RapidBrachyIVBT: A dosimetry software for patient-specific intravascular brachytherapy dose calculations on optical coherence tomography images.

Background: Coronary artery disease is the most common form of cardiovascular disease. It is caused by excess plaque along the arterial wall, blocking blood flow to the heart (stenosis). A percutaneous coronary intervention widens the arterial wall with the inflation of a balloon inside the lesion area and leaves behind a metal stent to prevent re-narrowing of the artery (restenosis).

Spatial patterns of high-risk biomechanical metrics in plaques with abnormal vs. normal physiological flow indices.

Background: Plaques associated with abnormally low physiological flow reserve indices are appropriate for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, recent trials demonstrate that PCI of ischemia-producing lesions does not reduce major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Low endothelial shear stress (ESS) or high ESS gradient (ESSG) are associated with MACE wherever they occur along the plaque.

SCAI Expert Consensus Statement on the Management of Calcified Coronary Lesions.

The prevalence of calcification in obstructive coronary artery disease is on the rise. Percutaneous coronary intervention of these calcified lesions is associated with increased short-term and long-term risks. To optimize percutaneous coronary intervention results, there is an expanding array of treatment modalities geared toward calcium modification prior to stent implantation.

The Balloon-Assisted Double-Kissing T-Stenting Technique: Concept, In Vitro Model, and Case Examples.

Background: In complex bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention, 2-stent strategies are often required. Commonly used 2-stent techniques can lead to suboptimal results due to their complexity. We developed the balloon-assisted double-kissing T-stenting (DKT) technique, which uses balloons to optimize stent placement, delivery, and final architecture.

ISR vs De Novo Lesion Treatment During OCT-Guided PCI: Insights From the LightLab Initiative.

Background: Long-term outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for in-stent restenosis (ISR) are poor, yet limited granular procedural data exist evaluating lesion assessment, vessel treatment, and acute procedural outcomes.

Methods: The LightLab Initiative was a multicenter, prospective, observational study with contemporaneous procedural data collection during PCI procedures. Data were collected during PCIs performed by 48 interventional cardiologists at 17 US hospitals (2019-2021).

The role of endothelial shear stress, shear stress gradient, and plaque topography in plaque erosion.

Background And Aims: Plaque erosion is a common underlying cause of acute coronary syndromes. The role of endothelial shear stress (ESS) and endothelial shear stress gradient (ESSG) in plaque erosion remains unknown. We aimed to determine the role of ESS metrics and maximum plaque slope steepness in plaques with erosion versus stable plaques.

Endothelial shear stress computed from coronary computed tomography angiography: A direct comparison to intravascular ultrasound.

Introduction: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) studies have shown that biomechanical variables, particularly endothelial shear stress (ESS), add synergistic prognostic insight when combined with anatomic high-risk plaque features. Non-invasive risk assessment of coronary plaques with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) would be helpful to enable broad population risk-screening.

Aim: To compare the accuracy of ESS computation of local ESS metrics by CCTA vs IVUS imaging.

The MLD MAX OCT algorithm: An imaging-based workflow for percutaneous coronary intervention.

Although extensive clinical data support the utility of intravascular imaging to guide and optimize outcomes following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), clinical adoption remains limited. One of the primary reasons for limited utilization may be a lack of standardization on how to best integrate the data provided by intravascular imaging practically. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) offers a high-resolution intravascular imaging modality with integrated software automation that allows for incorporation of OCT into the routine workflow of PCIs.

OCT utilization: Summary statistics from the LightLab clinical initiative.

Objectives: The study describes the evolution of optical coherence tomography (OCT) adoption and performance during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following implementation of a standardized LightLab (LL) workflow.

Background: The purpose of the LL Clinical Initiative was to evaluate the impact of a standardized workflow on physician efficiency, decision making, and image quality.

Methods: The LL Clinical Initiative is a multicenter, prospective, observational clinical program.

Decision-Making During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Guided by Optical Coherence Tomography: Insights From the LightLab Initiative.

