Positive Exercise Stress Test Research Articles

Predicting the incidence of recurrent positive exercise stress tests among civilian pilots: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract* Background A positive exercise stress test (EST) is common among pilots, and it may indicate a greater risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to determine the incidence of recurrently positive EST and their predictors among civilian pilots in Indonesia. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study among civilian pilots who had the first positive EST test between January 2019 and June 2020 at the Aviation Medical Center, Jakarta. The data were retrieved from medical records. Subjects were included if there were data on subsequent ESTs at 6 and 12 months. Risk factors included total flight hours (TFH) in the last 6 months, license type, aircraft cabin pressurization system, flying limitation such as multicrew, cardiac intervention, age, smoking habit, family history of coronary artery disease, body mass index, blood pressure levels, lipid profile, and fasting blood glucose. Results Eighty-seven pilots were included; 54 of them (62.1%) had recurrent positive ESTs. All subjects were men, and the median age was 51 (range 40-64) years. Independent predictors of recurrent positive ESTs were age 60-65 years (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj]: 5.1, 95% CI: 1.12–23.16, p= 0.035), a TFH of > 275 hours (ORadj 5.1, 95% CI: 1.28–20.65, p= 0.021), and dyslipidemia (ORadj: 4.2 95% CI: 1.468–12.275, p=0.015). Having these three risk factors increased the probability of a recurrent positive EST up to 100%. Conclusion The incidence of recurrently positive ESTs among civilian pilots in Indonesia was high. Airlines may want to implement a more aggressive health policy for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases among their pilots.

Coronary Artery Disease in Patients on Dialysis: Impact of Traditional Risk Factors.

Background and Objectives: End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study aims to evaluate the contribution of traditional risk factors to the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients on dialysis. Materials and Methods: In this study, 54 patients on dialysis with angina symptoms or a positive exercise stress test underwent coronary angiography. Lesions with obstruction >70% lumen diameter of the coronary artery were considered significant. Traditional risk factors included hypertension, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidemia, age, gender, and time spent on dialysis. Results: Out of 54 participants, 41 (75.92%) were men and 13 (24.07%) women. CAD was present in 34 (62.96%) patients, and 20 (37.03%) patients were without CAD. The average age of the participants was 66.51 years. In the group with CAD, the average age was 69.52 years with an average time spent on dialysis of 2.73 years. In the group without CAD, the average age was 61.40 years with a time spent on dialysis of 2.35 years. Hypertension was present in 92.59% of all participants and 97.05% of those with CAD. Diabetes was present in 41.17 patients with CAD and 40% of those without CAD. Dyslipidemia was present in 76.47 participants with CAD and in 40% of those without CAD. Smoking was noticed in 35.29% of the participants with CAD and 57.14% of those without CAD. Besides hypertension, significant predictors for the development of CAD in patients on dialysis were dyslipidemia (OR 3.698, Cl 1.005-13.608, p = 0.049) and age (OR 1.056, Cl 1.004-1.110, p = 0.033). Conclusions: Among the traditional risk factors, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and age are the predictors for the development of CAD in patients on dialysis. Further large randomized clinical studies are needed to clarify the role of traditional risk factors for CAD in patients with ESKD.

Predicting angiographic coronary artery disease using machine learning and high-frequency QRS

