Coronary Spasm Provocation Test Research Articles

Long-term validation of AtherosSlerosis CardioVascular Disease (ASCVD) risk score and the role of aspirin for primary Cardiovascular prevention in Korean patients with over ASCVD 20% risk score

Abstract Background Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. The ASCVD risk score can be a great tool for preventing ASCVD in the future. There is a mediation recommendation depending on calculated risk called United States Prevention Services Task Force (USPSTF) aspirin (ASA) recommendation. However, the validation studies of long-term clinical outcomes in Korean population using the ASCVD risk score and of the effect of ASA in Korean patients using USPSTF recommendation are limited. Methods A total of 7,249 patients with any chest pain who underwent coronary spasm provocation tests between January 2004 and December 2021 were enrolled. Patients were divided into four groups, based on the ASCVD risk score: < 5% group (Low Risk, n = 2,534), 5 - 10% group (Borderline Risk, n=1,681), 10 - 20% group (Intermediate Risk, n = 1,896) and ≥ 20% group (High Risk, n = 1,138). The primary endpoint was Major Adverse Cerebral and Cardiovascular Event (MACCE1), including stroke and MACE. The secondary endpoint was MACCE 2, defined as composite of MACE and recurrent angina requiring follow-up coronary angiography (CAG). The third endpoint was the effect of aspirin in patients who have over 20% ASCVD risk. Results Long term (10-year) ASCVD risk score was well-validated from the "Low Risk" group to the "High Risk" group by 1.87%, 7.44%, 14.09%, and 30.61%, respectively (P < 0.001). In baseline characteristics, the calculation factors of ASCVD risk score is also well-stratified, showing the more adverse clinical profiles in the "High Risk" group than the "Low Risk" group. In 10-year clinical outcomes, although MACCE1 and MACCE2 showed an increasing trend numerically, stroke was observed to significantly increase according to ASCVD risk score. There was no effect of ASA prescribed in accordance with USPSTF recommendation. The group with the highest rate of 20% or more failed to show the aspirin prevent effect on the occurrence of CV events, but also increased the incidence (MACCE1; HR: 1.647, P-Value: 0.283, 95% CI: 0.662 - 4.100, MACCE2; HR: 1.819, P-Value: 0.025, 95% CI: 1.078 - 3.068). Conclusion Long term ASCVD risk score was associated with higher risk of stroke. However, MACCE1 and MACCE2 only showed an increasing trend numerically. Furthermore, the effect of ASA prescribed based on the USPSTF ASA use recommendation statement were not observed in Korean population. Consequently, additional research is needed to ensure the utility of ASCVD risk score and the effect of ASA in high-risk patients to prevent future CV events in Korean population.

Safety and potential usefulness of sequential intracoronary acetylcholine and ergonovine administration for spasm provocation testing.

Although guidelines recommend intracoronary acetylcholine (ACh) and ergonovine (ER) provocation testing for diagnosis of vasospastic angina, the feasibility and safety of sequential (combined) use of both pharmacological agents during the same catheterization session remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the feasibility and safety of sequential intracoronary ACh and ER administration for coronary spasm provocation testing. The study included 235 patients who showed positive results on ACh and ER provocation testing. Initial intracoronary ACh administration was followed by ER administration for left coronary artery (LCA) spasm provocation testing. Subsequently, the right coronary artery (RCA) was subjected to sequential ACh and ER administration for provocation testing. The primary outcome of the study was the safety of sequential intracoronary ACh and ER provocation testing, which was assessed based on a composite of all-cause death, sustained ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, and cardiogenic shock. Even in patients with negative results on sequential intracoronary ACh and ER provocation testing in the LCA and only ACh administration into the RCA, additional administration of ER into the RCA showed a positive provocation test result in 33 of 235 (14.0%) patients; three (1.3%) patients developed adverse effects (cardiogenic shock occurred in all cases) during LCA provocation testing. We observed no deaths attributable to spasm provocation testing. Sequential administration of intracoronary ACh and ER was associated with a relatively low major complication rate and may be safe and potentially useful for diagnosis of vasospastic angina.

Which Coronary Artery Should Be Preferred for Starting the Coronary Spasm Provocation Test?

