Chronic Stable Angina Research Articles

Acupuncture Modulates the Spontaneous Activity and Functional Connectivity of Calcarine in Patients With Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris

BackgroundAcupuncture is an effective adjunctive therapy for chronic stable angina pectoris (CSAP), while the underlying mechanism is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the central pathophysiology of CSAP and explore the mechanism of different acupoint prescriptions for CSAP from the perspective of brain-heart interaction.MethodsThirty-seven CSAP patients and sixty-five healthy subjects (HS) were enrolled, and thirty CSAP patients were divided into two acupoint prescriptions groups (Group A: acupoints on the meridian directly related to the Heart; Group B: acupoints on the meridian indirectly related to the Heart). The Magnetic Resonance Imaging data and clinical data were collected at baseline and after treatment. The comparisons of brain spontaneous activity patterns were performed between CSAP patients and HS, as well as between baseline and after treatment in CSAP patients. Then, the changes in resting-state functional connectivity before and after treatment were compared between the two acupoint prescriptions.ResultsChronic stable angina pectoris patients manifested higher spontaneous activity on the bilateral calcarine, left middle occipital gyrus, right superior temporal gyrus, and right postcentral gyrus. After acupuncture treatment, the spontaneous activity of the left calcarine, left cuneus, and right orbitofrontal gyrus was decreased. The left calcarine was identified as region-of-interest for functional connectivity analysis. Compared with group B, CSAP patients in group A had significantly increased functional connectivity between left calcarine and the left inferior temporal gyrus/cerebellum crus 1, left hippocampus, left thalamus, and left middle cingulate cortex after treatment. Thresholds for all comparisons were p < 0.05, Gaussian Random Field corrected.ConclusionRegulating the aberrant spontaneous activity of the calcarine might be an underlying mechanism of acupuncture for CSAP. The multi-threaded modulation of functional connectivity between calcarine and multiple pain-related brain regions might be a potential mechanism for better efficacy of acupuncture at points on the meridian directly related to the Heart.

18F-NaF PET uptake characteristics of coronary artery culprit lesions in a cohort of patients of acute coronary syndrome with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and chronic stable angina: A hybrid fluoride PET/CTCA study

Background18F-NaF PET/CT identifies high-risk plaques due to active calcification in coronary arteries with potential to characterize plaques in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) and chronic stable angina (CSA) patients. MethodsTwenty-four MI and 17 CSA patients were evaluated with 18F-NaF PET/CTCA for SUVmax and TBR values of culprit and non-culprit plaques in both groups (inter-group and intra-group comparison), and pre- and post-interventional MI plaques sub-analysis. ResultsCulprit plaques in MI patients had significantly higher SUVmax (1.6; IQR 0.6 vs 1.3; IQR 0.3, P = 0.03) and TBR (1.4; IQR 0.6 vs 1.1; IQR 0.4, P = 0.006) than culprit plaques of CSA. Pre-interventional culprit plaques of MI group (n = 11) revealed higher SUVmax (P = 0.007) and TBR (P = 0.008) values than culprit CSA plaques. Culprit plaques showed significantly higher SUVmax (P = 0.006) and TBR (P = 0.0003) than non-culprit plaques in MI group, but without significant difference between culprit and non-culprit plaques in CSA group. With median TBR cutoff value of 1.4 in MI culprit plaques, 6/7 plaques (85.7%) among the event prone non-culprit lesions had TBR values > 1.4 in CSA group. ConclusionThe study shows higher SUVmax and TBR values in MI culprit plaques and comparable TBR values for event prone plaques of CSA group in identifying high-risk plaques.

Verapamil: prevention and treatment of cardio-renal syndromes in diabetic hypertensive patients?

