long term prognosis by affecting vessel healings after stenting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vessel healings after implantation of drug eluting stents (DES) with biodegradable or durable polymer or of bare-metal stents (BMS) in patients with acute STEMI.

METHODS

This study included 50 patients, who underwent follow up angiogram and optical coherence tomography (OCT) assessment about one year after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI. According to the initial stents types, these patients were classified to durable (n = 19) or biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents (n = 15), or BMS (n = 16) groups. The conditions of stent struts coverage and malapposition were analyzed with OCT technique.

RESULTS

A total of 9003 struts were analyzed: 3299, 3202 and 2502 from durable or biodegradable polymer DES, or BMS, respectively. Strut coverage rate (89.0%, 94.9% and 99.3%, respectively), malapposition presence (1.7%, 0.03% and 0 of struts, respectively) and average intimal thickness over struts (76 ± 12 µm, 161 ± 30 µm and 292 ± 29 µm, respectively) were significantly different among different stent groups (all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Vessel healing status in STEMI patients is superior after implantation of biodegradable polymer DES than durable polymer DES, while both are inferior to BMS.

Relationship between left coronary artery bifurcation angle and restenosis after stenting of the proximal left anterior descending artery

INTRODUCTION

Restenosis after a percutaneous coronary intervention for proximal left anterior descending (pLAD) coronary artery disease remains a clinical challenge. However, the relationship between the left main trunk (LMT)/LAD bifurcation angle and the pLAD artery restenosis is unclear. This study examined the relationship between the LMT-LAD bifurcation angle and restenosis after stent implantation for pLAD disease.

METHODS

We analysed the data of 177 consecutive patients who underwent stent implantation for pLAD disease, followed by coronary angiography between December 2008 and September 2013. The LMT-LAD bifurcation angle was measured in the left or the right anterior oblique caudal (CAU) angiographic view.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Out of 177 patients, 12 developed in-stent restenosis and 21 developed in-segment restenosis. The mean angle in patients with in-stent restenosis (52.2°±14.5°) in the left anterior oblique CAU view was significantly larger than that in patients without restenosis (32.0°±18.1°; P<0.001). The LMT-LAD angle in the right anterior oblique CAU view was significantly larger in patients with in-segment restenosis (27.3°±14.3°) than in patients without restenosis (17.5°±10.1°; P<0.001). Moreover, by multivariate analysis, the LMT-LAD angle was an independent predictor of in-stent and in-segment restenosis, after adjustment for significant confounders such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, final minimum lesion diameter and lesion length.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that a wide LMT-LAD angle is a predictor of restenosis after stent implantation for pLAD artery disease.

Effects of daily glucose fluctuations on the healing response to everolimus-eluting stent implantation as assessed using continuous glucose monitoring and optical coherence tomography

Background

Several studies have revealed that glucose fluctuations provoke oxidative stress that leads to endothelial cell dysfunction, progression of coronary atherosclerosis, and plaque vulnerability. However, little is known regarding their effect on neointimal growth after stenting in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to investigate the effects of glucose fluctuations on neointimal growth after everolimus-eluting stent (EES) implantation.

Methods

This study examined 50 patients who underwent a 9-month follow-up using optical coherence tomography (OCT) after EES implantation. Glucose fluctuation was expressed as the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE), and was determined via continuous glucose monitoring before stenting. At the OCT follow-up, we evaluated the percentage of uncovered struts and three-dimensional uniformity of neointimal distribution by calculating the mean neointimal thickness (NIT) within 360 equally-spaced radial sectors for every 1-mm cross-sectional OCT analysis, and assessed the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Results

