Podcasts about ivus

CardioNerds (Drs. Daniel Ambinder and Eunice Dugan) join Dr. Namrita Ashokprabhu, Dr. Yulith Roca Alvarez, and Dr. Mehmet Yildiz from The Christ Hospital. Expert commentary by Dr. Odayme Quesada. Audio editing by CardioNerds intern, Christiana Dangas. This episode highlights the pivotal role of cardiac MRI and functional testing in uncovering coronary vasospasm as an underlying cause of MINOCA. Cardiac MRI is crucial in evaluating myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) and diagnosing myocarditis, but findings must be interpreted within clinical context. A 58-year-old man with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, a family history of cardiovascular disease, and smoking history presented with sudden chest pain, non-ST-elevation on EKG, and elevated troponin I (0.64 µg/L). Cardiac angiography revealed nonobstructive coronary disease, including a 40% stenosis in the LAD, consistent with MINOCA. Eight weeks later, another event (troponin I 1.18 µg/L) led to cardiac MRI findings suggesting myocarditis. Further history revealed episodic chest pain and coronary vasospasm, confirmed by coronary functional angiography showing severe vasoconstriction, resolved with nitroglycerin. Management included calcium channel blockers and long-acting nitrates, reducing symptoms. Coronary vasospasm is a frequent MINOCA cause and can mimic myocarditis on CMRI. Invasive coronary functional testing, including acetylcholine provocation testing, is indicated in suspicious cases.  US Cardiology Review is now the official journal of CardioNerds! Submit your manuscript here. CardioNerds Case Reports PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Notes - Coronary Vasospasm What are the potential underlying causes of MINOCA (Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries)?  Plaque Rupture: Plaque disruption, which includes plaque rupture, erosion, and calcified nodules, occurs as lipids accumulate in coronary arteries, leading to inflammation, necrosis, fibrosis, and calcification. Plaque rupture exposes the plaque to the lumen, causing thrombosis and thromboembolism, while plaque erosion results from thrombus formation without rupture and is more common in women and smokers. Intravascular imaging, such as IVUS and OCT, can detect plaque rupture and erosion, with studies showing plaque disruption as a frequent cause of MINOCA, particularly in women, though the true prevalence may be underestimated due to limited imaging coverage.  Coronary Vasospasm: Coronary vasospasm is characterized by nitrate-responsive chest pain, transient ischemic EKG changes, and >90% vasoconstriction during provocative testing with acetylcholine or ergonovine, due to hyper-reactivity in vascular smooth muscle. It is a common cause of MINOCA, with approximately half of MINOCA patients testing positive in provocative tests, and Asians are at a significantly higher risk than Whites. Smoking is a known risk factor for vasospasm. In contrast, traditional risk factors like sex, hypertension, and diabetes do not increase the risk, and vasospasm is associated with a 2.5–13% long-term risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).  Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) involves the formation of a false lumen in epicardial coronary arteries without atherosclerosis, caused by either an inside-out tear or outside-in intramural hemorrhage. SCAD is classified into four types based on angiographic features, with coronary angiography being the primary diagnostic tool. However, in uncertain cases, advanced imaging like IVUS or OCT may be used cautiously. While the true prevalence is unclear due to missed diagnoses, SCAD is more common in women and is considered a cause of MINOCA when i...

Gurus, get ready for a game-changing episode! Today, we're diving deep into the world of cardiovascular imaging with an industry trailblazer. Joining us is Tom Looby, CEO of Conavi Medical, a company that is redefining interventional cardiology with cutting-edge imaging technology. Tom brings a wealth of experience, where now, at Conavi, he is leading the charge in next-generation intravascular imaging, merging optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) into a single, co-registered solution—a first in the industry. Tom and I dive into: The Power of Combined Imaging The Future of AI in Cardiovascular Care –. Navigating the Regulatory & Commercialization Lessons in Scaling MedTech Companies  Tom's personal connection to cardiovascular health makes this conversation even more compelling. After witnessing his father's extensive heart attack and recovery, he committed himself to developing technology that improves patient care and outcomes. Now, he's leading one of the most exciting innovations in interventional cardiology. Gurus, this is an episode you do NOT want to miss! The future of cardiovascular imaging is happening now—and Conavi is at the forefront.

Welcome to my podcast. I am Doctor Warrick Bishop, and I want to help you to live as well as possible for as long as possible. I'm a practising cardiologist, best-selling author, keynote speaker, and the creator of The Healthy Heart Network. I have over 20 years as a specialist cardiologist and a private practice of over 10,000 patients. In this podcast, Dr. Warrick Bishop, a cardiologist and CEO of the Healthy Heart Network, discusses the importance of understanding heart health, particularly in relation to heart disease, which is a significant issue in Australia. He emphasizes that many heart attacks could be prevented with better knowledge of blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol. The episode focuses on advanced imaging technologies used to detect plaque in arteries, specifically intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). These methods allow for detailed internal imaging of arteries, helping interventional cardiologists accurately place stents and assess plaque characteristics.

Surprise! Special edition episode! The Red Sox show from out of left field made the trip to Boston for Fenway Fest this past Saturday, and then they recorded their first ever in-person episode to recap it all. The stars, the events, the mascot meetups, and more--it's all here in this edition of Pod On Lansdowne! Follow us on Twitter; the show is @PodOnLansdowne, while the co-hosts are @FitzyMoPena, @JakeWallinger, and @LiamFennessy_. Got a question or comment that you want featured on the show? Leave a voicemail by dialing 617-420-2431! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conavi Medical CEO Tom Looby joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share updates about the company's innovative dual-modality catheter, developed at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, which combines intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to improve visualization during coronary interventions. These procedures are among the most frequently performed worldwide. Looby highlighted the Novasight 3.0 system, which features enhanced imaging, AI-driven guidance to help doctors recognize tissue and size lumens, and a user-friendly design for seamless clinical integration. With regulatory approvals from the FDA and Health Canada, Conavi plans to commercialize the product within the next one to two years. Medical professionals have responded positively to the dual-modality approach, which builds on prior innovations while providing a best-in-class solution for guiding complex cardiac procedures. This next-generation technology has the potential to significantly improve outcomes in coronary interventions globally. #proactiveinvestors #conavimedicalcorp #titanmedical #tsxv #cnvi #CardiovascularTechnology #MedicalInnovation #AIHealthcare #IntravascularUltrasound #OpticalCoherenceTomography #Novasight3 #FDAApproval #CardiacCare #HealthcareTech#invest #investing #investment #investor #stockmarket #stocks #stock #stockmarketnews

The Lancet Volume 403, Issue 10438 p1753-1765May 04, 2024Background Cardiologist have long been taught that acute plaque rupture leading to myocardial infarction is more likely to come from non-flow-limiting lipid-rich atherosclerotic plaques. The concept of the vulnerable plaque is surely one of the reasons that revascularization of high-grade stable coronary artery disease does not reduce myocardial infraction or death over optimal medical therapy.The search for and treatment of the vulnerable plaque remains one of the important research areas in modern cardiology. South Korean investigators set out to test whether PCI of non-flow-limiting, high-risk vulnerable plaques identified by intracoronary imaging would reduce major adverse cardiac outcomes over medical therapy in the Preventive percutaneous coronary intervention versus optimal medical therapy alone for the treatment of vulnerable atherosclerotic coronary plaques (PREVENT).Cardiology Trial's Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Patients Patients were recruited in the cardiac catheterization lab. Both ACS and stable CAD patients were included. FFR was done to exclude significant flow limitations. Clinically relevant lesions with an FFR ≤ 0.80 underwent PCI with a drug-eluting stent before randomization.All untreated, non-culprit lesions (ie, those that were clearly not responsible for the presenting clinical syndrome) with an angiographic diameter stenosis of 50% or more by site visual estimation were functionally assessed by fractional flow reserve.Then, intermediate non-flow-limiting lesions (FFR >0.80) were assessed by intra-coronary imaging—with one of four techniques (at the discretion of the operator). These included grey-scale intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS), radiofrequency intravascular ultrasonography, a combination of grey-scale intravascular ultrasonography and near-infrared spectroscopy, or optical coherence tomography (OCT).Vulnerable plaques were defined as lesions possessing at least two of the following four characteristics: a minimal lumen area of less than 4·0 mm2 by IVUS or OCT; a plaque burden of more than 70% by IVUS; a lipid-rich plaque by near-infrared spectroscopy (defined as maximum lipid core burden index within any 4 mm pullback length [maxLCBI4mm] >315); or a thin-cap fibroatheroma detected by radiofrequency intravascular ultrasonography or optical coherence tomography (defined as a ≥10% confluent necrotic core with >30° abutting the lumen in three consecutive frames on radiofrequency intravascular ultrasonography or as a lipid plaque with arc >90° and fibrous cap thickness

In this episode, Dr. Abdullah Al-Abcha and Dr. Shao-Liang Chen, discusses the groundbreaking findings of the Ivis ACS trial, which compares Ivis-guided versus angiography-guided PCI in diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome. The results reveal a significant reduction in target vessel failure for Ivis-guided procedures, underscoring the need for updated guidelines and future research to improve outcomes in this high-risk population.

Is your critical limb ischemia (CLI) toolbox up to date? Dr. Kevin Herman and host Dr. Sabeen Dhand discuss treating CLI in the outpatient based lab (OBL) and ambulatory surgery center (ASC) settings. Dr. Herman is an interventional radiologist at American Endovascular and Holy Name Hospital in New Jersey. --- This podcast is supported by: Reflow Medical https://www.reflowmedical.com/ --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Herman discusses the evolution of vascular interventions over the past 15 years, the role of advanced devices like the Wingman catheter and IVUS, and the nuances of tackling complex cases in both hospital and outpatient settings. Additionally, Dr. Herman highlights the business challenges of OBL practices, effective marketing strategies, and the integration of innovative tools such as live-streaming cases for real-time education and consultations. The episode concludes with a detailed case study showcasing a successful treatment of CLI, underscoring the application of advanced techniques and collaborative efforts in management. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 06:57 - Balancing Hospital and OBL Work 13:48 - Educational Initiatives and Innovations 17:12 - Strategic Planning and Treatments 26:25 - Crossing Devices and Techniques 32:04 - DEEPER REVEAL Trial 39:33 - Case Presentation: Non-Healing Wound 50:09 - Conclusion --- RESOURCES A Prospective Single-Arm Multicenter StuDy of the BarE TEmporary SPur StEnt System foR the tREatment of Vascular Lesions Located in the infrapoplitEal Arteries beLow the Knee (DEEPER REVEAL) (DEEPER REVEAL): https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05358353 Wingman Catheter: https://www.reflowmedical.com/wingman/

Gregg Stone and C. Michael Gibson discuss an updated meta-analysis addressing intravascular imaging in DES implantation.

King and I | S5 E1 | PREVENT, IVUS versus OCT, and Back to POBA

Witam Państwa, nazywam się Jarosław Drożdż, pracuję w Centralnym Szpitalu Klinicznym Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi, skąd nagrywam podcast Kardio Know-How. W tym odcinku kontynuuję omawianie doniesień z kongresu ACC.Szczegółowy TRANSKRYPT do odcinka.Podcast jest przeznaczony wyłącznie dla osób z profesjonalnym wykształceniem medycznym.

Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided versus Angiography-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute Coronary Syndromes: The Multicenter, Randomized, Blinded, IVUS-ACS Trial

CardioNerds, Dr. Richard Ferraro and Dr. Dan ambinder join Dr. Li Pang, Dr. Emily Hendricks, and Dr. Bei Jiang from West Virginia University to discuss the following case that features apical obliteration with biventricular thrombus. Dr. Christopher Bianco provides the Expert CardioNerd Perspectives & Review (E-CPR) for this episode. Audio editing by CardioNerds Academy Intern, student doctor Tina Reddy. A 37-year-old Caucasian man with a history of tobacco smoking and hypertension who presented with chest pain and elevated troponin was admitted for non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Ischemic evaluation with an invasive coronary angiogram was negative. He was treated as NSTEMI and scheduled for outpatient cardiac MRI (CMR). The patient came back 2 months later with right arm weakness and confusion and was found to have an embolic stroke. Labs showed positive troponin with a flat trend and hypereosinophilia. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed obliteration of LV and RV apex with thrombus and reduced LV systolic function. CMR was consistent with myocarditis with biventricular thrombus. The patient was started on corticosteroids and warfarin. Hypereosinophilia workup was positive for PDGFRA alpha rearrangement. He was diagnosed with primary hypereosinophila syndrome. Imatinib was initiated. The patient was followed up with the hematology clinic, achieved a complete hematologic response with normalized cell count, and remained free from any cardiovascular event at the 8-month follow-up. US Cardiology Review is now the official journal of CardioNerds! Submit your manuscript here. CardioNerds Case Reports PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Case Media Pearls - Apical Obliteration with Biventricular Thrombus Cardiac MRI is a valuable test for patients presenting with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). Obliterated apex with apical thrombus on TTE with hypereosinophilia should raise high suspicion for eosinophilic myocarditis. Initiation of corticosteroids is the first-line treatment for eosinophilic myocarditis, which is associated with lower mortality in patients with myocarditis. For other potential complications, such as heart failure, intracardiac thrombus, arrhythmia, and pericardial effusion, the standard of care for each disorder is recommended. Hypereosinophilia can be seen in parasitic infections, vasculitis, asthma, allergy, hematological malignancies, and as a primary disorder. Show Notes - Apical Obliteration with Biventricular Thrombus What is the differential diagnosis for patients with elevated troponin and nonobstructive CAD? The occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) without significant CAD was reported 80 years ago. However, the term MINOCA (myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries) has only been used recently to describe these patients. It involves ischemic and nonischemic etiologies. First, overlooked ischemic etiologies need to be ruled out by reconciling the angiogram images such as spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and plaque disruption. Intracoronary imaging, such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT), may be applied to evaluate for SCAD and subtypes of plaque disruption when indicated.  The investigation continues with nonischemic causes such as stress cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, pulmonary embolism, demand ischemia from sepsis, anemia, chest trauma, heart failure exacerbation, arrhythmia, and stroke. The diagnosis of MINOCA is established when it fulfills the following criteria: First, it is AMI by the Fourth Universal Definition; Second, less than 50% of stenotic lesion on angiogram; Third, there is no alternate diagnosis.

