October 2011

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Volume 23 Issue 10
Flexions of the Popliteal Artery: Technical Considerations of Femoropopliteal Stenting
Abstract: Popliteal artery morphology changes while undergoing knee motion. A main flexion (i.e., the ‘hinge point’) and other flexions (termed ‘accessory flexions’) were described as a result of popliteal artery adaptation to knee flexion. Knee dyna…
The StentBoost Imaging Enhancement Technique as Guidance for Optimal Deployment of Adjacent-Sequential Stents
Abstract: Implantation of two or more adjacent-sequential stents is frequently required during coronary interventions, especially when treating long lesions.  We present two cases illustrating that plain fluoroscopic imaging may be misleading when us…
What is High-Risk PCI, and How Do You Safely Perform It?
You can liken performance of high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to attempting to repair a damaged car engine while it is turned on. Moreover, that car is trying to slowly drive away from a steep cliff with the ocean crashing at its ba…
High-Risk Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with the Tandem Heart and Impella Devices: A Single-Center Experience
Abstract: Background. Intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs) are indicated during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (HR-PCI) to reduce major procedural complications. The clinical utility of the newer Impella and TandemHeart devices is not cle…
Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Do the Newer Tools Help?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent sustained cardiac arrhythmia, increasing in occurrence with age. Based on recent epidemiology, it is estimated to affect 6.1 million Americans, and this number is likely to increase to 15.9 million by 20…
Single-Center Experience of Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation Using Multi-Electrode Mapping and Ablation Catheters
Abstract: Purpose. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an established therapy for the treatment of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Many techniques have been reported to achieve RFA. We report a single-center experience of RFA using t…
Radial Artery Spasm: Pick the Right Cocktail and Relax
Many clinicians across the world have adopted the transradial approach for coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).1,2 Reduced vascular complications, early ambulation, patient satisfaction, and reduced procedural costs are…
Changes in Radial Artery Volume Assessed Using Intravascular Ultrasound: A Comparison of Two Vasodilator Regimens in Transradial Coronary Interventions
Abstract: Objectives. This study used intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to evaluate radial artery volume changes after intra-arterial administration of nitroglycerin and/or verapamil. Background. Radial artery spasm, which is associated with radial art…
Left Main Stenting and Landmark Analysis — Drawing the Line
The optimal revascularization strategy for emergent left main coronary artery (LMCA) in the setting of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains largely an unresolved issue. The most current ACC/AHA 2009 Focused Update Guidelines assign it a IIb recommen…
Emergent Versus Elective Percutaneous Stent Implantation in the Unprotected Left Main: Long-Term Outcomes from a Single-Center Registry
Abstract: Background. Unprotected left main (ULM) coronary disease is considered by contemporary guidelines a class I indication for surgery. However, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is often carried out in the ULM in either emergent or high…