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B Reimers

Publications and source records attributed to B Reimers.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PRIAMUS--proximal flow blockage cerebral protectIon during carotid stenting: results from a multicenter Italian registry.

AIM: The aim of this Italian prospective registry was to evaluate the applicability and efficacy of the Mo.Ma Device (Invatec, Roncadelle, Italy) for the prevention of cerebral embolization during carotid artery stenting (CAS) in a real world population. METHODS: In 4 Italian centers, 416 patients (300 men; mean age 71.6+/-9 years) between October 2001 and March 2005 were enrolled in a prospective registry. Two-hundred and sixty-four symptomatic (63.46%) with >50% diameter stenosis and 152 (36.54%) asymptomatic patients with >70% diameter stenosis were included. The Mo.Ma Proximal Flow Blockage Embolic Protection System was used to perform protected CAS, achieving cerebral protection by endovascular clamping of the common carotid artery (CCA) and of the external carotid artery (ECA). RESULTS: Technical success, defined as the ability to establish protection with the Mo.Ma device and to deploy the stent, was achieved in 412 cases (99.03%). The mean duration of flow blockage was 4.91+/-1.1 min. Transient intolerances to flow blockage were observed in 24 patients (5.76%), but in all cases the procedure was successfully completed. No peri-procedural strokes and deaths were observed. Complications during hospitalization included 16 minor strokes (3.84%), 3 transient ischemic attacks (0.72%), 2 deaths (0.48%) and 1 major stroke (0.24%). This resulted in a cumulative rate at discharge of 4.56% all strokes and deaths, and of 0.72% major strokes and deaths. All the patients underwent thirty-day follow-up. At thirty-day follow-up, there were no deaths and no minor and major strokes, confirming the overall cumulative 4.56% incidence of all strokes and deaths rate, and of 0.72% rate of major strokes and deaths at follow up. In 245 cases (58.89%) there was macroscopic evidence of debris after filtration of the aspirated blood. CONCLUSIONS: This Italian multicenter registry confirms and further supports the efficacy and applicability of the endovascular clamping concept with proximal flow blockage in a broad patient series. Results match favorably with current available studies on carotid stenting with cerebral protection.

Aged↗

First clinical experiences with an endovascular clamping system for neuroprotection during carotid stenting.

OBJECTIVES: This report evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of an endovascular blood flow blockage technique to prevent intracerebral embolization of plaque debris during carotid artery stenting. METHODS: Forty-two patients were enrolled in five clinical sites in Germany and Italy with either an asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis > or =75% (mean 87%) or a symptomatic stenosis > or =60% (mean 85%). Cerebral protection during the stenting procedure was achieved using an endovascular clamping technique, obtained by occlusion of the external and common carotid artery via two independently inflatable balloons integrated in the Mo.Ma system. Blood with particulate plaque debris was aspirated before flow was restored. The patient's clinical and the neurological status were assessed during intervention, at discharge, and at 3 months follow-up. RESULTS: Stenting was performed in all but one patient. The mean flow occlusion time was 10.6+/-6.5 min. Transient clamping intolerance was observed in five patients (12%). In two patients, neurological deficits persisted for 2 and 12 h, respectively. Two minor strokes (4,7%) occurred at 5 and 72 h after the procedure. No major strokes or deaths were observed at 3 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This first clinical experience with the Mo.Ma device substantiates the feasibility of endovascular clamping in preventing cerebral embolization during carotid artery stenting.

Carotid Artery, Internal↗

[Initial clinical experience with a new percutaneous peripheral atherectomy device for the treatment of femoro-popliteal stenoses].

