Drug-eluting stents (DES) are the current gold standard for percutaneous treatment of coronary ar... more Drug-eluting stents (DES) are the current gold standard for percutaneous treatment of coronary artery disease. However, DES are associated with a non-negligible risk of long-term adverse events related to persistence of foreign material in the coronary artery wall. In addition, DES implantation causes permanent caging of the native vessel, thus impairing normal vasomotricity and the possibility of using non-invasive coronary imaging or preforming subsequent bypass surgery. On the contrary, coronary bioresorbable stents (BRS) may provide temporary mechanical support to coronary wall without compromising the subsequent recovery of normal vascular physiology, and have the potential to prevent late adverse events related to permanent elements. Several types of BRS have been introduced into clinical practice in Europe or are being tested. However, most of available clinical data relate to a single BRS, the Absorb bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold (Absorb BVS) (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara,...
Eurointervention Journal of Europcr in Collaboration With the Working Group on Interventional Cardiology of the European Society of Cardiology, Aug 1, 2005
To assess efficacy and safety of oral treatment with prednisone at immunosuppressive dose after p... more To assess efficacy and safety of oral treatment with prednisone at immunosuppressive dose after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Eighty-six consecutive patients with multi-vessel CAD were successfully treated with multiple PCI. Forty-three patients (115 coronary stenoses), with C-reactive protein >3mg/L 48 hours after PCI and in absence of contra-indications received 45-day high-dose oral prednisone treatment (study-group). Forty-three patients (106 coronary stenoses), did not receive prednisone (control-group). The primary clinical endpoint was 12-month event-free survival rate (defined as freedom from death, myocardial infarction, and the need for target vessel revascularisation). Angiographic restenosis at 8 months was assessed in the study group only. Event-free survival rates were 93 and 69.8% in the study and the control group, respectively (relative risk 0.34, 95%CI: 0.12 to 0.96, p=0.006). Target vessel revascularisation rate in the study group was 7% compared to 27.9% in the control group (p=0.01). Quantitative coronary angiography performed on 104 lesions of 39 prednisone-treated patients (91%) showed 4 restenotic lesions (3.8%). The mean late lumen loss was 0.61+/-0.35mm and loss index 31.3+/-21.6%. Oral immunosuppression with prednisone effectively reduces clinical restenosis in patients undergoing complex, multi-vessel PCI.
Few clinical data about indications and prognoses of patients undergoing balloon aortic valvulopl... more Few clinical data about indications and prognoses of patients undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) in the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) era have been reported. Data from all consecutive patients undergoing BAV in seven European centers from 2006 to 2013 were collected. Acute results and long-term outcomes were assessed. A total of 811 patients aged 82 ± 9 years were included; 416 patients (51%) underwent BAV as palliative destination therapy, 320 patients (40%) as bridge to TAVI, and 75 patients (9%) as bridge to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Patients undergoing BAV as destination therapy had a higher risk profile (logistic EuroSCORE, 20 ± 17 vs 22 ± 14 vs 11 ± 8, respectively; P<.001). Post procedure, peak gradient decreased from 87 ± 22 mm Hg to 66 ± 22 mm Hg (P<.001) and aortic valve area increased from 0.61 ± 0.2 cm² to 0.8 ± 0.2 cm² (P<.001). At 30 days, the all-cause death rate (6.5% vs 6.2% vs 7.4%, respectively; P=.56) and the r...
Italian Heart Journal Supplement Official Journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology, 2004
The internal mammary artery is the most frequently used bypass conduit for the left anterior desc... more The internal mammary artery is the most frequently used bypass conduit for the left anterior descending coronary artery in patients treated with bypass surgery, with excellent long-term patency rates. However, the mammary artery may also be affected by functionally significant stenoses. Most stenoses of the mammary artery are secondary to the surgical procedure at the anastomosis site, but atherosclerotic lesions may also develop. The mammary artery is often tortuous and extreme kinking of the vessel may cause flow obstruction. The treatment of such kind of stenoses is not codified. The clinical course and interventional procedure of 2 patients with previous mammary artery bypass graft and severe angina due to kinking stenosis of the graft are described. The 2 cases are characterized by the short time frame during which the stenosis became apparent, suggesting a vasoactive component in the first case that was resolved with medical treatment and an aggressive atherosclerotic progression in the second that required a percutaneous intervention. Therefore, etiology of the stenosis of the body of the mammary artery graft may differ from that of the native circulation. The role of marked bends in bypass grafts could deserve selective studies to determine whether they are associated with the development of functional stenosis. This information may be useful when performing mammary artery bypass graft surgery for avoiding extremely twisted vessel courses.
Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions : official journal of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & Interventions, Jan 16, 2016
Rotational atherectomy (RA) is relatively contraindicated in patients with lesions ≥25 mm of leng... more Rotational atherectomy (RA) is relatively contraindicated in patients with lesions ≥25 mm of length. Aim of this study was to evaluate RA safety and efficacy in this subset of patients with new technology and devices. From April 2002 to August 2013, the ROTATE registry included all consecutive patients undergoing RA in 8 centres. They were divided into shorter lesion group (SLG, lesions < 25 mm) and longer lesion group (LLG, lesions ≥ 25 mm). The angiographic success (AS) was the primary end point. Procedural complications (PC), a composite end point of procedural perforation, slow flow/no flow, and in-hospital major acute cardiovascular events (MACE), were secondary end points, along with death, nonfatal MI, target lesion revascularization, and MACE during follow-up. Sensitivity analysis was performed according to generation of DES. 1186 patients were included: 51.5% in SLG and 48.4% in LLG. Mean age was 70.4 ± 9.3 years, 64.5% were male. AS and PC did not differ between the two...
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2016
A lack of clarity exists about the role of complete coronary revascularization in patients presen... more A lack of clarity exists about the role of complete coronary revascularization in patients presenting with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The aim of our study was to compare long-term outcomes in terms of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events of 2 different complete coronary revascularization strategies in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary artery disease: 1-stage percutaneous coronary intervention (1S-PCI) during the index procedure versus multistage percutaneous coronary intervention (MS-PCI) complete coronary revascularization during the index hospitalization. In the SMILE (Impact of Different Treatment in Multivessel Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients: One Stage Versus Multistaged Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) trial, 584 patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 manner to 1S-PCI or MS-PCI. The primary study endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, which were defined as cardiac death, death, reinfarction, rehospitalization for unstable angina, repeat coronary revascularization (target vessel revascularization), and stroke at 1 year. The occurrence of the primary endpoint was significantly lower in the 1-stage group (1S-PCI: n = 36 [13.63%] vs. MS-PCI: n = 61 [23.19%]; hazard ratio [HR]: 0.549 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.363 to 0.828]; p = 0.004). The 1-year rate of target vessel revascularization was significantly higher in the MS-PCI group (1S-PCI: n = 22 [8.33%] vs. MS-PCI: n = 40 [15.20%]; HR: 0.522 [95% CI: 0.310 to 0.878]; p = 0.01; p log-rank = 0.013). When the analyses were limited to cardiac death (1S-PCI: n = 9 [3.41%] vs. MS-PCI: n = 14 [5.32%]; HR: 0.624 [95% CI: 0.270 to 1.441]; p = 0.27) and myocardial infarction (1S-PCI: n = 7 [2.65%] vs. MS-PCI: n = 10 [3.80%]; HR: 0.678 [95% CI: 0.156 to 2.657]; p = 0.46), no significant differences were observed between groups. In multivessel non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients, complete 1-stage coronary revascularization is superior to multistage PCI in terms of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. (Impact of Different Treatment in Multivessel Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction [NSTEMI] One Stage Versus Multistaged Percutaneous Coronary Intervention [PCI] [SMILE]: NCT01478984).
Journal of cardiovascular medicine (Hagerstown, Md.), Jan 21, 2015
Coronary inflammation and healing influence outcomes of diabetic patients treated with Percutaneo... more Coronary inflammation and healing influence outcomes of diabetic patients treated with Percutaneous coronary revascularization (PCI). Stents covered with biodegradable polymers (bp) may offer advantages over nonerodible polymer ones, because polymer reabsorption extinguish coronary inflammation and favours healing. Aim of our study was to assess the safety and efficacy of bp-biolimus-eluting stent (bp-BES) in a large series of consecutive diabetic patients. From 2009 to 2013 we retrospectively enrolled consecutive diabetic patients treated with PCI and bp-BES implantation. Primary end points were target lesion revascularization (TLR) and stent thrombosis rates. Study cohort counted 747 patients. Multivessel disease was present in 48.2% with a mean stent/patient ratio of 1.860.78. During the hospital stay no stent thrombosis occurred. At 3-year follow-up we observed a 1.5% cumulative incidence of cardiac death, 1.1% of myocardial infarction and 6.3% of TLR. Stent thrombosis occurred ...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathophysiological features and response to primary per... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathophysiological features and response to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of nonruptured/eroded plaque versus ruptured plaque as a cause of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Autopsy series identified nonruptured/eroded plaque and ruptured plaque as the principal pathological substrates underlying coronary thrombosis in STEMI. The real incidence of different plaque morphologies, associated biological factors, superimposed thrombus, and their interaction with primary PCI remain largely unknown. In a prospective study, 140 patients with STEMI underwent optical coherence tomography of the infarct-related artery (IRA) before PCI, after everolimus-eluting stent implantation and at 9-month follow-up. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of thrombus aspirates and serum biomarkers were assessed at baseline. Culprit plaque morphology was adjudicated in 97 patients: 32 plaques (33.0%) with an intact fibrous cap (...
