BACKGROUND:Routine manual aspiration thrombectomy has shown limited benefit in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Selective application of mechanical thrombectomy in patients with ACS and high thrombus burden may improve coronary flow and myocardial perfusion. We aimed to compare safety and efficacy between manual (MaT) and mechanical aspiration thrombectomy (MeT) in this population. METHODS:Retrospective review of 70 patients presenting with ACS between May 2019 and February 2024, with 27 receiving MaT and 43 MeT. Our comparative analysis included Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) thrombus grade, TIMI flow grade, Myocardial Blush grade, survival to discharge and stroke. RESULTS:There was no difference in the clinical characteristics of the two groups except higher prevalence of hypertension in the MaT group (93 % vs 70 % in MeT, p = 0.02). Baseline thrombus burden did not differ between groups. Both MaT and MeT resulted in a significant reduction in thrombus burden and improvement in coronary flow and myocardial blush. MaT and MeT had similar post-thrombectomy rates of TIMI thrombus grade 0 (63 % vs 77 %, p = 0.3), TIMI flow grade 3 (70 % vs 67 %, p = 1) and Myocardial Blush grade 3 (44 % vs 51 %, p = 0.6). One stroke was reported in the MeT group. Finally, Survival to discharge was similar (MaT 88 % vs MeT 84 %, p = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS:Selective thrombectomy in ACS patients with high thrombus burden is safe and effectively reduces thrombus burden while improving coronary flow and myocardial perfusion. Manual and mechanical thrombectomy show similar efficacy and safety profiles.

Purpose To examine the predictors and outcomes of asystole in patients who undergo carotid artery stenting (CAS). Methods Forty-three patients (24 men; median age 69 years) with asystole were identified after reviewing the case records of 884 patients who underwent CAS at our institution between 1997 and 2009. The control group comprised 678 patients who underwent stenting in the carotid sinus area without asystole. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were used to determine the predictors and outcomes of asystole. Results A right-sided procedure was more likely to result in asystole [odds ratio (OR) 11.4, 95% CI 4.0 to 32.7, p<0.0001] compared with a left-sided procedure. Patients with a contralateral carotid stenosis (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.8, p=0.04) and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of <40% (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.5, p=0.03) were also more likely to suffer asystole. Smokers appeared less likely to develop asystole (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.56, p=0.0006). Periprocedural stroke (14% vs. 1.3%, p<0.001), length of stay during index hospitalization (2.2 vs. 1.2 days, p=0.002), and 30-day mortality (11.6% vs. 4.1%, p=0.02) were significantly higher in the asystole group. Conclusion Asystole during CAS is more likely to occur in patients undergoing procedures in the right carotid sinus area, in those who have significant contralateral carotid stenosis, and in those with a reduced LVEF. More caution should be exercised during right-sided than left-sided CAS procedures.

Historically, open surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms has been associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Furthermore, endovascular exclusion alone can restrict blood flow to visceral arteries. We report a case of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm that was repaired using a hybrid approach: surgery followed by an endovascular procedure. A 53-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for endovascular exclusion of a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm that included the superior mesenteric artery and the celiac artery. Aorto-mesenteric and aorto-celiac artery bypass grafting was performed to create a landing zone for subsequent endovascular exclusion of the aneurysm, which was completed successfully 6 weeks after the bypass procedure. For thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms that extend beyond the superior mesenteric artery and the celiac or renal arteries, a hybrid approach, consisting of limited surgical treatment followed by endovascular exclusion of the aneurysm, may yield optimal results in selected patients with serious preoperative comorbidities.

We present a series of 4 patients in whom mechanical trauma was identified as a factor in the development of late complications after AneuRx Stent Graft placement for repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. In all 4 patients, Type I or III endoleaks (and pseudoaneurysms in 2 patients) were discovered several months after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with the AneuRx device. Two patients had sustained blunt abdominal trauma in a car accident one had suffered a traumatic fall, and another had been participating in vigorous rowing activity. In all patients, the trauma had occurred several months before the diagnosis of endoleak or pseudoaneurysm (or both) was established. In all patients, follow-up computed tomographic scans identified the complications. In conclusion, blunt mechanical injury is an unrecognized factor contributing to the late failure of endovascular stent grafts. Vigorous physical activity may also contribute to graft disruption or to the separation of modular components.

Hypoplastic aortoiliac syndrome (HAIS) occurs in young women and is characterized by a small infrarenal aorta with a hypoplastic iliofemoral arterial system and advanced atherosclerotic disease. Of 304 aortoiliac interventions (AoI), 30 female patients (mean age, 50 +/- 5 years) had HAIS. HAIS patients were less likely to have coronary disease (33% vs. 88%; P < 0.0001) or diabetes (10% vs. 42%; P < 0.001) compared to their AoI counterparts. Twenty-three patients (73%) had hyperlipidemia with mean cholesterol of 287 +/- 42 mg/dl. Twenty-eight patients (93%) were successfully treated with AoI. The ankle/brachial indices improved from pre-AoI ABI of 0.55 +/- 0.1 to post-AoI ABI of 0.99 +/- 0.1. Complications included one groin hematoma and one case of thrombosis. Follow-up averaged 31 months (range, 3-91 months) with an early (less than 12 months) restenosis rate of 7% and late (greater than 12 months) restenosis of 21%. One patient (3%) required surgical revascularization for persistent symptoms. Percutaneous treatment of HAIS is an alternative to surgical revascularization with satisfactory long-term results.

This study demonstrates the feasibility of percutaneous carotid and coronary intervention in patients with unstable neurologic and coronary syndromes. Further study is warranted to determine the safety and long-term results in a large series of patients.