Transcatheter Retrieval of Embolized Atrial Septal Defect Occluder Device by Waist Capture Technique.

This case study describes the successful percutaneous transcatheter retrieval of an embolized Amplatzer occluder device using the "waist capture technique" in a patient with an atrial septal defect. This technique allowed for stability of the Amplatzer device, compression of the atrial discs for easier removal, prevention of further embolization, and minimal injury to vasculature during device retrieval. This novel and effective technique can be used safely for the retrieval of Amplatzer devices in the venous system.

Gender differences in plaque characteristics of culprit lesions in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction.

There is limited research on plaque characteristics of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients according to the gender and age. 280 Consecutive STEMI patients who underwent VH-IVUS imaging on culprit before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled in this study. Women were significantly older than men (69.

Anatomical and Physiological Changes after Paclitaxel-Coated Balloon for Atherosclerotic De Novo Coronary Lesions: Serial IVUS-VH and FFR Study.

Aims: To assess the serial changes of de novo coronary lesions treated with paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB) using intravascular ultrasound virtual histology (IVUS-VH) and fractional flow reserve (FFR).

Method And Results: This prospective observational study enrolled 27 patients with coronary artery disease treated with PCB who underwent coronary angiography, IVUS-VH and FFR before, immediately after intervention and at 9 months. 28 de novo lesions were successfully treated with PCB.

Fractional flow reserve-guided paclitaxel-coated balloon treatment for de novo coronary lesions.

Objectives: To assess the safety and efficacy of fractional flow reserve (FFR) guided paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB) treatment for de novo coronary artery lesions.

Background: There is limited data on PCB treatment for de novo lesions especially of major epicardial coronary arteries.

Methods: Sixty-six patients with 67 de novo lesions who underwent successful plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) were included.

OCT-Defined Morphological Characteristics of Coronary Artery Spasm Sites in Vasospastic Angina.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to define the morphological features of coronary artery spasm sites using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with vasospastic angina (VSA).

Background: Plaque characteristics at coronary artery spasm sites have not been investigated systematically.

Methods: Sixty-nine consecutive patients (80 spasm sites) presenting with VSA who underwent OCT imaging were included in this study.

Multi-modality imaging for stent edge assessment.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has a sufficiently high resolution to allow assessment of stent edge dissection (ED). The aims of the present study were as follows: (1) evaluation of the frequency of stent ED using OCT; (2) comparison of stent ED detection rates obtained using angiography, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and OCT; and (3) IVUS-Virtual Histology (IVUS-VH) evaluation of plaque composition at the site of stent EDs detected by OCT after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Fifty-eight consecutive patients (59 lesions, 100 stent edges) who underwent balloon-expandable stent implantation and post-stent assessment with OCT and IVUS-VH were included.

Vitamin D levels and their relationship with cardiac biomarkers in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Vitamin D insufficiency may be associated with cardiovascular (CV) mortality in HD patients. To test this hypothesis, we cross-sectionally measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D), cardiac troponin T (cTnT), and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) in chronic HD patients. Sixty-five patients (M:F=31:34, age 52.