Angiographic Score Research Articles

What’s The Score? Evaluation Of The Prognostic Ability Of Semi-quantitative Coronary Ct Angiography Scores In The SCOT-HEART Trial

What’s The Score? Evaluation Of The Prognostic Ability Of Semi-quantitative Coronary Ct Angiography Scores In The SCOT-HEART Trial

Efficacy and safety of abatacept to treat active birdshot uveitis: a prospective open label interventional proof-of-concept trial

Background/aimsBirdshot uveitis (BU) is a chronic autoimmune posterior uveitis, mostly affecting middle-aged Caucasians. There is a strong association with HLA-A29 and T-cell activation. Safety and efficacy of abatacept, an inhibitor...

Prognostic value of gut microbiota-derived metabolites in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

BackgroundStudies about the prognostic role of gut microbiota-derived metabolites including phenylacetyl glutamine (PAGln), indoxyl sulfate (IS), lithocholic acid (LCA), deoxycholic acid (DCA), trimethylamine (TMA), trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and its precursor trimethyllysine (TML) are limited in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). ObjectivesTo examine the relationship between plasma metabolite levels and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, all-cause mortality, and heart failure in patients with STEMI. MethodsWe enrolled 1004 patients with STEMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Plasma levels of these metabolites were determined by targeted liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The associations of metabolite levels with MACEs were assessed with the Cox regression model and quantile g-computation. ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 360 d, 102 patients experienced MACEs. Higher plasma PAGln (hazard ratio [HR], 3.17 [95% CI: 2.05, 4.89]; P < 0.001), IS (2.67 [1.68, 4.24], P < 0.001), DCA (2.36 [1.40, 4.00], P = 0.001), TML (2.66 [1.77,3.99], P < 0.001), and TMAO (2.61 [1.70, 4.00], P < 0.001) levels were significantly associated with MACEs independent of traditional risk factors. According to quantile g-computation, the joint effect of all these metabolites was 1.86 (95% CI: 1.46, 2.27). PAGln, IS and TML had the greatest proportional positive contributions to the mixture effect. Additionally, plasma PAGln and TML combined with coronary angiography scores including the Synergy between PCI with Taxus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) score (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.792 vs. 0.673), Gensini score (0.794 vs. 0.647) and Balloon pump-assisted Coronary Intervention Study (BCIS-1) jeopardy score (0.774 vs. 0.573) showed better prediction performance for MACEs. ConclusionsHigher plasma PAGln, IS, DCA, TML, and TMAO levels are independently associated with MACEs suggesting that these metabolites may be useful markers for prognosis in patients with STEMI.

Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab in the Management of Non-Infectious Uveitis Failed with Conventional Immunomodulatory and Anti-TNFα Therapies

ABSTRACT Purpose To determine the outcomes of intravenous (IV) tocilizumab (TCZ) in patients with non-infectious uveitis who failed with conventional immunomodulatory and anti-TNFα therapies. Methods Records of seven patients with non-infectious uveitis treated with monthly IV TCZ (4–10 mg/kg) or biweekly IV TCZ (8 mg/kg) were reviewed. Outcome measures were changes in visual acuity, anterior chamber cell and flare grade, vitreous haze, central subfield thickness (CST), and fluorescein angiography (FA) score. Results Ten eyes of seven patients received TCZ therapy. Median age of patients was 14 (range, 7–24) years. Median duration of TCZ therapy was 15 (range, 5–32) months. Mean CST reduced from 373 ± 101.0 μm to 298.2 ± 40.3 μm. Mean FA score reduced from 12.5 ± 4.3 to 3.6 ± 2.6. One patient developed elevated liver transaminases. Conclusion IV TCZ is a potentially effective and safe therapeutic option for the management of refractory non-infectious uveitis.