The spasm provocation test (SPT) is a critical test for diagnosing vasospastic angina (VSA). However, the choice of vessel to be preferred for initiating the SPT-the right coronary artery (RCA) or the left coronary artery (LCA)-is unclear. This study aimed to assess SPT results including SPT-related complications while initiating the SPT in the RCA and LCA. We enrolled 225 patients who underwent coronary angiography and SPTs. The SPT was first performed in the RCA in 133 patients (RCA group) and the LCA in 92 patients (LCA group). We defined VSA as >90% narrowing of the coronary artery during the SPT, accompanied by chest pain and/or ST-T changes on the electrocardiogram. When coronary spasm occurs in two or more major coronary arteries, it is referred to as a multivessel spasm (MVS). SPT-related complications comprised atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, and unstable hemodynamics following catecholamine use. Analyses using propensity score matching (PSM) were performed in 120 patients. No significant differences in the frequencies of VSA and complications were observed between the two groups (RCA: 79% and 19%, respectively; LCA: 85% and 22%, respectively). In both groups, spasms were most frequently provoked in the left anterior descending coronary artery (both p < 0.001) whereas spasms in the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) were higher in the LCA group than in the RCA group (p = 0.015). Furthermore, no significant difference in the frequency of MVS was observed between both groups (RCA: 50%, LCA: 62%; p = 0.122). After PSM, no significant difference in the frequencies of VSA and complications were observed between the two groups (RCA: 82% and 15%, respectively; LCA: 88% and 18%, respectively). The frequencies of LCX spasms (RCA: 8%, LCA: 23%; p = 0.022) and MVS (RCA: 40%, LCA: 62%; p = 0.020) were higher in the LCA group than in the RCA group. Although the diagnostic rate of VSA and frequency of SPT-related complications were similar in the two groups, the frequency of MVS was higher in the LCA group than in the RCA group because of the increase in the number of LCX spasms. A routine SPT may be started from the LCA.

Differences in Clinical and Angiographic Parameters of Intracoronary Ergonovine and Acetylcholine to Coronary Spasm Provocation Test in Dyslipidemia

Differences in Clinical and Angiographic Parameters of Intracoronary Ergonovine and Acetylcholine to Coronary Spasm Provocation Test in Dyslipidemia

Differences in Clinical and Angiographic Parameters of Intracoronary Ergonovine and Acetylcholine to Coronary Spasm Provocation Test in Smokers

Differences in Clinical and Angiographic Parameters of Intracoronary Ergonovine and Acetylcholine to Coronary Spasm Provocation Test in Smokers

Frequency and Clinical Impact of Family History of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Vasospastic Angina.

Family history (FH) of coronary artery disease (CAD) [FH-CAD] is a well-known risk factor for atherosclerotic CAD. However, FH-CAD frequency in patients with vasospastic angina (VSA) remains unknown, and the clinical characteristics and prognosis of VSA patients with FH-CAD are unclear. Therefore, this study compared FH-CAD frequency between patients with atherosclerotic CAD and those with VSA and examined the clinical characteristics and prognosis of VSA patients with FH-CAD. Coronary angiography and spasm provocation tests (SPT) were used to investigate chest pain of coronary artery origin in patients classified into atherosclerotic CAD (362 cases), VSA (221 cases; positive for SPT) and non-VSA (73 cases; negative for SPT) groups, with FH-CAD being defined. In the VSA group, flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and nitroglycerin-independent vasodilation (NID) via brachial artery echocardiography and clinical symptoms in the groups with and without FH-CAD were checked, with Kaplan-Meier curves revealing major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiac death and rehospitalisation for cardiovascular disease) between the two groups. The atherosclerotic CAD group had a significantly lower FH-CAD frequency (12%, p = 0.029) than the VSA (19%) and non-VSA groups (19%). FH-CAD was more common in females in the VSA and non-VSA groups than in the atherosclerotic CAD group (p < 0.001). Nonpharmacological treatment for CAD in FH-CAD was more common in the atherosclerotic CAD group (p = 0.017). In the VSA group, FH-CAD tended to be more common in females (p = 0.052). Although no differences in FMD of the brachial artery were observed between the groups, the FH-CAD (+) group had significantly higher NID than the FH-CAD (-) group (p = 0.023). Kaplan-Meier's analysis revealed a similar prognosis between the two groups, and other clinical characteristics did not differ. Patients with VSA have a higher FH-CAD frequency than those with atherosclerotic CAD, especially in females. Although FH-CAD may affect vascular function in patients with VSA, its effect on the severity and prognosis of VSA appears to be minimal. FH-CAD and its confirmation may assist in CAD diagnosis, especially in female patients.

