Patients with in-stent restenoses

Aims: We compared the intracoronary β-brachytherapy using a liquid rhenium-188 filled balloon with the slow-release, polymer-based, paclitaxel-eluting Taxus-Express stent for treatment of in-stent restenoses. Patients, methods: During the same study period, patients with restenoses in bare-metal stents were either treated with Taxus- Express stents (n = 50) or β-brachytherapy after successful angioplasty (n = 51). For brachytherapy 30 Gy in 0.5 mm tissue depth were administered. The irradiated segment exceeded the traumatized segment 7.5 mm on both sides. Primary endpoint was the minimal lumen diameter (MLD) at the target lesion at six months follow-up. Angiographic follow-up was available in 78% (n = 79/101) and clinical follow-up in all patients. Results: Baseline parameters did not differ statistically. The Taxus-Express stent resulted in a significantly larger MLD and a significantly lower percent diameter stenosis post intervention compared to β-brachytherapy, which both maintained until angiographic follow-up (primary endpoint 2.44 ± 0.74 mm versus 1.73 ± 0.74 mm, p <0.0001). Therefore, Taxus- Express stents were associated with a lower angiographic restenosis rate compared with β-brachytherapy, both for the target lesion (6.1% versus 17.4%) and the total segment (9.1% versus 23.9%). Moreover, use of Taxus-stent was associated with a clinical benefit based on a significantly lower MACE rate compared with β-brachytherapy (p <0.05). Conclusions: Paclitaxel-eluting Taxus- Express stents resulted in superior clinical and angiographic outcomes compared to intracoronary β-brachytherapy with a liquid 188Re filled balloon for treatment of restenosis within a bare-metal stent.

Results of intracoronary stem cell therapy after acute myocardial infarction

To assess the effect of autologous bone-marrow cell (BMC) therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction in a rigorous double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Patients with reperfusion >6 hours after symptom onset were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive intracoronary BMC or placebo therapy 5 to 7 days after symptom onset. The patients were stratified according to age, acute myocardial infarction localization, and left ventricular (LV) function. Rigorous double-blinding was ensured using autologous erythrocytes for the placebo preparation that was visually indistinguishable from the active treatment. Serial cardiac magnetic resonance imaging studies were performed before study therapy and after 1, 3, and 6 months. The primary end point was the difference in the LV ejection fraction from baseline to 6 months. The secondary end points included changes in the LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indexes and infarct size. A total of 42 patients were enrolled (29 in the BMC group and 13 in the placebo group) in the integrated pilot phase. A mean of 381 x 10(6) mononuclear BMCs were administered. The baseline clinical and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging parameters did not differ. Compared to baseline, the difference in LV ejection fraction for the placebo group versus BMC group was 1.7 +/- 6.4% versus -0.9 +/- 5.5% at 1 month, 3.1 +/- 6.0% versus 1.9 +/- 4.3% at 3 months, and 5.7 +/- 8.4% versus 1.8 +/- 5.3% at 6 months (primary end point; not significant). No difference was found in the secondary end points between the 2 groups, including changes in infarct size or LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indexes. In conclusion, in this rigorous double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we did not observe an evidence for a positive effect for intracoronary BMC versus placebo therapy with respect to LV ejection fraction, LV volume indexes, or infarct size.

Carbon-coated stents in patients with acute coronary syndromes

BACKGROUND

For patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), rapid restoration of coronary blood flow is the primary therapeutic goal. Because of the acute nature of this clinical presentation, bleeding risks may not be adequately evaluated, limiting the use of drug-eluting stents, since premature discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy strongly predicts stent thrombosis. We evaluated angiographic and clinical results of non-drug-eluting carbon-coated stents.

METHODS

In this prospective observational study, angiographic and clinical 6-mo results of a carbon-coated stent for treatment of acute lesions in native coronary arteries were evaluated. Angiographic main outcome measures included in-stent late loss and binary restenosis rate. Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were defined as any death, Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularization.

