Unloading and successful treatment with bioresorbable stents during percutaneous coronary intervention:A case report

BACKGROUND With the development of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI),the number of interventional procedures without implantation,such as bioresorbable stents(BRS)and drug-coated balloons,has increased annually.Metal drug-eluting stent unloading is one of the most common clinical complications.Comparatively,BRS detachment is more concealed and harmful,but has yet to be reported in clinical research.In this study,we report a case of BRS unloading and successful rescue.This is a case of a 59-year-old male with the following medical history:“Type 2 diabetes mellitus”for 2 years,maintained with metformin extended-release tablets,1 g PO BID;“hypertension”for 20 years,with long-term use of metoprolol sustained-release tablets,47.5 mg PO QD;“hyperlipidemia”for 20 years,without regular medication.He was admitted to the emergency department of our hospital due to intermittent chest pain lasting 18 hours,on February 20,2022 at 15:35.Electrocardiogram results showed sinus rhythm,ST-segment elevation in leads I and avL,and poor R-wave progression in leads V1–3.High-sensitivity troponin I level was 4.59 ng/mL,indicating an acute high lateral wall myocardial infarction.The patient’s family requested treatment with BRS,without implanta-tion.During PCI,the BRS became unloaded but was successfully rescued.The patient was followed up for 2 years;he had no episodes of angina pectoris and was in generally good condition.CONCLUSION We describe a case of a 59-year-old male experienced BRS unloading and successful rescue.By analyzing images,the causes of BRS unloading and the treatment plan are discussed to provide insights for BRS release operations.We discuss preventive measures for BRS unloading.

Percutaneous Coronary Interventional Treatment for Coronary Artery Disease and the Role of Antiplaplatelets Therapy: A Review of the Literature

Uses of balloon catheters or BMS for the treatment of coronary artery lesions shows good short-term results but long-term follow up revealed restenosis in up to 20%-30% of patients. Thus new improvements to balloons and stents are always necessary to achieve the best results from percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Drug-eluting stents (DES) improved the principles of bare metal stents (BMS) by local drug release to inhibit neointimal growth. DES reduced the incidence of in-stent restenosis. These benefits and lower costs compared to surgical treatment make the DES an attractive alternative for the treatment of coronary artery disease. Different components of DES which include the polymers, drugs and the stents underwent progressive evolution, and these led to development of new generations of DES with variable types of drugs and polymers to fully absorbable stents. The concern of stent thrombosis still an issue and dual antiplatlets therapy (DAPT) is mandatory for variable time ranging from one month to one year. This article discusses the main available clinical trials in the developments of BMS, DES and the comparison between both with a prospective look at future technologies in the field, in addition to reviewing the current guideline in the uses of DAPT after PCI.

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.

Retrospective analysis of exercise capacity in patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft

Objectives:To describe the current state of exercise capacity as well as to identify its predictors in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in the mainland of China.Methods:A retrospective study design was employed.We evaluated 230 CAD patients following PCI or CABG in a cardiac rehabilitation center from January 2019 to October 2019.The patients were referred to undergo incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing with a cycle ergometer.The Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale were used to evaluate patients' mental health.Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test,Fisher's exact test,t-test,Mann-Whitney U test,and binary logistic regression.Results:Among the 230 patients,223 patients demonstrated reduced exercise capacity.Resutlts of the logistic regression analysis showed that anxiety (OR =1.13,95% CI 1.01-1.32,P =0.029) was an independent risk factor for reduced exercise capacity in patients following the PCI or CABG.Conclusions:Exercise capacity of Chinese CAD patients after PCI or CABG was relatively poor.Alleviating symptoms of anxiety and making exercise prescriptions according to the results of the cardiopulmonary exercise test should be considered during the intervention to improve CAD patients' exercise capacity.

Percutaneous coronary intervention for ostial lesions of the left main stem in a patient with congenital single left coronary artery: A case report

BACKGROUND Single coronary artery(SCA)originating from a solitary ostium in the aorta and perfusing the entire myocardium is a very rare congenital anomaly of the coronary artery.Furthermore,a right coronary artery(RCA)arising from the mid segment of the left anterior descending artery(LAD)is an extremely uncommon variation of SCA.CASE SUMMARY A 76-year-old woman presented a 5-mo history of exertional angina.Selective coronary angiography revealed an SCA,with severe ostial stenosis that originated from the left sinus of Valsalva and bifurcated normally into the LAD and circumflex coronary artery.In addition,an anomalous RCA originated from the mid segment of the LAD as a separate branch.Successful balloon angioplasty and stenting for the SCA ostial stenosis were performed on the patient.CONCLUSION Percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)of the main trunk for SCA is very similar to PCI of an unprotected left main coronary artery.Although technical difficulties and risks do exist,PCI for severe ostial stenosis of the main trunk is safe and efficacious in selected SCA patients.

