Journal of Clinical Medicine

2022

Jump to: 2021

15 pages, 2163 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Prognosis after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: The Impact of Arterial Stiffness and Multifocal Atherosclerosis

by Alexey N. Sumin, Anna V. Shcheglova, Sergey V. Ivanov and Olga L. Barbarash

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(15), 4585; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11154585 - 5 Aug 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1988

Abstract

The aim of the study was to study the effect of arterial stiffness and multifocal atherosclerosis on the 10-year prognosis of patients after coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods. Patients with coronary artery disease (n = 274) who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting [...] Read more.

The aim of the study was to study the effect of arterial stiffness and multifocal atherosclerosis on the 10-year prognosis of patients after coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods. Patients with coronary artery disease (n = 274) who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), in whom cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) was assessed using the VaSera VS-1000 device and the presence of peripheral atherosclerosis in Doppler ultrasound. Groups were distinguished with normal CAVI (<9.0, n = 163) and pathological CAVI (≥9.0, n = 111). To assess the prognosis, coronary and non-coronary death, myocardial infarction, acute cerebrovascular accident/transient ischemic attack, repeated CABG, percutaneous coronary intervention, carotid endarterectomy, peripheral arterial surgery, pacemaker implantation were analyzed. Results. During the observation period, mortality was 27.7%. A fatal outcome from all causes was in 37 (22.7%) patients in the group with normal CAVI and in 39 (35.14%) in the group with pathological CAVI (p = 0.023). Death from cardiac causes was more common in the group with CAVI ≥ 9.0—in 25 cases (22.52%) than in the group with CAVI < 9.0—in 19 (11.6%, p = 0.016). The combined endpoint in patients with pathological CAVI was detected in 66 (59.46%) cases, with normal CAVI values—in 76 (46.63%) cases (p = 0.03). The presence of diabetes mellitus, multifocal atherosclerosis (p = 0.004), pathological CAVI (p = 0.063), and male gender were independent predictors of death at 10-year follow-up after CABG. The presence of multifocal atherosclerosis and pathological CAVI during the preoperative examination of patients were independent predictors of the combined endpoint development. Findings. Patients with coronary artery disease with pathological CAVI before CABG were more likely to experience adverse events and death in the long-term follow-up than patients with normal CAVI. Further studies are needed to investigate the possibility of correcting pathological CAVI after CABG after secondary prevention and the possible impact of this correction on prognosis. Full article

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14 pages, 940 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Indicators of the Right Ventricle Systolic and Diastolic Function 18 Months after Coronary Bypass Surgery

by Alexey N. Sumin, Anna V. Shcheglova, Ekaterina V. Korok and Tatjana Ju. Sergeeva

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(14), 3994; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11143994 - 10 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1662

Abstract

Objective. Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. In previous studies, the parameters of RV systolic function were mainly assessed, while the dynamics of RV diastolic function after surgery was practically not studied. [...] Read more.

Objective. Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. In previous studies, the parameters of RV systolic function were mainly assessed, while the dynamics of RV diastolic function after surgery was practically not studied. The aim of this study was to study the dynamics of indicators of systolic and diastolic RV function after CABG as well as to identify factors associated with their presence. Methods. The study included 160 patients who underwent CABG and 36 volunteers with no history of coronary artery disease (CAD) as a control group. Echocardiographic examination of patients was performed to assess systolic and diastolic RV dysfunction before surgery and 18 months after CABG. A level of s’t < 10 cm/sec or TAPSE < 16 mm was considered as a sign of existing RV systolic dysfunction. RV diastolic dysfunction was defined as an Et/At ratio < 0.8 or >2.1 and/or an Et/et’ ratio > 6. Results. In CAD patients 18 months after CABG, there was an increase in the frequency of the right ventricular systolic (from 7.5% to 30%, p < 0.001) and diastolic (from 41.8% to 57.5%, p < 0.001) dysfunction. An increase in TAPSE (p = 0.007), a decrease in e’t (p = 0.005), and the presence of RV systolic dysfunction before surgery (p = 0.023) was associated with a significant increase in the likelihood of detecting RV systolic dysfunction 18 months after CABG (χ²(3) = 17.4, p = 0.001). High values of At before surgery (p = 0.021) and old myocardial infarction (p = 0.023) were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of detection of RV diastolic dysfunction 18 months after CABG (χ²(2) = 10.78, p = 0.005). Conclusions. This study demonstrated that in CAD patients 18 months after CABG, there was an increase in the frequency of right ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction. We also established the initial clinical, echocardiographic parameters, and perioperative complications associated with the presence of these changes in the postoperative period. The clinical and prognostic significance of the presence of systolic and/or diastolic RV dysfunction in patients 18 months after CABG remains to be explored. Full article