RESULTS

We included 320 patients with STEMI (n = 205) or NSTEMI (n = 115) with 360 lesions. Reference vessel diameter was 2.93 +/- 0.53 mm and stented length 22.7 +/- 13.8 mm. Angiographic follow-up was available in 220 of 360 lesions (61%). In-stent late loss was 0.69 +/- 0.75 mm, with a binary restenosis rate of 19.1%. For the total segment late loss was 0.74 +/- 0.77 mm and binary restenosis rate 21.4%. Clinical follow-up for 97.4% of discharged patients was available. Hierarchical MACEs were death in 14 patients (4.4%), Q-wave MI in 3 patients (0.9%), and target lesion revascularization in 39 patients (12.2%).

CONCLUSION

In this prospective, observational study, the use of a carbon-coated stent for treatment of lesions in patients with STEMI or NSTEMI was associated with a low late loss, translating into a low binary angiographic restenosis rate within a 6-mo follow-up.

Catheter-Based Delivery of Fluid Paclitaxel for Prevention of Restenosis in Native Coronary Artery Lesions After Stent Implantation

Background— Stents eluting antiproliferative drugs reduce the incidence of restenosis but delay healing of the vascular wall. We assessed the safety and efficacy of catheter-based local delivery of fluid paclitaxel in patients with coronary de novo stenoses after implantation of a bare metal stent.

Methods and Results— We conducted a prospective, randomized trial comparing the local delivery of fluid paclitaxel after bare metal stent implantation (group I) with the implantation of a bare metal stent (group II) and the implantation of a paclitaxel-eluting stent (group III) in 204 patients. The primary end point was in-stent late lumen loss. Secondary end points included binary restenosis rate >50%, minimal lumen diameter, diameter stenosis, and a composite clinical end point (major adverse cardiac events and revascularization of the target lesion) 6 months after intervention. At 6 months, angiography showed an in-stent late lumen loss of 0.61�0.44 mm in group I versus 0.99�0.72 mm in group II (I versus II, P =0.0006) and 0.44�0.48 mm in group III (noninferiority of I versus III, P =0.023). The 1-sided 95% CI for the true difference of the means of in-stent late lumen loss in groups I and III was −∞ to 0.3174188. The cumulative overall rate of major cardiac events was 13.4% in group I, 26.8% in group II, and 14.9% in group III. Target lesion revascularization rate was 13.4% (group I), 22.1% (group II), and 13.4% (group III).

Conclusions— Additional antiproliferative treatment of de novo lesions in native coronary arteries with catheter-based delivery of fluid paclitaxel after bare metal stenting was safe and significantly reduced neointimal proliferation, restenosis, and clinical events compared with bare metal stent implantation alone.

Assessment of myocardial perfusion for detection of coronary artery stenoses by steady-state, free-precession magnetic resonance first-pass imaging

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the diagnostic impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) first-pass perfusion using steady-state, free-precession (SSFP) sequences with parallel imaging (SENSE) for detection of coronary stenoses.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

University hospital, cardiac MRI and catheterisation laboratories.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

228 patients were examined with coronary angiography and MRI (1.5 T Intera CV). A three-slice, short-axis SSFP perfusion scan with a saturation prepulse was performed during infusion of adenosine and at rest followed by myocardial scar (late enhancement) imaging. Gadolinium-DTPA was given at 0.1 mmol/kg body weight. Perfusion images were visually assessed. Analysis for myocardial hypoperfusion was done according to patient group and according to vessel.

RESULTS

Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI first-pass perfusion for detection of a coronary artery stenosis (>50% luminal narrowing) in the total patient group were 93.0%, 85.7%, 91.2% and for a significant lesion (>70% luminal narrowing) 96.1%, 72.0%, 88.2%, respectively. Based on 536 coronary artery territories without myocardial scar, the sensitivity of MRI perfusion analysis for detection of a significant lesion was for the left anterior descending artery 91.4%, for the circumflex artery 81.6% and for the right coronary artery 65.1% (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

MRI first-pass perfusion analysis using an SSFP sequence with three myocardial slices was a highly accurate diagnostic method for detection of coronary artery stenoses. This MRI technique can be included in daily practice and has the potential to guide the indication for invasive coronary angiography.

