Two-Stent Strategy for Bifurcation Lesions in Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty: Real-World Evidence

Background: Bifurcation lesions pose a high risk for adverse events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Evidence supporting the benefits of the two-stent strategy (2SS) for treating coronary bifurcation lesions in India is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of various 2SSs for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for bifurcation lesions in India. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, observational, multicentric, real-world study included 64 patients over 8 years. Data on demographics, medical history, PCI procedures, and outcomes were recorded. Descriptive statistics were computed using the SPSS software. Results: Patients (n = 64) had an average age of 65.3 ± 11.1 years, with 78.1% males. Acute coronary syndrome was reported in 18.8%, chronic stable angina in 40.6%, and unstable angina in 34.4% of participants. Two-vessel disease was observed in 98.4% of patients, and 99.4% had true bifurcation lesions. The commonly involved vessels were the left anterior descending artery (50%), left circumflex coronary artery (34.4%), and first diagonal artery (43.8%). Mean percent diameter stenosis was 87.2% ± 10.1%. The mean number of stents used was 2.00 ± 0.34. The 2SS techniques included the T and small protrusion (TAP) (39.1%), double kissing (DK) crush (18.8%), and the culotte techniques (14.1%). Procedural and angiographic success rate was 92.18%. Major adverse cardiovascular events at 1-year follow-up occurred in 7.8% of cases. Conclusion: The 2SS for bifurcation lesions showed favorable in-hospital and follow-up outcomes. Findings can serve as a resource for bifurcation angioplasty in India. Larger real-world studies with robust methodology are needed to validate these results.

Clinical applications of fractional flow reserve in bifurcation lesions

Pereutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） for coronary bifurcation lesions has been associated with lower procedural success rates and worse clinical outcomes compared with PCI for simple coronary lesions. Angiographic evaluation alone is sometimes inaccurate and does not reflect the fimctional significance of bifurcation lesions. The fractional flow reserve （FFR） is an easily obtainable, reliable, and reproducible physiologic parameter. This parameter is epicardial lesion specific and reflects both degree of stenosis and the myocardial territory supplied by the specific artery. Recent studies have shown that FFR-guided provisional side branch intervention strategy for bifurcation lesions is feasible and effective and can reduce unnecessary complex interventions and related complications. However, an adequate understanding of coronary physiology and the pitfalls of FFR is essential to properly use FFR for PCI of complex bifurcation lesions.

A Novel guide extension assisted stenting technique for coronary bifurcation lesions

A challenging technical scenario frequently encountered in a percutaneous coronary intervention of a coronary bifurcation lesion(CBL)is stent implantation of only the stenosed segment without compromising the other two normal segments in non-true bifurcation lesions.Another is precise stent implantation covering the side branch ostium without leaving excessive stent metal at the other two segments of a bifurcation lesion in complex true bifurcation lesions.The aim of this study was to describe a novel stenting technique for both non-true and true CBLs by using a guide extension catheter(GuideLiner).With the assistance of a guide extension catheter mounted on both the main and the side-branch guidewires and with its intubation down to the bifurcation carina,a stent can be implanted in the side branch segment or distal main segment of the bifurcation lesion appropriately without compromising the other two segments of the coronary bifurcation.Stent implantation is described in three bifurcation lesions in three cases and shown in detail with illustrative figures.The technique facilitates side-branch only stenting in side-branch mono-ostial(medina 0,0,1)CBL or only the distal main segment in distal mono-ostial(medina 0,1,0)CBL without compromising the other two remaining segments when using the onestent technique in non-true CBLs without leaving unnecessary excessive stent metal at the bifurcation site and when using a two-stent technique in complex true bifurcation lesions(tri-ostial or medina 1,1,1).Consequently,through optimizing stent deployment,the technique may have the potential to reduce the risk of subacute stent thrombosis and future in-stent restenosis.The most appropriate lesions suitable for the technique,and some other practical tips are also described.

