Pacemaker dependency and conduction system recovery following transcatheter aortic valve implantation

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)-related conduction system disorders are dynamic and may resolve over time. The purpose of this study was to investigate predictive factors of PM dependency among patients receiving permanent PM implantation after TAVI.

METHODS

We included 37 consecutive patients who underwent PPM implantation within six days after TAVI and who completed a 12-month follow-up. Patients were divided into two groups according to PPM dependency at follow-up: PPM-dependent group and non-PPM-dependent group. Device follow-ups were performed at one, six and 12 months.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in either baseline clinical characteristics or procedural data and results. Analysis of baseline ECGs showed a statistical difference in PR interval (200.1±17.2 ms in the PPM-dependent group vs. 175±23.3 ms in the non PPM-dependent group [P=0,003]) and in the presence of RBBB (four patients in the PPM-dependent group vs. no patients in the non PPM-dependent group [P=0.02]) as well as QRS duration (117.3±27.4 ms in the PPM-dependent group and 99±18.3 msec in the non PPM-dependent group [P=0.04]).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of PPM dependency was significantly reduced at 12-month follow-up: from 62,2% at the time of implantation to 35,1%. PR interval and RBBB were the most important predictive factors for PPM dependency. Persistent AVB and alternating BBB were prevalent in the PPM-dependent group. In the absence of persistent AVB or alternating BBB, we suggest that patients without long PR interval and RBBB at baseline ECG be carefully evaluated before permanent PM implantation, as conduction system recovery is possible.

Electrical storm treatment by percutaneous stellate ganglion block: the STAR study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

An electrical storm (ES) is a clinical emergency with a paucity of established treatment options. Despite initial encouraging reports about the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous stellate ganglion block (PSGB), many questions remained unsettled and evidence from a prospective multicentre study was still lacking. For these purposes, the STAR study was designed.

METHODS

This is a multicentre observational study enrolling patients suffering from an ES refractory to standard treatment from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2023. The primary outcome was the reduction of treated arrhythmic events by at least 50% comparing the 12 h following PSGB with the 12 h before the procedure. STAR operators were specifically trained to both the anterior anatomical and the lateral ultrasound-guided approach.

RESULTS

A total of 131 patients from 19 centres were enrolled and underwent 184 PSGBs. Patients were mainly male (83.2%) with a median age of 68 (63.8-69.2) years and a depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (25.0 ± 12.3%). The primary outcome was reached in 92% of patients, and the median reduction of arrhythmic episodes between 12 h before and after PSGB was 100% (interquartile range -100% to -92.3%). Arrhythmic episodes requiring treatment were significantly reduced comparing 12 h before the first PSGB with 12 h after the last procedure [six (3-15.8) vs. 0 (0-1), P < .0001] and comparing 1 h before with 1 h after each procedure [2 (0-6) vs. 0 (0-0), P < .001]. One major complication occurred (0.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this large, prospective, multicentre study provide evidence in favour of the effectiveness and safety of PSGB for the treatment of refractory ES.

Facing the pandemic with a smile: the case of Memedical and its impact on cardiovascular professionals

Since its outbreak, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has profoundly changed the world we were acquainted with. After the first known contact with humankind in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, the reckless spread of such pathogen put the healthcare system to the test, leading to harmful consequences affecting human lives in every aspect. As of February 2022, the death toll amounts to almost 6 million deaths, but the pathogenic profile of SARS-CoV-2 goes way beyond the mere biological interaction between the viral particle and our organism. People had to deal with the severe psychological impact caused by the only available weapon to fight this infection, i.e., social distancing. The human psychological profile has been strained with repercussions we still are unaware of nowadays. Healthcare professionals were among the most hit categories, not only because of the quarantine but above all for the situations they had to bear every day, constantly facing desperation, death, isolation, and rage. In such circumstances, social media represented a powerful shelter, giving people the ability to keep in contact and to feel connected even if miles apart. In our country, the power of communication was strongly emphasized by launching an Italian Facebook group called "Memedical," where members can share ironic memes to feel closer and give a glimmer of happiness in such a challenging moment. Our review highlights the severity of this pandemic's impact, deteriorating the global population's physical and mental health, and shows how wise use of social media can benefit the quality of life.

[Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (GISE) and Italian Society of Arterial Hypertension (SIIA) Consensus document on the role of renal denervation in the management of the difficult to treat hypertension]

Arterial hypertension is the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor worldwide. Despite the availability of many and effective antihypertensive medications, the prevalence of uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) remains high. As sympathetic hyperactivity has long been recognized as a major contributor to resistant hypertension, catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) has emerged as a new strategy to reduce BP. RDN aims to interrupt the activity of renal sympathetic nerves by applying radiofrequency (RF) energy, ultrasound (US) energy, or injection of alcohol in the perivascular space. The Symplicity HTN-3 trial, the largest sham-controlled trial using the first-generation RF-based RDN device, failed to significantly reduce BP. Since then, new devices and techniques have been developed and consequently many sham-controlled trials using second-generation RF or US-based RDN devices have demonstrated the BP lowering efficacy and safety of the procedure. A multidisciplinary team involving hypertension experts, interventionalists with expertise in renal interventions and anesthesiologists, plays a pivotal role from the selection of the patient candidate for the procedure to the post-procedural care. The aim of this consensus document is to summarize the current evidence about the use of RDN in difficult to treat hypertension and to propose a management strategy from the selection of the patient candidate for the procedure to the post-procedural care.

