Coronary Artery Segments Research Articles

Coronary Artery Ectasia in Acute Coronary Syndrome: The Role of Non-vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Management

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is an abnormal dilatation of coronary artery segments, often linked with atherosclerosis. This report discusses two cases of CAE presenting as acute coronary syndrome. A 36-year-old man had proximal blockage in the left circumflex artery (LCx) and ectasia in the obtuse marginal artery and left anterior descending artery (LAD), while a 53-year-old male smoker had an ectatic LAD with a substantial thrombus. Both were treated with dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs), specifically apixaban, along with atorvastatin. The first patient had complete resolution of LCx occlusion after 1 year, and the second patient had complete thrombus dissolution in the LAD in 2 months. These cases highlight the potential benefits of NOACs in managing CAE in acute coronary syndrome, suggesting that triple therapy can significantly improve clinical outcomes.

Fractional flow reserve measurement using dynamic CT perfusion imaging in patients with coronary artery disease

Fractional flow reserve measurement using dynamic CT perfusion imaging in patients with coronary artery disease

Abstract 4115015: Hyperpolarized Carbon-13 Metabolic Imaging Detects Changes in Cardiac Mitochondrial Metabolism in Patients Before and After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Background: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a significant global health issue, necessitating improved diagnostic tools for visualizing cardiac energetics. Traditional imaging methods such as PET and dobutamine stress echocardiography do not directly assess mitochondrial metabolism. Hyperpolarized Carbon-13 metabolic magnetic resonance imaging (HP- 13 C MRI) offers a promising non-invasive method for investigating mitochondrial function in CAD. This study utilizes HP- 13 C MRI to detect changes in mitochondrial metabolism in patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery (Fig.1). Methods: We conducted HP- 13 C MRI examinations on two patients with advanced CAD before and (~4-6 months after CABG surgery and one healthy subject (Fig. 2 A,B). Participating subjects provided informed consent according to a protocol approved by the Institutional Review Board and Protocol Review Committee. Baseline blood samples were analyzed for pyruvate, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and insulin levels. Post-glucose load, patients received an intravenous injection of an IND-approved metabolic probe, [1- 13 C] pyruvic acid, prepared under Good Manufacturing Practice regulations. The HP solution was administered after polarization in a clinical polarizer (SPINlab™, GE Healthcare). Imaging was performed using a GE MR750 MR system with a Helmholtz loop-pair 13 C coil (PulseTeq Limited, UK). Data were reconstructed and analyzed with MATLAB scripts. Results and Discussion: Baseline blood measurements were normal for the healthy subject, but those with advanced CAD showed variable and abnormal values (Fig. 2C). HP- 13 C MRI safely assessed cardiac metabolism in patients with advanced CAD. Patients with advanced CAD exhibited reduced pyruvate metabolism compared to healthy controls, shown by lower myocardial bicarbonate/(bicarbonate+lactate) ratios (Bic/(Bic+Lac)). Following CABG, only Patient 2 showed improved Bic/(Bic+Lac), while Patient 1 did not (Fig. 3A-B). This variability may be influenced by differences in nutrition, hormonal status, medication regimens, or other factors. Changes in % Bic/(Bic+Lac) across different coronary artery segments were observed post-CABG in CAD patients (Fig. 3C). Conclusion: HP- 13 C MRI non-invasively assesses cardiac metabolism in CAD patients, demonstrating the potential to evaluate post-CABG metabolic changes. Our efforts continue to recruit large cohort to understand individual variability.

Acute coronary syndrome as the initial manifestation of infective endocarditis in an apparently normal native valve: a case report

Abstract Background Acute coronary syndrome is a rare complication of infectious endocarditis. We present the case of a patient with a bicuspid aortic valve who presented an acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) of the inferior wall secondary to vegetation that generated obstruction of the ostium of the right coronary artery (RCA). Case summary A 54-year-old patient with only a history of smoking was admitted for chest pain. An acute STEMI in the inferior wall was documented; he underwent an emergent coronary angiography, which showed a mass that obstructed the ostium of the RCA that did not allow its channelling. An angiotomography of the aorta was performed, where dissection was ruled out and the presence of a mass in the right coronary sinus that protruded towards the ostium of the coronary artery was confirmed. In the extension studies, a bicuspid aortic valve and thrombosis in the right brachial artery and in the infrarenal abdominal aorta were documented. Discussion The case was taken to a medical meeting and given the embolic and mechanical compromise; it was decided to perform surgery where a mass that invaded the proximal segment of the RCA was resected. The histopathological study documented findings of vegetation; the cultures were positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis, and he finally received antibiotic and anticoagulation treatment.