IVUS Use and Long-Term PCI Outcomes in the United States: Insights from the Premier Database

In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, host Dr. Michael Barraza interviews Dr. Darren Klass about his expert insights and experiences in the treatment of aortic dissections. Dr. Klass is an interventional radiologist at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Klass underscores the criticality of intraoperative decision-making, the use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and the importance of taking a multidisciplinary approach. The conversation further explores the nuances of treating acute complicated aortic dissections, stabilizing the intermedial flap, follow-up protocols, and the importance of raising awareness about this high risk disease. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR Cook Medical Aortic Interventions Please see Essential Prescribing Information: https://www.cookmedical.com/patient-resources/aortic-dissection/aortic-dissection-cook-medical-products/ --- SHOW NOTES 00:00 - Introduction 07:45 - Identifying and Treating Type B Aortic Dissections 09:35 - Role of Imaging 18:24 - Patient Journey Through Aortic Dissection Treatment 29:35 - Importance of Intravascular Ultrasound 39:01 - Petticoat Technique 47:12 - Role of Lumbar Drains 50:10 - Importance of Follow-ups --- RESOURCES Cook Medical Essential Prescribing Information: https://www.cookmedical.com/patient-resources/aortic-dissection/aortic-dissection-cook-medical-products/ Dr. Darren Klass' ResearchGate Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Darren-Klass The Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American Association for Thoracic Surgery Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Type B Aortic Dissection: https://www.sts.org/sites/default/files/content/TBAD_Guideline_2022.pdf Krukenberg E. Beiträge zur Frage des Aneurysma dissecans. Beitr Patho Anat Allg Pathol. 1920; 67:329-351. (Paper that first described acute intramural hematoma from 1920): https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1571698600607606272 Acute Aortic Dissection and Intramural Hematoma: A Systematic Review: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27533160/ The PETTICOAT Technique for Complicated Acute Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection Using a Tapered Self-Expanding Nitinol Device as Distal Uncovered Stent: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28279721/

In this episode, host Dr. Aaron Fritts is joined by interventional cardiologists Dr. Sameh Sayfo (Baylor Scott & White in Plano, TX) and Dr. Nicolas Shammas (Cardiovascular Medicine in Davenport, IA) for a discussion about critical limb ischemia (CLI) and the use of lasers in below-the-knee (BTK) treatment. To start, Dr. Shammas explains that infrapopliteal disease is difficult to treat due to the high rate of total occlusions and the high degree of medial calcinosis. Next, he gives an introduction to laser atherectomy for certain plaque locations and morphologies, and he describes previous studies that have shown its efficacy for calcified lesions. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) can also help guide vessel sizing, plaque morphology, and appropriate device selection. Dr. Shammas believes that the current atherectomy devices on the market are easy to learn to use and can be incorporated into any CLI program. The doctors discuss the ongoing multicenter study on outcomes of the Auryon laser atherectomy system in CLI patients. Dr. Shammas reviews the study design, proposed endpoints, and current data on 30 day outcomes. We end the episode with advice on building a strong CLI program, which includes multidisciplinary collaboration, advocating for resources, a variety of different tools, and appropriate management of cardiovascular risk factors. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR AngioDynamics Auryon System https://www.auryon-system.com/ --- SHOW NOTES 00:00 - Introduction 04:18 - Current Treatment Limitations for Infrapopliteal Disease 07:38 - Laser Atherectomy for Calcified Lesions 12:10 - Learning Curve for Laser Atherectomy Devices 15:38 - 30-Day Results of the Auryon BTK Study 23:35 - Technical Approach and Tools for Infrapopliteal Segments 29:00 - Upcoming Developments in CLI Treatment 31:33 - Advice for Building a CLI Program --- RESOURCES Calcium 360 Trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22891826/ Auryon Laser Atherectomy System: https://www.angiodynamics.com/product/auryon/ Nexcimer Laser Atherectomy System: https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/product/HCIGTDPHLLSRSYSTM/laser-system-hcigtdphllsrsystm 30-Day Results of the Auryon BTK Study: https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2023.09.194 Midwest Cardiovascular Research Foundation: http://www.mcrfmd.com/ Life-BTK Study: https://www.cardiovascular.abbott/us/en/patients/treatments-therapies/peripheral-artery-disease/life-btk.html Promise II Study: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2212754 BackTable Ep. 350- Building a CLI Program with Dr. Zola N'Dandu: https://www.backtable.com/shows/vi/podcasts/350/building-a-cli-program

Deep dive into imaging modalities that can actually show soft plaque. A deep dive into invasive and non invasive techniques. Comparing CT angiograms CCTA, calcium score CAC, coronary angiography cardiac cath, intravascular ultrasound IVUS, optical coherence tomography OCT, 3D vascular ultrasound 3DVUS, versus lipid levels. PESA, PRECAD, CARDIA trials. https://dralo.net/links

In our final episode of 2023, the JHLT Digital Media Editors have two manuscripts from the December 2023 issue of The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation! Digital Media Editor Erika Lease, MD, transplant pulmonologist at the University of Washington in Seattle, hosts this episode.   First, a free-ranging conversation with first author Mark E. Snyder, MD, and senior author John F. McDyer, MD, on their team's study “Impact of age and telomere length on circulating T cells and rejection risk after lung transplantation for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.”   A subset of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have a heritable, age-adjusted short telomere length. Mutations in telomere length can manifest as T-cell dysfunction and immunodeficiency. As T-cells are involved in the development of acute cellular rejection (ACR), the authors hypothesized that the combination of age and telomere length would impact the degree of ACR burden in lung transplant recipients—and indeed, the authors found that lung transplant recipients with IPF and short telomere length had premature “aging” of their circulating T-Cells. There was a significant decline in early ACR burden with increasing age, found only in those with short telomere length.   How might these findings impact immunosuppression regimens in clinical practice? What follow-up studies to they have planned? In the discussion, Drs. Snyder and McDyer, both of UPMC in Pittsburgh, discuss all these possibilities, as well as the the work of their collaborator, Jonathan K. Alder, PhD, as inspiration for the study.   Next, the editors explored “Early optical coherence tomography evaluation of donor-transmitted atherosclerosis and cardiac allograft vasculopathy: insights from a prospective, single-center study,” in a discussion with senior author Snehal R. Patel, MD, of the Montefiore Medical Center in New York.   Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) remains a major cause of death in heart transplant recipients, and donor-transmitted atherosclerosis (defined as a maximal intimal thickness of >/= 0.5mm on baseline intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) early after transplant) is believed to carry a greater risk for the development of CAV. Dr. Patel's team, however, hypothesized that optical coherence tomography (OCT) may have advantages over IVUS as an imaging modality due to its higher resolution. In this prospective, observational study, the authors assessed the prognostic role of OCT, and found that transplant recipients whose OCT imaging showed advanced plaque characteristics had a significantly higher event rate after a mean follow up of 3.3 years. OCT was also an independent predictor of clinic events, while maximal intimal thickness of >/= 0.5mm was not.   In the episode, Dr. Patel shares the key features of OCT that may make it of clinical use, the three risk categories developed for the study, and what the follow-ups might be.   Follow along at www.jhltonline.org/current, or, if you're an ISHLT member, log in at ishlt.org/journal-of-heart-lung-transplantation.  Don't already get the Journal and want to read along? Join the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation at www.ishlt.org for a free subscription, or subscribe today at www.jhltonline.org.    

For the past decade, there has been a significant increase in endovascular procedures. Therefore, certain actions have been taken to raise awareness and promote radiation safety. In today's podcast, our guests are Dr. Jörg Teßarek and Professor Tilo Kölbel. We are going to talk about FORS and IVUS imaging modalities that may facilitate daily practice in vascular medicine by increasing the quality of vascular imaging while significantly reducing radiation exposure in both patients and physicians. Philips sponsored this podcast.

Commentary by Dr. Candice Silversides

ESC23 LBT- OCT vs. IVUS vs. Angiography Guidance - a Real-Time Updated Network Meta-Analysis

Commentary by Dr Yukio Ozaki

On this week's show: - Festivus in July - Celebrity dislikes - Eliminate one Make sure you visit our website https://3countthursday.com/ Subscribe to the show on ALL podcast platforms & YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@3CountThursday) You can get your Huddle Up Podcast merch on TeePublic at https://www.teepublic.com/user/3countthursday Creative Commons Music used in this show created by Jason Shaw on https://audionautix.com/

In this episode, host Dr. Aaron Fritts interviews Dr. Peter Soukas taking a deep dive into novel balloon technologies, appropriate uses below the knee, and how these new balloons are highly effective in treating patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). Dr. Soukas explains how these new balloon technologies can minimize the risk of dissections (therefore decreasing the need for bailout stents), create effective lumen gain in concentric and eccentric calcified lesions with minimal recoil, and keep pressures low compared to legacy products. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR Cagent Vascular Serranator https://www.cagentvascular.com --- SHOW NOTES Dr. Soukas is an Interventional Cardiologist who is the Founder and Director of the Brown Vascular and Endovascular Medicine Fellowship program, serves as the Director of the Interventional PV Lab at the Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute of Brown, and an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine. We begin by discussing the treatment of CLI, particularly with new below the knee balloon angioplasty devices like the Cagent Serranator and how balloon tech has evolved over time. These new technologies allow for 1000x more force than previous balloon models through unique serration technology at significantly lesser pressures, minimizing the risk of barotrauma and iatrogenic lumen dissections, while allowing for effective luminal gain, and showing success in treating CLI even when calcified lesions are present. What's more is that there is now a variety of serration balloon lengths available, which was definitely a huge shortcoming in prior scoring balloons with limited sizing. While IVL is the preferred option in terms of treating concentric (360°) calcified lesions, new serration balloons are cheaper and show success in treating both concentric and eccentric calcified lesions with minimal recoil. Dr. Soukas and Dr. Fritts also go on to discuss how using IVUS is critical in visualizing the size, shape, and depth of possible calcifications but also important in picking the correctly sized serration-balloon to get the job done. Dr. Soukas also explains how the serration balloon technology is easily deployable, tracks very well within vasculature, and can even be used below the ankle if needed (with some pre-dilation of the lumen) stating that if the IVUS can fit, usually so can the serration balloon. To wrap up the episode we underscore how important it is to have the right tools in our toolbox to treat patients with CLI, getting as much “red gold” down to the foot as possible to avoid loss of the limb, and a few papers our listeners can check out to learn more about serration balloons (find linked in Resources below). --- RESOURCES CagentVascular.com Prospective Study of Serration Angioplasty in the Infrapopliteal Arteries Using the Serranator Device: PRELUDE BTK Study DOI: 10.1177/15266028211059917 Standard Balloon Angioplasty Versus Serranator Serration Balloon Angioplasty for the Treatment of Below-the-Knee Artery Occlusive Disease: A Single-Center Subanalysis From the PRELUDE-BTK Prospective Study DOI: 10.1177/15266028221134891 PRELUDE Prospective Study of the Serranator Device in the Treatment of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Superficial Femoral and Popliteal Arteries DOI: 10.1177/1526602818820787

In this episode, host Dr. Ally Baheti interviews Jill Sommerset and Dr. Fadi Saab about EVUS and IVUS in peripheral arterial cases, including when to use each, how to train an interventional sonographer, and what adding ultrasound in a case can do for patient safety. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Philips Image Guided Therapy Devices Academy https://resource.philipseliiteacademy.com Philips SymphonySuite https://www.philips.com/symphonysuite --- SHOW NOTES Jill Sommerset is the director of ultrasound at Advanced Vascular in Portland, OR and Hope Clinical Innovation Center in Houston, TX, and chair of the SVU annual conference. Dr. Fadi Saab is an interventional cardiologist and associate professor at Michigan State University. He begins by introducing what intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and extravascular ultrasound (EVUS) are. EVUS is looking from the outside in, and can be used to measure vessel width, hemodynamics, and cross chronic total occlusions (CTOs). IVUS is looking from inside a vessel towards the outside of the body, and can be helpful for viewing the extent of arterial disease and discerning the exact plaque anatomy. Dr. Saab always has a specially trained interventional sonographer involved in the case and in the room for critical limb ischemia (CLI) cases. He values them not only for obtaining access, but also to provide greater safety to the patient. He considers them a core member of the team. He notes the importance of training an ultrasonographer who is good when working under pressure, can interact with multiple personality types, and most importantly, someone willing to learn, be engaged in the case, and willing to put themselves out there in this foreign environment. Jill says it took her around 4 months to feel comfortable working in the cath lab, and for other members of the team to get used to her presence during cases. She describes her work as a dance with the physician. When a wire or catheter is being exchanged, Jill is always scanning and thinking ahead, and she is always ready to check for dissections after balloon angioplasty. Most arterial cases can benefit from the addition of EVUS. Jill says the only time EVUS is not as helpful is when the CTO cap morphology shows a rock hard plaque that casts shadows on the screen. Dr. Saab says he uses EVUS for crossing CTOs, patient safety, and looking at complications. He usually introduces IVUS after he crosses a lesion to look at plaque in a more granular way and understand it's anatomy. Jill adds that she uses IVUS to help the physician cross a CTO sometimes, but notes that it is important for the tech to hold the probe still and not move in this scenario. The two end by restating the value that EVUS and IVUS add to the procedure, especially because angiography misses a lot of plaque burden that can be seen with IVUS. They recommend finding ultrasonographers interested in working in the cath lab, and taking the responsibility as physicians to mentor them and make them feel like an invaluable member of the treatment team. --- RESOURCES CTOP Paper: https://assets.bmctoday.net/evtoday/pdfs/et0518_F5_Saab.pdf

We are LIVE at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Intervention, or SCAI, Conference in Phoenix, Arizona learning about physicians and medical device makers are trying to make procedures safer and improve patient outcomes. One of the technologies we discuss on this episode is an Intravascular Ultrasound, or IVUS, which is an imaging technique that uses a transducer to generate sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of blood vessels. Physicians are mainly using this device during angiograms for diagnostic and treatment of coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease. Guests include David Chalyan, Director of Evidence Transformation and Medical Safety Officer at Philips IGT-Devices and Royal Philips Chief Safety Officer Steve C de Baca.

In this episode, host Dr. Sabeen Dhand interviews interventional cardiologist Dr. Eric Secemsky about the role of intravascular ultrasound in lower extremity interventions, and how he published a consensus document to standardize its use across specialties and provide a framework for new users. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Philips Image Guided Therapy Devices Academy https://resource.philipseliiteacademy.com Philips SymphonySuite https://www.philips.com/symphonysuite --- SHOW NOTES Dr. Secemsky practices at BIDMC in Boston. His passions are pulmonary embolism intervention and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) for peripheral vascular disease. He began using IVUS for coronary interventions, and then began incorporating it in arterial and venous peripheral interventions. The goal is to make procedures durable in the endovascular world, and IVUS is key for that. In the coronaries, there is a standardized way that all cardiologists use IVUS for. First, they cross the lesion with the wire, then use IVUS to measure lesion length and vessel diameter for stent sizing. They also evaluate plaque composition, which informs whether to use a plaque modifying device before stenting. They then balloon, stent, and use IVUS again to evaluate stent position and check for dissections. Dr. Secemsky measures an arterial lumen by identifying the 3 layers of the vessel wall, and finding the black stripe behind the intima, which corresponds to the elastic membrane. Dr. Secemsky tells us about a consensus article he published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. He collaborated with some colleagues to form a 12 person steering committee composed of interventional cardiology, interventional radiology, vascular surgery and vascular medicine specialists. The goal was to consolidate information from all these specialties to provide a single standardized document. This document can be used for those wanting to incorporate IVUS into their practice, but don't know where to begin. They established levels of evidence regarding where IVUS is most appropriate. They found that tibial arterial intervention has the highest support for use of IVUS across specialties. Furthermore, they established that the best practice for IVUS is to use it three times per case, for pre-intervention, middle-run and post-run. Using IVUS is safe, and offers so much information to make case a more efficient. In addition, you cut down on device utilization, contrast use and radiation exposure, while improving patient outcomes by getting better luminal gain and improved durability of your intervention. --- RESOURCES JACC Consensus Article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35926922/