Characterization and implications of intracoronary hemodynamic assessment during coronary spasm provocation testing.

Current diagnostic criteria for coronary spasm are based on patient's symptoms, ECG shifts and epicardial vasoconstriction during acetylcholine (ACh) spasm testing. To assess the feasibility and diagnostic value of coronary blood flow (CBF) and resistance (CR) assessment as objective parameters during ACh testing. Eighty-nine patients who underwent intracoronary reactivity testing including ACh testing with synchronous Doppler wire-based measurements of CBF and CR were included. Coronary microvascular and epicardial spasm, respectively, were diagnosed based on COVADIS criteria. Patients were 63 ± 13years old, predominantly female (69%) and had preserved LV ejection fraction (64 ± 8%). Overall, assessment of CBF and CR during ACh testing revealed a decrease in CBF of 0.62 (0.17-1.53)-fold and an increase of CR of 1.45 [0.67-4.02]-fold in spasm patients compared to 2.08 (1.73-4.76) for CBF and 0.45 (0.44-0.63) for CR in patients without coronary spasm (both p < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic revealed a high diagnostic ability of CBF and CR (AUC 0.86, p < 0.001, respectively) in identifying patients with coronary spasm. However, in 21% of patients with epicardial spasm and 42% of patients with microvascular spasm a paradoxical response was observed. This study demonstrates feasibility and potential diagnostic value of intracoronary physiology assessments during ACh testing. We observed opposite responses of CBF and CR to ACh in patients with positive vs. negative spasm test. While a decrease in CBF and an increase in CR during ACh seem pathognomonic for spasm, some patients with coronary spasm demonstrate paradoxical ACh response demanding further scientific investigations.

Japanese Herbal Medicine (Kampo) as a Possible Treatment for Ischemia With Non-obstructive Coronary Artery Disease.

Patients presenting with the syndrome of symptoms and signs suggesting ischemic heart disease but found to have no obstructed coronary arteries (INOCA) are increasingly recognized. Although there are non-invasive tests for the diagnosis of INOCA, such as transthoracic Doppler echocardiography, positron emission tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate increased blood flow with adenosine and other agents, the diagnosis of INOCA by coronary angiography with the coronary spasm provocation test and coronary microvascular function evaluation using pressure wires has become the gold standard, but it is not well established in the treatment of INOCA. Despite the lack of objection to lifestyle modification and the use of coronary dilators, mainly calcium-channel blockers, for conditions involving epicardial coronary artery spasm, there is no entirely effective long-term treatment for microvascular spasm or coronary microvasculardysfunction. Although some combinations of drugs have been empirically administered in certain cases, it is difficult to conclude that they are sufficiently effective. Recently, it has been reported that some Japanese herbal medicines (Kampo) have been effective in the treatment of INOCA. In order to increase the knowledge on the treatment of INOCA, this review focuses on the effects of Japanese herbal medicine on INOCA and its presumed mechanisms and problems.

CRT-101.05 Differences in Clinical and Angiographic Parameters of Intracoronary Ergonovine and Acetylcholine to Coronary Spasm Provocation Test in Dyslipidemia

CRT-101.05 Differences in Clinical and Angiographic Parameters of Intracoronary Ergonovine and Acetylcholine to Coronary Spasm Provocation Test in Dyslipidemia

CRT-100.79 Differences in Clinical and Angiographic Parameters of Intracoronary Ergonovine and Acetylcholine to Coronary Spasm Provocation Test in Smokers

CRT-100.79 Differences in Clinical and Angiographic Parameters of Intracoronary Ergonovine and Acetylcholine to Coronary Spasm Provocation Test in Smokers

Abstract 14339: Differences in Clinical and Angiographic Characteristics Following Intracoronary Ergnovine and Acetylcholine Provocation Test for Coronary Artery Spasm