The effect of Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with coronary artery disease

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Randomized controlled trials (RCT) have shown that Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) improve cardiovascular outcomes in T2DM patients, with greater therapeutic benefits observed in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, the effect of GLP1-RA therapy on cardiovascular outcomes has been inconsistent and the RCT have not been sufficiently powered to examine the effect of GLP1-RA on mortality or their therapeutic effect in different subgroups of T2DM patients. Purpose This study aimed to examine the effect of GLP1-RA therapy on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in a real-world cohort of T2DM patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods This study included T2DM patients with CAD who were treated with metformin at a daily dose of ≥ 1g for a period of ≥ 180 days. CAD was defined as ≥ 50% luminal stenosis in any coronary artery segment according to a nationwide angiography and angioplasty registry. We performed sequential emulated target trials at monthly intervals between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2020 to examine the effect of GLP1-RA therapy on major adverse cardiovascular outcomes (MACE), a composite of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included the individual components of MACE. Marginal structural models were used to compute pooled effect estimates. This was an intention-to-treat analysis with 5 years of follow-up for each emulated target trial. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to adjust for confounding due to differences in patient demographics at baseline. Results This study consisted of 26,746 individuals who were treated with GLP1-RA and 74,638 controls. The 5-year cumulative risk of MACE was 27.7 % in the GLP1-RA group and 32.7 % in the control group (risk ratio 0.85 [95% confidence interval 0.82 – 0.88]). GLP1-RA therapy was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (risk ratio 0.76 [95% confidence interval 0.72 – 0.79]) and myocardial infarction (risk ratio 0.95 [95% confidence interval 0.89 – 1.00]). We found little or no effect of GLP1-RA therapy on the risk of ischemic stroke (risk ratio 1.13 [95% confidence interval 0.97 – 1.27]). Conclusions In this large real-world cohort of T2DM patients with established CAD, we observed that GLP1-RA therapy was associated with a lower risk of MACE, myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality.

Comparison between coronary calcium score and segment involvement score when used in clinical routine

Abstract Data from a nationwide registry on coronary computer tomography angiography. Background The Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CACS) and segment involvement score (SIS) are crucial factors in assessing the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and determining the likelihood of future cardiovascular events. However, there are few large multicenter studies comparing the predictive value of CACS and SIS when used in the clinical routine. Objectives To compare CACS and SIS ability to predict cardiovascular outcomes when used in the clinical routine. Methods This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) for CAD evaluation between 2006-2022 in 29 different centers in Sweden. CACS was calculated using the Agatston method, and SIS was determined based on the number of coronary segments exhibiting plaque. For SIS, patients were categorized into SIS=0, SIS=1, SIS=2, SIS=3, SIS³4, for CACS patients were categorized into CACS=0, CACS=1-9, CACS=10-99, CACS=100-299, CACS³300. Patients were followed regarding the primary outcome of death or myocardial infarction. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used for adjusting for potential confounders. Results A total of 23034 patients underwent CCTA and were followed for up to ten years. Median age (IQR) was 58 (49–67) years, 50% were women, 9% had diabetes mellitus, 42% had hypertension, 25% had hyperlipidemia, 5% had previously known CAD. There were 955 patients (4.1%) with myocardial infarction (MI) and 409 patients (2.2%) died during follow up. There was an increase in cardiovascular events with increasing SIS. When comparing SIS and presence of obstructive stenosis, SIS was a better predictor of outcome (Figure 1). There was also an increase cardiovascular events with increasing CACS (Figure 2). When adjusted for age, sex, risk factors, previous cardiovascular disease and intervention, both SIS and CACS were independently associated with outcome. When SIS and CACS were compared in a receiver operating characteristic curve, CACS had significantly larger AUC than SIS, (0.70[0.67-0.73] vs 0.62[0.60-0.63]). Conclusion Our findings show that both CACS and SIS are important and independent predictors of cardiovascular outcomes thereby offering a valuable tool for personalized risk stratification and management in clinical settings. When used in the clinical routine, CACS appears to be more strongly associated with outcome than SIS.Figure1 Survival SISFigure 2 Survival CACS