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20 pages, 751 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Impact of Novel Anti-Diabetic Medications on CV Outcomes: A New Therapeutic Horizon for Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Cardiac Patients

by Israel Mazin, Fernando Chernomordik, Paul Fefer, Shlomi Matetzky and Roy Beigel

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(7), 1904; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11071904 - 29 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4031

Abstract

It is estimated that in the past two decades the number of patients diagnosed with diabetes mellites (DM) has doubled. Despite significant progress in the treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including novel anti-platelet agents, effective lipid-lowering medications, and advanced revascularization techniques, patients with [...] Read more.

It is estimated that in the past two decades the number of patients diagnosed with diabetes mellites (DM) has doubled. Despite significant progress in the treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including novel anti-platelet agents, effective lipid-lowering medications, and advanced revascularization techniques, patients with DM still are least twice as likely to die of cardiovascular causes compared with their non-diabetic counterparts, and current guidelines define patients with DM at the highest risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Over the last few years, there has been a breakthrough in anti-diabetic therapeutics, as two novel anti-diabetic classes have demonstrated cardiovascular benefit with consistently reduced MACE, and for some agents, also improvement in heart failure status as well as reduced cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. These include the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. The benefits of these medications are thought to be derived not only from their anti-diabetic effect but also from additional mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to provide the everyday clinician a detailed review of the various agents within each class with regard to their specific characteristics and the effects on MACE and cardiovascular outcomes. Full article

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15 pages, 319 KiB

Open AccessReview

Chronic Renal Failure and Cardiovascular Disease: A Comprehensive Appraisal

by Keren Skalsky, Arthur Shiyovich, Tali Steinmetz and Ran Kornowski

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(5), 1335; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11051335 - 28 Feb 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3539

Abstract

Coronary artery disease is highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease. The concomitant renal disease often poses a major challenge in decision making as symptoms, cardiac biomarkers and noninvasive studies for evaluation of myocardial ischemia have different sensitivity and specificity thresholds in [...] Read more.

Coronary artery disease is highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease. The concomitant renal disease often poses a major challenge in decision making as symptoms, cardiac biomarkers and noninvasive studies for evaluation of myocardial ischemia have different sensitivity and specificity thresholds in this specific population. Moreover, the effectiveness and safety of intervention and medical treatment in those patients is of great doubt as most clinical studies exclude patients with advance CKD. In the present paper, we discuss and review the literature in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of CAD in the acute and chronic setting, in patients with CKD. Full article

12 pages, 2203 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Symptomatic Young Adults with ST-Segment Elevation—Acute Coronary Syndrome or Myocarditis: The Three-Factor Diagnostic Model

by Paulina Wieczorkiewicz, Katarzyna Przybylak, Karolina Supel, Michal Kidawa and Marzenna Zielinska

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(4), 916; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11040916 - 10 Feb 2022

Viewed by 1872

Abstract

Myocarditis may mimic myocardial infarction (MI) due to a similar clinical presentation, including chest pain, electrocardiography changes, and laboratory findings. The purpose of the study was to investigate the diagnostic value of clinical, laboratory, and electrocardiography characteristics of patients with acute coronary syndrome [...] Read more.

Myocarditis may mimic myocardial infarction (MI) due to a similar clinical presentation, including chest pain, electrocardiography changes, and laboratory findings. The purpose of the study was to investigate the diagnostic value of clinical, laboratory, and electrocardiography characteristics of patients with acute coronary syndrome - like myocarditis and MI. We analysed 90 patients (≤45 years old) with an initial diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; 40 patients (44.4%), through the use of cardiac magnetic resonance, were confirmed to have myocarditis, and 50 patients (55.6%) were diagnosed with MI. Patients with myocarditis were younger and had fewer cardiovascular risk factors than those with MI. The cutoff value distinguishing between myocarditis and MI was defined as the age of 36 years. The history of recent infections (82.5% vs. 6%) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels on admission (Me 45.9 vs. 3.4) was more associated with myocarditis. Further, the QTc interval was inversely correlated with the echocardiographic ejection fraction in both groups but was significantly longer in patients with MI. Non-invasive diagnostics based on clinical features and laboratory findings are basic but still essential tools for differentiation between MI and myocarditis. The three-factor model including the criteria of age, abnormal CRP, and history of recent infections might become a valuable clinical indication. Full article

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8 pages, 225 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Association between Low Levels of Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Cause for Concern?

by Chen Gurevitz, Eitan Auriel, Avishay Elis and Ran Kornowski

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(3), 536; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11030536 - 21 Jan 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3401

Abstract

Excessive levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood are a known risk factor for atherosclerosis, and a common target of treatment for primary and secondary prevention of cerebrocardiovascular disease. As lipid lowering agents including statins, ezetimibe and anti-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type [...] Read more.

