At present, the use of drug coated balloons (DCB) in femoropopliteal territory is more and more frequent. However, when it comes to treating moderate to severe calcification, the evidence is still limited. Using a peripheral artery calcification scoring system (PACSS) has been associated to clinical outcomes after DCB angioplasty for femoropopliteal lesions. The system categorizes...
Is IVUS Useful in Lower Limb PCI?
Peripheral vascular disease is on the rise and peripheral PCI is at present the first choice of treatment for most patients. The use of IVUS in femoropopliteal territory has shown great benefits, especially in left main and complex PCI, reducing mortality and restenosis but, though promising, in lower limb ischemia we have little information as...
Post PCI Angina: Inevitable or Avoidable?
Predictors of post PCI angina Among the complications of ischemic cardiomyopathy stenting, those called chronic, with significant functional and mental compromise, might affect patient quality of life. This can be observed in different scenarios, such as instent restenosis and post PCI angina. This kind of complications is associated with anxiety and depression at long term. ...
BASILICA: a Complex Strategy, Yet Safe
Coronary artery obstruction (CAO) after TAVR is rare, but it entails extremely high mortality (50% or more), especially after valve-in-valve (V-in-V) or when the coronary ostia are is too close to the valve annulus. This is why the BASILICA technique was developed (Bioprosthetic or Native Aortic Scallop Intentional Laceration to Prevent Iatrogenic Coronary Artery Obstruction)....
CLOUT Registry: Thrombectomy in TVP with ClotTriever
Safety and efficacy of the ClotTriever device in extended deep vein thrombosis. The endovascular treatment of thromboembolic disease has evolved and new devices have come out in the last few years to reduce morbimortality from its complications. Sub-treating this pathology has long term implications, such as reduced quality of life, limiting functional class and, worst...
PICCOLETO-II: Drug-Coated Balloons in Small Vessels
Use of drug-coated balloons vs. drug-eluting stents in small caliber vessels. The constant advancements in coronary device technology have significantly reduced complication rates (such as that of restenosis). However, there are gaps where a high number of undesirable events prevail, such as small vessel disease (SVD), for which, in previous studies up, the rate of...
Comparative Study of Two Drug Coated Balloons: Angiographic and Clinical Outcomes
The incidence of in-stent restenosis (ISR) requiring repeat revascularization ranges between 5% and 10% of PCI patients receiving new generation drug eluting stents (DES). This is why the current European guidelines on myocardial revascularization recommend treating ISR with drug coated balloons (DCB) with class I recommendation, level of evidence A. DCB are mostly coated with...
Drug-Eluting Balloon in STEACS: Leaving No Trace is Beneficial?
Using drug-eluting balloons in patients with ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. The benefits of early reperfusion in ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (STEACS) have not been discussed; compared with fibrinolysis, primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) has shown benefits in terms of mortality. Despite the constant advancements in stent technology and design, these devices are not...
CTO: Length’s Impact on Success
The rise of chronic total occlusions (CTO) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) goes hand in hand with technological development, through still posing a great challenge, one not exactly exempt from complications. An important criterion to successful CTO PCI is length: ≥20 mm lesions lower the odds, according to J-CTO Score. However, increasing operator experience and the...
ISAR Score: Can We Predict the Need for Repeat PCI in DES Restenosis?
Score to predict the risk of repeat PCI in DES restenosis. With the use of drug eluting stents (DES) instent restenosis (ISR) has seen a significant reduction vs. bare metal stents (BMS) restenosis. The main cause of DES failure is ISR. This entity is difficult to manage because of its high recurrence and reintervention risk....