Age stratified differences in coronary artery plaque phenotype in women and men with non-obstructive coronary artery disease

Abstract Background Development of coronary artery disease (CAD) and risk of acute cardiac events differ between women and men during the life span. The aim of this study was therefore to characterize sex differences in coronary artery plaque phenotype among patients with symptomatic non-obstructive CAD in different age groups. Methods Advanced coronary artery plaque phenotyping by coronary computed tomography angiography was performed in 606 patients (31% women) with symptomatic non-obstructive CAD from the Norwegian Registry of Invasive Cardiology. A 1:1 sex-matched study design ensured equal distribution of the sexes in the different age groups. We assessed total plaque burden adjusted for vessel volume and plaque composition consisting of dense calcium, fibrous, fibro-fatty, and necrotic core. Patients were further stratified into age groups of ≤50, 51-64, and ≥65 years to explore the relationship between age and sex on coronary artery plaque phenotype. Results In the study population, patients ≥65 years had a higher prevalence of hypertension, higher calcium score, coronary artery segment involvement score and total plaque burden, whereas the prevalence of obesity was lower compared to patients aged 51-64 and ≤50 years (all p<0.05). The prevalence of smoking, diabetes and statin treatment was similar between groups. A two-way analysis of variance demonstrated an interaction between sex and age group on total plaque burden (F [2, 600] =3.431, p=0.33), where women aged 51-64 and ≥65 years had a higher total plaque burden compared to men (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively, Figure 1). Plaque composition in women ≥65 years was characterized by an increased proportion of stable dense calcified plaques compared to men and younger women (all p<0.05), whereas men ≥65 years had a higher proportion of vulnerable necrotic core plaque phenotype (p<0.001). Women showed consistently lower proportions of more vulnerable fibro-fatty plaques compared to men across all age groups (all p<0.05, Figure 2). Conclusions In non-obstructive CAD, higher total plaque burden was associated with older age and female sex. Women had a lower proportion of vulnerable fibro-fatty plaques across all age groups and a higher proportion of stable dense calcified plaques at an older age compared to men. Future longitudinal studies on coronary artery plaque phenotype during the life span will increase the understanding of sex differences in CAD development and may contribute to customise risk stratification in women and men.Figure 1.Total plaque burdenFigure 2.Compositional plaque burden

Automated segment-level coronary artery calcium scoring on non-contrast CT: a multi-task deep-learning approach

ObjectivesTo develop and evaluate a multi-task deep-learning (DL) model for automated segment-level coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring on non-contrast computed tomography (CT) for precise localization and quantification of calcifications in the coronary artery tree.MethodsThis study included 1514 patients (mean age, 60.0 ± 10.2 years; 56.0% female) with stable chest pain from 26 centers participating in the multicenter DISCHARGE trial (NCT02400229). The patients were randomly assigned to a training/validation set (1059) and a test set (455). We developed a multi-task neural network for performing the segmentation of calcifications on the segment level as the main task and the segmentation of coronary artery segment regions with weak annotations as an auxiliary task. Model performance was evaluated using (micro-average) sensitivity, specificity, F1-score, and weighted Cohen’s κ for segment-level agreement based on the Agatston score and performing interobserver variability analysis.ResultsIn the test set of 455 patients with 1797 calcifications, the model assigned 73.2% (1316/1797) to the correct coronary artery segment. The model achieved a micro-average sensitivity of 0.732 (95% CI: 0.710–0.754), a micro-average specificity of 0.978 (95% CI: 0.976–0.980), and a micro-average F1-score of 0.717 (95% CI: 0.695–0.739). The segment-level agreement was good with a weighted Cohen’s κ of 0.808 (95% CI: 0.790–0.824), which was only slightly lower than the agreement between the first and second observer (0.809 (95% CI: 0.798–0.845)).ConclusionAutomated segment-level CAC scoring using a multi-task neural network approach showed good agreement on the segment level, indicating that DL has the potential for automated coronary artery calcification classification.Critical relevance statementMulti-task deep learning can perform automated coronary calcium scoring on the segment level with good agreement and may contribute to the development of new and improved calcium scoring methods.Key PointsSegment-level coronary artery calcium scoring is a tedious and error-prone task.The proposed multi-task model achieved good agreement with a human observer on the segment level.Deep learning can contribute to the automation of segment-level coronary artery calcium scoring.Graphical

