Impact of very high pressure stent deployment on angiographic and long-term clinical outcomes in true coronary bifurcation lesions treated by the mini-crush stent technique: A single center experience

AbstractBackgroundPercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for bifurcation lesions (BL) using 2 stents technique is known to be associated with high rates of procedural failure especially on the side branch (SB) mainly due to stent incomplete apposition. Stent deployment at very high pressure (SDHP) may lead to better stent expansion and apposition. However, SDHP may also be at the origin of deeper wall injury resulting into major cardiac adverse events. No data are available on evaluation of SDHP in BL treated by a mini-crush stent technique.MethodsOne hundred and thirteen consecutive patients underwent PCI for BL (Medina 1, 1, 1) using a mini-crush stent technique with SDHP defined as ≥20atm. An angiographic follow-up was performed at 6 month and clinical follow-up was obtained at a median of 3 years.ResultsStent deployment mean pressures were 20±1.4atm (range 20–25) in the main vessel (MV) and 20±1.5atm (range 20–25) in SB. Simultaneous final kissing balloon was used in 92% of cases. PCI was successful in 100%. Angiographic follow-up was obtained in 83% of patients. Restenosis rate was 13% (12% restenosis in the SB) with only one case (0.8%) of SB probable thrombosis. Another case of late stent thrombosis occurred at a 3 years clinical follow-up.ConclusionCompared with previously published studies in which stents were deployed at lower pressure, SDHP does not increase the restenosis rate in BL using mini-crush stent technique but seems to reduce the rate of stent thrombosis

Biaxial rupture properties of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms

International audienceAlthough hundreds of samples obtained from ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAA) of patients undergoing elective surgical repair have already been characterized biomechanically, their rupture properties were always derived from uniaxial tensile tests. Due to their bulge shape, ATAAs are stretched biaxially in vivo. In order to understand the biaxial rupture of ATAAs, our group developed a novel methodology based on bulge inflation and full-field optical measurements. The objective of the current paper is threefold. Firstly, we will review the failure properties (maximum stress, maximum stretch) obtained by bulge inflation testing on a cohort of 31 patients and compare them with failure properties obtained by uniaxial tension in a previously published study. Secondly, we will investigate the relationship between the failure properties and the age of patients, showing that patients below 55 years of age display significantly higher strength. Thirdly, we will define a rupture risk based on the extensibility of the tissue and we will show that this rupture risk is strongly correlated with the physiological elastic modulus of the tissue independently of the age, ATAA diameter or the aortic valve phenotype of the patient

Techniques aiming to reduce the invasiveness of cardiac surgery and of the myocardial ischemia / reperfusion

