North American Expert Review of Rotational Atherectomy

Development and Validation of Artificial Intelligence-Based Algorithms for Predicting the Segments Debulked by Rotational Atherectomy Using Intravascular Ultrasound Images

We develop and evaluate an artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm that uses pre-rotation atherectomy (RA) intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images to automatically predict regions debulked by RA. A total of 2106 IVUS cross-sections from 60 patients with de novo severely calcified coronary lesions who underwent IVUS-guided RA were consecutively collected. The 2 identical IVUS images of pre- and post-RA were merged, and the orientations of the debulked segments identified in the merged images were marked on the outer circle of each IVUS image. The AI model was developed based on ResNet (deep residual learning for image recognition). The architecture connected 36 fully connected layers, each corresponding to 1 of the 36 orientations segmented every 10°, to a single feature extractor. In each cross-sectional analysis, our AI model achieved an average sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of 81%, 72%, 46%, 90%, and 75%, respectively. In conclusion, the AI-based algorithm can use information from pre-RA IVUS images to accurately predict regions debulked by RA and will assist interventional cardiologists in determining the treatment strategies for severely calcified coronary lesions.

Current Management of In-Stent Restenosis

In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains the primary cause of target lesion failure following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), resulting in 10-year incidences of target lesion revascularization at a rate of approximately 20%. The treatment of ISR is challenging due to its inherent propensity for recurrence and varying susceptibility to available strategies, influenced by a complex interplay between clinical and lesion-specific conditions. Given the multiple mechanisms contributing to the development of ISR, proper identification of the underlying substrate, especially by using intravascular imaging, becomes pivotal as it can indicate distinct therapeutic requirements. Among standalone treatments, drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty and drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation have been the most effective. The main advantage of a DCB-based approach is the avoidance of an additional metallic layer, which may otherwise enhance neointimal hyperplasia, provide the substratum for developing neoatherosclerosis, and expose the patient to a persistently higher risk of coronary ischemic events. On the other hand, target vessel scaffolding by DES implantation confers relevant mechanical advantages over DCB angioplasty, generally resulting in larger luminal gain, while drug elution from the stent surface ensures the inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia. Nevertheless, repeat stenting with DES also implies an additional permanent metallic layer that may reiterate and promote the mechanisms leading to ISR. Against this background, the selection of either DCB or DES on a patient- and lesion-specific basis as well as the implementation of adjuvant treatments, including cutting/scoring balloons, intravascular lithotripsy, and rotational atherectomy, hold the potential to improve the effectiveness of ISR treatment over time. In this review, we comprehensively assessed the available evidence from randomized trials to define contemporary interventional treatment of ISR and provide insights for future directions.

Coronary intravascular lithotripsy for severe coronary artery calcification: The disrupt CAD I-IV trials

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) severity is associated with increased vessel inflammation, atherosclerosis, stent failure, and risk of percutaneous coronary intervention-related complications. Current modalities for CAC modification include atherectomy techniques (rotational, orbital, and laser) and balloon modification (cutting and scoring). However, these methods are limited by their risk of slow flow/no reflow, coronary dissection, perforation, and myocardial infarction. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) emits high-energy sonic waves that induce calcium fractures within a target lesion to improve vessel compliance for stent placement. Low rates of major cardiac adverse events (MACE) and high rates of procedural and angiographic success were observed with IVL in the Disrupt CAD I-IV trials. Optical coherence tomography sub-studies identified calcium fracture as the likely etiology of improved vessel compliance and increased luminal diameter post-IVL. Rates of MACE, procedural, and angiographic success were consistent across the Disrupt CAD trials, suggesting IVL is less operator-dependent compared to other calcium-modifying techniques. Coronary IVL offers interventional cardiologists a safe and effective method of severe CAC modification, while providing reproducible outcomes.

ShOckwave ballooN or Atherectomy with Rotablation in calcified coronary artery lesions: Design and rationale of the SONAR trial

BACKGROUND

The percutaneous treatment of calcified coronary lesions remains challenging and is associated with worse clinical outcomes. In addition, coronary artery calcification is associated with more frequent peri-procedural myocardial infarction.

STUDY DESIGN AND OBJECTIVES

The ShOckwave ballooN or Atherectomy with Rotablation in calcified coronary artery lesions (SONAR) study is an investigator-initiated, prospective, randomized, international, multicenter, open label trial (NCT05208749) comparing a lesion preparation strategy with either shockwave intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) or rotational atherectomy (RA) before drug-eluting stent implantation in 170 patients with moderate to severe calcified coronary lesions. The primary endpoint is difference in the rate of peri-procedural myocardial infarction. Key secondary endpoints include rate of peri-procedural microvascular dysfunction, peri-procedural myocardial injury, descriptive study of IMR measurements in calcified lesions, technical and procedural success, interaction between OCT calcium score and primary endpoint, 30-day and 1-year major adverse clinical events.

CONCLUSIONS

The SONAR trial is the first randomized controlled trial comparing the incidence of peri-procedural myocardial infarction between 2 contemporary calcium modification strategies (Shockwave IVL and RA) in patients with calcified coronary artery lesions. Furthermore, for the first time, the incidence of peri-procedural microvascular dysfunction after Shockwave IVL and RA will be evaluated and compared.

The Significance of Coronary Artery Calcification for Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

The prevalence of calcium deposits in coronary arteries grows with age. Risk factors include, e.g., diabetes and chronic kidney disease. There are several underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of calcium deposition. Severe calcification increases the complexity of percutaneous coronary interventions. Invasive techniques to modify the calcified atherosclerotic plaque before stenting have been developed over the last years. They include balloon- and non-balloon-based techniques. Rotational atherectomy has been the most common technique to treat calcified lesions but new techniques are emerging (orbital atherectomy, intravascular lithotripsy, laser atherectomy). The use of intravascular imaging (intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography) is especially important during the procedures in order to choose the optimal strategy and to assess the final effect of the procedure. This review provides an overview of the role of coronary calcification for percutaneous coronary interventions.

Tissue responses to everolimus-eluting stents implanted in severely calcified lesions following atherectomy

Histopathological examination has revealed that stents on severely calcified plaques were associated with delayed vascular healing. Although atherectomy devices can increase the number of malapposed struts, tissue responses to implanted drug eluting stents in atherectomy patients remain largely unknown. This retrospective observational study included 30 patients who underwent atherectomy and everolimus-eluting stent (EES) deployment for severely calcified coronary lesions (biodegradable polymer EES (BP-EES), n = 15; durable polymer EES (DP-EES), n  = 15). Optical coherence tomography was carried out at baseline and follow-up, and struts with acute stent malapposition (ASM) were categorized as struts on modified calcium (mod-Ca), non-modified calcium (non-mod-Ca), or non-calcium (non-Ca). Adequate vascular healing, defined as ASM resolution with neointimal coverage, was compared between the BP-EES and DP-EES groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis using a generalized estimated equation revealed that BP-EES use was associated with significantly better adequate vascular healing compared with DP-EES (odds ratio [OR]: 3.691, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.175-11.592, P = 0.025). adequate vascular healing was associated with the underlying plaque morphology (mod-Ca vs non-mod-Ca: OR 2.833, 95% CI 1.491-5.384, P = 0.001; non-Ca vs non-mod-Ca: OR 1.248, 95% CI 0.440-3.543, P = 0.677). This study demonstrates that drug-eluting stent selection and calcium modification are possible factors affecting vascular healing of malapposed struts in severely calcified lesions.