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a new 7F-atherectomy device (30-day endpoint) for the treatment of short and mid-length arterial lesions with a reference diameter of 2.5-7 mm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-eight femoto-popliteal stenoses in 46 patients (67% male, mean age 66 +/- 9 years) with chronic peripheral occlusive disease of the lower limbs [Rutherford stage 2: n = 13 (28%); stage 3: n = 29 (63%), stage 4: 2 (4%), stage 5: n = 2 (4%)], were treated with directional atherectomy. Target lesion characteristics: Common femoral artery: n = 1 (2%), superficial femoral artery: n = 47 (81%); popliteal artery, n = 10 (17%); in stent n = 3 (5 %). Thirty (65 %) of the interventions were performed using an antegrade approach, 16 (35%) interventions in cross-over technique. Mean degree of stenosis was 83 +/- 11 mm, mean length of lesion was 37 +/- 37 mm. RESULTS: 6.5 +/- 2 (4-10) passes of the lesion were performed with the catheter. Three lesions were treated after predilatation, 55 (95%) interventions as primary atherectomy. In 31/58 lesions (53%) additional balloon angioplasty was performed, in 1 lesion (2%) additional stent placement was needed. The mean degree of stenosis after atherectomy was reduced to 29 +/- 20% (0-60%) after additional balloon angioplasty, it was 11 +/- 10% (0-30 %). A residual stenosis of < 50% after plain atherectomy was achieved in 55 (95%) lesions, of < 30% in 49 (84%). COMPLICATIONS: 3 (6.5%) cases of embolism of debris were detected and treated successfully by aspiration. The mean ankle-brachial index increased from 0.62 +/- 0.12 to 0.92 +/- 0.36 before discharge, and to 0.86 +/- 0.17 after 30 days. Rutherford stage after 30 days: stage 0: n = 038 (83%); Stage 1: n = 4 (8%); Stage 2: n = 3 (6%); Stage 5: n = 1 (2%). CONCLUSION: Lesions up to 8 cm in length of the femoropopliteal arteries can be treated successfully in most cases with the new atherectomy catheter. Embolism, the only complication that occurred, can be avoided by cleaning the nose cone after at least 4 passes of the lesion.

Aged↗

Treatment of an ostial and a bifurcation lesion with a new directional atherectomy device.

Two cases of directional coronary atherectomy performed with a new 8 French monorail device for selective plaque excision are illustrated. This report underlines the technical characteristics of this new device, which allows the negotiation of complex coronary anatomy and emphasises the potential utility of directional coronary atherectomy in bifurcation and ostial lesions.

Aged↗

Cerebral protection with filter devices during carotid artery stenting.

BACKGROUND: Distal embolization of debris during percutaneous carotid artery stenting may result in neurological deficit. Filter devices for cerebral protection potentially reduce the risk of embolization. METHODS AND RESULTS: Elective carotid stent implantation using 3 different types of distal filter protection devices was attempted in 88 consecutive lesions (84 patients) in the internal carotid artery that had >70% diameter stenosis (mean, 78.7+/-10.7%). Procedures were performed in 3 different centers. The mean age of the patients was 69+/-8 years, 75% were men, and 35.7% had neurological symptoms. In 86 lesions, a stent was successfully implanted (97.7%). In 83 of these 86 procedures (96.5%), it was possible to position a filter device. In 53% of filters, there was macroscopic evidence of debris. Collected material consisted of lipid-rich macrophages, fibrin material, and cholesterol clefts. Neurological complications during the procedure, in the hospital, and at 30 days of clinical follow-up occurred in only one patient (1.2%). This patient suffered a minor stroke that resolved within 1 week. Two major adverse cardiac events (2.3%) occurred during the 30 days of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Filter protection during carotid artery stenting seems feasible and safe. In the present series, the incidence of neurological complications was low.

Aged↗

Directional atherectomy prior to stenting in bifurcation lesions: a matched comparison study with stenting alone.

