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M C Morice

Publications and source records attributed to M C Morice.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Angiographic findings of the multicenter Randomized Study With the Sirolimus-Eluting Bx Velocity Balloon-Expandable Stent (RAVEL): sirolimus-eluting stents inhibit restenosis irrespective of the vessel size.

BACKGROUND: Restenosis remains the major limitation of coronary catheter-based intervention. In small vessels, the amount of neointimal tissue is disproportionately greater than the vessel caliber, resulting in higher restenosis rates. In the Randomized Study With the Sirolimus-Eluting Bx Velocity Balloon-Expandable Stent (RAVEL) trial, approximately 40% of the vessels were small (<2.5 mm). The present study evaluates the relationship between angiographic outcome and vessel diameter for sirolimus-eluting stents. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients were randomized to receive either an 18-mm bare metal Bx VELOCITY (BS group, n=118), or a sirolimus-eluting Bx VELOCITY stent (SES group, n=120). Subgroups were stratified into tertiles according to their reference diameter (RD; stratum I, RD <2.36 mm; stratum II, RD 2.36 mm to 2.84 mm; stratum III, RD >2.84 mm). At 6-month follow-up, the restenosis rate in the SES group was 0% in all strata (versus 35%, 26%, and 20%, respectively, in the BS group). In-stent late loss was 0.01+/-0.25 versus 0.80+/-0.43 mm in stratum I, 0.01+/-0.38 versus 0.88+/-0.57 mm in stratum II, and -0.06+/-0.35 versus 0.74+/-0.57 mm in stratum III (SES versus BS). In SES, the minimal lumen diameter (MLD) remained unchanged (Delta -0.72 to 0.72 mm) in 97% of the lesions and increased (=late gain, DeltaMLD <-0.72 mm) in 3% of the lesions. Multivariate predictors for late loss were treatment allocation (P<0.001) and postprocedural MLD (P= 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Sirolimus-eluting stents prevent neointimal proliferation and late lumen loss irrespective of the vessel diameter. The classic inverse relationship between vessel diameter and restenosis rate was seen in the bare stent group but not in the sirolimus-eluting stent group.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

[Evolution of interventional cardiology in France during the last decade (1991-2000)].

The annual inquiry by the "Angiography and Interventional Cardiology Group" of the French Society of Cardiology has allowed the evolution of interventional cardiology in France between 1991 and 2000 to be monitored. The results of the 2000 inquiry have been analysed in particular. The number of coronarography centres has increased by 27% in 10 years, growing from 173 in 1991 to stabilise at 220, and the number of centres performing percutaneous coronary angioplasty grew from 128 to 175 (+27%) at the same time. The number of coronarographies increased by 79% (131,636 to 236,111), and angioplasties increased by 197% (30,885 to 91,901). In the year 2000, angiographic procedures represented 39% of coronarographies, against 23% in 1991. Endoprosthesis implantation constitutes the principal revolution of this decade, the number of procedures growing from 393 to 77,388 between 1991 and 2000, some 84.2% of angioplasties, and a total number of endoprostheses of 107,869 (1.39 stents per procedure). The other revascularisation techniques remain anecdotal, representing only 1.9% of procedures. In 2000, at the 135 centres supplying detailed information, direct stenting represented 38.5% of procedures, and the indications for restenosis were 9.9%. The number of interventions performed in the public or private sector is almost identical for each category, only morphological or functional explorations remain the privilege of the public sector in the university setting. The activity of the University Hospitals Centres has noticeably and regularly decreased since 1991, falling from 39.2% to 28.7% of coronarographies and from 41.8% to 31.1% of angioplasties in 2000.

Angioplasty↗

Cost-effectiveness of coronary stenting in acute myocardial infarction: results from the stent primary angioplasty in myocardial infarction (stent-PAMI) trial.

