Angina Patients Research Articles

The place of diltiazem in the treatment of patients with stable angina in concomitant bronchial asthma

Introduction. In the treatment of stable angina in patients with concomitant bronchial asthma (BA), the bronchopulmonary system may be adversely affected by a number of drugs. Diltiazem may be the drug of choice when antianginal therapy with a pulseslowing effect is required, but β-blockers are contraindicated.Aim of the study. To compare the antianginal, pulse-slowing and vasoprotective effects of the calcium antagonist (CA) diltiazem, the calcium antagonist verapamil and the cardioselective beta-adrenoblocker (BAB) bisoprolol in the treatment of stable angina (SA) patients with concomitant BA.Materials and methods. The study included 60 patients with stable angina II-III FC with concomitant mild or moderate persistent BA. The patients were divided into three groups of 20 patients depending on antianginal drugs: Group 1 received betaadrenoblocker bisoprolol, Group 2 – calcium antagonist verapamil, Group 3 – calcium antagonist diltiazem. All patients underwent cardiography (Doppler EchoCG), external respiration function (ERF), endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDVD) study at baseline and after 2, 4, 6 weeks of treatment.Results. No negative dynamics of FEV1 was found in patients of all groups during the study of ERF after 6 weeks of treatment. There was a statistically significant increase in FEV1 after 6 weeks of treatment in group 3 patients receiving diltiazem (p = 0.032). There was a statistically significant decrease in HR in all three groups during treatment, but in group 2 the dynamics were significantly lower when treated with verapamil. Analysis of mPAP of patients showed that it decreased in all groups after 6 weeks of treatment, but significant dynamics was noted only in Group 3. EDVD test after 6 weeks of treatment revealed positive dynamics, with a statistically significant increase in the index registered in patients of groups 1 and 3.Conclusions. In treatment of patients with stable angina with mild and intermediate persistent disease without exacerbation, antianginal therapy with the calcium antagonist diltiazem has marked antianginal, pulse-slowing action, has vasoprotective effect on the small and large circulatory vessels, improves the parameters of bronchial permeability.

Coronary-Vertebral Collaterals in Takayasu Arteritis: Case Report

INTRODUCTION: PNonspecific aortoarteritis is a rare autoimmune disease with the involvement and narrowing of the aorta and its branches leading to ischemia of the respective arterial region. In the territory of the Russian Federation, the most common manifestation of Takayasu nonspecific aortoarteritis is lesion of the branches of the aortic arch, which in rare cases leads to development of the so called bald arch syndrome. In response to hypoxia, intersystemic collaterals are formed through the neoangiogenesis or redirection of the blood flow from the occluded vessels to small-diameter vessels. In patients with bald arch syndrome, the key role in blood supply to the brain is played by the vertebral arteries. Here, collateral blood supply is realized through the intersystemic anastomoses, most often through the anastomotic leaks between the intercostal and internal thoracic arteries. In the literature, single cases of formation of collaterals between coronary and bronchial arteries are reported. The article presents a clinical case of coronary-vertebral anastomoses in a patient with extremely severe course of Takayasu arteritis with occlusion of the brachiocephalic trunk, right common carotid artery (CA), left common CA, right internal CA, left internal CA (bald arch syndrome). The probable cause of such course of the disease was late referral for medical help by the patient and lack of adequate basic therapy.
 CONCLUSION: The demonstrated case is the fourth case in the world literature describing the existence of collaterals between the coronary arteries and cerebral arteries, and the first case in the world describing the existence of collaterals from the right and left coronary arteries to the vertebral artery. Such unusual pathway of collateral blood supply in the patient is explained by the absence of the possibility for collateral compensation from the systems of subclavian and intercostal arteries, severe chronic cerebral ischemia. Usually, the causes of angina pectoris in patients with nonspecific aortoarteritis are spread of arteritis to the coronary arteries, insufficiency of the aortic valve, hypertrophy of the left ventricle. In the described case, none of these conditions was present, and angina can only be attributed to the existence of unusual collaterals and the development of a transient steal syndrome.

