Coronary aorto-ostial stenosis analysed by multislice computed tomography: a new tool for percutaneous coronary intervention?

Aims: Conventional quantitative coronary angiography approaches are limited to quantify complex aorto-ostial stenosis. Multislice CT was able to detect and classify coronary plaques, compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy of multislice computed tomography (CT) in addition to conventional angiography to identify aorto-ostial coronary stenosis characteristics before revascularisation.

Reduction in spasm with a long hydrophylic transradial sheath.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the efficiency of a long hydrophilic sheath in reducing radial spasm for transradial approach.

Background: Despite a lower access site complication rate, cardiac catheterization using transradial approach is not widely used. Radial spasm is one of the main issues for transradial angiography and percutaneous interventions.

Long-term (5- to 20-year) patency of the radial artery for coronary bypass grafting.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the angiographic results of the radial artery as a coronary bypass conduit at long term (>5 years).

Methods: Radial artery grafts were controlled in 202 patients at 10.1 years by conventional angiography (n = 79) and computed tomography (n = 123).

Non-invasive diagnosis of ischaemic heart failure using 64-slice computed tomography.

Aims: We evaluated the accuracy of 64-slice computed tomography (CT) to identify ischaemic aetiology of heart failure (IHF).

Methods And Results: Ninety-three consecutive patients in sinus rhythm with dilated cardiomyopathy but without suspicion of coronary artery disease (CAD) were enrolled when admitted for angiography. Accuracy of CT to detect significant stenosis (>50% lumen narrowing) was compared with quantitative coronary angiography.

Exclusive internal thoracic artery grafting in triple-vessel-disease patients: angiographic control.

Background: The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is considered to be the conduit of choice for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). In triple-vessel-disease patients, CABG can be performed exclusively using both ITAs in a Y fashion with multiple sequential side-to-side coronary anastomoses. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate by early postoperative angiographic control, the patency and particularly the quality of ITA grafts and coronary anastomoses in this configuration.

Acute myocardial infarction early viability assessment by 64-slice computed tomography immediately after coronary angiography: comparison with low-dose dobutamine echocardiography.

Objectives: Early evaluation of myocardial viability in acute myocardial infarction is useful to guide therapy. Therefore, we assessed 64-slice computed tomography (CT) immediately after coronary angiography in this setting.

Background: Recent preliminary studies have shown the promising usefulness of late hyperenhancement multislice computed tomography (MSCT) for non-viability assessment.

Non-invasive detection of coronary artery disease in patients with left bundle branch block using 64-slice computed tomography.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice computed tomography (CT) to identify coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with complete left bundle branch block (LBBB).

Background: Left bundle branch block increases risk of cardiac mortality, and prognosis is primarily determined by the underlying coronary disease. Non-invasive stress tests have limited performance, and conventional coronary angiography (CCA) is usually required.

Comparison of coronary minimal lumen area quantification by sixty-four-slice computed tomography versus intravascular ultrasound for intermediate stenosis.

The present study assessed 64-slice computed tomographic accuracy to quantify minimal lumen area (MLA) and determine lesion severity in intermediate stenosis by angiography compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Sixty-four-slice computed tomography (CT) has been shown to be effective in coronary stenotic assessment by visual estimation compared with angiography. However, angiography is not an accurate gold standard for intermediate stenotic quantification compared with IVUS.

Diagnostic value of ECG-gated multidetector computed tomography in the early phase of suspected acute myocarditis. A preliminary comparative study with cardiac MRI.

The aim of the study was to determine the potential diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced echocardiogram (ECG)-gated multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the setting of suspected acute myocarditis compared with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study group consisted of 12 consecutive patients admitted for suspected acute myocarditis less than 10 days after onset of symptoms. All patients had clinical, electrocardiographic signs, and laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis.

Is the volume-outcome relation still an issue in the era of PCI with systematic stenting? Results of the greater Paris area PCI registry.

Aims: In acute myocardial infarction (AMI), primary percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTCA) is the preferred option when it can be performed rapidly. Because of the limited access to high PTCA volume centres in some areas, it has been suggested that PTCA could be performed in low-volume centres on AMI patients. Little data exist on the validity of this strategy in modern era PTCA.

Comparison of lumens of intermediate coronary stenosis using 16-slice computed tomography versus intravascular ultrasound.

We aimed to quantify ambiguous coronary stenosis using the minimal lumen area with 16-slice computed tomography compared with intravascular ultrasound. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for significant lesion classification was 68%, 86%, and 78%, respectively. The correlation between intravascular ultrasound and CT minimal lumen area was r = 0.

Late defect on delayed contrast-enhanced multi-detector row CT scans in the prediction of SPECT infarct size after reperfused acute myocardial infarction: initial experience.

Purpose: To prospectively assess the accuracy of multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) in the prediction of infarct size after successful reperfusion of acute myocardial infarction (MI) by using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images obtained 6 weeks later as the reference standard.

Materials And Methods: Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. A total of 34 patients (29 men and five women; mean age, 56 years +/- 13) underwent dual-phase 16-detector row CT within 3 days +/- 3 after successful reperfusion of acute MI.

Characterization of vulnerable nonstenotic plaque with 16-slice computed tomography compared with intravascular ultrasound.

We compared 16-slice computed tomography with intravascular ultrasound in the detection of unstable component characteristics of nonstenotic plaque responsible for acute coronary syndrome. Computed tomography accurately assessed plaque eccentricity, calcification, and remodeling, and intraplaque hypodensity correlated with intravascular ultrasound echolucent area.

Direct stenting with 3000 i.u. heparin.

In order to reduce vascular complications, the authors assessed safety and feasability of a new percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) strategy consisting of direct stenting with 3000 i.u. heparin and immediate sheath removal.

Coronary plaque burden detected by multislice computed tomography after acute myocardial infarction with near-normal coronary arteries by angiography.

Nonsignificant coronary artery plaque rupture or erosion may be the origin of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of our study was to assess the ability of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) to detect coronary plaques responsible for near normal coronary angiography AMI. Eight patients with presentation of AMI and no significant coronary narrowing by angiography were enrolled.

Effect of a closure device on complication rates in high-local-risk patients: results of a randomized multicenter trial.

Clinical trials have shown that coronary stenting is associated with a high level of complications at the access site. Arterial sealing devices have proven their efficacy in obtaining immediate hemostasis after sheath removal, in allowing early ambulation, and in improving patient comfort. However, there is no report showing a reduction of local complications related to their use.