Technical aspects of entrapped coronary guidewire retrieval using rotational atherectomy device: A case series

BACKGROUND

This article highlights four unique cases where rotational atherectomy (RA Rotapro, Boston Scientific) was used to cut and retrieve an entrapped coronary guidewire with parts extending into the aorta We discuss the technique and step by step approach to the retrieval procedure.

CASE SUMMARY

Three of four cases described a guide wire entrapment in the right coronary artery (RCA), and one in the left anterior descending artery via retrograde route. In all cases the guide wire was intact within the intracoronary segment. In Case 1, the guide wire (Runthrough; Terumo) was entrapped in an acute marginal branch during chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention. In Case 2, a whisper wire (Abbott) was entrapped during re-wiring of the right posterolateral branch through stent struts, the traction on the wire caused severe malformation of distal and proximal stents requiring second staged procedure to complete revascularization of the RCA CTO. In Case 3, a Runthrough wire was entrapped between two layers of stents and fractured at the proximal point with filaments extending into descending aorta. And in Case 4, a Pilot 200 (Abbott) wire was entrapped retrograde in the subintimal space via saphenous vein graft connection by tying a knot at the distal tip of the wire. In all four cases RA was used to successfully cut and remove the entrapped guide wires.

DISCUSSION

Rotablation technique appears to be a safe and effective strategy for the management of entrapped coronary guidewire when conventional strategies fail.

Halftime rotational atherectomy: a unique concept for diffuse long severely calcified lesions

Rotational atherectomy (RA) is technically more difficult in a diffuse calcified lesion than in a focal calcified lesion. We hypothesized that taking a halftime can be another option for RA to the diffuse calcified lesions. Halftime was defined as at least one long break during RA, in which an operator pulled out the Rotablator system from the guide catheter before crossing the lesion. This study aimed to compare the complications between RA with and without halftime. We included 177 diffuse long severely calcified lesions (lesion lengths ≥ 30 mm) that required RA, and divided those lesions into a halftime group (n = 29) and a no-halftime group (n = 148). The primary outcome was periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI). The reference diameter was smaller in the halftime group than in the no-halftime group [1.82 (1.70-2.06) mm versus 2.17 (1.89-2.59) mm, p = 0.002]. The total run time was longer in the halftime group than in the non-halftime group [133.0 (102.0-223.0) seconds versus 71.5 (42.0-108.0) seconds, p < 0.001]. Although creatinine kinase (CK) and CK-myocardial band (MB) was significantly higher in the halftime group than in the no-halftime group [CK: 156 (97-308) U/L versus 99 (59-216) U/L, p = 0.021; CK-MB: 15 (8-24) U/L versus 5 (3-15) U/L, p < 0.001], periprocedural MI was not observed in the halftime group. In conclusion, periprocedural MI was not observed in RA with halftime. This preliminary study suggests that halftime RA may be a safe option for diffuse severely calcified lesions.

Rotational atherectomy combined with cutting balloon to optimise stent expansion in calcified lesions: the ROTA-CUT randomised trial

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of calcified lesions remains challenging for interventionalists.

AIMS

We aimed to investigate whether combining rotational atherectomy (RA) with cutting balloon angioplasty (RA+CBA) results in more optimal stent expansion compared with RA followed by non-compliant balloon angioplasty (RA+NCBA).

METHODS

ROTA-CUT is a prospective, multicentre, randomised trial of 60 patients with coronary artery disease undergoing PCI of moderately or severely calcified lesions with drug-eluting stent implantation. Patients were randomised 1:1 to either RA+CBA or RA+NCBA. The primary endpoint was the minimum stent area on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Secondary endpoints included minimum lumen area and stent expansion assessed by IVUS and acute lumen gain, final residual diameter stenosis and minimum lumen diameter assessed by angiography. Clinical endpoints were obtained at 30 days.

RESULTS

The mean age was 71.1±9.4 years, and 22% were women. The procedural details of RA were similar between groups, as were procedure duration and contrast use. Minimum stent area was similar with RA+CBA versus RA+NCBA (6.7±1.7 mm2 vs 6.9±1.8 mm2; p=0.685). Furthermore, there were no significant differences regarding the other IVUS and angiographic endpoints. Procedural complications were rare, and 30-day clinical events included 2 myocardial infarctions and 1 target vessel revascularisation in the RA+CBA group and 1 myocardial infarction in the RA+NCBA group.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining RA with CBA resulted in a similar minimum stent area compared with RA followed by NCBA in patients undergoing PCI of moderately or severely calcified lesions. RA followed by CBA was safe with rare procedural complications and few clinical adverse events at 30 days.

Impact of atherothrombotic risk stratification in patients with heavily calcified lesions following rotational atherectomy

BACKGROUND

Patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with rotational atherectomy (RA) are at high risk of adverse clinical outcomes, and there are few clinical risk stratification tools for these patients.

METHODS

We conducted a study with 196 patients who underwent PCI with RA out of 7391 patients who underwent PCI using a multicenter, prospective cohort registry. Patients were divided into three groups according to the tertiles of the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) Risk Score for Secondary Prevention (TRS 2°P): 65 patients in the T1 group (TRS 2°P < 3), 66 patients in the T2 group (TRS 2°P = 3), and 65 patients in the T3 group (TRS 2°P > 3). The primary endpoint was the cumulative 2-year incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), defined as a composite of cardiac death, acute coronary syndrome, and ischemic stroke.

RESULTS

Cumulative 2-year MACCE occurred in 41 patients (24 %) during the follow-up period. The cumulative incidence of MACCE was significantly higher in the T3 group than in the T1 group (log-rank test, p = 0.02). Multivariate Cox analyses revealed that the T3 group was associated with an increased risk of MACCE compared to that of the T1 group (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.66; 95 % confidence interval, 1.04-6.77; p = 0.04). The addition of TRS 2°P to conventional risk factors, including male sex, number of diseased vessels, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, improved the net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) (NRI 0.39, p = 0.027; IDI 0.072, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Atherothrombotic risk stratification using TRS 2°P was useful in identifying high-risk patients with heavily calcified lesions following RA.