Strain Analysis Using Speckle Tracking Echocardiography for Detection of Coronary Artery Disease in Stable Angina Patients with No Regional Wall Motion Abnormality at Rest

Background: Speckle-tracking imaging is a novel method for assessing left ventricular (LV) function and ischemic changes. The aim of this study was to predict the presence of coronary artery disease by longitudinal 2D strain analysis using speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with stable or unstable angina with no regional wall motion abnormality at rest. Objectives: Objective of this study is to predict the presence of significant CAD in a patient with no regional wall motion abnormality by longitudinal 2D strain analysis using speckle tracking echocardiography. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total 66 patients (mean age, 51.92±8.9 years) with suspected CAD without RWMA on resting echocardiography who underwent coronary angiography. Longitudinal 2D strain analysis by STE was performed in all patients before coronary angiography. Global and segmental peak systolic longitudinal strain (PSLS) were recorded & computed by offline dedicated software semi-automatically on bull’s-eye report. The patients were divided into two groups according to the coronary angiographic findings; group- I: significant CAD on coronary angiogram (n=35), group-II: normal coronaries on CAG (n=31).All the baseline characteristics and outcome were then compared between the two groups. Results: PSLSs of all left ventricular segments were obtained successfully in 66 patients. PSLS (both global and segmental) was significantly decreased in patients with significant CAD on CAG group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that global PSLSs could effectively detect patients with CAD (area under ROC curve = 0.877, 95% CI=0.749–0.960). According to ROC curve analysis, -18.77% appeared to be a good cutoff value for predicting those with significant CAD (specificity 77.4% and sensitivity 82.9%). Conclusion: Global and segmental PSLS using speckle tracking echocardiography at rest was significantly lower in patients with CAD without RWMA, and might be useful for identifying patients with a significant CAD with good degree of sensitivity and specificity.

Prognostic implications of cardiac 82-rubidium positron emission tomography in angina patients with no perfusion defects

Abstract Background Myocardial perfusion imaging with 82-Rubidium positron emission tomography (82Rb-PET) is increasingly used in the assessment of stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Among other variables, it provides quantitative measures of myocardial blood flow (MBF) which has shown the prognostic significance of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), also in patients without perfusion defects. However, other 82Rb-PET variables may also be of prognostic significance in these patients. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of 82Rb-PET in patients with symptoms suggestive of CAD but no perfusion defects. Methods A study was conducted with 3726 consecutive patients who underwent 82Rb-PET on the suspicion of stable CAD between January 2018 and August 2020. After exclusion of patients with regional perfusion defects, we examined the association of 82Rb-PET derived parameters with a composite endpoint: all-cause mortality, hospitalization for unstable angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure or ischemic stroke in 2175 patients. CMD was defined as myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR) <2. Analyses were further stratified to assess differences across gender. Results Resting and stress MBF were higher in women, while MBFR was lower and CMD more prevalent (30.5% among women versus 25.3% among men, p=0.008). Over a median follow-up of 1.7 years (IQR 1.1–2.5 years) a total of 148 events were observed. In unadjusted analyses, MBF during stress, MBFR, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), LVEF-reserve, heart rate reserve and Ca-score were associated with adverse outcomes in both genders (Figure 1). A joint multivariable Cox model, for both genders, adjusted for patient characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors and 82Rb-PET variables showed reduced MBFR <2 (HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.24–2.48), resting LVEF (HR 1.38 per 10% decrease, 95% CI 1.24–1.54) and LVEF-reserve (HR 1.19 per 5% decrease, 95% CI 1.07–1.31) to be significant predictors of outcomes (Figure 2). Results were consistent in subgroups defined by gender, previous history of ischemic heart disease (IHD), reduced LVEF and atrial fibrillation. Conclusion MBFR, LVEF and LVEF-reserve derived from 82Rb-PET are predictors of adverse outcome and provide prognostic information in patients with no perfusion defects. This may aid in identifying patients at risk and provide opportunity of prevention. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Department of Cardiology, Bispebjerg Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen

Secondary rotational atherectomy strategy may reduce the occurrence of prolonged ST-segment elevation following ablation