Myocardial perfusion reserve in cardiovascular magnetic resonance: Correlation to coronary microvascular dysfunction

The present study examined the association of myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI) in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) and serum levels of markers of inflammation or endothelial activation. Twelve patients with typical angina pectoris without coronary artery disease were enrolled in this study, and CMR perfusion was analyzed using a steady-state-free-precession sequence with 3 short axis slices per heartbeat during first pass of 0.025 mmol Gadolinium-DTPA/kg body weight. The upslope of myocardial signal intensity curves was used to calculate MPRI. CMD was assessed by intracoronary Doppler flow measurement and biplane angiography. Both MPRI and CMD were assessed during endothelium-independent stimulation with intravenous adenosine and during endothelium-dependent stimulation with intracoronary infusion of acetylcholine. Serum values of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Impaired MPRI correlated significantly with a decrease in coronary blood flow reserve after both endothelium-dependent (p = 0.033) and endothelium-independent (p = 0.022) stimulation. Serum levels above the median of all normal ranged biomarkers sCD40L, TNF-alpha, IL-6, sICAM-1 and CRP were associated with an impaired MPRI for stimulation with adenosine as well as acetylcholine. In multivariable analyses, sCD40L (p < 0.001) and TNF-alpha (p = 0.011) were significantly associated with a decrease in MPRI on adenosine, as were TNF-alpha (p = 0.016) and sICAM-1 (p = 0.022) for a decrease in MPRI on acetylcholine. MPRI on adenosine significantly correlated with MPRI on acetylcholine (p < 0.001). Therefore, the present study demonstrates safety and feasibility of an intracoronary infusion of acetylcholine during CMR perfusion analysis, thus allowing direct assessment of endothelial dependent vasomotor function at the myocardial level by CMR. Furthermore, we show that an impaired myocardial perfusion reserved in CMR is associated with established biomarkers of early atherosclerosis and significantly correlated with CMD. CMR combined with adenosine could be proposed as a non-invasive tool to evaluate CMD.

Patients with in-stent restenoses: comparison of intracoronary beta-brachytherapy using a rhenium-188 filled balloon catheter with the polymer-based paclitaxel-eluting taxus-express stent

AIMS

We compared the intracoronary beta-brachytherapy using a liquid rhenium-188 filled balloon with the slow-release, polymer-based, paclitaxel-eluting Taxus-Express stent for treatment of in-stent restenoses.

PATIENTS, METHODS

During the same study period, patients with restenoses in bare-metal stents were either treated with Taxus-Express stents (n = 50) or beta-brachytherapy after successful angioplasty (n = 51). For brachytherapy 30 Gy in 0.5 mm tissue depth were administered. The irradiated segment exceeded the traumatized segment 7.5 mm on both sides. Primary endpoint was the minimal lumen diameter (MLD) at the target lesion at six months follow-up. Angiographic follow-up was available in 78% (n = 79/101) and clinical follow-up in all patients.

RESULTS

Baseline parameters did not differ statistically. The Taxus-Express stent resulted in a significantly larger MLD and a significantly lower percent diameter stenosis post intervention compared to beta-brachytherapy, which both maintained until angiographic follow-up (primary endpoint 2.44 +/- 0.74 mm versus 1.73 +/- 0.74 mm, p < 0.0001). Therefore, Taxus-Express stents were associated with a lower angiographic restenosis rate compared with beta-brachytherapy, both for the target lesion (6.1% versus 17.4%) and the total segment (9.1% versus 23.9%). Moreover, use of Taxus-stent was associated with a clinical benefit based on a significantly lower MACE rate compared with beta-brachytherapy (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Paclitaxel-eluting Taxus-Express stents resulted in superior clinical and angiographic outcomes compared to intracoronary beta-brachytherapy with a liquid (188)Re filled balloon for treatment of restenosis within a bare-metal stent.