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) often present other chronic comorbidities including arterial hypertension (AH), chronic kidney disease (CKD), ischemic heart disease (IHD) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The frequent association of the latter conditions is considered part of the spectrum of cardio-renal syndromes (CRS), a group of disorders of the heart and kidneys whereby acute or chronic dysfunction in one organ may induce acute or chronic dysfunction of the other. Verapamil is a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB) widely used in the treatment of hypertension, chronic stable angina, secondary prevention of reinfarction, paroxysmal supra-ventricular tachycardia and for rate control in atrial fibrillation/flutter. In addition to its antihypertensive and anti-ischemic actions verapamil exerts favorable effects also on glycemic control, proteinuric diabetic nephropathy, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and sympathetic nervous system overactivity which may potentially benefit patients with DM and CRS. In this narrative review, we summarize the current evidence on the potential role of verapamil in the prevention and treatment of CRS in diabetic hypertensive patients.

Deciphering potential pharmacological mechanisms of Danhong injection to treat chronic stable angina based on drug response-related modules and genes

Ethnopharmacological relevanceDanhong injection (DHI), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) injection that has been widely used to treat coronary heart disease and angina pectoris. However, its underlying pharmacological mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Not all patients benefit from DHI to the same extent. We attempted to explore the characteristics of potential therapeutic targets in different responsive populations. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to reveal the potential molecular mechanisms of DHI in treating chronic stable angina and identify potential therapeutic targets for DHI. Materials and methodsBased on a previous phase IV clinical trial of DHI in treating chronic stable angina, drug response modules were identified through structural entropy and similarity. Drug response-related genes were screened out based on the correlations between drug response module/module-related genes and clinical features and were assessed using a random forest model. Further validation was conducted using a hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model. ResultsSeven DHI-related response modules were identified. Eight drug response-related genes were screened out, and principal component analysis showed that DHI responders were distinguished from responders in the control group based on their expression values. The combination of the two most important genes, SHC4 and PIP5K1P1, discriminated between responders and nonresponders with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.714; however, no significant difference was found in the AUC between the combination and a single gene. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction showed that middle-dose DHI treatment significantly decreased SHC4 mRNA expression compared with that in the H/R group (P = 0.026), a finding consistent with our previous analysis of differentially expressed genes. ConclusionsDHI comprehensively exerted a therapeutic effect by acting on multiple response modules related to angina pectoris and drug response-related genes. Our findings indicate that the dimensionality reduction strategy based on the target network-drug response module-therapeutic targets can contribute to revealing the mechanism of action of TCM compounds and guiding precise clinical medication.

Three-Year Changes in Visual Function in the Placebo Group of a Randomized Double-Blind International Multicenter Safety Study: Analysis of Electroretinography, Perimetry, Color Vision, and Visual Acuity in Individuals With Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris.

PurposeTo determine whether significant deteriorations in objective (electroretinography [ERG]) and subjective (standard automated and semi-automated kinetic perimetry; color discrimination; and best-corrected visual acuity) tests of visual function, potentially attributable to aging, occurred in the group randomized to placebo of a 3-year prospective multicenter ocular safety study of ivabradine for chronic stable angina pectoris.MethodsThe multicenter trial was conducted at 11 international ophthalmic centers. Changes in visual function between baseline and month 36 were analyzed by means of a two-tailed Wilcoxon signed-rank test, based on the Hodges and Lehman estimator of the median difference, with the 95% confidence intervals derived by Walsh averages.ResultsThirty-eight participants from the placebo group completed the study (mean [SD], age, 62.7 [8.1] years). The group exhibited in each eye small, but statistically significant, reductions in the amplitudes of the dark-adapted (DA) ERG 3.0 a-wave, and light-adapted (LA) 3.0 b-wave, as well as increases in peak time for the DA 0.01 b-wave, DA 3.0 a-wave, LA 3.0 b-wave, and LA 3.0 30-Hz flicker response and in the isopter area I3e of the visual field.ConclusionsStatistically significant deteriorations occurred in visual function over a period of 3 years, potentially attributable to age, within a group of individuals with chronic stable angina pectoris and unremarkable ophthalmological findings other than those attributable to age.Translational RelevanceA longitudinal correction factor for age-related change in visual function may be useful in future trials to determine whether an observed deterioration in visual function is related to intervention or to aging.

