Morphological and functional evaluation of the bioresorption of the bioresorbable everolimus-eluting vascular scaffold using IVUS, echogenicity and vasomotion testing at two year follow-up: a patient level insight into the ABSORB A clinical trial

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2012 Jan;28(1):51-8. doi: 10.1007/s10554-010-9769-y. Epub 2011 Jan 7.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe vaso-reactivity (by Acetylcholine and Methergine tests) at 2 year follow-up in parallel with the individual changes in the echogenicity characteristics of the polymer struts of the everolimus eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS), from post-treatment to 2 year follow-up, in patients enrolled in the ABSORB Cohort A study. Intravascular ultrasound assessment was performed with a phased array catheter (EagleEye, Volcano Corporation, Cordova, CA, USA) with automated pullback at 0.5 mm per second. The % ratio at 6 months and 2 years [(Scaffold Area post PCI- Lumen Area)/Scaffold Area post PCI] was calculated as a measure of scaffold shrinkage. The % change of hyperechogenicity was defined as: ([post-procedural hyperechogenicity] - [2 year follow up hyperechogenicity])/[post-procedural hyperechogenicity]) × 100. The vasomotion test with intracoronary acetylcholine (10(-6) M) or intravenous methergine (0.4 mg) was performed at 2 years. Overall nine patients received all these analyses and were enrolled in the present analysis. A 50-96% reduction in hyperechogenicity was observed between baseline and 2 years, which corresponded to a change in vasoreactivity between 2 and 22%. A vasoconstriction of the scaffolded segment was observed in the 5 patients, who underwent the methergine test, with a mean decrease in lumen diameter after methergine of 9 ± 7% (P = 0.06), while vasodilatation occurred in the 4 patients who underwent the acetylcholine test with a mean increase in lumen diameter after acetylcholine of 8 ± 5% (P = 0.125). Bioresorption of the BVS is accompanied by re-establishment of both endothelial and non-endothelial dependent vasomotion.

MeSH terms

  • Absorbable Implants*
  • Aged
  • Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / instrumentation
  • Cardiovascular Agents / administration & dosage
  • Cohort Studies
  • Coronary Artery Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / therapy
  • Coronary Vessels / diagnostic imaging
  • Drug-Eluting Stents*
  • Everolimus
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Sirolimus / administration & dosage
  • Sirolimus / analogs & derivatives*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional / methods*
  • Vasodilation / drug effects*

Substances

  • Cardiovascular Agents
  • Everolimus
  • Sirolimus