Coronary Territory Research Articles

Incomplete Revascularization After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Operations Is Independently Associated With Worse Long-Term Survival

Complete revascularization (CR) has been suggested to provide benefits to both early and long-term outcomes, but the magnitude of the benefit and frequency of incomplete revascularization (IR) after coronary artery bypass graft operations is rarely explored and is the subject of the present study. All patients who underwent isolated bypass operations (March 1995 to September 2007) at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center (Halifax, NS, Canada) were identified. Revascularization was considered complete if each significantly diseased territory received at least 1 graft. Clinical characteristics of the CR and IR groups were examined to determine barriers of CR. A nonparsimonious Cox proportion model and survival curves were constructed to examine the association of CR and death after adjusting for clinically relevant covariates. A total of 8,570 patients underwent isolated nonredo bypass operations. IR, based on our strict definition, occurred in 19% of the patients. The territories most commonly affected were the right coronary and circumflex coronary territories. After adjustment for relevant clinical differences, IR was a significant independent predictor of long-term mortality (hazard ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 1.3). IR was also a significant independent predictor of hospital readmission for cardiac reasons after discharge (hazard ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 1.3). Despite advances in surgical revascularization, IR can occur in up to 19% of patients. IR significantly affects long-term death and readmission to hospital for cardiac reasons, and avoiding IR should therefore be a priority for surgeons during preoperative planning.

Prognostic Value of Coronary CTA in Coronary Bypass Patients: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study

The goal of this study was to determine the long-term prognostic value of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) in a large coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) population. Coronary CTA has shown prognostic utility in patients without previous revascularization. However, prognostication with coronary CTA in CABG patients has not been fully assessed. Between March 2005 and April 2009, 887 consecutive CABG patients (mean age 66.8 ± 8.4 years) were considered for the inclusion in the study. Patients were classified by the number of unprotected coronary territories (UCTs) and a summary of native vessel disease and graft patency: the coronary artery protection score (CAPS). A primary endpoint (cardiovascular [CV] death, nonfatal myocardial infarction [MI]) and a secondary combined adverse events endpoint (CV death, MI, unstable angina, and late revascularizations) were recorded. Among the 887 evaluated, 166 did not meet the inclusion criteria. The final study population consisted of 721 subjects. Ten patients were excluded for unevaluable coronary CTA images. Of the remaining 711 patients, follow-up (mean 73.5 ± 14 months) was obtained in 698. Three hundred forty-seven events were recorded. By univariable analysis, the strongest coronary CTA predictors of events were UCT 2 and 3 (hazard ratio [HR] for CV death/MI: 7.5 and 10.19, p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0003, respectively) and CAPS 4 (HR for CV death/MI: 24.1, p < 0.0001). A high number of UCTs was also a strong multivariable independent predictor of CV death/MI (HR: 7.78 and 10.18 for UCT 2 and 3, p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0007, respectively). Cumulative survival rates for CV death/MI and composite adverse CV events were 86% and 73% with UCT 0, 84% and 49% with UCT 1, 53% and 3% with UCT 2, and 29% and 0% with UCT 3, respectively. Coronary CTA appears to be a promising tool for long-term risk stratification of CABG patients. The UCT score has significant prognostic value to predict CV deaths/MI.

79 Diagnostic Accuracy of Myocardial Fractional Flow Reserve for Reversible Perfusion Abnormalities in Patients with Recent Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BackgroundMyocardial fractional flow reserve (FFR) has uncertain validity in patients with recent myocardial infarction and the use of FFR in this setting is controversial. We performed a prospective study to...

145 Stress Echocardiography Demonstrates Excellent Feasibility, Safety and Diagnostic Accuracy in Patients with Significant Obesity: First Results from the Stress Ultrasonography in Morbid Obesity (SUMO) Study

BackgroundSignificant obesity is an increasing global health problem. Obese individuals often have a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia. Thus, symptomatic patients often have a...

