Bioresorbable stent unloading during percutaneous coronary intervention:Early detection and management

In this letter,we comment on a recent case report by Sun et al in the World Journal of Cardiology.The report describes the successful management of a rare complication:The unloading or detachment of a bioresorbable stent(BRS)during percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in a male patient.The unloading of BRS was detected via angiography and intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)imaging of the left coronary artery and left anterior descending artery.Although this case is interesting,the authors’report lacked crucial details.Specifically,insufficient information about the type of BRS used,potential causes of BRS unloading,or whether optical coherence tomography(OCT)imaging for coronary arteries was performed before,during,or after PCI.The OCT imaging of coronary arteries before PCI can potentially prevent BRS unloading due to its higher resolution compared to IVUS.In addition,despite detecting myocardial bridging during the PCI,the authors did not provide any details regarding this variation.Here we discuss the various types of BRS,the importance of OCT in PCI,and the clinical relevance of myocardial bridging.

A randomized trail comparing primary percutaneous coronary intervention with a strategy of short-acting thrombolysis and immediate planned primary percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction

Objective This study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a short acting reduced dose fibrinolytic regimen to promote early infarct related artery (IRA) patency for acyute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients referred for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods Following aspirin and heparin, 166 patients were randomized to a 50 mg bolus of recombinant tissue type plasminogen activator(rt PA) or to a same volume sodium chloride injection followed by immediate primary PCI. The end points included patency rates on catheterization laboratory (cath lab) arrival, revascularization results when PCI was performed, complication rates, left ventricular function and restored patency rate following PCI. Results Patency on cath lab arrival was 64% with rt PA (34% TIMI 3,30% TIMI 2), while 31% of placebo (13% TIMI 3, 18% TIMI 2). There was no difference in the restored TIMI 3 rates of IRA between the two groups (85% vs 87%). No difference were observed in stroke or major bleeding. Left ventricular function was similar in both groups (52±9% vs 50±8%), but left ventricular ejection fraction fraction (LVEF) was higher with patent IRA (TIMI 3) on cath lab arrival than that of others (56±12% vs 48±10%).Conclusions Strategy thrombolytic regimens were compatible with subsequent PCI lead to more frequenc early recanalization (before cath lab arrival), which facilitates greater left ventricular function preservation with no augmentation of adverse events.

