Benefit of a new provisional stenting strategy, the re-proximal optimisation technique: the rePOT clinical study

One year results of coronary bifurcation revascularization with the re-POT provisional sequential technique. The CABRIOLET registry

BACKGROUND

Re-POT (proximal optimization technique (POT)) is a simple provisional sequential technique for percutaneous coronary bifurcation revascularization with better arterial geometry respect compared to classical techniques. Re-POT has demonstrated excellent mechanical and short-term clinical results. The multicenter CABRIOLET registry (NCT03550196) evaluate the long-term clinical benefit of the re-POT sequence in non-selected patients.

METHODS

All consecutive patients presenting a coronary bifurcation lesion for which provisional stenting was indicated were included in 5 european centers. Re-POT strategy was systematically attempted. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF), comprising cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis and target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 12 months' follow-up. The secondary endpoints were the individual components of the primary endpoint, all-cause death, target vessel failure (TVF) and target vessel revascularization (TVR). Complex bifurcation was defined as Medina 0.1.1 or 1.1.1.

RESULTS

A total of 500 patients aged 67.7 ± 11.7 years, 78.4% male, were included from 2015 to 2019, 174 of whom (34.8%) were considered having complex bifurcation lesions. Bifurcations involved the left main in 35.2% of cases. The full re-POT sequence was systematically performed in all cases. At 1 year, TLF was 2.0% (1.7% in complex vs. 2.1% in non-complex bifurcation; p = NS), and TLR was 1.6%, (1.1% vs. 1.8% respectively; p = NS). TVF and TVR rates were 3.2% and 2.8%. On multivariate analysis, only multivessel disease was predictive of TLF at 1 year (OR = 1.66 (1.09-2.53), p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large prospective all-comer registry, provisional stenting with re-POT technique appeared safe and effective at 1 year, without anatomical bifurcation restriction.

Proximal Optimization Technique with an Ultra-Short Balloon as a Bailout Strategy for Stent Protrusion into the Left Main Trunk

A 64-year-old man presented with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Emergent coronary angiography revealed severe stenosis at the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD). A drug-eluting stent was deployed to land the stent's proximal edge on the LAD ostium. However, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) after stent placement detected a slight stent protrusion from the LAD into the left main trunk (LMT), and the left circumflex artery (LCX) ostium was jailed by stent struts. We decided to perform the proximal optimization technique (POT) using an ultra-short balloon (4 mm in length) on the proximal site of the stent in the hope of dilating jailed struts at the LCX ostium and expanding malapposed struts at the LMT without proximal edge dissection. IVUS after POT confirmed a well-enlarged stent cell at the ostial LCX and adequate stent apposition at the LMT. Angiography showed preserved LCX circulation. At one-year follow-up, angiography showed no in-stent restenosis or LCX ostial stenosis. Optical coherence tomography showed remarkable expansion of the stent struts at the LCX ostium without any restenosis. A single POT with an ultra-short balloon could be a potential bailout strategy in the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions with slight stent protrusion into the proximal main vessel.

Percutaneous coronary intervention of bifurcation lesions

Bifurcation coronary artery disease is common as the development of atherosclerosis is facilitated by altered endothelial shear stress. Multiple anatomical and physiological factors need to be considered when treating bifurcation lesions. To achieve optimal results, various stenting techniques have been developed, each with benefits and limitations. In this state-of-the-art review we describe technically important characteristics of bifurcation lesions and summarise the evidence supporting contemporary bifurcation techniques.