Fragmented ECG as a Risk Marker in Cardiovascular Diseases

Various noninvasive tests for risk stratification of sudden cardiac death (SCD) were studied, mostly in the context of structural heart disease such as coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiomyopathy and heart failure but have low positive predictive value for SCD. Fragmented QRS complexes (fQRS) on a 12-lead ECG is a marker of depolarization abnormality. fQRS include presence of various morphologies of the QRS wave with or without a Q wave and includes the presence of an additional R wave (R’) or notching in the nadir of the R’ (fragmentation) in two contiguous leads, corresponding to a major coronary artery territory. fQRS represents conduction delay from inhomogeneous activation of the ventricles due to myocardial scar. It has a high predictive value for myocardial scar and mortality in patients CAD. fQRS also predicts arrhythmic events and mortality in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator. It also signifies poor prognosis in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and Brugada syndrome. However, fQRS is a nonspecific finding and its diagnostic prognostic should only be interpreted in the presence of pertinent clinical evidence and type of myocardial involvement (structural vs. structurally normal heart).

Magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion imaging in the diagnosis of functionally significant obstructive coronary artery disease: a systematic review protocol.

BackgroundCardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) myocardial perfusion imaging has been suggested as a non-invasive alternative to pressure wire guided fractional flow reserve (FFR) in detecting haemodynamically significant obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). The objective of this systematic review is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of CMR and to compare it to FFR.Methods/designA systematic review of diagnostic test accuracy of CMR and FFR will be conducted. Relevant English-language articles published before November 2013 in Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, Google scholar, Scopus and Cochrane databases will be identified. Relevant referenced articles from those selected will also be analysed. Articles describing diagnostic studies that compared CMR to FFR in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease will be included. Two investigators will independently screen, assess quality and extract data from the selected articles. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) tool will be used to assess methodological quality. STATA 13 (the xtmelogit command) software will be used to calculate bivariate random effects models and estimate pooled sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence intervals. Forests plots and summary receiver operating characteristics curves will also be generated. Sub-group pooled analyses using image quality of CMR (in terms of magnetic flux density - Tesla) and basis of analyses (coronary arterial territory vs. patients basis) at different FFR cutoffs (≤0.75 and ≤0.8) will also be performed.DiscussionThis systematic review will help to determine if CMR is an adequate alternative to FFR in the diagnosis of significant and obstructive CAD. We will also be able to assess diagnostic accuracy of specific types of CMR scan at different FFR cutoffs.Systematic review registrationThis systematic review had been registered at PROSPERO and the registration number is CRD42013006180.

Experimental evaluation of efficacy and healing response of everolimus-eluting stents in the familial hypercholesterolemic swine model

The utility of animal models for the prediction of drug-eluting stent (DES) efficacy in human clinical trials is still unclear. The familial hypercholesterolemic swine (FHS) model has been shown to induce a human-like neointimal response to bare metal stent (BMS) implantation. However, its utility to discriminate efficacy signals following DES implantation is unknown. In this study, we aimed to test the efficacy and healing response of several everolimus-eluting stent (EES) platforms in the coronary territory of the FHS. A total of 19 EES platforms (SYNERGY=6, SYNERGY½-dose=7, and PROMUS Element=6) and an identical BMS control (Element=6) were implanted into the coronary arteries of nine FHS. All implants were performed under intravascular ultrasound guidance using a 1.2 : 1 overstretch ratio. At 30 days, the vascular response to the implant was evaluated by quantitative coronary angiography, optical coherence tomography, and histology. At 28 days, all EES platforms showed a significant decrease in angiographic late lumen loss (between 27 and 37%) compared with the BMS control group. This finding was confirmed both by optical coherence tomography (mean neointimal thickness=28-42% reduction) and by histology (mean neointimal thickness=44-55% reduction). All EES platforms showed similar degrees of neointimal inhibition. The presence of moderate to severe para-strut inflammation was observed in 83% of the stent sections in the BMS group compared with 28.6% in the SYNERGY½-dose group and 0% in the SYNERGY and PROMUS groups (P=0.0002). There was a 68-95% reduction in MMP9 expression in the media in all EES platforms compared with the BMS controls. The presence of mild to moderate para-strut fibrin deposits ranged from 66.7 to 83.4% in all EES platforms compared with 16.7% in the EBMS group. The FHS coronary injury model showed the efficacy of several EES platforms compared with an identical BMS control. Everolimus eluted from different polymeric platforms showed lower levels of inflammation and slightly higher fibrin deposits compared with BMS controls.