In-hospital Outcomes of Rotational Atherectomy in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Results From the Multicentre ROTA-STEMI Network

BACKGROUND

Although the use of rotational atherectomy (RA) is off-label in the setting of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), it can be the only option in severely calcified culprit lesions to achieve procedural success. We sought to investigate the safety and feasibility of RA during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study of patients who underwent RA during PPCI from 12 European centres. The main outcomes were procedural success (defined as successful stent implantation with final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction [TIMI] flow 3 and residual stenosis < 30%) and in-hospital mortality. A comparison of patients presenting with and without shock was performed.

RESULTS

In 104 patients with RA during STEMI, the mean age was 72.8 ± 9.1 years, and 35% presented with cardiogenic shock. Bailout RA was performed in 76.9% of cases. Mean burr size was 1.42 ± 0.21 mm. Procedural success was achieved in 86.5% of cases, with no difference between shocked and nonshocked patients (94.4% vs 82.4%; P = 0.13). In-hospital stent thrombosis occurred in 0.96%, perforation in 1.9% and burr entrapment in 2.9% of cases. In spite of equally high procedural success, in-hospital mortality was higher in shocked (50%) compared with nonshocked patients (1.5%; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients presenting with STEMI requiring RA, represent a high-risk population, frequently presenting with cardiogenic shock. In this analysis of selected patients, RA was performed as a bailout strategy in the majority, and, as such, RA seems to be feasible with a high procedural success rate. In the absence of cardiogenic shock, RA-facilitated PCI seems to be associated with low in-hospital mortality.

Emergency transvenous temporary pacing during rotational atherectomy

Background

Rotational atherectomy (RA) during percutaneous coronary intervention may cause transient bradycardia or a higher-degree heart block. Traditionally, some operators use prophylactic transvenous pacing wire (TPW) to avoid haemodynamic complications associated with bradycardia.

Objective

We sought to establish the frequency of bail-out need for emergency TPW insertion in patients undergoing RA that have received no upfront TPW insertion.

Methods

We performed a single-centre retrospective study of all patients undergoing RA between October 2009 and October 2022. Patient characteristics, procedural variables, and in-hospital complications were registered.

Results

A total of 331 patients who underwent RA procedure were analysed. No patients underwent prophylactic TPW insertion. The mean age was 73.3 ± 9.1 years, 71.6% (n = 237) were male, while nearly half of the patients were diabetic [N = 158 (47.7%)]. The right coronary artery was the most common target for RA (40.8%), followed by the left anterior descending (34.1%), left circumflex (14.8%), and left main stem artery (10.3%). Altogether 20 (6%) patients required intraprocedural atropine therapy. Emergency TPW insertion was needed in one (0.3%) patient only. Eight (2.4%) patients died, although only one (0.3%) was adjudicated as being possibly related to RA-induced bradycardia. Five patients (1.5%) had ventricular fibrillation arrest, while nine (2.7%) required cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Six (1.8%) procedures were complicated by coronary perforation, two (0.6%) were complicated by tamponade, while 17 (5.1%) patients experienced vascular access complications.

Conclusions

Bail-out transvenous temporary pacing is very rarely required during RA. A standby temporary pacing strategy seems reasonable and may avoid unnecessary TPW complications compared with routine use.

Chronic total occlusion rotational atherectomy (CTO RA) versus non-CTO RA in coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis of clinical outcomes and complications

Background

Chronic total occlusion rotational atherectomy (CTO RA) is an emerging intervention in coronary artery disease (CAD), although data comparing its outcomes and complications with non-CTO RA are scarce. We sought to evaluate the outcomes of RA in CTO lesions compared to those in non-CTO lesions by performing a meta-analysis.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing the clinical outcomes and complications between CTO RA and non-CTO RA in patients with CAD. We searched PUBMED, CINAHL, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials for any studies that compared the outcomes of RA in CTO and non-CTO lesions. The outcomes analyzed included in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), target vessel revascularization (TVR), angiographic success, procedural success, periprocedural complications, coronary perforation, and all-cause mortality.

Results

Four studies with a total of 1868 patients were included, spanning from 2018 to 2022, from Germany, Taiwan, and Korea. The median age of included patients was 71. The rate of the pooled results indicated a moderate, non-significant increase in in-hospital MACE and TVR for CTO RA compared to non-CTO RA. There was a small, non-significant decrease in angiographic and procedural success in CTO RA compared to non-CTO RA. CTO RA was associated with a non-significant increase in periprocedural complications and a significant increase in coronary perforation compared to non-CTO RA. All-cause mortality showed a non-significant increase in the CTO RA group.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis provides evidence that while CTO RA may be associated with a higher risk of coronary perforation, the risk of other outcomes including MACE, TVR, and all-cause mortality is not significantly different compared to non-CTO RA. More research is needed to further understand these relationships and to optimize treatment strategies in patients with CAD undergoing CTO RA.

Analyzing drilling noise in rotational atherectomy: Improving safety and effectiveness through visualization and anomaly detection using autoencoder-A preclinical study

Background and Aims

As the population of aging societies continues to grow, the prevalence of complex coronary artery diseases, including calcification, is expected to increase. Rotational atherectomy (RA) is an essential technique for treating calcified lesions. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of the drilling noise produced during rotablation as a parameter for evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the procedure.

Methods

A human body model mimicking calcified stenotic coronary lesions was constructed using plastic resin, and burrs of sizes 1.25 and 1.5 mm were utilized. To identify the noise source during rotablation, we activated the ROTAPRO™ rotablator at a rotational speed of 180,000 rpm, recording the noise near the burr (inside the mock model) and advancer (outside). In addition to regular operation, we simulated two major complications: burr entrapment and guidewire transection. The drilling noise recorded in Waveform Audio File Format files was converted into spectrograms for analysis and an autoencoder analyzed the image data for anomalies.

Results

The drilling noise from both inside and outside the mock model was predominantly within the 3000 Hz frequency domain. During standard operation, intermittent noise within this range was observed. However, during simulated complications, there were noticeable changes: a drop to 2000 Hz during burr entrapment and a distinct squealing noise during guidewire transection. The autoencoder effectively reduced the spectrogram data into a two-dimensional representation suitable for anomaly detection in potential clinical applications.

Conclusion

By analyzing drilling noise, the evaluation of procedural safety and efficacy during RA can be enhanced.

The Incidence of Complication in the Perioperative Period of Rotational Atherectomy in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Retrospective Study of Low Speed Versus High Speed

The safety and efficacy of rotational atherectomy (RA) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with different rotational speeds remain unclear. This was an observational retrospective registry study. Between February 2017 and January 2022, a total of 283 patients with ACS were treated with RA. The patients were divided into 2 groups: the low-speed group (130,000 to 150,000 rotations/min [rpm],182 cases) and the high-speed group (160,000 to 220,000 rpm, 101 cases) according to the maximum RA speed. The outcomes analyzed were procedural complications; incidence of heart failure, stent thrombosis, and cardiac death during hospitalization; and 30-day major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Patients in the low-speed RA group had a higher incidence of vasospasm during RA (15.4% vs 6.9%, p = 0.040), whereas the incidence of slow blood flow was higher in the high-speed RA group (16.5% vs 27.7%, p = 0.031). There was no significant difference in other complications or in 30-day major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events between the 2 groups. Moreover, logistic regression analysis identified rotational speed (160,000 to 220,000 rpm) as a predictor of slow flow during RA (odds ratio 1.900, 95% confidence interval 1.006 to 3.588, p = 0.048). For every 10,000-rpm increase in rotational speed, the risk of slow flow increased by 27% (odds ratio 1.273, 95% confidence interval 1.047 to 1.547, p = 0.015). In conclusion, patients with ACS treated with a lower RA speed (130,000 to 150,000 rpm) had a higher risk of vasospasm, whereas those treated with higher speeds (160,000 to 220,000 rpm) had a higher incidence of slow flow. High rotational speed (160,000 to 220,000 rpm) is an independent risk factor for slow flow during RA in patients with ACS.