In this multidisciplinary episode, guest host and vascular surgeon Dr. Krishna Mannava interviews interventional cardiologist Dr. John Phillips about when and how he treats dissections after balloon angioplasty in peripheral vasculature. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Philips Image Guided Therapy Devices Academy https://resource.philipseliiteacademy.com Philips SymphonySuite https://www.philips.com/symphonysuite --- SHOW NOTES Since arterial dissection is a known and common complication of balloon inflation, Dr. Phillips emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between dissections that are flow-limiting and need to be treated, and those that are not flow-limiting. The dissection can be evaluated by measuring pressure gradients and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). If the dissection flap arc is greater than 180 degrees, Dr. Phillips generally considers it to be flow-limiting. Next, he will determine plaque composition in the area of the dissection. If it is calcified or long, he will deploy a woven nitinol stent. If he needs to target a more specific area that is not calcified, he will use the Tack Endovascular System. The doctors discuss more details about the Tack system. It is a scaffold system that was created specifically for use in dissections after balloon angioplasty in narrowed vessels. The deployment of multiple small devices contributes to an overall lower metal burden than a stent would introduce. The system also has an adaptive and overlapping sizing platform to address dissection in different vessels in the same procedure. Since the Tacks are only meant to scaffold the dissection flap, they do not exert as much radial force as a stent does. This is the reason why Dr. Phillips generally avoids using it in heavily calcified areas. Dr. Phillips also answers submitted audience questions regarding the indications, technique, billing, and education opportunities for the Tack system. Overall, he encourages practitioners to get in touch with their local sales representatives for more information, and brings up the possibility of remote proctoring in the future. In terms of follow up care after balloon angioplasty and Tack placement, Dr. Phillips prescribes dual antiplatelet therapy for three months and possible switches to monotherapy afterwards. This is the same regimen as he prescribes for patients with stents. Additionally, surveillance duplex appears similar in patients with Tacks and stents. --- RESOURCES Tack Dissection Repair Device: https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/product/HCIGTDTCKESYSTM/tack-endovascular-system-dissection-repair-device Dr. John Phillips Twitter: https://twitter.com/midohiovascular

In this episode, host Dr. Aaron Fritts interviews Dr. Jim Melton and Amanda Stanley about intravascular lithotripsy in the ASC, including reimbursement trends, patient selection and the future of the device. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR Shockwave Medical https://shockwavemedical.com/?utm_source=Backtable-Podcast&utm_campaign=Backtable-Podcast --- SHOW NOTES We begin by discussing Amanda's role in the practice. She is an ex OR nurse and has been clinical director for their original hybrid ASC/OBL in Oklahoma City for 8 years. She has taken on many roles over the years, the most recent being COO. Some of her functions under this title include clinical revenue cycle management (RCM), payer negotiation, credentialing and accreditation. Since partnering with a private equity firm, she has also been collaborating with others in ASCs they have acquired around the country. Dr. Melton states that intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) reimburses very well in the outpatient space, but that this is only true in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) and does not translate to outpatient based labs (OBLs). Medicare pays for all associated Shockwave intravascular lithotripsy CPT codes, commercial insurance does not. They found in their practice that by using the Medicare fee schedule, they could prove to their local commercial insurance providers that it was worth paying for, and they are now getting it approved via both parties. Specifically, C9765, which is for IVL, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stenting, pays $5000 more than the code that is just for PTA and stenting. Lastly, we go over sizing and patient selection. In the ASC, he most commonly uses the 5.5, 6 and 7, which all go through a 5-6 Fr slender sheath in the foot. If you use an 8 then you'll need a 7 Fr sheath, and if you use a size 9, 10, or 12, you'll need an 8 Fr sheath. Dr. Melton emphasizes the importance of selecting the right patients for the ASC and hospital. In those with significant comorbidities or a femoral artery that will need a size 9, 10 or 12 balloon, he tends to do these in the hospital. He finds that he places a stent more often than not after IVL and PTA because of what he sees using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). He shares a tip for using the current IVL balloon. Because it emits the strongest sonic pressure impulse at the center of the balloon, he uses IVUS to mark the most calcified segment, then targets this area with the center of the balloon. He remarks that the newer version, coming out soon, has a shorter balloon and emits the same strength across its entire length, allowing you to skip this step. --- RESOURCES Ep. 287 OBL/ASC Reimbursement Update January 2023 https://www.backtable.com/shows/vi/podcasts/287/obl-asc-reimbursement-update-jan-2023

In this week's Parallax Dr Kalra welcomes back Dr Nijjer for their annual review of the most impactful and controversial cardiovascular trials of 2022. Dr Sukh Nijjer is a Consultant Cardiologist in the UK, he is President of the Royal Society of Medicine and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College of London. The coronary physiology trial FLAVOUR was presented at ACC.22 by Dr Bon Kwon Koo. This South-Korean study compared the safety and efficacy of FFR and IVUS-guided stenting. Dr Nijjer interprets the findings and outlines the take-home messages by describing his practice. Following this, Dr Kalra and Dr Nijjer look at REVIVED-BCIS2 presented at ESC 2022 by Dr Divaka Perera. Dr Nijjer talks about the complexity of running this study that evaluated whether revascularization by PCI can improve outcomes in patients with ischemic left ventricular systolic dysfunction compared with optimal medical therapy. They distill some of the nuances for practice. Dr Nijjer summarises the all-comers PROTECTED TAVR trial that assessed the use of Sentinel® Cerebral Protection System in patients undergoing TAVR. We learn more about the secondary outcomes and the reception of the results. Dr Kalra shares how the new data impacted his approach. Last, they discuss the implications of Chinese CTS-AMI trial presented at AHA 22 by Dr Yuejin Yang. The trial showed that a traditional remedy, Tongxinluo improved the clinical outcomes of patients with STEMI. Dr Nijjer and Dr Kalra consider the meaning and impact of these trials such as CTS-AMI on Western medicine. How can we interpret some of the controversies from REVIVED? What can we learn from traditional medicinal remedies? What are the key takeaways for clinical practice from the reviewed trials? Questions and comments can be sent to “podcast@radcliffe-group.com” and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode. Guest: @SukhNijjer, host: @AnkurKalraMD and produced by: @RadcliffeCARDIO.

In this episode, host Dr. Aparna Baheti interviews Dr. Merve Ozen, interventional radiologist, about how to integrate ICE for TIPS, including why she uses a vampire stick, her needle preference, and tips for single operators. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR Medtronic VenaSeal https://www.medtronic.com/venaseal --- SHOW NOTES Dr. Ozen begins by discussing the challenges she faced when introducing this new technique into her practice at the University of Kentucky. She faced pushback from administration about procedure time and anesthesia time. She now does all her TIPS with intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) guidance, but she keeps CO2 available in case of device malfunction, which would cause her to revert to the traditional method of CO2 angiography. It takes time to learn how to navigate the ICE probe, also called intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), but it helps with complicated cases like thrombosed portal veins and Budd-Chiari syndrome. She uses the “vampire stick” technique, which is a side by side internal jugular access technique for the TIPS needle and the US probe. She puts her TIPS access more medial, which makes it more stable, and places her ICE access more lateral. After getting access, she spends time understanding the anatomy in the liver. Prior CT is useful for getting information about patient specific anatomy. She then uses ICE to view the portal vein and hepatic vein on the same plane, then she advances the needle with one stick. Dr. Ozen prefers a Rösch-Uchida needle versus a Colapinto because she feels she can better visualize it with ICE. One thing she recommends spending time on is understanding where to start introducing your needle. If there is clot or liver stuck in the needle and preventing blood return, she recommends flushing the needle, or advancing it and then pulling back gently. She ends by stating that learning how to operate the ICE probe is a steep learning curve, but one that every IR should invest time in. It cuts down on anesthesia and fluoroscopy time, and provides a level of safety that is simply not achievable with traditional methods. --- RESOURCES ARRS 2022 Abstract on ICE TIPS: https://apps.arrs.org/AbstractsAM22Open/Main/Abstract/E2038

In this episode, host Ally Baheti interviews interventional cardiologist Dr. Hady Lichaa of Ascension St. Thomas Heart about wire senses, including ways to build tactile and visual skills, selection of workhorse and specialty wires, and the do's and don'ts of crossing lesions. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Surmodics Pounce Thrombectomy https://pouncesystem.com/ Reflow Medical https://www.reflowmedical.com/ --- SHOW NOTES Dr. Lichaa starts by outlining four different components of wire senses: visual sense, tactile sense, IVUS, and the digital subtraction angiography (DSA) roadmap. First, visual aspects are a combination of 2D wire sliding and looping, 3D rotation, and the course of the wire relative to the vessel architecture. By combining these visual cues, the operator can determine if the wire is inside the true lumen, within the vessel wall, or entirely outside of the vessel. The next factor is tactile sense. Each type of wire strikes a balance between resistance to rotation / advancement and torque transmission. This balance is determined by wire characteristics such as core material, tapers, tip design, and coating. Dr. Lichaa encourages operators to test out different wires and focus on mastering their favorite workhorse wires. Additionally, there are specialty wires that can be employed in certain cases, such as CTO wires with heavy tip, tapered tip wires to enter microchannels, and supportive wires for the use of other equipment. Additionally, we discuss how intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) leads to safer outcomes because it allows the operator to confirm that they are in the true lumen and measure vessel size before deploying stents or balloons. DSA can also help determine location and help map out different strategies if a first option fails. Finally, Dr. Lichaa lists some helpful tips for new operators. We highlight the importance of mastering your favorite wires, having backup plans, communicating with staff, and keeping calm in the angio suite. --- RESOURCES Abbott Command Wire: https://www.cardiovascular.abbott/us/en/hcp/products/peripheral-intervention/guide-wires/workhorse/hi-torque-command.html ASAHI Gladius Wire: https://asahi-inteccusa-medical.com/product/asahi-gladius-014/ ASAHI CONFIANZA Pro: https://asahi-inteccusa-medical.com/product/confianza-pro-series/ Terumo NAVICROSS Support Catheter: https://www.terumois.com/products/catheters/navicross.html Teleplex Turnpike Catheter: https://www.teleflex.com/usa/en/product-areas/interventional/coronary-interventions/turnpike-catheters/index.html ACT ONE Technology: https://medical.asahi-intecc.com/en/technologies Philips Pioneer Reentry Catheter: https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/product/HCIGTDPPLUS/pioneer-plus-ivus-guided-re-entry-catheter Cordis OUTBACK Reentry Catheter: https://cordis.com/na/products/cross/endovascular/outback-elite-re-entry-catheter

In this episode, host Dr. Sabeen Dhand interviews Drs. Srini Tummala and Omar Saleh about atherectomy in peripheral arterial disease, including indications, technique, and device selection. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS BD Rotarex Atherectomy System https://www.bd.com/rotarex Reflow Medical https://www.reflowmedical.com/ --- SHOW NOTES We begin by overviewing the definition of atherectomy and the types of devices. Atherectomy is a procedure that involves the removal of plaque or thrombus and is categorized as a vessel preparation procedure. It is often done before angioplasty and stenting. The goal of the procedure is to obtain luminal gain, meaning that the diameter of the lumen of an artery becomes closer to its original size. There are a variety of devices that allow for different techniques in atherectomy, including rotational, orbital, laser, and directional. They all offer a degree of plaque modification or debulking of the lesion to improve outcomes for angioplasty with or without stenting. Next, we discuss indications for atherectomy. Both Dr. Saleh and Dr. Tummala begin a peripheral arterial case by doing a full lower extremity angiogram to guide their next steps. They also rely heavily on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), as this helps determine if the lesion is made of thrombus, calcified, or soft plaque. The type of plaque they find via IVUS as well as the primary location of the plaque will determine which device they will proceed with. There is some controversy regarding atherectomy in regard to its indications and efficacy, mostly due to the lack of randomized control trials and overall data scarcity. Despite this, both Dr. Saleh and Dr. Tummala use atherectomy as vessel prep when they plan on treating a lesion with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), either alone or followed by a stent. Finally, we discuss each operator's advice for those new to atherectomy or treating peripheral arterial disease (PAD), their most used devices, and their thoughts on performing atherectomy in the subintimal plane (outside of the true vessel lumen). Both operators frequently use rotational excisional atherectomy devices and orbital devices. The specific device varies depending on their setting (OBL vs. hospital), but they recommend choosing a couple of devices and learning how to use them well. When it comes to atherectomy in the subintimal space, both Dr. Tummala and Dr. Saleh recommend against doing this, as it is not an indication for any of the devices, and it risks complications such as the device getting stuck. To avoid doing atherectomy in the subintimal plane, they IVUS as far down the vessel as they can to determine if there are any segments that are subintimal. In legs with only a single runoff vessel or no runoff, they are more conservative with atherectomy due to the risk of embolizing smaller vessels and causing even worse flow to the extremity. --- RESOURCES Liberty 360 Trial: https://csi360.com/clinical-evidence/liberty-360/ BD Rotarex Rotational Atherectomy System: bd.com/rotarex

In this episode, host Dr. Michael Barraza interviews Dr. Kyle Cooper, interventional radiologist and Dr. Tahmeed Contractor, electrophysiologist about how IR and EP work together at their institution, including how they perform complex pacer lead removals, and how the have embraced collaboration over competition. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR Inari Medical https://www.inarimedical.com/ --- SHOW NOTES The doctors begin by discussing how they began working together. It was somewhat by chance that they started to work so closely, because the EP and the IR labs are directly across from each other at Loma Linda, where they work. They both began finding patients that had overlapping problems requiring intervention by both specialties, such as someone who needed a pacer lead out who also had an occluded AV fistula on the same side. Their relationship developed further due to the nature of the complexity of some of the EP cases. They often have to remove multiple pacer leads that were placed in the patient over 30 years ago. When these devices were created, they were not designed to be removed, so it is often quite difficult to do. Furthermore, because they are mostly plastic, not metal, they often break during removal. When this happens, it is not uncommon to have to call IR to help retrieve the piece. Though a cardiothoracic surgeon is usually always scrubbed into EP cases, open heart surgery is only done if all else fails. The two discuss how this collaboration has allowed them both to learn new skills. Dr. Contractor now does many lead extractions and will only call Dr. Cooper if there is a complication. Similarly, Dr. Cooper says he has learned many techniques from Dr. Contractor such as how to use intracardiac echo (ICE), or more commonly called intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in IR for many more procedures than he was previously able to. Some of the challenges they have encountered is reimbursement and scheduling. With EP, CT surgery and IR are all in the room and helping, it complicates who gets paid. In general, IR bills for any venoplasty done during the procedure, and EP and CT surgery bill for the rest.

"We were no longer using iodinated contrast for nonemergent cases. We started using a lot of gadolinium, air, CO2, IVUS, Gastrografin, Cystografin—pretty much everything you could think of besides iodinated contrast. Because you need to save it for those emergent cases and the stroke. You know—stroke comes in, you can't just not have contrast to treat it." —Nikki Keefe, MDIn May 2022, Nikki Keefe, MD, Kush Desai, MD, FSIR, Maureen P. Kohi, MD, FSIR, and Gloria M. Salazar, MD, FSIR, published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR) a paper on mitigating the contrast media shortage. In this episode, host Warren Krackov, MD, FSIR, speaks Drs. Keefe and Salazar about what led to the shortage, alternative solutions to contrast media and more.Related resources:Read "Mitigation Strategies for Interventional Radiology During a Global Contrast Media Shortage," by Keefe et al. (Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, published online: May 19, 2022) Listen to the audio version of the articleRead the related press releaseNote: This episode was recorded on  May 26, 2022.Contact us with your ideas and questions, or read more about about interventional radiology in IR Quarterly magazine or SIR's Patient Center.(c) Society of Interventional Radiology.Support the show

Epic Media - EP.09 - Impacto del IVUS en el pronóstico de la ICP con stents largos. Dr. Felipe Díez.

