Intracoronary Imaging of Proximal Coronary Artery Lesions A Nationwide Lesion-Level Analysis From SCAAR.

Background: Current evidence suggests that use of intracoronary imaging during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) reduces mortality. However, there is a scarcity of data on the overall role of intracoronary imaging, particularly in other non-LMCA proximal coronary artery lesions. We aimed to investigate the association of use of intracoronary imaging on outcome in proximal lesions treated with PCI.

On the Natural History of Coronary Artery Disease: A Longitudinal Nationwide Serial Angiography Study.

Background The long-term course of coronary atherosclerosis has not been studied in large nationwide cohorts. Understanding the natural history of coronary atherosclerosis could help identify patients at risk for future coronary events. Methods and Results All coronary artery segments with <50% luminal stenosis in patients with a first-time coronary angiogram between 1989 and 2017 were identified (n=2 661 245 coronary artery segments in 248 736 patients) and followed until a clinically indicated angiography within 15 years was performed or until death or end of follow-up (April 2018) using SCAAR (Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry).

Pretreatment with heparin in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a report from the Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR).

Background: Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is frequently administered before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate if pretreatment with UFH prior to arrival at the catheterisation laboratory affects coronary artery occlusion, mortality, and in-hospital major bleeding in patients with STEMI undergoing PCI.

Methods: Patients with a first STEMI event undergoing PCI between 2008 and 2016 were extracted from the Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry.

Trends in Clinical Practice and Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery.

Background The use of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to treat unprotected left main coronary artery disease has expanded rapidly in the past decade. We aimed to describe nationwide trends in clinical practice and outcomes after PCI for left main coronary artery disease. Methods and Results Patients (n=4085) enrolled in the SCAAR (Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry) as undergoing PCI for left main coronary artery disease from 2005 to 2017 were included.

Transradial versus trans-femoral access site in high-speed rotational atherectomy in Sweden.

Background: Radial artery is the preferred access site in contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, limited data exist regarding utilization pattern, safety, and long-term efficacy of transradial artery access (TRA) PCI in heavily calcified lesions using high-speed rotational atherectomy (HSRA).

Methods: All patients who underwent HSRA-PCI in Sweden between 2005 and 2016 were included.

Global Chronic Total Occlusion Crossing Algorithm: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

The authors developed a global chronic total occlusion crossing algorithm following 10 steps: 1) dual angiography; 2) careful angiographic review focusing on proximal cap morphology, occlusion segment, distal vessel quality, and collateral circulation; 3) approaching proximal cap ambiguity using intravascular ultrasound, retrograde, and move-the-cap techniques; 4) approaching poor distal vessel quality using the retrograde approach and bifurcation at the distal cap by use of a dual-lumen catheter and intravascular ultrasound; 5) feasibility of retrograde crossing through grafts and septal and epicardial collateral vessels; 6) antegrade wiring strategies; 7) retrograde approach; 8) changing strategy when failing to achieve progress; 9) considering performing an investment procedure if crossing attempts fail; and 10) stopping when reaching high radiation or contrast dose or in case of long procedural time, occurrence of a serious complication, operator and patient fatigue, or lack of expertise or equipment. This algorithm can improve outcomes and expand discussion, research, and collaboration.

Sealing of Coronary Perforations With a Second-Generation Covered Stent Graft - Results From the PAST-PERF Registry.

Background: The PAST-PERF registry was initiated to collect data on the PK Papyrus covered stent, a second-generation device for the treatment of coronary artery perforations with enhanced mechanical properties, but with limited available data.

Methods: Patients treated for coronary artery perforations with the PK Papyrus stent at 14 international centers were retrospectively identified. The primary effectiveness outcome was successful sealing of the perforation.

Incidence and outcome of myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention during COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: Most reports on the declining incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) during the COVID-19 have either been anecdotal, survey results or geographically limited to areas with lockdowns. We examined the incidence of MI during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden, which has remained an open society with a different public health approach fighting COVID-19.