Feasibility of rotational atherectomy in patients with acute coronary syndrome: favorable in-hospital outcomes and clinical importance of complexed coronary atherosclerosis

The feasibility of rotational atherectomy (RA) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients who present with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains fully unsettled. We retrospectively evaluated 198 consecutive patients who underwent RA during PCI from 2009 to 2020. All patients underwent intracoronary imaging (intravascular ultrasound 96.5%, optical coherence tomography 9.1%, both 5.6%) during PCI. Patients who underwent RA during PCI were divided into two groups: ACS (n = 49; unstable angina pectoris, n = 27; non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, n = 18, and ST-elevation myocardial infarction, n = 4) and chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) (n = 149). The RA procedural success rate was comparable between in the ACS and CCS groups (93.9 vs. 89.9%, P = 0.41). No significant differences were observed in procedural complications and in-hospital death between the groups. The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) after 2 years was significantly higher in ACS group compared with CCS group (38.7 vs. 17.4%, log-rank P = 0.002). Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified SYNTAX score or CABG SYNTAX score > 22 (hazard ratio (HR) 2.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.40-5.06, P = 0.002) and mechanical circulatory support during the procedure (HR 2.61, 95% CI 1.21-5.59, P = 0.013) as predictors of MACE at 2 years, but not ACS on index admission (HR 1.58, 95% CI 0.84-2.99, P = 0.151). RA procedure is feasible as a bail-out strategy for ACS lesions. However, more complexed coronary atherosclerosis and mechanical circulatory support during RA procedure, but no ACS lesions were associated with worse mid-term clinical outcomes.

Planned versus unplanned rotational atherectomy for plaque modification in severely calcified coronary lesions

BACKGROUND

Evidence on the optimal timing of RA is scarce, although increased periprocedural complications for unplanned procedures have been reported.

AIMS

To compare planned versus unplanned use of rotational atherectomy (RA) for plaque modification in patients with severely calcified coronary lesions.

METHODS

Procedural and 1-year follow-up data of planned (n = 562 lesions in 448 vessels of 416 patients) and unplanned (n = 490 lesions in 435 vessels of 403 patients) RA between 2008 and 2020 were analyzed using the propensity score methods. The primary composite endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF), defined as cardiovascular death (CVD), target vessel myocardial infarction (TVMI), or target lesion revascularization (TLR).

RESULTS

Angiographic success was > 99% in both groups. Fluoroscopy time and contrast volume were significantly lower in planned RA (p < 0.001). Periprocedural complications including slow-flow, coronary dissection, and MI occurred in 4.8% after planned, and in 5.7% after unplanned RA. TLF occurred in 18.5% after planned, and in 14.7% after unplanned RA. Weighted subdistribution hazard ratios for TLFs revealed an unfavorable 1-year outcome for planned RA (sHR 1.62 [1.07-2.45], p = 0.023), which was driven by TLR (sHR 2.01 [1.18-3.46], p = 0.011), but not by CVD, or TVMI. No differences were observed in all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Unplanned RA was associated with favorable outcome when compared to planned RA. Thus, RA can safely be reserved for lesions that prove untreatable by conventional means. Randomized and prospective trials are needed to evaluate a predominant use of rotational atherectomy as a bailout strategy in the future.

Rotational atherectomy of calcified coronary lesions: current practice and insights from two randomized trials

With growing experience, technical improvements and use of newer generation drug-eluting stents (DES), recent data showed satisfactory acute and long-term results after rotational atherectomy (RA) in calcified coronary lesions. The randomized ROTAXUS and PREPARE-CALC trials compared RA to balloon-based strategies in two different time periods in the DES era. In this manuscript, we assessed the technical evolution in RA practice from a pooled analysis of the RA groups of both trials and established a link to further recent literature. Furthermore, we sought to summarize and analyze the available experience with RA in different patient and lesion subsets, and propose recommendations to improve RA practice. We also illustrated the combination of RA with other methods of lesion preparation. Finally, based on the available evidence, we propose a simple and practical approach to treat severely calcified lesions.

A Case of Late Cardiac Tamponade After a Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Rotational atherectomy (RA) is an endovascular procedure to ablate calcified plaque and is an integral tool for complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Rotational atherectomy increases the risk of periprocedural complications. One of the major complications of RA is coronary perforation, which has a reported incidence of up to 2%. It is usually identified and managed within the procedure. Rarely, there are delayed and unanticipated complications that can be missed, causing significant morbidity and mortality. We present a rare case of a patient with a late presentation of cardiac tamponade days after a complex PCI with RA.

Impact of Clinical Presentation on Outcomes After Rotational Atherectomy in Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Rotational atherectomy (RA) is widely used in the percutaneous treatment of heavily calcified coronary artery lesions in patients with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS). However, the safety and efficacy of RA in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is not well established and is considered a relative contraindication. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RA in patients presenting with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), unstable angina (UA), and CCS. Consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with RA between 2012 and 2019 at a tertiary single center were included. Patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) were excluded. The primary end points of interest were procedural success and procedural complications. The secondary end point was the risk of death or MI at 1 year. A total of 2,122 patients who underwent RA were included, of whom 1,271 presented with a CCS (59.9%), 632 presented with UA (29.8%), and 219 presented with NSTEMI (10.3%). Although an increased rate of slow-flow/no-reflow was noted in the UA population (p = 0.03), no significant difference in procedural success or procedural complications, including coronary dissection, perforation, or side-branch closure, was noted (p = NS). At 1 year, there were no significant differences in death or MI between CCS and non-ST-elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS: UA + NSTEMI; adjusted hazard ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval 0.91 to 2.12); however, patients who presented with NSTEMI had a higher risk of death or MI than CCS (adjusted hazard ratio 1.79, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 3.17). Use of RA in NSTE-ACS was associated with similar procedural success without an increased risk of procedural complications compared with patients with CCS. Although patients presenting with NSTEMI remained at higher risk of long-term adverse events, RA appears to be safe and feasible in patients with heavily calcified coronary lesions presenting with NSTE-ACS.