In this episode, host Dr. Sabeen Dhand interviews Dr. John Rundback, interventional radiologist, about distal femoropopliteal disease, including the unique pathophysiology of this area, which stents work best at the adductor canal and the trifurcation, and tips for early operators. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR Veryan BioMimics 3D® Vascular Stent System https://www.veryanmed.com/usa/products/biomimics-3d-vascular-stent-system/ --- SHOW NOTES In this episode, host Dr. Sabeen Dhand interviews Dr. John Rundback, interventional radiologist, about distal femoropopliteal disease, including the unique pathophysiology of this area, which stents work best at the adductor canal and the trifurcation, and tips for early operators. We begin by discussing peripheral arterial disease (PAD) pathophysiology, specifically in the challenging areas around the adductor canal (Hunter's canal). Dr. Rundback describes how the femoral artery has twists and turns around this area and that it can experience compressive forces up to 15-20% during motions such as flexion of the knee. Due to this being the most dynamic location of the femoral artery, this is often where plaque rupture will happen, resulting in critical limb ischemia (CLI) and requiring urgent intervention. The two discuss how traditional rigid stents do not work well in this area due to the dynamic nature of the region and the fact that the artery is tortuous and can cause rigid stents to fracture or cause intimal hyperplasia due to turbulent flow. Drug coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty generally does not work for this region due to poor durability. They discuss the utility of the Tack device, a scaffold with minimal metal which is better suited for focal dissections. Dr. Rundback emphasizes the importance of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) during all distal femoropopliteal cases due to the complexity of the region and patient-to-patient variation. He uses IVUS to choose which device and what size to use because measuring on angiography is not accurate in these cases. Finally, they discuss the Supera and BioMimics stents, including the indications, benefits, and ease of deployment of each. Dr. Rundback says that Supera, a woven nitinol stent, gives it the benefit of thermal memory. The difficulty with this stent is the need for aggressive vessel preparation and plaque modification, generally requiring lengthy angioplasty and possibly atherectomy. The BioMimics stent can rotate, curve, and shorten, which is optimal for this region to maintain swirling or helical blood flow rather than causing turbulent flow. The BioMimics stent is also very easy to deploy, and Dr. Rundback generally chooses this stent in locations where he can't adequately prep the vessel. --- RESOURCES BioMimics 3D stent: https://www.veryanmed.com/international/products/biomimics-3d-vascular-stent-system/ Supera™ Stent: https://www.cardiovascular.abbott/int/en/hcp/products/peripheral-intervention/supera-stent-system/overview.html Tack device: https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/product/HCIGTDTCKESYSTM/tack-endovascular-system-dissection-repair-device

UnderGRAND radio vs Inside Out ! Dva Ivana (Simić zvani Simbe i Feldvebel zvani Ivus) pričali sa Zoranom o debi albumu posle trideset godina, o novosadskoj HC sceni, o energiji na bini ijoš koječemu uz dosta pozadinske buke, ali se sve dovoljno dobro čuje pa izvolite poslušati.

I talk about the new mobile Warcraft title announced today and the conspicuous lack of previous Hearthstone devs on their dev team, before playing HoHandsGamer's Top 10 Legend Water Ramp Druid. You can find the deck import link below the following contact links.  Join our Discord community here or at discord.me/blisterguy. You can follow me on twitter @blisterguy.  You can follow the podcast on twitter @walktoworkHS  Subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher or your podcatcher of choice. You can see my infographic archive here. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. You can support this podcast and my other Hearthstone work at Patreon here. # 2x (0) Innervate # 2x (1) Dozing Kelpkeeper # 2x (1) Druid of the Reef # 2x (1) Earthen Scales # 1x (1) Ivus, the Forest Lord # 2x (2) Composting # 2x (2) Jerry Rig Carpenter # 2x (2) Moonlit Guidance # 2x (3) Oracle of Elune # 2x (3) Wild Growth # 2x (5) Flipper Friends # 2x (5) Nourish # 1x (5) Wildheart Guff # 1x (6) Battleground Battlemaster # 2x (7) Frostsaber Matriarch # 1x (10) Sea Giant # 2x (20) Naga Giant # AAECAcaLBQTH+QOJiwTxpASi1AQNyfUDgfcDrIAEr4AEsIAEiZ8Erp8E2p8E56QEjbIE9r0E8L8E2qEFAA==

We talk with Dr. Luke Wilkins about his stenting algorithm for treating peripheral artery disease, including a step by step discussion of the decision tree when deciding whether or not to stent. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR Boston Scientific Eluvia Drug-Eluting Stent https://www.bostonscientific.com/en-US/medical-specialties/vascular-surgery/drug-eluting-therapies/eluvia/eluvia-clinical-trials.html?utm_source=oth_site&utm_medium=native&utm_campaign=pi-at-us-de_portfolio-hci&utm_content=n-backtable-n-backtable_site_eluvia_1&cid=n10008043 --- SHOW NOTES In this episode, our host Dr. Aparna Baheti interviews interventional radiologist Dr. Luke Wilkins about his treatment algorithm for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). This algorithm is linked below, under “Resources.” Dr. Wilkins starts by explaining his treatment decisions for non-occlusive lesions. If the lesion is less than 10 cm he prefers to use directional atherectomy and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). However, if the lesion is greater than 10 cm, directional atherectomy poses the risk of distal embolization, so he will only perform PTA. In both cases, he recommends using IVUS to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment and then proceeding with a drug-coated balloon (DCB) to prevent re-stenosis. On the other hand, if the disease is occlusive, Dr. Wilkins first attempts to cross the lesion. This can be achieved by going through microchannels with a guidewire or boring through the occlusion with a crossing device. If the lesion is unable to be crossed, he attempts subintimal recanalization. We discuss spontaneous re-entry into the true lumen, as well as re-entry devices like the Outback and the Pioneer catheters. We also take a detour into the Subintimal Arterial Flossing with Anterograde-Retrograde Intervention (SAFARI) technique that can be used if re-entry is challenging. After crossing is complete, Dr. Wilkins evaluates vessel diameter. In his experience, vessels that are wider than 5 mm have better stent patency, so he will place a drug eluting stent. In vessels of smaller diameters, Dr. Wilkins relies on other approaches such as interwoven stents with smaller diameters, directional atherectomy, and Tacks (to treat dissection flaps). Finally, Dr. Wilkins discusses medical management and follow-up care for PAD patients. He recommends dual antiplatelet therapy, smoking cessation, and if claudication was an initial concern, patient education on the importance of walking. He follows up with patients in 1, 6, and 9 months, and then annually. During each follow up appointment, he checks ABI, PVR, and arterial duplex for clinical improvement. --- RESOURCES PAD Stenting Algorithm Decision Tree: https://www.backtable.com/shows/vi/podcasts/200/pad-stenting-algorithm TASC Guidelines: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1358863X15597877?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed Articles Mentioned: Schneider PA, Laird JR, Doros G, Gao Q, Ansel G, Brodmann M, Micari A, Shishehbor MH, Tepe G, Zeller T. Mortality not correlated with paclitaxel exposure: an independent patient-level meta-analysis of a drug-coated balloon. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2019 May 28;73(20):2550-63.   Secemsky EA, Kundi H, Weinberg I, Jaff MR, Krawisz A, Parikh SA, Beckman JA, Mustapha J, Rosenfield K, Yeh RW. Association of survival with femoropopliteal artery revascularization with drug-coated devices. JAMA cardiology. 2019 Apr 1;4(4):332-40.   Freisinger E, Koeppe J, Gerss J, Goerlich D, Malyar NM, Marschall U, Faldum A, Reinecke H. Mortality after use of paclitaxel-based devices in peripheral arteries: a real-world safety analysis. European heart journal. 2020 Oct 7;41(38):3732-9.

I look at how the Standard and Wild metagames are in the first 24 hours in the Sunken City, before playing Ramp Druid on the ladder. You can find the deck import link below the following contact links.  Join our Discord community here or at discord.me/blisterguy. You can follow me on twitter @blisterguy.  You can follow the podcast on twitter @walktoworkHS  Subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher or your podcatcher of choice. You can see my infographic archive here. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. You can support this podcast and my other Hearthstone work at Patreon here. # 2x (0) Aquatic Form # 2x (0) Innervate # 2x (1) Dozing Kelpkeeper # 2x (1) Earthen Scales # 1x (1) Ivus, the Forest Lord # 2x (2) Jerry Rig Carpenter # 2x (2) Moonlit Guidance # 2x (2) Wrath # 1x (3) Oracle of Elune # 2x (3) Wild Growth # 2x (5) Nourish # 1x (5) Queen Azshara # 1x (5) Wildheart Guff # 2x (7) Miracle Growth # 2x (7) Scale of Onyxia # 1x (8) Kazakusan # 1x (10) Raid Boss Onyxia # 2x (20) Naga Giant # AAECAaTABAbJ9QOJiwTxpASlrQSEsATbuQQMr4AEsIAEiZ8Erp8E2p8Ez6wEjbIE/70E8L8ErsAEgNQE2qEFAA==

Welcome to Episode 92 of BORN TO BE WILD, a Wild exclusive Hearthstone podcast where we have fun hanging out with friends, talking about the Wild format of Hearthstone and spotlighting members of the Wild Community! This week Nate, Hydra & Sheep hangout with resident Loremaster Goliath the Dwarf for part 2 of our Fractured in Alterac Valley Lore series, focusing on the remaining locations, minion types, and legendary minions Korak, Ivus and Lokholar! Check out our complete show notes on Google Docs, Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SxbRt6PoRKnQKwS4UjvF8CqXbDADre33taih6C5vAA4/edit?usp=sharing Find us online at https://www.borntobewildhs.com/

CLI fighters Dr. Kumar Madassery and Dr. Sabeen Dhand discuss their approach to treating calcified arteries below the knee, including looking at newer technologies and choosing the appropriate device to effect real durable change to the calcified wall. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR Shockwave Medical https://shockwavemedical.com/?utm_source=BTK-Backtable-Podcast&utm_campaign=Backtable-Podcast --- SHOW NOTES In this episode, interventional radiologist Dr. Kumar Madassery and our host Dr. Sabeen Dhand discuss atherosclerosis in tibial vessels below the knee and devices for atherectomy, angioplasty, and dissection repair. While non-invasive imaging for calcium is still lacking, Dr. Madassery encourages operators to look for calcium on X-ray and ultrasound. He believes that visualization with ultrasound will improve if there is greater collaboration and standardization across all operators. Next, Dr. Madassery differentiates between intimal and medial calcifications. He notes that medial calcifications usually present as “railroad tracks” in diabetic and end-stage renal failure patients, while intimal calcifications lead to plaque ruptures. Each type is distinguishable with the use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Dr. Madassery walks through his approach to calcified lesions. He says that using angiogram to identify whether a lesion is stenotic or occlusive is a crucial first step. He also emphasizes the importance of having a wire escalation strategy. The doctors highlight orbital and laser atherectomy, scoring balloons, and intravascular lithotripsy (IVL). Finally, Dr. Madassery describes his perspective on arterial dissection, a common complication of balloon angioplasty. The decision to treat dissections is dependent on the operator, but he gives advice on weighing the pros and cons of treating. He speaks about the advantages of using the self-expanding Tack system to stent only specific problematic regions.

I look at how the Alterac Valley heroes are playing out in practice before playing Habugabu's Rank 1 Legend Questline Druid. You can find the deck import link below the following contact links.  Join our Discord community here or at discord.me/blisterguy. You can follow me on twitter @blisterguy.  You can follow the podcast on twitter @walktoworkHS  You can email the podcast at walktoworkHS@gmail.com.  Subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher. You can see my infographic archive here. Subscribe to my Youtube channel, it helps me! You can support this podcast and my other Hearthstone work at Patreon here. # 2x (0) Lightning Bloom # 2x (0) Pounce # 1x (1) Ivus, the Forest Lord # 1x (1) Lost in the Park # 2x (1) Nature Studies # 2x (1) Resizing Pouch # 2x (2) Capture Coldtooth Mine # 2x (2) Jerry Rig Carpenter # 1x (2) Living Seed (Rank 1) # 2x (2) Lunar Eclipse # 2x (2) Mark of the Spikeshell # 2x (2) Moonlit Guidance # 2x (2) Solar Eclipse # 2x (3) Feral Rage # 2x (3) Moontouched Amulet # 2x (4) Park Panther # 1x (5) Wildheart Guff # AAECAebwBAS27AOj9gOJiwTxpAQNm84D8NQDieADiuADouEDj+QDiu0D0fYDr4AEsIAEuKAEuaAEsKUEAA==

Junjie Zhang and C. Michael Gibson discuss 3-year outcomes after IVUS- versus angiography-guided DES implantation.

In this episode, CardioNerds (Amit Goyal), Cardio-OB series co-chair and UT Southwestern cardiology fellow, Dr. Sonia Shah, and episode lead fellow, Dr. Laurie Femnou (UT Southwestern) are joined by Dr. Michael Luna (UT Southwestern) to discuss cardiovascular interventions during pregnancy. We discuss practical considerations for performing coronary angiography and valvular interventions in the pregnant patient, the timing and indication of procedures, and ways to minimize radiation exposure to both mom and baby. Audio editing by CardioNerds Academy Intern, Hirsh Elhence. This episode is made possible with support from Panacea Financial. Panacea Financial is a national digital bank built for doctors by doctors. Visit panaceafinancial.com today to open your free account and join the growing community of physicians nationwide who expect more from their bank. Panacea Financial is a division of Primis, member FDIC. Pearls • Notes • References • Guest Profiles • Production Team CardioNerds Cardio-Obstetrics Series PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Pearls- Cardiac Interventions during Pregnancy Attempt should be made to manage pregnant patients with valvular disease with medical therapy, and cardiac interventions during pregnancy should be considered a last resort.Ideally, procedures in the gravid patient should be performed after 20 weeks gestation to minimize fetal risk. Specific ways to minimize radiation to the pregnant patient and fetus in the catheterization lab include: using an abdominal shield, radial access for coronary procedures, proper positioning of the C-arm to avoid extreme angulation, using collimation, and minimizing fluoroscopic time, frame rate, and use of cine-acquisition. When appropriate, intracoronary imaging modalities (ie. IVUS or OCT) should also be considered.Fetal monitoring should be performed during any cardiac intervention in the pregnant patientMultidisciplinary involvement and contingency planning are critical for the success of any high-risk cardiac intervention in the pregnant patient. Quatables - Cardiac Interventions during Pregnancy “Meetings including all providers— our cardiac surgical colleagues, cardiac anesthesiologists, and our obstetrics team—in the care of [pregnant] patients has to be had well ahead of a cardiac procedure to plan every detail.” Show notes - Cardiac Interventions during Pregnancy 1. What are special considerations for performing a balloon valvuloplasty in a pregnant patient with mitral stenosis?  In pregnant patients with severe mitral stenosis who cannot be adequately managed with medical therapy, percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PMBV) is the treatment of choice given the high risk of morbidity and fetal loss with cardiac surgery.Ideally, procedures in the gravid patient should be performed after 20 weeks gestation to minimize risk to the fetus. Assessment of valve anatomy and consideration of the Wilkin's score are especially important in pregnant patients to minimize the risk of peri-procedural complications.PBMV should performed at experienced centers with cardiac surgery and MFM available.Complications of PBMV are rare but include atrial perforation, cardiac tamponade, arrhythmias, emboli, mitral regurgitation, hypotension and maternal death. Mechanical support should be readily available and a delivery strategy in place in case there is sudden maternal or fetal deterioration. 2. What are ways to minimize radiation exposure in the catheterization lab to the pregnant patient and fetus? The general principle for imaging during pregnancy is similar to imaging for the general population, with the goal of radiation exposure being as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). The mean radiation exposure to the unshielded abdomen is 1.5 mGy,