External validation of the PROGRESS-CTO complication risk scores: Individual patient data pooled analysis of 3 registries

BackgroundChronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with a considerable risk of complications, and risk stratification is of utmost importance. AimsTo assess the clinical usefulness of the recently developed PROGRESS-CTO (NCT02061436) complication risk scores in an independent cohort. MethodsIndividual patient data pooled analysis of 3 registries was performed. ResultsOf the 4569 patients who underwent CTO PCI, 102 (2.2%) had major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Patients with MACE were older (69 ± 11 vs. 65 ± 10, p < 0.001), more likely to have a history of prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and unfavorable angiographic characteristics J-CTO score (2.4 ± 1.2 vs. 2.1 ± 1.3, p = 0.007), including blunt stump (59% vs. 49%, p = 0.047). Technical success was lower in patients with MACE (59% vs. 86%, p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the PROGRESS-CTO complication risk models were as follows: MACE 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67–0.76), mortality 0.73 (95% CI, 0.61–0.85), and pericardiocentesis 0.69 (95% CI, 0.62–0.77) in the validation dataset. The observed complication rates increased with higher PROGRESS-CTO complication scores. The PROGRESS-CTO MACE score showed good calibration in this external cohort, with MACE rates similar to the original study: 0.7% (score 0–1), 1.5% (score 2), 2.2% (score 3), 3.8% (score 4), 4.9% (score 5), 5.8% (score 6–7). ConclusionGiven the good discriminative performance, calibration, and ease of calculation, the PROGRESS-CTO complication scores could help assess the risk of complications in patients undergoing CTO PCI.

Relationship Between Syntax Score and Cystatin C in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Introduction: The SYNTAX (SYNergy between PCI with TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery) score (SS) is an angiographic scoring system to determine the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). As far as we know, studies examining the relationship between SYNTAX Score and Cystatin C (Cys-C) are limited in the literature. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between Cys-C level and SS in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Patients and Methods: One hundred ninety-two patients who underwent coronary angiography for STEMI between June 2021 and December 2021 in our center were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to their SS values: Group 1 included patients with SS&lt;22, and Group 2 included patients with SS≥ 22. The two groups were compared in terms of baseline characteristics and serum Cys-C levels. Results: Patients in Group 2 had significantly higher Cys-C levels than those in Group 1 (1.7 ± 0.53 vs 1.3 ± 0.29; p= 0.006). In the correlation analysis, SS showed a positive correlation with the Cys-C level (r= 0.189, p= 0.015). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Cys-C level was an independent predictor of high SS (β=0.306, p= 0.006). When receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed, the optimal cut-off value of Cys-C to predict severe coronary artery disease (indicating high SS) was Cys-C≥ 1.56, which was predictive for severe coronary artery disease with 74% sensitivity and 72% specificity [area under the curve (AUC)= 0.745, 95% confidence interval (CI)= 0.624-0.835, p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Cystatin C levels are independently associated with high SS in STEMI patients. In summary, our findings show that Cys-C is a promising clinical biomarker that can be used to assess the severity of coronary artery lesions, potentially providing additional information to established risk markers.

Six-month outcomes of infliximab and tocilizumab therapy in non-infectious retinal vasculitis.

To evaluate the efficacy of infliximab (IFX, 5-10 mg/kg) (Group 1) and tocilizumab (TCZ, 4-8 mg/kg) (Group 2) infusions in non-infectious retinal vasculitis (RV) using Angiographic Scoring for the Uveitis Working Group fluorescein angiography (FA) scoring system. Records of 14 patients (24 eyes) in Group 1 and 8 patients (11 eyes) in Group 2 were retrospectively evaluated to assess visual acuity (VA), anterior chamber cell and flare, vitreous haze, central subfield thickness (CST), and FA scoring at baseline and 6 months of follow-up. The measurements were employed to grade in each group. In Group 1 and 2, respectively, there was no underlying disease in 9 (60%) and 3 (42.9%) patients. Three (42.9%) patients in Group 2 had juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) as the most common identified cause. Mean improvement in VA (log MAR) and CST were 0.04 ± 0.14 and 40.3 ± 78.5 µm in Group 1; 0.04 ± 0.09 and 47.3 ± 82.3 µm in Group 2, respectively. Mean FA scores were significantly reduced from 12.4 ± 5.2 and 11.6 ± 4.4 at baseline to 6.4 ± 5.0 and 5.8 ± 3.9 at 6-month in Group 1 and 2, respectively. In Group 2, 9 eyes of 6 patients (75%) had the history of IFX use prior to TCZ initiation. There was no significant safety concern requiring treatment discontinuation during the follow-up in either group. IFX and TCZ infusions showed statistically significant improvement of non-infectious RV as shown by ASUWOG FA Scoring System. TCZ, as well as IFX, appeared to be effective treatment options for non-infectious RV.

