Brochhalvorsen2194

Stent malapposition area was smaller in fibrous plaques, especially with thin strut stents (P = 0.03).

There was no difference in the extent of OCT-based vessel injury associated with thin and thick-strut DES platforms. TP was larger with the thin strut DES, potentially reflecting a deeper stent embedment in the vessel wall.

There was no difference in the extent of OCT-based vessel injury associated with thin and thick-strut DES platforms. TP was larger with the thin strut DES, potentially reflecting a deeper stent embedment in the vessel wall.

Data comparing plaque characteristics and wire-free physiological assessment in the target vessel in patients with stable angina versus acute coronary syndrome are sparse. Therefore, we investigated the difference in plaque distribution between stable angina and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and explored the relationship between target vessel vulnerability by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and wire-free functional assessment with quantitative flow ratio (QFR).

Patients with stable angina (n = 25) and NSTEMI (n = 24) were in the final prospective study cohort from the DECODE study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02335086). All 5480 OCT frames in the region of interest were analyzed to study plaque morphology in the target vessel. QFR was analyzed from baseline coronary angiography before percutaneous coronary intervention. Vulnerable vessel score (VVS) was calculated from each plaque, and vessel QFR was then compared.

Out of all frames, thin-cap fibroatheroma was common with NSTEMI compared to stable angina (10.9 versus 6.3%, P < 0.01), while fibrous plaque was more commonly seen with stable angina compared to NSTEMI (19.7 versus 14.4%, P < 0.01). Calcified plaque was similar in both clinical settings (approximately 6%). Regression analysis showed that segments with normal vessel walls were located significantly farther from the other plaque types. Longitudinal distances for plaque-type in NSTEMI were numerically greater than those for stable angina; however, the mean difference was less than 10 mm. The VVS had a significant inverse linear correlation with QFR (r = -0.34, P = 0.009).

The plaque distribution by OCT between stable angina and NSTEMI was similar. Target vessel vulnerability was greater in patients with lower QFR value.

The plaque distribution by OCT between stable angina and NSTEMI was similar. Target vessel vulnerability was greater in patients with lower QFR value.

In second- and third-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) era, in-stent restenosis (ISR) is not commonly seen. However, a few patients still need repeat revascularizations for recurrent ISR even after second- and third-generation DES implantation.

From January 2012 to March 2017, 2339 lesions underwent second- and third-generation DES (Nobori, Promus Element, Resolute Integrity, Xience, Ultimaster and Synergy) implantation, of which 95 lesions (4.1%) underwent revascularization for first ISR. All lesions were divided into two groups of recurrent ISR group and non-recurrent ISR group. After successful optical coherence tomography (OCT) guided revascularization for all lesions, we investigated characteristics of recurrent ISR, and 2 years follow-up were completed.

The mean age was 70.8 ± 11.7 years, and 73.2% were males. Among 56 DES-ISR lesions which were assessed by OCT, recurrent ISR was seen in 33.9% (N = 19) at 2 years follow-up after revascularization for first ISR. Serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) level was higher in recurrent ISR group compared with non-recurrent ISR group (114.1 ± 53.9 mg/dl vs. 90.9 ± 27.8 mg/dl, P = 0.04) and heterogeneous tissue pattern was more frequently found in recurrent ISR group compared with non-recurrent ISR group (63.2% vs. 27.0%, P = 0.03). Multivariate analysis identified a heterogeneous tissue pattern (odds ratio 3.71; 95% confidence interval 1.09-12.59; P = 0.03) as an independent predictor of recurrent restenosis.

Recurrent ISR of second- and third-generation DES was associated with heterogeneous tissue pattern of first ISR, and high LDL-C level was associated with recurrence.

Recurrent ISR of second- and third-generation DES was associated with heterogeneous tissue pattern of first ISR, and high LDL-C level was associated with recurrence.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser treatment is routinely used to treat hypertrophic burn scars (HBS). Although prior research has documented subjective improvement in HBS after treatment, there is little data evaluating objective changes in scar characteristics after therapy. The aim of our process improvement project was to evaluate changes to scar thickness (ST) using high-frequency ultrasound in patients with HBS undergoing CO2 laser therapy.

Ultrasound measurements of ST were obtained from patients with HBS before initial and at each subsequent treatment. ST, reduction in ST per treatment, and percentage reduction in ST from baseline were tabulated. Post hoc analyses examining the effect of initial ST and scar maturity on outcome were performed. First, patients were grouped by baseline ST into thicker (group 1, initial ST ≥ median value) and thinner (group 2, initial ST < median value) scar groups. Second, patients were divided into quartiles based on time from injury to treatment. Outcomes at each time pr maturity, there were no significant differences in either baseline ST or ST at any subsequent visit.

Fractionated ablative CO2 laser treatment improved ST after 1 to 2 treatments. Patients with thicker scars demonstrated greater ST reduction than those with thinner scars. Ultrasound adequately assessed treatment response.

Fractionated ablative CO2 laser treatment improved ST after 1 to 2 treatments. Patients with thicker scars demonstrated greater ST reduction than those with thinner scars. read more Ultrasound adequately assessed treatment response.

Whatever the technique of the surgical repair, the scar remains and it is the most common cause for parent's and patient's dissatisfaction. We aimed in this work to evaluate the efficacy of the fractional CO2 (FCO2) laser on the later appearance of cleft lip scars in general and to compare between the early and late use of this tool to know its ideal application time in particular. To our knowledge, there are no published reports about this objective with regard to the number of patients and the concerned designated study.

One hundred twenty patients complaining of cleft lip scar were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 started FCO2 application 3 weeks postoperatively, group 2 started it 3 months postoperatively, and group 3 applied local creams only as a control group. Fractional CO2 laser had been applied for 5 to 7 sessions. Vancouver scar scale was used for scar evaluation determining vascularity, pigmentation, pliability, and height. Visual analog scale was also used depending on 5 independent physicians and nonmedical personnel to rate results on a graded scale from 0 to 10.