AimExercise stress ECG is a common diagnostic test for stable coronary artery disease, but its sensitivity and specificity need to be further improved. In this paper, we construct a machine learning model for the prediction of angiographic coronary artery disease by HFQRS analysis of cycling exercise ECG.Methods and resultsThis study prospectively included 140 inpatients and 59 healthy volunteers undergoing cycling exercise ECG. The CHD group (N=104) and non-CHD group (N=95) were determined by coronary angiography gold standard. Automated HF QRS analysis was performed by the blinded method. The coronary group was predominantly male, with a higher prevalence of age, BMI, hypertension, and diabetes than the non-coronary group (P<0.001\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$P<0.001$$\\end{document}), higher lipid levels in the coronary group (P<0.005\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$P<0.005$$\\end{document}), significantly longer QRS duration during exercise testing (P<0.005\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$P<0.005$$\\end{document}), more positive leads (P<0.001\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$P<0.001$$\\end{document}), and a greater proportion of significant changes in HFQRS (P<0.001\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$P<0.001$$\\end{document}). Age, Gender, Hypertension, Diabetes, and HF QRS Conclusions were screened by correlation analysis and multifactorial retrospective analysis to construct the machine learning models of the XGBoost Classifier, Logistic Regression, LightGBM Classifier, RandomForest Classifier, Artificial Neural Network and Support Vector Machine, respectively.ConclusionMale, elderly, with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and positive exercise stress test HFQRS conclusions suggested a high risk of CHD. The best performance of the Logistic Regression model was compared, and a column line graph for assessing the risk of CHD was further developed and validated.

Variation of retinal and choroidal microvascularization after an exercise stress test in patients with effort angina.

To describe retinal and choroidal vascular changes following an exercise stress test (ET) in patients with effort angina and to determine whether optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) could play a role in the prediction of ischemic cardiac events. Prospective comparative study including patients with effort angina. All patients underwent OCT-A before and after an ET was performed. Blood flow, intercapillary spaces, and vessel density were analyzed in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and the deep capillary plexus (DCP). Vessel density in the choriocapillaris and the parameters of the central avascular zone (CAZ) were also analyzed. Of the 38 eyes included in the study, a decrease in blood flow was found in 39.5% in the large SCP vessels, in 50% in the capillaris of the SCP, and in 81.6% in the DCP. An increase in intercapillary spaces was observed in the SCP in 68.4% of eyes and in the DCP in 55.3% of eyes. A statistically significant decrease in the DCP density was observed after an ET (p = 0.03). There were no significant modifications in the CAZ parameters, the SCP density, nor the choriocapillaris density. Patients with a positive ET had a decreased DCP density in 83.3%. Among patients with an increased DCP density, 92.85% had a negatif ET. This pilot study suggests that DCP density significantly decreases after an ET. The DCP appears to be most affected in patients with effort angina. A larger trial is needed to further investigate these hypotheses.

Assessment of the Ischaemic Effects of Myocardial Bridge by Echocardiographic Exercise Stress Test.

Detection of myocardial bridge (MB) at angiography suggests it has a role in ischaemic-related symptoms in patients with angina without obstructive coronary artery disease. However, evidence that MB may cause myocardial ischaemia is limited. We studied 41 patients with MB of the left anterior descending coronary artery and otherwise normal coronary arteries. Fourteen patients with normal coronary arteries and without MB served as controls. All subjects underwent a maximal treadmill exercise stress test (EST) under ECG monitoring. Standard and speckle-tracking echocardiography were performed at baseline and immediately after peak EST. EST duration and peak heart rate and systolic pressure were similar in the two groups. A positive EST (ST-segment depression .1 mm) was found in 18 patients in the MB group (43.9%) and none in the control group (p=0.001). No abnormalities in both left ventricle systolic and diastolic function were found between the two groups in the standard echocardiographic evaluation. Global and segmental (anterior, inferior) longitudinal strain (LS) did not differ at baseline between the groups. There was a small increase in global LS during EST in MB patients but not in the control group (p=0.01). Similar trends were found for regional LSs, with differences being significant for the medium (p=0.028) and apical (p=0.032) anterior segments. No differences in echocardiographic parameters and both global and segmental LSs were observed between MB patients with ischaemic ECG changes during EST versus those without. Our findings do not support the notion that MB results in significant degrees of myocardial ischaemia during maximal myocardial work.

Comparison of Baseline and Post-Nitrate Exercise Testing in Patients with Angina but Non-Obstructed Coronary Arteries with Different Acetylcholine Test Results.

