680 Peripheral intravascular lithotripsy of ILEO-femoral arteries to facilitate transfemoral TAVI: a multicentric prospective registry

Aims The presence of severe calcific atherosclerosis at the iliofemoral axis may preclude transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) by transfemoral (TF) approach. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is a novel technology that fractures intimal/medial calcium and increases vessel compliance allowing TF-TAVI in selected patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). To report on the safety and efficacy of IVL-assisted TF-TAVI in an all-comers population. Methods and results Clinical, imaging and procedural data on all consecutive patients treated by IVL-assisted TF-TAVI in six high-volume European centres (2018–2020) were collected in this prospective, real-world, multicentre registry. IVL-assisted TF-TAVI was performed in 108 patients, increasing from 2.4% to 6.5% of all TAVI in 2018 to 2020, respectively. The target lesion was most often localized at the common and/or external iliac artery (93.5% of cases; average TL-MLD 4.6 ± 0.9 mm with 318 degrees of calcium arc). Transfemoral aortic valve delivery was successful in 100% of cases; final procedural success in 98.2% (two conversion to cardiac open surgery for annular rupture and valve migration). Complications of the IVL-treated segments consisted of one perforation and three major dissections requiring stent implantation (two covered stents and two BMS). Access site related complication included three major bleedings. Three in-hospital deaths were recorded (2.8%, one failed surgical conversion after annular rupture, one cardiac arrest after initial valvuloplasty, one late hyperkalaemia in renal dysfunction). Conclusions IVL-assisted TF-TAVI proved to be a safe and effective approach, which helps expanding the indications for TF-TAVI in patients with severe calcific PAD. Still, these patients maintain a higher than average incidence of peri-procedural complication.

377 Optimal timing for percutaneous coronary interventions in patients undergoing TAVI

Aims PCI timing in patients undergoing TAVI is still controversial, with most cases treated before TAVI, because of concerns about potential ischaemic complications during valve replacement. This study aims to compare procedural and in-hospital outcomes in patients undergoing PCI before or after TAVI. Methods and results Patients undergoing TAVI and PCI from 2010 to 2021 at Verona University Hospital were included. High-risk PCI were defined when performed in unprotected left main, proximal left anterior descending, proximal dominant right coronary artery or in 3-vessel disease. The primary endpoint was the cumulative incidence of any TAVI procedural complication and in-hospital adverse events (VARC-3 criteria). 129/940 TAVI patients underwent PCI was performed before TAVI in 33.4% of cases. Most patients (76.4%) were at high-risk. The primary endpoint occurred in 30.2% PCI pre-TAVI vs. 23.3% post-TAVI (HR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.26–2.86; P = 0.671); and in 37.9% vs. 18.5% respectively, among high-risk PCI (HR: 1.62; 95% CI: 0.86–3.76; P = 0.102). At 24 months, MACCE-free survival was comparable (PCI pre-TAVI 91.7% vs. post-TAVI 97.5%, HR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.13–4.77, P = 0.765). Conclusions PCI performed after TAVI does not expose patients to higher risks of peri-procedural or long-term complications when compared with pre-TAVI procedures, even in presence of high-risk lesions. 377 FigureAn example of post-TAVI high risk PCI. Pre-TAVI coronary angiography showed ostial left main critical lesion (A). After Symetis Aortic valve deployment, balloon angioplasty and stent implantation were performed (B and C) with good final angiographic result (D).

Cerebral abscess secondary to embolization of arteriovenous malformation: A case report and literature review

Background: Infectious complications of the central nervous system secondary to endovascular procedures have rarely been reported. However, the number of complications has grown exponentially owing to the popularization of these procedures. The success rate of these procedures varies with the pathology, the patient, and surgical performance. Although brain abscesses have been extensively reported, their presence after endovascular procedures has not been described in detail in the literature. We present a case of brain abscess induced by embolization of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), discuss the main indications, techniques, procedural complications, and review the associated literature. Case Description: A 13-year-old boy presented to us with a history of hemorrhagic stroke secondary to a cerebral AVM rupture. He underwent incomplete AVM resection (2014), with subsequent incomplete embolization (2017), and permanence of the endovenous catheter as a procedural complication. Physical examination revealed purulent exudate through the cervical surgical wound. We performed cervicotomy to remove the catheter but had no success in removing the intracranial material segment. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with a brain abscess (2018) and treated with antibiotics. Our team performed resection of the residual AVM, abscess, and the catheter-associated with the region. Conclusion: The patient showed significant clinical improvement after surgical resection of the malformation. No residual lesions were observed in the imaging examinations. Further, we reviewed the literature to find other cases of similar complications and their association with the endovascular procedure. We did not find complications in patients younger than the one presented in this case. Factors such as incomplete embolisation increase the risk of unfavourable outcomes.