Excessive levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood are a known risk factor for atherosclerosis, and a common target of treatment for primary and secondary prevention of cerebrocardiovascular disease. As lipid lowering agents including statins, ezetimibe and anti-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors have shown good therapeutic results, the guidelines are constantly lowering the “optimal” LDL-C goals. However, old and new data point towards an association between low LDL-C and total cholesterol and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In this review we aimed to shed light on this troubling association and identify the potential risk factors of such a potential adverse reaction. With respect to the data presented, we concluded that in patients with high risk of ICH, a cautious approach and individualized therapy strategy are advised when considering aggressive LDL reduction. Full article

2 pages, 186 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

The Interrelationship between Sarcoidosis and Atherosclerosis—Complex Yet Rational

by Sara Hoss, Tzlil Grinberg and Alon Eisen

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(2), 433; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11020433 - 15 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1420

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, characterized by the presence of non-caseating granulomas in affected organs [...] Full article

3 pages, 159 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Stent Fractures: New Insights into an Old Issue

by Sa’ar Minha and David Pereg

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(2), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11020424 - 14 Jan 2022

Viewed by 1093

Abstract

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a safe and effective procedure performed worldwide providing both symptom relief and sustained improved outcomes for millions of patients [...] Full article

2021

Jump to: 2022

8 pages, 878 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Association between Sarcoidosis and Ischemic Heart Disease—A Healthcare Analysis of a Large Israeli Population

by Tal Gonen, Daphna Katz-Talmor, Howard Amital, Doron Comaneshter, Arnon D. Cohen and Shmuel Tiosano

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(21), 5067; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10215067 - 29 Oct 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1954

Abstract

(1) Background: Inflammation plays a pivotal role in atherosclerosis, and the association between chronic inflammatory states and ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been shown in several rheumatic diseases. Persistent inflammation might also be a risk factor for IHD in sarcoidosis patients. (2) Methods: [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Inflammation plays a pivotal role in atherosclerosis, and the association between chronic inflammatory states and ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been shown in several rheumatic diseases. Persistent inflammation might also be a risk factor for IHD in sarcoidosis patients. (2) Methods: Demographic and clinical data of 3750 sarcoidosis patients and 18,139 age- and sex-matched controls were retrieved from the database of Clalit Health Services, Israel’s largest healthcare organization. Variables associated with IHD were assessed by a logistic regression model. To assess for variables that were related to increased risk of all-cause mortality, the Cox proportional hazards method was used, and a log-rank test was performed for survival analysis. (3) Results: Both groups were composed of 64% females with a median age of 56 years. An association between sarcoidosis and IHD was demonstrated by a multivariate analysis (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.36–1.66). Long-term follow-up revealed increased mortality among sarcoidosis patients: 561 (15%) deaths compared to 1636 (9%) deaths among controls (p < 0.001). Survival analysis demonstrated that sarcoidosis patients were also at increased risk for all-cause mortality compared to controls (multivariate model, adjusted HR 1.93; 95% CI 1.76–2.13). Full article

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10 pages, 4337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acute Kidney Injury Following Admission with Acute Coronary Syndrome: The Role of Diabetes Mellitus

by Arthur Shiyovich, Keren Skalsky, Tali Steinmetz, Tal Ovdat, Alon Eisen, Abed Samara, Roy Beigel, Sagi Gleitman, Ran Kornowski and Katia Orvin

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(21), 4931; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10214931 - 25 Oct 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2331

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the role of diabetes mellitus in the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of AKI (acute kidney injury) in patients admitted with ACS (acute coronary syndrome). Methods: We performed a comparative evaluation of ACS patients with vs. without DM who developed [...] Read more.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of diabetes mellitus in the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of AKI (acute kidney injury) in patients admitted with ACS (acute coronary syndrome). Methods: We performed a comparative evaluation of ACS patients with vs. without DM who developed AKI enrolled in the biennial ACS Israeli Surveys (ACSIS) between 2000 and 2018. AKI was defined as an absolute increase in serum creatinine (≥0.5 mg/dL) or above 1.5 mg/dL or new renal replacement therapy upon admission with ACS. Outcomes included 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and 1-year all-cause mortality. Results: The current study included a total of 16,879 patients, median age 64 (IQR 54–74), 77% males, 36% with DM. The incidence of AKI was significantly higher among patients with vs. without DM (8.4% vs. 4.7%, p < 0.001). The rates of 30-day MACE (40.8% vs. 13.4%, p < 0.001) and 1-year mortality (43.7% vs. 10%, p < 0.001) were significantly greater among diabetic patients who developed vs. those who did not develop AKI respectively, yet very similar among patients that developed AKI with vs. without DM (30-day MACE 40.8% vs. 40.3%, p = 0.9 1-year mortality 43.7 vs. 44.8%, p = 0.8, respectively). Multivariate analyses adjusted to potential confounders, showed similar independent predictors of AKI among patients with and without DM, comprising; older age, chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, and peripheral arterial disease. Conclusions: Although patients with DM are at much greater risk for AKI when admitted with ACS, the independent predictors of AKI and the worse patient outcomes when AKI occurs, are similar irrespective to DM status. Full article

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12 pages, 1461 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes over Time in Hemoglobin A1C (HbA_1C) Levels Predict Long-Term Survival Following Acute Myocardial Infarction among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

by Ygal Plakht, Harel Gilutz and Arthur Shiyovich

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(15), 3232; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10153232 - 22 Jul 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2834

Abstract

Frequent fluctuations of hemoglobin A1c (HbA_1C) values predict patient outcomes. However, data regarding prognoses depending on the long-term changes in HbA_1C among patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are scarce. We evaluated the prognostic significance of HbA_1C levels and [...] Read more.

Frequent fluctuations of hemoglobin A1c (HbA_1C) values predict patient outcomes. However, data regarding prognoses depending on the long-term changes in HbA_1C among patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are scarce. We evaluated the prognostic significance of HbA_1C levels and changes among diabetic patients (n = 4066) after non-fatal AMI. All the results of HbA_1C tests up to the 10-year follow-up were obtained. The changes (∆) of HbA_1C were calculated in each patient. The time intervals of ∆HbA_1C values were classified as rapid (<one year) and slow (≥one year) changes. The outcome was all-cause mortality. The highest mortality rates of 53.8% and 35.5% were found in the HbA_1C < 5.5–7% and ∆HbA_1C = −2.5–(−2%) categories. A U-shaped association was observed between HbA_1C and mortality: adjOR = 1.887 and adjOR = 1.302 for HbA_1C < 5.5% and ≥8.0%, respectively, as compared with 5.5–6.5% (p < 0.001). Additionally, ∆HbA_1C was associated with the outcome (U-shaped): adjOR = 2.376 and adjOR = 1.340 for the groups of <−2.5% and ≥2.5% ∆HbA_1C, respectively, as compared to minimal ∆HbA_1C (±0.5%) (p < 0.001). A rapid increase in HbA_1C (but not decrease) was associated with a greater risk of mortality. HbA_1C values and their changes are significant prognostic markers for long-term mortality among AMI-DM patients. ∆HbA_1C and its timing, in addition to absolute HbA_1C values, should be monitored. Full article

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8 pages, 674 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hemoglobin A1c in Patients with Diabetes Predict Long-Term Mortality Following Coronary Artery Surgery

by Muhammad Abu Tailakh, Shlomo-yaron Ishay, Jenan Awesat, Liat Poupko, Gidon Sahar and Victor Novack

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(12), 2739; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10122739 - 21 Jun 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2576

Abstract

Objective: to estimate the association between preoperative hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels below and above 7%, and the rate of all-cause mortality (ACM) in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) within a ten-year follow-up period. Methods: we collected data on [...] Read more.

Objective: to estimate the association between preoperative hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels below and above 7%, and the rate of all-cause mortality (ACM) in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) within a ten-year follow-up period. Methods: we collected data on patient HbA1c levels that were measured up to 3 months prior to isolated CABG in consecutive patients with DM, and analyzed the rates of ACM over a median of a 5.9-year post-operative period. Results: preoperative HbA1c levels were collected in 579 DM patients. The mean HbA1c was 8.0 ± 1.7%, where 206 (35.6%) patients had an HbA1c ≤ 7% and 373 (64.4%) had an HbA1c > 7%. During the follow-up period, mortality rates were 20.4% and 28.7% in the HbA1c ≤ 7% and HbA1c > 7% groups, respectively (Kaplan-Meier estimates, log-rank p = 0.01). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusted for age, gender, smoking status, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, chronic renal failure, old myocardial infarction, number of coronary artery bypass surgeries, and post-operative glycemic control, showed a hazard ratio of 2.67 for long-term ACM (p = 0.001) in patients with HbA1c > 7%. Conclusions: DM patients with high HbA1c levels prior to CABG are at higher risk for long-term complications, especially late ACM. Full article