Safety and efficacy of dual antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with end-stage liver disease

The prevalence of coronary artery disease(CAD)increases in patients with endstage liver disease,with part of them receiving the percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)as a treatment option.Dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT),a standard of care after PCI,could result in catastrophic consequences in this population.Before PCI and the start of DAPT,it is recommended to assess patient bleeding risk.Based on novel findings,liver cirrhosis does not necessarily lead to a significant increase in bleeding complications.Furthermore,conventional methods,such as the international normalized ratio,might not be appropriate in assessing individual bleeding risk.The highest bleeding risk among cirrhotic patients has a subgroup with severe thrombocytopenia(<50×10^(9)/L)and elevated portal pressure.Therefore,every effort should be made to maintain thrombocyte count above>50×10^(9)/L and prevent variceal bleeding.There is no solid evidence for DAPT in patients with cirrhosis.However,randomized trials investigating short(one month)DAPT duration after PCI with new drug-eluting stents(DES)in a high bleeding risk patient population can be implemented in patients with cirrhosis.Based on retrospective studies(with older stents and protocols),PCI and DAPT appear to be safe but with a higher risk of bleeding complications with longer DAPT usage.Finally,novel methods in assessing CAD severity should be performed to avoid unnecessary PCI and potential risks associated with DAPT.When indicated,PCI should be performed over radial artery using contemporary DES.Complementary medical therapy,such as proton pump inhibitors and beta-blockers,should be prescribed for lower bleeding risk patients.Novel approaches,such as thromboelastography and“preventive”upper endoscopies in PCI circumstances,warn clinical confirmation.

Life-threatening subclavian artery bleeding following percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Vascular complications of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)are rare and usually occur at the access site below the elbow.Life-threatening vascular complications during transradial PCI therapy,such as vessel perforation and dissection in the brachiocephalic,subclavian,internal mammary,and thyrocervical arteries,are rarely reported.Subclavian artery bleeding is a potentially serious complication of vascular interventional procedures leading to tracheal obstruction,hemothorax,respiratory failure,hemorrhagic shock,and death if not diagnosed early and treated promptly.CASE SUMMARY A male patient with typical angina pectoris underwent coronary angiography and stent implantation.During the procedure,the patient felt pharyngeal pain and tightness,which we mistook for myocardial ischemia.After PCI,swelling in the right neck and supraclavicular area was observed.The patient experienced dyspnea,emergency endotracheal intubation was performed,and then a sudden drop in blood pressure was observed.Ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans demonstrated a cervical hematoma severely compressing the trachea due to subclavian artery bleeding.Brachiocephalic angiography revealed a vascular injury site at the root of the right subclavian artery at the intersection of the right common carotid artery.A covered stent was deployed to the right subclavian artery with successful sealing of the perforation,and a bare stent was implanted in the junction of the right common carotid and brachiocephalic arteries to prevent obstruction of blood flow to the brain.CONCLUSION Subclavian artery bleeding is a lifethreatening complication of PCI.Early prevention,rapid recognition,and prompt treatment may improve the prognosis.

Impact of baseline smoking status on long-term prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease underwent percutaneous coronary intervention:a large single-center data

Objective This study analyzed a large single-center sample in China to explain the impact of smoking state at baseline on long-term prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Lipoprotein(a)variability is associated with mean follow-up Creactive protein in patients with coronary artery disease following percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND Increased lipoprotein(a)[lp(a)]has proinflammatory effects,which increase the risk of coronary artery disease.However,the association between lp(a)variability and follow-up C-reactive protein(CRP)level in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)has not been investigated.AIM To explore the association between lp(a)variability and mean CRP levels within the 1st year post-PCI.METHODS Results of lp(a)and CRP measurements from at least three follow-up visits of patients who had received PCI were retrospectively analyzed.Standard deviation(SD),coefficient of variation(CV),and variability independent of the mean(VIM)are presented for the variability for lp(a)and linear regression analysis was conducted to correlate lp(a)variability and mean follow-up CRP level.The relationship of lp(a)variability and inflammation status was analyzed by restricted cubic spline analysis.Finally,exploratory analysis was performed to test the consistency of results in different populations.RESULTS A total of 2712 patients were enrolled.Patients with higher variability of lp(a)had a higher level of mean follow-up CRP(P<0.001).lp(a)variability was positively correlated with the mean follow-up CRP(SD:β=0.023,P<0.001;CV:β=0.929,P<0.001;VIM:β=1.648,P<0.001)by multivariable linear regression analysis.Exploratory analysis showed that the positive association remained consistent in most subpopulations.CONCLUSION Lp(a)variability correlated with mean follow-up CRP level and high variability could be considered an independent risk factor for increased post-PCI CRP level.