A comparative study on transradial vs transfemoral artery access for primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Objective Comparative study on the feasibility,safety and outcome of transradial artery and transfemoral artery access for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods Two hundred and eight patients with AMI episoded within 12 hours, male 159, female 49, age 58.9 ±11.9 (34～88)years, were randomly divided into transradial artery access for primary PCI (TRA pPCI) group of 106 cases and transfemoral artery access for PCI (TFA pPCI) group of 102 cases during Sept, 2000 to Aug, 2002. The protocols of the manipulation duration and the effect for TRA pPCI and TFA pPCI procedures were respectively compared, including the time of transradial artery puncture and the rate of puncture success at first time ; the time of guiding catheter engaging into target coronary ostium; the rate of patence in infarct related artery (IRA); total duration of manipulation and the successful rate.The incidence of complications such as bleeding, vessel injury,thrombi and embolism as well as the average stay of hospitalization between two groups was compared. The status and the incidance of vessel spasm were observed and the effect of medicine administration to prevent from and relieve the vascular spasm was evaluated. The time of Allen’s test before and after TRA pPCI , the inner diameter and the peak of blood velocity of the right and left radial artery were investigated with color Doppler vessel echography as well as the complications of radial artery were followed up 1 month after TRA pPCI procedure. Results Two cases in every TRA pPCI and TFA pPCI groups were crossed over each other because procedure of the transradial or transfemoral access was failure. One handred and six vessels (48 vessels in LAD,22 vessels in LCX and 36 vessels in RCA) associated with 28 vessels of total occlusion in TRA pPCI group and 102 vessels (51 vessels in LAD,18 veesles in LCX and 33 vessels in RCA) with 24 vessels in total occlusion in TFA pPCI group were angioplasticized . The successful rates of the first time puncture in access artery, the re patence IRA and pPCI were similar in TRA pPCI and TFA pPCI groups ( 93.4% vs 96.1% ;100% vs 100%; 96.2% vs 97.1% , P >0.05 ). There were no significant diffierence in the average time of puncture time of access artery ,engaging in target vessels of guiding catheters and the total procedure of PCI between the two groups ( 1.3 ±0.3s vs 1.2 ±0.3s ; 6.0 ±1.6min vs 5.8 ±0.9min ; 49.2 ±24.1min vs 46.5 ± 26.4min , P >0.05 ). The access artery complications such as bleeding ,hematoma and embolism as well the veneous thrombosis in TFA pPCI group were much more than those in TRA pPCI group(p< 0.01 ). Although slight artery spasm of 4.7% cases in TRA pPCI group was happened during the procedure of PCI , the procedure had being continued after administration of medicine to release the spasm. The time of Allen’s test ,diameter and the systolic velocity of blood in daul radial arteries were no significant change before and after pPCI.Conclusions The duration and effect by TRA pPCI for AMI with stable hemodynamics was similar to TFA pPCI. The complications such as of bleeding,vessel injury, thrombi and embolism by TRA pPCI were few, and it was unnecessary to discontinue the anticoagulation medicine. TRA pPCI might be selected as a access vessel for pPCI in AMI patients with stable hemodynamics.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of minor elevated cardiac troponin levels for percutaneous coronary intervention-related myocardial injury:a prospective,single-center and double-blind study

Cardiac troponin-I （cTnI） and -T （cTnT） are sensitive and specific markers of myocardial injury. However, the role of increased cTnI and cTnT in percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）-related myocardial injury remains controversial. In this prospective, single-center and double-blind study, we aimed to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of cTnI as well as cTnT （cTns） in PCI-related myocardial injury in a Chinese population. A total of 1,008 patients with stable angina pectoris and non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome were recruited. The levels of cTnI and cTnT were examined before and after PCI. All patients were followed up for 26± 9 months to observe the incidence of major adverse cardiac events （MACEs）. Our results showed that post- PCI cTnI and/or cTnT levels were increased to more than the 99^th percentile upper reference limit （URL） in 133 （13.2%） patients, among which 22 （2.2%） were more than 5 × 99^th percentile URL. By univariate analysis, an elevation in cTns after PCI was not an independent predictor of increased MACEs, HR 1.35 （P = 0.33, 95% CI： 0.74-2.46）. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that the incidence of PCI-related myocardial injury is not common in a Chinese population and minor elevated cTns levels may not be a sensitive prognostic marker for MACEs.

Heart failure after myocardial infarction in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention:Mechanisms,incidence and identification of patients at risk

Myocardial infarction(MI) remains the most common cause of heart failure(HF) worldwide. For almost 50 years HF has been recognised as a determinant ofadverse prognosis after MI, but efforts to promote myocardial repair have failed to translate into clinical therapies. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PPCI) has driven improved early survival after MI, but its impact on the incidence of downstream HF is debated. The effects of PPCI are confounded by the changing epidemiology of MI and HF, with an ageing patient demographic, an increasing proportion of non-STelevation myocardial infarction, and the recognition of HF with preserved ejection fraction. Herein we review the mechanisms of HF after MI and discuss contemporary data on its incidence and outcomes. We review current and emerging strategies for early detection of patients at risk of HF after MI, with a view to identification of patient cohorts for novel therapeutic agents.

