Application of a rapid exchange extension catheter technique in type

BACKGROUND In transradial intervention procedures,poor back-up support and noncoaxial alignment of the guide catheter(GC)may result in failure of the balloon or stent to reach the targeted lesion.Methods to provide extra back-up support using the original GC and wire can improve procedural success with reduced complications.A rapid exchange guide extension catheter provides convenient and efficient back-up support while preserving the initial GC and inserted wire.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rapid exchange extension catheter in the treatment of type B2/C nonocclusive coronary lesions via the radial access.METHODS A total of 135 patients with type B2/C nonocclusive lesions who were treated via the transradial approach were enrolled in the study.The clinical characteristics,indications for use of the rapid exchange extension catheter,and procedural details and results were reviewed and analyzed.All procedure-related complications and major adverse cardiovascular events were recorded during the in-hospital stay and follow-up period.RESULTS The most common indication for the use of a rapid exchange extension catheter was vascular tortuosity(37.8%),followed by heavy calcification(28.9%),long lesions(20.0%),proximal stent(6.7%),in-stent restenosis(5.2%),and coronary origin anomalies(1.5%).The following technologies failed in passing targeted lesions before delivering the rapid exchange catheter:Multiple predilatation technique(57%),buddy wire technique(33.4%),balloon anchoring technique (5.9%), and cutting balloon modification (3.7%). The mean depth of the extensioncatheter intubation was 20.56 ± 13.05 mm, and the mean rapid exchange catheterservice time was 18.9 ± 9.7 min. The mean length and diameter of stents were 33.5± 14.4 mm and 2.75 ± 0.45 mm, respectively. The total rate of technique success(balloon or stent successful crossing of the target lesion with this technique) was94.8%.CONCLUSIONThe rapid exchange extension catheter technique showed acceptable safety andefficacy in the transradial coronary interventions of type B2/C nonocclusivecoronary lesions. We recommend this technique to assist in complex lesionintervention via radial access.

Roles of hyaluronan in cardiovascular and nervous system disorders

Hyaluronan is a widely occurring extracellular matrix molecule,which is not only a supporting structural component,but also an active regulator of cellular functions.The chemophysical and biological properties of hyaluronan are greatly affected by its molecular size and several hyaluronan-binding proteins,making hyaluronan a fascinating molecule with great functional diversity.This review summarizes our current understanding of the roles of hyaluronan in cardiovascular and nervous system disorders,such as atherosclerosis,myocardial infarction,and stroke,with the aim to provide a foundation for future research and clinical trials.