Successful coronary angioplasty of a spontaneous occlusion of the conus artery causing a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and electrical storm

BackgroundConus artery occlusion is a rare life-threatening event, typically secondary to iatrogenic etiology, and is treated mainly with conservative therapy and/or balloon angioplasty without stenting. However, treatment remains challenging.Case presentationWe report the case of a 60-year-old man with a known history of coronary artery disease presenting with multiple internal defibrillator cardioversions due to an electrical storm (recurrent ventricular fibrillation). The coronary angiography showed an acute occlusion of the conus artery arising from the proximal segment of the right coronary artery, treated by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with stenting (drug-eluting stent) without any serious complications.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature where a non-iatrogenic occlusion of the conus artery causing a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and electrical storm was treated with percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stenting.Graphical abstract

Super-resolution deep learning image reconstruction: image quality and myocardial homogeneity in coronary computed tomography angiography

BackgroundThe recently introduced super-resolution (SR) deep learning image reconstruction (DLR) is potentially effective in reducing noise level and enhancing the spatial resolution. We aimed to investigate whether SR-DLR has advantages in the overall image quality and intensity homogeneity on coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography with four different approaches: filtered-back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (IR), DLR, and SR-DLR.MethodsSixty-three patients (mean age, 61 ± 11 years; range, 18–81 years; 40 men) who had undergone coronary CT angiography between June and October 2022 were retrospectively included. Image noise, signal to noise ratio, and contrast to noise ratio were quantified in both proximal and distal segments of the major coronary arteries. The left ventricle myocardium contrast homogeneity was analyzed. Two independent reviewers scored overall image quality, image noise, image sharpness, and myocardial homogeneity.ResultsImage noise in Hounsfield units (HU) was significantly lower (P < 0.001) for the SR-DLR (11.2 ± 2.0 HU) compared to those associated with other image reconstruction methods including FBP (30.5 ± 10.5 HU), hybrid IR (20.0 ± 5.4 HU), and DLR (14.2 ± 2.5 HU) in both proximal and distal segments. SR-DLR significantly improved signal to noise ratio and contrast to noise ratio in both the proximal and distal segments of the major coronary arteries. No significant difference was observed in the myocardial CT attenuation with SR-DLR among different segments of the left ventricle myocardium (P = 0.345). Conversely, FBP and hybrid IR resulted in inhomogeneous myocardial CT attenuation (P < 0.001). Two reviewers graded subjective image quality with SR-DLR higher than other image reconstruction techniques (P < 0.001).ConclusionsSR-DLR improved image quality, demonstrated clearer delineation of distal segments of coronary arteries, and was seemingly accurate for quantifying CT attenuation in the myocardium.

Acute myocardial infarction or Takotsubo syndrome in a patient with stunned myocardium due to myocardial bridging? A case report of diagnostic dilemma clarified after serial workup

