Indication For Coronary Angiography Research Articles

Repeat Coronary Angiography in Patients Aged over 50 Years with Previously Normal/Non-Obstructive Coronary Angiogram—Insights from a Retrospective Study

(1) Introduction: A significant proportion of patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) have normal (NCA) or non-obstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD). This study retrospectively tested the incidence of re-catheterization, and long-term outcomes of this population in patients aged over 50 years. (2) Methods: We identified all patients above 50 years of age with NOCAD who underwent their first CAG at our center between January 2008 and December 2019. Patients were evaluated for their baseline characteristics, risk factors profile, and indication for CAG. Patients undergoing repeat CAG after the index procedure were assessed for the above, including the primary preventive pharmacotherapy prescribed. (3) Results: A total of 1939 patients were reported to have NOCAD. Of these, 1756 (90%) patients (62% males, median age 66 (56–75) years) had no repeat angiography (group 1). Repeat angiography was performed in 10%: 136 (7%) proved futile (median time for repeat angiography 5 (3–8) years) (group 3), and 47 (3%) ended with angioplasty (median time for repeat angiography 4 (3–6) years) (group 2). Male gender, BMI above 30 (23% vs. 13%), hypertension (68% vs. 57%), diabetes (28% vs. 17%) and smoking (36% vs. 19%) were significantly higher in the interventional group. Regression analysis showed both paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and hyperlipidemia were significantly associated with repeat CAG. The indication for the first CAG was mainly symptoms related. In the interventional repeat angiography (n = 47) the incidence of troponin positive cases increased from 8.2% before intervention to 57.5%, 50% being ST elevation cases. The symptoms-related cases went from 36.7% to 18.4%. Intriguingly, 85% of the interventional group were not prescribed statin and/or aspirin on a regular basis, and/or did not adhere to treatment. (4) Conclusions: NOCAD is a frequent occurrence. The threshold for repeat angiography must be higher, better reserved to troponin positive cases. Moreover, patients must be handled according to their risk profile, not being mistakenly reassured by a snapshot benign coronary angiography.

Predictors of Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease in Patients Undergoing Elective Coronary Angiography.

Appropriate patient selection for coronary angiography (CAG) is essential to minimize the unnecessary risk of morbidities and exposure to radiation and iodinated contrast. This becomes even more relevant in low-to-middle-income settings where most health expenditures are out-of-pocket due to lack of medical insurance. We determined predictors of non-obstructive coronaries (NOC) in patients undergoing elective CAG. CathPCI Registry®, single-center data was extracted for 25,472 patients who had CAG over an eight year period. After excluding patients for compelling conditions or known CAD, 2,984 (11.7%) patients were included in this study. Non-Obstructive Coronaries was defined as <50% left main coronary artery and major epicardial vessel stenosis. Multiple Cox proportional algorithm was employed to report prevalence ratios (PR) of predictors of NOC along with 95% confidence interval. Mean age of patients was 57.9 ± 9.7 years, 23.5% were women. Preprocedural non-invasive testing (NIT) was performed in 46% of the patients; of which 95.5% reported to be positive but only 67.3% were stratified as high risk. Of 2,984 patients undergoing elective CAG, 711 (24%) had NOC. Predictors of NOC included younger age <50 years (PR: 1.3, CI: 1.0-1.5), Women (1.8, 1.5-2.1), low (1.9, 1.5-2.5) and intermediate risk stratification (1.3, 1.0-1.6) on Modified Framingham Risk Score and inappropriate (2.7, 1.6-4.3) and uncertain (1.3, 1.1-1.6) classification of CAG on Appropriate Use Criteria. Patients with heart failure as an indication of CAG (1.7, 1.4-2.0) and No NIT or positive low risk NIT (1.8, 1.5-2.2) were more likely to have NOC. Approximately one out of four patients undergoing elective CAG had NOC. Yield of diagnostic catheterization can be improved by adjudicating NIT especially in younger patients, women, patients with heart failure as an indication of CAG, patients classified as inappropriate on Appropriate Use Criteria and patients categorized as low or intermediate risk on MFRS.

Coronary angiography in acute ischemic stroke patients: frequency and determinants of pathological findings in a multicenter cohort study

BackgroundMyocardial injury as indicated by cardiac troponin elevation is associated with poor prognosis in acute stroke patients. Coronary angiography (CAG) is the diagnostic gold-standard to rule-out underlying obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in these patients. However, weighing risks and benefits of coronary angiography (CAG) against each other is particularly challenging, because stroke patients undergoing CAG may have a higher risk for secondary intracranial bleeding. Current guidelines remain vague. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze frequency of pathological findings of CAG and associated clinical factors.MethodsWe analyzed indications and frequency of CAG performed in acute ischemic stroke patients in clinical routine in two European tertiary care hospitals from 2011 to 2018. All data were obtained retrospectively. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables associated with absence of obstructive coronary artery disease defined as presence of at least one coronary vessel stenosis ≥ 50%.ResultsA total of 139 AIS patients underwent CAG. Frequent indications for CAG were suspected acute coronary syndrome (N = 114) or scheduled cardiac surgery (N = 25). Acute coronary stenting was applied in 51/139 patients. Among patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome, no obstructive CAD was found in 27/114 patients. Absence of obstructive CAD was associated with insular cortex lesions, no clinical symptoms for ACS, less than three cardiovascular risk factors, younger age and normal wall motion.ConclusionSeveral variables suggest absence of CAD in AIS patients and may help in clinical decision making in stroke patients with myocardial injury.