Background: Ergnovine (Erg) and Acetylcholine (Ach) are useful agents for assessing significant coronary artery spasm (CAS). However, comparison studies of the two agents are limited. Methods: A total of 8,093 consecutive patients (pts) who underwent Erg or Ach provocation test between November 2004 and June 2021 were enrolled. Significant CAS was defined as focal or diffuse severe transient luminal narrowing (&gt;70%) with/without chest pain or ST-T change on ECG. We divided into two groups according to provocation agent; 1) the Erg group (n=639), 2) the Ach group (n = 7,454). We investigated whether there are differences in clinical and angiographic characteristics according to intracoronary Erg or Ach provocation test. Results: Baseline clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups except the Erg group were more elderly (58.5 years vs 56.6 years, p &lt; 0.001) and dyslipidemia (36.0% vs 18.6%, p &lt; 0.001) but lower rates of current smokers (16.0% vs 21.1%, p = 0.002) and alcoholics (27.1% vs 32.9%, p = 0.002). During the provocation test, the higher rates of myocardial bridge, ECG change, chest pain, atrioventricular node block, and positive CAS results but lower rates of baseline spastic change were shown in the Ach group. More pts received to lower Ach dose and higher Erg dose during the provocation test. In CAS positive patients, the Ach group had higher rates of spasm in the left anterior descending artery and mid site, but lower proximal site (table). Conclusion: Clinical and angiographic parameters were different between Erg and Ach provocation tests. Further study would be needed to validate the different parameters and different positive rates between the two agents. Table. Angiographic and Procedural Parameters during Ergonovine versus Acetylcholine Provocation Test

Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Patients with Multi-Vessel Coronary Spasm in Comparison with Those in Patients with Single-Vessel Coronary Spasm.

(1) Background: We have sometimes experienced patients with vasospastic angina (VSA) who presented multi-vessel spasm (MVS) on coronary angiography and spasm provocation test (SPT). However, the clinical characteristics of VSA patients with MVS and the prognosis of such patients in the clinical setting have not been clarified. Therefore, we compared the clinical characteristics and prognosis in VSA patients with MVS with those in VSA patients with single-vessel spasm (SVS). (2) Methods: A total of 152 patients (mean age, 67 years, 74 men and 78 women) with VSA, in which the presence of coronary spasm was assessed in both left coronary artery (LCA) and right coronary artery (RCA) on SPT, were enrolled. We defined VSA as the presence of >90% narrowing of the epicardial coronary artery on angiograms, accompanied by usual chest symptoms and/or ischaemic ST-T changes on the electrocardiogram. On SPT, MVS was defined as the presence of spasms on ≥2 major coronary arteries. Based on the presence of MVS, patients were divided into the MVS group and the SVS group. The frequencies of conventional coronary risk factors, blood chemical parameters, average times of anginal attack, SPT findings such as spasm provocation induced by a low dose of acetylcholine (L-ACh) and total occlusion due to coronary spasm (TOC), number of coronary vasodilators at discharge and major cardiovascular events (MACE, including cardiac death and readmission due to any cause of cardiovascular diseases) were compared between the two groups. (3) Results: The MVS and SVS groups were comprised of 98 (64%) and 54 (36%) patients, respectively. The level of fasting blood glucose (FBS) was lower (p < 0.01), and the level of cystatin-C (n = 89) tended to be higher (p = 0.07) in the MVS group than in the SVS group. The frequencies of L-ACh-induced coronary spasm (33% in MVS and 17% in SVS, p = 0.04) and TOC (12% in MVS, 0% in SVS, p < 0.01) were higher in the MVS group than in the SVS group. The average number of coronary vasodilators at discharge was higher in the MVS group (1.2 ± 0.4) than in the SVS group (0.9 ± 0.5, p < 0.01). The frequency of MACE was not different between the two groups. (4) Conclusions: Patients with MVS may have higher VSA activity on SPT and have more aggressive medications, leading to a comparable prognosis in VSA patients with SVS. MVS is an important indicator of at least VSA activity, and cardiologists should confirm this in SPT whenever possible. Further studies should confirm whether lower FBS levels and higher cystatin-C levels are any markers of MVS.