Focus on the Most Common Paucisymptomatic Vasculopathic Population, from Diagnosis to Secondary Prevention of Complications

Middle-aged adults can start to be affected by some arterial diseases (ADs), such as abdominal aortic or popliteal artery aneurysms, lower extremity arterial disease, internal carotid, or renal artery or subclavian artery stenosis. These vasculopathies are often asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic before manifesting themselves with dramatic complications. Therefore, early detection of ADs is fundamental to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular and limb events. Furthermore, ADs carry a high correlation with silent coronary artery disease (CAD). This study focuses on the most common ADs, in the attempt to summarize some key points which should selectively drive screening. Since the human and economic possibilities to instrumentally screen wide populations is not evident, deep knowledge of semeiotics and careful anamnesis must play a central role in our daily activity as physicians. The presence of some risk factors for atherosclerosis, or an already known history of CAD, can raise the clinical suspicion of ADs after a careful clinical history and a deep physical examination. The clinical suspicion must then be confirmed by a first-level ultrasound investigation and, if so, adequate treatments can be adopted to prevent dreadful complications.

Intermittent Normal Ventricular Conduction in Left Bundle Branch Block After TAVR

In a patient who previously developed left bundle branch block after transcatheter aortic valve replacement, intermittent narrow QRS complexes were recorded on ambulatory electrocardiography monitoring. The peculiar distribution of wide and narrow QRS complexes suggested the presence of a window of supernormality in the refractory period of a branch block that on other occasions exhibited the Wenckebach phenomenon. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Coronary Lithotripsy as Elective or Bail-Out Strategy After Rotational Atherectomy in the Rota-Shock Registry

Debulking lesions with severe coronary artery calcification (CAC) is highly recommended to obtain good procedural and long-term success. Utilization and performance of coronary intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) after rotational atherectomy (RA) has not been thoroughly studied. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IVL with the Shockwave Coronary Rx Lithotripsy System in lesions with severe CAC as elective or bail-out strategy after RA. This observational, prospective, single-arm, multicenter, international, open-label Rota-Shock registry included patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease and lesions with severe CAC treated by percutaneous coronary intervention, including lesion preparation with RA and IVL, at 23 high-volume centers. Primary efficacy end point was procedural success, defined as final diameter stenosis <30% by quantitative coronary angiography. Primary safety end point was freedom from serious angiographic complications, which included >National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute type B dissection, perforation, abrupt closure, slow or no flow, final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow <3, and acute thrombosis. A total of 160 patients were enrolled between June 2020 and June 2022. The primary efficacy end point was observed in 155 patients (96.9%). The primary safety end point occurred in 145 cases (90.6%). Dissections >National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute type B occurred in 3 patients (1.9%), whereas slow or no flow occurred in 8 (5.0%), final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow <3 in 3 (1.9%), and perforation in 4 patients (2.5%). Free from inhospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, including cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, cerebrovascular accident, definite/probable stent thrombosis, and major bleeding, occurred in 158 patients (98.7%). In conclusion, IVL after RA in lesions with severe CAC was effective and safe, with a very low incidence of complications as either elective or bail-out strategy.

Treatment with gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponges in reducing infection of implantable cardiac devices: 10-year analysis with propensity score matching

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The incidence of device infection has increased over time and is associated with increased mortality in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponges (GICSs) are useful in preventing surgical site infection (SSI) in cardiac surgery. Nevertheless, to date, there is no evidence concerning their use in CIED procedures. Our study aims to determine the effectiveness of treatment with GICSs in preventing CIED infection.

METHODS

A total of 2986 adult patients who received CIEDs between 2010 and 2020 were included. Before device implantation, all patients received routine periprocedural systemic antibiotic prophylaxis. The study endpoints were the CIED infection rate at one year and the effectiveness of the use of GICSs in reducing CIED infection.

RESULTS

Among 1524 pacemaker, 942 ICD and 520 CRT implantations, CIED infection occurred in 36 patients (1.2%). Early reintervention (OR 9 [95% CI 3.180-25.837], p<0.001), pocket hematoma (OR 11 [95% CI 4.195-28.961], p<0.001), diabetes (OR 2.9 [95% CI 1.465-5.799], p=0.002) and prolonged procedural time (OR 1.02 [95% CI 1.008-1.034], p=0.001) were independent risk factors for CIED infection. Treatment with GICSs reduced CIED infections significantly ([95% CI -0.031 to -0.001], p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of GICSs may help in reducing infections associated with CIED implantation.

Nurse-led distal radial access: efficacy, learning curve, and perspectives of an increasingly popular access. Does learning by doing apply to both the doctor and the nurse?

BACKGROUND

The distal radial represents an evolution of the standard radial approach. Distal radial arterial access (DRA) in the so-called "anatomical snuffbox" is technically more difficult but offers potential advantages for patients. Moreover, the use of the distal radial would preserve the proximal radial from the risk of arterial occlusion after interventional procedures performed through the radial artery.

METHODS

We enrolled 100 consecutive elective patients undergoing cardiac catheterization (diagnostic or procedural). Arterial access to the distal radial was entirely managed by nursing staff supervised by the interventional cardiologist. In this single-centre single-operator experienced study, the same nurse operator performed puncture, wiring, and sheath advancement.

RESULTS

The technical feasibility was 89% and the failure rate occurred in the first 50 cases as evidenced by the learning curve. There were no major complications and the rate of minor complications is in line with that of the radial literature. BMI (OR 1.19; 95% CI: 1.03-1.38), non-radial dominance (OR 3.5; 95% CI: 1.04-12.3) and operator's experience (OR 0.59; 95% CI: 0.35-0.99 for every 20 consecutive cases performed) were associated with DRA failures.

CONCLUSIONS

The experience is encouraging and beneficial for all staff and patients with a high percentage of technical success and few mild complications.

Patent foramen ovale occlusion with the Cocoon PFO Occluder. The PROS-IT collaborative project

Background

The Cocoon patent foramen ovale (PFO) Occluder is a new generation nitinol alloy double-disk device coated with nanoplatinum, likely useful in patients with nickel hypersensitivity. Early results and mid-term outcomes of this device in percutaneous PFO closure are missing.

Aims

To assess the preliminary efficacy and safety profile of PFO closure with Cocoon device in an Italian multi-center registry.

Methods

This is a prospective registry of 189 consecutive adult patients treated with the Cocoon PFO Occluder at 15 Italian centers from May 2017 till May 2020. Patients were followed up for 2 years.

Results

Closure of the PFO with Cocoon Occluder was carried out successfully in all patients, with complete closure without residual shunt in 94.7% of the patients and minimal shunt in 5.3%. Except from a case of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and a major vascular bleeding, no procedural and in-hospital device-related complications occurred. No patient developed cardiac erosions, allergic reactions to nickel, or any other major complications during the follow-up. During the follow-up period, 2 cases of new-onset atrial fibrillation occurred within thirty-day.

Conclusions

Percutaneous closure of PFO with Cocoon Occluder provided satisfactory procedural and mid-term clinical follow-up results in a real-world registry.

Lifetime Management of Aortic Stenosis: Transcatheter Versus Surgical Treatment for Young and Low-Risk Patients

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is now indicated across all risk categories of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and has been proposed as first line option for the majority of patients >74 years old. However, median age of patients enrolled in the transcatheter aortic valve replacement low-risk trials is 74 years and transcatheter aortic valve replacement has never been systematically investigated in young low risk patients. Although the long-term data in surgical aortic valve replacement in young patients (age <75) are well known, such data remain lacking in transcatheter aortic valve replacement. In the absence of clear guideline recommendations in patients with challenging anatomies (eg, hostile calcium, bicuspid), it is important to know the potential advantages and disadvantages of each treatment and to consider how they might integrate with each other in the lifetime management of such patients. In this review, we discuss current outstanding issues on the management of severe aortic stenosis from a lifetime management perspective, particularly in terms of initial intervention and future reinterventions.

How the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Patients' Hospital Admission and Care in the Vascular Surgery Divisions of the Southern Regions of the Italian Peninsula

Background: To investigate the effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns on the vasculopathic population. Methods: The Divisions of Vascular Surgery of the southern Italian peninsula joined this multicenter retrospective study. Each received a 13-point questionnaire investigating the hospitalization rate of vascular patients in the first 11 months of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the preceding 11 months. Results: 27 out of 29 Centers were enrolled. April-December 2020 (7092 patients) vs. 2019 (9161 patients): post-EVAR surveillance, hospitalization for Rutherford category 3 peripheral arterial disease, and asymptomatic carotid stenosis revascularization significantly decreased (1484 (16.2%) vs. 1014 (14.3%), p = 0.0009; 1401 (15.29%) vs. 959 (13.52%), p = 0.0006; and 1558 (17.01%) vs. 934 (13.17%), p < 0.0001, respectively), while admissions for revascularization or major amputations for chronic limb-threatening ischemia and urgent revascularization for symptomatic carotid stenosis significantly increased (1204 (16.98%) vs. 1245 (13.59%), p < 0.0001; 355 (5.01%) vs. 358 (3.91%), p = 0.0007; and 153 (2.16%) vs. 140 (1.53%), p = 0.0009, respectively). Conclusions: The suspension of elective procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant reduction in post-EVAR surveillance, and in the hospitalization of asymptomatic carotid stenosis revascularization and Rutherford 3 peripheral arterial disease. Consequentially, we observed a significant increase in admissions for urgent revascularization for symptomatic carotid stenosis, as well as for revascularization or major amputations for chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

Unequal opportunities in Italian cardiovascular research: focus on gender

BACKGROUND

Despite unanimous calls for more equitable access and support to female researchers, there are persistent barriers to women's career progression and professional fulfillment. These discriminative hurdles undermine female gender in science and have detrimental effects on research activities and female professionals and patients. There is no data on women's outlook in cardiovascular research in Italy, which limits appropriate remedial actions. We aimed at providing an updated perspective on top Italian cardiovascular researchers, focusing on women vs. men comparisons.

METHODS

Top Italian cardiovascular researchers were retrieved from a dedicated and validated Scopus query. Researchers' sex was assigned according to the given name with a consensus process. Several metrics were compared, including global rank, total cites, total cites adjusted by academic age, h index, and selfcitation percentage. Bivariate and propensity score-adjusted analyses were used for inferential purposes.

RESULTS

Our analysis shows the existence of a gender gap: the number of scientific articles published by Italian male researchers in their careers is significantly higher than their female counterparts (p=0.002). For men, the year of first publication is earlier (p=0.001); they also published more articles as a single author, or single+first author or single+first+last author. Men's papers cited at least once were more than those of women (p=<0.001), and the total number of citations was significantly higher for men (p=0.002). These results remain significant both in the analysis excluding self-citations as well as in the analysis including self-citations. The single-year analysis (2019) confirms the significance of the career analysis, adding that men have a higher rank based on composite score (p=0.041, or p=0.005 if including self-citation). Finally, men have a higher percentage of self-citation in 2019 than women (p=0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

The gender disparity is still a limiting factor in Italian cardiovascular research. Despite career advancement, women continue to be underrepresented. Men retain more leadership positions in academia and maintain the edge for scientific work productions. More efforts are needed to ensure equity between men and women.

Prediction of radial crossover in acute coronary syndromes: derivation and validation of the MATRIX score

BACKGROUND

The radial artery is recommended by international guidelines as the default vascular access in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) managed invasively. However, crossover from radial to femoral access is required in 4-10% of cases and has been associated with worse outcomes. No standardised algorithm exists to predict the risk of radial crossover.