Comparison of Orbital Atherectomy and Rotational Atherectomy in Calcified Left Main Disease: Short-Term Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Coronary calcifications, particularly in left main disease (LMD), are independently associated with adverse outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Adequate lesion preparation is pivotal to achieve favorable short- and long-term outcomes. Rotational atherectomy devices have been used in contemporary practice to obtain adequate preparation of the calcified lesions. Recently, novel orbital atherectomy (OA) devices have been introduced to clinical practice to facilitate the preparation of the lesion. The objective of this study is to compare the short-term safety and efficacy of orbital and rotational atherectomy for LMD.

METHODS

we retrospectively evaluated a total of 55 consecutive patients who underwent the LM PCI supported by either OA or RA.

RESULTS

The OA group consisted of 25 patients with a median SYNTAX Score of 28 (26-36). The Rota group consisted of 30 patients with a median SYNTAX Score of 28 (26-33.1) There were no statistical differences in MACCE between the RA and OA subpopulations when recorded in-hospital (6.7% vs. 10.3% p = 0.619) as well as in a 1-month follow-up after the procedure (12% vs. 16.6% p = 0.261).

CONCLUSION

OA and RA seem to be similarly safe and effective strategies for preparating the lesion in the high-risk population with calcified LMD.

Prediction of the debulking effect of rotational atherectomy using optical frequency domain imaging: a prospective study

This study determined the predictive accuracy of optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) on debulking effects of rotational atherectomy (RA) and compared the predictive accuracy of OFDI catheter-based with Rota wire-based prediction methods. This prospective, single-center, observational study included 55 consecutive patients who underwent OFDI-guided RA. On pre-RA OFDI images, a circle, identical to the Rota burr was drawn at the center of the OFDI catheter (OFDI catheter-based prediction method) or wire (wire-based prediction method). The area overlapping the vessel wall was defined as the predicted ablation area (P-area). The actual ablated area (A-area) was measured by superimposing the OFDI images before and after RA. The overlapping P-area and A-area were defined as overlapped ablation area (O-area), and the predictive accuracy was evaluated by %Correct area (O-area/P-area) and %Error area (A-area  - O-area/A-area). The median %Correct and %Error areas were 47.8% and 41.6%, respectively. Irrelevant ablation (low %Correct-/high % Error areas) and over ablation (high %Correct-/high % Error areas) were related to deep vessel injury and intimal flap outside the P-area. The predictive accuracy was better in the OFDI catheter-based prediction method than the wire-based prediction method in the cross sections where the OFDI catheter and wire came in contact. However, it was better in the latter than the former where the OFDI catheter and wire were not in contact. OFDI-based simulation of the RA effect is feasible though accuracy may be affected by the OFDI catheter and wire position. OFDI-based simulation of RA effect might reduce peri-procedural complications during RA.

Clinical expert consensus document on rotational atherectomy from the Japanese association of cardiovascular intervention and therapeutics: update 2023

The Task Force on Rotational Atherectomy of the Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics (CVIT) proposed the expert consensus document to summarize the techniques and evidences regarding rotational atherectomy (RA) in 2020. Because the revascularization strategy to severely calcified lesions is the hottest topic in contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), many evidences related to RA have been published since 2020. Latest advancements have been incorporated in this updated expert consensus document.

Contemporary percutaneous management of coronary calcification: current status and future directions

Severe coronary artery calcification is one of the greatest challenges in attaining success in percutaneous coronary intervention, limiting acute and long-term results. In many cases, plaque preparation is a critical prerequisite for delivery of devices across calcific stenoses and also to achieve adequate luminal dimensions. Recent advances in intracoronary imaging and adjunctive technologies now allow the operator to select the most appropriate strategy in each individual case. In this review, we will revisit the distinct advantages of a complete assessment of coronary artery calcification with imaging and application of appropriate and contemporary plaque modification technologies in achieving durable results in this complex lesion subset.

The Target Vessel SYNTAX Score: A Novel Pre-Procedural Predictor for Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury After Rotational Atherectomy

BACKGROUND

Rotational atherectomy (RA) is a complex procedure often associated with high contrast load. Known risk scores do not predict contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) before RA. We aim to investigate pre-procedural predictors of CI-AKI after RA, and the role of the target vessel SYNTAX score (tvSS).

METHODS

Among 295 patients who underwent RA between 01.2010 and 02.2019 at a single center, 49 developed CI-AKI. Those who were on chronic hemodialysis or with no available 48-h' kidney function tests were excluded. Predictors of CI-AKI were assessed in the whole cohort and those with no basal renal impairment.

RESULTS

The rate of CI-AKI was 16.6 %. The tvSS was 18 [14-23] vs. 12 [9-18] in patients with vs. without CI-AKI (p < 0.001). The tvSS cut-off value of 15 provided 75 % sensitivity and 60 % specificity for predicting CI-AKI. Consequently, a tvSS ≥15 emerged as an independent pre-procedural predictor for CI-AKI (adjusted OR: 4.94, 95 % CI: 2.38-10.20, p < 0.001), along with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35 % (p = 0.016) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <45 ml/min (p = 0.004). TvSS was the only independent pre-procedural predictor for CI-AKI in patients with GFR ≥60 ml/min (p < 0.001). The contrast volume/GFR ratio and peri-procedural myocardial infarction (MI) were independent procedural predictors for CI-AKI in the whole cohort and in patients with basal GFR ≥60 ml/min.

CONCLUSION

CI-AKI after RA is frequent. The tvSS is an efficient pre-procedural predictor for CI-AKI after RA, along with LVEF ≤35 % and GFR <45 ml/min. Contrast volume/GFR ratio and peri-procedural MI emerged as procedural predictors for CI-AKI.

Clinical research of drug-coated balloon after rotational atherectomy for severe coronary artery calcification

BACKGROUND

Current research results show that drug-coated balloons (DCB) have unique advantages in the treatment of in-stent restenosis, small vessel disease, bifurcation lesions, and de novo lesions, but the data regarding rotational atherectomy (RA) followed by DCB treatment in calcified lesions, especially severe coronary artery calcification (CAC), are limited.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on 318 individuals with severe CAC who underwent RA-assisted PCI at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May 2018 to July 2021. Among them, 57 patients (RA/DCB group) were treated with DCB, and 261 patients (RA/DES group) were treated with drug-eluting stents (DES). The two groups' clinical baseline data, lesion characteristics, intraoperative complications, in-hospital adverse events, and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were compared throughout the follow-up period.

RESULTS

The baseline clinical data, intraoperative complications, and in-hospital adverse events were not significantly different between the two groups. The anatomical categories in the RA/DES group were more complex and included left main coronary disease, bifurcation disease, and multivessel disease. Although target lesion revascularization (13.79% vs. 7.02%) and MACCE (18.77% vs. 12.28%) occurred more frequently in the RA/DES group than in the RA/DCB group, there was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that bifurcation lesions (HR 2.284, 95% CI 1.063-4.908, p = 0.034), total length of DCB/DES (HR 1.023, 95% CI 1.005-1.047, p = 0.014) and SYNTAX score (HR 1.047, 95% CI 1.013-1.082, p = 0.006) were independent risk factors for MACCE during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Drug-coated balloon treatment after rotational atherectomy appears safe and effective in selected severe coronary artery calcification.