We evaluated 60 lesions in 50 patients. Linear mixed effect models were used to explore the influence of different variables on variability in NIT and the percentage of uncovered struts and to adjust for covariates. Univariate analysis showed that MAGE was most strongly correlated with the previously mentioned OCT measurements (coefficient β ± standard error = 0.267 ± 0.073 and 0.016 ± 0.003, t = 3.668 and 6.092, both P < 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, MAGE had the strongest effect on variability in NIT (coefficient β ± standard error = 0.239 ± 0.093, P = 0.014) and the percentage of uncovered struts (coefficient β ± standard error = 0.019 ± 0.004, P < 0.001). Five lesions in four patients required target lesion revascularization (10.0 %) at a mean duration of 9 months after EES implantation. Compared to non-MACE cases, cases of MACE exhibited a significantly higher MAGE (99 vs. 68; P = 0.004), maximum NIT (580 vs. 330 µm; P = 0.002), and variability in NIT (100 vs. 65; P = 0.007), although there was no significant difference in these groups’ HbA1c levels.

Conclusions

Glucose fluctuation may affect vessel healing after EES implantation in patients with CAD who are receiving lipid-lowering therapy. Therefore, glucose fluctuations may be an important target for secondary prevention after coronary stenting, which is independent of dyslipidemia control.

Effect of Pioglitazone in Preventing In-Stent Restenosis after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The benefits of pioglitazone in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of pioglitazone on prevention of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in patients with T2DM after PCI.

METHODS

All full-text published relevant studies compared the effect of pioglitazone with control group (placebo or no pioglitazone treatment) on ISR in patients with T2DM after PCI were identified by searching the databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and ISI Web of Science through October 2015. The endpoints were defined as the rate of ISR, late lumen loss, in-stent neointimal volume, target lesion revascularization (TLR) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

RESULTS

Six studies (5 RCTs and 1 retrospective study), comprising 503 patients, were included into this meta-analysis. In the pioglitazone group, as compared with the control group, the risk ratio for ISR was 0.48 (I2 = 14.5%, P = 0.322; 95%CI 0.35 to 0.68, P<0.001), the risk ratio for TLR was 0.58 (I2 = 6.0%, P = 0.363; 95%CI 0.38 to 0.87, P = 0.009). The result showed there was no association between the use of pioglitazone and the events of MACE (I2 = 36.7%, P = 0.209; RR 0.56, 95%CI 0.30 to 1.05, P = 0.071). For the considerable heterogeneity, further analysis was not suitable for the endpoints of late lumen loss (I2 = 81.9%, P<0.001) and neointimal volume (I2 = 75.9%, P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of pioglitazone was associated with a reduction in ISR and TLR in T2DM patients suffering from PCI, except the incidence of MACE.

Preprocedural statin therapy, inflammation, and myocardial injury in low-risk stable coronary artery disease patients submitted to coronary stent implantation

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate if statin therapy prior to elective coronary stent implantation (CSI) reduces the plasma levels of markers of inflammation and of myocardial necrosis in low-risk stable coronary artery disease patients (CAD).

BACKGROUND

The elevation of markers of inflammation and of myocardial necrosis after percutaneous coronary intervention may interfere with clinical outcome. Among acute coronary syndrome patients, statins improve clinical outcomes when used before CSI-mostly due to reduction of CSI-related myocardial infarction. However, little is known concerning preprocedural statin therapy on the reduction of these markers in stable patients at low-risk.

METHODS

In this prospective, observational study, 100 patients (n = 50 on statin therapy vs. n = 50 not on statin) with stable coronary artery disease underwent elective CSI. Inflammatory (C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin [IL]-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and matrix metalloproteinase-9) and myocardial necrosis markers (troponin I and CK-MB) were determined before and 24 hr after CSI.

RESULTS

All patients presented a significant increase of CRP and IL-6 after CSI. However, this increase was attenuated in patients on statin therapy prior to CSI than those without statin therapy: 75% vs. 150% (P < 0.001) and 192% vs. 300% (P < 0.01). The other pro-inflammatory markers were similar for both sets of patients. Troponin I and CK-MB did not change after CSI regardless of previous statin therapy or not.

CONCLUSIONS

Pretreatment with statin attenuates procedural inflammation, denoted by markedly lower increases of CRP and IL-6 levels, in elective CSI within low-risk stable CAD patients. Periprocedural myocardial injury was irrelevant and was not affected by preprocedural statin therapy in this population.