Transient ischemic attack after indirect revascularization surgery for pediatric patients with moyamoya disease: A retrospective study of intraoperative blood pressure

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the association between intraoperative blood pressure and postoperative transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) in pediatric patients with moyamoya disease after indirect revascularization surgery. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with moyamoya disease younger than 15 years who underwent indirect revascularizations under general anesthesia from 2013 to 2019. Perioperative clinical factors and intraoperative blood pressure data were collected and analyzed. Univariate and multivariable mixed-effect logistic regressions were used to identify predictors of postoperative TIA and symptom progression. ResultsAmong 444 hemispheres in 296 pediatric patients, 70 cases (16%) experienced postoperative TIAs within 2 weeks after surgery, and 34 cases (7.7%) developed postoperative symptom progression. Baseline mean blood pressure (MBP) (adjusted odds ratio, 1.261; 95% confidence interval, 1.037−1.528; P < 0.001), Average mean arterial pressure (MAP) (adjusted odds ratio, 1.137; 95% confidence interval, 1.052−1.228; P = 0.006), and Ipsilateral magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) score (adjusted odds ratio, 1.464; 95% confidence interval, 0.886−2.419; P = 0.012) were statistically significant risk factors for postoperative TIA. Average real variability of MAP (ARV-MAP), which were measures of intraoperative MAP variability (adjusted odds ratio, 4.731; 95% confidence interval, 1.419−15.257; P = 0.003) and maximum MAP declination (MaxD-MAP) (adjusted odds ratio, 1.271; 95% confidence interval, 1.013−1.520; P = 0.010) were statistically significant risk factors for postoperative symptom progression. ConclusionHigher pre-induction baseline blood pressure and ipsilateral MRA score were independent risk factors predicting postoperative TIA in pediatric patients with moyamoya disease after indirect revascularization. The high variability and drastic decline in intraoperative MAP showed predictive value in postoperative symptom progression.

Outcome Measures and Biomarkers for Disease Assessment in Takayasu Arteritis.

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a less common large vessel vasculitis where histopathology of involved arteries is difficult to access except during open surgical procedures. Assessment of disease activity in TAK, therefore, relies on surrogate measures. Clinical disease activity measures such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) score, the Disease Extent Index in TAK (DEI.TAK) and the Indian TAK Clinical Activity Score (ITAS2010) inconsistently associate with acute phase reactants (APRs). Computerized tomographic angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), or color Doppler Ultrasound (CDUS) enables anatomical characterization of stenosis, dilatation, and vessel wall characteristics. Vascular wall uptake of 18-fluorodeoxyglucose or other ligands using positron emission tomography computerized tomography (PET-CT) helps assess metabolic activity, which reflects disease activity well in a subset of TAK with normal APRs. Angiographic scoring systems to quantitate the extent of vascular involvement in TAK have been developed recently. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein have a moderate performance in distinguishing active TAK. Numerous novel biomarkers are under evaluation in TAK. Limited literature suggests a better assessment of active disease by combining APRs, PET-CT, and circulating biomarkers. Validated damage indices and patient-reported outcome measures specific to TAK are lacking. Few biomarkers have been evaluated to reflect vascular damage in TAK and constitute important research agenda.

Automated Analysis vs. Expert Reading in Nuclear Cardiology: Correlations with the Angiographic Score.

Background and Objectives: Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) has an important role in the non-invasive investigation of coronary artery disease. The interpretation of MPI studies is mainly based on the visual evaluation of the reconstructed images, while automated quantitation methods may add useful data for each patient. However, little evidence is currently available regarding the actual incremental clinical diagnostic performance of automated MPI analysis. In the present study, we aimed to assess the correlation between automated measurements of Summed Stress Score (SSS), Summed Rest Score (SRS) and Summed Difference Score (SDS), with the corresponding expert reading values, using coronary angiography as the gold standard. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at the Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of the University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece, οver an one-year period (January 2019–January 2020). 306 patients, with known or suspected coronary artery disease, were enrolled in the study. Each participant underwent a coronary angiography, prior to or after the scintigraphic study (within a three-month period). Either symptom-limited treadmill test, or pharmacologic testing using adenosine or regadenoson, was performed in all participants, and the scintigraphic studies were carried out using technetium 99m (99mTc) tetrofosmin (one-day stress/rest protocol). Coronary angiographies were scored according to a 4-point scoring system (angiographic score; O: normal study, 1: one-vessel disease, 2: two-vessel disease, 3: three-vessel disease). Moreover, automated measurements of SSS, SRS and SDS were derived by three widely available software packages (Emory Cardiac Toolbox, Myovation, Quantitative Perfusion SPECT). Results: Interclass Correlation Coefficients of SSS, SRS and SDS between expert reading and software packages were moderate to excellent. Visually defined SSS, SRS and SDS were significantly correlated with the corresponding results of all software packages. However, visually defined SSS, SRS and SDS were more strongly correlated with the angiographic score, indicating a better performance of expert reading when compared to automated analysis. Conclusions: Based on our results, visual evaluation continues to have a crucial role for the interpretation of MPI images. Software packages can provide automated measurements of several parameters, particularly contributing to the investigation of cases with ambiguous scintigraphic findings.

