'Porcelain aorta': a proposed definition and classification of ascending aortic calcification.

Introduction: 'Porcelain aorta' is listed in the second consensus document of the Valve Academic Research Consortium as a risk factor in aortic valve replacement. However, the extent of circumferential involvement is poorly defined with great variability in reported incidence. We present a simple, reproducible classification to describe the extent of aortic calcification and thus appropriately define 'porcelain aorta', aiding clinical decision-making and registry data collection.

Radial versus femoral access for percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with fibrinolysis: Results from the randomized routine early invasive clinical trials.

Background: To investigate the relationship between arterial access site choice (radial versus femoral) and clinical outcomes among STEMI patients undergoing routine PCI after fibrinolysis.

Methods: Patient-level data from trials of STEMI patients evaluating routine PCI after fibrinolysis were included. The primary endpoint was 30-day major bleeding; secondary endpoints included 30-day death and re-infarction.

A randomized, controlled, multicenter trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Zotarolimus- vs. Paclitaxel-eluting stents in de novo occlusive lesions in coronary arteries: five-year results from the ZOMAXX I trial.

Background: The ZOMAXX I trial tested the noninferiority of a zotarolimus-eluting coronary stent (ZoMaxx(™) ) when compared with a paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent (Taxus(™) Express(2™) ) in a randomized trial of percutaneous intervention for de novo coronary artery stenosis. Angiographic analysis at the primary endpoint of 9 months has been reported previously. The purpose of this follow-on analysis was to describe the clinical results of the ZoMaxx and Taxus cohorts of the ZOMAXX I trial after 5 years.

External aortic root support for the Marfan aorta: anatomically normal coronary orifices imaged seven years after surgery.

The occurrence of angina necessitated investigation of a patient seven years after an operation to protect his dilated Marfan aorta. The customized support, manufactured by a process of computer-aided design, had been fitted in May 2004 when the aortic root measured 49 mm. The magnetic resonance imaging appearances of the aorta remained unchanged over a postoperative period of 7 years and he remained completely well until he began to experience exercise-related angina in 2011.

The prognostic utility of the SYNTAX score on 1-year outcomes after revascularization with zotarolimus- and everolimus-eluting stents: a substudy of the RESOLUTE All Comers Trial.

Objectives: This study assessed the ability of the SYNTAX score (SXscore) to stratify risk in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using zotarolimus-eluting or everolimus-eluting stents.

Background: The SXscore can identify patients treated with PCI who are at highest risk of adverse events.

Methods: The SXscore was calculated prospectively in 2,033 of the 2,292 patients enrolled in the RESOLUTE All Comers study (RESOLUTE III All Comers Trial: A Randomized Comparison of a Zotarolimus-Eluting Stent With an Everolimus-Eluting Stent for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention).

Comparison of zotarolimus-eluting and everolimus-eluting coronary stents.

Background: New-generation coronary stents that release zotarolimus or everolimus have been shown to reduce the risk of restenosis. However, it is unclear whether there are differences in efficacy and safety between the two types of stents on the basis of prospectively adjudicated end points endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration.

Methods: In this multicenter, noninferiority trial with minimal exclusion criteria, we randomly assigned 2292 patients to undergo treatment with coronary stents releasing either zotarolimus or everolimus.

Coronary flow velocity reserve does not correlate with TIMI frame count in patients undergoing non-emergency percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objectives: The purpose of this research was to compare the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count (CTFC) with coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background: The relationship between CTFC and CFVR has not been adequately assessed in patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods: We studied 62 patients who underwent successful non-emergent PCI.

Distal embolization during directional coronary atherectomy.

We report 2 cases of directional coronary atherectomy performed by using the Percu-Surge System to prevent distal embolization. A discrete amount of material was aspirated after the procedure. No clinical sequelae occurred in the immediate follow-up.

Percutaneous left atrial appendage transcatheter occlusion to prevent stroke in high-risk patients with atrial fibrillation: early clinical experience.

Background: Thromboembolism due to atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent cause of stroke. More than 90% of thrombi in AF form in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Obliteration of the appendage may prevent embolic complications.