Association of smoking with restenosis and major adverse cardiac events after coronary stenting: A meta-analysis

Background and Objective:

The association between smoking and clinical outcomes after coronary stenting is controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the association between smoking and in stent restenosis (ISR), major adverse cardiac events (MACE), or major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) after coronary stenting.

Methods:

A search for studies published before December 2014 was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library. An inverse random weighted meta-analysis was conducted using logarithm of the odds ratio (OR) and its standard error for each study.

Results:

Ten studies investigated the association between smoking and ISR. Overall, smoking was not associated with ISR (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.79–1.41; I² = 47.8%). Subgroup analysis also failed to show a significant association between smoking and ISR risk regardless of bare metal stent (BMS) and drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. Eight studies explored the association between smoking and MACE, but no association was found (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.77–1.10; I² = 25.5%), and subgroup analysis revealed that no distinct difference was found between BMS and DES implantation. Three studies investigated the association between smoking and MACCE and significant association was found (OR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.43–3.06; I² = 21.6%).

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation, smoking is not associated with ISR and MACE; however, smoking is an independent risk factor for MACCE.

Prognostic Impact of 9-Month High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes and In-Stent Restenosis in Patients at 9 Months after Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation

Introduction

The level of 9-month high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in predicting cardiovascular outcomes is scanty in patients at 9 months after receiving drug-eluting stent (DES) implantations. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between 9-month follow-up hsCRP levels and long-term clinical outcomes in patients at 9 months after receiving DES.

Methods

A total of 1,763 patients who received 9-month follow-up angiography were enrolled and grouped according to hsCRP level 9 months after the DES implantation: group I (718 patients, hsCRP<1.0 mg/L), group II (639 patients, 1.0≦hsCRP≦3.0 mg/L), and group III (406 patients, hsCRP>3.0 mg/L).

Results

Group III patients had a lower cardiovascular event-free survival rate than group I or II patients during a follow-up of 64±45 months (64.5% vs. 71.6% vs. 72.8%, respectively, p = 0.012). Multivariate analysis showed that a follow-up hsCRP level <3.0 mg/L was an independent predictor of a major adverse cardiovascular event (cardiac death, reinfarction, target lesion revascularization, stenting in a new lesion, or coronary bypass surgery). Group III patients had a higher restenosis rate (11.3% vs. 5.8% vs. 6.6%, respectively, p = 0.002) and loss index (0.21±0.32 vs. 0.16±0.24 vs. 0.18±0.28, respectively, p = 0.001) than group I or II patients in 9-month follow-up angiography.

Conclusions

A high 9-month follow-up hsCRP level is an independent predictor of long-term clinical cardiovascular outcomes in patients at 9 months after DES implantation. It is also associated with a higher restenosis rate, larger late loss and loss index at 9 months after DES implantation.

Unprotected left main coronary artery disease after revascularization : effect of diabetes on patient outcomes

OBJECTIVE

It is unknown whether the effect of diabetes on patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease differs according to the different revascularization strategies. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of diabetes on patients with unprotected LMCA disease treated with either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 823 consecutive patients with unprotected LMCA disease who had drug-eluting stent (DES; n = 331) implantation or underwent CABG (n = 492) in the study. We compared the effects of diabetes on clinical outcomes according to different revascularization strategies.

RESULTS

Among 823 eligible patients enrolled, 226 had diabetes. In the DES population, no significant differences were observed in occurrences of death, cardiac death, repeat revascularization, stroke, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events. However, the risks of the composite of death/myocardial infarction (MI)/stroke (21.5 % DM vs. 7.2 % non-DM; p = 0.001) and MI (15.4 % DM vs. 1.6 % non-DM; p = 0.000) were significantly higher in the diabetic patients than those without diabetes. In the CABG population, similar rates of all clinical endpoints were observed between the diabetic and nondiabetic group.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes was associated with worse outcome in patients undergoing DES implantation for the treatment of unprotected LMCA disease. However, its negative prognostic impact was not found among patients undergoing CABG.