Comparison of the radiation dose between dual-acquisition coronary computed tomography angiography and coronary angiography for coronary spasm

Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is an imaging technique that can be used to evaluate and diagnose coronary artery stenosis. Dual-acquisition CCTA (DA-CCTA) with additional nitrate infusion is a promising alternative noninvasive diagnostic tool, as conventional CCTA has limitations in the diagnosis of variant angina compared to conventional angiographic coronary spasm tests. However, DA-CCTA may pose a potential risk due to radiation exposure. We compared the radiation dose between DA-CCTA and the coronary angiographic spasm provocation test.Methods: Patients with clinically suspected variant angina at a single hospital between March 2013 and October 2018 were screened and underwent DA-CCTA or a coronary angiographic spasm provocation test. The effective radiation dose required for each approach was compared. Results: In total, 211 suspected variant angina patients underwent DA-CCTA or the coronary angiographic spasm provocation test. Of these, 49 patients (mean age, 59.8 years; 67.3% men) received DA-CCTA and 162 patients (mean age, 60.5 years; 66.2% men) received a coronary angiographic spasm provocation test. There was a significant difference in the effective radiation dose, with a median dose of 5.1 mSv (interquartile range [IQR], 4.1–9.2 mSv) required for DA-CCTA and a median dose of 10.9 mSv (IQR, 8.4–15.2 mSv) for the coronary angiographic spasm provocation test (p&lt;0.001).Conclusion: DA-CCTA showed a significantly lower effective radiation dose than the coronary angiographic spasm provocation test required to diagnose variant angina.

Acetylcholine Use in Modern Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories: A Systematic Review.

Background: The use of acetylcholine for the diagnosis of vasospastic angina is recommended by international guidelines. However, its intracoronary use is still off-label due to the absence of safety studies. We aimed to perform a systematic review of the literature to identify adverse events related to the intracoronary administration of acetylcholine for vasoreactivity testing to fill this gap. Methods and results: We conducted a systematic review of observational studies and randomized controlled trials dealing with the intracoronary administration of acetylcholine. Articles were searched in MEDLINE (PubMed) using the MeSH strategy. Three independent reviewers determined whether the studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 434 articles were selected. Data concerning clinical characteristics, study population, acetylcholine dosage, and adverse effects were retrieved from the articles. Overall, 71,566 patients were included, of which only 382 (0.5%) developed one adverse event, and there were no fatal events reported (0%). Conclusions: Intracoronary administration of acetylcholine in the setting of coronary spasm provocation testing is safe and plays a central role in the evaluation of coronary vasomotion disorders, making it worthy of becoming a part of clinical practice in all cardiac catheterization laboratories.

Fragmented QRS as a risk marker for the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation in patients with variant angina.

BackgroundVariant angina (VA) is caused by reversible coronary artery spasm, which is characterized by chest pain with ST‐segment elevations on standard 12‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG) at rest. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is often caused by VA attack, but the risk stratification is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of fragmented QRS (fQRS) on VF occurrence in VA patients.MethodsNinety‐four patients who showed ST elevation on 12‐lead ECGs with total or nearly total occlusion in response to coronary spasm provocation test were enrolled. Among them, 16 patients had documented VF before hospital admission (n = 12) or experienced VF during provocation test (n = 4) (VF occurrence group). The fQRS was defined as the presence of spikes within the QRS complex of two or more consecutive leads.ResultsThe prevalence of fQRS was more often observed in the VF occurrence group than in the non‐VF occurrence group (63% [10/16] vs. 27% [21/78], p = 0.009). Univariate analyses revealed that age, history of syncope, QTc, and the presence of fQRS were associated with VF occurrence (p = 0.004, 0.005, 0.029, and 0.008, respectively). Furthermore, upon multivariate analyses using those risk factors, age, QTc, and fQRS predicted VF occurrence independently (p = 0.007, 0.041, and 0.014, respectively).ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated that fQRS in VA patients is a risk factor for VF. The fQRS may be a useful factor for the risk stratification of VF occurrence in VA patients.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis in patients with multi-vessel coronary spasm – comparison with those in patients with single-vessel coronary spasm