High Bleeding Risk (HBR) patients Percutaneous Coronary Intervention-a Challenge to Deal with

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of death in our patient population. In the era of cardiovascular intervention, Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is one of the most important modalities in treating these group of patients. Several CAD risks factors and co-morbid conditions are key responsible factor of procedural success. High bleeding risk (HBR) patients undergoing PCI is not an uncommon phenomenon. Incidences and prevalence of HBR patients with CAD and their management by PCI is not well addressed in our literature. PCI in HBR patients carries potential risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and lifethreatening bleeding. Therefore, careful pre-PCI assessment of possible risk or threats of post-PCI complications in patients with HBR are deem necessitate to understand. We recommend forming multicenter common consensus and to form a guideline in treating HBR patient by PCI. Thus, to reduce post procedural complication and subsequent improvement of mortality and morbidity in HBR patients undergoing PCI in both ST segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) and as well as non-STEMI. Bangladesh Heart Journal 2021; 36(2): 133-138

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in Korea: results from the Korean Heart Rhythm Society Ablation Registry for Atrial Fibrillation (KARA)

Background This study aims to investigate the current status of AF (atrial fibrillation) catheter ablation in Korea. Methods The patients who underwent AF catheter ablation from September 2017 to December 2019 were prospectively enrolled from 37 arrhythmia centers. Demographic data, procedural characteristics, the extent of catheter ablation, acute success of the ablation lesion set, rate and independent risk factor for recurrence of AF were analyzed. Results A total of 2402 AF patients [paroxysmal AF (PAF) 45.7%, persistent AF (PeAF) 43.1% and redo AF 11.2%] were included. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was performed in 2378 patients (99%) and acute success rate was 97.9%. Additional non-PV ablation (NPVA) were performed in 1648 patients (68.6%). Post-procedural complication rate was 2.2%. One-year AF-free survival rate was 78.6% and the PeAF patients showed poorer survival rate than the ones with other types (PeAF 72.4%, PAF 84.2%, redo AF 80.0%). Additional NPVA did not influence the recurrence of AF in the PAF patients (PVI 17.0% vs. NPVA 14.6%, P value 0.302). However, it showed lower AF recurrence rate in the PeAF patients (PVI 34.9% vs. NPVA 24.4%, P value 0.001). Valvular heart disease, left atrial diameter, PeAF, PVI alone, need of NPVA for terminating AF, and failed ablation were independent predictors of AF recurrence. Conclusions Additional NPVA was associated better rhythm outcome in the patients with PeAF, not in the ones with PAF. The independent risk factors for AF recurrence in Korean population were similar to previous studies. Further research is needed to discover optimal AF ablation strategy.

Influence of Pharyngeal Anaesthesia on Post-Bronchoscopic Coughing: A Prospective, Single Blinded, Multicentre Trial

Background: Local anaesthesia of the pharynx (LAP) was introduced in the era of rigid bronchoscopy (which was initially a conscious procedure under local anaesthetic), and continued into the era of flexible bronchoscopy (FB) in order to facilitate introduction of the FB. LAP reduces cough and gagging reflex, but its post-procedural effect is unclear. This prospective multicentre trial evaluated the effect of LAP on coughing intensity/time and patient comfort after FB, and the feasibility of FB under propofol sedation alone, without LAP. Material and methods: FB was performed in 74 consecutive patients under sedation with propofol, either alone (35 patients, 47.3%) or with additional LAP (39 patients, 52.7%). A primary endpoint of post-procedural coughing duration in the first 10 min after awakening was evaluated. A secondary endpoint was the cough frequency, quality and development of coughing in the same period during the 10 min post-procedure. Finally, the ease of undertaking the FB and the patient’s tolerance and safety were evaluated from the point of view of the investigator, the assistant technician and the patient. Results: We observed a trend to a shorter cumulative coughing time of 48.6 s in the group without LAP compared to 82.8 s in the group receiving LAP within the first 10 min after the procedure, although this difference was not significant (p = 0.24). There was no significant difference in the cough frequency, quality, peri-procedural complication rate, nor patient tolerance or safety. FB, including any additional procedure, could be performed equally well with or without LAP in both groups. Conclusions: Our study suggests that undertaking FB under deep sedation without LAP does to affect post-procedural cough duration and frequency. However, further prospective randomised controlled trials are needed to further support this finding.