AIMS

We sought to derive and externally validate a risk score to predict radial crossover in patients with ACS managed invasively.

METHODS

The derivation cohort consisted of 4,197 patients with ACS undergoing invasive management via the randomly allocated radial access from the MATRIX trial. Using logistic regression, we selected predictors of radial crossover and developed a numerical risk score. External validation was accomplished among 3,451 and 491 ACS patients managed invasively and randomised to radial access from the RIVAL and RIFLE-STEACS trials, respectively.

RESULTS

The MATRIX score (age, height, smoking, renal failure, prior coronary artery bypass grafting, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, Killip class, radial expertise) showed a c-index for radial crossover of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.67-0.75) in the derivation cohort. Discrimination ability was modest in the RIVAL (c-index: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.59-0.67) and RIFLE-STEACS (c-index: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.57-0.75) cohorts. A cut-off of ≥41 points was selected to identify patients at high risk of radial crossover.

CONCLUSIONS

The MATRIX score is a simple eight-item risk score which provides a standardised tool for the prediction of radial crossover among patients with ACS managed invasively. This tool can assist operators in anticipating and better addressing difficulties related to transradial procedures, potentially improving outcomes.

Cardiovascular medicine: a year in review

Cardiovascular medicine is facing several challenges in the current era, dominated by the rapid spread of a previously unknown virus around the world. Indeed, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic set the course of cardiovascular science and education in an extraordinary way, hogging the attention of the medical community. Notably, while COVID-19 impacted research progress, there has been considerable effort in exploring topics of great interest, from the management of acute coronary syndromes to new horizons in the treatment of heart failure, from novelties in the surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease to new data on implantable cardiac devices, and from new diagnostic applications of multimodal imaging techniques to relevant basic science findings. Minerva Cardiology and Angiology, formerly Minerva Cardioangiologica, has strived to inform its readers on these topics and novelties, aiming for a succinct yet poignant melding of timeliness and accuracy. Accordingly, the purpose of this narrative review is to highlight and summarize the major research and review articles published during 2020. In particular, we provide a broad overview of the novelties identifying six major areas of interest in the field of cardiovascular sciences in which new evidences have contributed to improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart and vessels diseases.

A case report of pudendal arteries angioplasty with sirolimus drug-coated balloon and drug-eluting stent associated with intracavernous autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells injection for untreatable vasculogenic erectile dysfunction

Background

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent health problem that seriously impacts men's quality of life. The potential treatment of ED by percutaneous approach has emerged with valid angiographic results and a significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life. In addition, cell-based regenerative therapies aiming at enhancing neovascularization have been successfully performed with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) in diabetic patients affected by critical limb ischaemia.

Case summary

We report a case of a young insulin dependent (ID) diabetic patients who suffered of severe vasculogenic erectile dysfunction associated with a poor response for more than 1 year to oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) and intracavernous (IC) phosphodiesterase type 1 (PDE1) therapy. At selective angiography of the pelvic district, a severe atherosclerotic disease of the internal iliac and pudendal artery was evident with absence of distal vascularization of the cavernous bodies. The patient was treated by mechanical revascularization with drug-coated balloon and drug-eluting stent placement associated with IC injection of autologous PBMNCs. Immediate and 1-year clinical and angiographic follow-up are described.

Discussion

Percutaneous revascularization with drug-coated balloon and drug-eluting stent associated with IC autologous PBMNCs cells injection is a safe and effective procedure to restore normal erectile function in diabetic patients affected by severe vasculogenic ED not responding to conventional oral drug therapies.

Iatrogenic aorta-coronary dissection: Case report and systematic review

OBJECTIVES AND BACKGROUND

Iatrogenic aorto-coronary dissection (ICD) is one of the most feared complications of interventional cardiology. Although rare, it is characterized by anterograde coronary ischemia and a concomitant aortic dissection, with potentially fatal consequences.

METHODS

We present an example case of IACD and an accurate case-series review of the literature including 125 published cases.

RESULTS

There were no significant predisposing factors and the IACD occurred equally in elective and urgent procedures. A significant number of IACDs were associated with CTO procedures. The factors associated with a worse outcome were hemodynamic instability, the presence of anterograde ischemia, and the extent of dissection according to the Dunning classification. Bail-out stenting was the most used strategy and its failure was associated with mortality.

CONCLUSION

The main features of IACD are anterograde ischemia, retrograde dissection, and hemodynamic instability, each of them should be addressed with no time delay, possibly with bailout stenting, the most employed exit-strategy. According to our proposed algorithm, a shock team approach is required to coordinate the interdisciplinary skills and enabled patients to receive the best treatment.

Case Report: Streptococcus alactolyticus as a Rare Pathogen of Mitral Endocarditis

Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex (SBSEC) is a group of non-enterococcal group D Streptococci that colonizes both humans and animals. Due to gastrointestinal disease, they can switch in opportunistic pathogens passing through intestinal mucosal barrier and may cause bacteremia and distant organs damage. Despite infective endocarditis (IE), extra-cardiac manifestations of organs damage include osteoarticular infections, meningitis, and biliary infections among others; moreover, the association with colonic pathological lesions has been largely described. Streptococcus alactolyticus as a species included in SBSEC may share pathophysiological similarities, although it represents an extremely rare cause of distant organ infections, being reported in literature as causative agent of IE in only two other cases. We describe a case of 69-year-old male admitted to our institution due to mild-moderate dyspnea and fever, affected by cervico-brachialgia for 3 weeks. Streptococcus alactolyticus was identified as causative agent of IE on the mitral valve, causing severe regurgitation.

Home Management of Heart Failure and Arrhythmias in Patients with Cardiac Devices during Pandemic

Background: The in-hospital management of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) changed early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Routine in-hospital controls of CIEDs were converted into remote home monitoring (HM). The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of the lockdown period on CIEDs patients and its influence on in-hospital admissions through the analysis of HM data. Methods: We analysed data recorded from 312 patients with HM during the national quarantine related to COVID-19 and then compared data from the same period of 2019. Results: We observed a reduction in the number of HM events in 2020 when compared to 2019. Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia episodes decreased (18.3% vs. 9.9% p = 0.002) as well as atrial fibrillation episodes (29.2% vs. 22.4% p = 0.019). In contrast, heart failure (HF) alarm activation was lower in 2019 than in 2020 (17% vs. 25.3% p = 0.012). Hospital admissions for critical events recorded with CIEDs dropped in 2020, including those for HF. Conclusions: HM, combined with telemedicine use, has ensured the surveillance of CIED patients. In 2020, arrhythmic events and hospital admissions decreased significantly compared to 2019. Moreover, in 2020, patients with HF arrived in hospital in a worse clinical condition compared to previous months.

Frequency and anatomic distribution of arterial obstructions in patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction not responding to intracavernous prostaglandin

Background: The extent of arterial disease in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) non-responsive to intracavernosal injection of Alprostadil is of importance for therapeutic options. However, published evidence, in particular angiographically validated is scarce. Here we investigated arterial lesion patterns in this specific patient cohort by selective angiography. Patients and methods: A cohort of 239 patients received a clinical and duplex-sonographic workup for ED of suspected vascular origin. Duplex ultrasound of the cavernosal arteries was performed after intracavernosal injection of 10 μg Alprostadil. Consequently, standardized workup included grading of the erectile and determination of peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) in both cavernosal arteries. PSV-values below 30 cm/sec indicated reduced arterial flow, whereas EDV-values above 15 cm/sec indicated a venous leak of the pudendal veins. All patients with suspected arterial ED based on duplex sonography underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Endovascular therapy was carried out in ED patients not responsive or with significant side effects to PDE-5-inhibitors or Alprostadil by selective angiographic depiction of erection-related arteries. Results: 54 patients with a mean age of 61.2 (±9.8) years underwent angioplasty of erectionr elated arteries. Out of these 48/54 (89%) patients presented with an erection considered insufficient for penetration (E0-E3) subsequent to intracavernous application of 10 μg Alprostadil. 14/48 (29%) patients had bilateral arterial obstructions and 34/48 (71%) had unilateral disease. Commonly affected was the internal pudendal artery (n = 31, 65%), followed closely by the common penile artery (n = 30, 64%). The least affected arteries were the dorsal penile (n = 6, 13%), hypogastric (n = 4, 8%), common iliac (n = 4, 8%), cavernosal (n = 4, 8%), and inferior gluteal (n = 1, 2%) arteries. Conclusions: Arterial obstructions amenable to endovascular revascularization are frequent in patients non-responsive to intracavernosal prostaglandin administration. Therapeutic strategies in ED patients non-responsive to conservative measures should therefore consider endovascular treatment opportunities.

Provisional stenting or not provisional stenting: seven critical points for bifurcations treatment with a glimpse on left main bifurcation stenting

Stenting of coronary bifurcation lesions represents a challenge for the interventional cardiologist. A bifurcation lesion could be treated with several techniques. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to decide the strategical approach at the beginning of the procedure evaluating the patient's bifurcation anatomy, the angle between main and side branch, plaque burden at the level of the carina, and size of the side branch. Although it is clear that all bifurcation's treatment techniques have each one their advantages and disadvantages, provisional stenting remains the gold-standard technique, because it leaves the possibility to switch to other technical solutions with optimal angiographic and long-term clinical results. In this review, different tips and tricks for left main and bifurcation stenting are debated.

Provisional stenting or not provisional stenting: seven critical points for bifurcations treatment with a glimpse on left main bifurcation stenting

Stenting of coronary bifurcation lesions represents a challenge for the interventional cardiologist. A bifurcation lesion could be treated with several techniques. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to decide the strategical approach at the beginning of the procedure evaluating the patient's bifurcation anatomy, the angle between main and side branch, plaque burden at the level of the carina, and size of the side branch. Although it is clear that all bifurcation's treatment techniques have each one their advantages and disadvantages, provisional stenting remains the gold-standard technique, because it leaves the possibility to switch to other technical solutions with optimal angiographic and long-term clinical results. In this review, different tips and tricks for left main and bifurcation stenting are debated.

Endovascular therapy for erectile dysfunction: current knowledge and future perspectives

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to attain or maintain penile erection sufficient for successful sexual intercourse. ED carries a notable influence on quality of life, with significant implications for family and social relationships. Because atherosclerosis of penile arteries represents one of the most frequent causes of ED, patients presenting with it should always be investigated for potential coexistent coronary or peripheral disease. Up to 75% of patients with ED have a stenosis of the iliac-pudendal-penile arteries, supplying perfusion of the male genital organ. Recently the potential treatment of this pathological condition by percutaneous approaches has emerged with good angiographic results and with a significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life. This review will focus on the normal anatomy and physiology of erection, the pathophysiology of ED, the relation between ED and cardiovascular diseases and, lastly, on new treatment modalities aimed at restoration of normal erectile function.

