Let it flow : Hemodynamics of pulmonary artery stenosis in congenital heart disease

A stenosis in one of the pulmonary branches affects the hemodynamics of the pulmonary circulation. It causes an unequal flow distribution over the right and left lung and increases the pressure load of the right ventricle (RV). On top of that, a stenosis may disturb the normal, laminar flow of blood. It is thought that the abnormal flow caused by a stenosis contributes to diminished cardiovascular functioning on the long-term. To improve our understanding of the hemodynamic impact of a stenosis, it is important to extensively study flow patterns and hemodynamic parameters. This thesis describes the hemodynamics of pulmonary artery (PA) stenosis in three compartments: in vivo, in silico and in vitro

The Y-stenting technique for pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis : Initial results and mid-term outcomes

BACKGROUND: Treatment for main or peripheral PBS is challenging. An interventional approach is generally preferred as surgical angioplasty often results in residual stenosis. However, there is limited data on the mid- and long-term results of the different interventional approaches. The aim of this study is to report on initial and mid-term results of the Y-stenting technique for pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis (PBS). METHODS: A single centre retrospective study of all Y-stenting procedures for main or peripheral PBS was conducted. Patient and procedural data as well as mid-term outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: 11 Y-stenting procedures were performed, 9 in the main pulmonary bifurcation and 2 in the PA periphery. In 8 patients the bifurcation stents were connected, in 3 patients there was no connection between the stents. Y-stenting creates a geometry close to the physiological PA bifurcation anatomy with complete alignment to the vessel wall without flow separation. Control angiography showed unrestricted blood flow after all procedures. Median right/left ventricle pressure ratio decreased from 0.9 to 0.5. No immediate or delayed adverse events were seen. During a median follow-up of 33.5 months, 2 patients in the non-connected group and 3 patients in the connected group needed a total of 6 re-interventions. No intima proliferation was seen in patients with connected stents. CONCLUSIONS: Y-stenting is a safe and effective treatment for PBS. When both bifurcation stents are connected, this may result in lower rates of in-stent intima proliferation in comparison to other PBS stenting techniques

The Y-stenting technique for pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis : Initial results and mid-term outcomes

BACKGROUND: Treatment for main or peripheral PBS is challenging. An interventional approach is generally preferred as surgical angioplasty often results in residual stenosis. However, there is limited data on the mid- and long-term results of the different interventional approaches. The aim of this study is to report on initial and mid-term results of the Y-stenting technique for pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis (PBS). METHODS: A single centre retrospective study of all Y-stenting procedures for main or peripheral PBS was conducted. Patient and procedural data as well as mid-term outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: 11 Y-stenting procedures were performed, 9 in the main pulmonary bifurcation and 2 in the PA periphery. In 8 patients the bifurcation stents were connected, in 3 patients there was no connection between the stents. Y-stenting creates a geometry close to the physiological PA bifurcation anatomy with complete alignment to the vessel wall without flow separation. Control angiography showed unrestricted blood flow after all procedures. Median right/left ventricle pressure ratio decreased from 0.9 to 0.5. No immediate or delayed adverse events were seen. During a median follow-up of 33.5 months, 2 patients in the non-connected group and 3 patients in the connected group needed a total of 6 re-interventions. No intima proliferation was seen in patients with connected stents. CONCLUSIONS: Y-stenting is a safe and effective treatment for PBS. When both bifurcation stents are connected, this may result in lower rates of in-stent intima proliferation in comparison to other PBS stenting techniques

Heart failure following STEMI: a contemporary cohort study of incidence and prognostic factors

The aim of the current study was to determine the contemporary incidence, risk factors and prognosis of heart failure (HF) after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We used the Arrhythmia Genetics in the Netherlands observational cohort study to identify patients with a first STEMI from 2001 onwards (n=1459). HF during follow-up was defined as hospitalisation for HF or an outpatient clinic visit for HF. Cox regression was performed to estimate the relationship between baseline covariates and the onset of HF. Follow-up was completed for 1360 (93.2%) patients with an overall median follow-up time of 6.7 years, 1232 (90.6%) of these patients had undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 85 patients (6.3%) developed HF during follow-up. HF cases were significantly older at their index MI (59.9 vs 57.2 years, P <0.001) and more commonly had a history of atrial fibrillation (6.1% vs 1.4%, P=0.001) than controls without HF. The crude incidence rate of HF after STEMI was 9.7 (95% CI 7.7 to 11.8) per 1000 person-years. In multivariable analysis, peak creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) levels (HR 1.11 per 100 U/L (95% CI 1.11 to 1.22)) and a left anterior descending artery (LAD) culprit lesion (HR 2.88 (95% CI 1.53 to 5.40)) were risk factors associated with HF. We found a relatively low long-term contemporary incidence of HF after a first STEMI in the current PCI era in comparison with other reports. Higher CK-MB levels and a LAD culprit lesion at index STEMI were important risk factors for the development of HF after STEMI. NCT03007199; Result

Heart failure following STEMI : a contemporary cohort study of incidence and prognostic factors

Objective: The aim of the current study was to determine the contemporary incidence, risk factors and prognosis of heart failure (HF) after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: We used the Arrhythmia Genetics in the Netherlands observational cohort study to identify patients with a first STEMI from 2001 onwards (n=1459). HF during follow-up was defined as hospitalisation for HF or an outpatient clinic visit for HF. Cox regression was performed to estimate the relationship between baseline covariates and the onset of HF. Results: Follow-up was completed for 1360 (93.2%) patients with an overall median follow-up time of 6.7 years, 1232 (90.6%) of these patients had undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 85 patients (6.3%) developed HF during follow-up. HF cases were significantly older at their index MI (59.9 vs 57.2 years, P<0.001) and more commonly had a history of atrial fibrillation (6.1% vs 1.4%, P=0.001) than controls without HF. The crude incidence rate of HF after STEMI was 9.7 (95% CI 7.7 to 11.8) per 1000 person-years. In multivariable analysis, peak creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) levels (HR 1.11 per 100 U/L (95% CI 1.11 to 1.22)) and a left anterior descending artery (LAD) culprit lesion (HR 2.88 (95% CI 1.53 to 5.40)) were risk factors associated with HF. Conclusions: We found a relatively low long-term contemporary incidence of HF after a first STEMI in the current PCI era in comparison with other reports. Higher CK-MB levels and a LAD culprit lesion at index STEMI were important risk factors for the development of HF after STEMI. Trial registration number: NCT03007199; Results