Thrombus aspiration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction:A review of clinical evidence and guidelines

Acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI) is characterized by complete thrombotic occlusion of a major coronary artery. Early recanalization of the infarct-related artery is most efficiently delivered by primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PPCI),however this does not always restore normal myocardial perfusion,mainly due to distal embolization of the thrombus and microvascular obstruction. Early evidence for manual thrombus aspiration during PPCI was promising and this was once considered an important aspect of the procedure,especially in patients with a high thrombus burden. However,a large body of evidence from recent major randomized controlled trials(notably TASTE and TOTAL) does not support the routine use of manual thrombus aspiration in patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI.

Correlation between intracoronary thrombus components and coronary blood flow after percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction at different onset time

BACKGROUND Acute myocardial infarction(AMI)is a leading cause of mortality.Early reperfusion to restore blood flow is crucial to successful treatment.In the current reperfusion regimen,an increasing number of patients have benefited from direct percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).In order to understand whether there is a correlation between the components of coronary thrombosis and the absence of reflow or slow blood flow after coronary stent implantation in direct PCI,we collected data on direct PCI cases in our hospital between January 2016 and November 2018.AIM To investigate the correlation between intracoronary thrombus components and coronary blood flow after stent implantation in direct PCI in AMI.METHODS We enrolled 154 patients(85 male and 69 female,aged 36–81 years)with direct PCI who underwent thrombus catheter aspiration within<3,3–6 or 6–12 h of onset of AMI between January 2016 and November 2018.The thrombus was removed for pathological examination under a microscope.The patients of the three groups according to the onset time of AMI were further divided into those with a white or red thrombus.The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction(TIMI)blood flow after stent implantation was recorded based on digital subtraction angiography during PCI.The number of patients with no-reflow and slow blood flow in each group was counted.Statistical analysis was performed based on data such as onset time,TIMI blood flow.RESULTS There were significant differences in thrombus components between the patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(P<0.01).In the group with PCI<3 h after onset of AMI,there was no significant difference in the incidence of no-reflow and slow-flow between the white and red thrombus groups.In the groups with PCI 3-6 and 6-12 h after onset of AMI,there was a significant difference in the incidence of no-reflow and slow-flow between the white and red thrombus groups(P<0.01).There was a significant correlation between the onset time of AMI and the occurrences of no-reflow and slow blood flow during PCI(P<0.01).CONCLUSION In direct PCI,the onset time of AMI and color of coronary thrombus are often used to predict whether there will be no reflow or slow blood flow after stent implantation.

Risk stratification for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Acute coronary syndromes presenting with ST elevation are usually treated with emergency reperfusion/revascularisation therapy. In contrast current evidence and national guidelines recommend risk stratification for non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(NSTEMI) with the decision on revascularisation dependent on perceived clinical risk. Risk stratification for STEMI has no recommendation. Statistical risk scoring techniques in NSTEMI have been demonstrated to improve outcomes however their uptake has been poor perhaps due to questions over their discrimination and concern for application to individuals who may not have been adequately represented in clinical trials. STEMI is perceived to carry sufficient risk to warrant emergency coronary intervention [by primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PPCI)] even if this results in a delay to reperfusion with immediate thrombolysis. Immediate thrombolysis may be as effective in patients presenting early, or at low risk, but physicians are poor at assessing clinical and procedural risks and currently are not required to consider this. Inadequate data on risk stratification in STEMI inhibits the option of immediate fibrinolysis, which may be cost-effective. Currently the mode of reperfusion for STEMI defaults to emergency angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention ignoring alternative strategies. This review article examines the current risk scores and evidence base for risk stratification for STEMI patients. The requirements for an ideal STEMI risk score are discussed.