A drug-eluting Balloon for the trEatment of coronarY bifurcatiON lesions in the side branch:a prospective multicenter ranDomized (BEYOND)clinical trial in China

Background:Treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions remains challenging;a simple strategy has been preferred as of late,but the disadvantage is ostium stenosis or even occlusion of the side branch(SB).Only a few single-center studies investigating the combination of a drug-eluting stent in the main branch followed by a drug-eluting balloon in the SB have been reported.This prospective,multicenter,randomized study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of a paclitaxel-eluting balloon(PEB)compared with regular balloon angioplasty(BA)in the treatment of non-left main coronary artery bifurcation lesions.Methods:Between December 2014 and November 2015,a total of 222 consecutive patients with bifurcation lesions were enrolled in this study at ten Chinese centers.Patients were randomly allocated at a 1:1 ratio to a PEB group(n=113)and a BA group(n=109).The primary efficacy endpoint was angiographic target lesion stenosis at 9 months.Secondary efficacy and safety endpoints included target lesion revascularization,target vessel revascularization,target lesion failure,major adverse cardiac and cerebral events(MACCEs),all-cause death,cardiac death,non-fatal myocardial infarction,and thrombosis in target lesions.The main analyses performed in this clinical trial included case shedding analysis,base-value equilibrium analysis,effectiveness analysis,and safety analysis.SAS version 9.4 was used for the statistical analyses.Results:At the 9-month angiographic follow-up,the difference in the primary efficacy endpoint of target lesion stenosis between the PEB(28.7%±18.7%)and BA groups(40.0%±19.0%)was-11.3%(95%confidence interval:-16.3%to-6.3%,Psuperiority<0.0001)in the intention-to-treat analysis,and similar results were recorded in the per-protocol analysis,demonstrating the superiority of PEB to BA.Late lumen loss was significantly lower in the PEB group than in the BA group(-0.06±0.32 vs.0.18±0.34 mm,P<0.0001).For intention-to-treat,there were no significant differences between PEB and BA in the 9-month percentages of MACCEs(0.9%vs.3.7%,P=0.16)or non-fatal myocardial infarctions(0 vs.0.9%,P=0.49).There were no clinical events of target lesion revascularization,target vessel revascularization,target lesion failure,all-cause death,cardiac death or target lesion thrombosis in either group.Conclusions:In de novo non-left main coronary artery bifurcations treated with provisional T stenting,SB dilation with the PEB group demonstrated better angiographic results than treatment with regular BA at the 9-month follow-up in terms of reduced target lesion stenosis.Trial registration:ClinicalTrials.gov,NCT02325817;https://clinicaltrials.gov.

Mechanisms and clinical significance of quality of final kissing balloon inflation in patients with true bifurcation lesions treated by crush stenting technique

Background The mechanisms responsible for the occurrence of a kissing unsatisfied （KUS） result after classical crush stenting remain unclear. The present study aimed at analyzing the mechanisms and clinical significance of KUS. Methods Two hundred and thirteen patients with true bifurcation lesions treated with classical crush stenting and final kissing balloon inflation （FKBI） were assigned to upper, middle, and lower groups according to the position of the side branch re-wiring assessed by visual estimation, quantitative coronary analysis （QCA） and intravascular ultrasound （IVUS）. Angiographic follow-up was indexed at 12 months. Results The upper group was characterized by a larger bifurcation angle of 55.53°±25.25° （P=0,030） and a longer procedural time （42.43±23.92） minutes （P=0.015）. The overall rate of KUS by visual estimation was 10.48%, with 5.4% in the upper group, 3.9% in middle group, and 36.1% in lower group （P 〈0.001）. For the diagnosis of KUS, visual inspection demonstrated a good correlation with both QCA and IVUS. Smaller stent diameter was the main reason for KUS in the upper group, while extra-stent side wire location, or re-wire in a low position was the main mechanism attributed to KUS in the lower group. The Lower group had more restenosis, with most restenotic lesions at a lower position of the side branch ostium. KUS （HR 1.652, 95% Cl 1.332-2.088, P 〈0.001） and re-wiring position （HR 2.341, 95% Cl 1.780-4.329, P 〈0.001） were two independent predictors of side branch restenosis. Re-wiring position （OR 0.458, 95%C/0.336-0.874, P=0.001） and side stent expansion （OR 3.122, 95%C/2.883-5.061, P=0.014） were factors predicting the findings of KUS. Conclusions Side wire outside side stents resulted in more KUS and restenosis. Different restenotic lesion types reflected individual mechanisms contributing to the development of plaque proliferation.