Background: Intracoronary acetylcholine testing may induce epicardial coronary artery spasm (CAS) or coronary microvascular spasm (CMVS) in patients with angina syndromes but non-obstructive coronary artery disease, but their causal role in individual patients is not always clear. In this prospective, observational single-center study, we aimed to assess whether (1) the induction of myocardial ischemia/angina by electrocardiogram (ECG) exercise stress test (EST) differs between patients showing different results in response to acetylcholine testing (i.e., CAS, CMVS, or no spasm); (2) the preventive administration of short-acting nitrates has any different effects on the EST of those patients who showed a positive basal EST. We expected that if exercise-induced angina and/or ischemic ECG changes are related to CAS, they should improve after nitrates administration, whereas they should not significantly improve if they are caused by CMVS. Methods: We enrolled 81 patients with angina syndromes and non-obstructive coronary artery disease, who were divided into three groups according to acetylcholine testing: 40 patients with CAS (CAS-group), 14 with CMVS (CMVS-groups), and 27 with a negative test (NEG-group). All patients underwent a basal EST (B-EST). Patients with a positive B-EST repeated the test 24-48 h later, 5 min after the administration of short-acting nitrates (N-EST). Results: There were no significant differences among the groups in terms of the B-EST results. B-EST was positive in eight (20%) patients in the CAS-group, seven (50%) in the CMVS-group, and six (22%) in the NEG-group (p = 0.076). N-EST, performed in eight, six, and five of these patients, also showed similar results in the three groups. Furthermore, the N-EST results also did not significantly differ compared to B-EST in any group, remaining positive in seven (87.5%), four (66.7%), and four (80%) patients in the CAS-group, CMVS-group, and NEG-group, respectively (p = 0.78). Conclusions: Our data show that patients with angina and non-obstructive coronary artery disease show largely comparable results of the ECG exercise stress test and similar poor effects of short-acting nitrates on abnormal ECG exercise stress test results. On the whole, our findings suggest caution in attributing to the results of Ach testing a definite causal role for the clinical syndrome in individual patients.

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of high-risk anomalous aortic origin of coronary artery

Objective: To analyze the diagnosis and surgical treatment of high-risk anomalous aortic origin of coronary artery (AAOCA). Methods: This is a retrospective case series study. From January 2016 to July 2023, 24 cases of high-risk AAOCA underwent surgical treatment in Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital. There were 18 males and 6 females, operatively aged (M (IQR)) 13 (26) years (range: 0.3 to 57.0 years). They were confirmed by cardiac ultrasound and cardiac CT, all of which had anomalous coronary running between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. There were 15 cases of the right coronary artery from the left aortic sinus of Valsalva, 6 cases of left coronary artery from the right aortic sinus of Valsalva, 3 cases of the sigle coronary artery. Only 3 patients had no obvious related symptoms (2 cases were complicated with a positive exercise stress test and 1 case with other intracardiac malformations), 21 cases had a history of chest tightness, chest pain, or syncope after exercise. Three patients suffered syncope after exercise and underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (2 cases were treated with an extracorporeal membrane oxygenerator (ECMO)). The gap from the first symptom to the diagnosis was 4.0 (11.5) months (range: 0.2 to 84.0 months). The detection rate of coronary artery abnormalities suggested by the first cardiac ultrasound was only 37.5% (9/24). Seven patients were complicated with other cardiac diseases (4 cases with congenital heart defects, 2 cases with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, 1 case with mitral valve disease). Results: All 24 patients underwent surgical treatment (23 cases underwent abnormal coronary artery unroofing, 1 case underwent coronary artery bypass grafting), and 5 patients underwent other intracardiac malformation correction at the same time. There were no death or surgery related complications in the hospital for 30 days after the operation. A patient with preoperative extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation was continuously assisted by ECMO after emergency AAOCA correction and had complications such as limb ischemia necrosis and renal dysfunction after the operation. During the follow-up of 2.2 (3.3) years (range: 1 month to 7.2 years), one patient who previously underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with a stent implant experienced significant postoperative symptomatic relief, and the other discharged patients had no related symptoms. Conclusions: The accurate rate of initial diagnosis for high-risk AAOCA is still low, but the risk of cardiovascular accidents is high. For sports-related chest pain and other symptoms, more attention should be paid to the detection of AAOCA, especially for adolescents. Exercise stress testing can be helpful in evaluating the cardiovascular risk of asymptomatic AAOCA. Instant surgical treatment can achieve satisfactory curative effects.

