Intravascular lithotripsy as a rescue option in the treatment of stent underexpansion: A case report

Corresponding Author:

Grzegorz Sobieszek
Department of Cardiology,
1^st Military Clinical Hospital,
Lublin,
Poland,
E-mail: marknguyen.dr@gmail.com

Received date: 07-Jun-2022, Manuscript No. FMIC-22-66083; Editor assigned: 09-Jun-2022, PreQC No. FMIC-22-66083 (PQ); Reviewed date: 27-Jun-2022, QC No. FMIC-22-66083; Revised date: 04-Jul-2022, Manuscript No. FMIC-22-66083 (R); Published date: 11-Jul-2022, DOI: 10.37532/1755- 5310.2022.14(4).537

Abstract

The treatment of calcified atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries is one of the greatest challenges of contemporary invasive cardiology. Insufficient preparation of the lesion before stent implantation may cause complications. The introduction of new tools, such as intravascular lithotripsy, is a valuable method of treatment not only at the stage of atherosclerotic plaque preparation, but also a rescue option in the case of non-expansion of a stent implanted in a calcified, suboptimally prepared lesion. This paper presents the cases of two patients treated with intravascular lithotripsy in the Department of Cardiology of the 1st Military Clinical Hospital in Lublin. In both cases, the reason for the intervention was insufficient expansion of previously implanted stents. Thanks to the use of ultrasound wave energy, it was possible to treat this complication, which was confirmed in endovascular imaging studies. In view of the effectiveness and widespread use of lithotripsy in such situations, the need to extend the indications for the use of this valuable tool seems obvious.

Keywords

lithotripsy • Stent underexpansion • Percutaneous coronary intervention

Abbreviations

PCI: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; NC: Non-Compliant; OCT: Optical Coherence Tomography; IVL: Intravascular Lithotripsy; LM: Left Main; LAD: Left Descending Artery; Cx: Circumflex artery; LVEF: Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction; NSTEMI: Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction; MLA: Minimal Lumen Area; DES: Drug-Eluting Stent; DEB: Drug-Eluting Balloon; IVUS: Intravascular Ultrasound; atm.: atmosphere

Introduction

The treatment of highly calcified atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries has been one of the greatest challenges of contemporary interventional cardiology for many years. It is estimated that severe calcification affects up to 20% of patients undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI). Patients with this type of atherosclerotic lesions are a group at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, and are also characterized by a worse prognosis. A higher frequency of complications of percutaneous coronary interventions performed on lesions of this type is also known [1-6].

The success of percutaneous coronary interventions within highly calcified lesions requires diligence and due care from even the most experienced operator. Thorough lesion preparation prior to stent implantation is a prerequisite for success. The use of endovascular imaging methods, especially Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), can provide information about the morphology of the atherosclerotic plaque, which will facilitate the planning of the procedure, and thus increase the patient’s safety and avoid complications [7-9].

Over the years, many solutions have been introduced into common use, the mutual goal of which is to optimize the treatment outcomes of calcified atherosclerotic lesions. Apart from aggressive dilation with the use of high pressure Non-Compliant (NC) balloons, cutting and scoring balloons, rotational atherectomy (rotablation) is a well-known and available method for many years. Relatively new tools are orbital atherectomy, laser atherectomy and Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL). The latter method is highly hoped for in particular due to its favorable safety profile. A combination of several therapeutic options brings good results [10-14].

In this paper, we present the cases of two patients treated with intravascular lithotripsy in the Department of Cardiology of the 1^st Military Clinical Hospital in Lublin due to underexpanded stents in the coronary vessels. Both patients are sent to the ward from centers without access to this.

Case Presentation

An 84-year-old patient after coronary interventions in the right coronary artery and bifurcation of the left main with DES implantation as part of NSTEMI treatment was admitted to the Cardiology Department of the 1st Military Clinical Hospital in Lublin in order to optimize the effect of LM/LAD/Cx angioplasty done 8 days earlier. In addition, a transthoracic echocardiography performed on admission revealed left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF 30%) and segmental contractility disorders in the form of inferior and posterior wall akinesia and hypokinesia of the remaining walls. In laboratory tests, attention was drawn to increased level of troponin and NT pro-BNP. After proper preparation, the patient was qualified for invasive treatment.