The relation between coronary angiographic findings and lipoprotein (a) in patients with chronic stable angina with and without xanthelasma

IntroductionAtherosclerosis develops in many patients in the absence of classical risk factors. The serum level of lipoprotein [Lp (a)] is of utmost importance in such cases. Many patients with elevated serum level of Lp (a) have xanthelasma with elevated total cholesterol and low-density Lp cholesterol levels.AimTo find the relation between the level of Lp (a) and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with chronic stable angina with and without xanthelasma.Patients and methodsThe study was carried out on 86 patients in the National Heart Institute. The patients were divided into two groups: group A (43 patients), with xanthelasma, and group B (43 patients), without xanthelasma. The patients were subjected to full clinical examination, echocardiographic examination and laboratory investigations, including the level of Lp (a) and coronary angiography.ResultsThe age in patients with xanthelasma was significantly more than in those without xanthelasma but sex difference was not significant. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia were significantly more common in patients with xanthelasma. Creatinine level, total cholesterol level, and low-density lipoprotein level were significantly higher in patients with xanthelasma. Lp (a) level is also significantly increased in patients with xanthelasma. The severity of CAD was significantly increased in patients with xanthelasma, and the level of Lp (a) was an independent predictor for left main disease.ConclusionThere is a significant relation between xanthelasma palpebrarum (as a cutaneous marker of atherosclerosis) and Lp (a), and both of them are independent and causal risk factors for atherosclerotic CAD.

Exploring the association of fibrinogen and CRP with the clinical spectrum of CAD and periprocedural outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions.

Background:The pathophysiology of an atherosclerotic plaque is mediated by the mechanisms involving thrombus formation and systemic inflammation. While C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are useful in predicting a cardiovascular event in intermediate risk population, the usefulness of routinely measuring fibrinogen in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is debatable. Also, data on the association of these markers with periprocedural outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) is scarce.Aims:The study aimed to determine whether the levels of fibrinogen and CRP vary across the different spectra of CAD and whether they have any correlation with cardiac Troponin I levels.Materials and Methods:A total of 284 patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were included in the study. Complete blood count, serum lipid profile, serum CRP, fibrinogen, and troponin I were measured for all patients.Results:Patients with STEMI had significantly higher levels of CRP as compared to those with unstable angina (USA) and chronic stable angina (CSA). Patients presenting with ACS had significantly higher baseline fibrinogen as compared to those with CSA. A significant positive correlation between CRP and admission Troponin I (r = 0.50; P < 0.05) as well as fibrinogen and admission troponin I (r = 0.30; P < 0.05) was observed. The CRP levels were significantly higher in 15 patients with periprocedural MI as compared to those who did not develop periprocedural MI.Conclusions:The levels of the markers of inflammation and atherothrombosis vary with presentation across varied spectra of CAD with generally higher levels in acute presentation and in those who develop periprocedural MI.

A Systematic Review on the Economic Evaluations Evidence of Enhanced External Counter-Pulsation (EECP) for Managing Chronic Stable Angina.

Background: Chronic Stable Angina (CSA) does not respond to clinical interventions always. Therefore, enhanced external counter pulsation (EECP) has been approved by the Food and Administration Drug (FDA) as an effective technology. This study aimed to synthesize evidence on the economic evaluation of EECP in managing CSA through a systematic approach. Methods: In this systematic review study, PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Sciences, Scopus, National Institute for Health Research Journals Library, and the University of York Centre for Review and Dissemination (CRD) were searched. The targeted population was people who suffered from CSA, and the main therapeutic intervention was EECP. The comparators were not limited to any particular ones. Outcomes were changes in the Canadian Cardiovascular Society grading of angina pectoris, quality of life, and any other investigated relevant outcomes in the retrieved studies. The quality of studies was assessed through Philips et al and Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools. We synthesized data through a narrative approach. Results: We retrieved 7821 studies; among which 3 studies were included in the final phase. Two studies were systematic reviews and the Markov model economic evaluation. Another study was a partial economic evaluation. Conclusion: All studies only considered direct costs. EECP is a cost-effective technology in managing CSA, however, the sensitivity analysis of the studies showed the cost-effectiveness ratio is varied considerably and further studies are needed to extrapolate its economic value.

