Coronary Artery Disease: Holmes DR

Patel MR, Dehmer GJ, Hirshfeld JW, Smith PK, Spertus JA, Masoudi FA, Brindis RG, Beckman KJ, Chambers CE, Ferguson TB, Garcia MJ, Grover FL, Holmes DR, Klein LW, Limacher M, Mack MJ, Malenka DJ, Park MH, Ragosta M, Ritchie JL, Rose GA, Rosenberg AB, Shemin RJ, Weintraub WS, Wolk MJ, Allen JM, Douglas PS, Hendel RC, Peterson ED. · Division of Cardiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA. · Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. · Pubmed #19127535 No free full text.

Abstract: The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF), Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, along with key specialty and subspecialty societies, conducted an appropriateness review of common clinical scenarios in which coronary revascularization is frequently considered. The clinical scenarios were developed to mimic common situations encountered in everyday practice and included information on symptom status, extent of medical therapy, risk level as assessed by noninvasive testing, and coronary anatomy. Approximately 180 clinical scenarios were developed by a writing committee and scored by a separate technical panel on a scale of 1 to 9. Scores of 7 to 9 indicate that revascularization was considered appropriate and likely to improve health outcomes or survival. Scores of 1 to 3 indicate revascularization was considered inappropriate and unlikely to improve health outcomes or survival. The mid range (4 to 6) indicates a clinical scenario for which the likelihood that coronary revascularization would improve health outcomes or survival was considered uncertain. For the majority of the clinical scenarios, the panel only considered the appropriateness of revascularization irrespective of whether this was accomplished by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). In a select subgroup of clinical scenarios in which revascularization is generally considered appropriate, the appropriateness of PCI and CABG individually as the primary mode of revascularization was considered. In general, the use of coronary revascularization for patients with acute coronary syndromes and combinations of significant symptoms and/or ischemia was viewed favorably. In contrast, revascularization of asymptomatic patients or patients with low-risk findings on noninvasive testing and minimal medical therapy were viewed less favorably. It is anticipated that these results will have an impact on physician decision making and patient education regarding expected benefits from revascularization and will help guide future research.

King SB, Aversano T, Ballard WL, Beekman RH, Cowley MJ, Ellis SG, Faxon DP, Hannan EL, Hirshfeld JW, Jacobs AK, Kellett MA, Kimmel SE, Landzberg JS, McKeever LS, Moscucci M, Pomerantz RM, Smith KM, Vetrovec GW, Creager MA, Hirshfeld JW, Holmes DR, Newby LK, Weitz HH, Merli G, Piña I, Rodgers GP, Tracy CM, Anonymous00143, Anonymous00144, Anonymous00145. · No affiliation provided · J Am Coll Cardiol. · Pubmed #17601554 No free full text.

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Anonymous00180, King SB, Aversano T, Ballard WL, Beekman RH, Cowley MJ, Ellis SG, Faxon DP, Hannan EL, Hirshfeld JW, Jacobs AK, Kellett MA, Kimmel SE, Landzberg JS, McKeever LS, Moscucci M, Pomerantz RM, Smith KM, Vetrovec GW, Creager MA, Holmes DR, Newby LK, Weitz HH, Merli G, Piña I, Rodgers GP, Tracy CM. · No affiliation provided · Circulation. · Pubmed #17592076 links to  free full text

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Patel MR, Holmes DR. · No affiliation provided · JAMA. · Pubmed #18430915 No free full text.

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Fischell TA, Holmes DR. · No affiliation provided · Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. · Pubmed #17323356 No free full text.

Abstract: Recent studies and editorials have stirred controversy and generated tremendous publicity in the lay press related to the safety of drug-eluting stents (DES) for the treatment of coronary artery disease. Questions have been raised regarding the risks of late, or very late stent thrombosis with DES. The purpose of this editorial and review of stent thrombosis is to illuminate some counterpoints to some of the attention surrounding the issues of late DES thrombosis. The risks of DES stent thrombosis versus BMS may have been overstated by flawed studies. Late stent thrombosis does occur with both BMS and DES, and may or may not be modestly higher with DES. The time course of very late "DES thrombosis," suggests that persistent plaque ruptures and disease progression in the target vessel may cause some, or many of these events. There is still much to be learned about the biology of DES. Although there is a small risk of late thrombosis with DES, there is little question that this technology provides benefit to the vast majority of patients compared with prior revascularization strategies, using balloon angioplasty, BMS, or bypass surgery. Substantial resources should be devoted to creating more biocompatible DES systems, and to minimizing the risks of both early and late stent thrombosis.