Prognostic Impact of a Routine Six-Month Exercise Stress Test after Complex Left Main Bifurcation Percutaneous Intervention.

The prognostic value of exercise stress test after complex left main (LM) coronary artery bifurcation (LM) stenting has been poorly investigated. To partially fill this gap in knowledge, we retrospectively analyzed the procedural and medical data of consecutive patients referred to our center for complex LM bifurcation disease between January 2008 and May 2018 who were treated using either single- or dual-stenting techniques. The prognostic impact of an exercise stress test, performed 6 months after the coronary intervention, was evaluated in 502 patients (316 males, mean age 70.3 ± 12.8 years, mean Syntax score 31.6 ± 6.3). At follow up after a mean of 37.1 ± 10.8 months (range 22.1-47.3 months), the target lesion failure (TLF) rate was 10.1% while stent thrombosis and cardiovascular mortality were 1.2 and 3.6%, respectively. A positive exercise stress test was detected at 6-month follow up in 42 out of 502 patients (8.4%); the incidence of a significant restenosis was 7.6% (n = 38). Patients with a negative exercise stress test at 6-month follow up had higher freedom from TLF and improved survival compared to those with a positive exercise stress test.

Low prevalence of positive exercise stress test results among senior officers: A one-year retrospective study

Low prevalence of positive exercise stress test results among senior officers: A one-year retrospective study

Rethinking the false positive exercise stress test in the context of coronary microvascular dysfunction

Abstract Background Exercise stress testing (EST) was the traditional tool to detect myocardial ischaemia, but its use has declined due to its perceived high false positive rate. However, EST was historically validated against the reference standard of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). It is now well recognised that myocardial ischaemia can occur in the absence of CAD and this cohort, termed angina with non-obstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA), comprises nearly 50% of all patients presenting with stable angina. Purpose Our study assesses the accuracy of EST in detecting a substrate for myocardial ischaemia, with the reference standard being comprehensive coronary physiology assessment in patients with ANOCA. Methods Patients with typical angina and non-obstructive coronary arteries underwent physiological characterisation of the coronary circulation using a dual sensor-tipped intracoronary guidewire in the left anterior descending artery. The epicardial vessel was assessed by Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) and the microcirculation by both endothelium-independent function (coronary flow reserve, CFR, using intravenous adenosine) and endothelium-dependent function (acetylcholine flow reserve, AChFR, using intracoronary acetylcholine infusion). Those with FFR≤0.80 were excluded per protocol. Coronary microvascular dysfunction was defined a priori as impaired CFR (&amp;lt;2.5) or impaired AChFR (≤1.5). All patients underwent a treadmill EST, using a standard Bruce protocol, with ischaemic electrocardiographic (ECG) changes defined as the appearance of 0.1mV ST-segment depression 80 milliseconds from the J-point. Patients, physiologists, and researchers were all blinded to the coronary physiology data. All data are presented as mean±SD or median (IQR). Results Ninety-one patients [67% female, 62±9 years, CCS 3 (2 to 3)] were recruited into this study. EST was performed 27 (15 to 139) days after angiography. Twenty-seven patients (30%) developed ischaemic ECG changes during their EST (Ischaemic group), whereas 64 patients (70%) did not (Control group). Both groups were phenotypically similar for demographics, risk factors, exercise time and FFR (Figure 1). 100% of the Ischaemic group and 69% of the control group had CMD. Conversely, 38% of patients with CMD developed ischaemic ECG changes on exercise but none (0%) of those with normal microvascular function did (p=0.001) (Figure 2A). The false positive rates with progressively granular reference standards are depicted in Figure 2B; there were no false positive ESTs using a comprehensive physiological reference standard. Angina reported during EST was less specific for CMD than induced ECG changes (70% vs 100%, p&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusions In patients with ANOCA a positive EST is always indicative of CMD. The potential utility of EST as a rule-in test for CMD makes it an attractive non-invasive widely available test that could be re-integrated into clinical pathways for assessing new onset angina.Patient characteristicsEST versus coronary physiology