Clinical Predictors for Early Mortality of Patients with Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion

Background: Acute ischemic stroke due to basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is associated with the highest mortality in patients with large vessel occlusion. This study aimed to identify modifiable risk factors of early mortality in patients with BAO. Methods and Results: This was a cohort study of consecutive patients with BAO admitted to 47 stroke centers in China between January 2014 and May 2019. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 7 days after hospitalization. Of 829 patients, 164 died (0–3 days: 115; 4–7 days: 49) within 7 days after hospitalization. Among pre- and periprocedural variables, higher admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS, adjusted OR, 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04–1.09; p < 0.001), lower admission posterior circulation-Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (pc-ASPECTS, adjusted OR, 0.88, 95% CI: 0.79–0.98; p = 0.02), lower Basilar Artery on Computed Tomography Angiography score (BATMAN, adjusted OR, 0.84, 95% CI: 0.76–0.93; p = 0.001), and recanalization failure (adjusted OR, 2.99, 95% CI: 2.04–4.38; p < 0.001) were independently associated with a higher risk of early mortality. Herniation (adjusted OR, 2.84, 95% CI: 1.52–5.30; p = 0.001) is an independent postprocedural predictor of early mortality. In patients dying ≤3 days, higher NIHSS (p < 0.001), lower pc-ASPECTS (p = 0.01), lower BATMAN (p = 0.004), recanalization failure (p < 0.001), herniation (p = 0.001), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (p = 0.046), and absence of pneumonia (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of early mortality. Higher NIHSS (p = 0.01), recanalization failure (p < 0.001), and pneumonia (p = 0.03) were independently associated with early mortality between 4 and 7 days. Conclusions: Recanalization failure, herniation, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and pneumonia are potentially modifiable risk factors for early mortality in basilar artery occlusion.

The predictive value of CatLet© angiographic scoring system for long-term prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction presenting > 12 h after symptom onset.

BackgroundWe have recently developed the Coronary Artery Tree description and Lesion EvaluaTion (CatLet©) angiographic scoring system, which is capable of accounting for the variability in coronary anatomy, and risk-stratifying patients with coronary artery disease. This study aimed to clarify whether the CatLet score had a predictive value for long-term prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) presenting > 12 h after symptom onset.Materials and methodsThe CatLet score was calculated for 1,018 consecutively enrolled AMI patients, who were divided into 3 groups according to the CatLet score tertiles. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as a composite of myocardial infarction, cardiac death, and ischemia-driven revascularization; secondary endpoints were all-cause death, cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and ischemia-driven revascularization.ResultsThe CatLet score was capable of predicting long-term prognosis at a median 4.9-year follow-up alone or after adjustment for risk factors. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI)/unit higher score were 1.06 (1.05–1.08) for MACEs, 1.05 (1.03–1.07) for all-cause death, 1.06 (1.04–1.09) for cardiac death, 1.06 (1.04–1.08) for myocardial infarction, and 1.06 (1.04–1.08) for revascularization. The univariate model showed good calibration (χ2 = 8.25, P = 0.4091) and good discrimination (area under ROC curve = 0.7086) for MACEs.ConclusionThe CatLet score is an independent predictor of long-term clinical outcomes of patients with AMI presenting > 12 h after symptom onset (http://www.chictr.org.cn; Registry Number: ChiCTR2000033730).