The ideal catheter-based intervention for treatment of coronary lesions at bifurcation site still has to be defined. The aim of the study was to assess the acute and long-term outcome after treatment of bifurcation lesions with directional atherectomy (DCA) and stenting in comparison with stenting alone. Thirty-one consecutive patients treated for bifurcation coronary lesions (62 lesions) with DCA and stenting in at least one branch (DCA group) were compared with a matched group of 31 patients with bifurcation coronary lesions (62 lesions) treated with stenting alone in at least one branch (non-DCA group). Procedural success was 87.1% in the DCA group compared with 100% in the non-DCA group (P = 0.03). In-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) occurred only in the DCA group (12.9% vs. 0%, P = 0.03), mainly non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. After the procedure, minimum lumen diameter (MLD) and acute gain were significantly greater (P = 0.004 and P = 0.05, respectively) and % diameter stenosis was significantly lower (P = 0.05) in the main branch in the DCA group. At follow-up angiogram, MLD in the main branch was still significantly greater in the DCA group compared to the non-DCA group (2.31 vs. 1.65, respectively, P = 0.04), with no significant difference in late loss and loss index between the two groups. Restenosis rate was 28.8% in the DCA group vs. 43.5% in the non-DCA group (P = 0.13). The incidence of follow-up MACE was 29% in the DCA group compared with 48.4% in the non-DCA group, mainly due to target lesion revascularization. In conclusion, treatment of bifurcation coronary lesions with DCA and stenting was associated with greater acute gain after the procedure and greater MLD at follow-up in the main branch compared with stenting alone. Procedural myocardial infarction was more frequent in the DCA group. Restenosis rates and follow-up MACE were lower following DCA and stenting, without reaching any statistical significance.

Adult↗

Electrophysiological properties of the atrioventricular node and ageing: evidence of a lower incidence of dual nodal pathways in the elderly.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the incidence of dual atrioventricular (AV) nodal pathways and age. Age-related changes in the AV node electrophysiological properties have rarely been investigated. AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia is more frequent in the young than in the elderly. METHODS AND RESULTS: From 1988 to 1998, premature atrial stimulation was performed in 1,435 patients referred to our institution for transoesophageal electrophysiological study. 1,276 patients (89%) with a diagnosis of ventricular pre-excitation, supraventricular arrhythmia or AV block were excluded. The study cohort consisted of the remaining 159 patients (11%) of the whole group) referred for syncope (8.2% of the subgroup), suspected ventricular pre-excitation (10.7%), suspected sinus node dysfunction (52.8%) or undetermined palpitations (28.3%). The 159 study patients were divided into 3 groups according to age: group A (11-30 years, 50 patients), group B (30-60 years, 35 patients) and group C (>60 years, 74 patients). A dual AV nodal pathway was found in 16 patients of group A (32.0%), 6 patients of group B (17.1%) and 8 patients of group C (10.8%), the difference between group A and group C being significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The incidence of dual AV nodal pathways decreases with ageing, suggesting that the AV node undergoes age-related electrophysiological changes. This finding could explain the uncommon onset of AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia in the elderly.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of immediate and follow-up results of the short and long NIR stent with the Palmaz-Schatz stent.