Physiological Significance of Myocardial Bridging by Fractional Flow Reserve—An Observational Study

Background Myocardial bridge (MB) is a portion of an epicardial coronary artery that takes an intramuscular course. The systolic compression of MB often gets carried over to early and mid-diastole, compromising coronary blood flow. In clinical practice, we encounter patients with angina, non-invasive evidence of ischemia, and a MB as the only relevant finding on angiography. In view of studies in support of decreased coronary flow reserve in MB, we assessed the physiological significance of MB by fractional flow reserve (FFR). Methods and Results We enrolled eight patients with chronic stable angina and positive noninvasive stress test, who had no significant CAD, and with evidence of MB in the left anterior descending artery. Mean age of population was 57.14 ± 6.25 years. Two (25%) were females and six (75%) were males. Four (50%) were smokers, five (62.5%) were diabetics, and two (25%) were hypertensives. Mean length of MB is 19.4 ± 5.04 mm. All underwent physiological assessment by FFR and the baseline, post nitroglycerin (NTG), and post adenosine readings were noted. Mean pre-NTG value, post-NTG, and post-adenosine were 0.974 ± 0.022, 0.96 ± 0.03, and 0.88 ± 0.042 (≤0.80 hemodynamically significant) respectively. Paired t-test showed significant reduction in FFR after NTG (p = 0.0452) and post-adenosine (p = 0.011) but all eight patients did not get significant FFR. Conclusion MB was found to be physiologically insignificant in our group of patients. But a statistical significant reduction of FFR in MB, post NTG and post adenosine, does impress on the fact that, an extensive study over a longer period of course, could throw light on this unsettled area of physiological significance and optimal therapeutic approach.

Risk factor profile, incidence, and relevance of Mehran risk score to predict contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a grave but underdiagnosed complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) that is associated with increased in-hospital morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to study the incidence, risk factors of CIN, and applicability of Mehran risk score (MRS) in Indian population. Materials and Methods: A total number of 432 patients were enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria were patients with acute coronary syndrome or chronic stable angina who underwent PCI. Baseline parameters of patients were noted and patients were followed for development of CIN. Results: The mean age of the study population was 57.2 + 10.43 years; males were 348 (80.6%) and females 84 (19.4%). Hypertension was present in 257 patients (59.5%), diabetes in 208 (48.1%), smoking in 208 (48.1%), anemia in 104 (24.1%), and heart failure in 95 (22%); the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 88.4 + 30.65 ml/min/1.73 m2 and the mean contrast volume usage was 122.8 + 41.9 ml. 64 patients (14.8%) developed CIN. On univariate analysis, age (P = 0.435), gender (0.125), hypertension (0.679), diabetes (0.177), and contrast volume (0.155) were not associated with the development of CIN, whereas smoking (0.021), hypotension (&lt;0.001), heart failure (&lt;0.001), anemia (0.001), and median eGFR (P &lt; 0.001) were significantly associated with the development of CIN. However, on multivariate regression analysis, smoking was not associated with the development of CIN (P = 0.104). The incidence of CIN was 2.7-fold higher (odds ratio [OR]: 2.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.299–5.540, P= 0.008) in the intermediate group (MRS 6-10), 5.4-fold higher (OR: 5.403, 95% CI: 2.249–12.978, P &lt; 0.001) in the high-risk group (MRS 11–15), and 51-fold higher (OR: 51.059, 95% CI: 18.195–143.278,P&lt; 0.001) in the very high-risk groups (MRS &gt;16) when compared to the low-risk group (MRS &lt; 5). Dialysis was required only in 2 (3.1%) patients (P &lt; 0.022). Conclusions: The overall incidence of CIN was 14.8%. The incidence of CIN in the very high-risk group (MRS &gt;16) was substantially higher in our study (77.8%) as compared to the same group in Mehran study (57.3%).