Randomized Comparison of the Crush Versus the Culotte Stenting for Coronary Artery Bifurcation Lesions

Background：The crush and the culotte stenting were both reported to be effective for complex bifurcation lesion treatment.However,their comparative performance remains elusive.Methods：A total of 300 patients with coronary bifurcation lesions were randomly assigned to crush （n =150） and culotte （n =150） treatment.The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events （MACEs） at 12 months including cardiac death,myocardial infarction,stent thrombosis,and target vessel revascularization.Index lesion restenosis at 12 months was a secondary endpoint.The surface integrals of time-averaged wall shear stress at bifurcation sites were also be quantified.Results：There were no significant differences in MACE rates between the two groups at 12-month follow-up：Crush 6.7%,culotte 5.3% （P =0.48）.The rates of index lesion restenosis were 12.7% versus 6.0% （P =0.047） in the crush and the culotte groups,respectively.At 12-month follow-up,the surface integrals of time-averaged wall shear stress at bifurcation sites in the crush group were significantly lower than the culotte group （[5.01 ± 0.95] × 10^-4 Newton and [6.08 ± 1.16] × 10^-4 Newton,respectively;P =0.003）.Conclusions：Both the crush and the culotte bifurcation stenting techniques showed satisfying clinical and angiographic results at 12-month follow-up.Bifurcation lesions treated with the culotte technique tended to have lower restenosis rates and more favorable flow patterns.

Clinical outcomes after recanalization of a chronic total occluded vessel with bifurcation lesions： results from single-center, prospective, chronic total occlusion registry study

Background Stenting strategies and clinical outcomes of bifurcation lesions in a chronic total occlusion （CTO） vessel after successful recanalization remain to be unknown. Methods Between January 2001 and December 2009, 195 （41.1%） patients with 254 （47.0%） bifurcation lesions in CTO vessels from a pool of 564 patients with 659 CTO lesions were included and divided into proximal （n=134） and distal （n=-120） groups, according to the location of the bifurcation lesions. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events （MACE） at the end of clinical follow-up, including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization （TVR）. Results Collaterals with Rentrop class 3 were seen more in distal group （100% and 68.3%）, compared to proximal group （76.9% and 45.6%）. Two-stent technique for proximal bifurcation lesions was used in 24.6%, significantly different from the distal group （6.7%, P 〈0.001）, without significant difference in composite MACE between proximal and distal groups, or between one- and two-stent subgroups in proximal group. The composite MACE after 1-year in complete revascularization subgroup was 17.9% relative to 29.6% in the incomplete revascularization group （P=0.044）. Stents in long false lumen in main vessel were mainly attributive to decreased TIMI grade flow, with resultant increased in-stent restenosis, total occlusion, TVR and coronary aneurysms. Imcomplete revasculzarization （HR 2.028, P=0.049, 95% CI 1.002-4.105） and post-stenting TIMI flow （HR 6.122, P=0.020, 95% Cl 1.334-28.092） were two independent predictors of composite MACE at the 1-year follow-up. Conclusions Two-stent was more used for proximal bifurcation lesions. No significant difference was observed in MACE between proximal and distal, or between one- and two-stent subgroups in the proximal group. Placement of a safety wire was critical for proximal bifurcation lesions. Complete revascularization was mandatory to improve clinical outcomes.