BackgroundMyocardial bridging is a cardiac anomaly where a segment of epicardial coronary arteries runs through the myocardium and can rarely cause MI. Takotsubo syndrome is a stress-induced cardiomyopathy that can mimic MI. Catecholamine surge during stress can contribute to Takotsubo syndrome, but whether this surge can trigger an inconspicuous myocardial bridging to manifest symptomatically remains unclear, and alternately, whether a myocardial bridge might cause worsening of Takotsubo syndrome is also a matter that needs further research.Case presentationWe report the case of a patient who initially presented with features of acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis and subsequently developed symptoms and ECG features suggestive of acute myocardial infarction. Echocardiography revealed features of takotsubo syndrome, and complete myocardial bridging was revealed via coronary angiography. The patient was managed conservatively with pharmacological treatment, and after a few days, echocardiographic features were reversed. As such, the diagnosis shifted toward Takotsubo syndrome with myocardial stunning due to co-existent myocardial bridging.ConclusionWe report a rare case of a patient with acute bronchiectasis exacerbation with features suggestive of acute myocardial infarction who had findings of Takotsubo syndrome and complete myocardial bridging. In the beginning, it was difficult to determine whether the symptoms arose due to acute MI resulting from myocardial bridging or were solely due to takotsubo syndrome because of stress from bronchiectasis. Although myocardial bridging is often overlooked as an etiology for acute MI, this case highlights the importance of expanding the differential diagnosis to myocardial bridging in the work-up for the cause of acute MI and how Takotsubo syndrome can mimic acute MI and pose a diagnostic challenge.

Interrater Variability of ML-Based CT-FFR in Patients without Obstructive CAD before TAVR: Influence of Image Quality, Coronary Artery Calcifications, and Location of Measurement.

Objectives: CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) can improve the specificity of coronary CT-angiography (cCTA) for ruling out relevant coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, little is known about the reproducibility of CT-FFR and the influence of diffuse coronary artery calcifications or segment location. The objective was to assess the reliability of machine-learning (ML)-based CT-FFR prior to TAVR in patients without obstructive CAD and to assess the influence of image quality, coronary artery calcium score (CAC), and the location of measurement within the coronary tree. Methods: Patients assessed for TAVR, without obstructive CAD on cCTA were evaluated with ML-based CT-FFR by two observers with differing experience. Differences in absolute values and categorization into hemodynamically relevant CAD (CT-FFR ≤ 0.80) were compared. Results in regard to CAD were also compared against invasive coronary angiography. The influence of segment location, image quality, and CAC was evaluated. Results: Of the screened patients, 109/388 patients did not have obstructive CAD on cCTA and were included. The median (interquartile range) difference of CT-FFR values was -0.005 (-0.09 to 0.04) (p = 0.47). Differences were smaller with high values. Recategorizations were more frequent in distal segments. Diagnostic accuracy of CT-FFR between both observers was comparable (proximal: Δ0.2%; distal: Δ0.5%) but was lower in distal segments (proximal: 98.9%/99.1%; distal: 81.1%/81.6%). Image quality and CAC had no clinically relevant influence on CT-FFR. Conclusions: ML-based CT-FFR evaluation of proximal segments was more reliable. Distal segments with CT-FFR values close to the given threshold were prone to recategorization, even if absolute differences between observers were minimal and independent of image quality or CAC.

Optical coherence tomography assessment of the impact of colchicine on non-culprit coronary plaque composition after myocardial infarction.

Low-dose colchicine reduces the risk of cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction (MI). The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of colchicine post-MI on coronary plaque morphology in non-culprit segments by optical coherence tomography (OCT). COCOMO-ACS was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that randomized 64 patients (median age 61.5 years; 9.4% female) with acute non-ST-segment elevation MI to colchicine 0.5 mg daily or placebo for a median of 17.8 months in addition to guideline-recommended therapy. Participants underwent serial OCT imaging within a matched segment of non-culprit coronary artery which contained at least one lipid-rich plaque causing ≥20% stenosis. The primary outcome was the change in minimum fibrous cap thickness (FCT) in non-culprit segments from baseline to final visit. Of those randomized, 57 (29 placebo, 28 colchicine) had evaluable imaging at baseline and follow-up. Overall, colchicine had no effect on relative (placebo +48.0±35.1% vs. colchicine +62.4±38.1%, P=0.18) or absolute changes in minimum FCT (+29.2±20.9 µm vs. +37.2±21.3 µm, P=0.18), or change in maximum lipid arc (-38.8±32.2° vs. -54.8±46.9°, P=0.18) throughout the imaged non-culprit segment. However, in patients assigned colchicine, cap rupture was less frequent (placebo 27.6% vs. colchicine 3.6%, P=0.03). In post-hoc analysis of 43 participants who had been followed for at least 16 months, minimum FCT increased to a greater extent in the colchicine group (placebo +38.7±25.4% vs. colchicine +64.7±34.1%, P=0.005). In this study, OCT failed to detect an effect of colchicine on the minimum FCT or maximum lipid arc of plaques in non-culprit segments post-MI. The post-hoc observation that minimum FCT increased to a greater extent with colchicine after more prolonged treatment suggests longer-term studies may be required to detect the effect of anti-inflammatory therapies on plaque morphology by OCT. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Identifier, ACTRN12618000809235, registered on the 11th of May 2018.