Abstract Background Rotational atherectomy (RA) has been widely used for severely calcified lesions in performing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The slow flow phenomenon is the most frequently observed complication of RA and leads to prolonged ST-segment elevation. The incidence of the slow flow phenomenon was reported as approximately 5–20%. Several methods have been recommended to treat the slow flow phenomenon; however, the elevation of ST-segment may often persist after disappearance of slow flow phenomenon on angiography. Purpose The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical factors on the incidence of prolonged ST-segment elevation following ablation of RA. Methods The subject comprised 140 consecutive stable angina patients with severe calcified lesions. All patients had undergone successfully elective PCI using RA and intravascular ultrasound, and had been prescribed strong statins more than 2 week before PCI regardless dyslipidemia. We investigated the occurrence of prolonged ST-segment elevation following ablation of RA with resistance to use of nitroprusside as intra-coronary vasodilators, and the clinical factors including of primary or secondary RA strategy for calcification lesions. Secondary RA strategy was defined as RA performed after pre-dilatation with small balloon (balloon/artery ratio = 0.6). Results Median of age was 71 years (66–80) and 98 cases (70%) were male. Of 140 target lesions, 82 (59%) were LAD (RCA; 24%, LCX; 16%, and LMT; 1%, respectively). The rates of hemodialysis and diabetes mellitus were 31% and 61%. The incidence of prolonged ST-segment elevation with resistance to use of nitroprusside as intra-coronary vasodilators was 8 cases (6%). Major complications of RA including coronary perforation, coronary rupture, burr entrapment and cardiogenic shock requiring the mechanical support were none. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age [Odds ratio (OR); 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.99–1.17, p=0.103], hemodialysis (OR; 0.71, 95% CI: 0.10–3.25, p=0.688), diabetes mellitus (OR; 1.08, 95% CI: 0.25–5.46, p=0.915), use of β-blocker (OR; 0.70, 95% CI: 0.14–2.96, p=0.633), left ventricular ejection fraction (OR; 0.99, 95% CI: 0.94–1.05, p=0.781), lesion length ≥20mm (OR; 1.04, 95% CI: 0.23–7.33, p=0.962), and burr size (OR; 2.42, 95% CI: 0.53–16.95, p=0.289) were not associated with the incidence of prolonged ST-segment elevation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis for the incidence of prolonged ST-segment elevation revealed that secondary RA strategy and levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were independent factors of the incidence of prolonged ST-segment elevation following ablation of RA (OR; 0.05, 95% CI: 0.01–0.39, p=0.017 and LDL-C: OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.83–0.96, p=0.010, respectively). Conclusion Secondary RA strategy may be useful to reduce the occurrence of prolonged ST-segment elevation following ablation of RA. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Outcomes of drug coated balloon only angioplasty for stable angina in routine clinical practice

Abstract Introduction The recent BASKETSMALL2 trial demonstrated safety and efficacy of drug coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty for de novo small vessel disease. Registry data have demonstrated that DCB angioplasty is safe; however, the majority of these studies are limited due to long recruitment time and small number of patients with DCB compared to drug eluting stents (DES). Our aim was to investigate if DCB-only strategy is safe to incorporate in routine clinical practice. Methods We identified all patients treated for stable angina and de novo disease in our institution from January 2015 till November 2019. During that period an equivalent number of patients were treated with DCB-only or DES-only strategy on a yearly basis. The primary endpoint was all cause mortality. The secondary endpoints were cardiovascular mortality, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), ischaemic stroke, major bleeding and target lesion revascularisation (TLR). Data were obtained from the hospital episodes statistics from NHS digital. Clinical and angiographic data were collected from our prospectively collated database and supplemented from electronic records as required. All angiograms were reviewed to confirm accuracy of angiographic data and determine TLR. On multivariable COX regression analysis (Table 1) age, frailty and hypercholesterolaemia were the only independent predictors of all cause mortality. Results A total of 1302 patients were identified. HES data were not obtained for 65 patients who had opted-out, therefore 1237 were included in the analysis; 544 were treated with DCB and 693 with DES. The average age for the DCB-group was 67.9±10.2 years old (79% male); while for the DES group it was 67.9±9.7 years old (78.1% male). The average follow up was 1339±514 days and 1354±527 days for the DCB and DES group respectively. Table 1 shows the differences between the groups in terms of clinical and angiographic characteristics. The DES group had more patients with history of COPD (6.3% vs 3%; p=0.01) and larger average vessel diameter (3.46±0.58 vs 3.09±0.53mm; p<0.001). The DCB group had more patients with true bifurcation disease and TIMI 0 or 1 pre-PCI (11.6% vs 8.1%; p=0.04) and TIMI 0 or 1 pre-PCI (11.7% vs 6.6%; p=0.001). Furthermore, more than 70% of patients in the DCB group had vessel diameter ≥3mm indicating that large vessels were treated. The all cause mortality was 35 (6.4%) and 59 (8.5%) for the DCB and DES group respectively. Kaplan Meier estimator plot did not show a significant difference between the groups. There was no difference between the groups in any of the secondary endpoints (cardiovascular mortality, ACS, stroke, major bleeding and TLR). Conclusion Our real world data from a large, contemporary cohort of stable angina patients, including predominantly large vessels, demonstrate that DCB only angioplasty is safe compared to DES in terms of all major cardiovascular endpoints including TLR. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): B Braun - investigator initiated research