Double kissing crush technique for treatment of true coronary bifurcation lesions： two-year clinical outcomes from DKCRUSH-1 study

Standards for treating bifurcation lesions are crucial due to poor outcomes by percutaneous implantation of either bare metal stents or drug-eluting stents, even with several modified double-stent techniques including ＂T＂, ＂V＂, ＂Y＂, ＂culotte＂ and ＂simultaneous kissing stents （SKS）＂. Understanding the drawbacks in classical crush techniques, we proposed a novel double kissing （DK） crush technique being testified in our previous serial studies]＇2 The results from these randomized and pilot studies are describing a fantastic story---DK crush technique, by final kissing balloon inflation （FKBI） in 100% of lesions and high quality of kissing as assessed by both angiography and intravascular ultrasound, significantly improved the clinical outcome at a relative short-term follow-up. However, whether the advantage of the DK crush technique was sustained or not at a long-term remains unclear. The present study aimed to extend clinical follow-up and verify the differences between DK and classic crush techniques.

Coronary bifurcation angle from 3-D predicts clinical outcomes after stenting bifurcation lesions

Background The predictive value of bifurcation angle （BA） for worse events after stenting bifurcation lesions remains to be unknown. The present study was to investigate the dynamic change of BA and clinical relevance for patients with coronary bifurcation lesions treated by drug-eluting stent （DES）. Methods BA was calculated by 3-D quantitative coronary analysis from 347 patients in DKCRUSH-II study. Primary endpoint was the occurrence of composite major adverse cardiac events （MACE） at 12-month, including cardiac death, myocardial infarction （MI） and target vessel revascularization （TVR）. Secondary end points were the rate of binary restenosis and stent thrombosis at 12-month. Results Stenting was associated with the reduction of distal BA. The cut-off value of distal BA for predicting MACE was 60°. Distal BA in 〈60° group had less reduction after stenting （（-1.96＋13.58）°vs. （-12.12±23.58）°, P 〈0.001）; two-stent technique was associated with significant reduction of distal BA （△（-4.05±14.20）°）, compared to single stent group （4＋1.55±11.73, P=0.003）; the target lesion revascularization （TLR）, TVR and MACE rate was higher in one-stent group （16.5%, 19.0% and 21.5%）, compared to two-stent group （3.8%, P=0.002; 7.5%, P=0.016; and 9.8%, P=0.024）, respectively. Among patients in ≥60° group, there were no significant differences in distal BA, stent thrombosis （ST）, MI, MACE, death, TLR, TVR between one- and two-stent groups; after stenting procedure, there was only slight change of distal BA in left anterior descending （LAD）-Ieft circumflex （LCX） subgroup （from （88.54±21.33）° at baseline to （82.44±31.72）° post-stenting）, compared to either LAD-diagonal branch （Di）, or LCX-obtuse marginal branch （OM）, or IRCA distal （RCAd） （all P 〈0.001 ）. Conclusion Two-stent technique was associated with significant reduction of distal BA. DK crush stenting had reduced rate of MACE in patients in 〈60° group, compared to one-stent technique.

Comparison of paclitaxal vs. sirolimus eluting stents with bio-degradable polymer for the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions： subgroup analysis from DKCRUSH-I and DKCRUSH-II studies

Background The difference in clinical outcome between paclitaxal-eluting stents （PES） and sirolimus-eluting stents with bio-degradable polymer （SES-BDP） for bifurcation lesions remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the one-year clinical outcome after DK crush stenting using PES （maxusTM） MS. SES-BDP （ExcelTM） from our database. Methods A total of 275 patients （90 from the DKCRUSH-I and 185 from the DKCRUSH-II study） were studied. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events （MACE） at 12 months; including cardiac death, myocardial infarction （MI）, or target vessel revascularization （TVR）. The rate of binary restenosis and stent thrombosis served as secondary endpoints. Results At follow-up, minimal luminal diameter （MLD） in the Taxus group was （2.11＋0.66） mm, with resultant increased target lesion revascularization （TLR） 12.2% and TVR 14.4%, significantly different from the Excel group; （2.47±0.56） mm, P 〈0.001, 3.2%, P=0.006, 4.9%, P=0.019, respectively. As a result there was a significant difference in MACE between the Taxus （20.0%） and Excel （10.3%, P=0.038） groups. Overall stent thrombosis was monitored in 11 patients （4.0%）, with five in the Excel group （2.7%） and six in the Taxus group （6.7%）. All stent thrombosis in the Excel group was classified as early, and all were defined as late in the Taxus group. Conclusion The Excel stent had lower rate of stent thrombosis, TLR, TVR, and composite MACE at 12-month after an indexed stenting procedure, compared to the Taxus stent.