Optimal timing of staged percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with multivessel disease

Background Studies have shown that staged percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） for non-culprit lesions is beneficial for prog- nosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） patients with multivessel disease. However, the optimal timing of staged re- vascularization is still controversial. This study aimed to find the optimal timing of staged revascularization. Methods A total of 428 STEMI patients with multivessel disease who underwent primary PCI and staged PCI were included. According to the time interval between primary and staged PCI, patients were divided into three groups （〈 1 week, 1- weeks, and 2-12 weeks after primary PCI）. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events （MACE）, a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal re-infarction, repeat revascularization, and stroke. Cox regression model was used to assess the association between staged PCI timing and risk of MACE. Results During the follow-up, 119 participants had MACEs. There was statistical difference in MACE incidence among the three groups （〈 1 week： 23.0%; 1-2 weeks： 33.0%; 2-12 weeks： 40.0%; P = 0.001）. In the multivariable adjustment model, the timing interval of staged PCI ≤ 1 week and l-2 weeks were both significantly associated with a lower risk of MACE [hazard ratio （HR）： 0.40, 95% confidence intervals （CI）： 0.24-4）.65; HR： 0.54, 95% CI： 0.3 lq3.93, respectively], mainly attributed to a lower risk of repeat revascularization （HR： 0.41, 95% CI： 0.24-0.70; HR： 0.36, 95% CI： 0.18-0.7）, compared with a strategy of 2-12 weeks later of primary PCI. Conclusions The optimal timing of staged PCI for non-culprit vessels should be within two weeks after primary PCI for STEMI patients.

Culprit vessel only versus ＂one-week＂ staged percutaneous coronary intervention for multivessel disease in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Objective To explore the impact of a ＂one-week＂ staged muhivessel percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） versus culprit-only PCI on deaths and major adverse cardiac events （MACE）. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 447 patients with multivessel disease who experienced a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） within 12 h before undergoing PCI between July 26, 2008 and Septem- ber 25, 201 l. After completion of PCI in the infarct artery, 201 patients still in the hospital agreed to undergo PCI in non-infarct arteries with more than 70% stenosis for a ＂one-week＂ staged multivessel PCI. A total of 246 patients only received intervention for the culprit vessel. Follow-up ended on September 9, 2014. This study examined the differences in deaths from any cause （i.e., cardiac and noncardiac） and MACE between the two treatment groups. Results Compared to a culprit-only PCI treatment approach, the ＂one-week＂ staged multivessel PCI was strongly associated with greater benefits for 55-month all cause death [41 （16.7%） vs. 13 （6.5%）, P = 0.004] and MACE [82 （33.3%） vs. 40 （19.9%）, P = 0.002] rates. In addition, there were significant differences in the number of myocardial infarctions [43 （17.5%） vs. 20 （10.0%）, P = 0.023], coronary-artery bypass grafting [CABG; 20 （8.1%） vs. 6 （3.0%）, P = 0.021], and PCI [31 （12.6%） vs. 12 （6.0%）, P - 0.018]. Patients undergoing culprit-only PCI compared to ＂one-week＂ PCI had the same number of stent thrombosis events [7 （2.8%） vs. 3 （1.5%）, P - 0.522]. Conclusions Compared to a culprit-only PCI treatment approach, ＂one-week＂ staged multi-vessel PCI was a safe and effective selection for STEMI and multi-vessel PCL

Effects of nicorandil on myocardial infarct size in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention:study design and protocol for the randomized controlled trial

Previous studies have shown that nicorandil has a protective effect on cardiomyocytes.However,there is no study to investigate whether perioperative intravenous nicorandil can further reduce the myocardial infarct size in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)compared to the current standard of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)regimen.The CHANGE(China-Administration of Nicorandil Group)study is a multicenter,prospective,randomized,double-blind and parallel-controlled clinical study of STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI in China,aiming to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous nicorandil in ameliorating the myocardial infarct size in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI and provide evidence-based support for myocardial protection strategies of STEMI patients.

