The NITRATE-OCT study-inorganic nitrate reduces in-stent restenosis in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Coronary angioplasty and stent insertion is a first line treatment for patients with coronary artery disease, however it is complicated in the long-term by in-stent restenosis (ISR) in a proportion of patients with an associated morbidity. Despite this, currently there are no effective treatments available for the prevention of ISR. Repeat percutaneous revascularisation carries increased risks of major adverse cardiovascular events and a higher incidence of stent failure.

The effect of CTCA guided selective invasive graft assessment on coronary angiographic parameters and outcomes: Insights from the BYPASS-CTCA trial.

Background: Computed tomography cardiac angiography (CTCA) is recommended for the evaluation of patients with prior coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The BYPASS-CTCA study demonstrated that CTCA prior to invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in CABG patients leads to significant reductions in procedure time and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), alongside improved patient satisfaction. However, whether CTCA information was used to facilitate selective graft cannulation at ICA was not protocol mandated.

Proangiogenic Growth Factor Therapy for the Treatment of Refractory Angina: A Meta-analysis.

Background: Refractory angina (RFA; limiting angina despite optimal medical therapy) is a growing, global problem, with limited treatment options. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effect of proangiogenic growth factor therapy (in the form of vascular growth factors delivered either as recombinant proteins or gene therapy) in patients with RFA ineligible for revascularization.

Methods: We performed a meta-analysis (PROSPERO: CRD42018107283) of RCTs as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology.

An Observational Study Assessing the Predictors of Procedural Failure From the Radial Approach: Is Right Radial Access Always the Best?

Objective: The study aimed to determine the predictors of procedural failure (coronary cannulation) in patients undergoing coronary angiography ± percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from the transradial (TR) approach.

Methods: We conducted an observational study of 20,315 consecutive patients undergoing TR angiography between 2016 and 2020. TR failure was described as inability to cannulate the coronary arteries.

The BYPASS-CTCA Study: the value of Computed Tomography Cardiac Angiography (CTCA) in improving patient-related outcomes in patients with previous bypass operation undergoing invasive coronary angiography: Study Protocol of a Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background: Patients with ischaemic heart disease and previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) often need coronary evaluation by means of invasive coronary angiography (ICA). ICA in such patients is technically more challenging and carries a higher risk of complications including kidney damage, myocardial infarction, stroke and death. Improvements in Computed Tomography Cardiac Angiography (CTCA) technology have ensured its emergence as a useful clinical tool in CABG assessment, allowing for its potential use in planning interventional procedures in this patient group.

Use of quantitative cardiovascular magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion mapping for characterization of ischemia in patients with left internal mammary coronary artery bypass grafts.

Background: Quantitative myocardial perfusion mapping using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is validated for myocardial blood flow (MBF) estimation in native vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, perfusion defects are often detected in territories supplied by the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft, but their interpretation and subsequent clinical management is variable.

Methods: We assessed myocardial perfusion using quantitative CMR perfusion mapping in 38 patients with prior CABG surgery, all with angiographically-proven patent LIMA grafts to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and no prior infarction in the LAD territory.

NITRATE-CIN Study: Protocol of a Randomized (1:1) Single-Center, UK, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial Testing the Effect of Inorganic Nitrate on Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography for Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), an acute kidney injury resulting from the administration of intravascular iodinated contrast media, is a significant cause of morbidity/mortality following coronary angiographic procedures in high-risk patients. Despite preventative measures intended to mitigate the risk of CIN, there remains a need for novel effective treatments. Evidence suggests that delivery of nitric oxide (NO) through chemical reduction of inorganic nitrate to NO may offer a novel therapeutic strategy to reduce CIN and thus preserve long term renal function.

Routine aspiration thrombectomy is associated with increased stroke rates during primary percutaneous coronary intervention for myocardial infarction.

Background: Recent studies have suggested that the routine use of aspiration thrombectomy catheters during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) do not result in improved mortality and may be associated with an increased stroke rate. This study sought to investigate this hypothesis.

Methods: This was an observational study analysing data from a prospective database of 6366 patients undergoing primary PCI between August 2003 and May 2015 at a UK cardiac centre.

Therapeutic Implications of COVID-19 for the Interventional Cardiologist.

Although COVID-19 is viewed primarily as a respiratory disease, cardiovascular risk factors and disease are prevalent among infected patients and are associated with worse outcomes. In addition, among multiple extra-pulmonary manifestations, there has been an increasing recognition of specific cardiovascular complications of COVID-19. Despite this, in the initial stages of the pandemic there was evidence of a reduction in patients presenting to acute cardiovascular services.

An Observational Study Assessing Immediate Complete Versus Delayed Complete Revascularisation in Patients with Multi-Vessel Disease Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: More than half of the patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have multi-vessel coronary artery disease. This is associated with worse outcomes compared with single vessel disease. Whilst evidence now exists to support complete revascularisation for bystander disease the optimal timing is still debated.

Prior Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery and Outcome After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: An Observational Study From the Pan-London Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Registry.

Background Limited information exists regarding procedural success and clinical outcomes in patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We sought to compare outcomes in patients undergoing PCI with or without CABG. Methods and Results This was an observational cohort study of 123 780 consecutive PCI procedures from the Pan-London (UK) PCI registry from 2005 to 2015.

Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients with Recent Stroke and Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia which carries a significant risk of stroke. Secondary prevention, particularly in the acute phase of stroke with anti-thrombotic therapy, has not been validated. The aim of this review is to evaluate the available evidence on the use of antithrombotic therapy in patients with recent stroke who have AF, and suggest a treatment algorithm for the various time points, taking into account both the bleeding and thrombosis risks posed at each stage.

Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in cardiovascular disease: review of preclinical and clinical data.

The human umbilical cord has recently emerged as an attractive potential source of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to be adopted for use in regenerative medicine. Umbilical cord MSCs (UC-MSCs) not only share the same features of all MSCs such as multi-lineage differentiation, paracrine functions and immunomodulatory properties, they also have additional advantages, such as no need for bone marrow aspiration and higher self-renewal capacities. They can be isolated from various compartments of the umbilical cord (UC) and can be used for autologous or allogeneic purposes.

Computed tomography cardiac angiography for planning invasive angiographic procedures in patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting.

Aims: Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is more complex and challenging in patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG). Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) may provide useful information prior to ICA to improve these procedures. This study aimed to see if upfront CTCA prior to coronary angiography can reduce contrast load, procedural duration, and procedural complications compared to ICA alone.