Cutting-balloon angioplasty before drug-eluting stent implantation for the treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions.

Background: Severely calcified coronary lesions respond poorly to balloon angioplasty, resulting in incomplete and asymmetrical stent expansion. Therefore, adequate plaque modification prior to drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is the key for calcified lesion treatment. This study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cutting balloon angioplasty for severely calcified coronary lesions.

[Impact of coronary computed tomography angiography on patient triage strategies].

Objective: To investigate the triaging pathways of patients after coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Methods: The patients undergoing CCTA were enrolled consecutively during the period from March 3, 2008 to June 23, 2009. The rate of coronary angiography (CAG) examinations after CCTA was calculated.

Evaluation of long-term follow-up with neointimal coverage and stent apposition after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation by optical coherence tomography.

Background: Late stent thrombosis related to delayed endothelialization is a major concern after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. The long-term vascular response towards DES implantation remains unclear. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution imaging modality which provides new opportunities for evaluating neointimal coverage and stent strut apposition after stent implantation.

Evaluation of neointimal coverage and apposition with various drug-eluting stents over 12 months after implantation by optical coherence tomography.

Background: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging technology with high resolution which provides new opportunities for evaluating the vascular healing reaction after stent implantation. We used OCT to compare neointimal coverage and stent strut apposition with different types of drug-eluting stent (DES) at more than 12 months follow-up.

Methods: Fifty five patients who accepted 72 DESs (19 sirolimus-eluting stents [SES, Cypher Select], 27 paclitaxel-eluting stents [PES, Taxus Liberte], 26 zotarolimus-eluting stents [ZES, Endeavor]) were enrolled in our study.

[Optical coherence tomography for evaluation of neointimal proliferation after placement of a new drug eluting stent].

Objective: To evaluate neointimal proliferation following placement of a new drug-eluting stent (BUMA) by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: Twenty-two patients with coronary artery disease were randomized into BUMA group (n=15) and Endeavor group (n=7) and underwent OCT imaging after 9 months of stent implantation.

Results: The neointima hyperplasia (NIH) thickness in BUMA group were significantly smaller than that in endeavor group (0.

[Evaluation of the late stent malposition after drug-eluting stent implantation by optical coherence tomography].

Objective: To evaluate the characteristic of late stent malposition after drug-eluting stent implantation by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: The study comprised of 32 patients (target vessels: 51, total stents: 71) underwent drug eluting stent implantation one year ago [average (14.8 +/- 5.