Additional manual thrombus aspiration for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction during percutaneous coronary intervention： an updated meta- analysis

Background The clinical efficacy and safety of adjunctive thrombus aspiration （TA） in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） during percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） remain controversial. Methods Twenty five eligible randomized controlled trials were included to compare the use of thrombus aspiration （TA） with PCI and PCI-only for STEMI. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality and death. The secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiac events （MACE）, recurrent infarction （RI）, target vessel revascularization （TVR）, stent thrombosis （ST）, perfusion surrogate markers and stroke. Results TIMI flow grade 3 and MBG 2-3 were significantly increased in the TA plus PCI arm compared with the PCI-only arm [relative risk （RR）： 1.05, 95% confidence intervals （CI）： 1.02-1.09, P = 0.004] and （RR： 1.68, 95% CI： 1.40-2.00, P 〈 0.001）, respectively. There were no significant differences in all-cause mortal- ity, MACEs, TVR and ST rates between the two groups. The RI rate was lower in the TA plus PCI arm than that in the PCI-only arm with short-term follow-up duration （RR： 0.60, 95% CI： 0.38-0.96, P = 0.03）, but there was no significant difference in RI incidence over the me- diumor long-term follow-up periods （RR： 1.00, 95% CI： 0.77-1.29, P = 0.98）, and （RR： 0.96, 95% CI： 0.81-1.15, P = 0.69）, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the rates of crude stroke and stroke over the medium- or long-term follow-up periods and the crude stroke rate in the TA plus PCI （RR： 1.60, 95% CI： 1.08-2.38, P = 0.02） and （RR： 1.43, 95% CI： 1.03-1.98, P = 0.03）, respectively; this was not observed between the two arms during the short-term follow-up period （RR： 1.47, 95% CI： 0.97-2.21, P = 0.07）. Conclusions Routine TA-assisted PCI in STEMI patients can improve myocardial reperfusion and get limited benefits related to the clinical endpoints, which may be associated with stroke risk.

Effect of a distal protection device on epicardial blood flow and myocardial perfusion in primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective: The beneficial effect of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been well established, but there is the problem of no-reflow phenomenon which is an adverse prognostic factor in primary PCI. In the present study the effect of a distal protection device (PercuSurge GuardWire; GW) on epicardial blood flow and myocardial perfusion was evaluated. Methods and Results: Patients with AMI were randomly divided into 2 groups, the GW and the control groups. The GW group included 52 patients with AMI who underwent primary PCI with GW protection and the control group included 60 patients who underwent primary PCI without GW protection. Epicardial blood flow in the infarct-related artery (IRA) and myocardial perfusion were evaluated according to the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade and the myocardial blush grade (MBG). We found TIMI score of 3 was obtained significantly more frequently in the GW group (96%) than in the control group (80%). The MBG score of 3 was obtained also significantly greater in the GW group (65%) than in the control group (33%). Conclusion: Primary PCI with GW protection can significantly improve epicardial blood flow and myocardial perfusion.

Percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction in a patient with dextrocardia

Situs inversus with dextrocardia is a rare congenital anomaly.There are limited published case reports of successful percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) in these patients who have atherosclerotic coronary artery disease,especially when presenting with acute myocardial infarction.PCI is technically difficult be-cause of mirror image dextrocardia.We hereby de-scribe a 48-yr-old female,who had acute inferior wall myocardial infarction and underwent successful emer-gency primary coronary angioplasty and stenting of a proximally occluded right coronary artery.Technical details about PCI are discussed.

Clinical outcomes of elderly South-East Asian patients in primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST- elevation myocardial infarction

