Stent strategies in left main bifurcation lesions: the simpler, the better?

Introduction Although percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ostial or midshaft lesions in left main (LM) disease has shown similar results as compared with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), distal LM bifurcations are associated with an increase in procedural complexity and higher rates of target lesion revascularization. Several studies have investigated the optimal stenting strategy in patients with coronary bifurcation lesions and showed no benefit for systematic two-stent approach in comparison with provisional stenting. This is reflected in the current guidelines that recommend provisional stenting of the side branch as the preferred approach for most bifurcation lesions. However, there is still debate about the optimal strategy according to lesion location. Objectives This analysis aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of LM bifurcation PCI using a provisional strategy versus a two-stent strategy. Methods Retrospective, observational study including patients submitted to LM bifurcation (Medina 1,1,1) PCI between January 2010 and December 2019. Data was collected from the emergency department and hospitalization registries. Patients were divided according to the stenting approach. We made a global analysis including baseline clinical and angiographic data. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF), defined as the composite of myocardial infarction, cardiac death, and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Secondary endpoints included the individual components. Results A total of 106 patients were included (median age 74 [66–82], 79 (74.5%) males), 57 (53.8%) submitted to provisional stenting and 49 (46.2%) to a two-stent technique. Baseline characteristics were well matched (table 1). The mean SYNTAX score was 29.6±10.0 and LM stenosis grade was ≥70% in all lesions. Median follow-up was 26.6 [12.0–48.6] months. No differences were found regarding the primary endpoint (TLF in provisional stenting was 21.7% vs 21.4%, HR 2.432; 95% confidence interval, 0.472–12.450; p=0.233.). Although target lesion revascularization within the LM complex was numerically higher in the two-stent group (10.2% vs. 3.5%, p=0.245), the opposite was found in cardiac death (provisional group 10.5% vs. 4.3%, p=0.289). Conclusions Besides being a “simpler” technique, provisional stenting had no significant differences in outcomes compared to two-stent techniques. Without further evidence, revascularization strategies should primarily rely on operator expertise. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Managing bifurcations: are two stents better than one?

Introduction Bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with a higher degree of complexity when compared with non-bifurcation procedures. Although 1-stent PCI remains the standard approach for most bifurcation lesions, data is constantly being published on 2-stent PCI. Aim To evaluate and compare the characteristics and outcomes of patients that underwent bifurcation PCI with one or two stents. Methods Single center, retrospective observational study including all patients who underwent bifurcation PCI between January 2015-December 2018. We defined two groups: 1-stent PCI group (1s-PCI) and 2-stent PCI group (2s-PCI). The 2s-PCI group included PCI patients with all the different techniques used in our center: provisional stenting with 2 stents, Cullote, crushing stent and DK Crush. Results 1s-PCI group included 376 individuals and 2s-PCI group included 26. Overall baseline clinical characteristics were balanced between groups. There was no statistically significant difference in age (mean 64 vs 66; p=0.388), gender (79% vs 85% males; p=0.622) and comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, chronic kidney disease, smoking and previous history of coronary artery disease). Also, there was no difference in clinical status (NSTEMI 36% vs 38%; stable disease 32% vs 42%; STEMI 28% vs 19%; unstable angina 5% vs 0%; p=0.419). Coronary angiography and lesion distribution were similar in both groups (p=0.367). However, radiation dose (median 90.5 [IQR=79] vs 156 [IQR=84] mGy cm2; p<0,001) and contrast volume (median 150 [IQR=100] vs 156 [IQR=83] ml; p<0,001) were significantly higher in 2s-PCI group. At 12-month follow-up, mortality rate was higher in 1s-PCI group, but without statistical significance (8% vs 4%; p=0.71); the same is true for acute myocardial infarction at 12 months (3% vs 0%; p=0.368). Target-lesion failure was only reported in 4 patients in the 1s-PCI group. Survival tests showed no significant difference between groups (χ2(1,n=402)=0.634; p=0.426). Conclusion Individuals that underwent 1s-PCI were overall similar to those who underwent 2s-PCI. Predictably, deploying more than 1 stent required more contrast volume and implied a higher radiation dose. We should note that our studied is greatly limited by the 2s-PCI group size, which may justify the lack of difference in the evaluated outcomes. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Implementation of electrocardiography from the coronary sinus in interventional treatment of coronary arteries: two-year experience of clinical application of the method

The aim of this study was to summarize, systematize, and extend analysis of data of two-year clinical use of intracardiac ECG (ECG-CS) in patients with coronary artery disease.Material and methods. 131 patients with coronary artery disease who underwent a planned coronary stenting were included in a prospective study from 2018 till 2020 . Ischemia was monitored with the use of electrophysiological recording system with the following settings: combining electrodes into fi ve cathode-anode pairs with a frequency range of 30–500 Hz, signal cut-off of 1 cm, and an amplitude of 0.3 mV/cm.Results. According to the ROC-analysis, the sensitivity of the ECG-СS method in case of ST segment depression was 79.5%, the specifi city was 100%; with ST segment elevation — 83% with a specifi city of 100%, according to data obtained in 88 patients with single-vessel disease of the coronary arteries (CA). Out of 43 patients with coronary artery disease, compromise of the diagonal branch and signifi cant ischemic dynamics (p < 0.05) in the intracardiac lead CS 3–4 after stent placement in the ADA according to ECG-CS was observed in 11 (25.6%) patients, in 9 (20.9%) of which successful provisional stenting was performed, and 2 (4 .6%) patients required implantation of the second stent.Conclusion. ECG-CS is a promising method for detecting myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease and allows to optimize intervention in the area of coronary artery bifurcation.

Provisional Stenting for Left Main Bifurcation Disease under IVUS guidance: A Case Series

Around 15-20% of coronary lesions include bifurcation, and among which left main (LM) bifurcation lesions are critical and complex to manage. Though the two-stent strategy is the preferred option for complex LM bifurcation lesions, the provisional strategy should be considered if the side branch is disease-free to avoid peri- and post-procedural complications. Thus, precise anatomical and physiological assessment of LM lesion should be made using intravascular imaging techniques for appropriate decision making. Here, we report three cases of successfully managed LM bifurcation lesions using the provisional stenting technique with the guidance of intravascular ultrasound, fractional flow reserve, and heart team. All three patients were doing well and were ischemia-free on stress echocardiography at three months follow-up.

Contemporary approaches to bifurcation stenting

Bifurcation lesions are common and associated with higher risks of major cardiac events and restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Treatment requires understanding of lesion characteristics, stent design and therapeutic options. We review the evidence for provisional vs 2-stent techniques. We conclude that provisional stenting is suitable for most bifurcation lesions. We detail situations where a 2-stent technique should be considered and the steps for performing each of the 2-step techniques. We review the importance of lesion preparation, intracoronary imaging, proximal optimization (POT) and kissing balloon inflation