An algorithmic approach to balloon undilatable coronary lesions

Balloon undilatable lesions are lesions that have been successfully crossed by both a guidewire and a balloon but cannot be expanded despite multiple high-pressure balloon inflations. Balloon undilatable lesions can be de novo or in-stent. We describe a systematic, algorithmic approach to treat both de novo and in-stent balloon undilatable lesions using various techniques, such as high-pressure balloon inflation, plaque modification balloons, intravascular lithotripsy, very high-pressure balloon inflation, coronary atherectomy, laser coronary angioplasty, and extraplaque lesion crossing. Knowledge of the various techniques can increase the efficiency, success and safety of the procedure.

Rotational atherectomy for chronically and totally occluded coronary lesions: A propensity score-matched outcomes study

Background

Despite advances being made in techniques and devices, certain chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions remain uncrossable or undilatable. Rotational atherectomy (RA) is usually necessary for such lesions to achieve successful revascularization.

Methods

Information regarding consecutive patients who underwent coronary RA was retrieved from the catheterization laboratory database. Patients who underwent RA for CTO lesion refractory using other conventional devices were recruited, with propensity score-matched cases serving as controls.

Results

A total of 411 patients underwent coronary RA in the study period. Most patients had high-risk features (65.7% had acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 14.1% ischemic cardiomyopathy, and 5.1% cardiogenic shock), while only 20.2% of the patients had stable angina. Among them, 44 patients underwent RA for CTO lesions (CTO group), whereas the propensity score matched controls consist of 37 patients (non-CTO group). The baseline characteristics, high-risk features, coronary artery disease (CAD) vessel numbers, left ventricular function and biochemistry profiles of both groups were the same except for more patients with diabetes (67.6% vs. 45.5%, p = 0.046) in the non-CTO group and more 1.25 mm burr uses in the CTO group. There were no significant differences in acute procedural outcomes or incidence of acute contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), and no patient demanded emergent CABG or died during the procedure. There was no significant difference in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), CV MACE or individual components between the two groups in the hospital, at 30, 90, and 180 days or at 1 year.

Conclusion

In comparison with the propensity risk factor scores-matched controls, there was no difference in procedural complications, acute CIN or clinical outcomes during various stages of RA for CTO lesions. RA for CTO patients was highly efficient and showed safety and outcome profiles similar to those for non-CTO lesions.

Rota-Lithotripsy as a Novel Bail-Out Strategy for Highly Calcified Coronary Lesions in Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: Heavily calcified lesions in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) still represent a challenging subset for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Rota-lithotripsy—a marriage of rotational atherectomy and intravascular lithotripsy—has recently been introduced to clinical practice as a novel therapeutic option. Methods: This study is among the to present the 6-month clinical outcomes of rota-lithotripsy when performed in the ACS setting. The study cohort consisted of 15 consecutive ACS patients who underwent a rota-lithotripsy-PCI due to the presence of a highly calcified, undilatable lesion. Results: The procedural success ratio reached 100%. During the 6-month follow-up, in two of the patients, instances of MACE (major adverse cardiac events) occurred, including one fatal event. Additionally, during the observation period, one target lesion failure, due to subacute stent thrombosis, was identified. Conclusions: Rotational atherectomy with the subsequent use of shockwave intravascular lithotripsy appears to be a safe and effective therapeutic bail-out option for the management of highly calcified coronary artery lesions. Despite, these initial favorable outcomes, carrying out a large number of studies with long-term observations is still necessary in order to establish the potential benefits and shortcomings of rota-lithotripsy.

The Ongoing Saga of the Evolution of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: From Balloon Angioplasty to Recent Innovations to Future Prospects

The advances in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have been, above all, dependent on the work of pioneers in surgery, radiology, and interventional cardiology. From Grüntzig's first balloon angioplasty, PCI has expanded through technology development, improved protocols, and dissemination of best-practice techniques. We can nowadays treat more complex lesions in higher-risk patients with favourable results. Guide wires, balloon types and profiles, debulking techniques such as atherectomy or lithotripsy, stents, and scaffolds all represent evolutions that have allowed us to tackle complex lesions such as an unprotected left main coronary artery, complex bifurcations, or chronic total occlusions. Best-practice PCI, including physiology assessment, imaging, and optimal lesion preparation are now the gold standard when performing PCI for sound indications, and new technologies such as intravascular lithotripsy for lesion preparation, or artificial intelligence, are innovations in the steps of 4 decades of pioneers to improve patient care in interventional cardiology. In the present review, major innovations in PCI since the first balloon angioplasty and also uncertainties and obstacles inherent to such medical advances are described.

Safety Assessment of Microcatheter-Protected Rotational Atherectomy with the Double Guiding Catheter Technique for Severely Calcified Left Main Bifurcation

Background. Rotational atherectomy (RA) is a tool for calcium modification, but there is a risk of losing the side branch in left main coronary artery (LM) bifurcation lesions, resulting in disastrous consequences. Microcatheter-protected RA with the double guiding catheter (GC) technique for severely calcified LM bifurcations has been described previously, but its safety warrants further investigation. Methods. Various sizes of coronary calcification vascular simulators were utilized to model calcified LM bifurcation lesions for RA in in vitro. The damage to the side branch protective microcatheters and guidewires was accessed after microcatheter-protected RA with the double GC technique. In clinical practice, microcatheter-protected RA with the double GC technique was carried out in two patients. Results. In vitro, none of the protective microcatheters or guidewires were completely fractured, although the majority of them were damaged to varying degrees. In clinical practice, we successfully carried out two cases of percutaneous coronary intervention for severely calcified LM bifurcation with microcatheter-protected RA using the double GC technique. Conclusion. RA of severely calcified LM bifurcation lesions may be successfully performed using microcatheter-protected RA with the double GC technique, potentially reducing the risk of side branch occlusion. Since majority of protective microcatheters or guidewires were damaged, there was still some risk, and it is recommended to use this technique only in highly selected patient population of severely calcified true (Medina 1, 1, 1) LM bifurcations.

Coronary In-Stent Restenosis: JACC State-of-the-Art Review

The introduction and subsequent iterations of drug-eluting stent technologies have substantially improved the efficacy and safety of percutaneous coronary interventions. However, the incidence of in-stent restenosis (ISR) and the resultant need for repeated revascularization still occur at a rate of 1%-2% per year. Given that millions of drug-eluting stents are implanted each year around the globe, ISR can be considered as a pathologic entity of public health significance. The mechanisms of ISR are multifactorial. Since the first description of the angiographic patterns of ISR, the advent of intracoronary imaging has further elucidated the mechanisms and patterns of ISR. The armamentarium and treatment strategies of ISR have also evolved over time. Currently, an individualized approach using intracoronary imaging to characterize the underlying substrate of ISR is recommended. In this paper, we comprehensively reviewed the incidence, mechanisms, and imaging characterization of ISR and propose a contemporary treatment algorithm.