The Feasibility and Clinical Utility of Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography in Clinical Practice: Results from the Incorporation of Myocardial Perfusion Assessment into Clinical Testing with Stress Echocardiography Study

This prospective study investigated whether the incorporation of myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) into a clinical stress echocardiography service reproduces the benefits of assessing myocardial perfusion proved previously in research studies. MCE was performed during physiologic and pharmacologic clinical stress echocardiographic studies, and the value of myocardial perfusion to the reporting echocardiologists was categorized as of benefit (subclassified as incremental benefit over wall motion [WM] or greater confidence with WM) or of no added benefit. The presence and extent of inducible ischemia by WM and myocardial perfusion were documented and correlated with angiographic results in patients who underwent cardiac catheterization. In total, 220 patients underwent simultaneous MCE during stress echocardiography by eight different operators. Overall, MCE was of benefit in 193 patients (88%), providing incremental benefit over WM in 25% and greater confidence with WM evaluation in 62%. MCE provided no added benefit in 27 patients (12%). MCE detected significantly more cases of ischemia than WM in the left anterior descending coronary artery territory (65% vs 53%, P = .02) and detected a greater ischemic burden than WM on a per patient basis (median, 5 [interquartile range, 3-8] vs 4 [interquartile range, 2-7] segments; P < .001) and across all coronary territories. MCE correctly identified a greater proportion of patients with multivessel disease than WM (76% vs 56%, P = .02) and a greater ischemic burden in patients with multivessel disease (median, 7 [interquartile range, 4-9] vs 5 [interquartile range, 1-8] segments; P < .001). This prospective study is the first to demonstrate that the excellent feasibility and diagnostic utility of MCE, which have been documented in the research arena, are reproducible in the clinical arena.

Perioperative Assessment of Myocardial Deformation

Evaluation of left ventricular performance improves risk assessment and guides anesthetic decisions. However, the most common echocardiographic measure of myocardial function, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), has important limitations. LVEF is limited by subjective interpretation that reduces accuracy and reproducibility, and LVEF assesses global function without characterizing regional myocardial abnormalities. An alternative objective echocardiographic measure of myocardial function is thus needed. Myocardial deformation analysis, which performs quantitative assessment of global and regional myocardial function, may be useful for perioperative care of surgical patients. Myocardial deformation analysis evaluates left ventricular mechanics by quantifying strain and strain rate. Strain describes percent change in myocardial length in the longitudinal (from base to apex) and circumferential (encircling the short-axis of the ventricle) direction and change in thickness in the radial direction. Segmental strain describes regional myocardial function. Strain is a negative number when the ventricle shortens longitudinally or circumferentially and is positive with radial thickening. Reference values for normal longitudinal strain from a recent meta-analysis by using transthoracic echocardiography are (mean ± SD) -19.7% ± 0.4%, while radial and circumferential strain are 47.3% ± 1.9% and -23.3% ± 0.7%, respectively. The speed of myocardial deformation is also important and is characterized by strain rate. Longitudinal systolic strain rate in healthy subjects averages -1.10 ± 0.16 s. Assessment of myocardial deformation requires consideration of both strain (change in deformation), which correlates with LVEF, and strain rate (speed of deformation), which correlates with rate of rise of left ventricular pressure (dP/dt). Myocardial deformation analysis also evaluates ventricular relaxation, twist, and untwist, providing new and noninvasive methods to assess components of myocardial systolic and diastolic function. Myocardial deformation analysis is based on either Doppler or a non-Doppler technique, called speckle-tracking echocardiography. Myocardial deformation analysis provides quantitative measures of global and regional myocardial function for use in the perioperative care of the surgical patient. For example, coronary graft occlusion after coronary artery bypass grafting is detected by an acute reduction in strain in the affected coronary artery territory. In addition, assessment of left ventricular mechanics detects underlying myocardial pathology before abnormalities become apparent on conventional echocardiography. Certainly, patients with aortic regurgitation demonstrate reduced longitudinal strain before reduction in LVEF occurs, which allows detection of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction and predicts increased risk for heart failure and impaired myocardial function after surgical repair. In this review, we describe the principles, techniques, and clinical application of myocardial deformation analysis.