Final kissing balloon dilatation in patients with coronary bifurcation lesions treated with 1-stent technique using drug-eluting stent:A meta-analysis of four clinical studies

The effects of final kissing balloon dilatation （FKBD） have not been systemically evaluated in patients with coronary bifurcation lesions treated with 1-stent strategy. A meta-analysis was performed to in- tegrate the results of independent studies to provide a more precise estimate of the treatment effect. Methods A systematic literature search was carried out for all the relevant articles up till March 2012. Only studies with adequate data reporting major adverse cardiac events （MACE） and target lesion revascularization （TLR）, and follow-up of at least 6 months were included. The endpoints analyzed in this meta-analysis were stent throm- bosis （ST）, all-cause death, myocardial infarction （MI）, MACE and TLR. Result Four studies were found to be eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. There were also no significant differences with the occurrence of MI （1.7% vs. 1.5%, OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.38 to 3.44, P = 0.81）, all-cause death （1.1% vs. 1.1%, P = 0.84, OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.35 to 2.35） and stent thrombosis （0.9% vs. 0.8%, OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.35 to 3.09, P = 0.95） in patients with FKBD or No FKBD. However, FKBD was associated with a higher risk of MACE （8.0% vs. 5.3%, OR 1.56, 95% CI, 1.02-2.39, P = 0.04）, primarily as a result of an increased risk of TLR （6.4% vs. 3.4%, OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.30 to 3.48 P = 0.003）. Conclusions In patients with coronary bifurca- tion lesions treated with 1-stent technique, FKBD may be associated with adverse outcomes mainly because of a higher rate of TLR.

Modified culotte stenting for treatment of complex coronary bifurcation lesions： immediate and 9-month outcomes in a pilot study

Background The optimal stenting strategy for the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions （CBLs） remains uncertain. The present study observed technical feasibility and reliability, 9-month clinical and angiographic outcomes of the modified culotte stenting （MCS） in the treatment of CBLs with drug-eluting stents. Methods A total of 34 consecutive patients with CBLs that required stenting the parent vessel （PV）, the main branch （MB） and the side branch （SB） were included. All patients were first assigned to receive MCS for CBL interventions （per MCS）, and might be switched to receive the double-kissing-crush stenting （DKS） in case of temporally acute branch occlusion （per protocol）. Results The immediate angiographic or procedural success was achieved in 33/34 （97%） lesions （patients） per MCS, 34/34 （100%） lesions （patients） per protocol with 100% successful final balloon kissing. The long-term clinical success at 9 months was 94% per MCS and 94% per protocol, only 2 patients had reoccurrence of angina but none of them needed target lesion revascularization. There were no procedure-related biomarker elevation, no in-stent thrombosis peri-procedurally and at 9-month follow-up. Quantitative coronary angiography data at 9 months showed that in-stent （6%） or in-segment （6%） binary stenosis was infrequent, and minimal lumen diameter was significantly reduced but late lumen loss was acceptable with only （0.10_-＇_-~.14） mm for PV, （0.21＋0.23） mm for MB and （0.27^-0.32） mm for SB. Conclusions MCS for treatment of CBLs that required dual-stent implantation was technically easier and safer, readily to complete final balloon kissing, and was associated with high immediate success and optimal 9-month outcomes.