The intrinsic characteristics of a stent including stent length may affect both procedural success and long-term outcome. The present study evaluated the immediate and follow-up results after implantation of the short and long NIR stent and compared these results with the Palmaz-Schatz stent. Between July 1995 and December 1996, stenting with a 16-mm NIR stent (NIR-16), a 32-mm NIR stent (NIR-32), or a Palmaz-Schatz stent (PS) was performed in 68, 57, and 155 lesions, respectively. There were no significant differences in the incidences of delivery failure (PS, 2.6%: NIR-16, 4.4%; NIR-32, 5.3%; p = NS) and procedural success (PS, 92%; NIR-16, 93%; NIR-32, 93%; p = NS) among the 3 groups. The reference vessel diameter was smaller in lesions with a 32-mm NIR stent than in those with a Palmaz-Schatz stent (PS, 3.14+/-0.58, NIR-16, 3.00+/-0.50; NIR-32, 2.90+/-0.47 mm; p <0.05). The lesion length was longer in lesions with a 32-mm NIR stent than in those with a Palmaz-Schatz or a 16-mm NIR stent (PS, 8.9+/-5.0; NIR-16, 11.0+/-4.1; NIR-32, 26.1+/-9.7 mm; p <0.01). After the procedure, the lesions with a 32-mm NIR stent had a smaller minimal lumen diameter than those with a Palmaz-Schatz stent (PS, 3.17+/-0.61; NIR-16, 2.99+/-0.51; NIR-32, 2.89+/-0.49 mm; p <0.01). At follow-up, a smaller minimal lumen diameter was observed in lesions with a 32-mm NIR stent than in those with a Palmaz-Schatz or a 16-mm NIR stent (PS, 2.32+/-0.98; NIR-16, 2.25+/-0.80; NIR-32, 1.68+/-0.79 mm; p <0.01). Restenosis rates were 16.5% in lesions with a Palmaz-Schatz stent, 13.3% in those with a 16-mm NIR stent, and 47.4% in those with a 32-mm NIR stent (p <0.01). Although stent delivery and procedural success of a long NIR stent were acceptable, the restenosis rate of a long NIR stent was high compared with a short NIR stent or a Palmaz-Schatz stent.

Adult↗

In-stent neointimal proliferation correlates with the amount of residual plaque burden outside the stent: an intravascular ultrasound study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between residual plaque burden after coronary stent implantation and the development of late in-stent neointimal proliferation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between January 1996 and May 1997, 50 patients underwent intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) interrogation at 6+/-1.2 months after coronary stent implantation in native coronary arteries. IVUS images were acquired with a motorized pullback, and cross-sectional measurements were performed within the stents at 1-mm intervals. The following measurements were obtained: (1) lumen area (LA), (2) stent area (SA), (3) area delimited by the external elastic membrane (EEMA), (4) percent neointimal area calculated as (SA-LA/SA)x100, and (5) percent residual plaque area calculated as (EEMA-SA)/EEMAx100. Volume measurements within the stented segments were calculated by applying Simpson's rule. In the pooled data analysis of 876 cross sections, linear regression showed a significant positive correlation between percent residual plaque area and percent neointimal area (r=0.50, y= 45.03+0.29x, P<0.01). There was significant incremental increase in mean percent neointimal area for stepwise increase in percent residual plaque area. Mean percent neointimal area was 16.3+/-10.3% for lesions with a percent residual plaque area of <50% and 27.7+/-11% for lesions with a percent residual plaque area of >/=50% (P<0.001). The volumetric analysis showed that the percent residual plaque volume was significantly greater in restenotic lesions compared with nonrestenotic lesions (58.7+/-4.3% versus 51.4+/-5.7%, respectively; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Late in-stent neointimal proliferation has a direct correlation with the amount of residual plaque burden after coronary stent implantation, supporting the hypothesis that plaque removal before stent implantation may reduce restenosis.

Aged↗

Lower restenosis rate with stenting following aggressive versus less aggressive rotational atherectomy.

The present study evaluated the acute and follow-up results of stenting following aggressive rotational atherectomy compared with stenting following less aggressive rotational atherectomy. Recent work has demonstrated that stenting following rotational atherectomy is a promising strategy for complex and calcified lesions. However, there is little information available regarding the optimal procedural technique of rotational atherectomy to be employed before stent implantation. Between May 1995 and February 1997, 162 lesions in 126 patients were stented following rotational atherectomy because of the presence of severe calcification on fluoroscopy or intravascular ultrasound (95%). The lesions were divided as to whether aggressive rotational atherectomy was performed or not. Aggressive rotational atherectomy, defined as the use of a final burr size > or =2.25 mm and/or final burr/vessel ratio > or =0.8, was performed in 56 lesions. A less aggressive rotational atherectomy strategy was performed in 106 lesions. Procedural Q-wave (8.9% vs. 1.9%, P<0.05) and non-Q-wave (11% vs. 1.9%, P<0.05) myocardial infarctions were observed more frequently after aggressive rotational atherectomy; there was no significant difference in the incidence of other procedural complications. Although there was no significant difference in minimal lumen diameter after the procedure (3.11+/-0.68 vs. 2.99+/-0.48 mm, NS), at follow-up a greater minimal lumen diameter was observed in the lesions treated with aggressive rotational atherectomy compared to those treated with less aggressive rotational atherectomy (2.12+/-1.31 vs. 1.56+/-0.89 mm, P<0.01). Restenosis rates were 50.0% in the lesions treated without aggressive rotational atherectomy and 30.9% in those treated with aggressive rotational atherectomy (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of restenosis with a focal pattern between the two groups (25.0% vs. 21.4%, NS). In contrast, restenosis with a diffuse pattern was lower in lesions treated with aggressive rotational atherectomy than in those without aggressive rotational atherectomy (9.5% vs. 25.0%, P<0.05). Aggressive rotational atherectomy followed by stenting is a promising strategy to reduce the restenosis rate in calcified lesions. However, the aggressive strategy is associated with an increased risk of procedural myocardial infarction.