Endovascular therapy for erectile dysfunction: a state of the art review

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to attain or maintain penile erection sufficient for successful sexual intercourse. ED carries a notable influence on quality of life, with significant implications for family and social relationships. Because atherosclerosis of penile arteries represents one of the most frequent causes of ED, patients presenting with it should always be investigated for potential coexistent coronary or peripheral disease. Up to 75% of patients with ED have a stenosis of the iliac-pudendal-penile arteries, supplying perfusion of the male genital organ. Recently the potential treatment of this pathological condition by percutaneous approaches has emerged with good angiographic results and with a significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life. This review will focus on the normal anatomy and physiology of erection, the pathophysiology of ED, the relation between ED and cardiovascular diseases and, lastly, on new treatment modalities aimed at restoration of normal erectile function.

Clinical and anatomical variables associated in the literature to limb graft occlusion after endovascular aneurysm repair compared to the experience of a tertiary referral center

INTRODUCTION

Limb graft occlusion (LGO) is the third reason for hospital readmission after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm. We reviewed the clinical features, incidence, anatomical and devices related predictive factors for LGO after EVAR, and compared them with our experience.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

EVAR between 2010-2017 were included. Patients with LGO (LGO group) were matched for age and type of endograft with the rest of the entire cohort without LGO (control group). Clinical, anatomical, operative, outcome, and follow-up data were collected.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Two hundred seventy-six EVAR, (30 aorto-uniliac), 276 patients. The incidence of LGO was 2.5% (seven limbs, seven patients) at 27±24.6 days. Symptomatic patients were successfully treated. No mortality, limb loss, critical limb ischemia or residual claudication due to LGO was observed. Fifty patients resulted from the matching. Among the predictive factors of LGO between the two groups, significant differences were observed in graft limb oversizing ≥15% (57.1% vs. 8%, P=0.005), or kinking (42.9% vs. 2%, P=0.01), and diameter of the aortic bifurcation <20 mm (71.4% vs. 20%, P=0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that these three variables increased the risk of LGO (P=0.003, P=0.006, and P=0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The strongest predictive factors of LGO issued from our review were: extension in the external iliac artery, or small diameter; tortuous, angled, and calcific iliac axis; excessive oversizing of the limb graft, or kinking; use of old generation devices; EVAR performed outside the instructions for use. Limb graft oversizing >15%, or kinking, and aortic bifurcation <20 mm appear to be independent predictive factors of LGO.

Renal artery side branches patency protection during endovascular exclusion of giant renal artery aneurysm with covered stent: Well done is better than well said

Rationale

Endovascular treatment of renal artery aneurysms has offered a viable alternative with a high success rate and low procedure-related morbidity and mortality.

Patient concerns

A 60-year-old man, having a right renal artery aneurysm involving the main vessel with two arteries (supplying the inferior and superior lobes of the kidney) originating from the aneurysm sac as well.

Interventions

A 6 × 28 mm covered stent was inflated in vitro and a side hole was made with a femoral needle in the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer, through which a wire was placed in an outside/inside direction in to be inserted in the inferior pole branch. The other wire was inserted inside the main lumen of the stent (to be inserted in the main artery) and the latter, carefully re-crimped on the balloon. This way, the authors guaranteed continuous access to both arteries during aneurysm exclusion and if needed, a second stent could be advanced at the level of the bifurcation to preserve side branch patency.

Conclusion

Perforating the PTFE of the stent before its introduction into the vessel and keeping a wire into the side branch could be a good strategy to protect any vessel arising from aneurysmal sac that needs to be excluded.<Learning objective: Handling challenging cases of arterial aneurysms percutaneously, especially in high-risk patients.>.

Case report and systematic review of iatrogenic left atrial dissection in different cardiovascular specialties: A common treatment for an uncommon complication?

OBJECTIVES

Left atrial dissection (LatD) is a rare and heterogeneous condition affecting many cardiovascular areas. The present article, by the means of personal case report illustration and systemic review of different clinical management, is aimed to give to clinicians further knowledge on this controversial topic.

BACKGROUND

LatD is an exceedingly rare but potentially fatal complication of cardiac surgery or catheter-based interventional procedures. Most of the cases are iatrogenic and its incidence is expected to grow due to an increase in the number of percutaneous coronary intervention and structural heart disease procedures. The management of this complication is controversial, and it may depend on related etiologies.

METHODS

We have reported our single-case experience and review of the scientific literature, focusing on the decision-making process and the strategical approach by multimodality imaging techniques.

RESULTS

Our case of LatD with initial hemodynamic instability was surgically treated. Conservative approach is often employed in literature despite the fact that conservative versus surgical approach is debatable, depending on clinical presentation, hemodynamic stability, multimodal imaging findings, and personal experience of the center.

CONCLUSIONS

According to systematic literature review, a watchful-waiting strategy supported by multimodality imaging could be a safe and effective management in stable LatD.

[Percutaneous intervention therapy for vascular erectile dysfunction]

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to get and maintain a sufficient erection to ensure an acceptable sexual activity for the subject and the partner. Although ED does not represent per se a serious disease, it carries a notable and severe influence on quality of life, with significant implications on familiar and social relationship; DE may cause depression, shame, impairment of personal esteem and relational problems. Among many possible etiologies of ED, atherosclerotic disease of penile arteries represents one of the most frequent causes, so it should always be looked for in patients with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease or an established coronary or peripheral artery disease. Up to 75% of patients with ED have a stenosis of the iliac-pudendus-penile artery system, deputy to perfusion of male genital organ. Recently the potential treatment of this pathologic condition by percutaneous approach has emerged with valid angiographic results and with a significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life. This review focuses on the normal anatomy and physiology of erection, the pathophysiology of ED, the common points between ED and ischemic cardiomyopathy and, lastly, the new chance of endovascular intervention for ED, to give our cardiologist colleagues the opportunity to screen and adequately treat patients with vascular ED.