BACKGROUND: Although several randomized trials have demonstrated that coronary stenting improves angiographic and clinical outcomes for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the cost-effectiveness of this practice is unknown. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the long-term costs and cost-effectiveness (C/E) of coronary stenting compared with primary balloon angioplasty as treatment for AMI. Methods and Results- Between December 1996 and November 1997, 900 patients with AMI were randomized to undergo balloon angioplasty (PTCA, n=448) or coronary stenting (n=452). Detailed resource utilization and cost data were collected for each patient's initial hospitalization and for 1 year after randomization. Compared with conventional PTCA, stenting increased procedural costs by approximately $2000 per patient ($6538+/-1778 versus $4561+/-1598, P<0.001). During the 1-year follow-up period, stenting was associated with significant reductions in the need for repeat revascularization and rehospitalization. Although follow-up costs were significantly lower with stenting ($3613+/-7743 versus $4592+/-8198, P=0.03), overall 1-year costs remained approximately $1000/patient higher with stenting than with PTCA ($20 571+/-10 693 versus 19 595+/-10 990, P=0.02). The C/E ratio for stenting compared with PTCA was $10 550 per repeat revascularization avoided. In analyses that incorporated recent changes in stent technology and pricing, the 1-year cost differential fell to <$350/patient, and the C/E ratio improved to $3753 per repeat revascularization avoided. The cost-utility ratio for primary stenting was <$50 000 per quality-adjusted life year gained only if stenting did not increase 1-year mortality by >0.2% compared with PTCA. CONCLUSIONS: As performed in Stent-PAMI, primary stenting for AMI increased 1-year medical care costs compared with primary PTCA. The overall cost-effectiveness of primary stenting depends on the societal value attributed to avoidance of symptomatic restenosis, as well as on the relative mortality rates of primary PTCA and stenting.

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Importance of time to reperfusion on outcomes with primary coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction (results from the Stent Primary Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction Trial).

The mortality benefit of thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is strongly dependent on time to treatment. Recent observations suggest that time to treatment may be less important with primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Patients with AMI of <12 hours duration, without cardiogenic shock, who were treated with primary PTCA from the Stent PAMI Trial (n = 1,232) were evaluated to assess the effect of time to reperfusion on outcomes. Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade 3 flow was achieved in a high proportion of patients regardless of time to treatment. Improvement in ejection fraction from baseline to 6 months was substantial with reperfusion at <2 hours but was modest and relatively independent of time to reperfusion after 2 hours (<2 hours, 12.3% vs > or =2 hours, 4.2%, p = 0.004). There were no differences in 1- or 6-month mortality by time to reperfusion (6-month mortality: <2 hours [5.5%], 2 to <4 hours [4.6%], 4 to <6 hours [4.5%], >6 hours [4.2%], p = 0.97). There were also no differences in other clinical outcomes by time to reperfusion, except that reinfarction and infarct artery reocclusion at 6 months were more frequent with later reperfusion. The lack of correlation between time to treatment and mortality in patients without cardiogenic shock suggests that the survival benefit of primary PTCA may be related principally to factors other than myocardial salvage. These data may also have implications regarding the triage of patients with AMI for primary PTCA.

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Quality of life after balloon angioplasty or stenting for acute myocardial infarction. One-year results from the Stent-PAMI trial.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to compare the impact of primary stenting or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients undergoing direct angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that coronary stenting reduces clinical and angiographic restenosis compared with PTCA. However, the impact of stenting on HRQOL from the patient's perspective remains unknown. METHODS: We administered the Seattle Angina Questionnaire and the Medical Outcomes Study Short-form Survey at 1, 6 and 12 months after initial treatment to all North American patients in the Stent-Primary Angioplasty for Myocardial Infarction trial (Stent-PAMI) (n = 509)-a randomized trial comparing primary stenting to conventional PTCA for patients with AMI. RESULTS: At one month, most HRQOL measures were similar for the two groups, but stent patients reported less bodily pain than PTCA patients (p = 0.03). At six-month follow-up, stenting resulted in significant improvements in several dimensions of HRQOL including reduced anginal frequency and bodily pain as well as improved disease perception (all p < or = 0.03) and a trend towards better anginal stability (p = 0.056). By 12-month follow-up, however, none of these differences remained statistically significant. These differences in HRQOL were largely explained by the greater need for ischemia-driven target-vessel repeat revascularization procedures in PTCA patients during the first six months (16.0% vs. 6.2%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing revascularization for AMI, initial stent placement is associated with improvements in several dimensions of health status during the first six months of follow-up. In the absence of differences in mortality, these findings add to the overall argument in favor of initial stenting in patients treated with mechanical reperfusion for myocardial infarction.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Stent placement compared with balloon angioplasty for small coronary arteries: in-hospital and 6-month clinical and angiographic results.