Association of Severity of Coronary Artery Disease with Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction among Diabetics with Stable Ischaemic Heart Disease: A Cross-sectional Study from Odisha, India

Introduction: Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) is one of the most common co-morbidity among Indian population, so is Diabetes Mellitus (DM). IHD is associated not only with systolic, but also with Diastolic Dysfunction (DDFx) of Left Ventricle (LV). However, there is scarcity of data correlating the severity of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) with LV DDFx. Aim: To assess the severity of CAD in diabetic stable IHD patients with normal LV systolic function (LV Ejection fraction ≥50%) and it’s association with degree of DDFx. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of one year, in a tertiary care hospital of Odisha, India among diabetic stable IHD patients. Grades of DDFx were assessed among the study population, using Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE). Subsequently, severity of CAD was assessed, using invasive Coronary Angiography (CAG) using The SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) score. Next, grades of DDFx were correlated with severity of IHD. Results: Among a total of 93 diabetic stable IHD patients with normal LV ejection fraction, 76.3% were males and the mean age was 60.7±8.9 years. Majority presented with chronic stable angina (59, 63.4%). Hypertension (50, 53.7%), followed by dyslipidaemia (36, 38.7%) and renal dysfunction (19, 20.4%) were the most common co-morbidities. Majority of patients had grade I (39.8%), followed by grade II (17.2%), and grade III (9.7%) DDFx. On invasive CAG, 39.8% had a SYNTAX score of ≤ 22, 36.6% had a score of 23-32, and 23.6% had a score of ≥33. Grades of DDFx were found to be significantly higher among the patients with greater SYNTAX score. Conclusion: Among diabetic stable IHD patients, greater the severity of CAD on CAG, higher were the grades of DDFx

Evaluation of Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis Prior to Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting - A Prospective Observational Study in North Indian Population.

Background:Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is an established risk factor for peri-operative neurological complications in patients following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, routine pre-surgical screening for CAS is still a matter of debate. This study was conducted to study the prevalence of asymptomatic carotid artery disease in patients undergoing CABG and to determine the predictors of significant carotid stenosis in them.Methods:In this prospective observational study, 112 patients, who were planned for CABG, were enrolled, and their demographic details, risk factor profile, and coronary angiogram parameters were analyzed.Results:Carotid stenosis was observed in 75.0% of the study population with 11.6% having unilateral and 63.4% having bilateral carotid stenosis. A total of 56.2% of the patients had mild, 14.3% had moderate, and 4.5% had severe carotid stenosis. The presence of significant carotid stenosis showed a correlation with chronic stable angina (P = 0.009), significant left main (LM) disease (P = 0.001), chronic total occlusion (P = 0.043), and coronary vessel calcification (P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis of all the predictor variables in a regression model showed that significant LM disease (Odds ratio (OR):6.5, P = 0.002) and coronary artery calcification (OR: 4.3, P = 0.024) were the only independent predictors of significant CAS in the study population.Conclusion:The presence of significant carotid vessel stenosis in patients undergoing CABG in the Indian population has a stronger association with the chronicity of the coronary artery disease rather than the coronary atheroma load (as determined by the modified Gensini score). The presence of significant LM disease and coronary artery calcification may be useful in detecting high-risk patients for significant CAS during the pre-surgical workup.

Atherogenic index of plasma: A valuable novel index to distinguish patients with unstable atherogenic plaques.