Short and long-term outcomes of two drug eluting stents in bifurcation lesions

Background Because no large prospective studies are available, this study evaluated the clinical outcomes of two drug eluting stents in bifurcation lesions. Methods Lesions with diameter of side branch ≥2.5 mm were selected. From October 2003 to June 2005, 112 patients with 113 bifurcation lesions were treated by two drug eluting stents （DESs）, technique. The location of bifurcation lesions were left anterior descending coronary artery/diagonal in 62 patients, left main distal bifurcation in 32, left circumflex coronary artery/obtute marginal branch in 18 and right coronary artery distal bifurcation in 1. Procedures for bifurcation lesions were crush or modified crush technique in 64, ＂T＂ stenting technique in 27, modified ＂Y＂ stenting, kiss stenting, ＂V＂ stenting as well as culotte stenting technique in 11, 5, 3 and 3, respectively. Among 226 lesions, 91 Cypher or Cypher select stents, 74 TAXUS and 67 Firebird were used. Final kiss balloon dilation was performed in 60 （93.7%） with crush technique after stenting. Results Success rate of percutaneous coronary intervention for the bifurcation lesions was 100%. One patient, who developed inhospital acute myocardial infarction due to subacute thrombosis, was successfully treated by a second intervention. Major adverse cardiac events rate in-hospital was 0.89% （1/112） and during followup was 7.14% （8/112）, No death occurred during the followup of all patients. Angiographic followup was effected for 46 patients, restenosis for eight, coronary artery bypass grafting for 1 and a repeat intervention for 5. Restenosis involving TAXUS, Cypher and Firebird was 5 （5/18, 27.8%）, 2 （2/17, 11.8%） and 1 （1/11, 9.1%）, respectively （P〉0.05）. Total restenotic rate was 17.4% （8/46）. Conclusions When ostium of side branch has severe stenosis and 〉12.5 mm in diameter, two-stent strategy in this bifurcation lesion is safe and effective, and the outcomes are satisfactory. Restenotic rates were not different between TAXUS, Cypher and Firebird DESs.

Coronary bifurcation lesions treated with double kissing crush technique compared to classical crush technique： serial intravascular ultrasound analysis

Background The double kissing （DK） crush technique is a modified version of the crush technique. It is specifically designed to increase the success rate of the final kissing balloon post-dilatation, but its efficacy and safety remain unclear. Methods Data were obtained from the DKCRUSH-I trial, a prospective, randomized, multi-center study to evaluate safety and efficacy. Post-procedural and eight-month follow-up intravascular ultrasound （IVUS） analysis was available in 61 cases. Volumetric analysis using Simpson＇s method within the Taxus stent, and cross-sectional analysis at the five sites of the main vessel （MV） and three sites of the side branch （SB） were performed. Impact of the bifurcation angle on stent expansion at the carina was also evaluated. Results Stent expansion in the SB ostium was significantly less the DK crush group （（72.27±11.46）%） （P=0.04）. For the MV, the n the classical crush group （（53.81±13.51）%） than in ncidence of incomplete crush was 41.9% in the DK group and 70.0% in the classical group （P=0.03）. The percentage of neointimal area at the ostium had a tendency to be smaller in the DK group compared with the classical group （（16.4±19.2）% vs. （22.8±27.1）%, P=0.06）. The optimal threshold of post-procedural minimum stent area （MSA） to predict follow-up minimum lumen area （MLA） 〈4.0 mm2 at the SB ostium was 4.55 mm2, yielding an area under the curve of 0.80 （95% confidence interval： 0.61 to 0.92）. Conclusion Our data suggest that the DK crush technique is associated with improved quality of the final kissing balloon inflation （FKBI） and had smaller optimal cutoff value of post-procedural MSA at the SB ostium.

Intravascular Ultrasound Classification of Plaque in Angiographic True Bifurcation Lesions of the Left Main Coronary Artery