Distal transradial access for coronary angiography and interventions in everyday practice: data from the TRIANGLE Registry

Abstract Background Transradial access has become the primary route for coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Recently a new puncture site more distally on the dorsal side of the hand in the area of the anatomical snuffbox has been developed. Purpose With this multicenter registry, we wish to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of the distal transradial access (dTRA) and assess the rate of radial artery occlusion (RAO). As an exploratory endpoint, we compared peri-interventional data between right- and left-radial access and differences between the true anatomical snuffbox (SB) and the distal- dorsal (DD) puncture site. Methods Between December 2018 and May 2019 we included all patients into this registry with a planned CAG or PCI via dTRA in three cardiology centers in Germany. Procedural data, puncture success, crossover rate and complications were registered. We examined proximal and distal radial artery patency by ultrasound within 48 h after removal of compression device. Results A total of 327 patients were enrolled (mean age: 69 years, male: 69%), in 5 cases bilateral distal puncture was performed, puncture success was high (N=316/332, 95%) and the crossover rate was low (27/332, 8%). The rate of proximal (2/332) and distal (3/332) RAO was low. Major complications were not encountered. The comparison between SB and DD site and left- and right radial access showed no significant differences (see table). The indication for CAG in 50% of the population was acute coronary syndrome, including 28 patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (8.4%). Overall PCI rate was 48%. PCI cases did not demonstrate a crossover rate higher than in CAG. PCI on chronic total occlusion (CTO) was performed in 16 cases including bilateral dTRA. Conclusion Coronary angiography and interventions via dTRA can be performed with a high rate of success and safety. This data suggests a reduced rate of RAO compared to previous reported data after cannulation via the standard forearm radial artery puncture site. Randomized studies are needed to further investigate these results. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Adherence to guideline recommendations for coronary angiography in a poor South-East Asian setting: Impact on short- and medium-term clinical outcomes

In South-East Asian populations and particularly in Indonesia, access to coronary angiography (CAG) is limited. We aimed to assess the adherence for undergoing CAG for indicated patients, according to the guideline recommendations. We then examined whether this adherence would have an impact on patients’ short- and medium-term mortality and morbidity. We consecutively enrolled 474 patients with acute and stable coronary artery disease who had indication for CAG at Makassar Cardiac Center, Indonesia from February 2013 to December 2014. We found that adherence to CAG recommendation in poor South-East Asian setting is low. Of 474 recommended patients, only 273 (57.6%) underwent the procedure. Factors for not undergoing CAG were: older age, female gender, low educational and socio-economic status, and insurance type. While reasons for patients refusing CAG and subsequent intervention included fear, symptoms reduction, and lack of trust concerning the procedure benefit. During follow-up (median 19 (IQR 6–39.3) months), 155 (32.7%) patients died, and 259 (54.6%) experienced at least one adverse event. Adherence to CAG recommendation was associated with a significantly lower short- and medium-term mortality, independent of revascularization and other potential confounders. In sub-group analysis, adhered patients “with revascularization” had significantly better outcomes compared to the “non-revascularization” and “not adhere” groups.

Gender differences in health-related quality of life in patients undergoing coronary angiography

BackgroundHealth-related quality of life (HRQOL) reflects the general well-being of individuals. In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), HRQOL is compromised. Female patients with CAD have been reported to have...

'Gadolinium' as an Alternative to Iodinated Contrast Media for X-Ray Angiography in Patients With Severe Allergy

Some patients cannot undergo coronary angiography (CAG) because of the adverse effects of contrast media. In the present study gadolinium, (gadodiamide hydrate: Gd DTPA-BMA) commonly used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), was used as the contrast agent for diagnostic CAG in 3 patients with severe allergy to iodine or iodinated contrast agents. The indications for CAG were recurrent chest pain, evaluation of peri-operative risk of gastric cancer and abdominal aortic aneurysm, and evaluation of graft patency after coronary artery bypass grafting. The procedure was well tolerated by each patient and the amount of the gadolinium-based contrast media did not exceed 40 ml, which is twice the volume used for MRI. The images were of fair quality. In patients with allergy to iodinated contrast media, CAG with gadolinium-based contrast media is an alternative technique for evaluating coronary artery disease.