Holmes DR. · No affiliation provided · JAMA. · Pubmed #15585739 No free full text.

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Holmes DR, Bell MR. · No affiliation provided · Mayo Clin Proc. · Pubmed #11075739 No free full text.

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Rihal CS, Holmes DR. · No affiliation provided · Am Heart J. · Pubmed #10467184 No free full text.

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Holmes DR, Gersh BJ, Whitlow P, King SB, Dove JT. · Department of Cardiology, Division of Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. · JACC Cardiovasc Interv. · Pubmed #19393142 No free full text.

Abstract: As it approaches its fourth decade, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is now the most widely used revascularization strategy around the world and has been tested in multiple clinical scenarios against both medical and surgical therapies. For each patient group and clinical scenario setting, the goals of therapy must be specifically defined and clearly understood as an integral component of the process of selecting the optimal strategy for the individual patient. In patients with chronic stable, often mild angina, the major achievable goals of PCI are to affect symptoms, either by decreasing them or preventing them, reduce the need for subsequent procedures, and relieve ischemia. Achievement of these goals has been documented in multiple randomized trials of PCI versus medical therapy. In these trials of patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), however, no reduction in death and myocardial infarction has been observed, and these limitations of PCI in this clinical setting need to be emphasized. Given the typically diffuse nature of CAD and the fact that PCI only treats a segment within a coronary artery, this is not surprising. Although optimal medical therapy forms the cornerstone of management for any patient with CAD, among stable patients who do fail medical therapy, percutaneous coronary revascularization plays a well-documented significant role in improving symptoms and preventing the subsequent need for revascularization. The appropriate utilization rates of PCI in patients with chronic stable angina and preserved left ventricular function should lead to more cost-effective care of patients with stable CAD.

Prasad A, Rihal C, Holmes DR. · The Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. · Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. · Pubmed #18412271 No free full text.

Abstract: The indications for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) continue to evolve because of the steady improvement in technology, broadened patient and lesion selection criteria, and new evidence from clinical trials. Recently, the role of PCI in patients with chronic stable angina has received considerable scrutiny and has been the subject of great controversy. In these patients, the goals of therapy include the relief of symptom, treatment of ischemia, and reducing the need for subsequent interventions. Medical therapy is the cornerstone in the management of coronary artery disease and should be optimized in all patients. The COURAGE trial investigated the efficacy of combined PCI and optimal medical therapy (OMT) versus OMT alone in patients with stable disease. The trial confirmed several issues that have been already well delineated: (1) in low risk patients, the hard endpoints of death and MI are relatively infrequent and are not reduced by PCI - for prevention of these, OMT may be sufficient, (2) crossover from OMT to PCI is frequent, even in low risk patients, (3) PCI is very effective in reducing symptoms and myocardial ischemia, and (4) significant untreated ischemia is associated with greater likelihood of death and MI.

Jaber WA, Holmes DR. · Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. · Med Clin North Am. · Pubmed #17640546 No free full text.

Abstract: Coronary artery disease is the number-one killer in developed countries, with lifetime prevalence of up to 50% in American men, and is the topic of much medical literature. Recently, multiple therapies have emerged to save lives after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), backed by well-conducted studies; however, appropriate implementation of therapy guidelines is less than optimal. Recent efforts have focused on improving the quality of care (QC) after AMI in order to improve outcomes. This article illustrates how outcome after AMI is related to QC, describes the underuse of evidence-based therapies, and discusses factors associated with poor guideline adherence. It also reviews current quality improvement projects, and some available means to measure and optimize the QC for patients with AMI.

El-Menyar AA, Al Suwaidi J, Holmes DR. · Weill Cornell Medical School, Qatar. · Curr Probl Cardiol. · Pubmed #17382834 No free full text.