Background:Plaque instability is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Numerous efforts have been made to figure out and manage unstable plaques prior to major cardiovascular events incidence. The current study aims to assess the values of the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) to detect unstable plaques.Materials and Methods:The current case-control study was conducted on 435 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention due to chronic stable angina (stable plaques, n = 145) or acute coronary syndrome (unstable plaques, n = 290). The demographic, comorbidities, chronic medications, biochemical and hematological characteristics of the patients were entered into the study checklist. The baseline AIP was measured according to the formula of triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein logarithm. Binary logistic regression was applied to investigate the standalone association of AIP with plaque instability. Receiver operating curve (ROC) was depicted to determine a cut-off, specificity, and sensitivity of AIP in unstable plaques diagnosis.Results:AIP was an independent predictor for atherogenic plaque unstability in both crude (odds ratio [OR]: 3.677, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.521–8.890; P = 0.004) and full-adjusted models (OR: 15, 95% CI: 2.77–81.157; P = 0.002). According to ROC curve, at cut-point level of 0.62, AIP had sensitivity and specificity of 89.70% and 34% to detect unstable plaques, respectively (area under the curve: 0.648, 95% CI: 0.601–0.692, P < 0.001).Conclusion:According to this study, at the threshold of 0.62, AIP as an independent biomarker associated with plaque instability can be considered a screening tool for patients at increased risk for adverse events due to unstable atherosclerotic plaques.

Complete revascularization optimizes patient outcomes in multivessel coronary artery disease: Data from the e-Ultimaster registry.

ObjectivesThe aim of this analysis was to assess the effect of the coronary revascularization strategy during index admission on clinical outcomes among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD).BackgroundThe value of complete revascularization (CR) over incomplete revascularization (IR) in MVD patients is not fully established.MethodsPatients with MVD defined as ≥2 major epicardial vessels with ≥50% stenosis were selected from the observational all‐comer e‐Ultimaster registry. Patients were treated with a sirolimus‐eluting thin‐strut coronary stent. Completeness of revascularization was physician assessed at the index procedure or an eventually staged procedure during the index hospitalization. Outcomes measures at 1 year were target lesion failure (TLF) (composite of cardiac death, target vessel‐related myocardial infarction [MI], and clinically driven target lesion revascularization [TLR]), and patient‐oriented composite endpoint (POCE) (all‐cause mortality, MI, or revascularization). The inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTW) methodology was used to perform a matched analysis.ResultsThe registry recruited 37,198 patients of whom 15,441 (41.5%) had MVD. CR on hospital discharge was achieved in 7413 (48.0%) patients and IR in 8028 (52.0%) patients. Mean age was 64.6 ± 11.1 versus 65.7 ± 11.0 years (p < 0.01), male gender 77.9% and 77.3% (p = 0.41) and diabetes 31.3% versus 33.4% (p = 0.01) for CR and IR, respectively. Chronic stable angina patients more commonly underwent CR (47.6% vs. 36.8%, p < 0.01). After propensity weighted analysis, 90.5% of CR patients were angina‐free at 1 year compared with 87.5% of IR patients (p < 0.01). TLF (3.3% vs. 4.4%; p < 0.01), POCE (6.8% vs. 10.8%; p < .01), and all‐cause mortality (2.3% vs. 3.1%; p < .01) were all lower in CR patients.ConclusionsA physician‐directed use of a CR strategy utilizing sirolimus‐eluting thin‐strut stent results in optimized clinical outcomes and less angina in an all‐comer population. Our findings suggest that a CR should be aimed for.