Italian heart journal. Supplement : official journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology, 2004
The internal mammary artery is the most frequently used bypass conduit for the left anterior desc... more The internal mammary artery is the most frequently used bypass conduit for the left anterior descending coronary artery in patients treated with bypass surgery, with excellent long-term patency rates. However, the mammary artery may also be affected by functionally significant stenoses. Most stenoses of the mammary artery are secondary to the surgical procedure at the anastomosis site, but atherosclerotic lesions may also develop. The mammary artery is often tortuous and extreme kinking of the vessel may cause flow obstruction. The treatment of such kind of stenoses is not codified. The clinical course and interventional procedure of 2 patients with previous mammary artery bypass graft and severe angina due to kinking stenosis of the graft are described. The 2 cases are characterized by the short time frame during which the stenosis became apparent, suggesting a vasoactive component in the first case that was resolved with medical treatment and an aggressive atherosclerotic progress...
Italian heart journal : official journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology, 2005
Despite recent advances, the in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a challenging problem in intervent... more Despite recent advances, the in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a challenging problem in interventional cardiology with an estimated overall restenosis rate of 20%, 25-30% in bare metal stents and 12% in drug-eluting stents (DES). In this review, we provide an overview of therapeutic options which include balloon angioplasty, cutting balloon, debulking techniques, brachytherapy and DES. Intracoronary brachytherapy using beta or gamma radiation had been considered the standard of care for some years. However, the use of DES to treat ISR has been shown to be safe, effective and ease-of-use for the prevention of recurrent restenosis. ISR after DES when focal angiographic pattern is present can be often treated with balloon angioplasty whereas if a non-focal pattern is recognized a new DES implantation is indicated. Waiting for a definitive answer regarding the optimal treatment of ISR from ongoing trials, we present our current approach to ISR.
Italian heart journal : official journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology, 2005
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of gender on procedural and late clinical outcome ... more The aim of this study was to assess the impact of gender on procedural and late clinical outcome in a large cohort of consecutive diabetic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a single center. The study included a cohort of 542 consecutive diabetic patients (414 men, 128 women), undergoing PCI for stable and unstable angina. Clinical events were assessed every 6 months for a mean follow-up period of 24 months. Compared to men, women were older and less often smokers. Insulin requirement was present in a substantially higher percentage of women than men (27 vs 18%, p = 0.03). Presentation with stable angina was more frequent in women, whereas silent ischemia was more prevalent in men. Adverse baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics in women (smaller vessels and longer lesion lengths) were associated with a more frequent need for multiple coronary stenting (23 vs 15% women vs men, p < 0.001) and a higher incidence of peripheral complications (3...
EuroIntervention : journal of EuroPCR in collaboration with the Working Group on Interventional Cardiology of the European Society of Cardiology, 2005
To assess efficacy and safety of oral treatment with prednisone at immunosuppressive dose after p... more To assess efficacy and safety of oral treatment with prednisone at immunosuppressive dose after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Eighty-six consecutive patients with multi-vessel CAD were successfully treated with multiple PCI. Forty-three patients (115 coronary stenoses), with C-reactive protein >3mg/L 48 hours after PCI and in absence of contra-indications received 45-day high-dose oral prednisone treatment (study-group). Forty-three patients (106 coronary stenoses), did not receive prednisone (control-group). The primary clinical endpoint was 12-month event-free survival rate (defined as freedom from death, myocardial infarction, and the need for target vessel revascularisation). Angiographic restenosis at 8 months was assessed in the study group only. Event-free survival rates were 93 and 69.8% in the study and the control group, respectively (relative risk 0.34, 95%CI: 0.12 to 0.96, p=0.006). Target vessel...
