Clinical Quality & Safety

Layperson Summary of Research

1. Left main stem stenosis angioplasty with intravascular ultrasound optimisation criteria guidance using a new generation everolimus drug-eluting stent.
   
   

   This research studied the effectiveness of a new generation of stent (Synergy Megatron DES) in treating blockages in a major heart artery called the left main stem (LMS). To ensure the best outcomes, our cardiologists also incorporated an imaging technique called intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) during the procedure.

   All eight patients who received the stent had successful procedures with minimal blockage (<30%) remaining. None of them experienced any major heart-related complications in the hospital or within the first 30 days after the procedure.

   It was found that the stent was successful in meeting specific criteria such as making sure the stent fits well, expands optimally, lands in the appropriate zone, and avoids certain complications. Optimal expansion of the stent successfully occurred in 87.5% of cases, widening the inner space of the artery and improving blood flow.

   In summary, combination of the new generation stent and IVUS-guided optimization appears to be a beneficial approach in treating significant blockages in the left main stem artery.
   
   

2. Intravascular imaging-guided treatment of severe coronary artery calcification with orbital atherectomy: A prospective single-centre registry
   
   

   When the cardiac arteries get hard due to calcium buildup, it can make regular angioplasty less effective. This study looked at a method called orbital atherectomy (OA) to treat these calcified arteries, evaluating its in-hospital safety and efficacy. OA is a method which smoothens out calcified blockages by using a sanding technique.

   This study looked at a group of ten patients who underwent this procedure and followed them up for a period of time. It was found that OA was performed safely and relatively easily with successful stent delivery in all cases, with a low rate of immediate complications (only 10% of cases experienced dissection (tear in the vessel wall).

   None of the patients experienced major heart-related complications while in the hospital or in the 30 days after.

   It was found that that using special imaging techniques such as OCT or IVUS, careful selection of patients suitable for undergoing OA, and monitoring for complications during the procedure helped prevent complications.

   In summary, OA has an important role in preparing the calcified areas before putting in a stent. It helps makes sure the stent fits well and expands adequately. The procedure is safe, works well, and has very few problems.