Dans le cadre du développement d’une stratégie clinique de diminution de l’invasivité de l’acte de Chirurgie cardiaque, axée à la fois sur la réduction du traumatisme de la paroi thoracique, de l’ischémie myocardique peropératoire, et de l’agressivité de la CEC, une étude prospective randomisée a été réalisée pour comparer l’impact sur le métabolisme myocardique en peropératoire de l’utilisation de la cardioplégie cristalloïde Custodiol® versus la solution de cardioplégie de St Thomas au cours de la chirurgie coronarienne. L’objectif de cette étude est de comparer les modifications periopératoire de la concentration dans l’espace interstitiel de lactate, pyruvate, glycérol et glucose dans les deux groupes de cardioplégie et ceci depuis le déclampage jusqu'à 24h en post-opératoire. Matériels et méthodes. Vingt-huit patients ont pu être inclus dans l’étude. Le monitorage a été pratiqué avec la technique de microdialyse (cathéter CMA 70, Analyseur CMA 600, CMA Microdialysis,Sweden), avec une mesure toutes les 10 minutes pendant le temps du clampage et la première heure post déclampage, puis toutes les heures, des concentrations interstitielles des métabolites. Les concentrations plasmatiques des troponines à la sortie du bloc opératoire et à H +12 ont été également évaluées dans les deux groupes. Résultats : Des 28 patients inclus et randomisés, 22 ont pu bénéficier d’un monitorage complet (12 pour le groupe Custodiol® et 10 pour le groupe St Thomas). Six ont été exclus pour des raisons techniques (1 arrachement, 3 plicatures, 1 chute du cathéter et 1 dysfonctionnement de l’analyseur). Une analyse comparative entre les patients inclus et exclus de l’étude ne montre pas de différences significatives pour les facteurs de risque cardiovasculaires, la FEVG, l’âge, le genre. Les valeurs moyennes des concentrations +/- écart type de lactate, pyruvate, glucose et glycérol au déclampage (T0,) sont les suivants : groupe Custodiol® : 2.77+/-1.81 mmol l-1 ; 13.74+/-20.87 μmol l-1 ; 0.46+/-0.84 mmol l-1 ; 196.99+/-122.22 mmol l-1 ; groupe St Thomas : 0.89+/-0.64 mmol l-1 ; 6.49+/-9.10 μmol l-1 ; 0.19+/-0.18 mmol l-1 ; 73.17+/-72.11 mmol l-1. Les temps de CEC et de clampage ont été respectivement dans le groupe Custodiol® de : 94.2+/-14 min et 59.8+/-15 min, et, dans le groupe St Thomas de 82.6+/-15.9 min et 55.8+/-16.29 et min (p=ns). Les concentrations post-opératoires en troponine T (sortie de bloc et H+12) ont été respectivement de 2.8+/-1.8 et 7.4+/-5.3 μmol/L pour le groupe Custodiol® et de 3.3+/-4.0 et 5.0+/-3.6 μmol/L (p=ns) pour le groupe Saint Thomas. Aucun évènement clinique ou électrocardiographique n’a eu lieu en post opératoire dans les deux groupes. Conclusion. Le monitorage de l’état redox myocardique interstitiel a été possible dans les deux groupes de façon sûre et efficace et a permis de déceler des variations des concentrations en métabolites dans les deux groupes en l’absence d’évènements cliniques. Les résultats de ces analyses retrouvent, au déclampage, des concentrations significativement plus hautes de lactate et glycérol dans le groupe Custodiol®. Ces différences s’effacent rapidement pendant la phase de reperfusion avec une tendance (non significative) à une concentration de lactates plus basse dans le groupe de patients du groupe Custodiol®. Des études multicentriques ciblées sur des clampages longs supérieurs à 90 min nous semblent nécessaires pour définir si une différence à la fois métabolique et clinique peut exister entre les différentes solutions de protection cardiaqueIn our unit, the challenge is to develop a clinical strategy of reduction of the invasiveness of the “On pump procedure” of cardiac surgery: that means a reduction of the chest wall trauma, of the cross clamping perioperative myocardial ischemia, and of the invasiveness of the extra-corporeal circulation. In this background, we organized a randomized perspective study in order to assess the impact of the perioperative myocardial redox metabolism during the on pump coronary surgery protected with Custodiol® versus St Thomas crystalloid cardioplegias. Objectives: To assess the presence and the severity of the perioperative myocardial ischemia in the Custodiol® versus St Thomas group, defined as the interstitial myocardial concentrations of lactate, pyruvate, glycerol and glucose, at the time of the removal of the aortic clamp. Materials and methods : Twenty height patients could be enrolled in the study and were randomized in the Custodiol® and in the St-Thomas group. Monitoring was assessed with the technique of the cardiac microdialysis (CMA 70 probe, CMA 600 analyzer, CMA Microdialysis, Sweden), by dosing every ten minutes during the aortic cross clamping period and every hour out of the operating room, up to 24 hours, the interstitial myocardial concentrations of Lactate, pyruvate, glycerol and glucose. The Lactate/pyruvate ratio and glucose/lactate ratios and 12 hours post-operative troponin plasmatic concentrations were also assessed. Statistical analysis comparing the Custodiol® versus ST Thomas group were performed via a t-test. Results: Out of the 28 enrolled patients, twenty-two (12 of the Custodiol® group and 10 of the St Thomas group) could be successfully monitored with the microdialysis technique. Six were excluded because of technical reasons (one intempestive ablation, 3 iatrogenic plication of the tube, 1 felled out of the table, one due to a dysfunction of the analyzer). The comparative analysis between included and excluded patients did not prove any statistical result in terms of cardiovascular risk factors, EF, age and gender. At declamping time (T0), mean values of concentrations of lactate, pyruvate, glucose and glycerol were the following: Custodiol® group: 2.77+-1.81 mmol l-1;13.74+-20.87 μmol l-1;0.46+-0. mmol l-1;196.99+-122.22 mmol l-1 ; St Thomas : 0.89+-0.64 mmol l-1 ; 6.49+-9.10 μmol l-1; 0.19+-0.18 mmol l-1; 73.17+-72.11 mmol l-1. Cross clamping and CPB times were respectively 94.2+/-14 et 59.8+/-15 min (Custodiol®), and 82.6+/-15.9 et 55.8+/-16.29 et minutes (St-Thomas) (p=ns) . Post operative plasmatic levels of Troponin (arrival in the ICU and 12 H+12) were respectively de 2.8+/-1.8 and 7.4+/-5.3 (pour le groupe Custodiol®) et de 3.3+/-4.0 et 5.0+/-3.6 μmol/L (Saint Thomas) (ns). Conclusion: Monitoring of the interstitial myocardial redox state was safely possible in both groups and allowed to assess metabolic different findings in the two cardioprotective methods that were not enhanced by perioperative clinical ischemic events. Microdialysis assessed, at the time of aorta declamping, significantly higher concentrations of lactate and Glycerol in the Custodiol® group. That difference regressed during the reperfusion phase with a tendency for a lower lactate level in the Custodiol® group. Multicentric studies focused on cross clamping time longer than 90 minutes seem necessary to enhance metabolic interstitial and clinical superiority between cardioprotective solution