Calcinosis↗

Focal wall overstretching after high-pressure coronary stent implantation does not influence restenosis.

To determine if vessel wall overstretching during coronary stenting is associated with a higher restenosis rate, the intravascular ultrasound morphological evaluation was performed following ultrasound criteria. A total of 468 lesions with successful coronary Palmaz-Schatz stenting guided by intravascular ultrasound were classified into the no overstretching group (n = 295) and the overstretching group (n = 147). There were 26 lesions not classifiable due to the poststent morphology. Balloon-to-vessel ratio was 1.12 +/- 0.17 in the no focal overstretching group and 1. 20 +/- 0.20 in the overstretching group (P < 0.0002). Follow-up angiogram was performed in 77% of no focal overstretching group and in 75% of the focal overstretching group. The restenosis rate of the no focal overstretching group was 19.8% and 20.9% in the focal overstretching group, respectively (P = 0.65). Focal overstretching was more frequent following balloon oversizing. No increase in restenosis rate, found in focal overstretched stented lesions, leads us to the hypothesis of a regulation of smooth-muscle-cell proliferation activated by the normalization of blood flow and of shear stress, when stent implantation succeeds in optimally improving the lumen. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 48:24-30, 1999.

Coronary Angiography↗

Stented segment length as an independent predictor of restenosis.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the relation between stented segment length and restenosis. BACKGROUND: Multiple or long coronary stents are now being implanted in long lesions or in tandem lesions. A longer stented segment might result in a higher probability of restenosis. However, there is little information available on the relation between stented segment length and restenosis. METHODS: Between April 1995 and December 1996, 725 patients with 1,090 lesions underwent stenting. Lesions were divided into three groups according to the length of the stented segment: 1) group I (n = 565): stented segment length < or =20 mm; 2) group II (n = 278): stented segment length >20 but < or =35 mm; and 3) group III (n = 247): stented segment length >35 mm. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the incidence of subacute stent thrombosis among the three groups (0.4% in group I, 0.4% in group II, 1.2% in group III; p = NS). The minimal lumen diameter (MLD) after stenting was greater in group I than in group III (3.04 +/- 0.60 mm in group I, 3.01 +/- 0.54 mm in group II, 2.91 +/- 0.58 mm in group III; p < 0.05). At follow up, a smaller MLD was observed in group III as compared with group I and group II (2.04 +/- 0.93 mm in group I, 1.92 +/- 1.00 mm in group II, 1.47 +/- 0.97 mm in group III; p < 0.01). The restenosis rates were 23.9% in group I, 34.6% in group II and 47.2% in group III (p < 0.01). Using multivariate analysis, the longer stented segment, the angiographic reference vessel diameter and the percent diameter stenosis after stenting were independent predictors of restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that a longer stented segment is an independent predictor of restenosis without an influence on the risk of subacute thrombosis.