Abstract Background We have sometimes experienced patients with vasospastic angina (VSA), who showed multi-vessel spasm (MVS) on coronary angiography (CAG) and spasm provocation test (SPT). However, it has not been clarified what clinical characteristics VSA patients with MVS have or whether such patients have poor prognosis. Therefore, we compared the clinical characteristics and prognosis in VSA patients with MVS with those in VSA patients with single-vessel spasm (SVS). Methods One hundred and fifty-two patients (mean age: 67 yrs, 74 men and 78 women) with VSA, in which presence of coronary spasm was assessed in both left coronary artery (LCA) and right coronary artery (RCA) on SPT, were subjected. We defined VSA as the presence of more than 90% narrowing of the epicardial coronary artery on angiograms, accompanied by the usual chest symptoms and/or ischemic ST-T changes on electrocardiogram. On SPT, MVS was defined as the presence of spasm on ≥ two major coronary arteries. Base on the presence of MVS, patients were divided into the following 2 groups: MVS group and SVS group. The frequencies of conventional coronary risk factors, the average times of anginal attack (per month), the findings of SPT such as spasm provocation induced by low dose of acetylcholine (LDA) and total occlusion due to coronary spasm (TOC), the number of coronary vasodilators at discharge, and the major cardiovascular events (MACE) including death of any cause and readmission due to heart failure, acute coronary syndrome and unstable angina, were compared in the two groups. Results There were 98 patients (64%) in the MVS group and 54 patients (36%) in the SVS groups. The frequencies of conventional coronary risk factors and the average times of anginal attacks (4/month in both groups) were not different in the two groups. The frequencies of LDA (33% in MVS and 17% in SVS, p&amp;lt;0.05) and TOC (12% in MVS, 0% in SVS, p&amp;lt;0.01) were higher in the MVS group than in the SVS group. The average numbers of coronary vasodilators was higher in the MVS group (1.1±0.4) than in the SVS group (0.9±0.4, p&amp;lt;0.01). The frequency of MACE did not differ in the two groups as follows (figure). Conclusions These findings suggest that there was no clinical characteristic, suggesting the presence of MVS in VSA patients. Such patients may have higher VSA activity on SPT and have more aggressive medications, leading to the similar prognosis in VSA patient with SVS. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Defining idiopathic ventricular fibrillation: A systematic review of diagnostic testing yield in apparently unexplained cardiac arrest

Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) is diagnosed in patients with apparently unexplained cardiac arrest (UCA) after varying degrees of evaluation. This is largely due to the lack of a standardized approach to UCA. We sought to develop an evidence-based diagnostic algorithm for IVF by systematically examining the yield of diagnostic testing in UCA probands. Studies reporting the yield of diagnostic testing in UCA were identified in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and conference abstracts. Their methodological quality was assessed by the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool. Meta-analyses were performed using the random effects model. A total of 21 studies were included. The pooled comprehensive diagnostic testing yield was 43% (95% confidence interval 39%-48%). A lower yield was seen when only definite diagnoses based on the prespecified criteria were used (32% vs 47%; P = .15). Epinephrine challenge, Holter monitoring, and family screening were associated with low yield (<5%), whereas cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, exercise treadmill test, and sodium-channel blocker challenge were associated with high yield (≥5%). Coronary spasm provocation, electrophysiology study, and systematic genetic testing were reported to be abnormal in a high proportion of UCA probands (>10%). We developed a stepwise algorithm for UCA evaluation and criteria to assess the strength of IVF diagnosis on the basis of the diagnostic yield of UCA testing.

Abstract 14995: Family History of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Vasospastic Angina: What Does it Mean Clinically?

Introduction: It has been reported that a family history of coronary artery disease (FH-CAD) is one of the coronary risk factors for CAD with organic coronary stenosis (o-CAD). Hypothesis: However, the indication for FH-CAD in patients with vasospastic angina (VSA) is yet to be fully elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the frequency of FH-CAD in patients with VSA and examined the clinical characteristics of patients with VSA with FH-CAD. Methods: A total of 78 patients with VSA diagnosed by coronary angiography and spasm provocation test (SPT) were included. Patients with cardiomyopathies, long QT syndrome, or Brugada syndrome, were excluded. On SPT, VSA was defined as &gt;90% narrowing of coronary artery in response to acetylcholine accompanied with chest symptoms and/or ST- T changes on ECG. Each patient was interviewed about their FH-CAD, and its presence was defined as having known CAD and sudden cardiac death affecting first-degree relatives. According to the presence of FH-CAD, patients with VSA were classified into the two groups: Group I, with FH-CAD; and Group II, without FH-CAD. Conventional risk factors, blood chemical parameters, vascular function, including flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and nitroglycerin-induced dilation (NID), duration of angina, were checked. Furthermore, the frequency of FH-CAD was checked in 161 patients with o-CAD (≥50% coronary stenosis) and 69 patients without o-CAD or VSA (non-CAD) . Results: Group I and Group II comprised 17 (21%) and 61 patients (79%), respectively. The frequency of FH-CAD in patients with VSA was not significantly different between o-CAD and non-CAD groups (17% vs. 16%). The conventional coronary risk factors, blood chemical parameters, and FMD (3.2 ± 3.1%, vs. 3.4 ± 3.8%) were not significantly different between Group I and Group II. In contrast, NID and duration of angina were significantly higher in Group I than in Group II, (18.2 ± 9.1% vs. 14.0 ± 5.2%; 52 ± 15 months vs. 16 ± 7 months, respectively; both p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that the FH-CAD is associated with the duration of angina and abnormal vascular smooth muscle function. Thus, FH-CAD may provide clinically important information regarding the activity and the possible mechanism, even in patients with VSA.