Perivascular Fat: A Novel Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Disease.

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) interacts with the vascular wall and secretes bioactive factors which regulate vascular wall physiology. Vice versa, vascular wall inflammation affects the adjacent PVAT via paracrine signals, which induce cachexia-type morphological changes in perivascular fat. These changes can be quantified in pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT), as an increase in PCAT attenuation in coronary computed tomography angiography images. Fat attenuation index (FAI), a novel imaging biomarker, measures PCAT attenuation around coronary artery segments and is associated with coronary artery disease presence, progression, and plaque instability. Beyond its diagnostic capacity, PCAT attenuation can also ameliorate cardiac risk stratification, thus representing an innovative prognostic biomarker of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, technical, biological, and anatomical factors are weakly related to PCAT attenuation and cause variation in its measurement. Thus, to integrate FAI, a research tool, into clinical practice, a medical device has been designed to provide FAI values standardized for these factors. In this review, we discuss the interplay of PVAT with the vascular wall, the diagnostic and prognostic value of PCAT attenuation, and its integration as a CVD risk marker in clinical practice.

Prognostic Implications of Resistive Reserve Ratio in Patients With Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease With Myocardial Bridging.

Myocardial bridging (MB) is accompanied by the dynamic extravascular compression of epicardial coronary arteries, leading to intracoronary hemodynamic disturbance with abnormal coronary flow profiles. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic implications of resistive reserve ratio (RRR), a composite measure of flow and pressure parameters that represents the vasodilatory capacity of the coronary arteries, in patients with angina with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) and MB, in comparison with coronary flow reserve (CFR). In this retrospective cohort study, we included patients with ANOCA who underwent coronary reactivity testing, where MB was identified by transient constriction in coronary artery segments between systole and diastole. Abnormal CFR and RRR were defined as <2.5 and <2.62, respectively. Major adverse cardiac events, including cardiovascular death, stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and late revascularization, served as outcomes. Among 1251 patients with ANOCA, 191 (15.3%) had MB. The prevalence of abnormal CFR or RRR was not significantly different between patients with and without MB (P=0.144 and P=0.398, respectively). Over a median follow-up time of 6.9 years, abnormal RRR predicted major adverse cardiac events in patients with MB (hazard ratio [HR], 4.38 [95% CI, 1.71-11.21]; P=0.002) and without MB (HR, 1.91 [95% CI, 1.38-2.64]; P<0.001). Abnormal CFR predicted major adverse cardiac events in patients without MB (HR, 2.15 [95% CI, 1.54-3.00]; P<0.001), whereas it was not predictive of major adverse cardiac events in patients with MB (HR, 2.29 [95% CI, 0.93-5.65]; P=0.073). In patients with ANOCA and MB, impaired RRR was superior to impaired CFR in distinguishing patients at a higher risk of future adverse events, suggesting that RRR may serve as a risk stratification tool in patients with MB and ANOCA.