Intravascular Lithotripsy as a Novel Treatment Method for Calcified Unprotected Left Main Diseases-Comparison to Rotational Atherectomy-Short-Term Outcomes

Background: The unprotected calcified Left Main disease represents a high-risk subset for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and it is associated with a higher number of periprocedural complications and an increased rate of in-stent thrombosis and restenosis. Adequate lesion preparation plays a crucial role in achieving a favorable PCI outcome. Rotational Atherectomy (RA) is a well-established plaque-modifying method; nevertheless, the data regarding the effectiveness of RA in LM diseases is scarce. Recently, the novel ShockWave-Intravascular-Lithotripsy(S-IVL) device has been introduced to the PCI armamentarium in order to modify the calcified plaque. Methods: We performed a retrospective evaluation of 44 consecutive subjects who underwent the LM-PCI, and who were supported by either the RA or S-IVL. Results: The Rota group consisted of 29 patients with a mean syntax score of 28.0 ± 7.5. The S-IVL group was composed of 15 subjects with a syntax score of 23.3 ± 13.0 There were no statistical differences regarding MACE between the RA and Shockwave arms of the in-hospital group (10.3% vs. 6.7%), or in the six month (17.2% vs. 13.3%) follow-up group. Conclusions: RA and S-IVL could be safe and effective therapeutic strategies for calcified LM disease. Further studies with a higher number of participants and longer follow-up times are warranted to establish the potential benefits of RA and S-IVL for the management of LM stenosis.

Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and Clinical Outcome in Patients Treated with Drug-Eluting Stenting after Rotational Atherectomy for Complex Calcified Coronary Lesions

Background and aims: although an association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular disease risk has been documented, the relationship in patients with complex calcified coronary lesions undergoing rotational atherectomy (RA) and drug-eluting stent(DES) insertion remains controversial. Here, the influence of MS on outcomes was assessed. Methods and results: we retrospectively included 398 patients who underwent RA and DES insertion for complex calcified coronary lesions in our institution between June 2015 and January 2019. The modified Adult Treatment Plan III was used to diagnose MS. The endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), comprising mortality from all causes, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization (TVR). In all, 173 (43.5%) patients had MS. MS was significantly associated with MACE over the 28.32 ± 6.79-month follow-up period (HR 1.783, 95% CI from 1.122 to 2.833) even after adjustment for other possible confounders. Conclusion: MS was frequently observed in patients treated with RA with DES insertion for complex calcified coronary lesions. MS independently predicted MACE in these patients.

Aortic plaque dehiscence caused by rotational atherectomy with Kokeshi phenomenon in a patient with aortic stenosis successfully treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Rotational atherectomy (RA) is an important interventional technique to facilitate effective percutaneous coronary intervention of severely calcified lesions. Despite the improved probability of better procedural outcomes during angioplasty, the use of RA is associated with an inherent risk of complications. Here, we present a case of a woman in her mid-90s with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who underwent RA facilitated angioplasty of the right coronary artery (RCA), with the procedure complicated by the Kokeshi phenomenon. Manual traction to retrieve the burr resulted in dehiscence of an aortic plaque near the ostium of the RCA. Unfortunately, the patient's risk profile precluded surgery. After a multidisciplinary discussion, a self-expanding Core Valve Evolut R prosthesis (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) was successfully implanted, with improvement in the AS and stabilisation of the aortic plaque. This is the first reported case of successful non-operative management of a mobile-aortic plaque caused by RA with a transcatheter prosthesis.

Safety and Feasibility of Rotational Atherectomy in Severe Aortic Stenosis

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of rotational atherectomy (RA) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).

BACKGROUND

Heavily calcified coronary lesions are commonly encountered in elderly patients with severe AS who are being considered for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The use of RA in these patients is controversial as they may be at a higher risk of complications.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled patients with severe AS who underwent RA across two hospitals from March 2010 to September 2019. Patients with severe AS prior to or within 8 weeks of RA were included.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven (27) consecutive patients (83±5.2 yrs 63% male) with severe AS (peak velocity 4.1±0.5 m/s, mean gradient 40.0±10.2 mmHg) were enrolled and 31 lesions were treated with RA across 30 separate procedures. Three (3) (11.1%) patients had left ventricular ejection fraction ≤30%. Nine (9) (30%) procedures involved percutaneous coronary intervention of multiple arteries, with most lesions in the right coronary artery (51.6%) and left anterior descending artery (32.3%). Three (3) (9.7%) lesions were in the left main stem. RA-facilitated stenting was successful in all lesions. There were no episodes of coronary perforation or slow-flow/no-reflow. There was one episode of coronary dissection in an artery that did not undergo RA, which was successfully treated with a drug-eluting stent. There were no deaths within 30 days and three deaths (11.1%) within 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

Rotational atherectomy in patients with severe AS is feasible and has a low rate of procedural complications.

3-Year outcomes in patients with heavily calcified lesions undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention using cutting balloons

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of heavily calcified lesions (HCLs) is associated with higher complication rates and worse clinical outcomes. Cutting balloon (CB) has been widely used for HCLs, but patients’ prognosis had not been fully clarified. The study aimed to compare 3-year clinical outcomes between patients with HCLs that are treated with CBs and those with non-HCLs.

Method

Patients who underwent PCI in Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital from June 2015 to September 2018 were retrospectively included. HCL was defined as radiopaque and high-pressure undilatable lesions. CBs were routinely used in combination with non-compliant balloons for the HCLs. Major adverse cardiac event (MACE) and target vessel failure (TVF) were assessed at 3-year follow-up.

Result

Among 2432 patients included in the study, 210(8.6%) had HCLs with a procedural success rate of 91.0%. The patients with HCLs had a higher incidence of MACE (23.3% vs. 10.8%, P < 0.001) than those with non-HCLs. By propensity score matching, 172 patients with HCLs were 1:1 paired to those with non-HCLs, and their PCI vessels were exactly matched. The MACE and TVF were significantly higher in the patients with HCLs than those with non-HCLs (MACE: 21.5% vs. 13.4%, P = 0.036; TVF: 19.8% vs. 9.9%, P = 0.008). In the Cox regression analysis, HCL is independently associated with higher risks of MACE [HR: 1.72(1.01–2.94), P = 0.047], TVF [HR: 2.10(1.15–3.81), P = 0.015] and repeat revascularization [HR: 2.20(1.07–4.52), P = 0.032].

Conclusion

Patients with HCLs undergoing PCI using CBs in combination with non-compliant balloons had higher risks of complications, procedural failure, and worse clinical outcomes at 3 years than those with non-HCLs.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-022-02622-9.