Drug-eluting stents (DES) are the current gold standard for percutaneous treatment of coronary ar... more Drug-eluting stents (DES) are the current gold standard for percutaneous treatment of coronary artery disease. However, DES are associated with a non-negligible risk of long-term adverse events related to persistence of foreign material in the coronary artery wall. In addition, DES implantation causes permanent caging of the native vessel, thus impairing normal vasomotricity and the possibility of using non-invasive coronary imaging or preforming subsequent bypass surgery. On the contrary, coronary bioresorbable stents (BRS) may provide temporary mechanical support to coronary wall without compromising the subsequent recovery of normal vascular physiology, and have the potential to prevent late adverse events related to permanent elements. Several types of BRS have been introduced into clinical practice in Europe or are being tested. However, most of available clinical data relate to a single BRS, the Absorb bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold (Absorb BVS) (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara,...
Eurointervention Journal of Europcr in Collaboration With the Working Group on Interventional Cardiology of the European Society of Cardiology, Aug 1, 2005
To assess efficacy and safety of oral treatment with prednisone at immunosuppressive dose after p... more To assess efficacy and safety of oral treatment with prednisone at immunosuppressive dose after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Eighty-six consecutive patients with multi-vessel CAD were successfully treated with multiple PCI. Forty-three patients (115 coronary stenoses), with C-reactive protein &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;3mg/L 48 hours after PCI and in absence of contra-indications received 45-day high-dose oral prednisone treatment (study-group). Forty-three patients (106 coronary stenoses), did not receive prednisone (control-group). The primary clinical endpoint was 12-month event-free survival rate (defined as freedom from death, myocardial infarction, and the need for target vessel revascularisation). Angiographic restenosis at 8 months was assessed in the study group only. Event-free survival rates were 93 and 69.8% in the study and the control group, respectively (relative risk 0.34, 95%CI: 0.12 to 0.96, p=0.006). Target vessel revascularisation rate in the study group was 7% compared to 27.9% in the control group (p=0.01). Quantitative coronary angiography performed on 104 lesions of 39 prednisone-treated patients (91%) showed 4 restenotic lesions (3.8%). The mean late lumen loss was 0.61+/-0.35mm and loss index 31.3+/-21.6%. Oral immunosuppression with prednisone effectively reduces clinical restenosis in patients undergoing complex, multi-vessel PCI.
Few clinical data about indications and prognoses of patients undergoing balloon aortic valvulopl... more Few clinical data about indications and prognoses of patients undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) in the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) era have been reported. Data from all consecutive patients undergoing BAV in seven European centers from 2006 to 2013 were collected. Acute results and long-term outcomes were assessed. A total of 811 patients aged 82 ± 9 years were included; 416 patients (51%) underwent BAV as palliative destination therapy, 320 patients (40%) as bridge to TAVI, and 75 patients (9%) as bridge to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Patients undergoing BAV as destination therapy had a higher risk profile (logistic EuroSCORE, 20 ± 17 vs 22 ± 14 vs 11 ± 8, respectively; P<.001). Post procedure, peak gradient decreased from 87 ± 22 mm Hg to 66 ± 22 mm Hg (P<.001) and aortic valve area increased from 0.61 ± 0.2 cm² to 0.8 ± 0.2 cm² (P<.001). At 30 days, the all-cause death rate (6.5% vs 6.2% vs 7.4%, respectively; P=.56) and the r...
Italian Heart Journal Supplement Official Journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology, 2004
The internal mammary artery is the most frequently used bypass conduit for the left anterior desc... more The internal mammary artery is the most frequently used bypass conduit for the left anterior descending coronary artery in patients treated with bypass surgery, with excellent long-term patency rates. However, the mammary artery may also be affected by functionally significant stenoses. Most stenoses of the mammary artery are secondary to the surgical procedure at the anastomosis site, but atherosclerotic lesions may also develop. The mammary artery is often tortuous and extreme kinking of the vessel may cause flow obstruction. The treatment of such kind of stenoses is not codified. The clinical course and interventional procedure of 2 patients with previous mammary artery bypass graft and severe angina due to kinking stenosis of the graft are described. The 2 cases are characterized by the short time frame during which the stenosis became apparent, suggesting a vasoactive component in the first case that was resolved with medical treatment and an aggressive atherosclerotic progression in the second that required a percutaneous intervention. Therefore, etiology of the stenosis of the body of the mammary artery graft may differ from that of the native circulation. The role of marked bends in bypass grafts could deserve selective studies to determine whether they are associated with the development of functional stenosis. This information may be useful when performing mammary artery bypass graft surgery for avoiding extremely twisted vessel courses.
Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions : official journal of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & Interventions, Jan 16, 2016
Rotational atherectomy (RA) is relatively contraindicated in patients with lesions ≥25 mm of leng... more Rotational atherectomy (RA) is relatively contraindicated in patients with lesions ≥25 mm of length. Aim of this study was to evaluate RA safety and efficacy in this subset of patients with new technology and devices. From April 2002 to August 2013, the ROTATE registry included all consecutive patients undergoing RA in 8 centres. They were divided into shorter lesion group (SLG, lesions < 25 mm) and longer lesion group (LLG, lesions ≥ 25 mm). The angiographic success (AS) was the primary end point. Procedural complications (PC), a composite end point of procedural perforation, slow flow/no flow, and in-hospital major acute cardiovascular events (MACE), were secondary end points, along with death, nonfatal MI, target lesion revascularization, and MACE during follow-up. Sensitivity analysis was performed according to generation of DES. 1186 patients were included: 51.5% in SLG and 48.4% in LLG. Mean age was 70.4 ± 9.3 years, 64.5% were male. AS and PC did not differ between the two...
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2016
A lack of clarity exists about the role of complete coronary revascularization in patients presen... more A lack of clarity exists about the role of complete coronary revascularization in patients presenting with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The aim of our study was to compare long-term outcomes in terms of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events of 2 different complete coronary revascularization strategies in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary artery disease: 1-stage percutaneous coronary intervention (1S-PCI) during the index procedure versus multistage percutaneous coronary intervention (MS-PCI) complete coronary revascularization during the index hospitalization. In the SMILE (Impact of Different Treatment in Multivessel Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients: One Stage Versus Multistaged Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) trial, 584 patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 manner to 1S-PCI or MS-PCI. The primary study endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, which were defined as cardiac death, death, reinfarction, rehospitalization for unstable angina, repeat coronary revascularization (target vessel revascularization), and stroke at 1 year. The occurrence of the primary endpoint was significantly lower in the 1-stage group (1S-PCI: n = 36 [13.63%] vs. MS-PCI: n = 61 [23.19%]; hazard ratio [HR]: 0.549 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.363 to 0.828]; p = 0.004). The 1-year rate of target vessel revascularization was significantly higher in the MS-PCI group (1S-PCI: n = 22 [8.33%] vs. MS-PCI: n = 40 [15.20%]; HR: 0.522 [95% CI: 0.310 to 0.878]; p = 0.01; p log-rank = 0.013). When the analyses were limited to cardiac death (1S-PCI: n = 9 [3.41%] vs. MS-PCI: n = 14 [5.32%]; HR: 0.624 [95% CI: 0.270 to 1.441]; p = 0.27) and myocardial infarction (1S-PCI: n = 7 [2.65%] vs. MS-PCI: n = 10 [3.80%]; HR: 0.678 [95% CI: 0.156 to 2.657]; p = 0.46), no significant differences were observed between groups. In multivessel non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients, complete 1-stage coronary revascularization is superior to multistage PCI in terms of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. (Impact of Different Treatment in Multivessel Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction [NSTEMI] One Stage Versus Multistaged Percutaneous Coronary Intervention [PCI] [SMILE]: NCT01478984).
Journal of cardiovascular medicine (Hagerstown, Md.), Jan 21, 2015
Coronary inflammation and healing influence outcomes of diabetic patients treated with Percutaneo... more Coronary inflammation and healing influence outcomes of diabetic patients treated with Percutaneous coronary revascularization (PCI). Stents covered with biodegradable polymers (bp) may offer advantages over nonerodible polymer ones, because polymer reabsorption extinguish coronary inflammation and favours healing. Aim of our study was to assess the safety and efficacy of bp-biolimus-eluting stent (bp-BES) in a large series of consecutive diabetic patients. From 2009 to 2013 we retrospectively enrolled consecutive diabetic patients treated with PCI and bp-BES implantation. Primary end points were target lesion revascularization (TLR) and stent thrombosis rates. Study cohort counted 747 patients. Multivessel disease was present in 48.2% with a mean stent/patient ratio of 1.860.78. During the hospital stay no stent thrombosis occurred. At 3-year follow-up we observed a 1.5% cumulative incidence of cardiac death, 1.1% of myocardial infarction and 6.3% of TLR. Stent thrombosis occurred ...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathophysiological features and response to primary per... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathophysiological features and response to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of nonruptured/eroded plaque versus ruptured plaque as a cause of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Autopsy series identified nonruptured/eroded plaque and ruptured plaque as the principal pathological substrates underlying coronary thrombosis in STEMI. The real incidence of different plaque morphologies, associated biological factors, superimposed thrombus, and their interaction with primary PCI remain largely unknown. In a prospective study, 140 patients with STEMI underwent optical coherence tomography of the infarct-related artery (IRA) before PCI, after everolimus-eluting stent implantation and at 9-month follow-up. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of thrombus aspirates and serum biomarkers were assessed at baseline. Culprit plaque morphology was adjudicated in 97 patients: 32 plaques (33.0%) with an intact fibrous cap (...