Methods: We assessed the incidence rate (IR) as well as the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of all MI referred for coronary angiography in Sweden using the nationwide Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR), during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden (1 March 2020-7 May 2020) in relation to the same days 2015-2019.

Clinical and angiographic outcomes of bioabsorbable vs. permanent polymer drug-eluting stents in Sweden: a report from the Swedish Coronary and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR).

Aims: Randomized clinical trials have consistently demonstrated the non-inferiority of bioabsorbable polymer drug-eluting stents (BP-DES) with respect to DES having permanent polymers (PP-DES). To date, the comparative performance of BP- and PP-DES in the real world has not been extensively investigated.

Methods And Results: From October 2011 to June 2016, we analysed the outcomes associated with newer generation DES use in Sweden.

Clinical impact of direct stenting and interaction with thrombus aspiration in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: Thrombectomy Trialists Collaboration.

Aims: Preliminary studies suggest that direct stenting (DS) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may reduce microvascular obstruction and improve clinical outcome. Thrombus aspiration may facilitate DS. We assessed the impact of DS on clinical outcome and myocardial reperfusion and its interaction with thrombus aspiration among ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing PCI.

Editor's Choice- Heparin pre-treatment in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and the risk of intracoronary thrombus and total vessel occlusion. Insights from the TASTE trial.

Background:: Pre-treatment with unfractionated heparin is common in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) protocols, but the effect on intracoronary thrombus burden is unknown. We studied the effect of heparin pre-treatment on intracoronary thrombus burden and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow prior to percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI.

Methods:: The Thrombus Aspiration in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Scandinavia (TASTE) trial angiographically assessed intracoronary thrombus burden and TIMI flow, prior to percutaneous coronary intervention, in patients with STEMI.

Thrombus Aspiration in ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: An Individual Patient Meta-Analysis: Thrombectomy Trialists Collaboration.

Background: Thrombus aspiration during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for the treatment of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been widely used; however, recent trials have questioned its value and safety. In this meta-analysis, we, the trial investigators, aimed to pool the individual patient data from these trials to determine the benefits and risks of thrombus aspiration during PCI in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods: Included were large (n≥1000), randomized, controlled trials comparing manual thrombectomy and PCI alone in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction.

First-in-Man Experience With the ClearLumen Thrombectomy System as an Adjunctive Therapy in Primary Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.

Objectives: To describe the first-in-man experience with the ClearLumen Thrombectomy System (Walk Vascular, Irvine, CA) and report on its safety, feasibility and efficacy when used as an adjunctive therapy during primary PCI.

Background: Thrombus aspiration (TA) aims to improve microvascular perfusion but currently available devices are not optimal.

Methods: Prospective, single-centre, non-randomized, safety, and efficacy trial.

Impact of thrombus aspiration during ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: a six month composite endpoint and risk of stroke analyses of the TASTE trial.

Background: Routine thrombus aspiration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) did not reduce the primary composite endpoint in the "A Randomised Trial of Routine Aspiration ThrOmbecTomy With PCI Versus PCI ALone in Patients With STEMI Undergoing Primary PCI" (TOTAL) trial. We aimed to analyse a similar endpoint in "The Thrombus Aspiration in ST-Elevation myocardial infarction in Scandinavia" (TASTE) trial up to 180 days.

Methods: In TASTE, 7244 patients with STEMI were randomised to thrombus aspiration followed by PCI or to PCI alone.

Mechanical chest compressions in the coronary catheterization laboratory to facilitate coronary intervention and survival in patients requiring prolonged resuscitation efforts.

Background: Resuscitation after cardiac arrest (CA) in the catheterization laboratory (cath-lab) using mechanical chest compressions (CC) during simultaneous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a strong recommendation in the 2015 European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines. This study aimed at re-evaluating survival to hospital discharge and assess long term outcome in this patient population.

Methods: Patients presenting at the cath lab with spontaneous circulation, suffering CA and requiring prolonged mechanical CC during cath lab procedures between 2009 and 2013 were included.

Novel Trial Designs: Lessons Learned from Thrombus Aspiration During ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Scandinavia (TASTE) Trial.

In ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), thrombus material is often present in partial or total coronary occlusion of the coronary vessel. However, prior to the thrombus aspiration during ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Scandinavia (TASTE) trial, it remained unclear whether routine thrombus aspiration during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treatment of STEMI would result in patients overall survival benefit. The TASTE trial was a multicenter, prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Therapeutic hypothermia for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction-combined analysis of the RAPID MI-ICE and the CHILL-MI trials.

In the randomized rapid intravascular cooling in myocardial infarction as adjunctive to percutaneous coronary intervention (RAPID MI-ICE) and rapid endovascular catheter core cooling combined with cold saline as an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction CHILL-MI studies, hypothermia was rapidly induced in conscious patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) by a combination of cold saline and endovascular cooling. Twenty patients in RAPID MI-ICE and 120 in CHILL-MI with large STEMIs, scheduled for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within <6 hours after symptom onset were randomized to hypothermia induced by rapid infusion of 600-2000 mL cold saline combined with endovascular cooling or standard of care. Hypothermia was initiated before PCI and continued for 1-3 hours after reperfusion aiming at a target temperature of 33°C.

Angiographic characteristics of intermediate stenosis of the left anterior descending artery for determination of lesion significance as identified by fractional flow reserve.

Previous studies have shown a poor correlation between angiographic assessment of stenosis grade (%) and its functional assessment by fractional flow reserve (FFR). This study aimed to investigate whether a more comprehensive evaluation of the coronary angiogram may contribute to a better identification of flow-limiting stenoses. Coronary angiograms of 1,350 patients (1,883 lesions) were retrospectively analyzed for stenosis grade (eyeballing, %) and matched with FFR values.

Repeated epinephrine doses during prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation have limited effects on myocardial blood flow: a randomized porcine study.

Background: In current guidelines, prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) mandates administration of repeated intravenous epinephrine (EPI) doses. This porcine study simulating a prolonged CPR-situation in the coronary catheterisation laboratory, explores the effect of EPI-administrations on coronary perfusion pressure (CPP), continuous coronary artery flow average peak velocity (APV) and amplitude spectrum area (AMSA).

Methods: Thirty-six pigs were randomized 1:1:1 to EPI 0.

Outcomes 1 year after thrombus aspiration for myocardial infarction.

Background: Routine intracoronary thrombus aspiration before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has not been proved to reduce short-term mortality. We evaluated clinical outcomes at 1 year after thrombus aspiration.

Methods: We randomly assigned 7244 patients with STEMI to undergo manual thrombus aspiration followed by PCI or to undergo PCI alone, in a registry-based, randomized clinical trial.

Invasive coronary treatment strategies for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a consensus statement from the European association for percutaneous cardiovascular interventions (EAPCI)/stent for life (SFL) groups.

Due to significant improvement in the pre-hospital treatment of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), an increasing number of initially resuscitated patients are being admitted to hospitals. Because of the limited data available and lack of clear guideline recommendations, experts from the EAPCI and "Stent for Life" (SFL) groups reviewed existing literature and provided practical guidelines on selection of patients for immediate coronary angiography (CAG), PCI strategy, concomitant antiplatelet/anticoagulation treatment, haemodynamic support and use of therapeutic hypothermia. Conscious survivors of OHCA with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) should be treated according to recommendations for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and high-risk non-ST-segment elevation -ACS (NSTE-ACS) without OHCA and should undergo immediate (if STEMI) or rapid (less than two hours if NSTE-ACS) coronary invasive strategy.

Rapid endovascular catheter core cooling combined with cold saline as an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. The CHILL-MI trial: a randomized controlled study of the use of central venous catheter core cooling combined with cold saline as an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to confirm the cardioprotective effects of hypothermia using a combination of cold saline and endovascular cooling.

Background: Hypothermia has been reported to reduce infarct size (IS) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions.

Methods: In a multicenter study, 120 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (<6 h) scheduled to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention were randomized to hypothermia induced by the rapid infusion of 600 to 2,000 ml cold saline and endovascular cooling or standard of care.