BACKGROUND: Stenting has been demonstrated to be superior to balloon angioplasty in de novo focal lesions located in large native vessels. However, in small vessels, the benefit of stenting remains questionable. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 381 symptomatic patients with de novo focal lesion located on a small coronary segment vessel (<3 mm) were randomly assigned to either stent implantation (192 patients; 197 lesions) or standard balloon angioplasty (189 patients; 198 lesions). The primary end point was the angiographic restenosis rate at 6 months, as determined by quantitative coronary angiography. On intention-to-treat analysis, angiographic success rate and major adverse cardiac events were comparable: 97.9% and 4.6% versus 93.9% and 5.8% in the stent group and the balloon group, respectively. After the procedure, a larger acute gain was achieved with stent placement (1.35+/-0.45 versus 0.94+/-0.47 mm, P=0.0001), resulting in a larger minimal lumen diameter (2.06+/-0.42 versus 1.70+/-0.46 mm, P=0.0001). At follow-up (obtained in 91% of patients), angiographic restenosis rate was 21% in the stent group versus 47% in the balloon group (P=0.0001), a risk reduction of 55%. Repeat target lesion revascularization was less frequent in the stent group (13% versus 25%, P=0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: Elective stent placement in small coronary arteries with focal de novo lesions is safe and associated with a marked reduction in restenosis rate and subsequent target lesion revascularization rate at 6 months.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Normal flow (TIMI-3) before mechanical reperfusion therapy is an independent determinant of survival in acute myocardial infarction: analysis from the primary angioplasty in myocardial infarction trials.

BACKGROUND: Whereas survival after lytic therapy for myocardial infarction is strongly dependent on early administration, it is unknown whether the otherwise excellent outcomes in patients undergoing primary PTCA for acute myocardial infarction, in whom TIMI-3 flow rates of >90% may be achieved, can be further improved by early reperfusion. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 2507 patients enrolled in 4 PAMI trials undergoing primary PTCA, spontaneous reperfusion (TIMI-3 flow) was present in 16% at initial angiography. Compared with patients without TIMI-3 flow, those with TIMI-3 flow before PTCA had greater left ventricular ejection fraction (57+/-10% versus 53+/-11%, P=0.003) and were less likely to present in heart failure (7.0% versus 11.6%, P=0.009). Patients with initial TIMI-3 flow had significantly lower in-hospital rates of mortality, new-onset heart failure, and hypotension and had a shorter hospital stay. Cumulative 6-month mortality was 0.5% in patients with initial TIMI-3 flow, 2.8% with TIMI-2 flow, and 4.4% with initial TIMI-0/1 flow (P=0.009). By multivariate analysis, TIMI-3 flow before PTCA was an independent determinant of survival (odds ratio 2.1, P=0.04), even when corrected for by postprocedural TIMI-3 flow. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing primary PTCA in whom TIMI-3 flow is present before angioplasty present with greater clinical and angiographic evidence of myocardial salvage, are less likely to develop complications related to left ventricular failure, and have improved early and late survival. These data warrant prospective randomized trials of pharmacological strategies to promote early reperfusion before definitive mechanical intervention in acute myocardial infarction.

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Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition with coronary stenting for acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: When administered in conjunction with primary coronary stenting for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction, a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor may provide additional clinical benefit, but data on this combination therapy are limited. METHODS: We randomly assigned 300 patients with acute myocardial infarction in a double-blind fashion either to abciximab plus stenting (149 patients) or placebo plus stenting (151 patients) before they underwent coronary angiography. Clinical outcomes were evaluated 30 days and 6 months after the procedure. The angiographic patency of the infarct-related vessel and the left ventricular ejection fraction were evaluated at 24 hours and 6 months. RESULTS: At 30 days, the primary end point--a composite of death, reinfarction, or urgent revascularization of the target vessel--had occurred in 6.0 percent of the patients in the abciximab group, as compared with 14.6 percent of those in the placebo group (P=0.01); at 6 months, the corresponding figures were 7.4 percent and 15.9 percent (P=0.02). The better clinical outcomes in the abciximab group were related to the greater frequency of grade 3 coronary flow (according to the classification of the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction trial) in this group than in the placebo group before the procedure (16.8 percent vs. 5.4 percent, P=0.01), immediately afterward (95.1 percent vs. 86.7 percent, P=0.04), and six months afterward (94.3 percent vs. 82.8 percent, P=0.04). One major bleeding event occurred in the abciximab group (0.7 percent); none occurred in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: As compared with placebo, early administration of abciximab in patients with acute myocardial infarction improves coronary patency before stenting, the success rate of the stenting procedure, the rate of coronary patency at six months, left ventricular function, and clinical outcomes.