A rare image of myocardial bridging in right coronary artery territory

A rare image of myocardial bridging in right coronary artery territory

Direct Comparison of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography for Detection of Coronary Artery Disease: A Meta-Analysis

ObjectiveTo use direct comparative studies or randomised controlled trials to compare the accuracy of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for the detection of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).Materials and MethodsVarious databases were searched for original articles published prior to June 2013. Studies were selected that performed both CMR and SPECT in the same or randomised patients to detect CAD and that presented sufficient data to allow construction of contingency tables. For each study, the true-positive, false-positive, true-negative, and false-negative values were extracted or derived, and 2×2 contingency tables were constructed. To reduce heterogeneity, the meta-analysis was carried out in two parts: (1) coronary territory-based analysis and (2) patient-based analysis.Results10 studies (5 studies based on patient, 4 studies based on coronary territory, and 1 study based on both) were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 1727 patients. The methodological quality was moderate. For part (1), the summary estimates were as follows: for CMR based on patient–a sensitivity of 0.79 (95% confidence interval: 0.72–0.84) and a specificity of 0.75 (0.65–0.83); for SPECT based on patient–a sensitivity of 0.70 (0.59–0.79) and a specificity of 0.76 (0.66–0.83). For part (2), the summary estimates for CMR based on coronary territory were a sensitivity of 0.80 (0.73–0.85) and a specificity of 0.87 (0.81–0.91), and the summary estimates for SPECT based on coronary territory were a sensitivity of 0.67 (0.60–0.72) and a specificity of 0.80 (0.75–0.84).ConclusionsCompared with SPECT, CMR is more sensitive to detect CAD on a per-patient basis. Nonetheless, large scale, well-designed trials are necessary to assess its clinical value on a per-coronary territory basis.

Novel attenuation correction of SPECT images using scatter photopeak window data for the detection of coronary artery disease

BackgroundAttenuation correction using segmentation with scatter and photopeak window data (SSPAC) may enable evaluation of the attenuation map in a patient-specific manner without the need for additional radiation exposure and more acquisition time. We examined the feasibility of SSPAC and compared the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of this new correction method with that of conventional non-corrected myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) among patients with suspected or diagnosed coronary artery disease. Methods and ResultsOne hundred sixty-one patients who underwent both 99mTc-tetrofosmin stress/rest SPECT examination and invasive coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. Data from the SSPAC-corrected and non-corrected methods were analyzed quantitatively using summed stress scores. Attenuation maps were obtained successfully for 150 (93%) of the patients. The SSPAC-corrected and non-corrected methods accurately predicted coronary artery disease defined as >50% luminal stenosis verified by coronary artery angiography and/or prior myocardial infarction, for 91% and 77% patients, respectively (P < .05). For diagnosis of coronary artery disease, SSPAC improved sensitivity in the left anterior descending artery territory and specificity in the right coronary artery territory. ConclusionsAttenuation correction with SSPAC may be a feasible method of correction for myocardial perfusion SPECT and in some cases may provide better accuracy for diagnosing coronary artery disease.

Feasibility, safety and accuracy of regadenoson–atropine (REGAT) stress echocardiography for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease: an angiographic correlative study

Regadenoson (REG), a selective A2A receptor vasodilator, has not been widely evaluated in stress echocardiography (SE). We report results of 45 patients participating in REG + atropine (REGAT) SE protocol conducted in a single-center prospective trial. The REGAT study enrolled subjects before a clinically indicated cardiac catheterization for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). After rest imaging, a 2 mg Atropine (AT) bolus followed by 400 mcg of REG was given. Standard stress imaging views were obtained and interpreted in blinded fashion. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were calculated using cardiac catheterization >70 % stenosis as gold standard. Additional endpoints included major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and patient questionnaire responses. The mean duration of REGAT was 18 ± 7.2 min. There were no MACE, with only transient side-effects of dry mouth, shortness of breath, and headache. The incidence of significant CAD was 51.1 %. The sensitivity and specificity for significant stenosis was 60.9 and 86.4 %, with a PPV and NPV of 82.4 and 67.9 %. By coronary territories, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were: left anterior descending artery 58.8, 92.9, 83.3, and 78.8 %; left circumflex artery 6.7, 93.3, 33.3, and 67.7 %; and right coronary artery 16.7, 93.9, 50, and 75.6 %. Over 90 % of subjects reported feeling comfortable, with 83 % preferring REGAT as a future stress modality. The REGAT protocol is fast, safe, and well-tolerated with good specificity for CAD detection, but its low sensitivity and NPV precludes it from being an imaging modality for routine use.