Coronary Artery Perforation Complicated With Acute Aortic Valve Regurgitation During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention:Report of Two Cases

CORONARY artery perforation catastrophic complication （CAP） is a rare, of percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）. CAP during PCI procedure is invariably associated with high riskpatients with complex coronary artery disease such as coronary calcified lesions, multi-vessel lesions, coronary chronic total occlusion and so on,

Comparison of Clinical Value between Right Distal Radial Artery Access and Right Radial Artery Access in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objective:To compare the feasibility and safety between right distal radial artery access and right radial artery access in patients undergoing coronary angiography(CAG)or percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods:On the basis of arterial access,113 patients who underwent CAG or PCI in Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January and October 2018 were divided into two groups:a right distal radial artery group(52 patients)and a right radial artery group(61 patients).We collected general information,the number of puncture attempts,access times,postoperative compression time,and complications.Results:The general characteristics,rate of successful radial artery puncture,and rate of successful catheter placement in the two groups were not different.The right radial artery group had fewer puncture attempts(1.26±0.44 times vs.2.19±0.53 times,P=0.001)and a shorter access time(3.23±0.86 min vs.4.77±1.49 min,P=0.001)than the right distal radial artery group.However,the postoperative compression time in the right distal radial artery group was shorter(3.44±0.9 h vs.7.16±1.21 h,P=0.001).Two cases of bleeding,four cases of hematoma,and one case of artery occlusion in the right radial artery group and one case of hematoma in the right distal artery group occurred before discharge.The rate of total complications in the right distal radial artery group was lower than in the right radial artery group(1.93%vs.11.48%,P=0.048).Conclusion:CAG or PCI through the right distal radial artery is feasible and safe.

Shortened dual antiplatelet therapy in contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention era

Percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting is followed by a duration of dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT)to reduce stent thrombosis and avoid target lesion failure.The period of DAPT recommended in international guidelines following drug-eluting stent implantation is 12 mo for most patients with acute coronary syndrome,and 6 mo for patients with chronic coronary syndrome or high bleeding risk.The new generation of drug-eluting stents have metallic platforms with thinner struts,associated with significantly less stent thrombosis.Shortened DAPT has been investigated with these stents,with evidence from randomised clinical trials for some individual stents showing non-inferior safety and efficacy outcomes.This has to be balanced by the effect of DAPT on secondary prevention of systemic cardiovascular disease especially in high-risk populations.This review will outline the current evidence for individual stents with regards to DAPT duration for both acute coronary syndrome and chronic coronary syndrome and discuss further directions for research and personalised medicine in this contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention era.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Chronic Total Occlusion of Anomalous Right Coronary Artery

Chronic total occlusion of an anomalous right coronary artery arising from left coronary sinus is uncommon. We are describing a case of a 71 years old patient presented with severe chest pain along with exertional dyspnea with an inferior wall myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography showed anomalous right coronary artery originating from left coronary sinus having chronic total occlusion in proximal portion and normal left anterior descending artery and left circumflex artery. We were successful in implanting the two stents at an occlusive region with good angiographic results.

Feasibility of percutaneous coronary intervention via transulnar artery approachin selective patients with coronary heart disease