Relationship between epicardial adipose tissue volume and coronary artery spasm

BackgroundEpicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is considered to play a critical role in vascular endothelial function. Coronary artery spasm has been postulated to be a causal factor in vascular endothelial abnormalities and atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between coronary artery spasm and EAT volume, total abdominal adipose tissue (AAT) area, and abdominal visceral adipose tissue (AVAT) area. MethodAmong patients undergoing coronary computed tomography (CT) to evaluate coronary artery disease, we identified 110 patients who did not have significant coronary artery stenosis and underwent a coronary spasm provocation test with cardiac catheterization. They were divided into two groups according to the results of the spasm provocation test: spasm-positive and spasm-negative. EAT volume, total AAT area, and AVAT area were evaluated using CT images. ResultsSeventy-seven patients were included in the spasm-positive group and 33 patients in the spasm-negative group. There were no significant differences in baseline clinical characteristics between the two groups, except for the prevalence of current smoking (48% vs. 27%, p = 0.04). EAT volume was significantly higher in the spasm-positive group (108 ± 38 mL vs. 87 ± 34 mL, p = 0.007), while no significant difference was seen in total AAT area (280 ± 113 cm2 vs. 254 ± 128 cm2, p = 0.32) or AVAT area (112 ± 54 cm2 vs. 98 ± 55 cm2, p = 0.27). Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that EAT volume (per 10 cm3) (odds ratio, 1.198; 95% confidence interval, 1.035–1.388; p = 0.016) was a significant predictor of coronary artery spasm. ConclusionOur results suggest that EAT has a strong association with coronary artery spasm, while AAT may not.

Safety assessment and results of coronary spasm provocation testing in patients with myocardial infarction with unobstructed coronary arteries compared to patients with stable angina and unobstructed coronary arteries.

Coronary spasm is an established cause for myocardial infarction with unobstructed coronary arteries, and can be diagnosed using intracoronary acetylcholine testing. However, it has been questioned whether such testing is feasible and safe in the acute phase. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of coronary spasm and the safety of the acetylcholine test in patients with myocardial infarction with unobstructed coronary arteries compared to patients with stable angina and unobstructed coronaries. One hundred and eighty selected patients (52% women, mean age 62±13 years) with either myocardial infarction with unobstructed coronary arteries (n=80) or stable angina and unobstructed coronaries (n=100) were enrolled from 2007-2018. All patients underwent the acetylcholine test according to a standardised protocol immediately after diagnostic angiography. Apart from assessment of clinical, demographic and risk factor data, side effects and complications during the acetylcholine test were recorded. Overall, epicardial spasm was found in 26% with a higher prevalence among the myocardial infarction with unobstructed coronary arteries compared to the stable angina patients (35% vs 19%, p=0.017). Microvascular spasm was found in 42% with a higher prevalence among the stable patients compared to the myocardial infarction with unobstructed coronary arteries cohort (53% vs 29%, p=0.0014). There were no statistically significant differences in the rate of side effects (16% vs 14%, p=0.674) or complications (1% vs 2.5%, p=0.438) between the two groups. None of the patients experienced irreversible complications. Coronary spasm is a frequent cause for myocardial infarction with unobstructed coronary arteries. Spasm provocation testing using acetylcholine is feasible in such patients in the acute phase. The complication rate during acetylcholine testing in myocardial infarction with unobstructed coronary arteries patients is low and comparable to patients with stable angina.