Abstract Background Fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement requires adenosine injection. However, adenosine can induce conductive and rhythmic complications, or be contraindicated in some ...patients. Contrast-induced hyperemia could provide a simple first-line method (contrast-enhanced FFR; cFFR) to assess coronary lesions. In this study we evaluated the accuracy of cFFR to predict lesion significance. Methods This prospective study included 104 patients with 138 coronary lesions. Each stenosis was evaluated using resting distal coronary pressure to aortic pressure ratio (Pd/Pa) measurements using intracoronary iodixanol (cFFR) and adenosine (FFR) injection. An FFR value ≤ 0.8 defined a significant lesion. Results Dose-ranging analysis (n = 12 lesions) showed that 10 mL iodixanol was required to obtain the lowest cFFR value. Intermeasurement reproducibility of cFFR (n = 18 lesions) showed limited variability and small mean estimated bias (0.001 ± 0.014). Values of cFFR and FFR were highly correlated in a first series of n = 36 lesions ( r = 0.9; P < 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed an excellent accuracy of cFFR cutoff value of ≤ 0.85 in predicting FFR value ≤ 0.80 (area under the curve, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-0.98; sensitivity, 95%; specificity, 73%). This threshold was then tested prospectively in an independent cohort of n = 72 lesions. A cFFR value ≤ 0.85 correctly identified hemodynamically significant lesions with a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 78%, positive predictive value of 78%, and negative predictive value of 100%. Conclusions cFFR is reproducible and can be achieved with usual volumes of contrast. A cFFR threshold value of 0.85 provides excellent sensitivity and negative predictive value in coronary artery stenosis.
Abstract Background The minimalist immediate mechanical intervention (MIMI) strategy aims to restore normal anterograde flow in the culprit artery (by using manual thrombectomy or small-sized balloon ...predilation) and to defer potential stent implantation. This study evaluated the applicability and midterm clinical results of the MIMI strategy for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) management. Methods This observational study included consecutive patients admitted for ongoing STEMI (<24 hours' evolution) at 1 institution between June 2010 and June 2013. Revascularization was performed at the physician's discretion. We compared retrospectively “intentional immediate stenting” (standard technique) and “intentional delayed stenting” (MIMI technique). Results Twenty percent of the 279 included patients were treated with the MIMI strategy. These patients were significantly younger and were more frequently men and smokers compared with patients who underwent the standard procedure. The rate of acute reocclusion of the culprit artery related to STEMI in the MIMI group was 1.8%. Drug-eluting stents were used more frequently in the MIMI group (52% vs 27% in the standard group; P < 0.001). The culprit lesion was stented less frequently in the patients treated with MIMI compared with patients in the other group (28.5% vs 9%; P < 0.001). The 1-year actuarial survival free from major adverse cardiovascular events was higher in the MIMI group than in the standard group (96.3% ± 1.8% vs 83.8% ± 2.5%; P = 0.01). Conclusions The MIMI strategy can be applied in selected patients with STEMI. In our centre, this strategy is associated with less systematic culprit lesion stenting and more implantation of drug-eluting stents. However, this needs to be evaluated further in a randomized trial.
A pregnant woman presented with symptomatic bioprosthetic mitral valve stenosis. We discuss the difficulties of decision making in this particular situation where two lives are at stake, the fetus’s ...and the mother’s, questioning whether transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve implantation can be an effective and safe option for this challenging condition. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.)
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A pregnant woman presented with symptomatic bioprosthetic mitral valve stenosis…