Objective To probe the clinic feasibility of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) via transulnar artery approach (PCI TRU).Methods Fourty patients with unstable ischemic manifestation(male 34,female 6;age 59.3 ±9.10 years)whose radial artery of right hand was thin with a weak pulse that was not suitable to transradial artery PCI while whose ulnar artery was thick with a strong pulse based on their larger diameter in ulnar artery as compared with those in radial artery ( 3.30 ±0.22mm vs 2.43 ±0.33 mm, P <0.05 ) by the investigation of vessel echography,but revesered Allen’s test for radial and ulnar artery was positive,were selected as the subjects for PCI TRU. The radio of ulnar artery versus radial artery was 1.35:1.00 and the time of Allen’s test in ulnar artery side was shorter than that in radial artery side ( 2.70 ±0.36 s vs 4.68 ±0.52s , P <0.05 ) before PCI. The efficiency of PCI TRU was evaluated. The time of manipulative duration for each procedure of PCI TRU was recorded. The time of Allen’s test, luminal diameter (mm) , cross area of vessel lumin (mm 2), blood velocity (Vs max), blood resistance (RI) in ulnar artery and radial artery and the level of blood oxygen in finger (PaO 2、SatO 2) were measured and recorded , respectively , as well were compared quantitatively before and after 1 month of procedure . Results Fourty eight lesion segments of 42 vessels in all patients were angioplasticized successfully via TRU by 6F guiding catheter including 23 segments of type B1 , 14 segments of type B2 and 11 segments of type C. PCI TRU in all of 40 patients was performed successfully. Fourty eight stents were implanted including 2 lesions of intrastent restenosis angioplasticized with cutting balloon technique before re stenting . The average time of manipulative duration of guiding catheters engaging in osicum of target coronary, crossing the vessel lesions of guidewire, dilatation and implantation of stents,and under X ray fluoroscopy were 4.30 ±0.59 min , 2.52 ±0.40min , 2.66 ±0.40 min ,and 25.9 ±0.49 min , respectively, and the total time of the whole procedure was 56.6 ±14.8 min . When the ulnar introducer was taken off, the access site in ulnar artery was suppressed by tourniquet with no bleeding in the access site and no limitation of physical activation under maintaining infusion of heparin immediately after procedure . There was no significant change in the diameter of ulnar artery and the time of Allen’s test after 1 month of PCI procedure as compared with those before procedure ( 3.22 ±0.48mm vs 3.26 ±0.22 mm , P >0.05 ; 2.96 ±0.98 s vs 2.72 ±0.47 s , P >0.05 ). No significant change was found in the parameters of blood velocity , cross area of vessel lumin, blood resistance and the level of blood oxygen in finger after 1 month of PCI procedure. The average total hospital stay was 5.21 ±0.43 days. Following up 1 month, no complications such as occlusion of ulnar artery, abnormal sensitivity and movement disability were found in right hands in all patients.Conclusions The ulnar artery might be selected as one approach of antebrachial artery for PCI in the patients with coronary heart disease whose radial artery was difficulty as access vessels of PCI, while reversed Allen’s test for radial and ulnar artery are positive and the luminal diameter of ulnar artery was larger than that of radial artery.

Twelve Months Clinical Outcomes after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Bare Metal Stents in Unselected Real-Life Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: Results from FLEXUS Study

Background: Though drug-eluting stent is widely used during coronary angioplasty, still there are conditions in which bare metal stents possess a priority role. Objectives: The aim of FLEXUS study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of Flexinnium stent in unselected real-life patients. Methods: The FLEXUS is a single-centric, observational, non-randomized, retrospective study performed from January to August 2014 in 216 patients who received Flexinnium stent. The end-point of study included device-oriented and patient-oriented clinical outcomes as per Academic Research Consortium consensus. These end-points were observed at in-hospital stay and 12-month follow-up. Results: Of 216 patients, 174 (80.6%) patients were male;there were 76 (35.2%) and 84 (38.9%) patients of diabetes and hypertension, respectively. Type B2 and C lesions accounted for 27 (11.3%) and 122 (50.8%), respectively. A total of 241 Flexinnium stents were implanted with an average diameter and length of 2.7 ± 0.2 mm and 21.6 ± 8.0 mm, respectively. The cumulative device-oriented composite at 12-month follow-up included 2.31% cardiac death, 1.39% myocardial infarction (MI) attributed to the target vessel, and 3.70% target lesion revascularization (TLR). Conclusion: FLEXUS study gives an idea about favorable safety and efficacy of the Flexinnium in unselected real-life patients with both simple and complex coronary lesions.

Challenging situation of coronary artery anomaly associated with ischemia and/or risk of sudden death

Coronary artery anomaly is known as one of the causes of angina pectoris and sudden death and is an important clinical entity that cannot be overlooked.The incidence of coronary artery anomalies is as low as 1%-2%of the general population,even when the various types are combined.Coronary anomalies are practically challenging when the left and right coronary ostium are not found around their normal positions during coronary angiography with a catheter.If there is atherosclerotic stenosis of the coronary artery with an anomaly and percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)is required,the suitability of the guiding catheter at the entrance and the adequate back up force of the guiding catheter are issues.The level of PCI risk itself should also be considered on a caseby-case basis.In this case,emission computed tomography in the R-1 subtype single coronary artery proved that ischemia occurred in an area where the coronary artery was not visible to the naked eye.Meticulous follow-up would be crucial,because sudden death may occur in single coronary arteries.To prevent atherosclerosis with full efforts is also important,as the authors indicated admirably.