Aged↗

Angiographic and intravascular ultrasound predictors of in-stent restenosis.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to determine predictors of in-stent restenosis from a high volume, single-center practice. BACKGROUND: Intracoronary stents have been shown to reduce the restenosis rate as compared with balloon angioplasty, but in-stent restenosis continues to be an important clinical problem. METHODS: Between April 1993 and March 1997, 1,706 patients with 2,343 lesions were treated with a variety of intracoronary stents. The majority of stents were placed with high pressure balloon inflations and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance. Angiographic follow-up was obtained in 1,173 patients with 1,633 lesions (70%). Clinical, angiographic and IVUS variables were prospectively recorded and analyzed by univariate and multivariate models for the ability to predict the occurrence of in-stent restenosis defined as a diameter stenosis > or =50%. RESULTS: In-stent restenosis was angiographically documented in 282 patients with 409 lesions (25%). The restenosis group had a significantly longer total stent length, smaller reference lumen diameter, smaller final minimal lumen diameter (MLD) by angiography and smaller stent lumen cross-sectional area (CSA) by IVUS. In lesions where IVUS guidance was used, the restenosis rate was 24% as compared with 29% if IVUS was not used (p < 0.05). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, longer total stent length, smaller reference lumen diameter and smaller final MLD were strong predictors of in-stent restenosis. In lesions with IVUS guidance, IVUS stent lumen CSA was a better independent predictor than the angiographic measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Achieving an optimal stent lumen CSA by using IVUS guidance during the procedure and minimizing the total stent length may reduce in-stent restenosis.

Aged↗

Angiographic and clinical outcome following coronary stenting of small vessels: a comparison with coronary stenting of large vessels.

OBJECTIVES: Stent implantation reduces restenosis in vessels > or =3 mm compared with balloon angioplasty, but few data are available for stents implanted in vessels <3 mm. The aim of this study was to evaluate immediate and follow-up patient outcomes after stent implantation in vessels <3 mm compared to stent implantation in vessels > or =3 mm. METHODS: Between March 1993 and May 1996, a total of 1,298 consecutive patients (1,673 lesions) underwent coronary stenting. The study population was divided into two groups based on angiographic vessel diameter. In case of multivessel stenting, patients were randomly assigned only one lesion. Group I included 696 patients (696 lesions) in whom stents were implanted in vessels > or =3 mm, and group II included 602 patients (602 lesions) in whom stents were implanted in vessels <3 mm. RESULTS: There was no difference in procedural success (95.4% in group I and 95.9% in group II), or subsequent subacute stent thrombosis (1.5% in group I and 1.4% in group II, p=NS). The postprocedure residual diameter stenosis was 3.31+/-12.4% in group I and -2.45+/-16.2% in group II. Angiographic follow-up was performed in 75% of patients, restenosis occurred in 19.9% of patients in group I and 32.6% in group II (p <0.0001). Absolute lumen gain was significantly higher in group I compared to group II, but absolute late lumen loss was similar in the two groups (1.05+/-0.91 mm in group I vs. 1.11+/-0.85 mm in group II, p=NS). Subsequently, the loss index was more favorable in group I (0.45 vs. 0.56; p=0.0006). Independent predictors of freedom from restenosis by multivariate logistic regression in the total population were: larger baseline reference diameter (odds ratio 2.032 p=0.006), larger postprocedure minimal stent cross-sectional area (odds ratio 1.190, p=0.0001) and shorter lesions (odds ratio 1.037, p=0.01). At long-term clinical follow-up, patients with small vessels had a lower rate of event-free survival (63% vs. 71.3%, p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary stenting can be performed in small vessels with a high success rate and low incidence of stent thrombosis. However, the long-term angiographic and clinical outcome of patients undergoing stent implantation in small vessels is less favorable than that of patients with large vessels.