CLI fighters Dr. Bryan Fisher and Dr. Sabeen Dhand discuss their approach to treating calcified arteries above the knee, including looking at newer technologies and choosing the appropriate device to effect real durable change to the calcified wall. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR Shockwave Medical https://shockwavemedical.com/?utm_source=ATK-Backtable-Podcast&utm_campaign=Backtable-Podcast --- SHOW NOTES In this episode, vascular surgeon Dr. Bryan Fisher and our host Dr. Sabeen Dhand discuss treatments, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and device selection for calcified lesions above the knee. First, Dr. Fisher discusses common risk factors for above the knee calcifications, including diabetes, end-stage renal disease, and smoking. In his diagnostic workup, he highlights the benefits of using CT for showing atherosclerotic disease, as well as IVUS for viewing intimal and medial calcifications. With intimal calcifications, Dr. Fisher prefers to use an atherectomy device. For severely stenotic regions, he notes that orbital atherectomy can clear the way for other devices to pass through. After atherectomy, he usually performs IVUS to identify the luminal gain and assess the degree of plaque modification. The doctors talk about new frontiers in technology such as intravascular lithotripsy, a technique that has been modified from urological treatment. The intermittent delivery of focal energy cracks calcium deposits and minimizes the risk of vessel rupture. Additionally, they discuss optical coherence tomography and how it can assist in visualizing the results of lithotripsy. Overall, Dr. Fisher believes that angioplasties will likely cause injury to intimal walls, but these effects can be minimized by knowledge of vessel architecture and proper device selection. --- RESOURCES The Surgical Clinic: https://thesurgicalclinics.com/ Shockwave Intravascular Lithotripsy: https://shockwavemedical.com/clinicians/international/peripheral/

Ep. 119 Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) for Peripheral Arterial Work with Dr. Bryan Fisher by BackTable

Episode Summary In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy talks with Suvi Sharma who the Founder and Director of Solaria.  Solaria is a leading premium residential solar manufacturer and has the solar industry’s most advanced solar panel technology.  Suvi speaks about how Solaria differentiates from other residential solar manufacturers, talks about the Solaria’s product innovations, and future trends that he is seeing in solar panels and other solar industry trends.  He also speaks about his entrepreneurship experiences and provides advice for entrepreneurs.   Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, as well as an advisor for several solar startup companies. Reneu Energy is a premier solar energy consulting firm and developer, and the company focuses on developing commercial and industrial solar, as well as utility-scale solar plus storage projects. The company also sources financing for solar projects and hedges both energy and environmental commodities.  Benoy received his first experience in Finance as an intern at D.E. Shaw & Co., which is a global investment firm with 37 billion dollars in investment capital. Before founding Reneu Energy, he was the SREC Trader in the Project Finance Group for SolarCity, which merged with Tesla in 2016. He originated SREC trades with buyers and co-developed their SREC monetization and hedging strategy with the senior management of SolarCity, to move into the east coast markets. Benoy also worked at Vanguard Energy Partners, Ridgewood Renewable Power, and Deloitte & Touche.   Suvi Sharma Suvi Sharma, an industry thought leader in solar PV innovation, is responsible for leading Solaria’s strategic initiatives as it extends the applications of its technology. Mr. Sharma joined Solaria in 2003. He is a seasoned entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in company formation, fundraising, talent recruitment, business development and global operations of innovative companies in renewable energy, information technology and private equity. Suvi Sharma was co-founder and board member of NEXTracker until its acquisition by FLEX.  He began his career at Geocapital Partners, a $500 million international private equity firm, and founded and ran IVUS, an outsourced CRM provider. Mr. Sharma holds a B.S. in Statistics from Northwestern University.   Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: info@reneuenergy.com  LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com   Suvi Sharma Website:  https://www.solaria.com Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/suvi-sharma-414a0a80/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiWNrJCpQA2FORj_4bNCqA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-5irK1Juhw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrUKyj_k0UI     Email: suvi@solaria.com   Top 20 Solar Energy Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021 Thank you to Feedspot for having the Solar Maverick Podcast as the second ranked podcast to listen in Top Solar Energy 20 Solar Energy Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021.  Below is the link with more information. https://blog.feedspot.com/solar_energy_podcasts/    Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes,Podbean, and youtube.   This episode was produced and managed by  Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)            