Magnetic resonance imaging to assess acute changes in atrial and ventricular parameters after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects

PURPOSE

To evaluate acute changes in atrial and ventricular parameters by the use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with percutaneous transcatheter atrial septal defects (ASD) closure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 14 patients (six males and eight females, 45 +/- 18 years) with congenital ASD. Cardiac MRI (1.5T Philips Intera CV) was performed before and within 24 hours after transcatheter ASD closure. Right atrial (RA) and left atrial (LA) dimensions, as well as right (RV) and left (LV) ventricular end-diastolic (ED) volumes were determined. Atrial size was assessed by planimetry of the maximum RA and LA areas in a standard four-chamber view, and ventricular volumes were calculated according to a modified Simpson's rule in short-axis views.

RESULTS

The mean RA decreased significantly from 27.6 +/- 6.4 cm(2) before closure to 24.4 +/- 5.6 cm(2) after the procedure (P = 0.0018), whereas the LA area did not change (24.1 +/- 4.7 cm(2) vs. 23.8 +/- 5.2 cm(2), P = 0.76). The RV volumes, volume index, and ejection fraction (EF) decreased significantly from 229 +/- 64 mL to 181 +/- 43 mL (P < 0.001, average reduction = 19% +/- 15%), from 126.0 +/- 37.2 mL/m(2) to 96.6 +/- 28.6 mL/m(2) (P < 0.0001) and from 64 +/- 5% to 58% +/- 7% (P = 0.01), respectively. The LV volumes and volume index remained unchanged (114 +/- 25 mL vs. 118 +/- 22 mL, P = 0.18, 63.5 +/- 13.5 mL/m(2) vs. 63.0 +/- 17.4 mL/m(2), P = 0.83). Left-right shunting decreased from 40% +/- 15% to 9% +/- 15% (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Cardiac MRI can reveal detailed information on acute changes in shunt fraction and ventricular dimensions after ASD closure. ASD closure by percutaneous transcatheter device implantation results within 24 hours in a significant reduction of shunt fraction, RA and RV sizes, and RV function, whereas LA and LV dimensions remain unchanged.

Comparison of the slow-release polymerbased paclitaxel-eluting Taxus-Express stent with the bare-metal Express stent for saphenous vein graft interventions

BACKGROUND

The paclitaxel-eluting Taxus-Express stent is superior regarding angiographic and clinical outcome compared with its bare-metal platform for lesions in native coronary arteries. We studied the potential impact of the Taxus-Express stent in comparison with its bare-metal counterpart for treatment of lesions in saphenous vein grafts (SVGs). Furthermore, a meta-analysis was performed regarding use of drug-eluting (DES) vs bare-metal stents (BMS) in SVG lesions.

METHODS

We analyzed 13 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous revascularization in SVG lesions using the slow-release, paclitaxel-eluting Taxus-Express stent. These lesions were balanced with 26 patients with SVG lesions treated with the bare-metal Express stent (BMS) in the preceding period. Angiographic follow-up was performed after 6 months, clinical follow-up after 6 and 12 months.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences regarding clinical, procedural and angiographic parameters pre and post intervention. Binary restenoses occurred significantly less in the Taxus group compared with the BMS group (0% vs 34.6%; p=0.016). This translated into a significantly lower occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, repeat target vessel revascularization) in the Taxus group compared with the BMS group at the 6-month (0% vs 26.9%, p=0.039) and 12-month follow-up (7.7% vs 38.5%, p=0.045). Multivariate predictors for freedom of binary restenosis were the reference diameter pre intervention and treatment with Taxus stents. Meta-analysis including 280 DES and 256 BMS patients revealed an odds ratio of 0.34 (95% confidence interval 0.21-0.54) for MACE and 0.26 (95% confidence interval 0.16-0.44) for target vessel revascularizations, both favoring DES.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the use of the slow-release Taxus-Express stent has the potential to be superior regarding angiographic and clinical outcome compared with its bare-metal counterpart for treatment of SVG lesions within a 12-month follow-up. A large, randomized trial including a long follow-up period is now required to prove the results of the meta-analysis.