Mid-term results of endovascular treatment for descending thoracic aorta diseases in high-surgical risk patients.

International audienceWe report the initial experience of two cardiovascular surgery centers in the treatment of descending thoracic aorta lesions with covered stent grafts in high-surgical risk patients. From April 1999 to November 2004, 54 patients, mean age 64 years (range 16-83), were treated by stent graft for a lesion of the descending aorta (degenerative aneurysms n = 22, aortic dissections n = 12, chronic post traumatic aneurysms n = 5, anastomotic false aneurysms n = 2, penetrating ulcers n = 4, intramural hematomas n = 5, traumatic rupture n = 4), with 42.6% treated on an emergency basis. Three devices were used: Talent (n = 49), Excluder (n = 4), and Zenith (n = 1). In three patients, combined surgery of the proximal aorta was performed. Prior bypass of the left supra-aortic arteries was performed in four patients. The follow-up was clinical and radiological (plain chest film and computed tomographic scan) at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months and yearly thereafter. The stent graft was successfully deployed in all cases. Two early deaths related to the stent graft (one migration and aortic rupture and one stroke) and one related to adult respiratory distress syndrome occurred. Morbidity was 16.6% (iliac access damage n = 4, groin reintervention n = 3, transient ischemic attack n = 1, tamponade n = 1). The follow-up was 100% complete (mean 22.8 months, range 3-51). Fifteen primary endoleaks (type I n = 6, type II n = 8, type III n = 1) and one secondary endoleak were reported. They were treated by additional stent graft (n = 7) and elective surgical conversion (n = 1). Six endoleaks resolved spontaneously at 6 months, and two are being monitored. Twelve endoleaks (75%) occurred in patients treated for degenerative aneurysms. Freedom from secondary reintervention was 81.3% at 3 years. Two transient paraparesias were observed at 3 and 18 months. Of the 13 deaths observed during the follow-up, only one was related to the stent graft. Actuarial survival at 12 and 24 months was 90.0% and 75.4%, respectively. Mortality results are encouraging in this specific cohort of high-surgical risk patients. A new kind of morbidity is observed, related to endoleaks, whose necessary management could hinder the durability of the technique