Contemporary tools and devices for coronary calcium modification

With the aging population, up to a third of patients referred for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have moderate or severe calcified lesions assessed by coronary angiography. The presence of coronary calcium is associated with difficult device delivery, sub-optimal stent deployment, and prolonged procedures, with more complications. Furthermore, it is known that sub-optimal stent expansion is associated with poor clinical outcomes. In this manuscript we describe how to quantify the severity of coronary calcium, review the armamentarium of contemporary devices available for calcium modification, and provide a systematic approach to device selection, assessment of successful calcium modification, and stent optimization.

Intravascular ultrasound-factors associated with slow flow following rotational atherectomy in heavily calcified coronary artery

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) can provide useful information in patients undergoing complex percutaneous coronary intervention with rotational atherectomy (RA). The association between IVUS findings and slow flow following rotational atherectomy (RA) has not been investigated, although slow flow has been shown to be an unfavorable sign with worse outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the IVUS-factors associated with slow flow just after RA. We retrospectively enrolled 290 lesions (5316 IVUS-frames) with RA, which were divided into the slow flow group (n = 43 with 1029 IVUS-frames) and the non-slow flow group (n = 247 with 4287 IVUS-frames) based on the presence of slow flow. Multivariate regression analysis assessed the IVUS-factors associated with slow flow. Slow flow was significantly associated with long lesion length, the maximum number of reverberations [odds ratio (OR) 1.49; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–2.07, p = 0.02] and nearly circumferential calcification at minimal lumen area (MLA) (≥ 300°) (OR, 2.21; 95% CI 1.13–4.32; p = 0.02). According to the maximum number of reverberations, the incidence of slow flow was 2.2% (n = 0), 11.9% (n = 1), 19.5% (n = 2), 22.5% (n = 3), and 44.4% (n = 4). In conclusion, IVUS findings such as longer lesion length, the maximum number of reverberations, and the greater arc of calcification at MLA may predict slow flow after RA. The operators need to pay more attention to the presence of reverberations to enhance the procedure safety.

Rotational atherectomy via the transradial access: success rates, procedural parameters and complications

Radial access is recommended for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but rotational atherectomy remains frequently performed via femoral access. Analyzing the procedural parameters, success rate and complications of rotational atherectomy, performed via radial in comparison to femoral access. We retrospectively analyzed 427 consecutive patients undergoing rotational atherectomy. Procedural parameters and outcome were determined in 171 patients, scheduled for radial and compared to 256 patients with femoral access use. In the radial access group (74 ± 9 years, 84% male), the LAD was most frequently treated (49%). Sheath size was 7F in 59% and 6F in 41%, burr size was 1.5 mm in 46% and 1.25 mm in 14% of patients. A temporary pacemaker was inserted in 14%. Procedural success rate stood at 97%. Access site complications occurred in 4% of patients, which was significantly less frequent than in in 256 patients treated via femoral access (13% p = 0.003). Compared to radial access, femoral access was associated with the use of larger sheaths (p < 0.001), more frequent treatment of non-LAD vessels (58.2% vs. 44.4%, p = 0.013) and a higher rate of temporary pacemaker use (27%; p = 0.001). No differences could be seen in procedural success (p = 0.83) and burr size (p = 0.51). Femoral access (OR 3.33; 95% CI 1.40–7.93), and female sex (OR3.40 95% CI 1.69–6.63) were independent predictors for access site complications. For coronary rotational atherectomy, radial access has a high success rate with overall use of smaller sheaths, but of equally sized burrs as well as a significant lower rate of access site-related complications than femoral access.

The Procedural and Clinical Outcomes of Rotational Atherectomy in Patients Presenting With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background

Rotational atherectomy (RA) is an indispensable tool used for calcified lesion preparation in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, use of RA in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is challenged with limited clinical data.

Objectives

This study aims to retrospectively investigate the procedural results, periprocedural complications, and clinical outcomes of RA in patients with AMI.

Methods

All possible consecutive patients who received RA in AMI from January 2009 to March 2018 in a single tertiary center were analyzed retrospectively. Patients without AMI during the study period were also enrolled for comparison.

Results

A total of 121 patients with AMI (76.0 ± 10.8 years, 63.6% males) and 290 patients without AMI were recruited. Among the AMI group, 81% of patients had non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and 14% presented with cardiogenic shock. RA could be completed in 98.8% of patients in the AMI group and 98.3% in the non-AMI group (p = 1.00). The periprocedural complication rates were comparable between the AMI and non-AMI groups. The risks of in-hospital, 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year cardiovascular major adverse cardiac events (CV MACE) were significantly higher in the AMI group compared with the non-AMI group (in-hospital 13.2 vs. 2.8%, p &lt; 0.001; 30-day 14.2 vs. 4.5%, p &lt; 0.001; 90-day 20.8 vs. 6.9%, p &lt; 0.001; 1-year 30.8 vs. 19.1%, p = 0.01). AMI at initial presentation and cardiogenic shock were predictors for both in-hospital CV MACE and 1-year CV MACE in multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. Other predictors for 1-year CV MACE included serum creatinine level and triple vessel disease.

Conclusion

RA in patients with AMI is feasible with a high procedural completion rate and acceptable periprocedural complications. Given unstable hemodynamics and complex coronary anatomy, the in-hospital and 1-year MACE rates remained higher in patients with AMI compared with patients without AMI.

The Impact of Intracoronary Imaging on PCI Outcomes in Cases Utilising Rotational Atherectomy: An Analysis of 8,417 Rotational Atherectomy Cases from the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society Database

Introduction

There is increasing evidence supporting the use of intracoronary imaging to optimize the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, there are no studies examining the impact of imaging on PCI outcomes in cases utilising rotational atherectomy (RA-PCI). Our study examines the determinants and outcomes of using intracoronary imaging in RA-PCI cases including 12-month mortality.

Methods

Using the British Cardiac Intervention Society database, data were analysed on all RA-PCI procedures in the UK between 2007 and 2014. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine baseline, procedural, and outcome associations with intravascular imaging.

Results

Intracoronary imaging was used in 1,279 out of 8,417 RA-PCI cases (15.2%). Baseline covariates associated with significantly more imaging use were number of stents used, smoking history, previous CABG, pressure wire use, proximal LAD disease, laser use, glycoprotein inhibitor use, cutting balloons, number of restenosis attempted, off-site surgery, and unprotected left main stem (uLMS) PCI. Adjusted rates of in-hospital major adverse cardiac/cerebrovascular events (IH-MACCE), its individual components (death, peri-procedural MI, stroke, and major bleed), or 12-month mortality were not significantly altered by the use of imaging in RA-PCI. However, subgroup analysis demonstrated a signal towards reduction in 12-month mortality in uLMS RA-PCI cases utilising intracoronary imaging (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.44–1.03).

Conclusions

Intracoronary imaging use during RA-PCI is associated with higher risk of baseline and procedural characteristics. There were no differences observed in IH-MACCE or 12-month mortality with intracoronary imaging in RA-PCI.