Diagnostic Coronary Angiography Research Articles

NSTEMI mortality and hospital outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation: A propensity score-matched analysis

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Data regarding the relationship between coronary artery disease (CAD) and AF is mixed. It is uncertain if AF directly increases the risk for future coronary events and if such patients are appropriately evaluated for CAD. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed on hospitalized patients with NSTEMI and concurrent AF in 2019 using the National Inpatient Sample. In-hospital mortality, rates of diagnostic cardiac angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention, ventricular tachycardiac (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, length of stay (LOS), and total hospitalization charges were studied. ResultsA total of 433,965 patients met inclusion criteria (169,725 females [39.1 %], 307,985 Caucasian [71 %], 51,570 African American [11.8 %], 37,265 Hispanic [8.6 %]; mean [SD] age, 67.9 [6.2] years). 86,200 (19.8 %) patients with NSTEMI had AF, including 32,775 (38 %) female patients before propensity matching. Patients with NSTEMI and AF had increased odds of mortality (adjusted Odds ratio, 1.32; CI, 1.21–1.43; p < 0.001). AF patients were less likely to undergo diagnostic coronary angiography and PCI and had higher odds of VT, VF, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, tracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, increased LOS, and higher hospital charges than those without AF. ConclusionAF was independently associated with increased mortality and serious cardiac complications in patients admitted with NSTEMI.

Coronary Artery Disease in Patient with An Anomalous Origin of Right Coronary Artery

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in developed countries. CAD is a pathological process characterized by the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques in the epicardial arteries, both obstructive and non-obstructive. This study aims to investigate rare cases of anomalous right coronary artery arising from the left main coronary artery and its clinical implications for coronary artery disease (CAD). The research methodology involved clinical examinations, echocardiography, diagnostic coronary angiography, and computed tomography angiography (CCTA) to obtain a comprehensive understanding of this case. The research findings indicate severe stenosis in the proximal-mid left main coronary artery (LAD) and an anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (RCA) leading to lower-level stenosis. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the proximal-mid LAD lesion resulted in significant improvement in the patient's condition. The implications of this research underscore the importance of a deep understanding of coronary artery anatomical variations for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of CAD patients, especially in rare cases like this.

Early unfractionated heparin treatment in patients with STEMI – trial design and rationale

The early unfractionated heparin (UFH) treatment in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial. The study population are patients with STEMI that undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). The trial was designed to investigate whether early administration of unfractionated heparin immediately after diagnosis of STEMI is beneficial in terms of patency of infarct-related coronary artery (IRA) when compared to established UFH administration at the time of coronary intervention. The patients will be randomized in 1:1 fashion in one of the two groups. The primary efficacy endpoint of the study is Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades 2 and 3 on diagnostic coronary angiography. Secondary outcome measures are: TIMI flow after PPCI, progression to cardiogenic shock, 30-day mortality, ST-segment resolution, highest Troponin I and Troponin I values at 24 hours. The safety outcome is bleeding complications. The study of early heparin administration in patients with STEMI will address whether pretreatment with UFH can increase the rate of spontaneous reperfusion of infarct-related coronary artery.

Should the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) be imaged before radiotherapy in cases of unexpected early acute coronary syndrome?