Objective To evaluate the clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of elderly South-East Asian patients undergoing primary pereutaneous coronary intervention （PPCI）. Methods From January 2009 to December 2012, 1268 patients （86.4% male, mean age of 58,4 ± 12.2 years） presented to our hospital for ST-elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） and underwent PPCI. They were divided into two groups： elderly group defined as age _〉 70 years and non-elderly group defined as age 〈 70 years. Data were collected retrospectively on baseline clinical characteristics, door-to-balloon （D2B） time, angiographic findings, therapeutic modality and hospital course. Results The elderly group constituted 19% of the study population with mean age 76.6 ± 5.0 years. There was a higher proportion of female gender and ethnic Chinese patients in the elderly group when compared with the non-elderly group. The former was less likely to be smokers and have a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension. The mean D2B time was significantly longer in the elderly group. They also had a significantly higher incidence of triple vessel disease and obstructive left main disease. The use of radial artery access, glyeoprotein 2b/3a inhibitors and drug-eluting stents during PPCI were also significantly lower. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the elderly group. The rate of cardiogenic shock and inhospital complications were also significantly higher. Conclusions Our registry showed that in-hospital mortality rate in elderly South-East Asian patients undergoing PPCI for STEMI was high. Further studies into the optimal STEMI management strat- egy for these elderly patients are warranted.

Gender differences in clinical outcomes of acute myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the KAMIR-NIH Registry

Background There are numerous but conflicting data regarding gender differences in outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). Furthermore, gender differences in clinical outcomes with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) following PCI in Asian population remain uncertain because of the under-representation of Asian in previous trials. Methods A total of 13,104 AMI patients from Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institute of Health(KAMIR-NIH) between November 2011 and December 2015 were classified into male(n = 8021, 75.9%) and female(n = 2547, 24.1%). We compared the demographic, clinical and angiographic characteristics, 30-days and 1-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events(MACCE) in women with those in men after AMI by using propensity score(PS) matching. Results Compared with men, women were older, had more comorbidities and more often presented with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(NSTEMI) and reduced left ventricular systolic function. Over the median follow-up of 363 days, gender differences in both 30-days and 1-year MACCE as well as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction minor bleeding risk were not observed in the PS matched population(30-days MACCE: 5.3% vs. 4.7%, log-rank P = 0.494, HR = 1.126, 95% CI: 0.800-1.585;1-year MACCE: 9.3% vs. 9.0%, log-rank P = 0.803, HR = 1.032, 95% CI: 0.802-1.328;TIMI minor bleeding: 4.9% vs. 3.9%, log-rank P = 0.215, HR = 1.255, 95% CI: 0.869-1.814). Conclusions Among Korean AMI population undergoing contemporary PCI, women, as compared with men, had different clinical and angiographic characteristics but showed similar 30-days and 1-year clinical outcomes. The risk of bleeding after PCI was comparable between men and women during one-year follow up.

Ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block combined with general anesthesia for amputation in an acute myocardial infarction patient after percutaneous coronary intervention: A case report

BACKGROUND Fascia iliaca compartment block is a technique that blocks three nerves,similar to a 3-in-1 nerve block.This block provides analgesia for patients undergoing lower limb surgery,and is a simple technique that is easy to implement.Here,we report a case of fascia iliaca compartment block in a patient with myocardial infarction who underwent emergency middle thigh amputation.CASE SUMMARY A 78-year-old female patient weighing 38 kg with gangrene and occlusive peripheral atherosclerosis of the right leg underwent an emergency middle thigh amputation.The patient had a history of hypertension,coronary heart disease,cerebral infarction,anterior wall myocardial infarction,and had recently undergone percutaneous coronary intervention consisting of coronary angiography and right coronary artery stent implantation.Considering the patient's condition,an ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block combined with general anesthesia was implemented for amputation.The fascia iliaca compartment block provided analgesia for the operation,and reduced the dosage of general anesthetics.It also alleviated adverse cardiovascular effects caused by pain stress,and ensured the safety of the patient during the perioperative period.This block also provided postoperative analgesia.The patient had a good prognosis,and was subsequently discharged from hospital.CONCLUSION Fascia iliaca compartment block provides surgical analgesia.It also alleviates adverse cardiovascular effects,and ensures patient safety during the perioperative period.