Coronary artery disease and heart failure:Late-breaking trials presented at American Heart Association scientific session 2023

The late-breaking science presented at the 2023 scientific session of the American Heart Association paves the way for future pragmatic trials and provides meaningful information to guide management strategies in coronary artery disease and heart failure(HF).The dapagliflozin in patient with acute myocardial infarction(DAPA-MI)trial showed that dapagliflozin use among patients with acute MI without a history of diabetes mellitus or chronic HF has better cardiometabolic outcomes compared with placebo,with no difference in cardiovascular outcomes.The MINT trial showed that in patients with acute MI and anemia(Hgb<10 g/dL),a liberal transfusion goal(Hgb≥10 g/dL)was not superior to a restrictive strategy(Hgb 7-8 g/dL)with respect to 30-day all-cause death and recurrent MI.The ORBITA-2 trial showed that among patients with stable angina and coronary stenoses causing ischemia on little or no antianginal therapy,percutaneous coronary intervention results in greater improvements in anginal frequency and exercise times compared with a sham procedure.The ARIES-HM3 trial showed that in patients with advanced HF who received a HeartMate 3 levitated left ventricular assist device and were anticoagulated with a vitamin K antagonist,placebo was noninferior to daily aspirin with respect to the composite endpoint of bleeding and thrombotic events at 1 year.The TEAMMATE trial showed that everolimus with low-dose tacrolimus is safe in children and young adults when given≥6 months after cardiac transplantation.Providing patients being treated for HF with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF)with specific out-of-pocket(OOP)costs for multiple medication options at the time of the clinical encounter may reduce‘contingency planning’and increase the extent to which patients are taking the medications decided upon.The primary outcome,which was cost-informed decisionmaking,defined as the clinician or patient mentioning costs of HFrEF medication,occurred in 49%of encounters with the checklist only control group compared with 68%of encounters in the OOP cost group.

PCI compared with medical therapy in elderly patients with chronic symptomatic coronary artery disease

Objective The aim of this study was to assess quality of results of elderly patients with coronary disease after medical or revascularisation therapy. Methods In this study, we enrolled 103 patients aged 75 years or older with chronic angina in which 47 patients were assigned coronary angiography and revascularisation and 56 patients with optimised medical therapy. The primary endpoint was quality of life after 6 months, as assessed by questionnaire and the presence of major adverse cardiac events (death, non fatal myocardial infarction, or hospital admission for acute coronary syndrome with or without the need for revascularisation). Results After 6 months follow up, angina severity decreased and measures of quality of life increased in both treatment groups( P <0.05 ); however, these improvements were significantly greater after revascularisation( P <0.01 ). Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 30 ( 53.6% ) of patients in the medical group and 9 ( 19.1% ) in the invasive group ( P <0.01 ).Conclusions Patients aged 75 years or older with angina benefit more from revascularisation than from optimised medical therapy in terms of symptom relief and quality of life. Therefore, these patients should be offered invasive assessment despite their high risk profile followed by revascularisation if feasible.

Transradial Versus Transfemoral Approach for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Elderly Patients in China： A Retrospective Analysis

Objective To compare hospital costs and clinical outcomes between transradial intervention （TRI） and transfemoral intervention （TFI） in elderly patients aged over 65 years. Methods We identified 1229 patients aged over 65 years who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） in Fuwai Hospital, Beijing, China, between January 1 and December 31, 2010. Total hospital costs and in-hospital outcomes were compared between TRI and TFI. An inverse probability weighting （IPW） model was introduced to control potential biases. Results Patients who underwent TRI were younger, less often female, more likely to receive PCI for single-vessel lesions, and less likely to undergo the procedure for ostial lesions. TRI was associated with a cost saving of CNY7495 （95%CI： CNY4419-10 420）. Such differences were mainly driven by lower PCI-related costs. TRI patients had shorter length of stay （1.9 days, 95%CI： 1.1-2.7 days）, shorter post-procedural stay （0.7 days, 95%CI： 0.3-1.1 days）, and fewer major adverse cardiac events （adjusted odds ratio = 0.47, 95%CI： 0.31-0.73）. There was no statistical significance in the incidence of post-PCI bleeding between TRI and TFI （P〉0.05）. Such differences remained consistent in clinically relevant subgroups of acute myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, and stable angina. Conclusion The use of TRI in patients aged over 65 years was associated with significantly reduced hospital costs and more favorable clinical outcomes.

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.