“Global” cardiac atherosclerotic burden assessed by artificial intelligence-based versus manual segmentation in 18F-sodium fluoride PET/CT scans: Head-to-head comparison

BackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) is known to provide effective means to accelerate and facilitate clinical and research processes. So in this study it was aimed to compare a AI-based method for cardiac segmentation in positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans with manual segmentation to assess global cardiac atherosclerosis burden. MethodsA trained convolutional neural network (CNN) was used for cardiac segmentation in 18F-sodium fluoride PET/CT scans of 29 healthy volunteers and 20 angina pectoris patients and compared with manual segmentation. Parameters for segmented volume (Vol) and mean, maximal, and total standardized uptake values (SUVmean, SUVmax, SUVtotal) were analyzed by Bland-Altman Limits of Agreement. Repeatability with AI-based assessment of the same scans is 100%. Repeatability (same conditions, same operator) and reproducibility (same conditions, two different operators) of manual segmentation was examined by re-segmentation in 25 randomly selected scans. ResultsMean (± SD) values with manual vs. CNN-based segmentation were Vol 617.65 ± 154.99 mL vs 625.26 ± 153.55 mL (P = .21), SUVmean 0.69 ± 0.15 vs 0.69 ± 0.15 (P = .26), SUVmax 2.68 ± 0.86 vs 2.77 ± 1.05 (P = .34), and SUVtotal 425.51 ± 138.93 vs 427.91 ± 132.68 (P = .62). Limits of agreement were − 89.42 to 74.2, − 0.02 to 0.02, − 1.52 to 1.32, and − 68.02 to 63.21, respectively. Manual segmentation lasted typically 30 minutes vs about one minute with the CNN-based approach. The maximal deviation at manual re-segmentation was for the four parameters 0% to 0.5% with the same and 0% to 1% with different operators. ConclusionThe CNN-based method was faster and provided values for Vol, SUVmean, SUVmax, and SUVtotal comparable to the manually obtained ones. This AI-based segmentation approach appears to offer a more reproducible and much faster substitute for slow and cumbersome manual segmentation of the heart.

Prognosis and Medical Cost of Measuring Fractional Flow Reserve in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

There are limited data regarding comparative prognosis and medical cost between fractional flow reserve (FFR)-based and angiography-based percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among revascularized patients. This study evaluates prognosis and medical cost of FFR use in revascularized patients by PCI. Using the National Health Insurance Service database, stable or unstable angina patients who underwent PCI from 2011 to 2017 were evaluated. Eligible patients were divided into 2 groups according to use of FFR in PCI. Primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death or spontaneous myocardial infarction (MI). Secondary outcomes included individual components of the primary outcome, unplanned revascularization, and medical costs. Among 134,613 eligible patients, PCI was performed based on angiography (n=129,497) and FFR (n=5,116). During the study period, both the annual number and proportion of use of FFR in PCI increased (all P for trend<0.001). The FFR group showed significantly lower risk of the primary outcome (7.0% vs 9.5%; P< 0.001), all-cause death (5.8% vs 7.7%; P = 0.001), and spontaneous MI (1.6% vs 2.2%; P = 0.022) than the angiography group. Although the FFRgroup showed higher medical cost during index admission than angiography group (median: $6,265.10 vs $5,385.60; P< 0.001), cumulative medical cost after index admission was significantly lower ($2,696.50 vs. $3,142.10; P< 0.001). Use of FFR in PCI in stable or unstable angina patients showed significantly lower risk of all-cause death and spontaneous MI compared to angiography-based PCI. Although the FFR group had higher initial medical cost than the angiography group, cumulative medical cost after index admission was significantly lower.