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Case A 41-year-old male patient presented to the cardiology outpatient clinic with a complaint of exertional chest pain persisting for the past 4 months, along with occasional palpitation attacks. In his medical history, aside from being diagnosed with lymphoma 15 years ago, there were no known additional comorbidities. The electrocardiogram (EKG) revealed sinus rhythm (84 beats/minute), and the blood tests showed creatinine: 0.81 mg/dL, WBC: 11.26 mm^3, LYM: 3.69 mm^3. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated an ejection fraction (EF) of 60%, with no additional pathologies except for grade 1 diastolic dysfunction. Considering the presence of typical chest pain, coronary imaging was performed to assess for stable angina. The coronary imaging revealed a lesion extending from the left main coronary artery (LMCA) to the proximal left circumflex artery (CX), with an 80% stenosis in the mid-segment of the LMCA, a 60% stenosis at the narrowest point of the CX proximal segment, and an 80% stenosis in the proximal right coronary artery (RCA). The left circumflex artery obtuse marginal branches (CX OM) appeared thin and extensively diseased (Figure-1) The patient was promptly scheduled for early coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), transferred to the cardiac surgery intensive care unit, and underwent a successful coronary bypass procedure with LAD-LIMA, Ao-saphenous-IM-saphenous-CxOM1 (sequential) grafting. Throughout the postoperative follow-up period, the patient continued to experience exertional chest pain despite medical treatment. A repeat coronary angiography was performed, revealing that the bypass grafts were opened, but a diffuse 80% stenosis was detected at the mid-segment of the LIMA graft, prior to the anastomosis.(Figure-2) Successful stent placement was performed at the narrowest point of the LIMA mid-segment (Figure-3).The patient had no anginal complaints during post-procedure follow-up and has been stable under observation. Discussion Routine clinical practice does not involve LIMA imaging in patients who have undergone diagnostic coronary angiography with multi-vessel involvement and a CABG decision. However, the use of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) may entail a risk of rendering the graft unusable due to extensive mediastinal fibrosis and radiation-induced damage to the left or right mammary artery. Therefore, in patients with a history of radiation exposure in the thoracic region and a CABG decision, the visualization of the intermammary artery during coronary angiography and the consideration of alternative grafts, such as the radiation-free radial artery, or the necessity for high-risk percutaneous stent implantation, should be discussed.figure-1figure-2

Association of testosterone with myocardial infarction and severity of coronary artery disease among male patients

BackgroundCoronary heart disease (CHD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in aging populations. Men typically exhibit higher rates of CHD compared to women, with testosterone levels inversely associated with cardiovascular risk. This study investigates the relationship between testosterone levels and angiographically confirmed CHD, disease severity, and myocardial infarction (MI) among CHD cases. MethodsA cohort of 1724 male patients undergoing diagnostic or interventional coronary angiography was examined. Demographic, clinical, and biochemical data were collected, including serum total testosterone levels. The severity of CHD was assessed using the Gensini score, and MI cases were diagnosed according to World Health Organization criteria. ResultsResults revealed significant differences in testosterone levels among CHD subtypes, particularly between MI and unstable angina/stable angina groups (p < 0.001). Testosterone levels were inversely correlated with CHD severity, as evidenced by the Gensini score (Pearson coefficient = −0.062, P = 0.004). Cross-validation random forest analysis demonstrated the significant contribution of testosterone to CHD severity discrimination (p < 0.05). ConclusionsThere is an association between testosterone and a predisposition to severe CAD indicated by Gensini score and myocardial infarction.

To determine the frequency of triple vessel coronary artery disease in patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome.

Objective: To determine the frequency of triple vessel coronary artery disease in patients less than 40 years of age undergone diagnostic coronary angiography and were admitted with acute coronary syndrome Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Cardiology, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore. Period: 3rd Sep 2018 to 2nd March 2019. Methods: It was consisted of 90 patients Results: Total 90 cases were enrolled in the study. All presented with central or left sided chest pain clinically diagnosed to be having acute coronary syndrome. All patients undergo diagnostic coronary angiography for the first time. 36.7 % of the presenting cases included in the present study were females while 63.3 % were males who had acute coronary syndrome. Average age of patients included in present study was 30.1±5.9 Data was stratified according to age, gender, type of ACS present. Post stratification chi-square test was applied. It showed that 23.29 % patients had triple vessel coronary artery disease whereas 76.71% did not have triple vessel coronary artery disease. Conclusion: TVCAD was observed in 23.29% of patients presented with acute coronary syndrome in patients less than 40 years of age.

A-28 | The Comparison of Using Single Versus Two-Catheter Concept in Diagnostic Trans-Radial Coronary Angiography: A Single-Community Center Experience

A-28 | The Comparison of Using Single Versus Two-Catheter Concept in Diagnostic Trans-Radial Coronary Angiography: A Single-Community Center Experience

Determining the Cause of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders in Patients With Ischemia and Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries: Design and Rationale of the DISCOVER INOCA Prospective, Multicenter Registry