The association of diabetes mellitus with clinical outcomes after coronary stenting: a meta-analysis

Background

Previous studies have shown inconsistent results on the association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and some clinical outcomes. We conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies to assess effect of DM on clinical outcomes after coronary stenting.

Methods

We searched for studies without language restriction in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library prior to 2012. The clinical outcomes including in-stent restenosis (ISR), major adverse cardiac events (MACE), stent thrombosis (ST), target lesion revascularization (TLR) and target vessel revascularization (TVR). Adjusted odds ratio (OR), and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was summarized.

Results

55 studies involving 128,084 total patients (38,416 DM patients and 89,668 controls) were eligible for our analysis. Overall, there were significant associations between DM and ISR (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.53–1.89, I² = 0.0%), MACE (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.36–1.73, I² = 29.0%), ST (OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.36–2.97, I² = 47.7%), TLR (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.26–1.68, I² = 43.3%) as well as TVR (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.17–1.51, I² = 48.3). Subgroup analysis showed that the associations were similar between BMS and DES implantation. Moreover, there was no significant association in the ST subgroup after 1–3 years follow-up.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis suggests that after coronary stent implantation, DM is associated with ISR, MACE, ST, TLR and TVR. DM appears to be a vital risk factor of these clinical outcomes.

Evaluation neointimal coverage in patients with coronary artery aneurysm formation after drug-eluting stent implantation by optical coherence tomography

The neointimal coverage in patients with coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) formation after drug eluting stent (DES) implantation is not clear. Total of 175 patients who had been implanted DES were identified. Patients were divided into the CAA group (n = 31) and non-CAA group (n = 144) based on the results of the coronary angiography. The cardiac events including angina and acute myocardial infarction were noted, in addition, the neointimal thickness and the frequence of strut malapposition and strut uncoverage were noted. A greater proportion of incomplete neointimal coverage (17.17 vs. 1.9 %, P < 0.001) and malapposition struts (18.2 vs. 1.38%, P < 0.001) were observed in the CAA group. 8 patients in CAA group underwent OCT examination twice in the period of follow-up. The proportion of incomplete neointimal coverage increased significantly as compared the second OCT results with the first examination (18.45 vs. 2.66 %, P < 0.001). Hyperplasia neointimal desquamated from struts and acquired struts incomplete neointimal coverage were detected. Patients with CAA had a higher frequency of cardiac events including angina pectoris (25.81 vs. 6.25 %, P = 0.001) and acute myocardial infarction (9.68 vs. 0.13 %, P = 0.002) and thrombosis (16.13 vs. 0.69 %, P < 0.001). The longitudinal length of CAA in cardiac event group was significantly longer than no cardiac event group (20.0 ± 9.07 vs. 12.05 ± 5.38 mm, P = 0.005). CAA formation after DES implantation frequently associated with cardiac events as a result of stent malapposition and incomplete neointimal coverage. Acquired incomplete neointimal coverage associated with CAA formation.

Paclitaxel drug-coated balloons: a review of current status and emerging applications in native coronary artery de novo lesions

The paclitaxel drug-coated balloon (DCB) is an emerging device in percutaneous coronary intervention, which has shown promising results by means of a high-concentration, rapid local release of an antirestenotic drug without the use of a durable polymer or metal scaffold. DCB have already proven effective in clinical trials for the treatment of in-stent restenosis. Its coronary applications may potentially be widened to a host of complex coronary de novo lesion subsets, such as small-caliber vessels, diabetes, and diffuse lesions, where the use of stents may be hampered by suboptimal results. Recently, this technology has rapidly evolved with newer studies added to assess the value of DCB in coronary applications other than in-stent restenosis. We present a review of the role of DCB in de novo coronary lesions based on this latest clinical evidence.