Evaluation of Nine Commercial Serological Tests for the Diagnosis of Human Hepatic Cyst Echinococcosis and the Differential Diagnosis with Other Focal Liver Lesions: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study

The differential diagnosis of hepatic cystic echinococcosis (CE) may be challenging. When imaging is insufficient, serology can be applied, but no consensus diagnostic algorithm exists. We evaluated the performances of nine serological tests commercialized in Europe for the diagnosis of "echinococcosis". We performed a diagnostic accuracy study using a panel of sera from patients with hepatic CE (n = 45 "liquid" content stages, n = 25 "solid" content stages) and non-CE focal liver lesions (n = 54 with "liquid" content, n = 11 with "solid" content). The diagnosis and staging of CE were based on ultrasound (gold standard). Nine commercial seroassays (5 ELISA, 2 WB, 1 Chemiluminescence Immunoassay [CLIA] and 1 Immunochromatographic test [ICT]) were the index tests. Sensitivity (Se) ranged from 43 to 94% and from 31 to 87%, and specificity (Sp) from 68 to 100% and from 94 to 100%, when borderline results were considered positive or negative, respectively. Three seroassays (2 ELISA, 1 WB) were excluded from further analyses due to poor performances. When tests were combined, Sp was 98-100%. The best results were obtained using the WB-LDBIO alone (Se 83%) or as a third test after two non-WB tests (Se 67-86%). A validated WB or two non-WB tests, read with stringent criteria (borderline = negative and considered positive only if concordant positive), possibly confirmed by the WB, appear sensible approaches

Pediatric musculoskeletal ultrasound: a pictorial essay

Ultrasound (US) is the main imaging modality for the evaluation of pediatric patients with musculoskeletal diseases; particularly, it is an appropriate and reliable tool for diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of several musculoskeletal pathologies affecting the pediatric age. High-frequency (10-15 MHz) and high-resolution probes provide very lofty quality images, allowing a detailed study of the pediatric musculoskeletal system. Among the well-known advantages of this technique-such as the absence of ionizing radiations, its low cost and wide availability-US can as well rely on some intrinsic characteristics of the pediatric musculoskeletal system that can improve its diagnostic capability. The unossified portions of the pediatric skeleton and the absence of a thickened adipose tissue allow US to be highly effective and reliable in the study of muscles, tendons and cartilage. Lower-frequency sectoral transducers can be required in the study of some joints such as the shoulder or the hip, as well as in the examination of deep soft-tissue lesions. Furthermore, both color and spectral Doppler play an important role in the examination of soft-tissue lesions and synovial phlogosis. In this pictorial essay the main pathological conditions of pediatric musculoskeletal system will be examined, such as painful hip, evolutionary hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, trauma-related pathologies and juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Sutureless aortic valve replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Sutureless aortic valve replacement (SU-AVR) has emerged as an innovative alternative for treatment of aortic stenosis. By avoiding the placement of sutures, this approach aims to reduce cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) duration and thereby improve surgical outcomes and facilitate a minimally invasive approach suitable for higher risk patients. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the safety and efficacy of SU-AVR approach in the current literature. METHODS Electronic searches were performed using six databases from their inception to January 2014. Relevant studies utilizing sutureless valves for aortic valve implantation were identified. Data were extracted and analyzed according to predefined clinical endpoints. RESULTS Twelve studies were identified for inclusion of qualitative and quantitative analyses, all of which were observational reports. The minimally invasive approach was used in 40.4% of included patients, while 22.8% underwent concomitant coronary bypass surgery. Pooled cross-clamp and CPB duration for isolated AVR was 56.7 and 46.5 minutes, respectively. Pooled 30-day and 1-year mortality rates were 2.1% and 4.9%, respectively, while the incidences of strokes (1.5%), valve degenerations (0.4%) and paravalvular leaks (PVL) (3.0%) were acceptable. CONCLUSIONS The evaluation of current observational evidence suggests that sutureless aortic valve implantation is a safe procedure associated with shorter cross-clamp and CPB duration, and comparable complication rates to the conventional approach in the short-term