BackgroundApproximately 30% to 50% of patients who are referred for diagnostic coronary angiography are found to have no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Ischemia and nonobstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) is increasingly recognized and encompasses coronary microvascular dysfunction, vasospastic angina, symptomatic myocardial bridging, and other vasomotor disorders. However, the prevalence of these disorders and whether underlying atherosclerotic plaque burden and morphology affect the long-term outcomes of each physiologic phenotype is unknown. MethodsThe DISCOVER INOCA registry is ongoing at 8 centers in the United States and plans to enroll 500 patients with ischemic heart disease referred for angiography undergoing coronary function testing (CFT). All participants will complete patient-reported outcome measures and undergo protocol-guided angiography, acetylcholine provocation, coronary thermodilution, and intravascular imaging. Follow-up assessments occur at 30 days, 6 months, 1 year, and annually for 5 years. The primary short-term end point is the prevalence of INOCA phenotypes based on physiology and the degree of atherosclerosis based on intravascular ultrasound or optical coherence tomography (intravascular imaging). The primary long-term end point is the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events, defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, hospitalization for cardiovascular causes, or coronary revascularization at a follow-up of 5 years. At the time of this publication, 100 participants have been enrolled. ConclusionsDISCOVER INOCA is the first prospective study of INOCA patients to integrate anatomic and physiologic measures of disease and correlate them with long-term outcomes. DISCOVER INOCA will report on the prevalence of INOCA phenotypes, the safety of comprehensive invasive CFT, and the impact of testing on diagnoses and medical therapy. Symptoms and cardiovascular adverse events at long-term follow-up will be determined in patients with no obstructive CAD undergoing angiography.

Reperfusion therapy for ischemic stroke without prior neuroimaging

Clinical guidelines and the order of providing care in acute cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) have been developed for standard clinical situations, primarily for patients admitted to medical institutions in an emergency state. However, there are clinical situations when a generally accepted order of therapeutic and diagnostic measures concerning patients with stroke is unjustified and, on the contrary, its implementation threatens life and health of a patient. These situations include ischemic strokes developing intraoperatively during such endovascular interventions as diagnostic cerebral and coronary angiography and transcutaneous neuro- and cardiovascular surgery. Ischemic cerebral events after diagnostic endovascular procedures are relatively rare complications, but their development can lead to unfavorable consequences. Thus, the rates of transient cerebral circulatory disorders after cerebral angiography, a stroke with a reversible neurological deficit, and an ischemic stroke with a persistent neurological deficit are 2.45 %, 0.3 %, and 1.0 % respectively, while total mortality due to acute cerebrovascular pathology is 0.14 %. The rate of cerebral stroke after coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary interventions is up to 0.4 %. Prevention of neurologic complications in diagnostic and surgical transcutaneous interventions is strongly dependant on their correct technique, rational perioperative antithrombotic therapy, and lesser duration of endovascular operations.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection in a young woman with signs of connective tissue dysplasia and hereditary thrombophilia: clinical case

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a disease that develops unrelated to intracoronary intervention, atherosclerosis, aortic dissection, or mechanical trauma and causes a false lumen (intramural hematoma) in the wall of the coronary artery (CA) with impaired blood flow in it and myocardial ischemia in the affected region of the CA. SCAD most often develops in young and middle-aged adults (aged ≤50 years); among women, it becomes the culprit in 24%–35% of cases of acute myocardial infarction (MI). SCAD is a risk factor for MI, and incorrect interpretation of the angiographic picture and intravascular imaging methods can lead to incorrect tactics of patient behavior.&#x0D; CLINICAL CASE DESCRIPTION: This article presents a clinical case of SCAD leading to the development of MI in a young woman with concomitant connective tissue dysplasia and hereditary thrombophilia. The angiographic disease course resembled focal atherosclerosis, and in the course of invasive management, complications had arisen, confirming the probable genesis of coronary artery obstruction.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: SCAD is a complex disease, with a sudden onset and an ambiguous prognosis. In most cases, SCAD develops in young women in the absence of cardiovascular factors. It is difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms are similar to more common diseases, mainly MI. SCAD can masquerade as focal stenosis on an angiogram, mimicking an atherosclerotic plaque. The «gold standard» for diagnosing SCAD is optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT enables the visualization of the state of all coronary artery walls and elucidates the pathogenetic mechanisms of MI. If performing OCT is impossible after diagnostic coronary angiography in young patients in suspected cases, the likelihood of DST and SCAD risk must be assessed to avoid errors in choosing treatments. The technical accessibility of intracoronary imaging methods reduces the frequency of diagnostic and, consequently, treatment errors.

