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Updated: Nov 11, 2025

In Vivo, Percutaneous, Needle Based, Optical Coherence Tomography of Renal Masses
Published on: March 30, 2015
Zero contrast optical coherence tomography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with non-ST segment
Zheng-Yu Liu1,2, Zi-Hui Yin3, Cheng-Yang Liang4
1Department of Cardiology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Insights
Ultra-low contrast percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is safe for non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (non-STEMI) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This strategy preserves renal function and shows no major adverse events at 90 days.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- The safety and efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using minimal contrast media in patients with non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (non-STEMI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) remain largely uncharacterized.
- Assessing renal function preservation and short-term clinical outcomes is critical for this high-risk patient population undergoing revascularization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a strategy of ultra-low volume contrast PCI aimed at preserving renal function in non-STEMI patients with CKD.
- To observe the 90-day clinical endpoint in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study included 29 non-STEMI patients with CKD (eGFR ≤60 mL/min/1.73 m²).
- Ultra-low volume contrast PCI was performed using minimal contrast coronary angiography and zero-contrast optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance.
- Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) was used for pre-perfusion assessment and to verify procedural improvement.
Main Results:
- The study included patients with a median creatinine of 2.1 mg/dL and mean eGFR of 48 mL/min/1.73 m².
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) identified abnormalities in 52% of cases post-dilation.
- No significant changes in creatinine or eGFR were observed short- or long-term, and no major adverse events occurred.
Conclusions:
- Ultra-low contrast PCI guided by QFR and zero-contrast OCT is a safe and feasible strategy for non-STEMI patients with high-risk CKD.
- This approach can be performed without major adverse events, suggesting potential for renal function preservation in this vulnerable group.
Objectives:
To investigate a strategy for ultra-low volume contrast percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the aims of preserving renal function and observing the 90-day clinical endpoint in patients with non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (non-STEMI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Background:
The feasibility, safety, and clinical utility of PCI with ultra-low radio-contrast medium in patients with non-STEMI and CKD are unknown.
Methods:
A total of 29 patients with non-STEMI and CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] of ≤60 ml/min/1.73 m2 ) were included. Ultra-low volume contrast PCI was performed after minimal contrast coronary angiography using zero contrast optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance. Pre- and post-PCI angiographic measurements were performed using quantitative flow ratio (QFR) for pre-perfusion assessment and verifying improvement.
Results:
The median creatinine level was 2.1 (inter-quartile range 1.8-3.3), and mean eGFR was 48 ± 8 ml/min/1.73 m2 pre-PCI. During the PCI procedure, OCT revealed 15 (52%) cases of abnormalities post-dilation. There was no significant change in the creatinine level and eGFR in the short- or long-term, and no major adverse events were observed.
Conclusion:
In non-STEMI patients with high-risk CKD who require revascularization, QFR and no contrast OCT-guided ultra-low contrast PCI may be performed safely without major adverse events.
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