Paul J. Wang: Welcome to the monthly podcast! On the Beat for Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology. I'm Dr. Paul Wang, Editor-in-Chief. With some of the key highlights from this month's issue. Paul J. Wang: In our first paper, Demilade Adedinsewo and associates assess the accuracy of an artificial intelligence-enabled electrocardiogram [AI-ECG] to identify patients presenting with dyspnea who have left ventricular LV systolic function (defined as LV ejection fraction ≤35%) in the emergency department [ED]. Patients were included if they had at least one standard 12-lead electrocardiogram [ECG] acquired on the date of the ED visit and an echocardiogram performed within 30 days of presentation. Patients with prior LV systolic dysfunction were excluded. A total of 1,606 patients were included. Meantime from ECG echocardiogram was one day. The AI-ECG algorithm identified LV systolic dysfunction with an area under the curve [AUC] of 0.89 and accuracy of 85.9%. Sensitivity was 74%, specificity 87%, negative predictive value 97%, and positive predictive value 40%. To identify an ejection fraction less than 50%, the AUC was 0.85, sensitivity 86%, sensitivity 63%, and specificity 91%. NT-proBNP alone with a cutoff greater than 800 identified LV systolic function with an AUC of 0.80 by comparison. Paul J. Wang: In our next paper, Mahmood Alhusseini and associates hypothesize that convolutional neural networks [CNN] may enable objective analysis of intracardiac activation in atrial fibrillation [AF]. They perform panoramic recording of bi-atrial electrical signals in AF and use the Hilbert-transform to produce 175,000 image grids in 35 patients labeled for a rotational activation by experts who showed consistency, but with variability (kappa [κ]=0.79). In each patient, ablation terminated atrial fibrillation. A CNN was developed and trained on 100,000 AF image grids validated on 25,000 grids, and then tested on a separate 50,000 grids. They found in a separate test cohort of 50,000 grids, CNN reproducibly classified AF image grids into those with or without rotational sites with 95.0% accuracy. This accuracy exceeded that of support vector machines, traditional linear discriminant, and k-nearest neighbor statistical analyses. To probe the CNN, they applied gradient weighted class activation mapping, which revealed that the decision logic closely mimicked rules used by experts (C statistic 0.96). The authors concluded that convolutional neural networks improve the classification of intercardiac AF maps compared to other analyses and agreed with expert evaluation. Paul J. Wang: In our next paper, Kenji Okubo and associates examined whether late potential LP, abolition and ventricular tachycardia [VT] non-inclusive ability predicted long-term outcomes in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy [NICM] undergoing VT ablation. The total 403 patients with NICM (523 procedures) who underwent VT ablation from 2010 to 2016 were included. The underlying structural disease consists of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM, 49%), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVD 17%), postmyocarditis (14%), valvular heart disease (8%), congenital heart disease (2%), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (2%), and others (5%). Epicardial access was performed in 57% of patients. At baseline, the LPs were present in 60% of patients, and a VT was either inducible or sustained/incessant in 85% of the cases. At the end of the procedure LP abolition was achieved in 79% of cases in VT noninducability in 80%. After a multivariate analysis, the combination of LP abolition and VT noninducibility was independently associated with free survival from VT (hazard ratio, 0.45, p = 0.0002) and cardiac death (hazard ratio 0.38, P = 0.005). The benefit of LP abolition of preventing the VT recurrence in ARVD and postmyocarditis appeared superior to that observed for DCM. Paul J. Wang: In our next paper, Domenico Corradi, Jeffrey Saffitz and associates hypothesize that structural molecular changes in atrial myocardium that correlate with myocardial injury and precede and predict postoperative atrial fibrillation [POAF] may identify new molecular pathways and targets for prevention of this common morbid complication. Right atrial appendage [RAA] samples were prospectively collected during cardiac surgery from 239 patients enrolled in the OPERA trial. 35.2% of patients experienced POAF compared to the non-POAF group. They were significantly older and more likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart failure. They had a higher Euro score and more often underwent valve surgery. No differences in atrial size were observed between POAF and non-POAF patients. The extent of atrial interstitial fibrosis, cardiomyocyte myocytolysis, cardiomyocyte diameter, glycogen storage, or connection 43 distribution at the time of surgery, was not significantly associated with the incidents of POAF. None of these histopathological abnormalities were correlated with level of NT pro-BNP, hs-cTnT, CRP, or oxidative stress biomarkers. The authors concluded that in sinus rhythm patients undergoing cardiac surgery, histopathological changes in RAA do not predict POAF. They did not also correlate with biomarkers of cardiac function, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Paul J. Wang: In our next paper, Mark McCauley, Liang Hong, Arvind Sridhar, and associates hypothesize that obesity decreases sodium channel NAF 1.5 expression via enhanced oxidative stress, thus reducing the sodium current and enhancing susceptibility to atrial fibrillation [AF]. They studied a diet induced obese [DIO] mouse model. Pacing induced AF in 100% of DIO mice versus 25% in controls (P 20 ms shorter than the other sites, and/or induction of AF/atrial tachycardia during measurements. LVA ablation was performed in the LA-LVA patients during the follow-up period of a mean of 62 weeks, the EP test-guided group had a significantly lower recurrence rate (19%,11/57 versus 41%, 22/54, P=0.012) and a higher Kaplan-Meier AF/AT-free survival curve compared with controls (P=0.01). No significant differences in the recurrence, and AF/AT-free survival curves between PWI (positive EP test) and non-PWI (negative EP test) subgroups were observed. Therefore, PWI for positive EP tests reduced the AF/AT recurrence in the EP test-guided group. A stepwise Cox proportional hazard analysis identified EP test-guided ablation as a factor, reducing recurrence rates. The recurrence rates in LA-LVA ablation group and EP test-guided group were similar. Paul J. Wang: In our next study, Jinxuan Lin and associates assess whether simultaneous pacing of the left and right bundle branch areas may achieve more synchronous ventricular activation than just bundle pacing alone. In symptomatic bradycardia patients, the distal electrode of the bipolar pacing lead was placed at the left bundle branch area via a transventricular-septal approach. This was used to pace the left bundle branch area, while the ring electrode was used to pace the right bundle branch area. Bilateral bundle branch area pacing [BBBP] was achieved by stimulating the cathode and anode in various configurations. BBBP was successfully performed in 22 out of 36 patients. Compared with LBBP, BBBP resulted in greater shortening of QRS duration (109.3 vs 118.4 ms, P < 0.001). LBBP resulted in paced RBBB configuration with a DRVAT of 115 ms and interventricular conduction delay of 34.0 ms. BBBP fully resolved the RBBB morphology in 18 patients. In the remaining 4 patients, RBBP pacing partially corrected the right bundle branch block. Paul J. Wang: In our next paper, Ramanathan Parameswaran, Jonathan Kalman, Geoffrey Lee and associates recorded 2-minute long segments of simultaneous inter-operative mapping of endo- and epicardial lateral right atrial [RA] wall in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation [AF] using 2 high-density grid catheters (16 electrodes, 3 mm spacing). Filtered unipolar and bipolar electrograms [EGMS] of continuous 2-minute AF recordings and electrodes locations were exported for phase analysis. They defined endocardial-epicardial dissociation [EED] as phase differences of ≥20 ms between paired endo- and epi electrodes. Wavefronts [WF] were classified as single rotations, that is single wavefront, focal waves, or disorganized activity as per standard criteria. Endo-Epi wave fronts were simultaneously compared on dynamic phase maps. Complex fractionated electrograms were defined as bipolar electrograms with directional changes occupying at least 70% of the sample area. 14 patients with persistent AF underwent cardiac surgery are included. EED was seen in 50.3% of phase maps with significant temporal heterogeneity. Disorganized activity (endo 41.3%, epi 46.8%, P = 0.0194) and single wave (endo 31.3 versus epi 28.1, P = 0.129) were the dominant patterns. Transient rotations (endo 22%, epi 19.2%, P = 0.169, mean duration 590 ms) and non-sustained focal waves (endo 1.2% and epi 1.6%, P = 0.669) were also observed. Apparent transmural migration of rotational activations (n=6) from the epi- to the endocardium was seen in 2 patients. EGM fractionation was significantly higher in the epicardium than endocardium (61.2% versus 51.6%, P < 0.0001). The authors concluded that simultaneous endo-epi phase mapping of prolonged human persistent AF recordings showed significant EED marked temporal heterogeneity, discordant and transitioning wavefronts patterns and complex fractionations. No sustained focal activity was observed. Such complex 3-dimensional interactions provide insights into why endocardial mapping alone may not fully characterize the AF mechanism and why endocardial ablation may not be sufficient. Paul J. Wang: In our next paper, Andrew Beaser and associates hypothesize that intravascular ultrasound [IVUS] could accurately visualize and quantify intravascular lead adherence and degree of intravascular lead adherence correlates with transvenous lead extraction difficulty. Serial imaging of leads occurred prior to transvenous lead extraction using IVUS. Intravascular lead adherence areas were classified as high or low grade. Degree of extraction difficulty was assessed using 2 metrics and correlated with intravascular lead adherence grade. Lead extraction difficulty was calculated for each patient and compared to IVUS findings. 158 vascular segments in 60 patients were analyzed: 141 (89%) low grade versus 17 (11%) high grade. Median extraction time (low = 0 versus high grade 97 seconds, P < 0.001) and median laser pulsations delivered (low = zero versus high grade 5,852, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the high-grade segments. Most patients with low lead extraction difficulty score had low intravascular lead adherence grades. 86% of patients with high lead extraction difficulty score had low IVUS grade, and the degree of transvenous lead extraction difficulty was similar to patients with low IVUS grades and lead extraction difficulty scores. Paul J. Wang: In our next paper, András Bratincsák, and associates sought to create the foundation of normative ECG standards in the young using Z-scores. 102 ECG variables were collected from a retrospective cohort of 27,085 study subjects with no known heart conditions, age zero to 39 years. The cohort was divided into 16 age groups by gender. Median interquartile range and range were calculated for each variable adjusted to body surface area. Normative standards were developed for all 102 ECG variables, including heart rate; P, R, and T axis; R-T axis deviation; PR interval, QS duration, QT, and QTc interval; P, Q, R, S, and T amplitudes in 12 leads; as well as QRS and T wave integrals. Incremental Z-score values between negative 2.5 and 2.5 were calculated to establish the upper and lower limits of normal. Historical ECG interpretive concepts were reassessed and new concepts observed. The author summarized that electronically acquired ECG values based on the largest pediatric and young adult cohort ever compiled provide the first detailed, standardized, quantitative foundation of traditional and novel ECG variables. Paul J. Wang: In our next paper, Jungmin Hwang and associates hypothesize that suppressing the late sodium current may counterbalance the reduced repolarization reserve in long QT syndrome [LQTS] and prevent early depolarization [EAD] and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia [PVT]. They tested the effects of selective late sodium channel blocker GS967 on polymorphic ventricular tachycardia [PVT] induction in a transgenic rabbit model of type two using intact heart optical mapping, cellular electrophysiology, and confocal calcium imaging and computer modeling. They found that GS967 reduced ventricular fibrillation [VF] induction under a rapid pacing protocol (7 out of 14 hearts in control versus 1 out of 14 at 100 nanomolar) without altering action potential duration [APD] or restitution and dispersion. GS967 suppressed PVT incidents by reducing calcium mediated EADs and focal activity during isoproterenol perfusion (at 30 nanomolar, 7 out of 12 and a 100 nanomolar, 8 out of 12 without EADs and PVTs). Confocal calcium imaging of LQT myocytes revealed GS967 shortened calcium transient duration by accelerating sodium calcium exchanger mediated calcium efflux from cytosol, thereby reducing EADs. Computer modeling revealed the inward late sodium current potentiates EADs in the LQT setting through providing additional depolarizing currents through action potential plateau phase, and increasing intracellular sodium that decreases the depolarizing sodium calcium exchanger, thereby suppressing the action potential plateau and delaying the activation of slowly activating delayed rectifier current, IKS. Suggesting important roles in the late sodium current in regulating intracellular sodium. Thus, the authors concluded that selective late sodium channel blockade by GS967 prevents EADs and abolishes PVT in LQT rabbits by counterbalancing the reduced repolarization reserve and normalizing intracellular sodium. Paul J. Wang: In our next paper, Pietro Lazzerini, Mohamed Boutjdir and associates, hypothesize that systemic inflammation per se can significantly prolong QTc during infection via cytokine-mediated changes in potassium channel expression. They found in patients with acute infections, regardless of concomitant QT-prolonging anti-microbial therapy, QTc was significantly prolonged but rapidly normalized in parallel to C-reactive protein [CRP] and cytokine level reduction. Consistently, in Torsades de Pointes cohort, concomitant acute infections were prevalent 30% despite only a minority (25%) of these cases were treated with QT-prolonging anti-microbials. KCN J2, potassium channel expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was strongly correlated to that in ventricles, inversely associated to CRP and interleukin one changes in acute infection patients. The authors concluded that acute infection, systemic inflammation rapidly induces cytokine-mediated ventricular electrical remodeling and significant QTc prolongation, regardless of concomitant antimicrobial therapy. Paul J. Wang: In a research letter, Christophe Beyls and associates examined the risk of bradycardia and critically ill COVID-19 patients treated with Lopinavir [LPV], a protease inhibitor of HIV-1, and Ritonavir [RTV], another protease inhibitor that strongly inhibits hepatic cytochrome P 450 [CYP3A4] activity in order to increase the Lopinavir plasma concentration. During the first month of the outbreak, patients admitted to the ICU with positive PCR for COVID-19 received LPV (200 mg)/RVT (50 mg) twice daily for 10 days. Bradycardia was defined as heart rate below 60 for a period of more than 24 hours. All patients were monitored 24 hours a day for all hemodynamic parameters, including heart rate with a five-lead ECG. Monitors were linked to a computerized system allowing to extract hemodynamic data. LPV/RTV plasma concentration was monitored using analytic method, combining high propensity performance, liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry at 72 hours and every 72 hours. They prospectively included 41 COVID-19 patients who received LPV/RTV treatment. Nine or 22% patients experienced bradycardia. No patients had a pre-existing nodal pathology on the ECG on admission. Among the 9 patients with bradycardia, 8 or 88% were sinus bradycardia and one (12%) third-degree AV block. Causality may be considered as bradycardia occurred at least 48 hours after LPV/RTV initiation, bradycardia resolved after discontinuation or dose reduction and no alternative cause was found. Patients who presented with bradycardia were older, had a higher RTV plasma concentration and a lower lymphocyte count. In our study, no correlation was found between RTV plasma concentration, LPV plasma concentration, and mean heart rate at day three. No patient had bradycardia in the first 48 hours after LPV/RTV administration. For patients with LPV RTV plasma level overdose, the dose of LPV RTV was divided by two until the next dose. For the patient with third degree AV block LPV/RTV was stopped. None of the patients had any known cytochrome CYP3A4-inhibiting drugs. The authors concluded that the results suggest that RTV plasma overdose in elderly critical ill patients may increase the risk of bradycardia. Paul J. Wang: In a research letter, Emily Zeitler and associates surveyed cardiac implantable device [CID] patients. A total of 109 patients were approached to participate, nine declined. Most respondents were white (79%), male (60%) with a mean age of 73 years. The median number of correct responses to the 11 factual questions was six. Respondents held some common misconceptions. For example, 25% of respondents believe that FDA determines the cost of the device. Trust in the FDA was high; 67% of respondents agreed "I trust the FDA". Respondents mostly agreed "the FDA would not approve my device unless it was a hundred percent safe". Only 6% of respondents agreed, "we would be better off if there was no FDA," and a similarly small fraction disagreed with "when it comes to medical devices, the U.S. does the best job in the world at keeping people safe". Most respondents, 69% demonstrated fear of device recalls by agreeing with "if there was a recall of all are part of my device, I think I would be worried or scared." On average, respondents were comfortable sacrificing some privacy for device surveillance, 75% agreed with "once the device has been approved, the FDA should continue to monitor for signs that there are problems with the device even if it means that private health information about me is collected". Respondents seemed to believe that the FDA was risk averse; 56% believed that the FDA does not approve devices unless they're a hundred percent safe. This is in contrast to trends shifting the demonstration of safety to post-approval settings and expanding acceptable forms of data for regulatory approval. Paul J. Wang: In a research letter, Laura Rottner, Christoph Sinning and associates examined novel high resolution imaging system based on a wide band dielectric technology, and reports the first clinical experience of feasibility and reliability of cryoballoon [CB] occlusion tool as compared to fluoroscopic and 3D transesophogeal [TEE] assessment during pulmonary vein isolation [PVI]. In consecutive patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation [AF], cryoballoon-based ablation was performed with a novel 3D wide-band dielectric imaging system. Pulmonary vein [PV] occlusion was assessed with fluoroscopy in 3D-TEE and concomitantly correlated with the novel CB occlusion tool. The endpoint was defined as persistent PV isolation verified by spiral mapping catheter recordings 30 minutes after the last CB application. A total of 36 (90%) of PVs in 10 patients with paroxysmal (40%) and persistent (60%) were analyzed. In all patients, a normal PV anatomy with four separate PVs was documented. Visualization via 3D-TEE was feasible in 80% septal PVs and 100% of lateral PVs. In 67% of PVs, total PV occlusion was confirmed by all 3 imaging modalities. In 17% of PVs, incomplete PV occlusion was initially demonstrated by TEE and 3D dielectric imaging, whereas fluoroscopy suggested complete occlusion in initial analysis. After repositioning of the CB at 3 PVs, complete PV occlusion was verified by all three modalities. In 3 out of 36 (8%), no occlusion was initially seen by any imaging modality, for which the CB was repositioned resulting in total PV occlusion as confirmed by all three modalities. Two out of 36 PVs (6%) were confirmed to be occluded via fluoroscopy in 3D-TEE, but not by the CB occlusion tool. There was only one out of 36 PVs (3%), which were confirmed to be included by the CB tool and 3D-TEE, but not by fluoroscopy. A negative and positive predictive value of 1.0 and 0.6 was seen when comparing PV occlusion by the novel occlusion tool compared to PV collusion, verified by fluoroscopy and 3D-TEE. Paul J. Wang: In a special report, Jun Hirokami, and associates aim to clarify the spatial correlations between fractionated potential detected by Lumipoint with non-PV trigger. They enrolled 30 symptomatic atrial fibrillation [AF] patients who underwent non pulmonary vein [PV] foci ablation. 4 patients underwent the first procedure, 17 underwent second procedure and eight underwent third procedure, and one underwent a fourth procedure. They highlighted the fractionated signal area in atrial muscle [FAAM] during sinus rhythm and atrial pacing, thereby producing a digital FAAM map. They retrospectively applied Lumipoint to 30 patients in order to clarify the relationship between FAAM and non-pulmonary vein [PV] foci. Non-PV foci were successfully identified in all patients. They identified four patients with multiple non-PV foci. Of these four patients, one had non-PV foci at the superior vena cava and left arterial anterior wall. One had non-PV foci at the SVC and LA bottom wall. And two had non-PV foci at the SVC and interatrial septum. They only analyze 30 non-PV foci unrelated to SVC because the SVC isolation was routinely performed for non-PVC foci at the SVC. In order to analyze the correlation between FAAM and location of non-PV triggers, they determined the cutoff points of peaks slider, which non-PV triggers were completely located within the FAAM in. The accuracy of predicting location of the non-PV triggers was summarized using area under the receiver operating curve, a UROC curve. The optimal cutoff point of peak sliders to predict the location of non-PV was determined by the Youden Index. The Youden Index established the optimal cutoff point of the maximum peaks slider was 7; sensitivity was 0.906 and specificity 0.770. The peaks slider 7 was the most accurate predictor fractionated signals location area to the location of non-PV triggers. (area under the curve 0.902). The mean area of peaks slider 7 was six centimeters squared or 4.3% of the atrium. The authors concluded that the proof-of-concept observational study demonstrated that novel visualization tool of FAAM map successfully identified non-PV triggers that did not induce atrial fibrillation and/or non-PV foci, which potentially serve as substrates for AF maintenance. Paul J. Wang: In a special report, Leslie Saxon and associates update their prior publication providing further detail on mitigation adoption rates for the entirety of the U.S. patient population with implanted cardiac rhythm management devices falling under FDA cyber security advisories from any device manufacturer. They also provided limited data on known cybersecurity mitigation adoption outside the U.S. They report a unique complication resulting for introducing firmware to already implanted devices. Discuss how evolving FDA policies towards firmware mitigation adoption may increasingly determine how and when updates occur. They found that patients under 50 years of age and those over 80 years were less likely to receive the software upgrades, and male versus females had greater rates of upgrades. The upgrade rates varied according to U.S. Region and date of implant. Resynchronization devices were less likely to receive the upgrade, as were pacemaker dependent patient. Those ICD patients initially falling under the battery advisers were upgraded more frequently. The number of advisory patients followed in clinic was a significant predictor for firmware upgrade adoption, particularly for pacemakers that were often upgraded in smaller size clinics. Overall, only 24% of devices for all groups, and 22% of devices not impacted by the battery advisory were upgraded. For Abbott devices, the home communicator cyber security vulnerabilities were mitigated with an automatic software patch that was updated using the Merlin network, and adoption rates were nearly a hundred percent. For the entire patient cohort with impacted pacemaker and ICDs, U.S. and global adoption rates remain low at 24 to 35% with a low rate of complications. Most reported complications for pacemakers and ICD were symptoms (transient palpitations, dizziness, or syncope) that resulted from the temporary change in mode to VVI or transient loss of programmer telemetry while performing the upgrade (pacemaker 0.05%; ICD 0.01%). Globally, a total of 9 pacemakers and 8 ICDs required replacement, as a result of performing the firmware upgrade due to irreversible reversion to a backup pacing mode and loss of defibrillation therapy (ICDs). Analysis of the returned ICD pulse generaotrs found at 7 cases, the cause related to a capacitor bond failure that was exposed only when extended telemetry as required by the upgrade. The failure mechanism was an isolated component failure in the remaining ICD. The programmer based test has recently been FDA approved and can be performed prior to firmware upgrade to identify ICD patients at risk for capacitor bond failure. A total of 256 ICDs were susceptible to loss of RF telemetry after receiving a firmware update, and this has since been mitigated with a software patch. For Medtronic programmers, the initial mitigation responses of cybersecurity advisory was to take the programmers off the network. The network connection was enhanced with one or more security protections provided to the programmers using a flash drive, so the programmers can now be secured from potential cyber intrusion when connected to the network. Medtronic ICDs are currently being upgraded. The upgrade is being provided to impacted patients automatically when the device is interrogated with the programmer during follow-up. Metronic is introducing upgrades in phased approach with all expected to be completed by the beginning of 2021. There are 9% or 55,000 ICDs under this advisory that cannot receive the update due to design or safety constraints. Since the 2017 Abbott advisories identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities in pacemakers and ICDs with the potential for exploits have been increased, including 2 additional FDA advisories issued for another manufacturer. Medtronic's connected communication product and implantable defibrillators in the past 12 months. The authors comment that a recent report and a smaller number of Abbott impacted pacemaker and ICD patients from Canada reported marked differences in mitigation adoption rates between pacemakers and ICDs. This was due to an increase incremental clinical familiarity and comfort with performing the updates as experience and education surrounding these issues evolve. The authors indicate that automating cybersecurity updates without process in place for determining safety, for alerting patients or clinicians that have been delivered, may also be associated with yet unknown risks. Newer generation devices and communication protocols may render cyber security, advisories less frequent as cybersecurity integration is considered an essential aspect of device design. Paul J. Wang: In a review article, Albert Feeny and associates discuss the use of artificial intelligence [AI] and machine learning [ML] in medicine, which are currently areas of intense exploration showing potential to automate human tasks or even perform tasks beyond human capabilities. The first objective of this review is to provide the novice reader with a literacy of AI/ML methods, and to provide a foundation of how one may conduct an ML study. The review provides a technical overview of some of the most commonly used terms, challenges in AI/ML studies with reference to recent studies in cardiac electrophysiology to illustrate key points. The second objective of this review is to use examples from the recent literature to discuss how AI and ML are changing clinical practice and research in cardiac electrophysiology with emphasis on disease detection and diagnosis, prediction, and patient outcomes and novel characterization of disease. The final objective is to highlight important considerations and challenges for appropriate variation, adoption, and deployment of AI technologies and practice. Paul J. Wang: That's it for this month! We hope that you will find the journal to be the go-to place for everyone interested in the field! See you next time! This program is copyright American Heart Association 2020. Thank you.  

CardioNerds (Amit Goyal & Daniel Ambinder) join  join UCLA cardiology fellows (Jay Patel, Hillary Shapiro, and Ruth Hsiao) for some beach bonfire in Santa Monica! They discuss a challenging case of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) requiring heart transplantation. Dr. Jonathan Tobis provides the E-CPR and program director Dr. Karol Watson provides a message for applicants. Episode notes were developed by Johns Hopkins internal medicine resident Evelyn Song with mentorship from University of Maryland cardiology fellow Karan Desai.   Jump to: Patient summary - Case media - Case teaching - References Episode graphic by Dr. Carine Hamo The CardioNerds Cardiology Case Reports series shines light on the hidden curriculum of medical storytelling. We learn together while discussing fascinating cases in this fun, engaging, and educational format. Each episode ends with an “Expert CardioNerd Perspectives & Review” (E-CPR) for a nuanced teaching from a content expert. We truly believe that hearing about a patient is the singular theme that unifies everyone at every level, from the student to the professor emeritus. We are teaming up with the ACC FIT Section to use the #CNCR episodes to showcase CV education across the country in the era of virtual recruitment. As part of the recruitment series, each episode features fellows from a given program discussing and teaching about an interesting case as well as sharing what makes their hearts flutter about their fellowship training. The case discussion is followed by both an E-CPR segment and a message from the program director. CardioNerds Case Reports PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademySubscribe to our newsletter- The HeartbeatSupport our educational mission by becoming a Patron!Cardiology Programs Twitter Group created by Dr. Nosheen Reza Patient Summary A woman in her late 40s presented with a one day history of intermittent chest pain. EKG showed anteroseptal and lateral STE with reciprocal ST depressions in the inferior leads. High-sensitivity troponin was elevated at 333 ng/mL. Emergent LHC showed a long and narrow left main with areas of additional contrast filling into a false lumen with no flow in the LAD. RCA and LCx were normal appearing (make sure you check out the angiogram videos below!). IVUS showed dissection and heavy thrombus burden in the left main artery. Shortly after the diagnostic angiogram, the patient went into V-fib arrest and received one shock with ROSC. Amiodarone was started and an Impella CP was placed for additional left ventricular support. ECMO and emergent CABG were not readily available at this time so the interventional team attempted revascularization with PCI to the left main given patient's hemodynamic instability from ongoing ischemia. However, even after PCI to left main, flow to LAD remained poor and the LCx now also appeared occluded. The decision was made to cease further attempts at revascularization. Unfortunately, post-procedure TTE showed a reduced EF of 22% with anterior and anterolateral hypokinesis. She was transferred to CCU on maximal Impella support. Patient eventually developed acute renal and liver failure secondary to cardiogenic shock and suffered an additional V-fib arrest with ROSC. Eventually, Ronald Reagan UCLA was contacted for transfer and the mobile ECMO team was dispatched. They placed the patient on VA-ECMO in the outside facility and transferred her to Ronald Reagan UCLA. At Ronald Reagan, revascularization was attempted given persistent cardiogenic shock and 3 stents were successfully deployed in the LAD. She was eventually weaned off of both Impella and ECMO after successful PCIs to LAD. However, TTE showed persistently low EF and patient eventually underwent successful heart-kidney transplantation.  Case Media ABCDClick to Enlarge A. ECG: Anterior STE, STE in I/aVL but depressedions in V4-V6, inferior reciprocal ST depressionB.