Abstract: Patients with stenosis of the left main coronary artery present difficult challenges. The risks associated with this lesion have been known since the early days of angiography when patients were found to have increased mortality during follow-up. This information led to the general guidelines that surgical revascularization should be considered the treatment of choice in patients with significant left main coronary artery stenosis. Current advances in invasive cardiology have brought important information to the field. Intravascular ultrasound is now used routinely to evaluate angiographically indeterminate lesions with criteria now set forward as to what constitutes an indication for revascularization. Stents have even further dramatically changed the landscape. There are substantial issues, however, that need to addressed. These include the following: (1) the effect of specific lesion location on outcome - it is known that patients with distal bifurcation left main disease have worse outcome; (2) the potential for subacute thrombosis of the left main coronary artery; (3) the impact of left ventricular function and patient comorbidities irrespective of the degree and location of left main coronary artery stenosis; and (4) the risk-benefit ratio of stenting versus coronary artery bypass graft surgery. These issues are currently being addressed in two seminally important trials including the SYNTAX trial, which randomizes patients with left main and/or three-vessel disease to either coronary artery bypass graft surgery or a TAXUS drug-eluting stent. This trial is in the final stages of patient recruitment and will have important implications for the field. The other trial is the COMBAT trial, which is focused exclusively on left main coronary artery stenosis and randomizes patients with left main coronary artery disease either to a Sirolimus-eluting stent (Cypher, Johnson and Johnson Cordis, USA) or to coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The field of left main coronary artery disease continues to expand in terms of the evidence available for optimal patient evaluation and selection of treatment modalities.

Lerman A, Holmes DR, Herrmann J, Gersh BJ. · Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902, USA. · Eur Heart J. · Pubmed #17347176 links to  free full text

Abstract: AIMS: Despite advancements over the past years, normal reperfusion at the myocardial level is not achieved in approximately every other patient with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. In the current work, we aimed at reviewing the role of the coronary microcirculation in the development and outcome of this acute coronary syndrome entity. METHODS AND RESULTS: A PubMed/Medline search was performed with the key words acute coronary syndrome, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, endothelial dysfunction, microcirculation, and reperfusion. The synthesis of the information points to myocardial microcirculatory dysfunction as a consequence of a primary epicardial event, based on the vulnerable plaque concept. As an alternative theory, microcirculatory dysfunction may contribute to the clinical course of the acute coronary event, based on the vulnerable patient concept. The pros and cons of these two viewpoints are to be discussed and their influence on patient management is to be considered. CONCLUSION: Microcirculatory dysfunction in ST-elevation myocardial infarction can be cause, consequence or both according to non-traditional and traditional concepts.

Holmes DR, Rihal C. · Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. · Am Heart Hosp J. · Pubmed #16894256 No free full text.

Abstract: Interventional cardiology has revolutionized modern cardiovascular care not only with the introduction of new approaches to the treatment of coronary artery disease, but also with the development of new invasive approaches to electrophysiologic procedures and the treatment of noncoronary vascular beds. This revolution continues to gather speed. Creative solutions continue to be proposed, evaluated, and then brought to the patient care arena. Issues remain, but these identify opportunities for continuing improvement.

Salam AM, Al Suwaidi J, Holmes DR. · The North Hospital, State of Qatar. · Curr Probl Cardiol. · Pubmed #16389102 No free full text.

Abstract: The introduction and widespread use of coronary stents have been the most important advancement in the percutaneous treatment of coronary artery disease since the introduction of balloon angioplasty. Coronary artery stents reduce the rate of angiographic and clinical restenosis compared to balloon angioplasty. This angiographic restenosis was further reduced with the introduction of drug-eluting stents and hence further reduction in the frequency of major adverse cardiac events. Herein we present a comprehensive and up-to-date review about the use of drug-eluting stents in the treatment of coronary artery disease.

Barsness GW, Holmes DR, Gersh BJ. · No affiliation provided · Curr Probl Cardiol. · Pubmed #16230183 No free full text.