From Carotid Plaque Biology to Serologic Markers of Vulnerability to Predict the Risk of Cerebrovascular Events

Stroke is the second cause of mortality in industrialized countries. Atherosclerotic plaque rupture with atheromatous debris distal embolization is the pathogenetic mechanism responsible for cerebrovascular events due to atherosclerotic carotid disease. Plaque composition rather than lesion burden seems to be the determinant factor producing rupture and subsequent thrombosis. Histologic features of vulnerability are : a large lipid core, a thin fibrous cap, and an inflammatory infiltrate rich of monocytes and macrophages. In the clinical practice, it is difficult to predict the risk of experiencing a major cerebrovascular events especially in asymptomatic patients. New invasive techniques such as intravascular ultrasound with termography, optical coherence tomography, fotons spectroscopy and elastography have been developed to detect atherosclerotic lesion tissue composition. However, such techniques are difficult to apply on a large scale basis in primary prevention. On the contrary, new serologic biomarkers such as Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein-A, Lp-PLA2, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-12, metalloproteinases, lipoprotein-(a), and plaque oxidative products have been recently proposed for screening general and high risk population. The present paper will briefly review the current histologic characteristics of vulnerable plaque and the new imaging tools proposed for its detection, focusing on the most recent serologic biomarkers evaluated in the clinical practice to increase our accuracy in predicting not only the plaque but moreover the patient at risk for an acute cerebrovascular event.

Mechanism of luminal patency of the self-expanding Sideguard sidebranch stent: evaluation by intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography

BACKGROUND

The Cappella Sideguard (CS) sidebranch stent is a self-expanding, thin-strut, nitinol device with anatomic flaring at the sidebranch ostium designed to treat bifurcation lesions.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the mechanism of long-term lumen patency of the novel, self-expanding CS sidebranch stent compared with a balloon-expandable stent in the main vessel.

METHODS

We performed intravascular ultrasound postintervention and at follow-up in 24 CS stents and in 28 balloon-expandable drug-eluting stents deployed in the corresponding main vessel. Thirteen patients also had optical coherence tomography (OCT) at follow-up to evaluate neointimal hyperplasia and strut coverage.

RESULTS

CS stent area at the sidebranch carina increased significantly from 3.8 ± 1.2 mm(2) postintervention to 4.6 ± 1.2 mm(2) at follow-up (P < 0.001), resulting in no change in lumen area (3.8 ± 1.2 mm(2) to 3.7 ± 1.2 mm(2) , P = 0.72) despite a neointimal area at follow-up of 0.9 ± 0.8 mm(2) . Volumetric changes were similar, and the distribution of neointimal hyperplasia peaked 1-2 mm distal to the carina. Change of lumen volume inversely correlated to the neointimal volume (R = -0.48, P < 0.001), but correlated positively to the change in stent volume (R = 0.52, P < 0.0001). By OCT, most CS struts were covered (100% [98.9, 100]) at the bifurcation site, whereas 61% of floating DES struts that crossed the sidebranch were covered by smooth tissue with a similar texture compared with neointima.

CONCLUSION

Although neointimal hyperplasia accumulates within the CS stent mainly 1-2 mm distal to the carina, the self-expanding CS stent may be effective in maintaining an adequate patency in the sidebranch by continued stent expansion noted at follow-up.

Semivolatile PAH and n-alkane gas/particle partitioning using the dual model: up-to-date coefficients and comparison with experimental data

The gas/particle partitioning coefficient K p, of a semivolatile compound is a key parameter for its atmospheric fate. The most complete method of predicting K p for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is offered by the dual model, as it describes both the adsorption on soot and absorption into organic matter processes. However, experimental and model data exist almost exclusively for PAHs. In order to bridge this gap, experimental data on the phase partitioning of both PAHs and n-alkanes were collected at an urban and a remote site. Moreover, all the necessary parameters (e.g., octanol-air and soot-air partitioning coefficients) for the dual model have been collected and updated or (if missing) estimated for the first time. The results point out that both absorption and adsorption seem to contribute to the partitioning of PAHs and n-alkanes. However, it seems that the dual model always underestimates the particle sorption not only for PAHs but also for n-alkanes.

Intravascular ultrasound comparison of the self-expanding Sideguard stent in the side branch versus a balloon-expandable stent in the main vessel to assess mechanisms of acute lumen gain in bifurcation lesions

OBJECTIVES

We compared the mechanisms of lumen gain after Cappella Sideguard (CS) side branch (SB) bifurcation stent deployment versus a balloon-expandable stent in the corresponding main vessel (MV).

BACKGROUND

The novel CS SB bifurcation stent is a self-expanding, thin-strut, nitinol device with anatomic flaring at the SB ostium.

METHODS

In 28 bifurcation lesions, intravascular ultrasound imaging of both the SB and the MV was performed both pre- and postintervention; vessel and lumen areas were measured every 1 mm over a 5 mm segment beginning at the carina.

RESULTS

Although minimum lumen area (MLA) within the distal 5 mm segment beginning at the carina increased from 2.8 ± 1.3 mm(2) to 3.8 ± 1.1 mm(2), P < 0.001, in the SB and from 3.4 ± 1.4 mm(2) to 6.0 ± 1.1 mm(2), P < 0.001, in the MV, stent expansion (minimum stent area/distal reference lumen area) was significantly less in the SB compared with the MV (77.8 ± 21.3% vs. 91.6 ± 18.4%, P = 0.02). Post stenting, the MLA site was located at the carina more frequently in the SB (85.7%) than in the MV (60.7%), P = 0.04. Plaque volume in the 5 mm proximal to carina in the MV tended to decrease, whereas plaque volume in the SB increased slightly with no change in overall plaque volume in the 5-mm-long segment distal to the carina in the MV, suggesting plaque shift from the proximal MV to the SB.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute CS lumen gain is less than the lumen gain of a balloon-expandable stent in the MV because of less aggressive acute expansion and/or the plaque shift from the proximal MV to the SB.