Interactive Effects of Nutrition Modification and Wet Cupping on Male Patients with Refractory Stable Angina.

ObjectivesRoutine therapies cannot control refractory stable angina, leading to a high economic burden and an impaired quality of life. Persian medicine incorporates exceptional attention to lifestyle and nutrition to prevent and treat various diseases. Previous studies have reported the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of wet cupping. The present study aims to determine the effects of nutrition and cupping on refractory stable angina patients.MethodsForty male patients with refractory stable angina were randomly allocated to four groups, including nutrition modification based on Persian medicine, wet cupping, nutrition modification along with wet cupping, and control. The primary outcomes were the changes in pain score using a visual analog scale and quality of life using the Seattle angina questionnaire. The secondary outcomes were changes in the exercise test and blood pressure.ResultsThe results of the present study revealed that 30 days of treatment with nutrition modification based on Persian medicine, cupping, and modified nutrition and cupping along with standard treatment for stable angina significantly increased the patient’s quality of life and exercise test results while reducing pain, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure.ConclusionApplying complementary Persian medicine methods such as nutrition modification and cupping along with the classical medical treatments may improve outcomes for refractory stable angina patients.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 is associated with widening QRS complex and prolonged corrected QT interval in patients with stable angina

BackgroundFibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is produced by cardiac cells, may acts in an autocrine manner, and was suggested to has a cardioprotective role in atherosclerosis. Wide QRS complex and heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc interval) prolongation are associated to dangerous ventricular arrhythmias and cardiovascular disease mortality. Yet, the role of FGF21 in cardiac arrhythmia has never been studied. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between plasma FGF21 and the QRS duration and QTc interval in patients with stable angina.MethodsThree hundred twenty-one consecutive stable angina patients were investigated. Plasma FGF21 was measured through ELISA, and each subject underwent 12-lead electrocardiography.ResultsFGF21 plasma levels were positively associated with the QRS duration (β = 0.190, P = 0.001) and QTc interval (β = 0.277, P < 0.0001). With increasing FGF21 tertiles, the patients had higher frequencies of wide QRS complex and prolonged QTc interval. After adjusting for patients’ anthropometric parameters, the corresponding odd ratios (ORs) for wide QRS complex of the medium and high of FGF21 versus the low of FGF21 were 1.39 (95% CI 0.51–3.90) and 4.41 (95% CI 1.84–11.59), respectively, and p for trend was 0.001. Furthermore, multiple logistic regression analysis also showed the corresponding odd ratios (ORs) for prolonged QTc interval of the medium and high of FGF21 versus the low of FGF21 were 1.02 (95% CI 0.53–1.78) and 1.93 (95% CI 1.04–3.60) respectively with the p for trend of 0.037. In addition, age- and sex-adjusted FGF21 levels were positively associated with fasting glucose, HbA1c, creatinine, and adiponectin, but negatively associated with albumin, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate.ConclusionsThis study indicates that plasma FGF21 is associated with wide QRS complex and prolonged corrected QT interval in stable angina patients, further study is required to investigate the role of plasma FGF21 for the underlying pathogenesis.

Effects of percutaneous coronary intervention on dyspnea in stable coronary artery disease

BackgroundDyspnea is a frequent symptom in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and is recognized as a possible angina equivalent.ObjectivesThis study was to assess the impact of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on dyspnea, quality of life, and angina pectoris in patients with stable CAD.MethodsThe prospective, multi-center PLA-pCi-EBO-pilot trial included 144 patients with symptomatic stable CAD and successful PCI. The prespecified endpoints angina pectoris (Seattle Angina Questionnaire–SAQ) and dyspnea (NYHA scale) were assessed 6 months after PCI. Predictors for symptomatic improvement were assessed with uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses.ResultsPatients with concomitant dyspnea had worse SAQ physical limitation scores at baseline (49.5 ± 21.0 vs 58.9 ± 22.0, p = 0.013) but showed no difference for angina frequency or quality of life. Overall, symptomatic burden of angina pectoris and dyspnea was alleviated by PCI. However, patients with concomitant dyspnea had markedly worse scores for physical limitation (78.9 ± 25.0 vs 94.3 ± 10.6, p < 0.001), angina frequency (77.9 ± 22.8 vs 91.1 ± 12.4, p < 0.001), and quality of life (69.4 ± 24.1 vs 82.5 ± 14.4, p < 0.001) after PCI. The prevalence of dyspnea (NYHA class ≥ 2) declined from 73% before PCI to 54%. Of 95 initially dyspneic patients, 57 (60%) improved at least one NYHA class 6 months after PCI. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, “atypical angina pectoris” was associated with improved NYHA class, whereas “diabetes mellitus” had a negative association.ConclusionPCI effectively reduced dyspnea, which is a frequent and demanding symptom in patients with CAD. The German Clinical Trials Register registration number is DRKS0001752 (www.drks.de).Graphical abstract