The treatment of venous thrombosis has historically been under treated and under recognised. In this episode, Steve Elias, MD meets with Makis Avgerinos (Uni of Pittsburgh, US), Mitchell Silver (Ohio Health, US), John Moriarty (UCLA, US) and Thomas Bernik (Englewood Health, NJ, US) to discuss how deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has become the latest ‘hot topic' in vascular medicine. Together they unpick how thought processes and available technologies are changing to better treat this disease. Listen now for the latest episode from the veinPODCAST series. Prefer video? Watch the vodcast video episode here: https://www.radcliffevascular.com/vein-6-Acute-DVT Submit your questions/feedback to Steve via: podcast@radcliffe-group.com. Hosted by @DrSteveElias and produced by Radcliffe Vascular. Follow us on social media for the latest updates on the next episode @RadcliffeVASCU today! In this episode they discuss: [03.00] The excitement surrounding new DVT technology [05.00] DVT devices: the history [06.25] New devices: changing DVT patient management [07.30] The ATTRACT trial: what did it teach us and what did it change? [15.00] The art of medicine: treating the grey areas [27.00] The advances of catheters: a review [31.00] The use of non-thrombolytic devices: the right algorithm [35.00] The advantage of IVUS: a review [36.33] The limitations of anticoagulation [39.00] Acute DVT management: what's missing to improve patient care?

C. Michael Gibson and Myeong-Ki Hong discuss 5-year outcomes in this randomized trial.

Commentary by Drs. Julia Grapsa and Elias Sanidas

What Makes Vein Specialists a Good Neighbor...Dr. Magnant opened the doors at Vein Specialists in Fort Myers in 2006 with a commitment to focus his vascular surgery practice 100% on the modern evaluation and minimally invasive therapy of venous disease. Vein Specialists has remained focused on venous disease management since day 1, and has continued to grow to meet the demands of southwest Florida over its history. The Bonita Springs office was opened in 2014 to better serve the patients of southern Lee and Collier counties. Dr. Magnant works alongside 4 advanced medical providers including 3 nurse practitioners and 1 Physician Assistant. The Vascular laboratory employs 8 full and part time registered vascular sonographers or technologists who are responsible for performing the diagnostic ultrasound examinations. Both offices are accredited Vein Centers and Vascular laboratories, certified by the prestigious Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).Vein specialists treats the full spectrum of venous disease from spider veins to venous ulcers and everything in between including varicose veins, swollen legs, stasis pigmentation and stasis dermatitis. Vein Specialists’ outpatient approach to the comprehensive management of venous disease and their performance of the full spectrum of minimally invasive venous procedures under local anesthesia with optional oral or IV conscious sedation (for IVUS cases, enables patients to avoid the risks of general or regional anesthesia, and other hospital-related inconveniences and ensures a safe, effective, efficient and nearly painless treatment and recovery.To learn more about Vein Specialists, go to: https://www.weknowveins.com/Vein Specialists1500 Royal Palm Square Blvd.Suite 105Fort Myers, FL 33919239-694-8346Support the show (https://goodneighborpodcast.com)

Dr. Mladen Vidovich is Professor of Medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago, He is Chief of Cardiology at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago. He is an interventional cardiologist with main interests in radial coronary angiography and intervention, intracoronary imaging (OCT, IVUS, NIRS) and quality improvement. He is Governor American College of Cardiology for Department of Veterans Affairs and Chair of the ACC Federal Section. Dr. Vidovich is member of the standing Cardiovascular Committee at the National Quality Forum (NQF). He has published numerous manuscripts and two books on Radial Angiography and Catheterization. He has designed a dedicated radial ventriculography catheter that is currently in clinical use.

Ep. 52 IVUS for Iliac Vein Compression with Dr. Mark Lessne and Dr. Mike Cumming by BackTable

Jonathan (Jon) is co-founder & CEO at MitraSpan —a medical device development company that is exploring minimally invasive mitral valve repair techniques for treating type IIIb functional mitral regurgitation in heart failure patients. Jon's career in medical devices and cardiology began in 1991 in the ultrasound imaging business at Hewlett-Packard Medical Products (now owned by Philips). He worked on engineering challenges related to manufacturing high-frequency ultrasound transducers for both TTE and TEE devices. In 1995, he led the IVUS catheter program, a joint venture first with Boston Scientific and later Guidant. This business was later spun out to Volcano and then recently acquired back by Philips. In 1999, Jon moved to the venture-backed startup world where he has remained for now 20 years first as VP of R&D at Endotex where he focused on the development of a carotid stent. He led this program through successful feasibility studies and pivotal study launch. Following that and FDA-PMA approval, Endotex was acquired by BSX. In 2001, Jon joined TransMedics as VP of R&D and lead development efforts through the successful completion of the first full venture round. Transmedics recently filed for an IPO and is a pioneering company focused on the normothermic, sanguineous, functional preservation of organs for transplantation. Since 2002, Jon has led a succession of development and clinical trial efforts in the structural heart and mitral repair fields. First, at Viacor he served as both VP of R&D and CEO; and later at Harpoon, he helped arrange for the spinout of IP and the securement of initial program funding. Now, at MitraSpan he continues to innovate on potential breakthrough structural techniques.

Discord: http://discord.worldofwarcast.com Twitch: http://twitch.tv/starmiketv Mount Up Add-on: https://wow.curseforge.com/projects/mount-up Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/starmike Renata Finished second part of war campaign on Horde - what’s unlocked anyway Up to seven 120s, closing in on #8 - getting sick of the 110-120 leveling grind Thoughts on incursions Thoughts on Battle of Darkshore Taking advantage of the leveling improvements Learning to “edit” Professions? New headset - yes, another one Mike Got the Hivemind Spending time on misc. things Might start on toys this weekend. This Week in WoW Ongoing: Feast of Winter Veil BfA Dungeon Event until Tuesday Tuesday starts Pet Battle Bonus Event - and Squirt Day on NA servers! News Naked & Afraid Update Disabling XP Gains at 110? Blood soaked Tome of Dark Whispers - allows hunters to tame blood beasts (crawgs and blood ticks) Blizzard is retiring several mounts, pets, and helms from the Blizzard store - Ivus loot bug: suspensions incoming Pet Smugglers: Olly and Dodger

Commentary by Dr. Valentin Fuster

Adam Schoen, Partner, Brown Rudnick Adam Schoen advises life science and medical device companies regarding implementation of a patent strategy to further business objectives and business goals. Adam's practice encompasses patent preparation and prosecution, portfolio development, product clearance, freedom to operate analysis and intellectual property due diligence. Adam works with public and private companies, investors, and academic institutions. Adam has experience with a variety of technologies, such as next generation sequencing technologies, droplet based technologies, cancer diagnostics, medical device technology (ophthalmology, cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, spine) and medical imaging technology (IVUS and OCT), mass spectrometry, small molecule therapeutics, digital health, near field communication technology, and semiconductor technology. He manages patent portfolios of all sizes and develops strategies to maximize and protect intellectual property rights in both the United States and foreign jurisdictions. Prior to law school, Adam was a scientist of analytical chemistry for ArQule Inc., a combinatorial chemistry and drug discovery company.

Commentary by Dr. Valentin Fuster

Angiography shouldn't end with a diagnosis of nonobstructive CAD, NSAIDs show cardiovascular and renal safety in the short term, a registry analysis supports use of direct oral anticoagulants over warfarin, and IVUS-guided stent placement bests angiography-led placement.

Commentary by Dr. Valentin Fuster

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the most common treatment for coronary artery disease (CAD). The first form of PCI introduced was balloon angioplasty. After that, the advent of coronary stents (tubular wire mesh for intravascular mechanical support) led to a new era in interventional cardiology. Through the implantation of bare metal stents (BMS), all three limitations of balloon angioplasty – coronary artery dissection, elastic recoil and negative remodelling – are prevented. Unfortunately, bare metal stents have their own drawbacks: most significantly, in-stent stenosis as a result of deep focal vascular injury caused by stent struts, followed by excessive tissue proliferation. This drawback has since been addressed with the introduction of drug eluting stents (DES). Both BMS and DES are permanent stents. As foreign bodies implanted into coronary vessels, they cause the following adverse effects: hypersensitivity reaction, chronic inflammation, elimination of vasomotion, and stent thrombosis. Biodegradable stents have been set forth as a candidate to overcome the drawbacks of permanent stents through providing temporary mechanical stability for a vulnerable lesion before complete degradation without long-term impairment of vessel function. The two main materials used in biodegradable stents are poly-L-lactide and metal (or AMS, short for absorbable metal stents). One type of AMS is magnesium alloy. Before AMS become a standard in the treatment of CAD, more research is required to better understand their degradation kinetics and mechanical stability. In order to complete these studies, however, the stents must provide adequate opacity for visualization – wherein lies the challenge. It is not possible to visualize magnesium stents with coronary angiography. Newer imaging modalities such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) have been proposed as techniques to visualize these stents and their biodegradation. The aim of this study was twofold: first, to study the available in-vivo visualization techniques (OCT and IVUS) in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses in assessing the biodegradation process of AMS through comparison with histology; and secondly, to identify a new histological technique for studying the distribution of magnesium and its degradation products into surrounding tissue upon biodegradation. Four Gottingen mini pigs were implanted with AMS and BMS, and assessed with IVUS and OCT under fluoroscopic guidance at the time of implantation and prior to explantation (4 weeks later). Upon completion of the in-vivo studies, the hearts of the study objects were harvested for histological processing. Results showed that both IVUS and OCT are effective visualization techniques in studying the biodegradation process of AMS. IVUS is superior to OCT in capturing vessel morphometry thanks to its ease of use and consistently high image quality, thus enabling us to study vessel dimensions during biodegradation. OCT, however, is a better technique for detailed vessel assessment thanks to its higher resolution, and helps us to detect qualitative changes during biodegradation. The two methods correlate moderately during the morphometric analysis. The histological studies on the other hand showed a poorer correlation with the in-vivo techniques. This was likely due to strut integrity compromised during cryosectioning and subsequently washed away after staining, as in an adjunctive study we were able to show that staining did not affect morphometry. The measurements were consistently largest with IVUS, and the smallest with histology (IVUS > OCT > histology). Though IVUS and OCT together offer a gross understanding of AMS biodegradation, in order to complete this view at a cellular level one must employ a third technique. The technique investigated in this study was titan yellow staining, which proved to be a feasible method for capturing the biodegradation process and the distribution of magnesium within the vessel wall. This study showed for the first time that biodegradable magnesium stents and their degradation products can be visualized effectively ex-vivo, and that analysis of these images will allow us to better understand the changes due to degradation during in-vivo visualization. Its simplicity and speed make titan yellow preferred to the in-vitro corrosion techniques previously employed. The procedure, however, must be further modified in order to improve its effectiveness over a longer period of time. Once this is achieved, it will then be possible to measure the density of degradation products away from struts over time, so as to more thoroughly understand the degradation kinetics.

Die Transplantatvaskulopathie (TVP) stellt im Langzeitverlauf noch immer die Haupttodesursache herztransplantierter Patienten dar und limitiert somit deren Langzeitüberleben entscheidend. Bisher ist die Pathogenese dieser besonderen Form der Atherosklerose weitgehend ungeklärt und die Diagnostik nur mit invasiven Methoden möglich. Da sich inzwischen die Hinweise für eine Beteiligung zirkulierender vaskulärer Progenitoren bei der Entwicklung der klassischen Atherosklerose mehren, untersuchten wir die Rolle endothelialer und glattmuskulärer Progenitorzellen bei der Entwicklung der Transplantatvaskulopathie. In diese prospektive Studie wurden 207 herztransplantierte Patienten eingeschlossen. Die zirkulierenden Progenitoren wurden durchflusszytometrisch als % der mononukleären Zellen in Blutproben aus dem peripheren Blut bestimmt. Dabei wurden die endothelialen Progenitoren als CD34/KDR doppeltpositiv, die glattmuskulären Progenitoren als CD34/PDGFR-ß doppeltpositiv identifiziert. Die Schwere der TVP wurde zum Einen angiographisch im Rahmen einer Koronarangiographie und zum Anderen bei einer Subpopulation von 40 Patienten auch mittels intravaskulärem Ultraschall (IVUS) und der Methode der „virtuellen Histologie“ ermittelt. Für die mittels IVUS untersuchten Patienten ergab sich eine gute Korrelation zwischen der Prävalenz der angiographisch diagnostizierten TVP und den erhobenen IVUS Daten. Des Weiteren zeigte sich im Rahmen der virtuellen Histologie, dass sich die Zusammensetzung der Plaquekomponenten im zeitlichen Verlauf nach Herztransplantation von fibrotischen zugunsten von kalkhaltigen Anteilen verändert. Bezüglich der Progenitoren ließ sich kein signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen der Entwicklung einer TVP und dem Nachweis von endothelialen Vorläuferzellen zeigen. Allerdings fiel eine deutlich höhere Anzahl glattmuskulärer Progenitoren bei Patienten mit angiographisch nachweisbarer TVP als bei Patienten ohne TVP auf. Damit deuten die Ergebnisse dieser Studie erstmals darauf hin, dass glattmuskuläre Progenitorzellen an der Entwicklung der TVP beteiligt sein könnten.

Die Transplantatvaskulopathie stellt die häufigste Todesursache im langfristigen Verlauf bei Patienten nach Herztransplantation dar. Das morphologische Erscheinungsbild ist gekennzeichnet durch immunologisch bedingte Veränderungen von Arterien und Venen unterschiedlichen Kalibers und mündet zumeist in eine progrediente koronare Herzerkrankung. Durch die Denervierung des Herzens bei der Transplantation fehlen zumeist die klassischen Symptome einer myokardialen Ischämie, so dass ventrikuläre Arrhythmien, Herzinsuffizienz oder der plötzliche Herztod oft die ersten und einzigen Manifestationen der Erkrankung sind. Im Rahmen der routinemäßigen Nachsorgeuntersuchungen nach Herztransplantation ist es daher von Bedeutung, den Beginn der Erkrankung möglichst frühzeitig zu erkennen – am besten eben noch bevor sich erste klinische Anzeichen manifestieren. Unsere Arbeitsgruppe evaluierte die Rolle der Echokardiographie unter medikamentöser Herzbelastung, besonders im Hinblick auf den zusätzlichen diagnostischen Wert durch die Applikation von Ultraschall¬kontrastmitteln. Bei 30 Patienten (durchschnittlich 7,5 Jahre nach Herztransplantation) wurden im Rahmen der Dobutamin-Stressechokardiographie durch die zusätzliche Applikation von Ultraschallkontrastmittel Daten zur myokardialen Perfusion erhoben. Dazu wurden die Echokardiographie in drei Stufen ausgewertet und mit einem kombiniert morphologisch-funktionellen Goldstandard bestehend aus Koronarangiographie, IVUS und Myokard-Perfusions-Szintigraphie verglichen um dem heterogenen Erscheinungsbild der Transplantatvaskulopathie gerecht zu werden. Die ersten zwei Stufen beinhalteten die konventionelle Analyse von Wandbewegung und Wanddickenveränderung sowie die visuelle Beurteilung der Kontrastmittelverteilung im Myokard. Darüber hinaus wurden erstmalig an einem Kollektiv herztransplantierter Patienten Anflutungsgeschwindigkeit des Kontrastmittels und absolutes Perfusionsniveau quantitativ für die einzelnen Myokardabschnitte erfasst. Kurz zum physikalischen Hintergrund: Ultraschallkontrastmittel bestehen aus kleinen Gasgefüllten Mikorbläschen mit einer Phospholipid-Monolayer welche intravenös appliziert werden und mit dem Blutsrom ins Herzen gelangen. Moderne Sonogeräte ermöglichen es, diese Bläschen in vivo in Schwingung zu bringen und sie so sichtbar zu machen. Nach der Abgabe eines hochenergetischen Schallimpulses durch den Schallkopf werden sämtliche Gasbläschen im Myokard zerstört und in den darauf folgenden Herzzyklen kann die Geschwindigkeit der Wiederanflutung sowie die absolute Gasbläschenmenge quantitativ gemessen werden. Da sich das KM homogen im Blut verteilt können somit Rückschlüsse auf Anflutungsgeschwindigkeit und Perfusionsniveau gezogen werden. Bereits durch die visuelle Auswertung der Myokardkontrastechokardiographie ergab sich ein Zugewinn an Sensitivität und Spezifität im Vergleich zur herkömmlichen Dobutamin-Stressechokardiographie in der Diagnostik der hämodynamisch relevanten Transplantatvaskulopathie. Eine weitere Steigerung der Treffsicherheit wurde durch die zusätzlichen quantitativen Myokardanalysen erreicht. Für alle Auswertungen wurde das Myokard in den Standarschnittebenen untersucht und in insgesamt 18 Segmente unterteilt. Oben genannte Wiederanflutungskurven wurden für jedes Segment in Ruhe und bei Belastung gemessen und anschließend voneinander subtrahiert. Diese Delta Werte für den Anstieg der Kurve sowie das Absolute Perfusionsniveau ermöglichen quantitative Aussagen über eine etwaige Perfusionsverschlechterung von Stress im Vergleich zur Ruhe. In der Arbeit konnte gezeigt werden, dass ein präselektioniertes Patientengut von der hohen Sensitivität und Spezifität der Methode profitiert und die Anzahl der routinemäßig durchgeführten Koronarangiographien vermindert werden könnte.