Abstract: Modern coronary revascularization strategies are based on studies performed in the 1970s and 1980s that compared coronary artery bypass surgery with standard medical therapy available at the time. Studies comparing surgical and percutaneous revascularization followed, demonstrating similar long-term outcome among thousands of randomized patients. The largest of these trials, the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI), cast doubt on the generalizability of these findings to all subgroups, finding that patients with diabetes mellitus and multivessel disease had worse long-term outcome with an initial strategy of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Indeed, patients with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, while the benefit of standard therapies in these patients is attenuated by the underlying metabolic abnormalities and significant comorbidities associated with the diabetic state. However, surgical and percutaneous revascularization techniques continue to evolve. Similarly, modern medical therapy is markedly superior to that available during these early studies, with demonstrable benefit in primary and secondary prevention of vascular events in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Ongoing trials will define the impact of current treatment modalities in this important and growing population.

Holmes DR, Kereiakes DJ. · Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. · Rev Cardiovasc Med. · Pubmed #15665796 No free full text.

Abstract: The treatment of small-vessel disease will occupy an increasingly important part of interventional cardiology practice and this raises several issues. The definition of "small vessels" has great implications for device size selection, and knowledge of "normal" small-vessel dimensions is important. Stents have been applied in the setting of smaller-vessel disease and future iterations of small-vessel stents will need to address several design factors. Stent strut thickness might impact on subsequent restenosis as well as late lumen loss. There has been great interest in the use of drug-eluting stents for small vessels. Randomized clinical trials of sirolimus-eluting versus bare metal stents in the treatment of small-vessel disease have shown significant improvements in the rates of target lesion revascularization and restenosis with sirolimus-eluting stents. These improvements in restenosis rates are attributable to the low levels of late loss with the drug-eluting stent.

Orford JL, Lerman A, Holmes DR. · Department of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. · J Am Coll Cardiol. · Pubmed #15093863 No free full text.

Abstract: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has played an integral role in the evolution of interventional cardiology. However, routine IVUS guidance of coronary stent implantation is not supported by a critical reappraisal of the available evidence. Although there is a trend toward a benefit with respect to target lumen revascularization favoring IVUS-guided coronary stent implantation, it is likely that this effect is driven by improved outcomes in small vessels, long coronary stenoses, and possibly saphenous vein graft interventions. No consistent trend in the incidence of death or myocardial infarction is apparent. Furthermore, the safety, efficacy, and effectiveness of IVUS should be taken into account when considering the goals, risks, benefits, and alternatives to such a treatment strategy.

Halkin A, Keren G, Stone GW, Holmes DR, Rosenschein U. · Department of Cardiology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. · Isr Med Assoc J. · Pubmed #14650105 links to  free full text

Abstract: Despite widespread use of stents and GP IIb/IIIa antagonists, complications following percutaneous treatment of thrombus-rich lesions continue to plague patients with ACS. In these patients the angiographically evident coronary thrombosis may represent a high degree of thrombus burden, which leads to a higher level of microembolization and its clinical sequelae. New catheter-based thrombus burden reduction systems and distal protection devices show promise for improving the prognosis of these high risk patients by decreasing distal microembolization, and thereby preventing myonecrosis. Careful procedural timing and patient selection are also likely to improve outcomes and resource utilization in the management of ACS patients.

Holmes DR. · Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Mayo Clinic Foundation, St Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. · Clin Cardiol. · Pubmed #12489600 No free full text.

Abstract: Patients with coronary artery disease have a variety of treatment options available to them. These include medications to control anginal episodes and, when appropriate, revascularization interventions in the form of coronary artery bypass graft and angioplasty. Despite advances in the treatment of angina, a substantial number of patients continue to have symptoms that can significantly impair their quality of life. These patients may benefit from enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP). With recent results of the latest clinical trial of EECPjust published, the role of EECP, including its position in the hierarchy of treatment options, needs to be seriously considered.

Singh M, Ting HH, Berger PB, Garratt KN, Holmes DR, Gersh BJ. · Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. · J Am Coll Cardiol. · Pubmed #12084584 No free full text.

Abstract: Since the early 1990s, with significant improvement in the procedural success of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), there has been a concomitant reduction in the need for emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery. This review article focuses on the need for on-site cardiac surgery in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty at centers without on-site cardiac surgical backup. It gives an overview of the need for emergency bypass surgery in both the large trial setting and the community hospital setting. Special consideration is also given to the risks and benefits of primary angioplasty compared with thrombolytic therapy, transfer to an institution with an on-site cardiac surgical facility compared with primary PCI, the frequency and indications for emergency cardiac surgery related and unrelated to primary angioplasty and the requirements for primary angioplasty that must be met in hospitals without the capability of on-site cardiac surgery.

