Clinical and angiographic acute and follow up results of intracoronary beta brachytherapy in saphenous vein bypass grafts: a subgroup analysis of the multicentre European registry of intraluminal coronary beta brachytherapy (RENO).
OBJECTIVE
To assess clinically and angiographically the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of vascular brachytherapy (VBT) in saphenous vein bypass grafts (SVG).


METHODS
67 of 1098 (6.1%) consecutive patients of the European registry of intraluminal coronary beta brachytherapy underwent treatment for 68 SVG lesions by VBT using a Sr/Y(90) source train (BetaCath). Clinical follow up data were obtained for all of them after a mean (SD) of 6.3 (2.4) months and angiographic follow up was performed in 61 patients (91.0%) after 6.9 (2.0) months.


RESULTS
58 (86.6%) patients were men, their mean (SD) age was 66 (10) years, 28 (41.8%) had unstable angina, and 21 (31.3%) had diabetes. Fifty three (77.9%) lesions were in-stent restenosis, 13 (19.1%) de novo lesions, and 2 (3.0%) non-stented restenotic lesions. Mean (SD) reference diameter before the intervention was 4.19 (0.52) mm, mean (SD) lesion length was 23.56 (20.38) mm, and mean (SD) minimum lumen diameter measured 0.73 (0.62) mm. Mean (SD) acute gain was 3.02 (0.88) mm. The prescribed radiation dose was 20.1 (3.2) Gy. Pullback manoeuvres were performed in 17 (25.0%) of cases. Most patients received combined aspirin and thienopyridin treatment for 6 or 12 months after the procedure. Technical success was obtained in 62 (91.2%) treated lesions and in-hospital major adverse cardiac events occurred in 4.5%. At follow up, mean (SD) reference diameter was 4.20 (0.53) mm, minimum lumen diameter 2.94 (1.50) mm, and late loss 0.86 (1.25) mm. The overall major adverse cardiac events rate was 26.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
VBT of SVG is feasible and safe. At follow up the reintervention rate and cardiac morbidity and mortality seem to be favourable, considering that interventions in SVG usually are associated with the highest risks.
Schiele
T M
TM
Medizinische Klinik-Innenstadt, University Hospital, Munich, Germany. Thomas.Schiele@medinn.med.uni-muenchen.de
Regar
E
E
Silber
S
S
Eeckhout
E
E
Baumgart
D
D
Wijns
W
W
Colombo
A
A
Rutsch
W
W
Meerkin
D
D
Gershlick
A
A
Bonan
R
R
Urban
P
P
D000368:Aged; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation*