Coronary Arteries In Patients Research Articles

Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography-Derived Modified Duke Index Is Associated with Peri-Coronary Fat Attenuation Index and Predicts Severity of Coronary Inflammation

Background and Objectives: The modified Duke index derived from coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) was designed to predict cardiovascular outcomes based on the severity of coronary stenosis. However, it does not take into consideration the presence or severity of peri-coronary inflammation. The peri-coronary fat attenuation index (FAI) is a novel imaging marker determined by CCTA which reflects the degree of inflammation in the coronary tree in patients with coronary artery disease. To assess the association between the modified Duke index assessed by CCTA, cardiovascular risk factors, and peri-coronary inflammation in the coronary arteries of patients with coronary artery disease. Materials and Methods: One hundred seventy-two patients who underwent CCTA for typical angina were assigned into two groups based on the modified Duke index: group 1—patients with low index, ≤3 (n = 107), and group 2—patients with high index, >3 (n = 65). Demographic, clinical, and CCTA data were collected for all patients, and FAI analysis of coronary inflammation was performed. Results: Patients with increased values of the modified Duke index were significantly older compared to those with a low index (61.83 ± 9.89 vs. 64.78 ± 8.9; p = 0.002). No differences were found between the two groups in terms of gender distribution, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or smoking history (all p > 0.5). The FAI score was significantly higher in patients from group 2, who presented a significantly higher score of inflammation compared to the patients in group 1, especially at the level of the right coronary artery (FAI score, 20.85 ± 15.80 vs. 14.61 ± 16.66; p = 0.01 for the right coronary artery, 13.85 ± 8.04 vs. 10.91 ± 6.5; p = 0.01 for the circumflex artery, 13.26 ± 10.18 vs. 11.37 ± 8.84; p = 0.2 for the left anterior descending artery). CaRi-Heart® analysis identified a significantly higher risk of future events among patients with a high modified Duke index (34.84% ± 25.86% vs. 16.87% ± 15.80%; p < 0.0001). ROC analysis identified a cut-off value of 12.1% of the CaRi-Heart® risk score for predicting a high severity of coronary lesions, with an AUC of 0.69. Conclusions: The CT-derived modified Duke index correlates well with local perilesional inflammation as assessed using the FAI score at different levels of the coronary circulation.

A-49 | Propensity Matched In-Hospital Outcomes of Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction of Left Anterior Descending (LAD) coronary artery in Patients with & without Chronic Total Occlusion of Coronaries

A-49 | Propensity Matched In-Hospital Outcomes of Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction of Left Anterior Descending (LAD) coronary artery in Patients with & without Chronic Total Occlusion of Coronaries

D-61 | Outcomes of Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction of Right Coronary Artery in Patients with Chronic Total Occlusion

D-61 | Outcomes of Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction of Right Coronary Artery in Patients with Chronic Total Occlusion

Matrix metallopeptidase 9 contributes to the beginning of plaque and is a potential biomarker for the early identification of atherosclerosis in asymptomatic patients with diabetes.

To determine the roles of matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP9) on human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs) in vitro, early beginning of atherosclerosis in vivo in diabetic mice, and drug naïve patients with diabetes. Active human MMP9 (act-hMMP9) was added to HCASMCs and the expressions of MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 were measured. Act-hMMP9 (n=16) or placebo (n=15) was administered to diabetic KK.Cg-Ay/J (KK) mice. Carotid artery inflammation and atherosclerosis measurements were made at 2 and 10 weeks after treatment. An observational study of newly diagnosed drug naïve patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM n=234) and healthy matched controls (n=41) was performed and patients had ultrasound of carotid arteries and some had coronary computed tomography angiogram for the assessment of atherosclerosis. Serum MMP9 was measured and its correlation with carotid artery or coronary artery plaques was determined. In vitro, act-hMMP9 increased gene and protein expressions of MCP-1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and enhanced macrophage adhesion. Exogenous act-hMMP9 increased inflammation and initiated atherosclerosis in KK mice at 2 and 10 weeks: increased vessel wall thickness, lipid accumulation, and Galectin-3+ macrophage infiltration into the carotid arteries. In newly diagnosed T2DM patients, serum MMP9 correlated with carotid artery plaque size with a possible threshold cutoff point. In addition, serum MMP9 correlated with number of mixed plaques and grade of lumen stenosis in coronary arteries of patients with drug naïve T2DM. MMP9 may contribute to the initiation of atherosclerosis and may be a potential biomarker for the early identification of atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes. https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT04424706.