Keelan PC, Holmes DR. · Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. · Coron Artery Dis. · Pubmed #11811328 No free full text.

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Kantor B, Ashai K, Holmes DR, Schwartz RS. · Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. · Cardiovasc Radiat Med. · Pubmed #11272356 No free full text.

Abstract: Coronary restenosis after percutaneous interventions remains a major clinical problem. The assessment of therapies for the prevention of restenosis relies on the use of experimental models. This review describes the most frequently used animal models of coronary artery retenosis and the intraspecies differences among them, particularly in the extent and composition of the neointimal thickening. These differences in neointima formation should be considered in the interpretation of effective antiproliferative therapies before they are transferred into clinical trials.

Kantor B, Altman J, Simari RS, Bayes-Genis A, Keelan PJ, Holmes DR, Schwartz RS. · Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, 200 First Street, SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. · Curr Atheroscler Rep. · Pubmed #11122768 No free full text.

Abstract: Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis are the processes responsible for the development of the circulatory system during embryonic and adult life. Vasculogenesis occurs during embryogenesis while angiogenesis refers to blood vessel formation from any preexisting vasculature. Postnatal angiogenesis resumes during reproduction, wound healing, and ischemia. Excess blood vessel formation may contribute to initiating and maintaining many diseases such as chronic inflammatory disorders, tumor growth, restenosis, and atherosclerosis. In contrast. insufficient blood vessel formation is responsible for tissue ischemia, as in coronary artery disease. An increasing number of patients with advanced coronary artery disease remain symptomatic despite maximal interventional, surgical or medical treatment. Ideally, they would benefit most from additional arterial blood supply to ischemic areas of myocardium. Therapeutic angiogenesis, the ability to induce the growth of new blood vessels, is one of the most intriguing new frontiers in interventional cardiology for this growing patient group. Several approaches are currently undergoing intensive experimental investigations or have already entered early clinical trials involving either local angiogenic peptide administration or the transfection of angiogenic genes. Gene therapy for therapeutic myocardial angiogenesis is the most promising synthesis of two emerging technologies. In the following article, we will review the fundamental pathophysiological concepts of gene-based angiogenic therapy, the technical approaches and delivery systems, and the results of the first clinical trials. We will also discuss the controversies and unresolved issues of this new revascularization therapy.

Al Suwaidi J, Berger PB, Holmes DR. · Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, SMH MB 4-523, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. · JAMA. · Pubmed #11025836 links to  free full text

Abstract: CONTEXT: Intracoronary stents are now used for the majority of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary revascularization, and the body of scientific knowledge about stents has expanded rapidly in the last several years. OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence supporting the widespread use of intracoronary stents. DATA SOURCES: The MEDLINE database was searched for articles from 1990 through January 2000 using the indexing terms stents, coronary artery disease, and angioplasty. Additional data sources included bibliographies of articles identified on MEDLINE, bibliographies in textbooks on percutaneous coronary interventions, and preliminary data presented at recent national and international cardiology conferences. STUDY SELECTION: We selected for review studies that assessed the effects of stenting on the immediate and long-term outcome of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary revascularization. If data from randomized controlled trials were not available for specific patient subsets or lesion characteristics, observational studies were included. DATA EXTRACTION: The methodologic characteristics of studies in coronary stenting were extracted and summarized according to key components of research design, including lesion type, location, and adjunctive therapy used. Studies were classified according to the strength of the available data into proven and unproven indications for stent use. DATA SYNTHESIS: Coronary artery stents increase the safety of interventional procedures, increase procedure success rates, and decrease the need for emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Intracoronary stents have become an essential component of the catheter-based treatment of coronary artery disease. The evidence indicates that elective stenting, rather than provisional stenting or balloon angioplasty alone, improves clinical outcomes in the months following percutaneous coronary revascularization in a wide variety of clinical settings and lesion types. JAMA. 2000;284:1828-1836.