Fundamentals of percutaneous coronary bifurcation interventions

Coronary bifurcation lesions (CBLs) account for 15%-20% of all percutaneous coronary interventions. The complex nature of these lesions is responsible for poorer procedural, early and late outcomes. This complex lesion subset has received great attention in the interventional cardiac community, and multiple stenting techniques have been developed. Of these, the provisional stenting technique is most often the default strategy; however, the elective double stenting (EDS) technique is preferred in certain subsets of complex CBLs. The double kissing crush technique may be the preferred EDS technique because of its efficacy and safety in comparative trials; however, this technique consists of many steps and requires training. Many new methods have recently been added to the EDS techniques to provide better stent scaffolding and to reduce early and late adverse outcomes. Intravascular imaging is necessary to determine the interventional strategy and postinterventional results. This review discusses the basic concepts, contemporary percutaneous interventional technical approaches, new methods, and controversial treatment issues of CBLs.

Effect of proximal optimization technique on coronary bifurcation stent failure: Insights from the multicenter randomized PROPOT trial

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the effect of proximal optimization technique (POT) on coronary bifurcation stent failure (BSF) in cross-over stenting by comparing with the kissing balloon technique (KBT) in a multicenter randomized PROPOT trial.

BACKGROUND

POT is recommended due to increased certainty for optimal stent expansion and side branch (SB) wiring.

METHODS

We randomized 120 patients treated with crossover stenting into the POT group, which was followed by SB dilation (SBD), and the KBT group. Finally, 52 and 57 patients were analyzed by optical coherence tomography before SBD and at the final procedure, respectively. Composite BSF was defined as a maximal malapposition distance of >400 μm, or malapposed and SB-jailed strut rates of >5.95% and >21.4%, respectively.

RESULTS

Composite BSF before SBD in the POT and KBT groups was observed in 29% and 26% of patients, respectively. In the POT group, differences in stent volumetric index between the proximal and distal bifurcation (odds ratio [OR] 60.35, 95% confidential interval [CI] 0.13-0.93, p = 0.036) and between the proximal bifurcation and bifurcation core (OR: 3.68, 95% CI: 1.01-13.40, p = 0.048) were identified as independent risk factors. Composite BSF at final in 27% and 32%, and unplanned additional procedures in 38% and 25% were observed, respectively. Composite BSF before SBD was a risk factor for the former (OR: 6.33, 95% CI: 1.10-36.50, p = 0.039) and the latter (OR: 6.43, 95% CI: 1.25-33.10, p = 0.026) in the POT group.

CONCLUSION

POT did not result in a favorable trend in BSF. Insufficient expansion of the bifurcation core after POT was associated with BSF.

Bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention of left main trunk treated using a proximal optimizing technique and proximal balloon edge dilation technique

We present a case of bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the left main trunk (LMT) using a proximal balloon edge dilation (PBED) technique following a proximal optimizing technique (POT). The procedure of the PBED technique entailed precise positioning of the balloon for SB dilation, with the proximal radiopaque marker lying in the cross-sectional plane of the stent struts at the left circumflex artery (LCx) ostium. The PBED technique might prevent stent deformation induced by side branch (SB) dilation and eliminates the need for the second POT procedure in the re-POT sequence. In fact, three-dimensional reconstruction of optical coherence tomography (3D-OCT) revealed good opening of stent cells overlying the LCx ostium without deformation of stent struts causing incomplete stent apposition at the site opposite the LCx, so the second POT procedure was unnecessary in this case.

<Learning objective: This is the first case report to describe bifurcation PCI of the LMT using POT-PBED procedures under 3D-OCT guidance. POT-PBED procedures might offer excellent acute results for cross-over single-stent implantation in LMT bifurcation lesions and could eliminate the second POT procedure in the re-POT sequence.>

Randomized non-inferiority TrIal comParing reverse T And Protrusion versus double-kissing and crush Stenting for the treatment of complex left main bifurcation lesions

BACKGROUND

The treatment of left main bifurcation stenoses remains challenging.

AIMS

We compare the "Reverse T and Protrusion" (reverse-TAP) technique to Double-Kissing and crush (DK-crush).

METHODS

The study was designed as non-inferiority trial, the primary endpoint was percentage stent expansion in the ostial side branch at optical coherence tomography.