Positive Stress Electrocardiography in Patients With Non-obstructive Coronary Disease.

Introduction The episodes of myocardial ischemia in patients with non-obstructive coronary disease are extremely variable in provoking factors and presentation. Purpose We investigated the significance of coronary blood flow velocity and epicardial diameter as correlates of a positive electrocardiographic exercise stress test (ExECG) in hospitalized patients with unstable angina and non-obstructive coronary artery disease. Methods The study was a single-center cohort retrospective. ExECG was performed and analyzed in a group of 79 patients with non-obstructive coronary disease (coronary stenoses < 50%). Thirty-one percent of the patients (n=25) were diagnosed with slow coronary flow phenomenon, SCFP; 40.5% (n=32) - patients with hypertensive disease, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and slow epicardialflow; 27.8% (n=22) with hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy and normal coronaryflow. The patients were hospitalized in University Hospital "Alexandrovska," Sofia in the period 2006-2008. Results The frequency of positive ExECG is increased as a trend was associated with smaller epicardial diameters and pronounced delay in epicardial coronaryflow.In the subgroup with SCFP, the risk for a positive ExECG test was determined by slower coronary flow (36.5±7.7 frames vs. 30.3±4.4 frames, p=0.044) and borderline significant by epicardial lumen diameters (3.3±0.8 mm vs. 4.1±1.0 mm, p=0.051) and greater myocardial mass (92.8±12.6 g/m2 vs. 82.9±8.6 g/m2, p=0.054). In cases of left ventricular hypertrophy, which included both patients with the normal and slow epicardialflow, there were no statistically significant correlates of an abnormal exercise stress ECG test. Conclusions In patients with non-obstructive coronary atherosclerosis and predominantly slow epicardial coronary flow, the provoking of ischemia at an electrocardiographic exercise stress test is associated with the lower epicardial flow velocity at rest and with the smaller epicardial diameter. In SCFP, the risk for an abnormal stress test is determined by slower coronary flow, smaller epicardial lumen diameter, and greater myocardial mass.The presence and size of the plaque burden are not associated with a greater risk of a positive ExECG in these patients.

Exercise-induced change in circulating NT-proBNP could not distinguish between patients with and without coronary artery disease: the CADENCE study

Objective. In patients with chest pain, exercise stress test has a moderate accuracy for coronary artery disease (CAD). Adding a reliable cardiac biomarker to the exercise test could potentially improve the precision of the test. We investigated circulating NT-proBNP levels before and during exercise stress test in patients with and without angiographically verified CAD. We hypothesized that NT-proBNP would give an additive diagnostic value to the exercise stress test. Methods. In patients presenting with symptoms of stable CAD, venous blood samples were taken at rest and within 5 min of termination of a maximal stress test on a bicycle ergometer. All study participants underwent coronary angiography. Significant CAD was defined as ≥75% stenosis in one or more segments of the coronary arteries. Results. Of the 297 participants, significant CAD was found in 111 (37%) patients. Resting levels of NT-proBNP were significantly higher in patients with CAD compared with patients without CAD (74.18 vs. 56.03 ng/L), p = .005. During exercise, NT-proBNP levels increased in the total population (p < .001). The rise was, however, not significantly different between the two groups (8.24 vs. 8.51 ng/L), p = .700. Combining resting NT-proBNP with positive exercise stress test was superior to exercise test alone in predicting CAD, AUC = 0.68 vs. 0.64. Conclusion. Exercise-induced change in circulating NT-proBNP could not distinguish between patients with or without CAD. However, resting levels of NT-proBNP were significantly higher in patients with CAD than those without CAD.