Turndown for coronary artery bypass surgery: Never say never to revascularization.

In this issue of Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions, Farag et al. reported their experience comparing patients with acute coronary syndrome versus stable angina patients who were turned down for bypass surgery and subsequently treated with coronary stenting (1).

TCT-284 Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness of Fractional Flow Reserve in Stable and Unstable Angina Patients

TCT-284 Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness of Fractional Flow Reserve in Stable and Unstable Angina Patients

Clinical features and outcomes of patients with stable or unstable chest pain and no-obstructive coronary artery disease

BackgroundCoronary microvascular dysfunction can be responsible for both stable angina and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). There are scarce data, however, about comparisons of clinical characteristics and outcomes of these 2 groups of patients.Materials and methodsWe studied 47 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography for angina syndromes and showed no obstructive stenosis. Patients were divided in 2 groups, according to their clinical presentation, i.e., stable angina (n = 21) or non-ST segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS; n = 26). An intracoronary acetylcholine (Ach) test was performed in 12 and 17 patients of the 2 groups, respectively. Angina status, assessed by Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ), and clinical events were assessed after 1, 6, and 30 months. An exercise stress test was performed 1 month after discharge.ResultsClinical characteristics and exercise test results of the 2 groups were largely similar. Ach testing induced epicardial or microvascular spasm in 6 (50.0%) and 10 (58.8%) stable and NSTE-ACS patients, respectively (p = 0.72). Stable patients reported higher rates of angina, compared to NSTE-ACS patients, both at 1 (p = 0.04) and 30 months (81 vs. 50%, p = 0.036) of follow-up. SAQ scores were also lower in stable vs. NSTE-ACS patients. Ach testing results showed no association with clinical outcomes.ConclusionClinical characteristics and exercise and Ach testing results are similar in angina patients with no-obstructive coronary artery disease with a stable or NSTE-ACS presentation. Stable patients show a worse symptomatic outcome irrespective of Ach test results.

Kinesiophobia in patients with angina pectoris of coronary artery disease: A cross-sectional survey

BackgroundIn the field of chronic pain research, kinesiophobia is defined as avoidance behavior due to fear of pain, but this perspective seems to be neglected in the field of coronary artery disease (CAD). ObjectiveTo investigate the status quo of angina pectoris (AP) and kinesiophobia and factors associated with kinesiophobia in patients with AP of CAD. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling, and patients with AP of CAD in four wards of the Cardiology Department of a hospital were enrolled in this study. Participants completed questionnaires and scales face-to-face with researchers. ResultsMost patients with AP of CAD suffered from at least moderate pain episodes (60.2%) of at least 5 minutes per episode (53.8%), but less than 1/3 of patients reached 5 instances of pain per week (29.1%). The total score of kinesiophobia in patients was 40.80±6.65, and the vast majority of patients had moderate to high levels of kinesiophobia (75.7%). The results of multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that personal monthly income, New York Heart Function Assessment (NYHA) classification, pain intensity, and pain resilience were independent factors associated with kinesiophobia, and these factors explained 30.2% of the variation in total scores of kinesiophobia. ConclusionThe symptoms of AP were prominent in terms of pain intensity and duration of pain. The level of kinesiophobia was moderate, and this was affected by multiple factors. Health care providers and researchers seldom pay attention to the kinesiophobia of patients with AP of CAD. This study refocused on the effect of "fear of pain" in kinesiophobia in patients with CAD. It opens up new horizons for the application of fear-avoidance models in CAD patients and helps to raise awareness of kinesiophobia in AP patients with CAD and provides guidance for reducing the level of kinesiophobia in the future.