Background： Accurately, characterizing plaques is critical for selecting the optimal intervention strategy for the left main coronary artery （LMCA） bifurcation. Coronary angiography cannot precisely assess the location or nature of plaques in bifurcation lesions. Few intravascular ultrasound （IVUS） classification scheme has been reported for angiographic imaging of true bifurcation lesions of the unprotected LMCA thus far. In addition, the plaque composition at the bifurcation has not been elucidated. This study aimed to detect plaque composition at LMCA bifurcation lesions by IVUS. Methods： Fifty-eight patients were recruited. The location, concentricity or eccentricity, site of maximum thickness, and composition of plaques of the distal LMCA, ostial left anterior descending （LAD） coronary artery and, left circumflex （LCX） coronary artery were assessed using IVUS and described using illustrative diagrams. Results： True bifurcation lesions of the unprotected LMCA were classified into four types： Type A, with continuous involvement from the distal LMCA to the ostial LAD and the ostial LCX with eccentric plaques; Type B, with concentric plaques at the distal LMCA, eccentric plaques at the ostial LAD, and no plaques at the LCX; Type C, with continuous involvement from the distal LMCA to the ostial LCX, with eccentric plaques, and to the ostial LAD, with eccentric plaques; and Type D, with continuous involvement from the distal LMCA to the ostial LAD, with eccentric plaques, and to the ostial LCX, with concentric plaques. The carina was involved in only 3.5% of the plaques. A total of 51.7% of the plaques at the ostium of the LAD were soft, while 44.8% and 44.6% were fibrous in the distal LMCA and in the ostial LCX, respectively. Conclusions： We classified LMCA true bifurcation lesions into four types. The carina was always free from disease. Plaques at the ostial LAD tended to be soft, whereas those at the ostial LCX and the distal LMCA tended to be fibrous.

Jailing polymer jacketed guide-wires during bifurcation coronary interventions is associated with procedural myocardial infarction

AIM To study the relationship of jailed polymer jacketed guide wires(PGW) with procedural myocardial infarction(PMI) after bifurcation coronary interventions.METHODS Consecutive bifurcation interventions performed from January 2010 to October 2014 were included in the study. Chart review was performed to obtain demographic, clinical and procedural data. PMI was defined as Creatine Kinase MB > 3 × upper reference limit of normal. Multivariate logistic regression was used to ascertain relationship of PGW use with PMI.RESULTS Two hundred and ninety-three patients(age 63.5 ± 12.3 years; 33.8% diabetic) were included in the study. Eighty point two percent(n = 235) were true bifurcation lesions use of PGW was associated with PMI on univariate analysis(OR = 4.1; P = 0.002). This association remained significant after adjusting for other possible risk factors(OR = 3.5; P = 0.02).CONCLUSION Our results suggest that PGW use for side branch protection may be associated with PMI. Randomized studies are needed to validate these findings.

Impact of main vessel calcification on procedural and clinical outcomes of bifurcation lesion undergoing provisional single-stenting intervention: a multicenter, prospective, observational study

Background Few data on the combined effects of bifurcation and calcification on coronary artery disease(CAD)patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)are available.This study evaluated the impact of main vessel(MV)calcification on the procedural and long-term outcomes in patients with CAD who underwent provisional single stent PCI.Methods This is a multicenter,prospective,observational study.Patients with bifurcation lesions were enrolled at 10 PCI centers in China from January 2015 to December 2017.Intravascular ultrasound or optical coherence tomography was performed in all patients to evaluate the MV calcification.Patients were treated with provisional single stent strategy using drug eluting stents and followed-up at 1 month,6 months and 12 months after discharge by telephone contact or outpatient visit.Repeated coronary imaging was performed within one year.We compared the procedural success rates in MV and in side branch(SB),and target lesion failure(TLF),defined as a composite of cardiac death,non-fatal myocardial infarction,definite or possible stent thrombosis and target lesion revascularization between patients with and without MV calcification.Results A total of 185 subjects were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study.MV calcification was detected in 119(64.3%,calcification group)and not found in 66(35.7%,non-calcification group)patients.The angiographic success rate of MV was 95.8%in the calcification group and 97.0%in the non-calcification group(P=0.91);the angiographic success rate of SB was 32.8%in the calcification group and 53.0%in the non-calcification group(P<0.05).During the one-year follow-up period,TLF occurred in 14(11.8%)patients in the calcification group and in 13(19.7%)in the non-calcification group{P=0.31).Multivariate regression analysis showed the same result(HR=1.23,95%CI:0.76-1.52,P=0.47).Calcification on group had higher recurrent angina than non-calcification group(13.51%vs.17.65%,P<0.05).Conclusions In patients with coronary bifurcation lesion treated with provisional one stent approach,calcification of MV is associated with lower SB procedural success rate,it could increase recurrence of angina;however,it was not associated with an increased risk of TLF.