Intravascular Imaging–Guided Optimization of Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention by Sex

There have been heterogeneous results related to sex differences in prognosis after percutaneous coronary artery intervention (PCI) for complex coronary artery lesions. To evaluate potential differences in outcomes with intravascular imaging-guided PCI of complex coronary artery lesions between women and men. This prespecified substudy evaluates the interaction of sex in the investigator-initiated, open-label, multicenter RENOVATE-COMPLEX-PCI randomized clinical trial, which demonstrated the superiority of intravascular imaging-guided PCI compared with angiography-guided PCI in patients with complex coronary artery lesions. The trial was conducted at 20 sites in Korea. Patients with complex coronary artery lesions undergoing PCI were enrolled between May 2018 and May 2021, and the median (IQR) follow-up period was 2.1 (1.4-3.0) years. Data were analyzed from December 2022 to December 2023. After diagnostic coronary angiography, eligible patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive intravascular imaging-guided PCI or angiography-guided PCI. The choice and timing of the intravascular imaging device were left to the operators' discretion. The primary end point was target vessel failure, defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, or clinically driven target vessel revascularization. Secondary end points included individual components of the primary end point. Of 1639 included patients, 339 (20.7%) were women, and the mean (SD) age was 65.6 (10.2) years. There was no difference in the risk of the primary end point between women and men (9.4% vs 8.3%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.39; 95% CI, 0.89-2.18; P = .15). Intravascular imaging-guided PCI tended to have lower incidence of the primary end point than angiography-guided PCI in both women (5.2% vs 14.5%; adjusted HR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.15-0.78; P = .01) and men (8.3% vs 11.7%; adjusted HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.49-1.05; P = .09) without significant interaction (P for interaction = .86). In patients undergoing complex PCI, compared with angiographic guidance, intravascular imaging guidance was associated with similar reduction in the risk of target vessel failure among women and men. The treatment benefit of intravascular imaging-guided PCI showed no significant interaction between treatment strategy and sex. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03381872.

Culprit Lesion Coronary Intervention Before Complete Angiography in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Rapid reperfusion during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with improved outcomes among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Although attempts at reducing the time from STEMI diagnosis to arrival at the catheterization laboratory have been widely investigated, intraprocedural strategies aimed at reducing the time to reperfusion are lacking. To evaluate the effect of culprit lesion PCI before complete diagnostic coronary angiography (CAG) vs complete CAG followed by culprit lesion PCI on reperfusion times among patients with STEMI. This open-label, prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted between April 1, 2021, and August 31, 2022, among patients admitted to a tertiary center in Jerusalem, Israel, with a diagnosis of STEMI undergoing primary PCI. All patients were followed up for 1 year. Analysis was on an intention-to-treat basis. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to undergo either culprit lesion PCI before complete CAG or complete CAG followed by culprit lesion PCI. A needle-to-balloon time of 10 minutes or less. A total of 216 patients were randomized, with 184 patients (mean [SD] age, 62.9 [12.2] years; 155 men [84.2%]) included in the final intention-to-treat analysis; 90 patients (48.9%) were randomized to undergo culprit lesion PCI before CAG, and 94 (51.1%) were randomized to undergo to CAG followed by PCI. Patients who underwent culprit lesion PCI before complete CAG had a shorter mean (SD) needle-to-balloon time (11.4 [5.9] vs 17.3 [13.3] minutes; P < .001). The primary outcome of a needle-to-balloon time of 10 minutes or less was achieved for 51.1% of patients (46 of 90) who underwent culprit lesion PCI before CAG and for 19.1% of patients (18 of 94) who underwent complete CAG followed by culprit lesion PCI (odds ratio, 4.4 [95% CI, 2.2-9.1]; P < .001). Rates of adverse events were similar between groups. In a subgroup analysis, the effect of culprit lesion PCI before complete CAG on the primary outcome was consistent. There were no differences in rates of in-hospital, 30-day, and 1-year all-cause mortality. In this randomized clinical trial of patients with STEMI, culprit lesion PCI before complete CAG resulted in shorter reperfusion times. Larger trials are needed to validate these results and to evaluate the effect on clinical outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05415085.

Angina and no obstruction on coronary angiography : New approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of vasomotor disorders

Clinical management of patients with angina and no obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) is still challenging. This scenario affects up to 50% of patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography due to suspected coronary artery disease. Many patients report along and debilitating history before adequate diagnostics and management are initiated. This article describes the current recommendations for diagnostic assessments and treatment in patients with ANOCA. Focus is placed on invasive diagnostics in the catheter laboratory, pharmacological/interventional treatment as well as the patient journey. In patients with ANOCA, the current European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines suggest that invasive assessments using acetylcholine and adenosine for the diagnosis of an underlying coronary vasomotor disorder should be considered. Acetylcholine is used to diagnose coronary spasm, whereas adenosine is used in conjunction with awire-based assessment for the measurement of coronary flow reserve and microvascular resistance. The invasive assessments allow the determination of what are referred to as endotypes (coronary spasm, impaired coronary flow reserve, enhanced microvascular resistance or acombination thereof). Establishing adiagnosis is helpful to: (a)initiate targeted treatment to improve quality of life, (b)reassure the patient that acardiac cause is found and (c)to assess individual prognosis. Currently, patients with ANOCA are often not adequately managed. Referral to specialised centres is recommended to prevent long and debilitating patient histories until expertise in diagnosis and treatment becomes more widespread.

Slow flow in ectatic dilated coronary arteries as the cause of sudden cardiac arrest during diagnostic coronary angiography.

Slow flow in ectatic dilated coronary arteries as the cause of sudden cardiac arrest during diagnostic coronary angiography.

Angiographic characteristics of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography at a tertiary hospital in Tanzania

BackgroundCoronary artery disease (CAD) is an important cause of global burden of disease. There is a paucity of data on the burden and risk factors for CAD in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), despite the rising trends in the shared risk factors across regions. The recent introduction of cardiac catheterization laboratory services in SSA could shed light on the burden of CAD in the region. We aimed to assess the angiographic characteristics among patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography (CAG) at a single tertiary care hospital in Tanzania.MethodsThis study was a retrospective chart review. A total of 728 patients ≥ 18 years of age who underwent CAG from January 2020 to December 2022 were recruited into the study. Basic demographic variables, risk factors and clinical characteristics including CAG findings were obtained from the registry. In addition, CAG images were retrieved for assessment of angiographic features. The luminal vessel stenosis was assessed based on eyeballing and the degree of obstruction was agreed by two independent and experienced cardiologists. The coronary stenosis of ≥ 50% was considered significant for obstructive CAD. The study was approved by the local ethics committee.ResultsOf patients who were recruited into the study, 384 (52.23%) were female. The study participants had a mean age of 59.46 ± 10.83 standard deviation (SD) and mean body mass index (BMI) of 31.18 kg/m2. The prevalence of CAD of any degree was estimated at 24.43% (34.18% in male, 15.50% in female), while that of obstructive CAD was 18.27%. Forty six percent of those with obstructive CAD had multiple vessel disease (MVD). Nearly 77% of patients were found to have ≥ 50–70% luminal stenosis and while those with ≥ 70% luminal coronary artery stenosis constituted 56.65%. Right coronary artery (RCA) was the most commonly affected vessel, accounting for 36.84% when any vessel disease or 56% when single vessel disease were considered. Being 65 years or older and comorbidity with type 2 diabetes (T2D) were independent risk factors for developing CAD.ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of obstructive CAD among patients undergoing diagnostic CAG in Tanzania, with male gender preponderance and increasingly higher in older age, often with severe disease. A large, prospective study is needed to provide epidemiological and clinical data for developing a locally-relevant cardio-preventive strategy for CAD intervention in Tanzania.

The Influence of Kinetic Models and Attenuation Correction on Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (CZT SPECT)-Derived Myocardial Blood Flow and Reserve: Correlation with Invasive Angiography Data.