Combined thrombectomy and intracoronary administration of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors improves myocardial reperfusion in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention： a meta-analysis

Background Suboptimal myocardial reperfusion is common in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention （PPCI）. Furthermore, it results in increased infarct size and mortality rates. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the role of aspiration thrombectomy （AT） combined with intracoronary administration of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors （GPI） in the improvement of myocardial reperfusion and clinical outcomes. Methods PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CENTRAL databases were searched for randomized controlled trials （RCTs） investigating combined AT and intracoronary GPI treatment versus AT alone. Outcomes of interest were thrombolysis in myocardial infarction myocardial perfusion grade （TMPG）, infarct size （IS） assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）, major adverse cardiac events （MACE） at short-term （〈 1 month） and long-term （6-12 months） follow-up, and bleeding complications during the hospital stay. Results Eight trials involving 923 patients were included. Compared with AT alone, combined AT and intracoronary GPI significantly increased TMPG 3 flow （RR： 1.15, 95% CI： 1.04 to 1.26）, reduced IS [mean difference （MD）： -3.46, 95% CI： -5.18 to -1.73], and improved LVEF （MD： 1.44, 95% CI： 0.54 to 2.33）. Furthermore, GPI use decreased the risk of MACE at long-term follow-up （RR： 0.60, 95% CI： 0.37 to 0.98）. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of minor and major bleeding complications. Conclusions Our findings showed that compared with AT alone, combined AT and intracoronary GPI treatment resulted in improved myocardial reperfusion, better cardiac function, and MACE-free survival benefits at the long-term follow-up for patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI.

Quantitative flow ratio and intravascular ultrasound guided percutaneous coronary intervention of left anterior descending lesion concomitant with severe coronary myocardial bridge

Severe coronary stenosis concomitant with congenital coronary myocardial bridge(MB)is a tough scenario for cardiologist to perform revascularization,for which the complication rates including in-stent restenosis,stent fracture,stent thrombosis and even coronary perforation are still high.[1,2]Meanwhile,the necessity of revascularization in such patients is worth prudent evaluation.Cardiac imaging modalities are crucial and helpful in making revascularized decisions and strategies.Herein,we report a case using quantitative flow ratio(QFR)and intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)to facilitate accurate revascularization in a patient with both severe coronary stenosis and deep coronary MB.

Effectiveness and feasibility of transradial approaches for primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Objective： To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of the transradial approach for primary percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） in patients with acute myocardial infarction（AMI）. Methods： 195 patients with acute myocardial infarction were randomly divided into two groups according to the different PCI operation pathways. 105 cases were assigned to the transfemoral artery group and 90 cases to the transradial artery group. We analyzed the data from the two groups, including the achievement ratio of paracentesis, cannulation time, the time from local anesthesia to the first time balloon inflation, the time of the total procedure, achievement ratio of PCI, incidence rate of vascular complications, total duration of hospitalization, and the six-month follow-up results in both groups. Results： Our results showed that the achier ement ratio of arteriopuncture, cannulafion time and the time from local anesthesia to the first time balloon inflation in the transradial and transfemoral groups were 98.9% vs. 100%, 3.15 ± 1.56min vs. 2.86 ± 0.97 min, and 18.56 ± 4.37 min vs. 17.75 ± 3.21 min, respectively. These differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. The total operating time was 29.75 ± 4.38 rain for the transradial group and 27.89 ± 3.95 min（P 〈 0.05） for the transfemoral group. The operation achievement ratio in the transradial group was 96.7%, and 96.2% in the transfemoral group. The incidence of puncture point complications was 2.2% in the transradial group and 11.4% in the transfemoral group, and this difference was significant. The duration of hospitalization was 10.56 ± 2.85 days for the transradial group and 13.78 ± 3.15 days（P 〈 0.05） for the transfemoral group. At the six-month follow-up, the rate of survival without cardiac event was 86.1% vs. 86.4% respectively in the transradial and transfemoral groups（P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion： The transradial approach was as effective as the transfemoral approach, and there were fewer puncture point complications as well as a shorter span of hospitalization in the transradial group. PCI via the transradial approach is safe, effective and feasible in patients with AMI.