Three-dimensional optical coherence tomography reconstruction of bifurcation stenting using the Szabo anchor-wire technique

Ostial lesions present unique challenges for percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). These lesions are often more calcified,fibrotic,rigid,and more prone to elastic recoil. Intervention on these lesions is associated with higher procedural complications and higher rates of restenosis. Ostial lesions require precise stent placement in the ostium with the absence of side branch compromise. Accurate stent placement in the ostium without side branch compromise is difficult to accomplish with angiography alone. The Szabo technique uses two coronary guidewires for the correct placement in the aorto-ostial or bifurcation lesion. One guidewire is passed through the final cell of the stent strut and acts as the anchor wire. It helps to prevent migration of the stent beyond the ostium and facilitates the precise stenting at the ostium. This technique has several advantages including less reliance on angiography,lower rates of stent malposition and lower rates of incomplete stent coverage. Potential disadvantages include stent distortion and dislodgement from stent manipulation. We describe two cases of successful PCI to bifurcation lesions using the Szabo technique and confirmation of correct placement in the ostium with optical coherence tomography.

Fundamentals of percutaneous coronary bifurcation interventions

Coronary bifurcation lesions(CBLs)account for 15%-20%of all percutaneous coronary interventions.The complex nature of these lesions is responsible for poorer procedural,early and late outcomes.This complex lesion subset has received great attention in the interventional cardiac community,and multiple stenting techniques have been developed.Of these,the provisional stenting technique is most often the default strategy;however,the elective double stenting(EDS)technique is preferred in certain subsets of complex CBLs.The double kissing crush technique may be the preferred EDS technique because of its efficacy and safety in comparative trials;however,this technique consists of many steps and requires training.Many new methods have recently been added to the EDS techniques to provide better stent scaffolding and to reduce early and late adverse outcomes.Intravascular imaging is necessary to determine the interventional strategy and postinterventional results.This review discusses the basic concepts,contemporary percutaneous interventional technical approaches,new methods,and controversial treatment issues of CBLs.

Clinical and Angiographic Predictors of Major Side Branch Occlusion after Main Vessel Stenting in Coronary Bifurcation Lesions

Background： Major side branch （SB） occlusion is one of the most serious complications during percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） for bifurcation lesions. We aimed to characterize the incidence and predictors of major SB occlusion during coronary bifurcation intervention. Methods： We selected consecutive patients undergoing PCI （using one stent or provisional two stent strategy） for bifurcation lesions with major SB. All clinical characteristics, coronary angiography findings, PCI procedural factors and quantitative coronary angiographic analysis data were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of SB occlusion. SB occlusion after main vessel （MV） stenting was defined as no blood flow or any thrombolysis in myocardial infarction （TIMI） flow grade decrease in SB after MV stenting. Results： Among all 652 bifurcation lesions, 32 （4.91%） SBs occluded. No blood flow occurred in 18 lesions and TIMI flow grade decreasing occurred in 14 lesions. In multivariate analysis, diameter ratio between MV/SB （odds ratio [OR]： 7.71,95% confidence interval [C/]： 1.53-38.85, P = 0.01）, bifurcation angle （OR： 1.03, 95% CI： 1.02-1.05, P 〈 0.01）, diameter stenosis of SB before MV stenting （OR： 1.05, 95% CI： 1.03-1.07, P〈 0.01）, TIMI flow grade of SB before MV stenting （OR： 3.59, 95% CI： 1.48-8.72, P〈 0.01） and left ventricular eject fraction （LVEF） （OR： 1.06, 95% Cl： 1.02-1.11, P 〈 0.01） were independent predictors of SB occlusion. Conclusions： Among clinical and angiographic findings, diameter ratio between MV/SB, bifurcation angle, diameter stenosis of SB before MV stenting, TIMI flow grade of SB before MV stenting and LVEF were predictive of major SB occlusion after MV stenting.