Intravascular ultrasound analysis of nonstented adjacent segments in diffuse in-stent restenosis treated with radiation therapy with a rhenium-188-filled balloon.

The effects of beta-radiation therapy on nonstented adjacent segments in in-stent restenosis have not been sufficiently evaluated. beta-radiation therapy for in-stent restenosis was performed with a (188)Re-MAG(3)-filled balloon. We evaluated the effects of beta-radiation therapy on nonstented adjacent segments in in-stent restenosis by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analysis in 50 patients who received radiation therapy vs.

Outcome of significant functional tricuspid regurgitation after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty.

Background: The outcome of significant functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) associated with mitral stenosis (MS) after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) remains to be clarified.

Methods: From 265 patients who underwent PMV at our institution from 1995 to 2000 and who were regularly observed, we selected 71 patients (55 women, mean age 43 +/- 11 years) who showed significant moderate to severe functional TR before PMV. We analyzed data from the echocardiograms performed before, 24 hours after, and long after the intervention (29 +/- 12 months) and analyzed clinical outcomes.

Paclitaxel coating reduces in-stent intimal hyperplasia in human coronary arteries: a serial volumetric intravascular ultrasound analysis from the Asian Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent Clinical Trial (ASPECT).

Background: The aim of this study was to use serial volumetric intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to evaluate the effect of a paclitaxel coating on in-stent intimal hyperplasia (IH).

Methods And Results: Patients were randomized to placebo (bare metal stents) or 1 of 2 doses of paclitaxel (low dose: 1.28 microg/mm2; high dose: 3.

Prognostic implication of ergonovine echocardiography in patients with near normal coronary angiogram or negative stress test for significant fixed stenosis.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess the prognostic value of ergonovine echocardiography (Erg Echo) for diagnosis of coronary vasospasm (CVS) in patients without significant fixed coronary stenosis.

Material And Methods: Medical records of 650 patients who underwent Erg Echo were reviewed. Before Erg Echo, absence of significant fixed coronary stenosis was confirmed by invasive coronary angiography (CAG) in 316 patients (49%) or by noninvasive confirmation of negative treadmill or normal myocardial perfusion scan in 334 patients (51%).

Effect of three-dimensional valve shape on the hemodynamics of aortic stenosis: three-dimensional echocardiographic stereolithography and patient studies.

Objectives: This study tested the hypothesis that the impact of a stenotic aortic valve depends not only on the cross-sectional area of its limiting orifice but also on three-dimensional (3D) valve geometry.

Background: Valve shape can potentially affect the hemodynamic impact of aortic stenosis by altering the ratio of effective to anatomic orifice area (the coefficient of orifice contraction [Cc]). For a given flow rate and anatomic area, a lower Cc increases velocity and pressure gradient.

Diabetic retinopathy as a predictor of late clinical events following percutaneous coronary intervention.

Diabetic retinopathy has been shown to be associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. However, it is not well known whether the presence of retinopathy is a predictor of adverse cardiovascular events in diabetic patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We divided 365 non-insulin dependent DM patients who underwent PCI and fundoscopic examination into 2 groups: 115 patients with retinopathy and 250 patients without retinopathy.

Outcomes of medically treated patients with aortic intramural hematoma.

Purpose: Aortic intramural hematoma has been considered a precursor of aortic dissection, and the same treatment strategy, usually involving surgery, has been applied to both conditions. However, the outcomes of patients with aortic intramural hematoma who are treated medically, including the remodeling process that occurs after an acute event, are not known.

Subject And Methods: A total of 124 patients with acute aortic intramural hematoma (41 in the proximal aorta and 83 in the distal aorta) was enrolled from five institutions in South Korea.

Impact of various intravascular ultrasound criteria for stent optimization on the six-month angiographic restenosis.

We evaluated the impact of different intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) criteria on 6-month angiographic restenosis in 511 patients with 560 lesions. Seven IVUS criteria were evaluated in this study; stent area at lesion segment 1) > or = 100% of distal reference lumen area, 2) > or = 90% of distal reference lumen area, 3) > or = 80% of average reference lumen area, 4) > or = 90% of average reference lumen area, 5) > or = 55% of average reference vessel area, 6) >/= 7 mm(2), and 7) > or = 2). Using the relative measurement (criteria 1-5), the angiographic restenosis rate was not statistically different.

Prediction of left ventricular dilatation with thallium-201 SPET imaging after primary angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Progressive ventricular dilatation is an important prognostic factor in patients with acute myocardial infarction. We evaluated clinical, angiographic, echocardiographic and thallium-201 single-photon emission tomography (SPET) imaging variables predictive of the change in left ventricular volume during a 7-month follow-up period after primary angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Thirty-six patients with first acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty within 12 h of onset underwent 201Tl SPET imaging (5.

Elevated homocysteine levels might be associated with coronary artery remodeling in patients with stable angina: an intravascular ultrasound study.

Background: The relationship between plasma biologic markers and coronary artery remodeling is unknown.

Hypothesis: Plasma biologic markers are associated with coronary artery remodeling.

Methods: Preintervention intravascular ultrasound images were obtained in 44 patients with chronic stable angina.

Clinical significance of echo-free space detected by transesophageal echocardiography in patients with type B aortic intramural hematoma.

To evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of echo-free space (EFS) in aortic intramural hematoma (AIH) during transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), TEE performed during the acute phase in 71 consecutive patients with type B AIH was reviewed. Forty-four patients (62%) had EFS including 24 patients with a large EFS occupying >1/2 of the hematoma thickness. Among 59 patients who also underwent computed tomography, focal contrast enhancement in the hematoma area was observed in only 7 patients with a large EFS.

Relation between residual plaque burden after stenting and six-month angiographic restenosis.

The degree of residual plaque burden outside of a stent might be correlated with the degree of intimal hyperplasia. However, the relation between residual plaque burden and angiographic restenosis are still unknown in a large number of patients. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of residual plaque burden after stenting on 6-month angiographic restenosis.

Impact of geographic miss on adjacent coronary artery segments in diffuse in-stent restenosis with beta-radiation therapy: angiographic and intravascular ultrasound analysis.

Background: The impacts of geographic miss on edge restenosis have not been sufficiently evaluated.

Methods: Beta-radiation therapy with rhenium 188-filled balloon after rotational atherectomy for diffuse in-stent restenosis was performed in 50 patients. We evaluated the impacts of geographic miss on adjacent coronary artery segments beyond the stent by angiographic (QCA) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analysis in 50 irradiated lesions and 100 edges.