Repeat intracoronary beta-brachytherapy using a rhenium-188-filled balloon catheter for recurrent restenosis in patients who failed intracoronary radiation therapy

BACKGROUND

Conventional percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in restenotic lesions after brachytherapy failure is associated with a high recurrence rate of restenoses and revascularizations. Intracoronary brachytherapy using a liquid rhenium-188-filled balloon in de novo or restenotic lesions safely and effectively reduced restenosis rates. We report clinical and angiographic data regarding the safety and efficacy of rhenium-188 brachytherapy in restenoses after brachytherapy failure.

METHODS

Fourteen patients with restenosis after brachytherapy failure received rhenium-188 beta-brachytherapy. Follow-up was performed angiographically after 6 months and clinically after 12 months. Primary clinical endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as any death, myocardial infarction or repeat revascularization in the target vessel within 12 months. Secondary angiographic endpoints were the binary restenosis rate and late loss in the total segment including edge effects at 6 months.

RESULTS

The prescribed dose of 22.5 Gy (n=12) or 30 Gy (n=2) was successfully delivered in all patients. In two lesions, a bare-metal stent was implanted. The mean length of the irradiated segment was 40.0+/-15.7 mm. The mean diameter of the irradiation balloon was 2.96+/-0.37 mm. Angiographic follow-up was done in 13 of 14 patients. There was no edge stenosis or coronary aneurysm. Within the total segment, late loss was 0.39+/-0.64 mm and late loss index was 0.18+/-0.40 with a binary restenosis rate of 23%. Twelve months' clinical follow-up was available in all patients, which showed a MACE rate of 7% due to one target lesion revascularization (TLR).

CONCLUSIONS

Intracoronary beta-brachytherapy with a liquid rhenium-188-filled balloon in restenoses after intracoronary radiation therapy failure including 12 months combined antiplatelet therapy is safe with respect to vessel thrombosis, late coronary occlusion or aneurysm formation. With limited use of stenting, angiographic and clinical follow-up for repeat brachytherapy were favorable and it is associated with low restenosis and target vessel revascularization rate.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Transesophageal Echocardiography in Patients With Transcatheter Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale

OBJECTIVES

We studied the value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) before and after closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients with cryptogenic ischemic events.

BACKGROUND

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is a powerful noninvasive tool for detailed assessment of cardiac anatomy and function. The relevance of CMRI compared with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients undergoing transcatheter PFO closure has not been evaluated so far.

METHODS

Contrast-enhanced CMRI and TEE were performed in 75 patients before and after PFO closure. Twelve months after PFO closure, both imaging techniques were repeated in 61 patients with contrast application. To determine provokable atrial right-to-left shunting in CMRI, we applied a contrast-enhanced perfusion imaging technique. Detection of atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) was achieved by means of a high-resolution cine imaging technique.

RESULTS

Before PFO closure, ASA was seen with CMRI in 28 of 75 cases (37.3%), compared with 47 of 75 (62.7%) cases using TEE. There were a total of 211 CMRI studies with a corresponding TEE performed in 75 patients. No shunt was present in 107 of 211 studies with both techniques. Contrast-enhanced right-to-left shunting was detected by CMRI in 48 of 72 (66.6%) cases with moderate or severe shunts seen with TEE, but only in 6 of 32 (18.8%) studies with mild shunts with TEE. Anomalous venous returns were excluded in all patients. In two patients, coronary anomalies were seen.

CONCLUSIONS

The present CMRI technique is inferior to TEE in detection of contrast-enhanced right-to-left shunting and identification of ASA.