Predictor for positive exercise stress test among asymptomatic patients with cardiovascular risk factors in a military hospital: An eight-year retrospective study

Predictor for positive exercise stress test among asymptomatic patients with cardiovascular risk factors in a military hospital: An eight-year retrospective study

Exercise Stress Test Late after Arrhythmic versus Nonarrhythmic Presentation of Myocarditis.

Background. Exercise stress test (EST) has been scarcely investigated in patients with arrhythmic myocarditis. Objectives. To report the results of EST late after myocarditis with arrhythmic vs. nonarrhythmic presentation. Methods. We enrolled consecutive adult patients with EST performed at least six months after acute myocarditis was diagnosed using gold-standard techniques. Patients with ventricular arrhythmia (VA) at presentation were compared with the nonarrhythmic group. Adverse events occurring during follow-up after EST included cardiac death, disease-related rehospitalization, malignant VA, and proven active myocarditis. Results. The study cohort was composed of 128 patients (age 41 ± 9 y, 70% males) undergoing EST after myocarditis. Of them, 64 (50%) had arrhythmic presentation. EST was performed after 15 ± 4 months from initial diagnosis, and was conducted on betablockers in 75 cases (59%). During EST, VA were more common in the arrhythmic group (43 vs. 4, p < 0.001), whereas signs and symptoms of ischemia were more prevalent in the nonarrhythmic one (6 vs. 1, p = 0.115). By 58-month mean follow-up, 52 patients (41%) experienced adverse events, with a greater prevalence among arrhythmic patients (39 vs. 13, p < 0.001). As documented both in the arrhythmic and nonarrhythmic subgroups, patients had greater prevalence of adverse events following a positive EST (40/54 vs. 12/74 with negative EST, p < 0.001). Electrocardiographic features of VA during EST correlated with the subsequent inflammatory restaging of myocarditis. Nonarrhythmic patients with uneventful EST both on- and off-treatment were free from subsequent adverse events. Conclusions. Late after the arrhythmic presentation of myocarditis, EST was frequently associated with recurrent VA. In both arrhythmic and nonarrhythmic myocarditis, EST abnormalities correlated with subsequent adverse outcomes.

P429 PROGNOSTIC IMPACT OF ROUTINE SIX–MONTH EXERCISE STRESS TEST AFTER COMPLEX LEFT MAIN BIFURCATION PCI

Abstract Background/Aim The prognostic value of the exercise stress after complex stenting of left main (LM) coronary artery bifurcations (LM) disease has been poorly investigated in the modern era. Methods We retrospectively analysed the procedural and medical data of patients referred to our center for complex LM bifurcation diseas, treated using either single versus dual stenting [Cross–over provisional stenting, T or T–and–Protrusion (TAP), Culotte, and Nano–inverted–T (NIT)] techniques between January 2008 to May 2018. The prognostic impact of an exercise test performed at 6 months during the follow–up period. Results Five hundred and two patients (316 males, mean age 70.3±12.8 years, mean Syntax score 31.6±6.3) were evaluated. At a mean follow–up of 37.1±10.8 months (range 22.1–47.3 moths), Target lesion failure (TLF) rate was 10.1%. Stent thrombosis and cardiovascular mortality were observed in 1.2% and 3.6% of cases, respectively. A positive exercise test at 6 months of follow–up was detected in 42 out of 502 patients (8.4%) and correlated with angiographic restenosis in 38 patients (7.6%): 7/171patients in Cross–over group (4.1%), 10/61 patients in T or TAP group (16.4%), 15/98 patients in Culotte group (15.3%) and 6/172 patients in NIT group (3.5%). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that Age &amp;gt; 75 years (HR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.33–1.58, p = 0.03), dyslipidaemia (HR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.58–1.72, p &amp;lt; 0.001), eGFR&amp;lt;30 ml/min/1.73 m2 (HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.38–1.52, p = 0.04), presence of a triple vessel disease (HR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.84–1.93, p &amp;lt; 0.001), additional ostial LM lesion (HR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.76–1.81, p &amp;lt; 0.001), additional LM body lesion (HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.28–1.36, o &amp;lt; 0.001), a Syntax score &amp;gt; 25 (HR:1.67, 95% CI: 1.61–1.76, p = 0.01), need of Rotablator (HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.61–1.75, p = 0.02) and the number of stents implanted (HR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.08–1.16, p &amp;lt; 0.001) were independent predictors of a positive stress test. Patients reporting a negative exercise test at 6 months of follow–us had a higher freedom from TLF and improved survival compared to those with positive exercise stress test (Figure 1 Panels A and B). Conclusions A negative exercise performed after 6 months from complex left main stenting predicted excellent outcomes at 3 years follow–up.