Electroretinographic findings in retinal vasculitis

AimTo describe and correlate electroretinographic responses with clinical and angiographic findings in retinal vasculitis (RV).MethodsMedical records of patients with diagnosis of RV at a tertiary eye centre from December 2017...

Prediction of microvascular obstruction by coronary artery angiography score after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a single-center retrospective observational study

BackgroundSome coronary artery angiography (CAG) scores are associated with the no-reflow phenomenon after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, quality evidence regarding the association between the CAG scores and microvascular injury is still needed. Our study aimed to validate the ability of the CAG scores in predicting microvascular obstruction (MVO) detected by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging.MethodsFrom October 2020 to October 2021, 141 consecutive patients with acute STEMI who underwent primary PCI and CMR were retrospectively reviewed. CMR imaging was performed between 3 and 7 days after PCI. The patients were divided into MVO and non-MVO group based on the CMR results. Three CAG scores (SYNTAX score, SYNTAX II score and Gensini score) were used to assess the severity of coronary artery atherosclerotic burden.ResultsA total of 122 patients were included (mean age 60.6 ± 12.8 years). MVO occurred in 51 patients (41.8%). Patients with MVO had higher SYNTAX scores, SYNTAX II scores and Gensini scores than those without MVO (all p < 0.001). The Gensini score (r = 0.567, p < 0.001) showed the strongest correlation with infarction size than SYNTAX score (r = 0.521, p < 0.001) and SYNTAX II score (r = 0.509, p < 0.001). The areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves of SYNTAX score, SYNTAX II score and Gensini score for predicting MVO patients were 0.726, 0.774 and 0.807. In multivariable regression analysis, peak troponin I (odd ratio [OR] = 1.236, p = 0.001) and SYNTAX II score (OR = 11.636, p = 0.010) were identified as independent predictors of MVO.ConclusionsIn patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary PCI treatment, the peak troponin I and SYNTAX II score may be an independent predictor of MVO.

Outcome prediction value of critical area perfusion score for acute basilar artery occlusion.

To investigate the performance of the Critical Area Perfusion Score (CAPS), based on computed tomography perfusion (CTP) time to maximum (Tmax) > 10s maps, to predict the outcome in acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) in patients undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT). We perform a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of acute BAO treated with EVT in a comprehensive stroke center. The favorable outcome was defined as the 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤ 3. We performed the logistic regression analysis to find the independent predictors of the favorable outcome. Then, we used receiver operating characteristic analyses to assess the predictive value of the imaging parameters, including CAPS, Posterior Circulation Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (PC-ASPECTS), pons midbrain index (PMI), posterior circulation computed tomography angiography (PC-CTA) score, Basilar Artery on Computed Tomography Angiography (BATMAN) score, and CTP parameters. Finally, the Delong test was used to compare the area under the curve (AUC) of CAPS against the other imaging parameters. Of the 65 enrolled patients, the incidence of the favorable outcome was 44.6% (29/65). Low CAPS (per 1- point increased odds ratio [OR], 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22-0.86; P = 0.017) and admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) (per 1- point increased OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.70-0.91; P = 0.001) were independently associated with favorable outcome. The AUC of CAPS was 0.83 (95% CI, 0.74-0.93; P < 0.001) with ≤ 3 cut-off value, 89.66% sensitivity, 77.22% specificity, and 80.00% accuracy, which was greater than the other imaging parameters (All P for Delong test < 0.05). CAPS was the most accurate imaging-based outcome predictor in acute BAO patients. Future large prospective multicenter studies are needed to verify these results.

Deep learning artificial intelligence framework for multiclass coronary artery disease prediction using combination of conventional risk factors, carotid ultrasound, and intraplaque neovascularization

ObjectiveCardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major healthcare challenge and therefore early risk assessment is vital. Previous assessment techniques use either “conventional CVD risk calculators (CCVRC)” or machine learning (ML) paradigms. These techniques are ad-hoc, unreliable, not fully automated, and have variabilities. We, therefore, introduce AtheroEdge-MCDLAI (AE3.0DL) windows-based platform using multiclass Deep Learning (DL) system. MethodsData was collected on 500 patients having both carotid ultrasound and corresponding coronary angiography scores (CAS), measured as stenosis in coronary arteries and considered as the gold standard. A total of 39 covariates were used, clubbed into three clusters, namely (i) Office-based: age, gender, body mass index, smoker, hypertension, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure; (ii) Laboratory-based: Hyperlipidemia, hemoglobin A1c, and estimated glomerular filtration rate; and (iii) Carotid ultrasound image phenotypes: maximum plaque height, total plaque area, and intra-plaque neovascularization. Baseline characteristics for four classes (target labels) having significant (p < 0.0001) values were calculated using Chi-square and ANOVA. For handling the cohort's imbalance in the risk classes, AE3.0DL used the synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE). AE3.0DL used Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) DL models and the performance (accuracy and area-under-the-curve) was computed using 10-fold cross-validation (90% training, 10% testing) frameworks. AE3.0DL was validated and benchmarked. ResultsThe AE3.0DL using RNN and LSTM showed an accuracy and AUC (p < 0.0001) pairs as (95.00% and 0.98), and (95.34% and 0.99), respectively, and showed an improvement of 32.93% and 9.94% against CCVRC and ML, respectively. AE3.0DL runs in <1 s. ConclusionDL algorithms are a powerful paradigm for coronary artery disease (CAD) risk prediction and CVD risk stratification.

Correlation between Hypoperfusion Intensity Ratio and Functional Outcome in Large-Vessel Occlusion Acute Ischemic Stroke: Comparison with Multi-Phase CT Angiography.

Background and purpose: Previous studies have shown that Hypoperfusion Intensity Ratio (HIR) derived from Perfusion Imaging (PWI) associated with collateral status in large-vessel occlusion (LVO) acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and could predict the rate of collateral flow, speed of infarct growth, and clinical outcome after endovascular treatment (EVT). We hypothesized that HIR derived from CT Perfusion (CTP) imaging could relatively accurately predict the functional outcome in LVO AIS patients receiving different types of treatment. Methods: Imaging and clinical data of consecutive patients with LVO AIS were retrospectively reviewed. Multi-phase CT angiography (mCTA) scoring was performed by 2 blinded neuroradiologists. CTP images were processed using an automatic post-processing analysis software. Correlation between the HIR and the functional outcome was calculated using the Spearman correlation. The efficacy of the HIR and the CTA collateral scores for predicting prognosis were compared. The optimal threshold of the HIR for predicting favorable functional outcome was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: 235 patients with LVO AIS were included. Patients with favorable functional outcome had lower HIR (0.1 [interquartile range (IQR), 0.1–0.2]) vs. 0.4 (IQR, 0.4–0.5)) and higher mCTA collateral scores (3 [IQR, 3–4] vs. 3 [IQR, 2–3]; p < 0.001) along with smaller infarct core volume (2.1 [IQR, 1.0–4.5]) vs. (15.2 [IQR, 5.5–39.3]; p < 0.001), larger mismatch ratio (22.9 [IQR, 11.6–45.6]) vs. (5.8 [IQR, 2.6–14]); p < 0.001), smaller ischemic volume (59.0 [IQR, 29.7–89.2]) vs. (97.5 [IQR, 68.7–142.2]; p < 0.001), and smaller final infarct volume (12.6 [IQR, 7.5–18.4]) vs. (78.9 [IQR, 44.5–165.0]; p < 0.001) than those with unfavorable functional outcome. The HIR was significantly positively correlated with the functional outcome [r = 0.852; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.813–0.884; p < 0.0001]. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the optimal threshold for predicting a favorable functional outcome was HIR ≤ 0.3 [area under the curve (AUC) 0.968; sensitivity 88.89%; specificity 99.21%], which was higher than the mCTA collateral score [AUC 0.741; sensitivity 82.4%; specificity 48.8%]. Conclusions: HIR was associated with the functional outcome of LVO AIS patients, and the correlation coefficient was higher than mCTA collateral score. HIR outperformed mCTA collateral score in predicting functional outcome.

Effect of Age, Stage, and Type of Surgical Revascularization on Clinical and Angiographic Outcome in Moyamoya Disease - Experience from a Case Series of 175 Revascularization Procedures.

