Background: Stepwise provisional stenting is the gold standard for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on bifurcation lesions, but the optimal ballooning technique for eventual side branch treatment is not established. The objective of the present study was to compare the stent configuration obtained by 2 different side branch optimization techniques performed after main vessel (MV) stent implantation: proximal optimization technique+kissing balloon inflation+final proximal optimization technique (POT/KBI/POT [PKP]) versus proximal optimization technique+isolated side branch dilation+final proximal optimization technique (POT-side-POT [PSP]). Methods: We realized a 1:1 prospective randomized trial comparing bifurcation PCI conducted (under angiographic and angioscopic visualization) with either PKP or PSP in reanimated swine hearts using commercially available drug-eluting stents. After PCI, the obtained stent configuration (expansion, eccentricity, apposition) was assessed by optical coherence tomography and micro-computed tomography dividing the stent in 4 segments. Primary study end point was minimum stent expansion at the distal MV segment. Results: A total of 30 PCIs were successfully performed according to randomization obtaining overall good results (average minimum stent expansion >90% at optical coherence tomography and micro-computed tomography) with PSP or PKP. Minimum stent expansion at the distal MV segment was significantly higher with PKP as compared with PSP at optical coherence tomography (97.9±4.2% versus 91.0±7.7%; P =0.002) and micro-computed tomography (98.1±4.1% versus 91.3±7.9%; P =0.006). Other significant findings included higher stent eccentricity index at proximal MV with PSP, higher side branch scaffolding length and lower malapposition (at bifurcation core and distal MV) with PKP. Conclusions: This first prospective randomized trial in a unique non-atherosclerotic preclinical environment showed that bifurcation PCI conducted with PSP and PKP achieves different stent configurations. These findings might be useful in bifurcation PCI practice and call for further evaluations in clinical ground.

BACKGROUND: Differences between balloon- and self-expandable transcatheter heart valves (BE-THVs and SE-THVs, respectively) may influence the outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement for bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement with BE-THV or SE-THV for computed tomography–diagnosed bicuspid aortic valve stenosis at 29 centers were included. The primary outcome was death or stroke. After propensity score matching in 10 data sets generated by multiple imputation, outcomes from transcatheter aortic valve replacement to 3-year follow-up were computed by multivariable binomial logistic mixed-effects models, multivariable linear mixed-effects models, or multivariable frailty models accounting for center-related influences and residual confounding effects (doubly robust adjustment). The results were replicated by inverse probability of treatment weighting and multivariable adjustment. RESULTS: A total of 1443 consecutive patients with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis undergoing BE-THV (n=860) or SE-THV (n=583) implantation were included. In-hospital and 30-day death or stroke did not significantly differ between BE-THV and SE-THV groups (5.1% versus 6.1%; hazard ratio after propensity score matching, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.51–2.02]). BE-THV implantation was associated with higher annulus rupture and mean transvalvular gradient compared with SE-THV implantation. In contrast, SE-THV implantation was associated with higher additional valve implantation and paravalvular regurgitation compared with BE-THV implantation. The results were consistent across the statistical methods used and between early- and new-generation THVs. At 30 days, pacemaker implantation was lower in the BE-THV group compared with the SE-THV group (11.9% versus 18.6%; hazard ratio after propensity score matching, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.36–0.93]). This result did not depend on the statistical method used. At 3 years, consistent with the 1- and 2-year analyses, death or stroke was not significantly different between the BE-THV and SE-THV groups (23.7% versus 26.2%; hazard ratio after propensity score matching, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.65–1.51]). Death or stroke across major clinical, anatomical, functional, and procedural conditions was consistent with the main analysis. After inverse probability of treatment weighting and multivariable adjustment, these conclusions remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement for bicuspid aortic valve stenosis, death or stroke does not significantly differ between those receiving a BE-THV and those receiving an SE-THV over a follow-up of 3 years. BE-THV is associated with higher transvalvular mean gradient and more frequent annulus rupture, whereas SE-THV is associated with more frequent moderate to severe aortic regurgitation, additional THV implantation, and permanent pacemaker implantation.

Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, despite advances in lipid-lowering and antithrombotic therapies. Increasing evidence highlights the pivotal role of inflammation in all stages of atherosclerosis, from plaque formation to rupture. Colchicine, a well-known anti-inflammatory drug traditionally used in gout and pericarditis, has emerged as a promising agent in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated significant reductions in cardiovascular outcomes with low-dose colchicine, especially in patients with stable CAD and following myocardial infarction. This review provides an updated overview of the pathophysiological rationale for colchicine use in atherosclerosis, summarizes key clinical trial data, and discusses potential mechanisms, safety considerations, and future directions.

In some cases it is critical to clinically perform coronary bifurcation stenting to minimize the potential risk for restenosis and/or stent thrombosis. The European Bifurcation Club (EBC) has provided guidelines for optimally performing such procedures. Yet, sometimes such procedures do not go as planned, and in some cases bailout procedures are required. Here we utilized Visible Heart® (VH) methodologies and multimodal visualizations to better understand each step for optimally performed T and small protrusion (TAP) procedures, as well as those in which complications occurred. These studies were performed within reanimated swine hearts in which endoscopes, fluoroscopy, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) could readily be used. Additionally, because these procedures were performed in reanimated hearts, one could intentionally cause complications, so to perform bailout procedures. Finally, following these procedures each specimen was micro CT scanned, and high resolution computational models (~40 microns) were reconstructed of the final outcomes.

Coronary bifurcation lesions are considered among the most challenging lesions to treat with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), particularly in cases of extensively diseased branches. In the event of failure of a provisional (one-stent) approach, many two-stent bifurcation techniques can be performed for the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions. Two techniques (culotte and T/TAP) are suggested by the European Bifurcation Club, but a reverse crush is performed by some operators. This study aims to retrospectively compare these two different approaches (EBC-recommended techniques vs. reverse crush).