Abciximab↗

Amplatzing a 6 Fr Judkins right guiding catheter for increased success in complex right coronary artery anatomy.

Stent supported angioplasty is being performed in an increasing number of patients and, with advances in device technology, more morphologically complex lesions are being treated. In such a setting, it is extremely important to deliver the device to the target lesion. We describe a new technique that allows successful stent delivery in complex right coronary anatomy using the Judkins right guiding catheter. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;53:405-409.

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The problem of arteria lusoria in right transradial coronary angiography and angioplasty.

The retroesophageal right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria) is one of the anatomical abnormalities encountered by interventional cardiologists who perform right transradial procedures. We report on 11 patients with arteria lusoria in whom 14 right transradial coronary angiography or angioplasty procedures were attempted among a series of 3,730 consecutive right transradial attempts. This abnormality can be easily detected by angiographic visualization, in the anteroposterior projection, of the angle of the catheter when it engages the ascending aorta, and by manual angiography at the ostium of the right subclavian artery. In such a case, catheterization of the ascending aorta may be difficult or even impossible (7.1%). Selective catheterization of both coronary arteries is more difficult, takes longer, and requires more catheters. The Judkins catheters are recommended, although they are seldom used for the left coronary artery via the right radial approach, for both arteries. All catheter exchanges should be performed on long guidewires.

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Outcome after combined reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction, combining pre-hospital thrombolysis with immediate percutaneous coronary intervention and stent.

BACKGROUND: Primary therapies in acute myocardial infarction (thrombolysis and angioplasty) have inherent limitations which may be overcome by combining them. So far, no trial has demonstrated a clinical benefit in combining mechanical and pharmacological treatment strategies. METHODS: From January 1995 to December 1999, out of 1010 patients admitted to our institution for acute myocardial infarction, 148 had received pre-hospital full dose thrombolysis within 12 h of onset. One hundred and thirty-one patients were included and underwent immediate angioplasty and stenting when suitable, independent of the infarct-artery patency (TIMI grade flow 0-3). In-hospital outcome was assessed and clinical information was collected for a mean (+/-SD) of 2+/-1 years. RESULTS: Ninety-minute angiography revealed a patent (TIMI grade 3) infarct artery in 65 patients (49%). Immediate angioplasty was performed in 119 patients (91%) with stent implantation in 114 (96%). Angioplasty achieved TIMI 2, 3 flow in 98%, and complete patency (TIMI 3 flow) in 92%. Six other patients underwent deferred revascularization (surgery in one patient, angioplasty in five) and six received medical treatment. Stent thrombosis and reinfarction occurred in three patients (2.3%). In-hospital death occurred in six patients (4.6%), including four patients presenting with cardiogenic shock. Major bleeding was observed in 2.3% of cases. No patient had emergency surgery. Freedom from death and reinfarction at 2 years was 90% and freedom from death, reinfarction and target vessel revascularization was 83%. CONCLUSION: A strategy of combined reperfusion using full dose pre-hospital thrombolysis and immediate angioplasty with stent implantation in a non-selected acute myocardial infarction population is safe and achieves high and early patency rates. This preliminary experience suggests that a combined strategy in acute myocardial infarction may have a significant impact on both early and long-term outcomes.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Stenting of bifurcation lesions: a rational approach.