The relationship between mechanical dyssynchrony of the left ventricular myocardium and the number of affected coronary arteries in patients with coronary heart disease who underwent revascularization

Background. A promising method for early detection of myocardial dysfunction is the evaluation of mechanical dyssynchrony of the left ventricular myocardium, the prognostic value of which in the diagnosis of 3-vessel lesions was shown only in a single study and requires further confirmation. Purpose – to assess the relationship between the number of affected coronary arteries and the presence of mechanical dyssynchrony of the myocardium, and its significance in predicting 3-vessel lesions in patients with coronary heart disease. Materials and Methods. 134 patients who underwent coronary angiography with revascularization of coronary arteries were included in the study. Patients were divided into comparison groups depending on the number of affected coronary arteries (without lesions, one, two and three coronary arteries). Variables of mechanical myocardial dyssynchrony were determined for all patients by ultrasound examination of the heart using Doppler examination and synchronization with the ECG. Results. The largest relative number of patients with myocardial dyssynchrony was observed in the group with lesions of 3 coronary arteries – 23 (52%). The presence of myocardial dyssynchrony had a significant correlation with SYNTAX SCORE (r=0.18, p=0.035). The aortic pre-ejection interval in the group of patients with lesions of 3 coronary arteries was significantly longer compared to the group of patients without lesions of the coronary arteries, however, the pulmonary pre-ejection interval was the same in the comparison groups. As a result of this difference, interventricular mechanical delay was significantly greater in the group of patients with occlusion of 3 coronary arteries (54,8±36,6 ms; р=0,043). The time to peak systolic velocity in the group of patients with lesions of 3 coronary arteries was significantly longer (32,1±8,0 ms; р=0,021) compared to the group of patients without atherosclerotic lesions, which was confirmed by a positive correlation (r=0.190, p=0.003). The ROC analysis of the predictive capabilities of the combination of the factors of the presence of myocardial dyssynchrony, left ventricular ejection fraction, interventricular mechanical delay, root mean square deviation of the time to the peak of systolic velocity, and the E/A ratio in relation to lesions of 3 coronary arteries showed sufficient sensitivity (0.89) and specificity (0.87). Conclusions. Patients with lesions to 3 coronary arteries have a significantly higher relative frequency of mechanical myocardial dyssynchrony compared to patients without and lesions of 1 or 2 coronary arteries; correlation of myocardial dyssynchrony with 3-vessel lesions and SYNTAX SCORE was also found. The combination of variables of myocardial dyssynchrony in terms of predicting 3-vessel occlusion of coronary arteries has sufficient sensitivity and specificity.

The Influence of Myocardial Revascularization on the Condition of the Distal Part of Coronary Arteries in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The aim. To study the dynamics of the internal lumen of the distal part of coronary arteries after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
 Materials and methods. This retrospective study included 121 patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus after revascularization of coronary arteries through PCI or CABG. In order to evaluate the changes in the condition of the distal sections of the coronary arteries after stenting and CABG, we included patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in whom repeated coronary angiography was performed 12-60 months after PCI or CABG. The quantitative method (quantitative coronary angiography) and semi-quantitative assessment scales were used to assess the dynamics of the distal part of the coronary arteries.
 Results. The mean age of the patients was 56.2 ± 0.4 years for patients who underwent CABG and 54.3 ± 0.4 years for patients who underwent PCI. There were 64.7% men in the CABG group and 54.0% in the PCI group. The use of drug-eluting stents didn’t affect the internal lumen of the distal part of the arteries. After implantation of bare metal stents, progression of diffuse atherosclerotic lesions was detected. The use of arterial grafts during CABG improved the condition of the inner lumen of the bypassed vessel. However, after venous grafts placement, the patency of the distal coronary arteries may deteriorate in the future.
 Conclusions. In people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, after cardiac surgery, the smaller branches of the blood vessels can become narrower over the next 1-5 years if a stent without medication or a vein graft is used. However, when a drug-eluting stent or an artery graft is used, the smaller vessel branches stay about the same or even improve over time.

The Relationship between the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index and Ischemia with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography.

Ischemia with the non-obstructive coronary artery (INOCA) is an ischemic heart disease that mostly includes coronary microvascular dysfunction and/or epicardial coronary vasospasm due to underlying coronary vascular dysfunction and can be seen more commonly in female patients. The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII, platelet × neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio) is a new marker that predicts adverse clinical outcomes in coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aims to investigate the relationship between INOCA and SII, a new marker associated with inflammation. A total of 424 patients (212 patients with INOCA and 212 normal controls) were included in the study. Peripheral venous blood samples were received from the entire study population prior to coronary angiography to measure SII and other hematological parameters. In our study, the value of p<0.05' was considered statistically significant. The optimal cut-off value of SII for predicting INOCA was 153.8 with a sensitivity of 44.8% and a specificity of 78.77% (Area under the curve [AUC]: 0.651 [95% CI: 0.603-0.696, p=0.0265]). Their ROC curves were compared to assess whether SII had an additional predictive value over components. The AUC value of SII was found to be significantly higher than that of lymphocyte (AUC: 0.607 [95% CI: 0.559-0.654, p = 0.0273]), neutrophil (AUC: 0.559 [95%CI: 0.511-0.607, p=0.028]) and platelet (AUC: 0.590 [95% CI: 0.541-0.637, p = 0.0276]) in INOCA patients. A high SII level was found to be independently associated with the existence of INOCA. The SII value can be used as an indicator to add to the traditional expensive methods commonly used in INOCA prediction.

Correlation between St segment elevation in the 12-lead ECG and the culprit coronary artery in patients with acute stemi undergoing primary PCI

Correlation between St segment elevation in the 12-lead ECG and the culprit coronary artery in patients with acute stemi undergoing primary PCI

Single-stent and double-stent strategy for complex, true and false bifurcation lesions of the left main coronary artery in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a single-center retrospective analysis

Single-stent and double-stent strategy for complex, true and false bifurcation lesions of the left main coronary artery in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a single-center retrospective analysis

Factors affecting TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) flow grade in patients undergoing primary PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention).

Objective: To determine the causes of normal blood flow in coronary arteries in patients presenting with STEMI and receiving pPCI. Study Design: Observational study conducted retrospectively. Setting: National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD) Karachi, Cath Lab. Period: August 17 2020 to November 2020. Material &amp; Methods: Data was obtained from patients presented to the emergency department with STEMI and experienced primary PCI in last two years from January 2016 to Decemebr 2018.Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19 was used analyze these data.Th in those patients who had suboptimal coronary blood flow. Young patients &lt;40 years of age had more (14%) normal coronary blood flow as compared to elders i.e &gt;40 years. Diabetes mellitus, Hypertension, and smoking had no significant impact on coronary blood flow in these patients. Conclusion: In this study, it was found that most of the coronary arteries had abnormal blood flow during primary PCI. Multiple factors are affecting the blood flow in coronaries. The onset of symptoms and the time presented in the hospital was the main factors. Further studies are required to find more reasons for having normal blood flow in coronaries in STEMI.

The Influence of Carbohydrate Metabolism Disorders on the Course of Perioperative Period in Cardiac Surgery Patients with Post-Infarction Left Ventricular Aneurysms

The aim. To study the impact of carbohydrate metabolism disorders on perioperative period in cardiac surgery pa-tients with post-infarction left ventricular (LV) aneurysms.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Retrospective analysis of perioperative period in random 132 patients with post-infarction LV aneurysms of various locations, who were operated on and discharged from the department of surgical treatment of ischemic heart disease of the National Amosov Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine. Disorders of carbohydrate metabolism (DCM) were detected in 98 (74.2%) patients, among whom type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) was diagnosed in 34 (25.7%) patients, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in 64 (48.5%). All the patients underwent general clinical examination, electrocardiography, echocardiography, coronary angiography and surgical treatment.&#x0D; Results. When analyzing the clinical picture in patients with post-infarction LV aneurysms, painless myocardial isch-emia was diagnosed in 41 (31.06%) patients, among whom type 2 DM in 11 (26.8%) cases and IGT in 18 (43.9%). No statistically significant difference was found in patients with and without DCM in the LV contractile function, presence of LV thrombosis, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, stenosis of brachiocephalic arteries and arteries of the lower extremities, gouty arthritis, and body weight. Intraoperatively, diameter of the coronary arteries in patients with type 2 DM was slightly smaller compared to patients without DCM. Its increase in cases of calcification of coronary arteries and aorta among patients of the study group with DCM was statistically insignificant. A careful analysis of the postoperative period in patients with and without DCM showed a statistically significant occurrence of paroxysms of atrial fibrillation in 30 (90.9%) and 3 (9.1%) cases, respectively (p=0.0115). The patients with DCM had longer stay in the intensive care unit: 4.03 ± 2.3 vs. 3.2 ± 1.3 days (p=0.0483). Acute kidney injury in the early postoperative period occurred in 8 (6.06%) patients, including 5 (62.5%) with type 2 DM (p=0.0142). Sternal wound infection occurred in 2 (1.5%) patients with type 2 DM (p=0.0156).&#x0D; Conclusions. Among cardiac surgical patients with postinfarction LV aneurysms, the major part is formed by patients with DCM (74.2%), the presence of which complicates the course of the postoperative period with the development of paroxysms of atrial fibrillation (p=0.0115), acute kidney injury (p=0.0142), sternal wound infection (p=0.0156), a long stay in the intensive care unit (p=0.0483).

Correlation of Serum Endocan Level With Apoptosis Indicators and Severity of Atherosclerotic Lesions of Coronary Arteries in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease.

Aim To study the relationship of blood serum concentration of endocan with indexes of apoptosis and clinical and instrumental characteristics of patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD).Material and methods The study included 176 subjects (105 men and 71 women). 150 of them were diagnosed with IHD and 26 were healthy volunteers. Anthropometric measurements, coronary angiography, echocardiography, duplex ultrasound scanning of extracranial parts of the brachiocephalic arteries were performed for all patients. Concentrations of endocan (ng / ml), glucose (mmol / l), and apoptotic markers Bcl-2 (ng / ml), Bax (ng / ml), Bcl-2 / Bax, TRAIL (pg / ml), and p53 (ng / ml) were measured in blood serum. Patients were divided into groups based on their SYNTAX scores: group 1 with moderate atherosclerotic lesions of the coronary arteries (CA) (score &lt; 22, 78 patients); group 2 with severe CA atherosclerosis (score 23-32, 37 patients); and group 3 with extremely severe CA lesions (score &gt;33, 35 patients). The control group consisted of healthy volunteers (26 subjects). All groups were age- and sex-matched. Differences were considered statistically significant at p&lt;0.05.Results A correlation was found between endocan concentration and IHD severity (r=0.32, p&lt;0.001). In group 1, the median endocan concentration was 14.57 ng / ml [8.21; 23.66], in group 2, 19.34 ng / ml [8.425; 26.645], in group 3, 32.13 ng / ml [18.2; 39.12], and in the control group, 6.92 ng / ml [4.62; 9.18]. Correlations of varying strength and significance were observed between the endocan concentration and a number of clinical and instrumental characteristics. Endocan concentrations significantly differed in groups of patients with multifocal atherosclerosis (p&lt;0.01), angina pectoris (p&lt;0.01), a history of myocardial infarction (p&lt;0.001), and obesity (p&lt;0.05) from patients without these signs. Also, a correlation was found between serum endocan concentration and apoptotic markers: TRAIL (r= -0.448, p&lt;0.001); BCL-2 (r= -0.552, p&lt;0.001), Bax (r= -0.519, p&lt;0.001), Bcl-2 / Bax (r= -0.576, p&lt;0.001) and p53 (r= -0.520, p &lt;0.001).Conclusion The study demonstrated a potential role of endocan as a promising biomarker for risk stratification, prognosis and therapeutic monitoring of IHD patients.

Fully automated quantitative stress perfusion cardiac MRI to assess myocardial perfusion in adult patients with convalescent Kawasaki disease and coronary aneurysms: an age and sex-matched analysis

Abstract Introduction Coronary aneurysms are a well-documented complication of childhood Kawasaki disease. They may persist into adulthood predisposing to impaired myocardial blood flow, symptoms, and adverse cardiovascular events. Preliminary reports suggest that Kawasaki disease may also be associated with coronary microvascular dysfunction. The effect of coronary involvement from Kawasaki disease on myocardial perfusion in convalescent asymptomatic adults has not been studied using fully automated inline quantitative perfusion MRI (CMR). Purpose To assess the effect of coronary artery abnormalities on quantitative myocardial perfusion in adult patients with convalescent Kawasaki disease compared to an age and sex-matched control cohort. Methods Retrospective single centre cohort analysis of adult patients with convalescent Kawasaki disease who have undergone fully automated inline quantitative myocardial stress perfusion CMR. All patients had coronary involvement during their acute childhood illness. An age and sex-matched group (n=14) with normal CMRs was selected for comparison. Rest MBF was corrected for heart rate by dividing by the scan heart rate and multiplying by the mean resting heart rate among all subjects. A per-vessel analysis was performed using a linear mixed effects model with pairwise comparisons to assess the effect of coronary abnormalities (normal, aneurysmal with or without thrombosis, revascularised) on myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR). Results 28 patients were included (14 Kawasaki; 14 controls). All patients in the Kawasaki cohort had assessment of coronary anatomy either by CT (93%) or invasive (7%) coronary angiography. A total of 84 vessels were analysed. Mean age and sex were well matched (Kawasaki: 27±6.2 years; 13 males : 1 female vs. controls: 27±6.4 years; 13 males : 1 female). In patients with Kawasaki disease, thrombosed aneurysmal arteries were associated with a significantly impaired MPR compared to normal (mean Δ: -0.817; P=0.003) and aneurysmal (mean Δ: -0.957; P&amp;lt;0.001) arteries. MPR in aneurysmal and revascularised arteries were not significantly different from normal arteries in patients with Kawasaki disease. There was no significant difference in MPR between normal coronary arteries in patients with Kawasaki compared to controls. Conclusions Thrombosis in coronary aneurysms was associated with a significant impairment of myocardial perfusion in adult patients with convalescent Kawasaki disease. There was no significant reduction in perfusion in territories supplied by normal or aneurysmal arteries which does not support coronary microvascular dysfunction in these patients. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

Predictive value of d-dimer for plaque rupture, thrombus and worse clinical outcomes in acute coronary syndrome from TACTICS registry

Abstract Background Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) mainly occurs by the rupture of lipid plaques with platelet aggregation. D-dimer (DD) is a primary degradation product and circulating marker of fibrinolysis. The use of DD helps to diagnose thrombosis. The serum DD level may indicate a thrombus within coronary artery in patients with ACS. Purpose The present study determined the association of serum DD level on admission with a thrombus within culprit lesion and ACS mechanism assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT), and clinical outcomes. Methods and Results Tokyo/ Kanagawa/ Chiba/ Shizuoka/ Ibaraki active OCT applications for ACS (TACTICS) registry includes 695 consecutive ACS patients who underwent emergent PCI with OCT guidance. Of those, the information of serum DD level was available in 653 cases. Those patients were divided into two groups according to serum DD level on admission: high DD group(≧0.73 μg/ml, n= 328) and low DD group(＜0.73 μg/ml, n= 325). Comparison of type of plaque morphology and thrombus are shown in Figure. ACS patients with high DD level had poor long-term outcomes. Conclusion High serum DD level was associated with red-thrombus, plaque rupture, and worse prognosis in ACS. The simple test of DD may give us useful information in clinical practice for ACS.

Family history of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA)

Abstract Introduction Genetic factors play an important role in the development of myocardial infarction (MI), and a positive family history is a risk factor for MI. The significance of family history among patients with a working diagnosis of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is not known, and previous studies of family history in MI have not made a distinction between MINOCA and MI due to coronary artery disease (MI-CAD) based on angiographic findings. Purpose To investigate family history of MI with and without obstructive coronary arteries in patients with a working diagnosis of MINOCA. Methods A nationwide register-based case-control study of 15 462 MINOCA cases and 38 220 controls without MI with a non-obstructive coronary angiography due to chest pain, together with 204 424 MI-CAD cases, defined as MI with obstructive coronary arteries with a degree of stenosis &amp;gt;50%, between the years 1995-2020. Data from the Swedish coronary angiography and angioplasty register with information about angiographic findings was merged with information on first-degree relatives from the Swedish multi-generation register. Odds ratio (OR) was calculated with a 95% confidence interval (CI), to analyze the probability of MINOCA patients having first-degree relatives with 1) MINOCA, 2) MI-CAD, and 3) MI-CAD patients having first-degree relatives with MI-CAD. Logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and smoking status. Results A total of 161 MINOCA patients (1%) had ≥1 first-degree relative with MINOCA and the probability of having a positive family history of MINOCA did not differ compared to controls, with age and sex adjusted OR 1.08 (95% CI 0.89-1.31) and when adjusting for all covariates 1.08 (95% CI 0.87-1.34). Conversely, 1436 MINOCA patients (9%) had ≥1 first-degree relative with MI-CAD and the probability of having a positive family history of MI-CAD was higher compared to controls with age and sex adjusted OR 1.12 (95% CI 1.05-1.20) and when adjusting for all covariates OR 1.16 (95% CI 1.04-1.20). The sensitivity analysis showed that 24 972 MI-CAD (9%) patients had a positive family history of MI-CAD compared to controls, OR adjusted for age and sex 1.68 (95% CI 1.61-1.75), and OR adjusted for all covariates 1.68 (95% CI 1.60-1.75). Conclusions In this first study that examines family history of MINOCA, including data from over 250 000 coronary angiograms, a positive family history of MI-CAD was more common among patients with a working diagnosis of MINOCA compared to controls without MI and with non-obstructive coronary arteries. A family history of MINOCA was uncommon and was not associated with MINOCA. These results indicate that genetic factors and shared environmental factors within a family leading to CAD are important also for MINOCA, thus MI-CAD and MINOCA share underlying mechanisms.

Abstract 18964: Long-Term Prognostication of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Based on the Discordance Between Coronary Artery Calcium Area and Density

Introduction and Hypothesis: Coronary artery calcium scoring is used to quantify the burden of atherosclerotic plaque in coronary arteries in patients with coronary artery disease. It is measured as a product of two variables: plaque area and density. Our study sought to evaluate the long-term prognosis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) based on the discordance between these two variables. Methods: 1750 patients with a CAC score greater than 0 were enrolled in this retrospective, multicenter study. Agatston CAC score was used to quantify a lesion as the product of plaque area and a 4-level categorical peak calcium density factor. COX proportional hazards were performed for atherosclerotic CVD mortality over a median period of 5.2 years while adjusting the Agatston CAC score and other classic risk factors. Results: The mean age was 61.2 years, and 19% were female. The prevalence of plaque discordance was 23% (12% high calcium area/low calcium density, 11% low calcium area/high calcium density). Compared to those with low calcium area/low calcium density, patients with low calcium area/high calcium density had a 65% lower risk of ASCVD death (HR: 0.27 [95% CI: 0.08-0.95]). Female sex ([95% CI: 1.25-1.76]) and body mass index ([95% CI: 1.16-1.32], per 5 kg/m2 higher) were significantly associated with high calcium density discordance. Conclusions: Our study concluded that high calcium density relative to plaque area confers lower long-term ASCVD risk, likely as an imaging marker for lesion severity. Additional studies are needed to define a robust definition of calcium area/density discordance for real-life clinical risk prediction.