Abstract P3083: Beta 1.3 1.6 D Glucan Immunomodulatory Activity Of Indonesian Ganoderma Lucidum Mycelium Extract In Repairing Heart Tissue And Function On Myocardial Infarction Patients

Introduction: Immune response plays a significant role in heart repair and regeneration after myocardial infarction and/or ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI). Prolonged inflammation response contributes to adverse cardiac remodeling and reduction in pump function. In stable angina pectoris and patients with high-risk for heart disease, Beta 1.3 1.6 D Glucan has demonstrated reduced inflammation parameters including IL-6, TNF-α and CRP. Hypothesis: Beta 1.3 1.6 D Glucan modulates inflammation responses related to myocardial infarction or MI/RI, therefore preventing adverse heart remodeling measured by Left Ventricle Mass Index (LVMI) and Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction (LVEF). Method: In May - August 2018 a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted comprising of 50 STEMI/NSTEMI patients at the Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia. Next to standard therapy, 25 patients received Beta 1.3 1.6 D Glucan, 540 mg/day for 90 days, while the other 25 patients received placebo. Results: During the study duration, 5 patients dropped out. The mean value of pre-test LVMI for all patients is 114.07 ± 59.61 g/m 2 . After 90 days, there was a significant difference (p=0.012) in LVMI between the Beta 1.3 1.6 D Glucan and placebo group. The Beta 1.3 1.6 D Glucan group had a LVMI reduction of 4.55 ± 14.46 g/m 2 compared to the placebo group with an increase of 11.48 ± 23.94 g/m 2 in LVMI. The mean value of pre-test LVEF for all patients is 57.2 ± 11.39%. Post-test results demonstrated a significant difference (p=0.042) between both groups, with an increase in LVEF of 2.3 ± 9.77% for Beta 1.3 1.6 D Glucan group and a decrease in LVEF of 2.08 ± 3.35% for placebo group. Conclusion: Beta 1.3 1.6 D Glucan as an adjuvant therapy may have a beneficial effect to repair the vascular, heart tissues and function in myocardial infarction patients.

Aortic wall segmentation in 18F-sodium fluoride PET/CT scans: Head-to-head comparison of artificial intelligence-based versus manual segmentation

BackgroundWe aimed to establish and test an automated AI-based method for rapid segmentation of the aortic wall in positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans. MethodsFor segmentation of the wall in three sections: the arch, thoracic, and abdominal aorta, we developed a tool based on a convolutional neural network (CNN), available on the Research Consortium for Medical Image Analysis (RECOMIA) platform, capable of segmenting 100 different labels in CT images. It was tested on 18F-sodium fluoride PET/CT scans of 49 subjects (29 healthy controls and 20 angina pectoris patients) and compared to data obtained by manual segmentation. The following derived parameters were compared using Bland–Altman Limits of Agreement: segmented volume, and maximal, mean, and total standardized uptake values (SUVmax, SUVmean, SUVtotal). The repeatability of the manual method was examined in 25 randomly selected scans. ResultsCNN-derived values for volume, SUVmax, and SUVtotal were all slightly, i.e., 13-17%, lower than the corresponding manually obtained ones, whereas SUVmean values for the three aortic sections were virtually identical for the two methods. Manual segmentation lasted typically 1-2 hours per scan compared to about one minute with the CNN-based approach. The maximal deviation at repeat manual segmentation was 6%. ConclusionsThe automated CNN-based approach was much faster and provided parameters that were about 15% lower than the manually obtained values, except for SUVmean values, which were comparable. AI-based segmentation of the aorta already now appears as a trustworthy and fast alternative to slow and cumbersome manual segmentation.