Intracoronary β-brachytherapy using a rhenium-188 filled balloon catheter in restenotic lesions of native coronary arteries and venous bypass grafts

PURPOSE

We have previously demonstrated the efficacy of intracoronary beta-brachytherapy using a liquid (188)Re-filled balloon in a randomised trial including de novo lesions. Percutaneous coronary interventions in restenotic lesions and in stenoses of venous bypass grafts are characterised by a high recurrence rate for restenosis and re-interventions. Against this background, we wanted to assess the impact of intracoronary beta-brachytherapy using a liquid (188)Re-filled balloon in restenotic lesions in native coronary arteries and venous bypass grafts.

METHODS

In 243 patients, beta-brachytherapy with 22.5 Gy was applied at a tissue depth of 0.5 mm. Patients were followed up angiographically after 6 months and clinically for 12 months. The primary clinical endpoint was the incidence of MACE (death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularisation). Secondary angiographic endpoints were late loss and binary restenosis rate in the total segment.

RESULTS

All irradiation procedures were successfully performed. A total of 222 lesions were in native coronary arteries; 21 were bypass lesions. Mean irradiation length was 41.6+/-17.3 mm (range 20-150 mm) in native coronary arteries and 48.1+/-33.9 mm (range 30-180 mm) in bypass lesions; the reference diameter was 2.57+/-0.52 mm and 2.83+/-0.76 mm, respectively. There was no vessel thrombosis during antiplatelet therapy. Angiographic/clinical follow-up rate was 84%/100%. MACE rate was 17.6% in the native coronary artery group and 38.1% in the CABG group (p<0.03). Binary restenosis rate was 22.5% and 55.6% (p<0.01), and late loss was 0.38+/-0.72 mm and 1.33+/-1.11 mm (p<0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that intracoronary beta-brachytherapy with a liquid (188)Re-filled balloon using 22.5 Gy at a tissue depth of 0.5 mm in restenotic lesions is safe. It is associated with a low binary restenosis rate, resulting in a low occurrence rate of MACE within 12 months in restenotic lesions in native coronary arteries but not in vein grafts.

Pioglitazone Reduces Neointima Volume After Coronary Stent Implantation

Background— Restenosis requiring reintervention limits the long-term success after coronary stent implantation. Thiazolidinediones, like pioglitazone or rosiglitazone, are oral antidiabetic drugs with additional antirestenotic properties. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, we examined the effect of 6-month pioglitazone therapy on neointima volume after coronary stenting in nondiabetic coronary artery disease patients.

Methods and Results— Fifty nondiabetic patients after coronary stent implantation were randomly assigned to pioglitazone (30 mg daily; pio) or placebo (control) treatment in addition to standard therapy, and neointima volume was assessed by intravascular ultrasound at the 6-month follow-up. Both groups were comparable with regard to baseline characteristics, angiographic lesion morphology, target vessel, and length of the stented segment. In addition, there were no statistical differences in minimal lumen diameter before and after intervention, as well as reference diameter after stent implantation. In this study population of nondiabetic patients, pio treatment did not significantly change fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, or glycosylated hemoglobin levels, as well as lipid parameters. In contrast, pio treatment significantly reduced neointima volume within the stented segment, with 2.3±1.1 mm 3 /mm in the pio group versus 3.1±1.6 mm 3 /mm in controls ( P =0.04). Total plaque volume (adventitia-lumen area) was significantly lower at follow-up in the pio group (11.2±3.2 mm 3 /mm) compared with controls (13.2±4.2 mm 3 /mm; P =0.04). Moreover, the binary restenosis rate was 3.4% in the pio group versus 32.3% in controls ( P <0.01).

Conclusions— Thus, 6-month treatment with pio significantly reduced neointima volume after coronary stent implantation in nondiabetic patients. These data bolster the hypothesis that antidiabetic thiazolidinediones, in addition to their metabolic effects, exhibit direct antirestenotic effects in the vasculature.