The presence of fragmented QRS on 12-lead ECG in patients with coronary slow flow

Coronary slow flow (CSF) is characterised by delayed opacification of coronary arteries in the absence of epicardial occlusive disease. It has been reported that CSF may cause angina, myocardial ischaemia, and infarction. Fragmentation of QRS complex (fQRS) is an easily evaluated non-invasive electrocardiographic parameter. It has been associated with alternation of myocardial activation due to myocardial scar and/or ischaemia. Whether CSF is associated with fQRS is unknown. The presence of fQRS on ECG may be an indicator of myocardial damage in patients with CSF. To investigate the presence of fQRS in patients with CSF. Sixty patients (mean age 55.5 ± 10.5 years) with CSF and 44 patients with normal coronary arteries without associated CSF (mean age 53 ± 8.4 years) were included in this study. The fQRS was defined as the presence of an additional R wave or notching of R or S wave or the presence of fragmentation in two contiguous leads corresponding to a major coronary artery territory. The presence of fQRS was higher in the CSF group than in the controls (p = 0.005). Hypertension was significantly more common in the CSF group (p < 0.001). There was no significant association between the presence of fQRS and an increasing number of vessel involvements. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the presence of CSF was the independent determinant of fQRS (OR = 10.848; 95% CI 2.385-49.347; p = 0.002). Fragmented QRS, indicating increased risk for arrhythmias and cardiovascular mortality, was found to be significantly higher in patients with CSF. We have not found an association between the presence of fragmented QRS and the degree of CSF. Further prospective studies are needed to establish the significance as a possible new risk factor in patients with CSF.

Assessment of Radial Artery Graft Patency in Symptomatic Patients

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the patency of radial artery (RA) grafts consistent with the target vessel characteristics. Between October 2001 and January 2012, 83 symptomatic patients or patients with positive ischemic test results underwent coronary angiography following coronary artery bypass grafting. Of these, 68 patients with 81 RA grafts at a mean 49.2 ± 31.9 months (range, 1-137 months) were evaluated. According to the location and degree of proximal stenosis, 5-year graft patency was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The relationships between RA graft patency and degree of proximal stenosis, target vessel location, and inflow characteristics of grafts were assessed by means of Cox proportional hazard models. Mean age of the patients was 56.4 ± 10.2 years. The period between the operation and postoperative coronary angiography was 49.2 ± 31.9 months (range, 1-137 months; median, 48.8 months). There was no impact on RA patency with regard to preoperative characteristics of the patients. RA patency was higher for left coronary system compared with right system (p = 0.038; 85.5 vs. 65.4%). In addition, patency rate was statistically higher for the proximal stenosis ≥ 90% (odds ratio, 3.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-11.07; p = 0.018). Kaplan-Meier patency analysis showed a patency of RA as 79.2% at 5 years. RA graft patency differs with degree of preoperative native coronary artery stenosis and location of target vessel. RA grafts to not severely stenosed (< 90%) coronary system and to the right coronary territory carry a remarkably high risk of graft failure.

Study of Risk Factors Associated with Peripheral Arteriopathy in Japanese-Brazilians from Bauru (SP)

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in developed and emerging countries. Their main etiology, atherosclerosis, is a disseminated disease that affects the coronary, cerebral and peripheral territories. The peripheral arterial disease (PAD), as well as its consequences, indicates the involvement of the coronary territory. Therefore, its better understanding enables proper treatment, delaying local and long-term complications, reducing the cost to the health system. Objective This study estimates the percentage of PAD in Japanese-Brazilians from Bauru (SP), recognized by the high prevalence of metabolic disorders such as hypertension (43%), diabetes mellitus (33%) and hypercholesterolemia (60%), and examines the association with risk biomarkers. MethodsThis cross-sectional population study evaluated 1,330 Japanese-Brazilians of both genders aged ≥ 30 who underwent a complete physical examination, anthropometric measurements, laboratory tests and ankle-brachial index (ABI). Participants with ABI ≤ 0.90 were diagnosed as having PAD. After applying the exclusion criteria, 1,038 individuals were part of the analysis. We used Poisson regression to analyze associations with PAD. Results The mean age was 56.8 years and the percentage of PAD was 21.1%, equal among the genders. PAD was associated with smoking (PR 2.16 [1.33 to 3.48]) and hypertension (PR 1.56 [1.12-2.22]). ConclusionThe percentage of PAD in Japanese-Brazilians was similar to other populations of adverse cardiometabolic profile (US PARTNERS and POPADAD). The independent association of PAD with smoking and hypertension, but not with other classical risk factors, may depend on the very high frequencies of metabolic disorders in this population.