RESULTS

52 consecutive patients (13 females, 17 diabetics, Syntax score 25 [22-29]) with complex coronary bifurcation lesions of the left main were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to Reverse-TAP or DK-crush stenting. The intervention was performed according to protocol in all patients in both randomization groups. Side branch stent expansion was 75 [67-90]% in the DK-crush group and 86 [75-95]% in the reverse-TAP group (one-sided 97.5% lower parametric confidence interval: - 0.28%; P < 0.01 for non-inferiority; P = 0.037 for superiority). Side branch balloon pressure during final kissing was higher in the DK-crush group (14 [12-16] vs. reverse-TAP: 13 [12-14]; P = 0.043). Procedural time was shorter with reverse-TAP (DK-crush: 32 [24-44] min vs reverse-TAP: 25 [22-33] min; P = 0.044). Other procedural parameters were not different between groups. There was no difference in any of the safety endpoints up to 1 month.

CONCLUSIONS

A reverse-TAP strategy for the interventional treatment of complex coronary lesions was non-inferior and superior to DK-crush for the primary endpoint side branch expansion while requiring less time. A larger study testing long-term clinical outcomes is warranted.

TRAIL REGISTRATION

NCT: NCT03714750.

Proximal optimisation technique versus final kissing balloon inflation in coronary bifurcation lesions: the randomised, multicentre PROPOT trial

BACKGROUND

Clinical implications of the proximal optimisation technique (POT) for bifurcation lesions have not been investigated in a randomised controlled trial.

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate whether POT is superior in terms of stent apposition compared with the conventional kissing balloon technique (KBT) in real-life bifurcation lesions using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODS

A total of 120 patients from 15 centres were randomised into two groups - POT followed by side branch dilation or KBT. Finally, 57 and 58 patients in the POT and KBT groups, respectively, were analysed. OCT was performed at baseline, immediately after wire recrossing to the side branch, and at the final procedure.

RESULTS

The primary endpoint was the rate of malapposed struts assessed by the final OCT. The rate of malapposed struts did not differ between the POT and KBT groups (in-stent proximal site: 10.4% vs 7.7%, p=0.33; bifurcation core: 1.4% vs 1.1%, p=0.67; core's distal edge: 6.2% vs 5.3%, p=0.59). More additional treatments were required among the POT group (40.4% vs 6.9%, p<0.01). At one-year follow-up, only one patient in each group underwent target lesion revascularisation (2.0% vs 1.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

POT followed by side branch dilation did not show any advantages over conventional KBT in terms of stent apposition; however, excellent midterm clinical outcomes were observed in both strategies.

Feasibility and efficacy of an ultra-short side branch-dedicated balloon in coronary bifurcation stenting

BACKGROUND

Side branch (SB) dilation with an ultra-short balloon after main vessel (MV) stenting may minimise stent failure in coronary bifurcation lesions.

AIMS

We sought to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of the Glider balloon (GB), a side branch (SB)-dedicated balloon 4 mm in length, in coronary bifurcation stenting.

METHODS

In bench testing, stent configuration was examined with micro-focus computed tomography after crossover stenting followed by GB dilation or kissing balloon inflation (KBI). In the clinical study we performed GB dilatation after MV stenting for 207 lesions in 194 patients. Failure of the GB dilation and additional procedures due to inducible stent failure were investigated as well as adverse cardiac events at 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

In bench testing GB dilation maintained cross-sectional stent area without significant deformation and presented effective jailed strut removal in a high-angled bifurcation model. In the clinical study the cohort included left main, true bifurcation lesion, and two-stent treatment in 42.0%, 45.9%, and 14.0%, respectively. The proximal optimisation technique (POT) or POT-like inflation was performed in 82.1%. GB crossing failure, SB stenting due to dissection, and stent deformation requiring correction by KBI or MV dilation occurred in 8.7%, 1.4%, and 5.8%, respectively. Finally, simple GB dilation without KBI was completed in 91.8% for SB dilation. At one-year follow-up, target lesion revascularisation, cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis were found in 7.2%, 2.1%, 2.1%, and 1.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Simple GB dilation after adequate expansion of the proximal MV stent provided acceptable acute and long-term results as an alternative to KBI.