Myocardial biopsy findings and gadolinium enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance in dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

In some patients suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows late gadolinium enhancement with variable distribution. Myocardial biopsies in DCM reveal a chronic myocardial inflammatory process in almost 50% and myocardial persistence of adenoviral or enteroviral genome in about 15% of the patients.

AIMS

We prospectively investigated whether the pattern of late gadolinium enhancement correlates with myocardial biopsy findings.

METHODS AND RESULTS

42 patients with DCM and 42 control subjects underwent contrast MRI. In the DCM group, endomyocardial biopsies were performed and evaluated for inflammation and viral genome. None of the control subjects showed late gadolinium enhancement whereas in 29 DCM patients (69%) gadolinium enhancement was detectable (p<0.001). 21 of the DCM patients (50%) showed midwall septal enhancement, 7 patients (17%) showed a patchy distribution of hyperenhancement and 1 patient (2%) showed enhancement typical for ischemic heart disease. In myocardial biopsy analysis, 2 patients (5%) showed persistence of viral genome, 18 patients (43%) showed inflammation and in 22 patients (52%) neither virus nor inflammation was detected. The pattern of late gadolinium enhancement and myocardial biopsy findings were not significantly correlated (p = 0.854).

CONCLUSION

MRI as a non-invasive technique cannot replace myocardial biopsy for the differential diagnosis of DCM.

Intracoronary beta-irradiation with a rhenium-188-filled balloon catheter: a randomized trial in patients with de novo and restenotic lesions

BACKGROUND

Restenosis requiring reintervention is the main limitation of coronary angioplasty. Intracoronary irradiation reduces neointimal proliferation. We studied the efficacy of a self-centering liquid rhenium-188-filled balloon catheter for coronary beta-brachytherapy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

After successful coronary angioplasty with or without stenting, 225 patients (71% de novo lesions) were randomly assigned to receive 22.5 Gy intravascular beta-irradiation in 0.5-mm tissue depth (n=113) or to receive no additional intervention (n=112). Clinical and procedural data did not differ between the groups except a higher rate of stenting in the control group (63%) compared with the rhenium-188 group (45%, P<0.02). After 6 months of follow-up, late loss was significantly lower in the irradiated group compared with the control group, both of the target lesion (0.11+/-0.54 versus 0.69+/-0.81 mm, P<0.0001) and of the total segment (0.22+/-0.67 versus 0.70+/-0.82 mm, P<0.0001). This was also evident in the subgroup of patients with de novo lesions and independent from stenting. Binary restenosis rates were significantly lower at the target lesion (6.3% versus 27.5%, P<0.0001) and of the total segment (12.6% versus 28.6%, P<0.007) after rhenium-188 brachytherapy compared with the control group. Target vessel revascularization rate was significantly lower in the rhenium-188 (6.3%) compared with the control group (19.8%, P=0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Intracoronary beta-brachytherapy with a rhenium-188 liquid-filled balloon is safe and efficiently reduces restenosis and revascularization rates after coronary angioplasty.

[Effect of molsidomine on rheological parameters and the incidence of cardiovascular events]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

In-vitro studies revealed that nitric oxide (NO) may affect rheological parameters. We studied the effect of highly-dosed NO-donor molsidomine on blood rheology and the impact of rheological parameters on the incidence of severe cardiovascular events.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this randomized, placebo-controlled and double-blind trial 166 patients (60 +/- 10 years) with stable angina pectoris and coronary intervention received molsidomine 3 x 8 mg t. i. d. (controlled release tablets) or placebo for 6 months. Patients with inflammatory/neoplastic disorders or elevated values of C-reactive protein were excluded from analysis. A rheological profile (plasma viscosity, blood viscosity, aggregation and flexibility of erythrocytes, filtrability of leukocytes, fibrinogen levels) was done initially and after 6 months. Adverse cardiovascular events (death, myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary/peripheral revascularization) were recorded during 12 months. Furthermore, the impact of rheological parameters regarding the occurrence of severe cardiovascular events (death, myocardial infarction, stroke) was evaluated during a follow-up of median 38 months.

RESULTS

The data of 137 patients (n = 71 placebo, n = 66 molsidomine) were analysed. The difference of rheological parameters between the two measurements did not vary between the two groups. Analysis of event-free survival with Kaplan-Meier technique revealed no difference between the two groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis with adjustment for diabetes mellitus, smoking and therapy with statin showed a significant association of fibrinogen and plasma viscosity with the occurrence of severe cardiovascular events.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with molsidomine 3 x 8 mg/day for 6 months does not improve blood rheology or reduce cardiovascular events. But elevated levels of fibrinogen and plasma viscosity were associated with the occurrence of severe cardiovascular events.

Reduction of major adverse cardiac events with intracoronary compared with intravenous bolus application of abciximab in patients with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina undergoing coronary angioplasty

BACKGROUND

In patients with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina undergoing coronary angioplasty, abciximab reduces major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Clinical trials have studied intravenous administration only. Intracoronary bolus application of abciximab causes very high local drug concentrations and may be more effective. We studied whether intracoronary bolus administration of abciximab is associated with a reduced MACE rate compared with the standard intravenous bolus application.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We stratified 403 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina undergoing coronary angioplasty according to the type of application of abciximab. A 20-mg bolus of abciximab was given intravenously in 109 patients and intracoronarily in 294 patients. There were no differences between the groups with regard to diabetes mellitus, cardiogenic shock, successful intervention, or preprocedural and postprocedural TIMI flow. At 30 days, the incidence of MACE (death, myocardial infarction, urgent revascularization) was significantly lower in the patients with intracoronary compared with intravenous administration of abciximab (10.2% versus 20.2%; P<0.008), which was independent from stenting in multivariate analysis. The effect was most pronounced in patients with preprocedural TIMI 0/1 flow (MACE: intracoronary 11.8% versus intravenous 27.5%, P<0.002; n=273).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina undergoing emergency coronary angioplasty, intracoronary bolus application of abciximab is associated with a reduction of MACE compared with the standard intravenous bolus application of abciximab. Prospective, randomized trials are warranted to further assess intracoronary application of abciximab.

No effect of highly dosed nitric oxide donor molsidomine on the angiographic restenosis rate after percutaneous coronary angioplasty: a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind trial

BACKGROUND

Nitric oxide (NO) counteracts several mechanisms involved in the restenotic process after coronary angioplasty. NO mediates an antiproliferative effect on smooth muscle cells, inhibition of leukocyte-vessel wall interactions, and platelet aggregation and adhesion. Because these effects are mainly dose dependent, NO-releasing drugs have to be applied at a high dose to have an effect on restenotic mechanisms.

OBJECTIVES

To study the effect of the NO donor molsidomine at a high dose of 8 mg tid on angiographic restenosis rate in a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and sixty-six patients with de novo stenosis were randomly assigned to molsidomine or placebo treatment for six months (83 patients each). The primary end point was the angiographic restenosis rate at six months. The secondary end points were major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including death, myocardial infarction and revascularization. Analyses were performed by intention to treat.

RESULTS

There were no differences in clinical, procedural and angiographic data, including minimum lumen diameter and reference diameter. Provisional stenting was performed in 28% of patients receiving molsidomine and 25% of patients treated with placebo. All other patients were treated with standard balloon angioplasty. Reangiography rate was 89.3% (molsidomine 90 lesions, placebo 97 lesions). Restenosis rate (greater than 50% diameter stenosis) was not significantly different (molsidomine 25.6% and placebo 29.9%). Patients receiving molsidomine improved significantly more in their anginal class than patients receiving placebo (P<0.026). Occurrence of MACE did not significantly differ between both groups (molsidomine 26.8% and placebo 34.9%, P=0.26).

CONCLUSION

Treatment with the NO donor molsidomine at a high dose of 8 mg tid for six months after coronary angioplasty has no effect on the angiographic restenosis rate. Due to the vasodilating effect of NO, the anginal status improves slightly more in patients receiving molsidomine.