Does manual thrombus aspiration help optimize stent implantation in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction?

AIM: To evaluate the impact of thrombus aspiration(TA) on procedural outcomes in a real-world ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI) registry.METHODS: From May 2006 to August 2008, 542 consecutive STEMI patients referred for primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled and the angiographic results and stent implantation characteristics were compared according to the performance of manual TA.RESULTS: A total of 456 patients were analyzable and categorized in TA group(156 patients; 34.2%) and non-TA(NTA) group(300 patients; 65.8%). Patientstreated with TA had less prevalence of multivessel disease(39.7% vs 54.7%, P = 0.003) and higher prevalence of initial thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow < 3(P < 0.001) than NTA group. There was a higher rate of direct stenting(58.7% vs 45.5%, P = 0.009), with shorter(24.1 ± 11.8 mm vs 26.9 ± 15.7 mm, P = 0.038) and larger stents(3.17 ± 0.43 mm vs 2.93 ± 0.44 mm, P < 0.001) in the TA group as compared to NTA group. The number of implanted stents(1.3 ± 0.67 vs 1.5 ± 0.84, P = 0.009) was also lower in TA group. CONCLUSION: In an "all-comers" STEMI population, the use of TA resulted in more efficient procedure leading to the implantation of less number of stents per lesion of shorter lengths and larger sizes.

Medical management of connector pin thrombosis with the Amplatzer cardiac plug left atrial closure device

Transcatheter closure of the left atrial appendage with the Amplatzer cardiac plug device and double antiplatelet treatment for 3 mo has become an alternative treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation at high embolism risk and contraindications for chronic oral anticoagulation.The inadequate implantation of the left atrial appendage closure device and the discontinuation of double antiplatelet therapy are well-known as factors related to device thrombosis.Nevertheless,device thrombosis after adequate implantation requiring surgical treatment or restarting chronic oral anticoagulation has been reported and can reach 15% of patients.The connector pin thrombosis of the Amplatzer cardiac plug,despite a good adherence to antiplatelet treatment,has been recently described as a potential mechanism for device thrombosis.Our clinical case reports the management of this condition for the first time,showing that the early detection of thrombotic complications by transesophageal echocardiography permits solving this serious complication with medical treatment only.

Drug-eluting stents and acute myocardial infarction:A lethal combination or friends?

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention is the preferred reperfusion strategy for patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI). First generation drug-eluting stents(DES),(sirolimus drug-eluting stents and paclitaxel drug-eluting stents), reduce the risk of restenosis and target vessel revascularization compared to bare metal stents. However, stent thrombosis emerged as a major safety concern with first generation DES. In response to these safety issues, second generation DES were developed with different drugs, improved stent platforms and more biocompatible durable or bioabsorbable polymeric coating. This article presents an overview of safety and efficacy of the first and second generation DES in STEMI.

Adequate antiplatelet regimen in patients on chronic anti-vitamin K treatment undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

AIM: To investigate the impact of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) in patients on antivitamin K (AVK) regimen requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).METHODS: Between February 2006 and February 2008, 138 consecutive patients under chronic AVK treatment were enrolled in this registry. Of them, 122 received bare metal stent implantation and 16 received drug elutingstent implantation. The duration of DAT, on top of AVK treatment, was decided at the discretion of the clinician. Adequate duration of DAT was def ined according to type of stent implanted and to its clinical indication. RESULTS: The baseline clinical characteristics of patients reflect their high risk, with high incidence of comorbid conditions (Charlson score ≥ 3 in 89% of the patients). At a mean follow-up of 17 ± 11 mo, 22.9% of patients developed a major adverse cardiac event (MACE): 12.6% died from cardiovascular disease and almost 6% had an acute myocardial infarction. Major hemorrhagic events were observed in 7.4%. Adequate DAT was obtained in only 44% of patients. In the multivariate analysis, no adequate DAT and Charlson score were the only independent predictors of MACE (both P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Patients on chronic AVK therapy represent a high risk population and suffer from a high MACE rate after PCI. An adequate DAT regimen and absence of comorbid conditions are strongly associated with better clinical outcomes.

Cardiac embolism after implantable cardiac defibrillator shock in non-anticoagulated atrial fibrillation:The role of left atrial appendage occlusion

Cardioembolic events are one of the most feared complications in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(NVAF) and a formal contraindication to oral anticoagulation(OAC).The present case report describes a case of massive peripheral embolism after an implantable cardiac defibrillator(ICD) shock in a patient with NVAF and a formal contraindication to OAC due to previous intracranial hemorrhage.In order to reduce the risk of future cardioembolic events,the patient underwent percutaneous left atrial appendage(LAA) occlusion.A 25 mm AmplatzerTM Amulet was implanted and the patient was discharged the following day without complications.The potential risk of thrombus dislodgement after an electrical shock in patients with NVAF and no anticoagulation constitutes a particular scenario that might be associated with an additional cardioembolicrisk.Although LAA occlusion is a relatively new technique,its usage is rapidly expanding worldwide and constitutes a very valid alternative for patients with NVAF and a formal contraindication to OAC.