Standardized fractal bench test evaluation of coronary stents: Performances in bifurcation lesions treated by the re-proximal optimization technique

BACKGROUND

Bifurcation lesions in coronary arteries are complex to treat with coronary stents, which are not designed for that purpose and can be unproperly deployed. Moreover, devices are constantly evolving, and so are angioplasty techniques.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the performances of different stents in the treatment of bifurcation lesions using the re-proximal optimization technique (rePOT).

METHODS

Eleven stent platforms were evaluated: Xience Sierra (Abbott), Xience Alpine (Abbott), Synergy (Boston), Coroflex Isar (Bbraun), Cobra PzF (Celonova), Ultimaster (Terumo), Resolute Integrity (Medtronic), Resolute Onyx (Medtronic), Optimax (Hexacath), Orsiro (Biotronik), and Absorb (Abbott). Stents were deployed in a silicone fractal bifurcation model using the rePOT. Micro-computed tomography was performed to assess side branch ostium coverage and strut malapposition, as well as the effect of rePOT on stent cell area.

RESULTS

Our study showed significant differences between stent platforms regarding side branch ostium coverage (p = .002). The Synergy and Cobra PzF stents were the most performant devices to avoid ostium coverage. Strut malapposition varied significantly between devices (p = .008) but the percentage of malapposed struts was relatively low. Significant differences were observed between stents regarding the cell area before (p = .002) and also after rePOT (p = .003), and the increase in cell area caused by rePOT varied considerably between devices (p = .08).

CONCLUSION

This study highlighted significant differences in the performances of stent platforms deployed in a fractal bifurcation model using rePOT, with a variable impact of the procedure on stent cell area.

5-Year Outcome of Simple Crossover Stenting in Coronary Bifurcation Lesions Compared With Side Branch Opening

Background

The optimal side branch (SB) treatment strategy after simple crossover stenting in bifurcation lesions is still controversial.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of a 1-stent strategy with simple crossover alone versus with an additional SB–opening procedure in patients with left main (LM) and non-LM coronary bifurcation lesions.

Methods

Patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with a 1-stent strategy for bifurcation lesions including LM were selected from the COBIS (Coronary Bifurcation Stenting) III registry and divided into the simple crossover–alone group and SB-opening group. Clinical outcomes were assessed by the 5-year rate of target lesion failure (a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and target lesion repeat revascularization).

Results

Among 2,194 patients who underwent the 1-stent strategy, 1,685 (76.8%) patients were treated with simple crossover alone, and 509 (23.2%) patients were treated with an additional SB-opening procedure. Although the baseline SB angiographic disease was more severe in the SB-opening group, the final lumen diameter of the SB was larger. The 5-year observed target lesion failure rate was similar between the 2 groups (7.0% in the simple crossover vs. 6.7% in SB-opening group; hazard ratio: 0.99; 95% confidence interval: 0.66 to 1.48; p = 0.947), even in the subgroup analyses including LM (9.5% vs. 11.3%; p = 0.442) and true bifurcation (5.3% vs. 7.8%; p = 0.362). The results were not changed after an inverse probability of treatment weighting adjustment. There was no difference in the overall and SB-related target lesion revascularization rate in both groups.

Conclusions

The long-term clinical outcome of the 1-stent strategy with simple crossover alone for coronary bifurcation lesions was acceptable compared to those of additional SB-opening procedures. (Korean Coronary Bifurcation Stenting [COBIS] Registry III [COBIS III]; NCT03068494)

Usability of Fantom Encore® scaffold in non-complex bifurcations-Analysis in bench models

OBJECTIVE

Present bench study aimed to evaluate whether technical characteristics of Fantom Encore® bioresorbable scaffold (BRS) allow to perform proximal optimization/side branch dilation/proximal optimization (POT-SB-POT) technique, as an adequate solution for bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention.