Italian heart journal. Supplement : official journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology, 2004
The internal mammary artery is the most frequently used bypass conduit for the left anterior desc... more The internal mammary artery is the most frequently used bypass conduit for the left anterior descending coronary artery in patients treated with bypass surgery, with excellent long-term patency rates. However, the mammary artery may also be affected by functionally significant stenoses. Most stenoses of the mammary artery are secondary to the surgical procedure at the anastomosis site, but atherosclerotic lesions may also develop. The mammary artery is often tortuous and extreme kinking of the vessel may cause flow obstruction. The treatment of such kind of stenoses is not codified. The clinical course and interventional procedure of 2 patients with previous mammary artery bypass graft and severe angina due to kinking stenosis of the graft are described. The 2 cases are characterized by the short time frame during which the stenosis became apparent, suggesting a vasoactive component in the first case that was resolved with medical treatment and an aggressive atherosclerotic progress...
Italian heart journal : official journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology, 2005
Despite recent advances, the in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a challenging problem in intervent... more Despite recent advances, the in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a challenging problem in interventional cardiology with an estimated overall restenosis rate of 20%, 25-30% in bare metal stents and 12% in drug-eluting stents (DES). In this review, we provide an overview of therapeutic options which include balloon angioplasty, cutting balloon, debulking techniques, brachytherapy and DES. Intracoronary brachytherapy using beta or gamma radiation had been considered the standard of care for some years. However, the use of DES to treat ISR has been shown to be safe, effective and ease-of-use for the prevention of recurrent restenosis. ISR after DES when focal angiographic pattern is present can be often treated with balloon angioplasty whereas if a non-focal pattern is recognized a new DES implantation is indicated. Waiting for a definitive answer regarding the optimal treatment of ISR from ongoing trials, we present our current approach to ISR.
Italian heart journal : official journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology, 2005
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of gender on procedural and late clinical outcome ... more The aim of this study was to assess the impact of gender on procedural and late clinical outcome in a large cohort of consecutive diabetic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a single center. The study included a cohort of 542 consecutive diabetic patients (414 men, 128 women), undergoing PCI for stable and unstable angina. Clinical events were assessed every 6 months for a mean follow-up period of 24 months. Compared to men, women were older and less often smokers. Insulin requirement was present in a substantially higher percentage of women than men (27 vs 18%, p = 0.03). Presentation with stable angina was more frequent in women, whereas silent ischemia was more prevalent in men. Adverse baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics in women (smaller vessels and longer lesion lengths) were associated with a more frequent need for multiple coronary stenting (23 vs 15% women vs men, p < 0.001) and a higher incidence of peripheral complications (3...
EuroIntervention : journal of EuroPCR in collaboration with the Working Group on Interventional Cardiology of the European Society of Cardiology, 2005
To assess efficacy and safety of oral treatment with prednisone at immunosuppressive dose after p... more To assess efficacy and safety of oral treatment with prednisone at immunosuppressive dose after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Eighty-six consecutive patients with multi-vessel CAD were successfully treated with multiple PCI. Forty-three patients (115 coronary stenoses), with C-reactive protein >3mg/L 48 hours after PCI and in absence of contra-indications received 45-day high-dose oral prednisone treatment (study-group). Forty-three patients (106 coronary stenoses), did not receive prednisone (control-group). The primary clinical endpoint was 12-month event-free survival rate (defined as freedom from death, myocardial infarction, and the need for target vessel revascularisation). Angiographic restenosis at 8 months was assessed in the study group only. Event-free survival rates were 93 and 69.8% in the study and the control group, respectively (relative risk 0.34, 95%CI: 0.12 to 0.96, p=0.006). Target vessel...
Uploads
Papers by Giacomo Boccuzzi