Der technische Fortschritt im Bereich der kardialen Computertomographie ermöglicht durch die Einführung der Mehrschicht-Spiral-CT (MSCT) und die damit verbundene verbesserte zeitliche wie auch räumliche Auflösung neue Möglichkeiten in der nicht invasiven Diagnostik der koronaren Herzerkrankung (KHK). Die Grundlage dieser Erkrankung bilden atherosklerotische Veränderungen der Herzkranzgefäße. Mit Hilfe der MSCT lässt sich diese auf zwei unterschiedliche Arten darstellen. Zum einen kommt hierbei die Detektion von Koronarkalk in einem nativen CT-Scan zum Einsatz. Kalk spiegelt nicht nur das Vorhandensein von atherosklerotischen Läsionen wieder, sondern die Menge an Verkalkung, quantifizierbar in unterschiedlichen Scores (Agatston-Score, Kalkvolumen- und Massescore) korreliert mit dem Ausmaß der koronaren Atherosklerose. Allerdings müssen atherosklerotische Plaques nicht zwangsläufig Kalkeinlagerungen aufweisen. Durch die zusätzliche Applikation eines Kontrastmittels gelingt die Darstellung der Koronargefäße in ihrem gesamten Verlauf sowie zudem von Wandveränderungen dieser epikardialen Arterien. Eine beträchtliche Zahl von Studien an kleineren Patientenkollektiven konnte zeigen, dass sich mit Hilfe dieser Modalität mittel- bis höchstgradige Stenosen detektieren lassen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde der diagnostische Stellenwert der kontrastmittelverstärkten MSCT-Angiographie (MSCTA) zur morphologischen Differenzierung und Quantifizierung atherosklerotischer Plaques der Herzkranzgefäße (Plaque-Imaging) evaluiert. In einer Vergleichsstudie mit dem intravaskulären Ultraschall, dem derzeitigen Goldstandard, an 46 konsekutiven Patienten sollte die Sensitivität und Spezifität der 16-Zeilen-CT-Angiographie (Sensation 16, Siemens Medical Solutions, Forchheim, Deutschland) bei der morphologischen Klassifizierung der Plaques untersucht werden. Hierbei wurden mit der MSCTA in 62 von 80 (78%) 3-mm-Koronarsubsegmenten echoarme weiche Läsionen richtig identifiziert. 87 von 112 (78%) Subsegmenten enthielten nach CT-Analyse echoreiche fibröse Läsionen und in 150 von 158 (95%) Subsegmenten konnten verkalkte Areale richtig detektiert werden. In 484 von 525 (92%) Gefäßabschnitten ließen sich atherosklerotische Veränderungen richtig ausschließen. Vorraussetzung waren hierbei eine minimale mittlere Dicke des Plaques von 1,5 mm und ein minimaler mittlerer EEM-Durchmesser des analysierten Segments von 2,5 mm im intravaskulären Ultraschall (IVUS). Entsprechend der verschiedenen Plaquemorphologien im IVUS konnten signifikant unterschiedliche CT-Dichtewerte für echoarme weiche Läsionen von 49 ± 22 Hounsfield-Einheiten (HU) bei einer Spannweite von 14 bis 82 HU, für echoreiche fibröse Areale von 91 ± 22 HU (Spannweite: 34 bis 125 HU) und für kalzifizierte Plaques von 391 ± 156 HU (Spannweite: 162 bis 820 HU) berechnet werden. Damit zeigte sich eine Dichtewert-Überlappung innerhalb der nicht kalzifizierten Läsionen, die sich durch die Natur atherosklerotischer Veränderungen als auch durch die Messunschärfe des IVUS erklären lässt: demnach ist eine strikte Trennung zwischen echoarmen und echoreichen Gewebeanteilen selbst mit dieser invasiven Modalität nicht eindeutig möglich, vor allem unter dem Gesichtspunkt des pathologischen Prozesses der Atherosklerose an sich, bei dem unterschiedliche Stadien von Veränderungen nebeneinander und auch innerhalb eines erkrankten Abschnitts existieren können. Basierend auf diesen Erkenntnissen initiierten wir eine weitere Studie, die eine hypothetische Variabilität hinsichtlich der vorherrschenden Plaquemorphologie bei Patienten mit einer unterschiedlichen Manifestation einer KHK herausarbeiten sollte. Dazu wurden 21 Patienten (18 Männer, 3 Frauen, mittleres Alter: 64,3 ± 8 Jahre) mit einem akuten Myokardinfarkt (AMI) als Erstmanifestation in der unmittelbaren Vorgeschichte (14 ± 5 Tage), sowie 19 Patienten (17 Männer, 2 Frauen, mittleres Alter: 68,5 ± 9 Jahre) mit einer stabilen Angina pectoris-Symptomatik (SAP) eingeschlossen. Mit Hilfe eines 4-Zeilen-Scanners (Volume Zoom, Siemens Medical Solutions, Forchheim, Deutschland) ließen sich signifikante Unterschiede beider Gruppen bezüglich der atherosklerotischen Plaquelast einerseits und der vorherrschenden Morphologie andererseits aufzeigen, die eine enge Korrelation zum klinischen Beschwerdebild aufwiesen. So konnten wir in dem SAP-Kollektiv insgesamt signifikant mehr Koronarkalk und verkalkte Plaquefläche nachweisen (Kalkvolumenscore: 631,4 ± 676,3 vs. 322,4 ± 366,2 [p < 0,04]; Fläche verkalkter Läsionen: 141,88 mm2 vs. 56,9 mm2 [p < 0,003]). Die AMI-Patienten wiesen im Gegenzug insgesamt weniger Plaquefläche auf, die von signifikant mehr nicht verkalkten Läsionen eingenommen wurde (Gesamtplaquefläche: 121,2 mm2 vs. 187,88 mm2 [p < 0,005]; Fläche nicht verkalkter Areale: 26,7 mm2 vs. 7,3 mm2 [p < 0,001]). Damit konnten wir erstmalig, nicht invasiv Unterschiede hinsichtlich der Plaquezusammensetzung und –last bei Patientenkollektiven mit einer unterschiedlichen klinischen Manifestation der koronaren Herzerkrankung bestätigen. Zusammengenommen eröffnet die MSCTA als derzeit einzige nicht invasive Methode, die Möglichkeit einer zuverlässigen Detektion koronarer Plaques. Dies könnte sich nutzbringend bei der Risikostratifizierung zukünftiger koronarer Ereignisse asymptomatischer, wie auch symptomatischer Patienten einsetzten lassen. Außerdem gestattet diese Modalität, zumindest theoretisch, ein nicht invasives Follow-up der Plaqueprogression oder möglicher Effekte medikamentöser Therapiestrategien. Größere Studien, vor allem an Patientenkollektiven mit einer geringen Pretest-Wahrscheinlichkeit für eine KHK müssen folgen, um den klinischen Stellenwert dieses vielversprechenden Verfahrens in prospektiven Ansätzen zu evaluieren.

Guest: Deepak Bhatt, MD Host: Larry Kaskel, MD Overview of the IVUS trial and results

Guest: Deepak Bhatt, MD Host: Larry Kaskel, MD The future of IVUS in CAD

Guest: Deepak Bhatt, MD Host: Larry Kaskel, MD Implications to Patient Care and Treatment

Audio Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine Bioabsorbable Everolimus-Eluting Stent: 6-Month Angiographic and IVUS Results REFERENCE: Abstract 2402-3, American College of Cardiology New Orleans PATRICK SERRUYS, Erasmus University, Rotterdam COMMENT: SPENCER KING, Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta Six-months follow-up of patients receiving a new bioabsorbable drug-eluting stent are favourable, according to Patrick Serruys whose group has been investigating the stent which elutes everolimus in a group of 30 patients. During the ACC Annual Meeting in New Orleans he discussed with Peter Goodwin the potential benefits the new device can bring to coronary patients.

As a luminogram, coronary angiography provides a good overview of the coronary artery tree. Using quantitative coronary measurements, the degree of coronary obstruction can be determined. The limitation of coronary angiography is that it does not provide information on the arterial wall structure and therefore cannot assess the extent of atherosclerosis. Knowledge about adaptive coronary remodelling processes as compensatory enlargement of the coronary artery has focused diagnostic interest on the non-stenotic lesions of the coronary tree. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) can reveal discrepancies between the extent of coronary atherosclerosis and angiography imaging by in vivo plaque imaging. Spectrum analysis of IVUS-derived radiofrequency (RF) data enables a more detailed analysis of plaque composition and morphology. Preliminary in vitro studies correlated four histological plaque components with a specific spectrum analysis of the RF data. The different components (fibrous, fibrofatty, necrotic core and dense calcium) are colour coded. Coronary tissue maps were reconstructed from RF data using IVUS–Virtual Histology (VH IVUS) software (Real-Time VH, Volcano Corporation, Rancho Cordova, California, USA). VH IVUS has the potential to detect high-risk lesions and can provide new insights into the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease. VH IVUS allows the differentiation of different lesion types based on information derived from histopathology. The in vivo specific histological analysis of coronary atherosclerosis may allow better stratification of treatment of patients with coronary artery disease.

Nach den Ergebnissen dieser Pilotstudie ist der Einsatz eines Kombinationssystems aus Ultraschall- Transducer und Stentapplikationseinheit zur Stentimplantation bei koronarer Herzerkrankung sicher und komplikationsarm sowie einfach in der Handhabung. Der Einsatz von IVUS zusätzlich zur Angiographie liefert hilfreiche Informationen zur Durchführung der PTCA und trägt damit zu einer optimalen Implantation des Stents bei. Die mittels IVUS gewonnene Information hatte einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die Interventionsstrategie und veränderte in einem hohen Prozentsatz der Fälle die therapeutische Vorgehensweise. Die Implantationsergebnisse ließen sich auf diese Weise optimieren, woraus im Kontrollzeitraum von 12 Monaten eine niedrige TVR- (6,5%) und TLR- Rate (3,2%) resultierte. Im Vergleich zur rein angiographisch kontrollierten Stentimplantation trug die IVUS- Kontrolle zu einem besseren direkten Implantationsergebnis mit einer geringeren postinterventionellen Diameterstenose bei. Der Einsatz des IVUS verlängerte zwar die Prozedurdauer, beeinflusste die übrigen Interventionsparameter jedoch nicht signifikant. Im Vergleich zur Verwendung separater IVUS- Katheter konnten Prozedurdauer, Durchleuchtungszeit, Kontrastmittelmenge sowie die Anzahl der verwendeten Ballons gesenkt werden. Die postinterventionelle Beurteilung der Läsion mittels IVUS gestaltete sich zum Teil schwierig, da der Ballon nach der Inflation einen größeren Diameter hatte und der Katheter daher bei Läsionen mit einem geringen Lumendiameter nicht mehr über die mit dem Stent versorgte Engstelle hinaus vorgeschoben werden konnte. Eine Umgestaltung des Kombinationssystems mit einer Verlegung der Ultraschalleinheit an die Spitze des Katheters könnte dazu beitragen auch in diesen Fällen eine Beurteilung zu ermöglichen und damit die Ergebnisse noch weiter zu verbessern. Der Einsatz von IVUS und gerade auch von Kombinationssystemen aus Ultraschall- und Stentapplikationseinheit erscheint in Verbindung mit neuen Methoden attraktiv. Zum Beispiel könnten in Kombination mit IVUS die Restenoseraten unter Verwendung von DES unter Umständen noch weiter minimiert werden. Eine andere zukunftsträchtige Möglichkeit ist die Erstellung einer „virtuellen Histologie“ mittels IVUS, die es zum Beispiel ermöglicht vulnerable Plaques zu identifizieren oder den Erfolg einer Therapie mit Lipidsenkern zu erfassen. Bei der Betrachtung der Ergebnisse dieser Studie sollte berücksichtigt werden, dass die Aussagekraft aufgrund der geringen Fallzahl limitiert ist. Die Ergebnisse ermutigen jedoch zur Durchführung weiterer Studien mit höherer Fallzahl.

Despite being recommended by the American College of Cardiology Expert Consensus Document on Coronary Artery Stents, high pressure post-dilatation strategy still encountered several controversies due to its deleterious effects on the vascular wall and its distortion of the stent geometry leading to a predilection to restenosis. Researches were geared to the development of newly designed coronary stent systems to be deployed at low pressure minimizing vessel trauma. In this study, the EXPRESS™ Coronary Stent System underwent scrutiny based on QCA and IVUS comparing both nominal and high balloon inflation pressures. IVUS and selective coronary angiography were performed after initial stent deployment at 9 atmospheres and after post-stent dilatation up to as high as 20 atmospheres. If stent deployment was not perceived to be optimal, stent was dilated once to three times and post-stent balloon inflation pressure could be increased at the discretion of the investigator until perceived to be optimally expanded according to the Modified “MUSIC” criteria. Stents implanted at nominal pressure and perceived to be already successfully deployed sonographically and angiographically belonged to Group A (n=17). No high-pressure post-stent dilatation was required. Stents implanted at nominal pressure and perceived to be not optimal by angiography with or without IVUS were further dilated with higher balloon pressure inflations until perceived to be successfully deployed based on angiography and IVUS. These belonged to Group B (n=23). Pre-dilatation was performed on both groups once to three times when perceived to be necessary. The routine protocol for anti-thrombotics and anti-coagulants was also followed. The immediate outcome of PCI from both groups were comparable. However, the high pressure group had poorer AHA/ACC lesion type and heavier lesion calcification. This could had prevented achieving a much higher yield of successful stent deployment. The inaccurate QCA interpretation at low pressures could have explained the apparent disagreement between the two imaging modalities.

Thu, 18 Mar 2004 12:00:00 +0100 https://edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de/2295/ https://edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de/2295/1/Pichlmeier_Elke.pdf Pichlmeier, Elke dd