The introduction of drug coated balloons (DCB) has become an innovative therapeutic alternative to current treatments. Paclitaxel-coated balloons (PCB) have been used to treat in-stent restenosis (ISR) and also approach CAD in native arteries. More recently, sirolimus-coated balloons (SCB) are being looked at as part of pilot studies and smaller registries with preliminary results. The...
5-year followup of bioresorbable scaffolds in selected and better prepared lesions (ABSORB IV). Historically, when comparing previously used therapies, such as conventional balloon angioplasty (BA) against bare metal stent (BMS) and later against drug eluting stent (DES) implantation, we see significantly improved outcomes. These advances have shown reduced recoil and more effective restenosis inhibition, compared...
TLR associated factors in patients with calcified nodules. Patients with complex cardiomyopathies undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention are increasingly common, as is the case for calcified lesions and calcified nodules (CN). Procedure complexity not only involves planning, but also establishing patient prognosis, taking into consideration the fact that most target vessel events occur at long term...
The presence of aortic stenosis, heart failure, and decreased ventricular function is associated with poor prognosis and high mortality. For this reason, both European and American guidelines classify severe stenosis as a Class I indication. There are two retrospective analyses that demonstrate the benefits of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) via transfemoral access. The TAVR...
Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) has shown, in several studies, its great benefits for both restenosis and mortality reduction. Even though several variables have been studied, so far minimal stent area (MSA) has been disregarded as important. The OPTIVUS-Complex PCI looked at 961 patients with 1,957 lesions, and found 1.6% TLR incidence (30 lesions). There were no...
Calcified coronary plaque (CCP) is a challenge for interventional cardiology. Stent underexpansion (SU) commonly associated with CCP could predispose to stent thrombosis or restenosis. Currently, SU in severe CCP can be treated by rotational atherectomy, orbital atherectomy, balloon cutting/scoring, non-compliant high-pressure balloons, or intravascular lithotripsy (IVL). The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the...
Coronary obstruction is a complication from TAVR that can cause death (up to 50% mortality), even though its incidence is lower than 1%. One of the most frequent strategies used in the prevention of this complication is chimney stenting in patients at high anatomical risk (valve in valve, narrow sinotubular junction, short coronary ostium height)....
Provisional stenting is the most frequent strategy and the most recommended in the treatment of bifurcations, even though in some situations the two-step kiss technique is prioritized, seeing as it offers the benefit of better rheology, less side branch occlusion, less periprocedural injury, better angina control and less restenosis. It included patients with de novo bifurcation...
Benefits of abbreviated antiaggregant treatment in high bleeding risk patients. Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), established by different guidelines, reduces the risk of ischemic events at the expense of increased bleeding. This habitual APT strategy cannot be applied to patients at high risk of bleeding, which is why this populations are treated with shorter DAPT schemes...
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...