Long-term outcomes of catheter ablation for ventricular arrhythmias in post- myocarditis patients; Insights from a meta-analysis of current datv

Background In the past decade, catheter ablation (CA) has become a rapidly expanding treatment option for ventricular tachycardia (VT), however it is not commonly utilized for patients with post-myocarditis VT. We aimed to systematically review up-to-date evidence regarding feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of CA, with a specific focus on long-term relapse rate and procedural complications. Methods A structured electronic database search (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane) of the scientific literature was performed for studies describing outcomes at up to 7.3 years after CA. The primary outcome measured was VT recurrence post-ablation. Procedural success was defined as freedom of ventricular arrhythmias (at the end of follow-up after an ablation procedure). The secondary outcome was significant procedural complications which included procedural death, stroke, cardiac tamponade, acute myocardial infarction, major vascular complications, and major bleeding, assessed on a study-by-study basis. Results A total of 186 patients were included in analysis with most patients (88%) being male. Over the follow up period there was a 18% relapse rate (n=34) (Confidence Interval (CI); 0.12–0.24, I2≈0, p=0.77) with the majority of patients remaining VT free for the duration of follow up. Only one study recorded the percentage of re-do procedures. The overall procedural complication rate was 3.0% (n=7, (CI; 0.01–0.07, I2≈0, p=0.44) and of note, there were no peri-procedural deaths or heart transplant surgeries reported. However, a single study reported a mortality of 10% (n=2) during the follow up period. Conclusions CA is an effective and durable long-term therapeutic strategy for post myocarditis VT patients with limited relapse rate and very low complication rates based on these non-randomised data. Larger randomised-controlled trials with standardised treatment and long follow-up are required to compare CA versus conventional treatment in the post-acute myocardial phase. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Relapse rate during follow-up Procedural complication rate

Where is the stent? CTA assists angiography: A case of jailed LAD

Stent malpositioning in the septal perforator is a serious procedural complication and especially prominent after main vessel stenting in coronary bifurcation lesions. This case report demonstrates Computed Tomography Angiography’s (CTA) role as a backup imaging tool, in cases where follow-up Coronary Angiogram (CAG) cannot be immediately completed. CTA also functions as a preferred imaging tool to follow up after stenting and assess for stent malpositioning. A 72-year-old female with history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented with dyspnea and was found to have STEMI. About a week after her three PCI’s to the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery, she returned to the hospital with recurrent dyspnea and V-Tach. Instead of completing a repeat catheterization, a noninvasive CTA was thought to be the next test. CTA imaging indicates that the failed stenting of the side-branch resulted in a jailed main vessel, which may induce ischemia and ventricular tachycardia (V-Tach). After the malpositioned stent finding on CTA, the patient was then referred to the Cath Lab for angiogram. CTA thus provided detailed anatomical information about the stent’s placement, which will greatly assist further management by the interventional cardiologist.

Optimizing pediatric histrelin implantation to improve success rates in clinic without sedation

Objectives The purpose of this study was to review our success rate performing the histrelin implant procedure in clinic without sedation. Methods A retrospective study was performed for histrelin implant procedures done at our institution from 2008 to 2020. Wilcoxon rank-sum test or Fisher’s exact test was utilized to identify significant differences (p<0.05). Results A total of 73 patients underwent 184 histrelin implant procedures from 2008 to 2020. In the past few years, there has been a decrease in procedures for precocious puberty and an increase for gender dysphoria. The majority of procedures were performed in clinic without sedation (82%). The only risk factor associated with requiring sedation was younger age (median 9 vs. 10 years; p<0.003). Complications (i.e. implant fracture or need for counter-incision) were noted in 10 of the procedures (5%). The only risk factor identified for a procedural complication during implant removal/replacement was interval time from insertion (21 vs. 13 months; p<0.01). The only documented wound problem reported was dermatitis in 1 patient (no suture granuloma, dehiscence, or implant extravasation). Conclusions Procedural refinements and distraction therapy have enabled us to perform the majority of procedures in clinic without sedation. In our experience, procedural difficulty and complications appear to increase with prolonged implant duration. Histrelin implantation is increasingly being performed for gender dysphoria.

Trigeminal neuralgia secondary to onyx embolization of a right occipital arteriovenous malformation

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia is a debilitating chronic condition characterized by severe recurrent hemifacial pain which is often caused by compression of the trigeminal nerve by an adjacent vessel loop. Microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery is an effective procedure that can lead to full symptomatic relief. Intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are primarily congenital abnormalities that may be asymptomatic or manifest as seizures or focal neurologic deficits. They may cause intracranial bleeding and hence are promptly treated, often by endovascular embolization. This procedure is safe but may have a multitude of unpredictable complications. Case Description: A 33-year-old female presented with medically refractory trigeminal neuralgia secondary to Onyx embolization of a right occipital AVM 3 years prior. She underwent surgical exploration and MVD of the trigeminal nerve root which was found to be compressed by the previously embolized superior cerebellar artery. The procedure was successful and full symptomatic resolution was immediately achieved. Conclusion: Postprocedural trigeminal neuralgia is a procedural complication of Onyx endovascular embolization. It may be treated by MVD surgery regardless of the presence or absence of a compressive vascular loop on imaging.