There is dearth of literature on impact of age - pediatric versus adult, Suzuki staging - early versus late, and revascularization type - indirect versus direct on clinical and angiographic outcome in moyamoya disease (MMD). Hence, we intend to comprehensively evaluate factors influencing outcome in MMD following surgical revascularization. MMD patients operated at our institute from January 2011 to August 2018 were followed for an average 24 months. Primary outcomes were modified Rankin score (mRS) and stroke risk reduction. Secondary outcome was angiographic outcome score (AOS). A total of 133 patients including 37.6% adults (>18 years; n = 50) underwent 175 revascularizations - 89 direct (DR) and 86 indirect (IR) subgroups. Mean mRS scores improved in pediatric DR (P < 0.001), IR (P < 0.001), adult IR (P = 0.10), and DR (P = 0.25) subgroups. Recurrent stroke rate was similar in pediatric-DR (2.7%) and IR (7.6%, P = 0.61), and adult-DR (0%) and IR (4.1%) subgroups (P = 1.00). AOS scores improved in pediatric DR (P = 0.002) and IR (P = 0.01), and adult-DR (P = 0.02) and IR (P = 0.06) subgroups. Late-stage MMD (Suzuki IV-VI) showed better improvement in mRS scores than early-stage-Suzuki (I-III; P < 0.001). Recurrent stroke rates were similar (P = 0.26) and AOS scores improved significantly in early- and late-stage MMD (P < 0.001). In pediatrics, clinical and angiographic outcome significantly improved after revascularization procedure, and in adults, angiographic improvement was more evident than clinical recovery. Late-stage Suzuki MMD patients demonstrated significantly better clinical improvement than early stage. The angiographic improvement was equivalent to early stage, irrespective of age and type of revascularization.

Non-cystic macular thickening on optical coherence tomography as an alternative to fluorescein angiography for predicting retinal vascular leakage in early stages of uveitis

To evaluate the relationship between non-cystic thickening of the macula on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and retinal vascular leakage on fluorescein angiogram (FA) in patients with uveitis. A cross-sectional study of patients seen in the uveitis clinic. Patients with any degree of inflammatory cells in the anterior vitreous were included, provided that no macular cyst or subretinal fluid or macular atrophy was observed in OCT. The correlation between OCT features and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the degree of inflammation, and FA findings were examined. The severity of vascular leakage in FA was graded for optic nerve, macula and posterior and peripheral leakage. We used generalized estimation equation to assess the associations between macular thickness and volume with angiographic scores. A total of 43 patients (100 exam data) met inclusion criteria. There was a significant relationship between OCT parameters (central macular thickness, 3 mm and 6 mm perifoveal macular thickness as well as total and central macular volume) with angiographic scores (macular, optic disc, posterior and peripheral vascular leakage score) (all P values < 0.0001). The correlation between the 6 mm perifoveal thickness and peripheral vascular leakage score (R = 0.76; P < 0.001) was stronger than the correlation of CMT with this angiographic score (R = 0.69; P < 0.001). Non-cystic thickening of the macula on OCT, especially in perifoveal area, is a reliable predictor of the presence of retinal vascular leakage in patients with uveitis.

Selective delivery of pitavastatin-loaded nanoparticles induces arteriogenesis upon chronic myocardial ischemia

Recent evidence has depicted nanoparticles (NPs) targeted delivery of statin facilitates neovascularization. Herein, we aimed to examine the impact of pitavastatin carrying NPs (pitavastatin-NPs) on collateral arteries and myocardial ischemia (MI). After establishment of MI model and preparation of nanomaterials, the animals were administered pitavastatin-NPs, pitavastatin or Fluorescein isothiocyanate-NP (FITC-NP) at concentration of 0.05, 0.15 and 0.5 mg/kg through intramuscular injection. Capillary and arteriole density was measured through immunofluorescence and angiogenesis was assessed by angiography. Human endothelial cells were also treated with pitavastatin or pitavastatin-NPs, followed by detection of angiogenic activity. Pitavastatin-NPs (0.5 mg/kg) promoted endothelial cell arteriogenesis and growth of collateral arteries in the rabbit with myocardial ischemia, exerting greater efficacy than NPs, FITC-NP, or PBS. For up to 4 weeks, FITC-NPs were mainly detected in the ischemic muscle tissue. Pitavastatin-NPs induced arteriogenesis and improved exercise-induced ischemic symptoms with enhancement in angiography score. Collectively, pitavastatin-NPs enhance arteriogenesis and alleviate MI as presence of nanocarriers improve the efficacy of pitavastatin. This evidence indicates pitavastatin-NPs as a promising treatment strategy and may contribute to development of nanotechnology to promote the formation of new blood vessels.