P63 OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY–ANGIO CO–REGISTRATION (OCT–ACR) OF LEFT ANTERIOR DESCENDING IN PATIENT WITH ONGOING ANIGNA

Abstract We share the case of a 50–year old man, with no cardiovascular risk factor, presented in ER with ongoing angina and positive exercise stress testing. No clinical evidence of heart failure. EKG and echocardiogram was negative. He was referred for invasive coronary angiography, that showed severe stenosis of mid–LAD and moderate ostial LAD stenosis. Subsequent Optical Coherence Tomography–Angio Co–Registration (OCT–ACR) of Left Anterior Descending was performed. An EBU3.5 guiding catheter was engaged in the left coronary artery, and 8000 units of heparin administered. After a pre–dilatation with a semi–compliant balloon of mid LAD, a plaque rupture with thrombus was documented at mid–LAD and a fibro–lipidic plaque with a severe flow limitation (MLA&amp;lt;4mm2) at the ostium, with no involvement of left main (Fig. 1b). Pre–dilatation with SC and NC balloon (2.5–3.5mm) was performed and then stented with a 4.0 × 26 mm DES. Finally, OCT confirmed correct stent expansion, achieving an excellent angiographic result, without carina shifting and compromise of the circ. Patient was discharged, asymptomatic. OCT–ACR guided PCI, taking advantage of its high spatial resolution, permits to plain better the PCI, establish correct stent size, evaluate early complications especially if left main or bifurcation are involved and thanks to co–registration also measurement of long axis of the vessel are facilitated.

Association between erectile dysfunction, cardiovascular risk factors, and coronary artery disease: Role of exercise stress testing and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire.

BackgroundThe exercise stress test (EST) is a non-invasive investigation to diagnose coronary artery disease. This research aimed to determine the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED), cardiovascular risk factors, and coronary artery disease (CAD) in men referred for EST.MethodsA prospective cohort study enrolling 303 patients from August 2020 through September 2021. All patients filled out the international Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. . They underwent an exercise stress test (EST). A two-tailed independent sample t-test, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.ResultsEST was positive in 110 (36.3%) patients, negative in 154 (50.8%), and inconclusive in 39 (12.8%) patients. ED was present in 225 (74.3%) patients and absent in 78 (25.8%) patients. 278 (91.7%) had one or more cardiovascular risk factors. This study reported a significant relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and the results of EST and ED. Compared to patients without ED, patients with ED had a positive EST result. Definite CAD was diagnosed in 21% of patients with ED compared to 1.3% in patients without ED. For a one-unit increase in age, the odds of ED increased by about 5%. Similarly, a negative EST is compared to a positive EST. Negative EST reduced the likelihood of ED by 82%.ConclusionsThis research found a statistically significant connection between CAD, certain cardiovascular risk factors, and ED using the EST and IIEF-5 questionnaires. This research is significant because it may alter the way cardiovascular risk stratification is done.

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Patients with Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction by Three-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Imaging.