Abstract 18320: Vessel-Specific Coronary Inflammation Quantified Using Perivascular Fat Attenuation Index Score on CCTA Detects the Vulnerable Coronary Artery and Predicts Acute Plaque Events

Background: Coronary artery inflammation can be detected non-invasively on routinely performed coronary computed tomography angiograms (CCTA) by measuring the 3D changes of perivascular adipose tissue attenuation. Fat attenuation index (FAI) Score is the corrected metric of coronary inflammation measured in any of the 3 coronary arteries, and predicts acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Although FAI score is able to detect the vulnerable patient, it is unclear whether it can be used to detect the vulnerable artery in advance of an acute event. Aim: To evaluate the ability of FAI Score to detect the vulnerable coronary artery in patients undergoing CCTA for investigation of chest pain. Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 3,393, mean age 61±15, 57% male) from two UK hospitals in the Oxford Risk Factors and Non Invasive Imaging (ORFAN) study underwent CCTA between 2010-2018 for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), and were followed up prospectively for a median of 7.7 years. AMI events were recorded via nationwide screening and the culprit vessel was identified based on the target lesion in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). FAI score was generated with CaRi-Heart® device. Results: A total of 296 AMI events occurred during the follow up period and 176 patients underwent PCI (59 attributed to the right coronary artery (RCA), and 93 to left anterior descending artery (LAD)). Patients with high FAI score in the LAD had 2 times higher risk for AMI in the LAD (Fig. A), but not in the RCA (HR 1.73 95% CI 0.96-3.08, p=0.07). Similarly, patients with high FAI score in the RCA had 1.9 times higher risk for AMI in the RCA (Fig. B), and modestly elevated risk for an AMI from the LAD. (HR 1.62, 95% CI 1.02-2.59, p=0.04) Conclusion: Vessel-specific FAI score predicts AMI caused by a culprit lesion in the corresponding coronary artery. The ability of FAI score to identify the vulnerable artery before it gives a plaque rupture event may be useful in planning targeted therapeutic interventions.

Improving vasculoprotective effects of MSCs in coronary microvessels - benefits of 3D culture, sub-populations and heparin.

Opening occluded coronary arteries in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) damages the delicate coronary microvessels through a process called myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Although mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have the potential to limit this injury, clinical success remains limited. This may be due to (i) poor MSC homing to the heart (ii) infused MSCs, even if derived from the same site, being a heterogeneous population with varying therapeutic efficacy and (iii) conventional 2D culture of MSCs decreasing their homing and beneficial properties. This study investigated whether 3D culture of two distinctly different bone marrow (BM)-derived MSC sub-populations could improve their homing and coronary vasculoprotective efficacy. Intravital imaging of the anaesthetised mouse beating heart was used to investigate the trafficking and microvascular protective effects of two clonally-derived BM-derived MSC lines, namely CD317neg MSCs-Y201 and CD317pos MSCs-Y202, cultured using conventional monolayer and 3D hanging drop methods. 3D culture consistently improved the adhesive behaviour of MSCs-Y201 to various substrates in vitro. However, it was their differential ability to reduce neutrophil events within the coronary capillaries and improve ventricular perfusion in vivo that was most remarkable. Moreover, dual therapy combined with heparin further improved the vasculoprotection afforded by 3D cultured MSCs-Y201 by also modifying platelet as well as neutrophil recruitment, which subsequently led to the greatest salvage of viable myocardium. Therapeutic benefit could mechanistically be explained by reductions in coronary endothelial oxidative stress and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)/vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression. However, since this was noted by both 2D and 3D cultured MSCs-Y201, therapeutic benefit is likely explained by the fact that 3D cultured MSCs-Y201 were the most potent sub-population at reducing serum levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines. This novel study highlights the importance of not only 3D culture, but also of a specific CD317neg MSC sub-population, as being critical to realising their full coronary vasculoprotective potential in the injured heart. Since the smallest coronary blood vessels are increasingly recognised as a primary target of reperfusion injury, therapeutic interventions must be able to protect these delicate structures from inflammatory cells and maintain perfusion in the heart. We propose that relatively feasible technical modifications in a specific BM-derived MSC sub-population could achieve this.

Capabilities of the Treadmill Test in Modern Cardiological Practice

Many publications in recent years have been dedicated to the search for the best preliminary method of diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD), where the availability of technology and staff experience are the determining factors. According to the National Cardiovascular Data Registry of the American College of Cardiology, 58.4% of patients referred for coronary angiography after functional testing do not have significant coronary artery stenoses. European guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with chronic coronary syndrome recommend the use of imaging diagnostic tests instead of exercise electrocardiography for the diagnosis of obstructive CAD.&#x0D; The aim. To analyze the capabilities of the exercise electrocardiography test for patients in modern cardiological practice.&#x0D; Materials and methods. A treadmill test was performed on 406 patients, among whom 317 (78.07%) were men, 89 (21.9%) were women, the mean age was 44.7±17.3 years. The test was carried out according to the Bruce protocol on the Valiant Ergometric Treadmill.&#x0D; Results. The patients were divided into groups depending on the area of diagnostic search: verification of CAD in cardiac pain (n=184); evaluation of the long-term results of cardiac surgery (n=74); visualization of myocardial ischemia in borderline stenoses of coronary arteries (n=4); screening in the presence of additional CAD risk factors (n=49); in the case of heart rhythm disorders in order to decide on further treatment tactics and evaluation of the effectiveness of the antiarrhythmic treatment (n=34); evaluation of the coronary artery in patients with congenital heart defects (n=7); determination of tolerance to physical exertion (n=54). Among the examined patients, there were 48 (11.8%) with positive, 246 (60.5%) with negative, and 112 (27.5%) with doubtful treadmill test. Among 48 patients with a positive treadmill test, myocardial revascularization was performed in 41 (85.4%) cases.&#x0D; Conclusions. Exercise electrocardiography is an affordable tool for diagnostic research which, with its high-quality performance and interpretation, can be an alternative to modern imaging techniques.

The problem of inpatient thrombosis of coronary arteries in patients with COVID-19 on the background of intensive antithrombotic therapy

Myocardial infarction claims million lives on the planet each year. Pharmacotherapy in combination with percutaneous coronary interventions have significantly reduced morbidity and mortality in this cohort. Despite optimal therapy and prophylaxis, there is a group of patients with recurrent, often fatal, coronary thromboses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some patients developed episodes of thrombosis in blood vessels of various organs, including brain, heart or lungs, even on therapeutic anticoagulation. The patient was admitted to the department of cardiology and reperfusion therapy, with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 resulted in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Patient underwent urgent coronary angiography with thromboaspiration and stenting of the infarct-dependent right coronary artery followed by optimal medical treatment with the use of triple antithrombotic therapy. His condition became stable with the resolution of ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram. A few days later, the condition of the patient deteriorated again with recurrent of chest pain and a new ST segment elevation. Repeated coronary angiography revealed recurrent thrombosis in the right coronary artery. The mechanisms of thrombosis in COVID-19 are not fully understood. Among possible, the direct effect of the virus on tissues, activation of pro-inflammatory system and coagulation system, impaired vasodilation, and decreased fibrinolytic activity are discussed. These mechanisms may lead to vascular thrombosis in different organs, particularly heart, lungs, and brain.