METHODS

Two Fantom Encore® BRS platforms (small with 3.0 mm nominal diameter, n = 7; and large with 3.5 mm nominal diameter, n = 7) were evaluated in bench models, which were designed according to Finet-law and fitted to nominal scaffold diameter in the distal main branch (MB) and fitted to indicated maximal expansion capacity in the proximal main branch (MB). Results were evaluated by (a) fluoroscopy, (b) optical coherence tomography (OCT) and (c) micro-computed tomography (μCT).

RESULTS

All procedures were performed according to the protocol. Careful review of the fluoroscopic loops by an independent operator did not reveal any strut fracture or major deformation. By OCT the overall rate of perfectly apposed struts in the bifurcation area was 15 ± 6% after SB opening, that increased significantly but remained low with 22 ± 9% after final POT (p = .001). Compared to SB ballooning alone, significant benefit of final POT was found in rate of perfect apposition in the proximal MB (15 ± 12% vs. 26 ± 15%, respectively; p = .017) and at the abostial side of polygon of confluence (7 ± 9% vs. 16 ± 13%, respectively; p = .005). μCT analysis revealed a single strut fracture in one case with the small platform, while four cases showed single or multiple strut fractures with the large platform.

CONCLUSION

The mechanical characteristics of the device are not suitable for use of Conventional techniques for bifurcation PCI such as POT-SB-POT. The use of Fantom Encore® BRS for bifurcation PCI with relevant SB should not be encouraged.

Difference in basic concept of coronary bifurcation intervention between Korea and Japan. Insight from questionnaire in experts of Korean and Japanese bifurcation clubs

The coronary bifurcation intervention varies among countries due to the differences in assessment of lesion severity and treatment devices. We sought to clarify the difference in basic strategy between South Korea and Japan. A total of 19 and 32 experts from Korean (KBC) and Japanese Bifurcation Clubs (JBC), respectively, answered a survey questionnaire concerning their usual procedure of coronary bifurcation intervention. JBC experts performed less two-stent deployment in the left main (LM) bifurcation compared to KBC experts (JBC vs. KBC: median, 1–10% vs. 21–30%, p < 0.0001) instead of higher performance of side branch dilation after cross-over stenting in both LM (60% vs. 21%, p = 0.001) and non-LM bifurcations (30% vs. 5%, p = 0.037). KBC experts more frequently performed proximal optimization technique (POT) in non-LM bifurcation (41–60% vs. 81–99%, p = 0.028) and re-POT in both LM (1–20% vs. 81–99%, p = 0.017) and non-LM bifurcations (1–20% vs. 81–99%, p = 0.0003). JBC experts more frequently performed imaging-guided percutaneous coronary intervention, whereas KBC experts more often used a pressure wire to assess side branch ischemia. JBC experts used a rotablator more aggressively under the guidance of optical coherence tomography. We clarified the difference in the basic strategy of coronary bifurcation intervention between South Korea and Japan for better understanding the trend in each country.

Clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention for bifurcation lesions: kissing balloon inflation vs. sequential dilation

Percutaneous coronary intervention for bifurcation lesions remains challenging, with there being several debatable issues, including the requirement for kissing balloon inflation (KBI). The objective of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes following single crossover stent implantation with KBI or sequential dilation alone. Data were examined for 255 non-left main bifurcation lesions (246 patients) treated with single crossover stent implantation, followed by side branch (SB) strut dilation with KBI (n = 74 lesions) or sequential dilation (n = 181 lesions) in three hospitals. Target lesion revascularization (TLR) was the primary endpoint. There was no significant difference in the pre-procedural reference diameter of both the main vessel (MV) and SB between the KBI and sequential dilation groups. However, MV post-dilation balloon size was smaller with lower pressure and post-procedural minimal lumen diameter was significantly smaller in the KBI group. During the median follow-up period of approximately 3 years, TLR incidence was significantly higher in the KBI group than in the sequential dilation group; in particular, the TLR rate at the distal MV was higher in the former. For bifurcation lesions treated with single crossover stent implantation, the TLR rate was higher after KBI than after sequential dilation; this was mainly due to higher revascularization in the distal MV. For bifurcation lesions treated with KBI, MV post-dilation balloon diameter tended to be smaller with lower pressure, which might lead to poorer stent expansion and a higher TLR rate.

