Using IVUS with angiography is a dominant strategy in Italy, and results demonstrate that it is desirable to target those at a greater risk of restenosis (i.e., patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and acute coronary syndrome), who tend to benefit more from accurate stent implantation. Further information is necessary regarding the long-term benefits of IVUS, however sensitivity analysis presented in this research demonstrates a strong argument supporting the cost-effectiveness of IVUS.

Highlights The achievement of a proper circumferential decompression of the sac instead of simple posterior bilateral laminectomy has been progressively highlighted. Since the majority of spinal cord compression involves firstly the ventral part of the sac, circumferential and anterior decompression are associated with better neurological outcomes at discharge and at follow-up, and should be achieved in case of circumferential or anterior/anterolateral compression. Post-operative improvement and/or maintenance of ambulation resulted to be a significative protective factor at last follow-up.

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We conducted a prospective observational study to evaluate the indications, technique, in-hospital and 9-month results of consecutive patients treated with rotational atherectomy (RA) in 12 centers during 1 year, as well as their relationship with volume of RA activity. The study included 345 lesions in 289 patients treated (4.4% +/- 2.6% of procedures at the participating centers). The lesions were mostly calcified (63%) and type B2 or C (74%). Procedural success was obtained in 94% of patients, with a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate of 4.5%. At 9 months, MACE occurred in 17.3%. Multivariate analysis identified multivessel disease and slow flow as negative predictors of procedural success, whereas balloon pressure