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11 pages, 1394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elderly Suffering from ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction—Results from a Database Analysis from Two Mediterranean Medical Centers

by Leor Perl, Alfonso Franzé, Fabrizio D’Ascenzo, Noa Golomb, Amos Levi, Hana Vaknin-Assa, Gabriel Greenberg, Abid Assali, Gaetano M. De Ferrari and Ran Kornowski

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(11), 2435; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10112435 - 30 May 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2676

Abstract

Background: Little is known regarding primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the elderly. Methods: Data on 319 octogenarians, 641 septuagenarians, and 2451 younger patients was collected from an ongoing prospective registry of patients treated with pPCI [...] Read more.

Background: Little is known regarding primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the elderly. Methods: Data on 319 octogenarians, 641 septuagenarians, and 2451 younger patients was collected from an ongoing prospective registry of patients treated with pPCI for STEMI at two Mediterranean-area medical centers in 2009–2017. Results: More octogenarian patients were female (40.8 vs. 31.9 septuagenarians and 26.5% under 70 y, p < 0.01), had hypertension (79.5 vs. 69.5 and 45.9%, p < 0.01), renal failure (32.5 vs. 20.1 and 5.2%, p < 0.01), and a lower left-ventricular ejection fraction (42.0 vs. 44.9 and 47.6%, p = 0.012). At 1 month and 3 years after intervention, mortality was higher in the octogenarian patients (12.2 vs. 7.9%, p = 0.01; and 36.7 vs. 23.1%, p < 0.01, respectively), with no significant differences in the rates of recurrent myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, coronary artery bypass surgery, and cardiovascular death. Following adjustment for confounders, 3-year mortality was significantly higher in the octogenarians (HR 3.89 vs. 3.19 for septuagenarians, p < 0.01), but rates of major adverse cardiac events or cardiovascular death were not. Conclusions: Despite suffering from higher all-cause mortality, octogenarian patients treated with pPCI for STEMI do not suffer an increased risk of ischemic cardiac events relative to younger patients. Full article

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11 pages, 2259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Coronary Stent Strut Fractures: Classification, Prevalence and Clinical Associations

by Katharina Schochlow, Melissa Weissner, Florian Blachutzik, Niklas F. Boeder, Monique Tröbs, Liv Lorenz, Jouke Dijkstra, Thomas Münzel, Stephan Achenbach, Holger Nef and Tommaso Gori

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(8), 1765; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10081765 - 19 Apr 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2975

Abstract

Introduction. The frequency, characteristics and clinical implications of Strut fractures (SFs) remain incompletely understood. Methods and results. A total of 185 (160 patients) newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) were imaged. SFs were found in 21 DES (11.4%) and were classified in four patterns: one [...] Read more.

Introduction. The frequency, characteristics and clinical implications of Strut fractures (SFs) remain incompletely understood. Methods and results. A total of 185 (160 patients) newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) were imaged. SFs were found in 21 DES (11.4%) and were classified in four patterns: one single stacked strut (41%); two or more stacked struts (23%); deformation without gap (27%); transection (9%). In multivariable analysis, calcific and bifurcation lesions were associated with SF in DES (OR: 3.5 [1.1–11] and 4.0 [2.2–7.2], p < 0.05). Device eccentricity and asymmetry as well as optical coherence tomography (OCT) features of impaired strut healing were also associated with SF. The prevalence of fractures was similar in a set of 289 bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS). In a separate series of 20 device thromboses and 36 device restenoses, the prevalence of SF was higher (61.2% of DES and 66.7% of BRS, p < 0.001 for both), with a higher frequency of complex SF patterns (p < 0.0001). In logistic regression analysis, fractures were a correlate of device complications (p < 0.0001, OR = 24.9 [5.6–111] for DES and OR = 6.0 [1.8–20] for BRS). Discussion. The prevalence of OCT-diagnosed SF was unexpectedly high in the setting of elective controls and it increased by about three-fold in the setting of device failure. Fractures were associated with increased lesion complexity and device asymmetry/eccentricity and were more frequent in the setting of device failure such as restenosis and thrombosis. Full article

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