The occurrence of stenosis in or next to coronary bifurcations is relatively frequent and generally underestimated. In our experience, such lesions account for 15%-18% of all percutaneous coronary intervention > (PCI). The main reasons for this are (1) the coronary arteries are like the branches of a tree with many ramifications and (2) because of axial plaque redistribution, especially after stent implantation, PCI of lesions located next to a coronary bifurcation almost inevitably cause plaque shifting in the side branches. PCI treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions remains challenging. Balloon dilatation treatment used to be associated with less than satisfactory immediate results, a high complication rate, and an unacceptable restenosis rate. The kissing balloon technique resulted in improved, though suboptimal, outcomes. Several approaches were then suggested, like rotative or directional atherectomy, but these techniques did not translate into significantly enhanced results. With the advent of second generation stents, in 1996, the authors decided to set up an observational study on coronary bifurcation stenting combined with a bench test of the various stents available. Over the last 5 years, techniques, strategies, and stent design have improved. As a result, the authors have been able to define a rational approach to coronary bifurcation stenting. This bench study analyzed the behavior of stents and allowed stents to be discarded that are not compatible with the treatment of coronary bifurcations. Most importantly, this study revealed that stent deformation due to the opening of a strut is a constant phenomenon that must be corrected by kissing balloon inflation. Moreover, it was observed that the opening of a stent strut into a side branch could permit the stenting, at least partly, of the side branch ostium. This resulted in the provocative concept of "stenting both branches with a single stent." Therefore, a simple approach is currently implemented in the majority of cases: stenting of the main branch with provisional stenting of the side branch. The technique consists of inserting a guidewire in each coronary branch. A stent is then positioned in the main branch with a wire being "jailed" in the side branch. The wires are then exchanged, starting with the main branch wire that is passed through the stent struts into the side branch. After opening the stent struts in the side branch, kissing balloon inflation is performed. A second stent is deployed in the side branch in the presence of suboptimal results only. Over the last 2 years, this technique has been associated with a 98% angiographic success rate in both branches. Two stents are used in 30%-35% of cases and final kissing balloon inflation is performed in > 95% of cases. The in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rate is around 5% and 7-month target vessel revascularization (TVR) is 13%. Several stents specifically designed for coronary bifurcation lesions are currently being investigated. The objective is to simplify the approach for all users. In the near future, the use of drug-eluting stents should reduce the risk of restenosis.

Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation↗

One-year follow-up after primary coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction in diabetic patients. A substudy of the STENT PAMI trial.

OBJECTIVE: This analysis was undertaken to determine the composite incidence of cumulative adverse events (death, reinfarction, disabling stroke, and target vessel revascularization) at the end of the first year after acute myocardial infarction, in diabetic patients who underwent coronary stenting or primary coronary balloon angioplasty. METHODS: From the STENT PAMI trial, we analyzed the 6-month angiographic and 1-year clinical outcomes of 135 diabetic (112, noninsulin dependent) patients who underwent the randomization process of the trial and compared them with 758 nondiabetic patients. RESULTS: Coronary stenting did not significantly reduce the primary composite clinical end point when compared with PTCA (20 vs. 30%, p=0.2). A significant benefit from stenting was observed in patients with noninsulin dependent diabetes, with a trend toward a lesser need for new revascularization procedures (10 vs. 21%, p<.001), with a significant reduction in the primary composite clinical end point at 1 year (12 vs. 28%, p=. 04). At 6 months, the restenosis rate were significantly reduced only in nondiabetic patients (18 vs. 33%, p<. 001). Diabetic patients had the same restenosis rate (38%) either with stenting or balloon PTCA. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary Stenting in diabetics noninsulin dependent offered a significant reduction in the composite incidence of major clinical adverse events compared with balloon PTCA.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Coronary angiography using 4 or 6 French diagnostic catheters: a prospective, randomized study.

Diagnostic catheter size has been progressively decreased in order to reduce complications (particularly access-site complications) and permit early ambulation after coronary angiography. However, excessive down-sizing can result in poor catheter conformation and poor imaging quality of coronary angiograms (CA). This study randomly compared the accuracy and angiographic quality (QUAL) of CA performed with 4 French (Fr) vs. 6 Fr diagnostic catheters. Injections were done manually using a low-viscosity, non-heated, low-osmolality contrast media (Iomeprol). CAs were performed via the femoral approach using Judkins catheters. Handling, torque, selectively and stability were graded from 1 (excellent) to 4 (unacceptable) by the operator. QUAL was also graded from 1 (unacceptable) to 10 (excellent) by the operator in all patients and by an independent Core laboratory in 50 patients matched for gender and weight. Between January and April 1997, a total of 405 consecutive patients were randomized. Mean age was 63.4 +/- 11.1 years and 79% were male. Clinical characteristics of patients, quality of left coronary catheter and cross-over rates (1.5% with 6 Fr vs. 3.9% with 4 Fr catheters) were similar in both groups. Using the right coronary catheters, the only difference was handling, which was found to be easier with 6 Fr catheters (1.16 +/- 0.55 vs. 1.34 +/- 0.77, respectively; p = 0.007). Similarly, handling difficulty using the pigtail catheter was the only significant difference between the two groups (1.16 +/- 0.50 vs. 1.33 +/- 0.77, respectively; p = 0.009), but no cross-over was necessary in either group. The QUAL of CA was slightly but significantly better with 6 Fr than with 4 Fr catheters but considered non-diagnostic (< 7/10) in 1.4% vs. 6.8% of left CAs (p = NS). Procedural time (21.0 +/- 7.2 minutes vs. 19.0 +/- 8.1 minutes; p = 0.007) was shorter with 4 Fr catheters, but x-ray exposure, compression times and amount of contrast media used were similar. Ambulation was obtained at 2 hours in 15.1% vs. 34.0% of patients (p < 0.001) and at 4 hours in 43.8% vs. 52.4% (p < 0.05), respectively. The incidence of the worst access-site complication (moderate hematoma) was similar (1%) in both groups. CA can be performed using 4 Fr catheters and manual injections of low-viscosity contrast media with acceptable angiographic results in the majority of cases. This is associated with a shorter procedural time and earlier ambulation, and a decreased but acceptable angiographic quality.

