Sirolimus-eluting Stent for the Treatment of Small Coronary Artery Lesions:Comparison between Cypher and Firebird Stent

Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of firebird stent for the treatment of coronary de novo lesion compared with cypher stent. Methods Ninety-one consecutive patients with 156 lesions who underwent coronary cypher (n = 68 lesions) and firebird (n = 88 lesions) implantation, quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) was performed at the time of stent implantation and subsequently at 8 months post-stenting. Small vessel disease was defined as ≤2.5 mm of reference vessel diameter measured by QCA. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including death, thrombosis, nonfatal myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularization (TLR) were compared between the two groups. Results Baseline clinical characteristics and angiographic parameters were similar between the two groups. Seven-month angiographic follow-up, the late loss was not different between the two groups (0.14 ± 0.38 mm vs 0.13 ± 0.17 mm, P > 0.05). Similarly, overall thrombosis rate were similar in both groups (1.5% vs 1.1%, P > 0.05). However, in-stent restenosis as well as in-segment restenosis rate were significantly higher in cypher group than that in firebird group (4.4% vs 0% and 19.1% vs 3.4%, P = 0.047 and P = 0.001 respectively). TLR was also higher in the cypher group (10.3% vs 2.3%, P = 0.033) compared with firebird group. Conclusions In this small sample size, non-randomized study, the data indicated that implantation of firebird stent for the treatment of small coronary lesion showed more favorable results in respective of restenosis compared with cypher stent implantation. A multi-center, large-sample size, randomized study, therefore, may be warranted.

Study of Coronary Artery Disease in Single Aortic Valvular Disease

Objectives To analyze the results of coronary angiographies (CAG) in patients with single aortic valvular heart disease; To study the relationship between aortic valve diseases and coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods 105 patients with single aortic valvular heart disease before surgery underwent angiography. The data of clinical characteristics and angiographies were analyzed. Results 51 patients had symptoms of angina pectoris among 105 patients with single aortic valvular heart disease. Seven of them were confirmed coronary artery disease by angiographies. Although the incidence of angina in aortic valve stenosis group was significantly higher than that in aortic valve regurgitation, the probability of combination of CAD in aortic valve stenosis group was similar to the later. However, the probability of combination of CAD in degenerative aortic valve group was significantly higher than the groups of rheumatic, congenitally bicuspid aortic valves, and other causes (p < 0.01 ). Conclusions Angina pectoris is not sensitive for diagnosis of CAD in single aortic valve heart disease. The probability of combination of CAD in degenerative aortic valve disease is higher than that in aortic valve disease with other causes. Coronary angiography is strongly suggested for these patients.

The Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Transradial Coronary Procedures

Objectives To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transradial coronary procedures （TRCP）. Methods The data of 83 cases who accepted transradial coronary angiography （CAG） and transradial percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） in our department were summarized. The success rates, proximal coronary complications, peripheral vascular complications, severe vagal reflex, mean operation time （MOT）, mean recumbent time （MRT）, mean hospital-staying time （MHT） were analyzed. The data were compared with that of 420 cases of transfemoral coronary procedures （TFCP） in the same period. Results Success rates and proximal coronary complications were similar in both groups. Severe vagal reflexes were less in TRCP group than in TFCP group. MOT was longer in TRCP group. MRT and MHT were shorter in TRCP group. 12（14.5%） radial artery spasm, 3（3.6%） radial artery obstruction, 1 sudden respiratory arrest caused by jugular hematoma were observed in TRCP group. Conclusions The efficacy and safety of TRCP are definite. TRCP is more economical. For the purpose of properly evaluate the peripheral vascular complications of TRCP, it is necessary to pay special attention to radial artery occlusion, radial artery stenosis, and jugular hematoma.