(1) Background: The objective of this study was to determine the optimal post-processing model for dynamic cadmium-zinc-telluride single-photon emission computed tomography (CZT-SPECT). (2) Methods: A total of 235 patients who underwent diagnostic invasive coronary angiography within three months of the SPECT and those who had coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) before SPECT (within 3 months) were enrolled in this study. Each SPECT study was processed to obtain global and regional stress myocardial blood flow (sMBF), rest-MBF (rMBF), myocardial flow reserve (MFR) and flow difference (FD) estimates obtained with 1-tissue-compartment (1TCM) and net retention (NR) modes, both with and without attenuation correction. (3) Results: The use of AC led to significantly higher sMBF, rMBF and DF values obtained by 1TCM compared those values derived by 1TCM with NAC; the lowest values of stress MBF and rest MBF were obtained by 1TCM_NAC. The resting flow, MFR and DF were significantly (p < 0.005) higher in the AC model than in NAC. All quantitative variables were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in NR_NAC than in the 1TC_NAC model. Finally, sMBF, rMBF and FD showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher values by using 1TMC_AC compared to NR_AC. (4) Conclusions: We suggested that 1-compartment and net retention models correctly reflect coronary microcirculation and can be used for clinical practice for evaluating quantitative myocardial perfusion by dynamic SPECT. Attenuation correction is an important step in post-processing dynamic SPECT data, which increases the consistency and diagnostic accuracy of models.

Analysis of the Weekend Effect on Mortality, Diagnostic Coronary Angiography, and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute Myocardial Infarction Across Rural US Hospitals.

Rural hospitals face several unique challenges in delivering healthcare to an underserved population. Achieving time-sensitive goals in a resource-scarce facility is often a difficult task without the right team at hand. Resources are further depleted on the weekends, exposing understaffed hospitals to poorer outcomes. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) mortality depends on timely diagnosis and intervention. It is unknown to what extent resource shortages impact rural hospitals during weekends and how they affect AMI mortality. This cross-sectional study was performed on patients admitted on weekends with AMI using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2019. Patients with type II non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and missing information were excluded. The rates and timing of in-hospital diagnostic coronary angiograms, PCIs (percutaneous coronary interventions), and in-hospital mortality were studied. Regression models were used for data analyses. A total of 161,625 patients met the inclusion criteria (58,690 females (36%), 114,830 Caucasians (71%), 17,910 African American (11%), 13,920 Hispanic (8.6%); mean (SD) age, 66.5 (0.5) years), including 47,665 (29.5%) ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 113,960 (70.5%) NSTEMI. Patients admitted to rural hospitals were less likely to undergo diagnostic coronary angiogram (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 0.69; CI, 0.57-0.83; p<0.001) and PCI (aOR, 0.83; CI, 0.72-0.96; p 0.012). Rural hospitals had lesser odds of early diagnostic angiograms (aOR, 0.79; CI, 0.67-0.95; p<0.05) and PCI (aOR, 0.78; CI, 0.66-0.92; p<0.05) within 24 hours. The mortality difference between rural and urban hospitals was not significant (aOR, 1.08; CI, 0.85-1.4; p 0.52). Diagnostic coronary angiograms and PCI are performed at a lesser rate in rural hospitals during weekends. This trend did not affect rural AMI mortality.

Simultaneous Viability Assessment and Invasive Coronary Angiography Using a Therapeutic CT System in Chronic Myocardial Infarction Patients.

In a preclinical study using a swine myocardial infarction (MI) model, a delayed enhancement (DE)-multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scan was performed using a hybrid system alongside diagnostic invasive coronary angiography (ICA) without the additional use of a contrast agent, and demonstrated an excellent correlation in the infarct area compared with histopathologic specimens. In the present investigation, we evaluated the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of a myocardial viability assessment by DE-MDCT using a hybrid system comprising ICA and MDCT alongside diagnostic ICA without the additional use of a contrast agent. We prospectively enrolled 13 patients (median age: 67 years) with a previous MI (>6 months) scheduled to undergo ICA. All patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging before diagnostic ICA. MDCT viability scans were performed concurrently with diagnostic ICA without the use of additional contrast. The total myocardial scar volume per patient and average transmurality per myocardial segment measured by DE-MDCT were compared with those from DE-CMR. The DE volume measured by MDCT showed an excellent correlation with the volume measured by CMR (r=0.986, p<0.0001). The transmurality per segment by MDCT was well-correlated with CMR (r=0.900, p<0.0001); the diagnostic performance of MDCT in differentiating non-viable from viable myocardium using a 50% transmurality criterion was good with a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of 87.5%, 99.5%, 87.5%, 99.5%, and 99.1%, respectively. The feasibility of the DE-MDCT viability assessment acquired simultaneously with conventional ICA was proven in patients with chronic MI using DE-CMR as the reference standard.