Registration of coronary MRA to DCE-MRI myocardial perfusion series improves diagnostic accuracy through the computation of patient-specific coronary supply territories: a CE-MARC sub-study

Background It is generally acknowledged that the 17-segment AHA model provides a suitable approximation for mapping the results of X-ray angiography onto myocardial anatomy in a consistent way in the absence of a more exact method. In practice, coronary anatomy varies from patient to patient which is acknowledged as the main limitation of the AHA model. The aim of this study was to establish whether the generation of a patient-specific coronary artery to perfusion segment map improved diagnosis of myocardial ischaemia.

Relationship between presence of fragmented QRS on 12-lead electrocardiogram on admission and long-term mortality in patients with non-ST elevated myocardial infarction

Fragmented QRS (fQRS) as a predictor of cardiac events in coronary artery disease has previously been reported. In this study, we hypothesized that presence of fQRS on a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) on admission would be predictive of adverse outcomes in non-ST elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). A total of 149 NSTEMI patients (112 male, 37 female) were retrospectively analyzed. The fQRS pattern was defined as the presence of an additional R', notching in the nadir of the S wave, fragmentation of the RS or QS complexes in 2 contiguous leads corresponding to a major coronary artery territory. The relationship between presence of fQRS on admission on a 12-lead ECG, and primary end points [cardiovascular death (CVD)] and secondary end points (re-infarction, repeat target vessel revascularization [percutaneous/surgical]) were assessed. The median follow-up time was 18 (13-24) months. Other than age, there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics and laboratory findings for patients in the fQRS and non-fQRS groups. The patients in the fQRS group were older [64 years vs 59 years, p=0.048]. CVD and re-infarction were significantly higher in the fQRS group in the median 18-month follow-up (26.1% vs 8.7%, p=0.005; 23.9% vs 10.7%, p=0.035, respectively). By a multivariate regression analysis in all 149 patients, age ≥65 years and the presence of fQRS in a 12-lead ECG on admission were found to be powerful independent predictors of cardiovascular mortality (HR: 4.91, 95% CI: 1.60-15.03, p=0.005; HR: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.02-7.50, p=0.044, respectively). Presence of fQRS on a 12-lead ECG on admission is associated with increased long-term mortality in patients with NSTEMI.

Ischemia-guided myocardial revascularization: the oculo-ischemic reflex.

In stable coronary artery disease, the indication for revascularization procedures based on the anatomical detection of stenotic coronary lesions, regardless of clinical findings, has been called 'oculostenotic reflex'. That expression was ironically created by Topol E. and Nissen S., and aimed at warning about the fact that not every obstruction has to be approached invasively1. At least from the academic viewpoint, that reflex seems to have been overcome, being currently considered an overtreatment2. However, the belief that the demonstration of myocardial ischemia by use of complementary methods indicates the need for revascularization still persists, and has been called 'oculo-ischemic reflex'. Let us consider an asymptomatic individual, undergoing routine myocardial scintigraphy, which detects ischemia in two coronary artery territories. Based on that result, the patient is submitted to coronary angiography, which identifies 75% stenoses in the middle third of the anterior descending coronary artery and in the proximal third of the right coronary artery. Although the patient is asymptomatic and has good ventricular function, the physician indicates pharmacological stent implantation in both lesions, based on the presence of myocardial ischemia identified in both vascular territories. The hypothesis that revascularization is beneficial in cases like that is grounded in the association between myocardial ischemia presence/extent and worse prognosis, which characterizes ischemia as a risk marker3,4. However, the idea that interfering with a risk marker necessarily ensures clinical benefit is an example of normalization heuristic5. That cognitive error occurs when a physician believes that the mere correction of parameters (ischemia) will necessarily imply a benefit to a patient. In that scenario, the indication of a coronary intervention requires the demonstration of its clinical benefit via studies evidencing interaction between the presence of ischemia and the efficacy of myocardial revascularization. The present study review the scientific evidence that tests the 'oculo-ischemic reflex' by use of interaction analysis in randomized clinical trials. Randomized clinical trials In stable coronary artery disease, randomized clinical trials have shown that myocardial revascularization does not usually prevent major cardiovascular events, such as death and myocardial infarction6-8. What those clinical trials have reported on patients with myocardial ischemia should be assessed. That is, would myocardial revascularization provide an additional benefit regarding the prevention of major cardiovascular events to patients with ischemia?

Intraoperative interfascicular ventricular tachycardia: A rare occurrence

Intraoperative interfascicular ventricular tachycardia: A rare occurrence