European Bifurcation Club white paper on stenting techniques for patients with bifurcated coronary artery lesions

BACKGROUND

Defining the optimal conduction of percutaneous-coronary-intervention (PCI) to treat bifurcation lesions has been the subject of many clinical studies showing that the applied stenting technique may influence clinical outcome. Accordingly, bifurcation stenting classifications and technical sequences should be standardized to allow proper reporting and comparison.

METHODS

The European Bifurcation Club (EBC) is a multidisciplinary group dedicated to optimize the treatment of bifurcations and previously created a classification of bifurcation stenting techniques that is based on the first stent implantation site. Since some techniques have been abandoned, others have been refined and dedicated devices became available, EBC promoted an international task force aimed at updating the classification of bifurcation stenting techniques as well as at highlighting the best practices for most popular techniques. Original descriptive images obtained by drawings, bench tests and micro-computed-tomographic reconstructions have been created in order to serve as tutorials in both procedure reporting and clinical practice.

RESULTS

An updated Main-Across-Distal-Side (MADS)-2, classification of bifurcation stenting techniques has been realized and is reported in the present article allowing standardized procedure reporting in both clinical practice and scientific studies. The EBC-promoted task force deeply discussed, agreed on and described (using original drawings and bench tests) the optimal steps for the following major bifurcation stenting techniques: (a) 1-stent techniques ("provisional" and "inverted provisional") and (b) 2-stent techniques ("T/TAP," "culotte," and "DK-crush").

CONCLUSIONS

The present EBC-promoted paper is intended to facilitate technique selection, reporting and performance for PCI on bifurcated lesions during daily clinical practice.

Asia Pacific consensus document on coronary bifurcation interventions

Coronary bifurcation intervention is common but complex. Progress in this field has been made in recent years with considerable contribution from the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. However, the standard of practice varies across the APAC region due to differences in culture, socioeconomic state and healthcare set-up. Practice may also differ from the rest of the world. Hence, a panel of experts was invited to discuss topics relevant to bifurcation intervention in order to make a concerted effort to achieve consensus that is applicable within the region and in line with available evidence.

Clinical effectiveness and radial artery remodeling assessment via very-high-frequency ultrasound/ultra biomicroscopy after applying slender 7Fr sheath for transradial approach in left main bifurcation disease

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical effect and radial remodeling of transradial slender 7 Fr sheath for left main bifurcation disease (LM bifurcation).

METHODS

From January 2018 to September 2019, 236 patients with LM bifurcation undergoing transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from two heart centers were divided into slender 7 Fr sheath group (n = 127) and 6 Fr sheath group (n = 109). Quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and very high-frequency ultrasound/ultra biomicroscopy (VHFUBM) were used to assess the clinical effect and radial remodeling of transradial sheath.

RESULTS

Slender 7 Fr sheath group had a higher preoperative distal bifurcation angle (67.271 ± 22.886) than 6 Fr group (55.831 ± 20.245) (p < .05). Post-PCI QCA results showed significant differences in minimum lumen diameter at proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) and left circumflex artery (LCX) between two groups (p < .05). There were no significant differences in target vessel myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, death and major adverse cardiocerebrovascular events (MACCE) at 30-day and 1-year follow-up between two groups (p>.05). No significant differences were observed in radial artery diameter (RAD), intimal-medial thickness (IMT) and radial artery injury at 24-h and 90-day follow-up between two groups.