Simplifying clinical risk prediction for percutaneous coronary intervention of bifurcation lesions: the case for the ACEF (age, creatinine, ejection fraction) score

AIMS

We aimed to appraise the predictive accuracy of a novel and user-friendly risk score, the ACEF (age, creatinine, ejection fraction), in patients undergoing PCI for coronary bifurcations.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A multicentre, retrospective study was conducted enrolling consecutive patients undergoing bifurcation PCI between January 2002 and December 2006 in 22 Italian centres. Patients with complete data to enable computation of the ACEF score were divided into three groups according to tertiles of ACEF score. The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality. The discrimination of the ACEF score as a continuous variable was also appraised with area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver-operating characteristic. A total of 3,535 patients were included: 1,119 in the lowest tertile of ACEF score, 1,190 in the mid tertile, and 1,153 in the highest tertile. Increased ACEF score was associated with significantly different rates of 30-day mortality (0.1% in the lowest tertile vs. 0.5% in the mid tertile and 3.0% in the highest tertile, p<0.001), with similar differences in myocardial infarction (0.3% vs. 0.7% and 1.8%, p<0.001) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE, 0.5% vs. 1.2% and 4.3%, p<0.001). After an average follow-up of 24.4±15.1 months, increased ACEF score was still associated with a higher rate of all-cause death (1.3% vs. 2.4% and 11.0%, p<0.001), cardiac death (0.9% vs. 1.4% and 7.2%, p<0.001), myocardial infarction (3.4% vs. 2.7% and 5.7%, p<0.001), MACE (13.6% vs. 15.9% and 22.3%, p<0.001), and stent thrombosis (2.3% vs. 1.8% and 5.0%, p<0.001). Discrimination of ACEF score was satisfactory for 30-day mortality (AUC=0.82 [0.77-0.87], p<0.001), 30-day MACE (AUC=0.73 [0.67-0.78], p<0.001), long-term mortality (AUC=0.77 [0.74-0.81], p<0.001), and moderate for long-term MACE (AUC=0.60 [0.57-0.62], p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The simple and extremely user-friendly ACEF score can accurately identify patients undergoing PCI for coronary bifurcation lesions at high risk of early fatal or non-fatal complications, as well as long-term fatality.

Particle size, chemical composition, seasons of the year and urban, rural or remote site origins as determinants of biological effects of particulate matter on pulmonary cells

Particulate matter (PM), a complex mix of chemical compounds, results to be associated with various health effects. However there is still lack of information on the impact of its different components. PM2.5 and PM1 samples, collected during the different seasons at an urban, rural and remote site, were chemically characterized and the biological effects induced on A549 cells were assessed. A Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis has been performed to relate PM chemical composition to the toxic effects observed. Results show that PM-induced biological effects changed with the seasons and sites, and such variations may be explained by chemical constituents of PM, derived both from primary and secondary sources. The first-time here reported biological responses induced by PM from a remote site at high altitude were associated with the high concentrations of metals and secondary species typical of the free tropospheric aerosol, influenced by long range transports and aging.

The Virtual histology In CaroTids Observational RegistrY (VICTORY) study: a European prospective registry to assess the feasibility and safety of intravascular ultrasound and virtual histology during carotid interventions

BACKGROUND

Carotid occlusive disease is the most common determinant of thromboembolic stroke. However, limited insights in vivo into the pathophysiology and pathology of carotid plaques are available. We designed a prospective multicenter registry to appraise the safety and feasibility of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and IVUS-virtual histology (IVUS-VH) imaging before and immediately after carotid stenting.

METHODS

Symptomatic and asymptomatic patients scheduled for carotid stenting were included. IVUS-VH pullbacks were performed before and after stenting. Angiographic, IVUS and IVUS-VH analyses were performed. The primary objective was to appraise feasibility and safety of IVUS-VH, and secondary objectives were to correlate plaque composition and plaque type derived from IVUS-VH with acute and 30-day complications.

RESULTS

A total of 119 patients were enrolled. IVUS-VH could be performed in all cases (100%), with additional runs after completion of the stenting procedure in 85%. Most plaques were stable by IVUS-VH, with vulnerable ones at minimum lumen area in 7%. Conversely, vulnerable plaques were significantly more common elsewhere in the internal carotid artery (ICA, 24% of patients, p<0.001). Acute and 30-day adverse events were uncommon (2 strokes, 1 transient ischemic attack), with no significant association between these and IVUS-VH features.

CONCLUSIONS

IVUS and IVUS-VH examinations during carotid interventions are feasible and safe, and provide important insights on qualitative and quantitative compositions of carotid plaques. Whether carotid IVUS-VH can predict clinical events remains uncertain, awaiting long-term follow-up of the VICTORY study and additional clinical trials.

Long-term outcome of percutaneous exclusion of huge saphenous vein graft aneurysms using peripheral covered-stents as alternative to surgical repair

Giant vein graft aneurysms occur infrequently after coronary artery bypass graft surgery and are most often detected incidentally during coronary angiography for suspected angina or as a mediastinal mass on chest radiographs. Hereby, we describe the percutaneous treatment of a huge right coronary artery saphenous vein bypass graft aneurysm by using peripheral stent-graft. Twelve months after the procedure, the aneurysm was completely sealed at computed tomographic angiography with a good distal run-off in the bypass graft. Different strategies adopted and the feasibility as well as the long-term outcomes of this technique are described thoroughly.