Browsing by Author "Kojić, Dejan (57211564921)"

Background: Beta-blockers (BB) or dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are still the first choices in the treatment of idiopathic premature ventricular complexes (PVCs), with low-modest efficacy. Antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) of Ic class are moderate to highly efficient but the evidence on their benefits is still limited. Aim: To compare effectiveness and safety of flecainide, propafenone, and sotalol in the treatment of symptomatic idiopathic PVCs. Methods: Our single-center retrospective study analyzed 104 consecutive patients with 130 medication episodes of frequent idiopathic PVCs treated with AADs flecainide, propafenone (Ic class) or sotalol (III class). The primary outcome was complete/near complete reduction of PVCs after medication episode (PVCs burden reduction >99%), and the secondary outcome was significant PVC burden reduction (≥80%). Results: The complete/near complete PVCs burden reduction occurred in 31% and was significant in 43% of treated patients. A reduction of PVC burden for >99% was achieved in 56% of patients on flecainide, in 11% of patients on propafenone (p =.002), and in 21% of patients receiving sotalol (p =.031). There was no difference between propafenone and sotalol (p =.174). A reduction of PVC burden for ≥80% was achieved in 64% of patients on flecainide, in 30% of patients on propafenone (p =.009), and 33% of patients on sotalol (p =.020). There was no difference between propafenone and sotalol (p =.661). Conclusions: The efficacy of AADs class Ic and III in the treatment of idiopathic PVCs was modest. Flecainide was the most effective AAD in the achievement of complete/near complete or significant PVC burden reduction, compared to propafenone and sotalol. © 2023 The Authors. Clinical Cardiology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Aim: Coronary bifurcation atherosclerosis depends on its angles, flow, and extensive branching. We investigate the ability of CT coronary angiography (CTCA) to determine atherosclerotic plaque characteristics of “true” bifurcation compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and the influence on side branch (SB) fate after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods and results: The study included 70 patients with 72 “true” bifurcations. Most of the bifurcations were in the left anterior descending—diagonal (Dg) territory [50 out of 72 (69.4%)]. Longitudinal plaque evaluation at the polygon of confluence [carina and 5 mm proximal and distal in the main branch (MB)] showed that carina side MB and SB plaque had occurred with the lowest incidence with fibro-lipid structure (115 ± 63 HU and 89 ± 73 HU, p < 0.001 for all). Bland–Altman analysis showed a discrepancy in measuring mainly the lumen area between CTCA and IVUS in proximal MB [lumen 5.10, 95% CI (95% confidence interval, 4.53–5.68) mm2, p < 0.001; vessel −1.42, 95% CI (−2.63 to −0.21) mm2, p = 0.023], carina MB [lumen 3.74, 95% CI (3.37–4.10) mm2, p < 0.001; vessel −0.48, 95% CI (−1.45 to 0.48) mm2, p = 0.322], and distal MB [lumen 4.72, 95% CI (4.27–5.18) mm2, p < 0.001; vessel 0.62, 95% CI (−0.53 to 1.77) mm2, p = 0.283]. A significant correlation existed between average plaque density on CTCA with a percentage of calcified plaque on IVUS tissue characterization (proximal r = 0.307/p = 0.024, carina 0.469/0.008, distal 0.339/0.024, minimal lumen diameter 0.318/0.020). Circumferential plaque in the proximal MB segment remained an independent predictor of SB compromise [OR 3.962 (95% CI 1.170–13.418)]. Conclusion: Detection and characterization of atherosclerotic plaque by CTCA in non-left main “true” coronary bifurcations can provide useful information about bifurcation anatomy and plaque distribution that can predict outcomes after provisional stenting, thus guiding the interventional strategy to bifurcation PCI. 2023 Radunović, Vidaković, Timčić, Odanović, Stefanović, Lipovac, Krupniković, Mandić, Kojić, Tomović and Ilić.

Introduction. Coronary artery anomalies are infrequent but anticipated findings during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Compared to consistent reporting in angiographic series, they seem to be underreported in interventional studies, and particularly in the setting of primary PCI, where their prompt recognition is of the utmost importance. Case report. We present a 50 years old male with inferior ST-elevation of myocardial infarction (STEMI) and right ventricular involvement with solitary ostium for all three coronary arteries in the right aortic sinus of Valsalva. The patient had an extremely rare variant of coronary artery origination belonging to the type A4b2c2 of Angelini's classification. Correspondingly, it belongs to the left Anomalous origination of a Coronary Artery from the Opposite Sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) class with the intraseptal course of left anterior descending artery. We managed successfully to implant a drug eluting stent in the proximal right coronary artery in a lengthy and stormy procedure, with the need for guiding catheter exchange, temporary pacing and dealing with no-reflow phenomenon. Conclusion. We summarize diagnostic hints for angiographic recognition of dominant variants of the left ACAOS and practical aspects of performing PCI in such patients. Also, we debate on the functional significance of coronary anomalies and its further implications from the prognostic and therapeutic aspects. We propose adoption of the novel classification of coronary anomalies of Angelini's group in the routine clinical practice. Finally, we call for the inclusion of specific training in coronary artery anomalies into the interventional cardiology fellowship curriculum. © 2020 Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved.