Heavily calcified and densely fibrotic coronary lesions continue to represent a challenge for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), as they are difficul to dilate and it is difficult to deliver and implant drug-eluting stents (DES) properly. Poor stent deployment is associated with high rates of periprocedural complications and suboptimal long-term clinical outcomes. Thanks to the introduction of several adjunctive PCI tools, like cutting and scoring balloons and to atherectomy devices, the treatment of such lesions has become increasingly feasible, predictable and safe. A step-wise progression of strategies is described for coronary plaque modification, from well-recognised techniques to techniques that should only be considered when standard manoeuvres have proven unsuccessful. We highlight these techniques in the setting of clinical examples how best to apply them through better patient and lesion selection, with the main objective of optimising DES delivery and implantation, and subsequent improved outcomes.
Background With an ageing population, the demand for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the elderly is on the rise. Technical advances, better peri-procedural pharmacology and greater operator experience have led to improved outcomes after PCI. Octogenarians as a group, however, have been underrepresented in randomised clinical trials of coronary revascularisation. Observational studies therefore provide useful insights into the safety and efficacy of PCI in this patient population in a real-world clinical practice. Aim The aim of this study was to examine the trends in patient characteristics and clinical outcomes after PCI in octogenarians over a 10-year period in a large non-surgical PCI centre and to determine the predictors of mortality in this high risk patient cohort. Methods A total of 782 consecutive octogenarians were identified from a prospectively collected database of all patients undergoing PCI at our centre between 2007 and 2016. We analysed the characteristics of the cohort with respect to all-cause in-hospital and 1-year mortality, in-hospital Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) rates, complexity of coronary artery disease and major comorbidities. The patients were stratified into three chronological tertiles to assess differences over time. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine predictors of mortality. Results The number of octogenarians undergoing PCI was found to have increased nearly ten-fold, from 19 in 2007 to 178 in 2016. Despite this, there were no significant differences in adverse clinical outcomes. A greater use of radial access was noted (p<0.0001). Increasing age, the presence of cardiogenic shock, severe left ventricular impairment, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus and low creatinine clearance were identified as independent predictors of mortality after PCI (Table 1). Conclusion PCI in octogenarians is a safe and effective revascularisation option, the use of which is increasing in the real-world clinical practice. Future PCI randomised clinical trials should include this challenging cohort to enhance the evidence base. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None
Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of cardiovascular death in octogenarians. This group of patients represents nearly a fifth of all patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in real-world practice. Octogenarians have multiple risk factors for CAD and often greater myocardial ischemia than younger counterparts, with a potential of an increased benefit from myocardial revascularization. Despite this, octogenarians are routinely under-treated and belittled in clinical trials. Age does make a difference to PCI outcomes in older people, but it is never the sole arbiter of any clinical decision, whether in relation to the heart or any other aspect of health. The decision when to perform revascularization in elderly patients and especially in octogenarians is complex and should consider the patient on an individual basis, with clarification of the goals of the therapy and the relative risks and benefits of performing the procedure. In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI), there is no upper age limit regarding urgent reperfusion and primary PCI must be the standard of care. In non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, a strict conservative strategy must be avoided; whereas the use of a routine invasive strategy may reduce the occurrence of MI and need for revascularization at follow-up, with no established benefit in terms of mortality. In stable CAD patients, invasive therapy on top of the optimal medical therapy seems better in symptom relief and quality of life. This review summarizes the available data on percutaneous revascularization in the elderly patients and particularly in octogenarians, including practical considerations on PCI risk secondary to ageing physiology. We also analyse technical difficulties met when considering PCI in this cohort and the ongoing need for further studies to ameliorate risk stratification and eventually outcomes in these challenging patients.
Thrombocytopenia is a recognized complication following aortic valve replacement (AVR). While post-operative thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is less common than heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), it is associated with high mortality and morbidity and prompt diagnosis and treatment is vital. In this case report, we describe the first reported case of TTP after AVR using the trifecta bio-prosthesis. We recommend that patients with severe and progressive thrombocytopenia following biological AVR should have early screening for both HIT and TTP, to shorten the decision-making process and provide the appropriate therapy.
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