CONCLUSION

With larger main and side branch diameter, larger angle of bifurcation and higher SYNTAX score, transradial slender 7 Fr sheath obtained similar clinical effects as 6 Fr sheath without increasing the occurrence of adverse events. Similar follow-up RAD, IMT and radial artery injury were observed. Therefore, slender 7 Fr sheath has safety and feasibility in applying to transradial LM-Bifurcation PCI.

Comparison of transradial coronary intervention for left main bifurcation disease using the new Braidin® slender 7 Fr sheath and a standard 6 Fr sheath

Objectives

To compare the effectiveness and safety of the Braidin® slender 7 Fr sheath with a standard 6 Fr sheath for treating left main bifurcation disease.

Methods

From January 2017 to March 2019, 277 patients with left main bifurcation disease who underwent the transradial approach for percutaneous coronary intervention were divided into the slender 7 Fr sheath group (Braidin® slender 7 Fr sheath, n = 154) and standard 6 Fr sheath group (n = 123). Pathological features, surgical effect, and complications were evaluated.

Results

The rate of using the classic crush technique was significantly higher in the slender 7 Fr sheath group than in the standard 6 Fr sheath group. The slender 7 Fr sheath group had a significantly shorter operation time than the standard 6 Fr sheath group. There were no significant differences in the radial artery occlusion rate after surgery and at 1 month of follow-up between the groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that 6 Fr and Braidin slender 7 Fr sheaths did not predict radial artery occlusion.

Conclusion

The Braidin slender 7 Fr sheath has a superior operative process and similar safety for the radial artery as that of the standard 6 Fr sheath for treating left main bifurcation disease.

POT-sideDCB-POT: A novel technique for treating coronary bifurcation lesions

The rePOT technique is a novel and easily applied approach for coronary bifurcations. Drug-Coated Balloon (DCB) angioplasty is increasingly being utilized in management of small vessels and coronary bifurcation lesions. Herein, we propose a new approach for treating coronary bifurcation lesions with the application of DCB to treat the side-branch in addition to the rePOT technique: the POT-sideDCB-POT technique.

Critical aspects of balloon position during final proximal optimization technique (POT) in coronary bifurcation stenting

OBJECTIVES

In a coronary bifurcation bench model, to determine the effects of side branch (SB) wire crossing position and balloon position on the stent scaffolding after the final proximal optimization technique (POT).

BACKGROUND

POT performed as a final step after SB dilatation or kissing balloon inflation (KBI) has been widely advocated despite limited evidence.

METHODS

Thirty-one stent implantations in bifurcation phantoms were performed using a one-stent provisional technique with (KBI) (n = 13), with POT-side-POT technique (n = 12) or with the two-stent culotte technique (n = 6). SB wiring was performed through either a proximal or a distal stent cell and confirmed by optical coherence tomography. Final POT was performed with the balloon positioned either across or proximal to the SB takeoff. The area of the opened stent cell in front of the SB was assessed by 3D reconstructed microcomputation tomography scans performed before and after Final POT.

RESULTS

In cases with metallic carina, final POT across the SB takeoff caused SB rejailing. Regardless of stent technique and wire position, a Final POT across the SB takeoff reduced the SB cell opening area by 43% [32%;58%] (n = 15). The largest reduction (54-70%) was found after the POT-side-POT technique in procedures with a proximal wiring. Final POT performed proximal to the SB takeoff caused limited or no SB cell opening area reduction (4% [0.6%;6%] [n = 16]).

CONCLUSION

Final POT with balloon positioned across the SB takeoff in a narrow angle bifurcation reduces largest stent cell area in front of the SB ostium and may cause SB rejailing in cases with metallic carina.

[Hot issues in bifurcation lesions PCI in 2019]

Coronary bifurcations are involved in 15-20% of all percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and remain one of the most challenging lesions in interventional cardiology in terms of procedural success rate as well as long-term cardiac events. The optimal management of bifurcation lesions is still debated but involves careful assessment, planning and a sequential provisional approach. The preferential strategy for PCI of bifurcation lesions remains to use main vessel (MV) stenting with a proximal optimisation technique (POT) and provisional side branch (SB) stenting as a preferred approach. Final kissing balloon inflation is not recommended in all cases. In the minority of lesions where two stents are required, careful deployment and optimal expansion are essential to achieve a long-term result. Intracoronary imaging techniques (IVUS, OCT) and FFR are useful endovascular tools to achieve optimal results.

Crush versus Culotte stenting techniques for coronary bifurcation lesions: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials with long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND

In patients with complex true coronary bifurcation lesions (CBLs), Crush or Culotte stenting has been the commonest approaches of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the optimal one remains in debate.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies searched from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP information database, and WangFang Data Information Site, to compare the long-term safety and efficacy of PCI with Crush versus Culotte in patients with CBLs. The primary end point was target lesion revascularization (TLR) and secondary end points were a composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including cardiac death (CD), myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis (ST), and target vessel revascularization (TVR) by PCI or bypass surgery, and each individual component at long-term follow-up. Furthermore, omitting each study in turn was used to sensitivity analysis for high heterogeneity of studies.

RESULTS

A total of 7 studies were included to perform a meta-analysis, 3 randomized trials and 4 observational studies with 2211 patients, 1281 treated with Crush and 930 with Culotte. There was no significant difference in TLR and MACE between Crush and Culotte [RR 0.76, 95% CI (0.48-1.23), I = 57%; RR 0.78, 95% CI (0.47-1.29), I = 83%, respectively]. ST tended to be lower in patients treated with Crush [RR 0.61, 95% CI (0.37-1.01), I = 23%]. CD and MI were comparable between the 2 groups [RR 0.80, 95% CI (0.43-1.49), I = 0%; RR 0.74, 95% CI (0.49-1.13), I = 32%, respectively]. TVR was also associated with the similar risk [RR 0.76, 95% CI (0.49-1.16), I = 60%]. However, high heterogeneity was detected for TLR, MACE, and TVR, and the source of heterogeneity was DKCRUSH-III study by Chen, SL.

CONCLUSIONS

In the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions, TLR and MACE were not significant difference between the Crush and Culotte groups, but TLR and MACE were also regarded as high heterogeneity mainly due to better outcomes achieved by DK Crush and there was a trend toward lower ST in the Crush group. Crush, particularly DK Crush, may be superior to conventional Culotte for treatment of CBLs.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018111868.

Benefits of final proximal optimization technique (POT) in provisional stenting

AIMS

Initial proximal optimization technique (POT) in provisional stenting improves global malapposition, side-branch (SB) obstruction (SBO) and conservation of arterial circularity. The specific mechanical effects of a final POT sequence concluding the main provisional stenting techniques, on the other hand, are unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Synergy™ stents were implanted on fractal coronary bifurcation bench models using the main provisional stenting techniques (n = 5 per group): kissing-balloon inflation (KBI), snuggle, and rePOT (initial POT + SB inflation + final POT). Final results were quantified on 2D and 3D OCT before and after final POT. Whichever the technique, final POT significantly decreased global malapposition (from 7.6 ± 5.3% to 2.2 ± 2.5%, p < 0.05) and proximal elliptic deformation (from 1.15 ± 0.07 to 1.09 ± 0.04, p < 0.05), without impact on SBO (from 11.5 ± 9.6% to 12.9 ± 10.6%, NS). However, final POT failed to completely correct the elliptic deformation induced by balloon juxtaposition during the KBI and snuggle techniques, with final elliptic ratios of 1.11 ± 0.03 and 1.11 ± 0.04 respectively, significantly higher than with the complete rePOT sequence: 1.05 ± 0.02 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Like initial POT, final POT is recommended whatever the provisional stenting technique used. However, final POT fails to completely correct all proximal elliptic deformation associated with "kissing-like" techniques, in contrast to results with the rePOT sequence.