Clinical outcome of patients with and without diabetes mellitus after percutaneous coronary intervention with the resolute zotarolimus-eluting stent: 2-year results from the prospectively pooled analysis of the international global RESOLUTE program

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to describe the process to obtain Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the expanded indication for treatment with the Resolute zotarolimus-eluting stent (R-ZES) (Medtronic, Inc., Santa Rosa, California) in patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes.

BACKGROUND

The R-ZES is the first drug-eluting stent specifically indicated in the United States for percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with diabetes.

METHODS

We pooled patient-level data for 5,130 patients from the RESOLUTE Global Clinical Program. A performance goal prospectively determined in conjunction with the FDA was established as a rate of target vessel failure at 12 months of 14.5%. In addition to the FDA pre-specified cohort of less complex patients with diabetes (n = 878), we evaluated outcomes of the R-ZES in all 1,535 patients with diabetes compared with all 3,595 patients without diabetes at 2 years.

RESULTS

The 12-month rate of target vessel failure in the pre-specified diabetic cohort was 7.8% (upper 95% confidence interval: 9.51%), significantly lower than the performance goal of 14.5% (p < 0.001). After 2 years, the cumulative incidence of target lesion failure in patients with noninsulin-treated diabetes was comparable to that of patients without diabetes (8.0% vs. 7.1%). The higher risk insulin-treated population demonstrated a significantly higher target lesion failure rate (13.7%). In the whole population, including complex patients, rates of stent thrombosis were not significantly different between patients with and without diabetes (1.2% vs. 0.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

The R-ZES is safe and effective in patients with diabetes. Long-term clinical data of patients with noninsulin-treated diabetes are equivalent to patients without diabetes. Patients with insulin-treated diabetes remain a higher risk subset. (The Medtronic RESOLUTE Clinical Trial; NCT00248079; Randomized, Two-arm, Non-inferiority Study Comparing Endeavor-Resolute Stent With Abbot Xience-V Stent [RESOLUTE-AC]; NCT00617084; The Medtronic RESOLUTE US Clinical Trial (R-US); NCT00726453; RESOLUTE International Registry: Evaluation of the Resolute Zotarolimus-Eluting Stent System in a 'Real-World' Patient Population [R-Int]; NCT00752128; RESOLUTE Japan-The Clinical Evaluation of the MDT-4107 Drug-Eluting Coronary Stent [RJ]; NCT00927940).

Influence of diabetes mellitus on long-term (five-year) outcomes of drug-eluting stents and coronary artery bypass grafting for multivessel coronary revascularization

Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) and for diffuse and progressive atherosclerosis. We evaluated the outcomes of drug-eluting stent (DES) placement and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 891 diabetic patients (489 for DES implantation and 402 for CABG) and 2,151 nondiabetic patients (1,058 for DES implantation and 1,093 for CABG) with multivessel CAD treated from January 2003 through December 2005 and followed up for a median 5.6 years. Outcomes of interest included death; the composite outcome of death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke; and repeat revascularization. In diabetic patients, after adjusting for baseline covariates, 5-year risk of death (hazard ratio 1.01, 95% confidence interval 0.77 to 1.33, p = 0.96) and the composite of death, MI, or stroke (hazard ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval 0.80 to 1.31, p = 0.91) were similar in patients undergoing DES or CABG. However, rate of repeat revascularization was significantly higher in the DES group (hazard ratio 3.69, 95% confidence interval 2.64 to 5.17, p <0.001). These trends were consistent in nondiabetic patients (hazard ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.55 to 1.16, p = 0.23 for death; hazard ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.56 to 1.05, p = 0.10 for composite of death, MI, or stroke; hazard ratio 2.77, 95% CI 1.95 to 3.91, p <0.001 for repeat revascularization). There was no significant interaction between diabetic status and treatment strategy on clinical outcomes (p for interaction = 0.36 for death; 0.20 for the composite of death, MI, or stroke; and 0.40 for repeat revascularization). In conclusion, there was no significant prognostic influence of diabetes on long-term treatment with DES or CABG in patients with multivessel CAD.