Aged↗

Stenting after optimal lesion debulking (sold) registry. Angiographic and clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND: Coronary stenting has reduced restenosis in focal de novo lesions, but its impact has been less pronounced in complex lesion subsets. Preliminary data suggest a role for plaque burden in promoting intimal hyperplasia after stent implantation. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that plaque removal with directional atherectomy before stent implantation may lower the intensity of late neointimal hyperplasia, reducing the incidence of in-stent restenosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-one patients with 90 lesions underwent directional atherectomy before coronary stenting. Intravascular ultrasound-guided stenting was performed in 73 lesions (81%). Clinical success was achieved in 96% of patients. Procedural complications were as follows: emergency bypass surgery in 1 patient (1.4%), who died 2 weeks later; Q-wave myocardial infarction in 2 patients (2.8%); and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction in 8 patients (11.3%). None of the patients had stent thrombosis at follow-up. Angiographic follow-up was performed in 89% of eligible patients at 5.7+/-1.7 months. Loss index was 0.33 (95% CI, 0.26 to 0.40), and angiographic restenosis was 11% (95% CI, 5% to 20%). Clinical follow-up was performed in all patients at 18+/-3 months. Target lesion revascularization was 7% (95% CI, 3% to 14%). CONCLUSIONS: Directional atherectomy followed by coronary stenting could be performed with good clinical success rate. Also, these data point to a possible reduction in angiographic restenosis and a significant reduction in the need for repeated coronary interventions. Therefore, a randomized clinical trial seems appropriate to test the validity of this approach.

Aged↗

Comparison of angiographic and clinical outcomes of coronary stenting of chronic total occlusions versus subtotal occlusions.

The objective of this study was to assess the short- and long-term outcome of patients undergoing coronary stenting for chronic total occlusions compared with a control patient population with nonocclusive stenoses. A total of 789 consecutive patients (1,043 lesions) underwent coronary stenting using a high-pressure stent optimization technique. The study population was divided into total occlusion group (94 consecutive patients [95 lesions] with chronic total occlusions) and subtotal occlusion group (695 consecutive patients [948 lesions] with nonocclusive stenoses). There was no difference in post-procedure angiographic minimum lumen diameter (3.13 +/- 0.48 vs 3.15 +/- 0.57 mm, p = 0.72) and minimum intrastent cross-sectional area by intravascular ultrasound (7.31 +/- 2.06 vs 7.64 +/- 2.53 mm2, p = 0.26) between the total and subtotal groups, respectively. Subacute thrombosis occurred in 2 patients (2.1%) in the total group compared with 9 patients (1.3%) in the subtotal group (p = 0.63). Angiographic restenosis occurred in 27% vs 22% (p = 0.40) and repeat angioplasty in 15% vs 13% (p = 0.62) in the total and subtotal groups, respectively. Thus, coronary stenting of chronic total occlusions after successful recanalization could be performed with a high success rate. In addition, the incidence of stent thrombosis, angiographic restenosis, and the need for target lesion revascularization is comparable to that of an unselected cohort of patients with nonocclusive stenoses.

Aged↗

Modified "T" stenting: a technique for kissing stents in bifurcational coronary lesion.

The kissing stenting using a new technique in two patients is reported. A stent was positioned at the ostium of the side branch. Another stent was advanced into the main vessel until the center of the stent was positioned near the origin of the side branch. The stent at the ostium of the side branch was deployed and the balloon and the guidewire were removed from the side branch. Thereafter, the stent in the main vessel was deployed. The follow-up angiogram of those patients showed no restenosis in both the vessels.

Aged↗

Focal stent collapse in a patient with systemic sclerosis.

We report a patient with systemic sclerosis having implantation of a 35 mm beStent with immediate success but developing angina at follow-up. A focal stent collapse with focal hyperplasia in and outside the stent was documented by ultrasound after 2 mos. A 14mm Palmaz-Schatz stent was successfully deployed into the collapsed beStent, with good 6-mo angiographic result. The stent collapse was probably due to unequal distribution of radial forces and possibly reactive hyperplasia in this unique patient with systemic sclerosis.

Aged↗