Dual Antiplatelet Therapy for 3 or 12 Months in Patients with Non-ST-elevation MI/Unstable Angina or ST-elevation MI: Analysis of the REDUCE Trial

Background: The aim of this subanalysis of the REDUCE (Short-term Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with ACS Treated with the COMBO Dual-therapy Stent) trial was to evaluate differences between non-ST-elevation MI/unstable angina (NSTEMI/UA) patients and ST-elevation MI (STEMI) patients in terms of patient characteristics, procedures and outcomes. Methods: In the REDUCE trial, 1,496 acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing successful COMBO stent implantation were randomised to 3 or 12 months of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) treatment. In total, 789 (52.8%) patients had NSTEMI/UA and 706 (47.2%) had STEMI. For this analysis, NSTEMI/UA patients (n=789) were compared with STEMI patients (n=706). Results: In the analysis of the NSTEMI/UA and STEMI cohorts comparing 3-month DAPT (751 patients) and 12-month DAPT treatment (745 patients) there were no statistically significant differences in the primary endpoints of all-cause mortality, MI, stent thrombosis, stroke, target vessel revascularisation or bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC] II, III, V) at 360 and 720 days between the two cohorts. Comparing the overall primary endpoints in the NSTEMI/UA cohort, 3-month DAPT was better than 12-month DAPT (9.6% versus 10.0% at 360 days and 12.1% versus 15.0% at 720 days). In the STEMI cohort, 12-month DAPT was better than 3-month DAPT (8.4% versus 11.0% at 720 days). Conclusion: For NSTEMI/UA patients, a numerically lower occurrence of outcomes was observed with 3-month DAPT at 360 and 720 days, whereas for STEMI patients, 12-month DAPT appeared to be better at 720 days. NSTEMI patients seemed to have less favourable long-term outcomes than STEMI patients in this subanalysis. Further adequately powered randomised trials are needed to confirm the findings.

Effect of Low High-Density Lipoprotein Level on Endothelial Activation and Prothrombotic Processes in Coronary Artery Disease-A Pilot Study.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) play an important role in the prevention of atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between serum HDL-C concentration and proinflammatory/prothrombic activation in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. The study group included 27 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients and 30 stable angina pectoris (SA) patients. The control group consisted of 23 people without cardiac symptoms. In the AMI and SA groups, a lower HDL-C and a higher LDL-C/HDL-C index were observed. The SA patients had lower total cholesterol, LDL-C, sE-selectin ligand, as well as higher triglycerides and CD40 concentration in comparison with both the control and AMI groups. A higher von Willebrand Factor and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were found in both study groups. Low HDL-C concentration in the CAD patients may intensify pro-inflammatory endothelial activation and prothrombotic processes. A low concentration of HDL-C and a high value of the LDL-C/HDL-C index seem to be better indices of atherogenic processes than the LDL-C concentration alone.

In-Hospital Bleeding and Mortality in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Treated with Tirofiban and Potent P2Y12 Inhibitors.

In this study, we aimed to determine whether potent agents affect in-hospital bleeding and mortality compared to clopidogrel in patients with the acute coronary syndrome in whom tirofiban and P2Y12 inhibitor are used together. Patients who were treated interventionally between 2015 and 2020 and were using tirofiban were retrospectively screened. Clinical, laboratory, and angiographic findings were obtained from the hospital database. Patients were analyzed by dividing them into clopidogrel and prasugrel/ticagrelor groups. Acute coronary syndrome patients (n = 227) who were treated interventionally were included in this retrospective study. Clopidogrel was given to 93 (41%), ticagrelor to 112 (49.3%), and prasugrel to 22 of the patients (9.7%). Compared to the ticagrelor/prasugrel group, the clopidogrel group was older and more were women, and the history of hypertension and previous coronary artery disease was higher (P, respectively: <.001; .001; .008; .0045). The creatinine value was higher, the basal hemoglobin was lower, and the GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) and CRUSADE (Can Rapid risk stratification of Unstable angina patients Suppress ADverse outcomes with Early implementation of the ACC/AHA Guidelines) scores were higher (P, respectively: .026; .002; .002; <.001). The in-hospital bleeding rate was signifi- cantly higher in the clopidogrel group (P < .001). Although the in-hospital mortality rate was higher, it was not statistically significant (P = .07). Regression analysis showed that GRACE score and gender were associated with in-hospital mortality (P < .001; P=.031, respectively), and only age was associated with in-hospital bleeding (P < .001). No relationship was found with P2Y12 inhibitor. In our study, we found that the combined use of potent P2Y12 inhibitor with tiro- fiban in acute coronary syndrome patients treated interventionally was not different from the use of clopidogrel in terms of in-hospital bleeding and mortality.