Impact of Reperfusion on Plasma Oxylipins in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) occurs as a result of acute occlusion of the coronary artery. Despite successful reperfusion using primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), a large percentage of myocardial cells die after reperfusion, which is recognized as ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R). There are rapid changes in plasma lipidome during myocardial reperfusion injury. However, the impact of coronary artery reperfusion on plasma oxylipins is unknown. This study aimed to investigate alterations in the oxylipin profiles of STEMI patients during ischemia and at various reperfusion time points following PPCI. Blood samples were collected from patients presenting with STEMI prior to PPCI (Isch, n = 45) and subsequently 2 h following successful reperfusion by PPCI (R-2 h, n = 42), after 24 h (R-24 h, n = 44), after 48 h (R-48 h, n = 43), and then 30 days post PPCI (R-30 d, n = 29). As controls, blood samples were collected from age- and sex-matched patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease after diagnostic coronary angiography. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) using deuterated standards was used to identify and quantify oxylipins. In patients presenting with STEMI prior to reperfusion (Isch group), the levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-derived oxylipins were significantly higher when compared with controls. Their levels were also significantly correlated with the peak levels of creatine kinase (CK) and troponin T(TnT) before reperfusion (CK: r = 0.33, p = 0.046, TnT: r = 0.50, p = 1.00 × 10-3). The total concentrations of oxylipins directly produced by 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) were also significantly elevated in the Isch group compared with controls. The ratio of epoxides (generated through epoxygenase) to diols (generated by soluble epoxide hydrolysis (sEH)) was significantly lower in the Isch group compared with the controls. Following reperfusion, there was an overall reduction in plasma oxylipins in STEMI patients starting at 24 h post PPCI until 30 days. Univariate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis also showed that an elevated ratio of epoxides to diols during ischemia is a predictor of smaller infarct size in patients with STEMI. This study revealed a large alteration in plasma oxylipins in patients presenting with STEMI when compared with controls. Total oxylipin levels rapidly reduced post reperfusion with stable levels reached 24 h post reperfusion and maintained for up to 30 days post infarct. Given the shifts in plasma oxylipins following coronary artery reperfusion, further research is needed to delineate their clinical impact in STEMI patients.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in a Saphenous Vein Graft Failure: A Case Report

Abstract: Recent published data from the Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS) national database displayed that among patients aged &gt;65 years old who survived following an initial coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operation, rates of repeat revascularization at 1, 5, 10, and 18 years were 2%, 8%, 16%, and 25%, respectively. The most preferred mode of revascularization was percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). While remain the most frequently used conduits beside left internal mammary artery (LIMA), saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) have high failure rates. Percutaneous coronary intervention in SVGs is associated with an increased risk of distal coronary embolization, commonly resulting in periprocedural MI. We reported a 79-year-old male patient admitted due to progressive symptoms of chronic coronary syndrome. The patient had a history of hypertension and a CABG surgery in 2012. Electrocardiogram showed ischemia and old myocardial infarction (OMI) in inferior leads as well as poor R wave progression in the precordial leads. Transthoracic echocardiogram displayed a normal ejection fraction but impaired left ventricular (LV) diastolic relaxation. Diagnostic coronary angiography revealed a 70% tubular stenosis in proximal part of SVG supplying posterior descending artery, patent LIMA graft to left anterior descending artery, and complex lesion on native vessel (chronic total occlusion in mid right coronary artery). Implantation of drug eluting stent in SVG-posterior descending artery was performed. Direct-stenting PCI technique using undersized-stent was done to prevent any complications. In conclusion, despite the high risk of complications, vein graft intervention was successfully performed without any complications. Since the high rates of in-stent restenosis following PCI in SVGs, long-term dual antiplatelet therapy should be commenced in this patient. Keywords: saphenous vein graft; vein graft intervention; percutaneous coronary intervention