695 Upregulated monocyte expression of PLIN2 is associated with plaque instability in coronary artery disease

Abstract Aims Perilipin 2 (PLIN2), a protein associated with intracellular lipid droplets (LDs), is involved in lipid metabolism of macrophages resident in atherosclerotic plaques and its up-regulation leads to LDs accumulation. LDs enlargement results in the macrophage transformation into foam cells, a key step for the onset of atherosclerosis. In the present study, we investigated the role of PLIN2 and its regulation mechanisms in atherosclerosis and plaque instability in patients with a diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and stable chronic angina (SA). Methods and results We enrolled 120 patients with a diagnosis of STEMI and 42 SA patients with symptoms of stable effort angina lasting more than 12 months. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from EDTA whole blood samples through standard gradient centrifugation over Ficoll-Hypaque. Monocytes were purified through indirect magnetic labelling of PBMCs. PLIN2 mRNA expression was investigated by Real Time-PCR and PLIN2 protein level was analysed in CD14+ monocytes by flow cytometry. Proteasome activity was assayed using AMC-tagged peptide substrate (Succ-LLVY-AMC), which releases free highly fluorescent AMC (Ex/Em 350/440 nm) in the presence of proteolytic activity. In CD14+ monocyte, PLIN2 protein expression was significantly increased in STEMI as compared to SA patients (P &amp;lt; 0.001), while PLIN2 mRNA level was not different in the two groups (P = n.s.). Despite proteasome activity was higher in STEMI as compared to SA patients (P &amp;lt; 0.001), significant inverse correlations were evident between PLIN2 levels and proteasome activity in the two groups (P = 0.05). Conclusions CD14+ monocyte PLIN2 protein expression was higher in STEMI as compared to SA patients suggesting an involvement in plaque instability. Despite proteasome activity was higher in STEMI patients, probably due to the elevated inflammatory burden, PLIN2 could escape proteasome degradation in a more efficient manner in STEMI as compared to SA patients.

Ranolazine: a better understanding of its pathophysiology and patient profile to guide treatment of chronic stable angina.

Chronic stable angina pectoris, the most prevalent symptomatic manifestation of coronary artery disease, greatly impairs quality of life and is associated with an increased risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of myocardial ischemia permitted new therapeutic strategies to optimize the management of angina patients. Ideally, antianginal drug treatment should be tailored to individual patient's profile and chosen according to the pathophysiology, hemodynamic profile, adverse effects, potential drug interactions and comorbidities. In this respect, and because of its peculiar mechanism of action, ranolazine represents an alternative therapeutic approach in patients with chronic stable angina and may be considered the first choice in presenceof comorbiditiesthat difficult the use of traditional therapies.

Vasomotor Dysfunction in Patients with Ischemia and Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: Current Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies.

Many patients who present with symptoms or objective evidence of ischemia have no or non-physiologically-significant disease on invasive coronary angiography. The diagnosis of ischemic heart disease is thus often dismissed, and patients receive false reassurance or other diagnoses are pursued. We now know that a significant proportion of these patients have coronary microvascular dysfunction and/or vasospastic disease as the underlying pathophysiology of their clinical presentation. Making the correct diagnosis of such abnormalities is important not only because they impact the quality of life, with recurring symptoms and unnecessary repeated testing, but also because they increase the risk for adverse cardiovascular events. The mainstay of diagnosis remains an invasive comprehensive physiologic assessment, which further allows stratifying these patients into appropriate “endotypes”. It has been shown that tailoring treatment to the patient’s assigned endotype improves symptoms and quality of life. In addition to the conventional drugs used in chronic stable angina, multiple newer agents are being investigated. Moreover, innovative non-pharmacologic and interventional therapies are emerging to provide a bail-out in refractory cases. Many of these novel therapies fail to show consistent benefits, but others show quite promising results.

Correlation of Triglyceride with Coronary Artery Disease Severity in Pre-Diabetic Chronic Stable Angina Patients