Background: Use of intracoronary imaging is associated with improved outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Yet, the impact of intracoronary imaging on real-time physician decision-making during PCI is not fully known.

Methods: The LightLab Initiative is a multicenter, prospective, observational study designed to characterize the use of a standardized optical coherence tomography (OCT) workflow during PCI.

Novel Three-Stent Strategy in Left Main Coronary Artery Trifurcation Disease - Combination of DK Crush and Culotte Techniques.

True trifurcation disease in left main coronary artery is an infrequent but highly complex substrate for percutaneous coronary intervention. Evidence for optimal stenting strategy for such anatomy is lacking. We describe a novel three-stent strategy using a combination of double-kissing crush (DK crush) and Culotte techniques in three patients.

International percutaneous coronary intervention complication survey.

Objectives: To investigate the perceptions of interventional cardiologists (IC) regarding the frequency, impact, and management strategies of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) complications.

Background: The perceptions and management strategies of ICs of PCI complications have received limited study.

Methods: Online survey on PCI complications: 46 questions were distributed via email lists and Twitter to ICs.

Retrospective analysis of arterial occlusive events in the PACE trial by an independent adjudication committee.

Background: The phase 2 PACE (Ponatinib Ph+ ALL and CML Evaluation) trial of ponatinib showed robust long-term benefit in relapsed Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) leukemia; arterial occlusive events (AOEs) occurred in ≥ 25% of patients based on investigator reporting. However, AOE rates vary depending on the definitions and reporting approach used.

Methods: To better understand clinically relevant AOEs with ponatinib, an independent cardiovascular adjudication committee reviewed 5-year AOE data from the PACE trial according to a charter-defined process and standardized event definitions.

Practice Patterns in the Interventional Treatment of Coronary Bifurcation Lesions: A Global Survey.

Objectives: The study aim was to assess current procedural strategies and perceptions for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) involving bifurcations.

Methods: We distributed an online survey via email (8050 invitations) and social media.

Results: Among 440 responders, median annual PCI volumes were 15 cases (interquartile range [IQR], 10-29 cases) for left main (LM) and 50 cases (IQR, 27-73 cases) for non-LM (nLM) bifurcation lesions.

Adverse Events With Intravascular Lithotripsy After Peripheral and Off-Label Coronary Use: A Report From the FDA MAUDE Database.

Currently only the peripheral intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) device is approved for use in the United States. We queried the United States Food and Drug Administration's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database from January 1, 2016 to December 14, 2020 for all reports of adverse events and modes of failure related to the peripheral IVL device, when used for on- and off-label indications. There were 20 reports of use in peripheral artery disease interventions and 3 reports of off-label use in coronary interventions.

Safety and efficacy of dedicated guidewire, microcatheter, and guide catheter extension technologies for chronic total coronary occlusion revascularization: Primary results of the Teleflex Chronic Total Occlusion Study.

Background: Description of procedural outcomes using contemporary techniques that apply specialized coronary guidewires, microcatheters, and guide catheter extensions designed for chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous revascularization is limited.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter, single-arm study was conducted to evaluate procedural and in-hospital outcomes among 150 patients undergoing attempted CTO revascularization utilizing specialized guidewires, microcatheters and guide extensions. The primary endpoint was defined as successful guidewire recanalization and absence of in-hospital cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), or repeat target lesion revascularization (major adverse cardiac events, MACE).

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.

Targeted delivery of protein arginine deiminase-4 inhibitors to limit arterial intimal NETosis and preserve endothelial integrity.

Aims: Recent evidence suggests that 'vulnerable plaques', which have received intense attention as underlying mechanism of acute coronary syndromes over the decades, actually rarely rupture and cause clinical events. Superficial plaque erosion has emerged as a growing cause of residual thrombotic complications of atherosclerosis in an era of increased preventive measures including lipid lowering, antihypertensive therapy, and smoking cessation. The mechanisms of plaque erosion remain poorly understood, and we currently lack validated effective diagnostics or therapeutics for superficial erosion.