IntroductionThe objective of this study is to evaluate the left ventricular systolic function of patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) using the three-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging (3D-STI) technique.MethodsFrom June 2018 to June 2019,72 subjects from Huzhou Central Hospital were enrolled, including 42 CMD in-patients with typical chest pain or chest tightness and positive treadmill exercise stress test, but without coronary stenosis on coronary angiography, (the CMD group) and another 30 healthy individuals who were undergoing physical examinations in an outpatient clinic (the control group). Using 3D-STI technique, the global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global area strain (GAS), and left ventricle were measured.ResultsCompared with the control group, GLS and GAS were significantly reduced in the CMD group (P<0.05), while GRS and GCS were similar in both groups (P>0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that GLS and GAS were the influencing factors of CMD. For the diagnosis of CMD, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of GLS was 0.883, and the area under the ROC curve of GAS was 0.875. GAS of -29.3% (log-rank test chi-square=34.245, P<0.001) was a strong predictor of major adverse cardiac events.Conclusion3D-STI technique has obvious advantages in the evaluation of the left ventricular systolic function for CMD patients. Moreover, 3D-STI parameters, especially GLS and GAS, can detect the early abnormal changes in the ischaemic myocardium. Being timelier and more sensitive than echocardiography, 3D-STI should be recommended for clinical application.

The relationship between coronary artery disease and hs-troponin T changing during exercise stress test

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between coronary artery disease and changing of high sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) values during exercise stress test (EST) in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.&#x0D; Material and Methods We included 68 patients who underwent coronary angiography after positive EST. The hs-TnT values of all patients were measured before EST and at 4 hours after EST. Patients with coronary artery stenosis of 50% or more were divided into two groups [CAD (+)] and those without [CAD (-)].hs-TnT values measured before and after EST were compared.&#x0D; Results Among the 68 patients evaluated, 26 patients (39.3%) were identified as CAD (-) and 42 patients (61.7) as CAD (+).There was no significant difference between the two groups in the hs-TnT values before and after EST. There was a significant correlation between hs-TnT before exercise and pre-EST systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r = 0.313, p = 0.009) and hs-TnT before exercise and peak SBP during EST (r=0.241, p=0.038), anda also we found a correlation between hs-TnT after EST and peak SBP during EST (r = 0.398, p = 0.001). However, a strong negative correlation was found between the Duke treadmill score (DTS) calculated by the exercise test parameters and the Syntax score, which indicates the extent and severity of coronary artery disease (r =-0.521, p = 0.0001).&#x0D; Conclusions As a result of our study, it was observed that hs-TnT values did not contribute to the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. However, DTS evaluation performed before invasive coronary angiography can provide important information about coronary artery lesion complexity.

Significance of ‘recovery ST-segment depression’ in exercise stress test

ObjectiveTo study the significance of ST-segment depression during ‘recovery’ compared to that ‘during stress’ and ‘both the phases’ in exercise stress test. MethodsPatients with positive exercise stress test who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2018 were studied. Patients were divided into 3 groups- Group A with ST-depression restricted to recovery phase, group B with ST-depression restricted to stress phase and group C with ST-depression seen both during exercise and recovery. All patients underwent CAG. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of each of these groups in diagnosis of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) were analysed and compared. ResultsTotal 300 patients were studied. Mean age of the study population was 48.77 ± 7.94 years. 78.3% of patients with positive exercise stress test had significant CAD. 96% of patients in group A had significant CAD, which was higher than in group B (88.9%) & group C (70.1%). The specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of ST-segment depression in group A (96.92%, 96% and 25.2% respectively) were higher than that of ST-depression in group B (89.23%, 88.89% and 24.47% respectively) and group C (13.85%, 70.05% and 7.96% respectively). Sensitivity and accuracy of ST-depression in group A were lower (20.43% and 37% respectively), compared to other 2 groups. ConclusionPatient with ST-depression restricted to recovery phase had highest specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. However, accuracy was highest in group with both stress phase and exercise ST-segment depression.