Background: Individuals with prediabetes have multiple disturbances in lipoprotein metabolism resulting from multiple combinations of insulin deficiency, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. Dyslipidemia is the commonest complication of prediabetes and diabetes, and it predispose to premature atherosclerosis causing cardiovascular complication. The aim of this study was to assess correlation of triglyceride (TG) with coronary artery disease (CAD) severity in pre-diabetic chronic stable angina patients.&#x0D; Methods: Our cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 100 pre-diabetic patients (HbA1c 5.7% to 6.4%) with different levels of TG and stable CAD, referred to Tanta university hospitals. Each patient had been subjected to adequate history taking, complete clinical examination and laboratory investigations and electrocardiogram with transthoracic echocardiography. SYNTAX score was calculated.&#x0D; Results: There were significant positive correlations between TG and LDL, ratio and TLC respectively while there was a significant negative correlation between TG and HDL. There was significant positive correlation between SYNTAX and LDL, ratio and urea respectively while there was high significant negative correlation between TG and HDL. TG level was significantly higher in male than female (p= 0.028). There was no significant difference in SYNTAX regarding gender. For the multivariate analysis, only LDL was a significant independent predictor for CAD.&#x0D; Conclusions: There was a positive correlation between the TG and the severity of coronary lesions in pre-diabetic stable angina pectoris patients.

Vascular dysfunction and its recovery after transradial coronary angioplasty- A serial observational study

ObjectiveTo serially evaluate the effect of trans-radial coronary angioplasty (TRA) on the vascular function of radial artery (RA) and upstream brachial artery (BA) and to find out the relative contribution of endothelial dependent flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) and endothelial independent nitrate mediated dilatation (NMD). MethodsForty patients of chronic stable angina with successful TRA were studied. FMD and NMD of bilateral RA and BA were measured with high-resolution ultrasound, before and at 24 h and at 3 months, after catheterization. ResultsFMD as well as NMD were significantly decreased in right RA (16.3 ± 3.6% to 5.7 ± 1.8%; p = 0.001, and 24.1 ± 5.3% to 9.7 ± 2.8%; p = 0.001, respectively) as well as in upstream BA (17.0 ± 1.6% to 9.4 ± 0.5%; p = 0.001,and 26.5 ± 6.8% to 20.5 ± 3.7%; p = 0.001, respectively) at 24 h. FMD/NMD ratio was also decreased in RA (70 ± 10% to 60 ± 10%; p = 0.04) and as well as in BA (70 ± 20% to 50 ± 10%; p = 0.03). The endothelial dysfunctions returned to normal at 3 months. Control arm did not show any change in vascular function at any point of time. Radial artery diameter/sheath ratio <1 and catheter exchanges >2 were the independent predictors for >50% decrease in FMD. ConclusionsTRA results in reversible depression in FMD as well as NMD in the radial artery as well as upstream brachial artery. These vascular dysfunctions are limited to the catheterized arm only and return to normal after 3 months.

A nationwide questionnaire-based survey on practice patterns and management of chronic stable angina with a controlled release formulation of trimetazidine

Background: There is lack of real-world evidence on various aspects of chronic stable angina (CSA). Hence, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted to garner real-world data about the prevalence of CSA among Indian patients; the associated comorbidities among these patients; management practices for CSA in India; and factors affecting compliance in patients with CSA with a special focus on day and night pack for trimetazidine controlled release (CR) 35 mg BD tablets.Methods: In all, 100 health care practitioners (HCPs) who each observed 15 patients with CSA in their clinical practice participated in this quantitative, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire with 30 questions grouped into 5 sections. Data were analyzed using percentages.Results: The results from the survey showed that 52.7% HCPs had observed 31-50% of angina patients with diabetes mellitus as comorbidity. As per the questionnaire survey, 77.4% HCPs preferred trimetazidine as a second-line agent when an angina patient was not responding to beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), and nitrates. Furthermore, 30.1% of HCPs preferred trimetazidine CR 35 mg BD as it improved exercise tolerance as well. Results from the survey reported that 65.6% HCPs agreed with the statement that day and night packs of trimetazidine tablets help in improving patient compliance and adherence to therapy.Conclusions: Trimetazidine CR 35 mg BD appears to have a safety profile suitable for various conditions and for patients with multiple comorbidities. Trimetazidine day and night packs of tablets help in improving patient compliance and adherence to therapy.