The projection of the left coronary artery revealed the presence of a significantly under–expended stent in the distal segment of the LM and significant stenosis in the middle segment of the anterior descending branch, as well as chronic total occlusion of the circumflex (Figure 1). In order to optimally plan the procedure, imaging with Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) was used (Figure 2). The MLA of the distal LM was estimated to be 2.7 mm² within the implanted DES. A decision was made to perform immediate vessel angioplasty.

In the first stage of the procedure, a 3.5/12 mm NC balloon catheter was used (Figure 3). Despite the use of high pressures (20 atm.), the optimal expansion of the balloon was not achieved. Angioplasty with endovascular lithotripsy was performed (Figure 4). After using 80 pulses (8 cycles of 10 pulses), the optimal expansion of the IVL balloon 4.0/12 mm was found. At a later stage of the procedure, an effective angioplasty of the middle segment of the LAD was performed with the implantation of a 3.0/38 mm DES. The final projections showed a good angiographic effect (Figure 5). In the postoperative IVUS control, the MLA of the distal LM was estimated at 9.8 mm² (Figure 6).

The patient was discharged in good general condition on the fifth day of hospitalization. Pharmacological treatment included dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel, as well as perindopril, rosuvastatin, eplerenone, torasemide, empagliflozin and pantoprazole. Due to bradycardia, treatment with the beta-blocker was discontinued. Echocardiographic control was recommended to qualify for cardioverter-defibrillator implantation.

The second patient treated in a similar manner in the Cardiology Department of the 1^st Military Hospital was a 71-year-old patient after many coronary interventions in the past, with an underextended stent in the middle part of the left anterior descending coronary artery implanted 4 days earlier. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF 45%). In laboratory tests, elevated levels of troponins have been noted. The patient was qualified for invasive treatment.

The projections of the left coronary artery showed a significant stenosis in the anterior descending branch in an underexpanded stent (Figure 7). No significant atherosclerotic changes were found in the remaining vessels. As in the first case, intravascular ultrasound was used. Within the lesion, the MLA of the vessel was 2.0 mm² (Figure 8). A decision was made to implement PCI. Due to the suboptimal expansion of the 2.5/8 mm NC balloon catheter within the lesion (Figure 9) and the scoring balloon, a decision was made to use lithotripsy (Figure 10). The result was in a good expansion of the 3.0/12 mm balloon.

A good angiographic effect (Figure 11) and MLA of the 5.5 mm² vessel in IVUS were achieved with the use of a drug eluting balloon (DEB) (Figure 12).

The patient was discharged from the ward on the third day of hospitalization in good general condition with the recommendation of standard pharmacotherapy.

After a few months, control angiography was performed in both patients, confirming the good effect of the procedure in patient no. 1 (Figure 13) and in patient no. 2 (Figure 14).

Results and Discussion

Despite the wide range of available tools, there are still cases of stent implantation in insufficiently prepared atherosclerotic lesions. The obvious consequence of such a procedure is insufficient stent expansion, which is associated with an increased rate of complications. In most cases, the lack of effective treatment methods entails the necessity to perform additional, even more aggressive dilatation, which increases the risk of complications. The use of intravascular lithotripsy in such cases seems to be beneficial due to the effectiveness of the method and a favorable safety profile. IVL is a method based on the use of ultrasonic waves, the pulses of which lead to the generation of a shock wave that crushes limestone deposits, thus modifying the atherosclerotic plaque. Despite the fact that the use of IVL in this type of cases, as well as in the treatment of in-stent restenosis, is an off-label indication, the effectiveness of the method means that it is also widely used in such situations, bringing good results, which is also indicated by the published records and case reports [15-21].

Conclusion

Treatment of severely calcified lesions in the coronary arteries continues to be a challenge even for the most experienced hemodynamics. The key aspect is the appropriate planning of the procedure and preparation of the lesion before possible stenting. Despite the wide range of tools available, there are cases of hasty decisions about stent implantation. In such cases, endovascular lithotripsy may be a good therapeutic option, which in many situations turns out to be the only rescue option. It seems necessary to develop more extensive research on this topic.

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