Fundamentals of percutaneous coronary bifurcation interventions

Coronary bifurcation lesion treatment with the BioMime™ Branch sirolimus-eluting coronary side-branch stent system: A single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Coronary bifurcation lesions (CBL) comprise 15 %-20 % of percutaneous coronary procedures and remain a challenge despite advances in stent and interventional techniques. The BioMime™ Branch sirolimus-eluting coronary side-branch stent (BBSES) is specifically designed for CBL treatment in conjunction with a standard drug-eluting stent (DES). We report the first single-center experience of treating complex CBL with the novel BBSES.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, single-center study involving consecutive prospectively identified patients who underwent treatment of true CBL with the BBSES. The protocol included BBSES+DES implantation in the CBL and simultaneous final kissing balloon inflation.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight CBL were treated in 58 consecutive patients (89.6 % men, mean age 69.0 ± 9.5 years) presenting primarily with stable angina (84.4 %) and true (Medina 1,1,1,) CBL. Procedural success was 100 % without major adverse cardiac events (MACE). At a median follow-up of 18 months, one sudden death was reported that was accounted as possible late stent thrombosis. One patient had spontaneous myocardial infarction due to subacute thrombosis of a DES implanted in the main vessel proximally to the BBSES before the index procedure. Another patient was hospitalized for atrial fibrillation.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first clinical experience to date of true CBL treatment with the BBSES demonstrating high procedural success, no in-hospital MACE and sustained clinical results at a median follow-up of 18 months.

Systematic Review on Role of Drug Eluting Stent (DES) Versus Drug-Coated Balloon (DCB) in Small Vessel Coronary Artery Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to explain the current advancements in the treatment modalities for small vessel coronary artery disease (SVCAD) and de novo lesions post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), focusing on drug-coated stents (DES) and drug-coated balloons (DCB). Its goal is to address the lack of standards in the management of these lesions and to assess the potential of DCB as a preferential treatment strategy over DES in the long term. RECENT FINDINGS: Technological advancements have improved drug-eluting stents (DES) and drug-coated balloons (DCB) which offer a more promising avenue for managing SVCAD. According to new data, DCBs, initially recognized for their efficacy in preventing restenosis within three to five years of stent placement, may offer superior outcomes compared to DES in certain clinical scenarios. This review shows that DCBs have a favorable therapeutic profile in the treatment of SVCAD, and they could be considered as an alternative to DES. Although the initial data is compelling, definitive conclusions cannot be met without further large-scale, long-term clinical trials. The implication of these findings suggests a shift in the future of SVCAD management and requires additional research to substantiate the long-term benefits of DCB use in SVCAD. Should ongoing and future studies corroborate the current evidence, DCB could emerge as the standard of care for SVCAD, significantly influencing clinical practices and future research.

Percutaneous coronary intervention involving coronary bifurcation is associated with higher mortality and complications

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with bifurcation lesions is associated with higher complexity and adverse outcomes. The goal of this study was to evaluate the inpatient outcomes of patients with PCI of bifurcation lesions.

METHODS

The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, years 2016-2020, was studied using ICD 10 codes. Patients undergoing PCI for bifurcation lesions were compared to those undergoing PCI for non-bifurcation lesions, excluding chronic total occlusion lesions. We evaluated post-procedural inpatient mortality and complications.

RESULTS

PCI in patients with bifurcation lesions was associated with higher mortality and post-procedural complications. A weighted total of 9,795,154 patients underwent PCI; of those, 43,480 had a bifurcation lesion. The bifurcation cohort had a 3.79% mortality rate, and the rate in those with non-bifurcation lesions was 2.56% (OR, 1.50; CI: 1.34-1.68; P<0.001). Upon conducting multivariate analysis, which adjusted for age, sex, race, and significant comorbidities, PCI for bifurcation lesions remained significantly associated with a higher mortality rate compared to non-bifurcation lesion PCI (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.49-1.88; P<0.001). Furthermore, PCI for bifurcation lesions was associated with higher rates of myocardial infarction (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.68-3.06; P<0.001), coronary perforation (OR, 7.97; 95% CI, 6.25-10.17; P<0.001), tamponade (OR, 3.46; 95% CI, 2.49-4.82; P<0.001), and procedural bleeding (OR, 5.71; 95% CI, 4.85-6.71; P<0.001). Overall, post-procedural complications were 4 times more in patients with bifurcation lesions than in those without (OR, 4.33; 95% CI, 3.83-4.88; P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Using a large, national inpatient database, we demonstrate that both mortality rates and post-procedural complication rates were significantly higher in patients undergoing PCI for bifurcation lesions than in those undergoing PCI for non-bifurcation lesions.

Successful management of Ellis III coronary perforation and complex bifurcation lesion of the right coronary artery in a patient with high-risk coronary anatomy. A case report

Complex coronary lesions represent challenging findings for percutaneous coronary intervention and potentially lead to complications during their approach. We present the case of a patient with decompensated heart failure of ischemic origin who presented multiple complex lesions on coronary angiography. The initial approach to the marginal artery was complicated by a severe coronary perforation that was satisfactorily resolved and in the second moment, a bifurcation lesion of the right coronary artery was successfully treated using the inverted Culotte technique.