Age Factors↗

Stenting of bifurcation lesions: classification, treatments, and results.

Percutaneous transluminal balloon coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of coronary bifurcations is associated with a low success rate, high rate of complications, and high incidence of target vessel revascularization (TVR). The strategy of systematic coronary stenting in bifurcation lesions involving a side branch >/= 2.2 mm in diameter was prospectively evaluated in a single-center observational study during a 35-month inclusion period. All patients meeting these criteria were consecutively included. Bifurcation lesions and treatment were predefined in the study. The study included 366 patients (12.1% of PTCA) with 373 bifurcation lesions, mean age 63.7 +/- 11.6 years, 79.2% male, 46.7% with unstable angina, and 8.3% acute MI. The left anterior descending/diagonal bifurcation was involved in 55.2% of cases, circumflex/marginal 22. 2%, PDA/PLA 10.4%, left main bifurcation in 6.8%, and others 5.4%. The main branch (2.78 +/- 0.42 mm reference diameter) was stented in 96.3% of cases and the side branch (2.44 +/- 0.43 mm) in 63.2% (the two branches were stented in 59.5% of cases). Procedural success was obtained in 96.3% in both branches and 99.4% in the main branch. At1-month follow-up, The major cardiac event rate (MACE) was 4.8% (death 1.1%, emergency CABG 0.6%, Q-wave MI 0.9%, acute or subacute closure 1.4%, repeat PTCA 1.1%, and non-Q-wave MI 2.3%). At 7-month follow-up, the total MACCE rate was 21.6%, including a TVR rate of 17.2%. Analysis of the 7-month outcome according to two study periods (period I, 1 January 1996 to 31 August 1997, 182 patients; period II, 1 September 1997 to 30 June 1998, 127 patients) showed that the TVR rate decreased from 20.6% to 13.8% (P = 0.04) and the MACE rate from 29.2% to 17.1% (P < 0.01) in period I and II, respectively. This was associated by univariate analysis with an increasing use of tubular stents deployed in the main branch (94.2% vs. 59.1%, P < 0.001) and kissing balloon inflation after coronary stenting (75.4% vs. 18.1%, P < 0.001). Bifurcation lesions are frequent. Procedural success of coronary stenting is high with a low rate of in-hospital MACE. TVR rate at follow-up is relatively low. In-hospital and follow-up results are influenced not only by the learning curve but also by the use of tubular stents in the main branch and final kissing balloon inflation.

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Coronary angioplasty using 5 French guiding catheters: preliminary experience.

In a retrospective study of 40 patients, we evaluated the effectiveness of the new 5 Fr 0.058" lumen diameter guiding catheter in routine PTCA. A total of 54 balloon angioplasties were performed. The mean age was 62.1+/-12.8 years, with 71% men. The artery dilated was the LAD in 50%, the RCA in 37%, and the circumflex in 13%. Sixty percent of the lesions dilated were proximal lesions, with only 25% defined as distal lesions. Significant calcifications were present in 20% of the lesions. Stents were implanted in 96%, and mean stent length was 14.0 mm, ranging from 8 to 24 mm. Mean balloon diameter was 2.7 mm, ranging from 2.0 to 3.5 mm. The procedure was a success in 95%, with only two failures. No other complications occurred. We concluded that the 0.058" 5 Fr guiding catheter could be suitable in the majority of noncomplex, selected PTCA cases. However, limitations and advantages over the standard 6 Fr technique are yet to be defined.

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