Cardiovascular disease among bariatric surgery candidates: coronary artery screening and the impact of metabolic syndrome

BackgroundObesity is known as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is an absence of preoperative cardiac risk assessment in bariatric surgery candidates and the incidence of CVD among these high-risk patients is still unknown.MethodsA consecutive series of bariatric surgery candidates at two Chinese tertiary hospitals received coronary CT angiography or coronary angiography from 2017 to 2023. Patients were categorized as metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) and metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) based on the presence or absence of MetS. CVD was diagnosed based on the maximum intraluminal stenosis > 1% in any of the segments of the major epicardial coronary arteries. Obstructive CVD was defined as coronary stenosis ≥ 50%. Binary multivariable logistic regression was performed to analyze the association between CVD and metabolic status. The number of principal MetS components was categorized into zero (without glycemic, lipid, and BP components), one (with one of the components), two (with any two components), and three (with all components) to explore their association with CVD.ResultsA total of 1446 patients were included in the study. The incidence of CVD and obstructive CVD were 31.7% and 9.6%. Compared with MHO patients, MUO patients had a significantly higher incidence of mild (13.7% vs. 6.1%, P < 0.05), moderate (7.4% vs. 0.8%, P < 0.05), and severe CVD (3.1% vs. 0%, P < 0.05). Following complete adjustment, compared with zero or one component, two principal MetS components was found to be associated with a notable increase in the risk of CVD (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.18–3.58, P < 0.05); three principal MetS components were observed to have a higher risk of CVD and obstructive CVD (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.56–4.62, P < 0.001; OR 3.93, 95% CI 1.19–12.93, P < 0.05). Each increase in the number of principal MetS components correlated with a 1.47-fold (95% CI 1.20–1.81, P < 0.001) and 1.78-fold (95% CI 1.24–2.55, P < 0.05) higher risk of CVD and obstructive CVD, respectively.ConclusionThis study reported the incidence of CVD based on multicenter bariatric surgery cohorts. CVD is highly prevalent in patients with obesity, especially in MUO patients. Increased number of principal MetS components will significantly elevate the risk of CVD.

Depth Of Myocardial Bridging At Left Anterior Descending Artery On Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Associated With High-risk Plaque Of Proximal Coronary Artery Segment

Depth Of Myocardial Bridging At Left Anterior Descending Artery On Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Associated With High-risk Plaque Of Proximal Coronary Artery Segment

Myocardial Bridging: In-Depth Review of Coronary Anomalies

Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital coronary anomaly where segment of the epicardial coronary artery traverses through the myocardium for a portion of its length. While traditionally regarded as a benign condition, there is a growing focus on specific subsets of MB associated with ischemic symptoms and requires treatment. Increasing attention is being given to specific subsets of MB associated with ischemic symptomatology. The emergence of modern functional and anatomical imaging techniques; coronary angiography, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR), dan diastolic fractional flow reserve (dFFR), has improved our capacity to characterize symptoms associated with MB. In cases involving symptomatic patients, medical therapy often represents an effective treatment option. For individuals who do not respond satisfactorily to medical interventions, comprehensive multimodal assessment; percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), and myotomy should be considered.

“SKS is not dead” - A Case Report Of Dual Stenting Technique in the Management of a Complex Coronary Bifurcation Lesion During ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Abstract Introduction Cardiac interventions in the setting of a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) often require complex decision-making, especially when confronted with coronary bifurcation lesions. Although provisional stenting is the first choice regarding revascularization, bailout or upfront two stents may be required. Case presentation We present the case of a 53-year-old male patient with a history of arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes who presented to our emergency department with an ST-elevation myocardial infarction associated with inferior and posterior wall involvement. The patient’s coronary angiogram revealed a thrombotic occlusion in the second segment of the right coronary artery. A dual stenting technique was employed using simultaneous kissing stents to address this complex coronary bifurcation lesion. Six months follow up with coronary angiography and optical coherence tomography demonstrated functional neo carina with no malapposition and successful endothelialization of two stents. Conclusions In our case, the simultaneous kissing stents approach was deemed appropriate due to the presence of a thrombotic bifurcation lesion involving both the posterior descending artery and retro posterior branch, while minimizing the risk of side branch compromise.

Distinct Challenges of Eruptive and Non-Eruptive Calcified Nodules in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

To provide a summary of prevalence, pathogenesis, and treatment of coronary calcified nodules (CNs). CNs are most frequently detected at the sites of hinge motion of severely calcified lesions such as in the middle segment of right coronary artery and left main coronary bifurcation. On histopathology, CNs exhibit two distinctive morphologies: eruptive and non-eruptive. Eruptive CNs, which have a disrupted fibrous cap with adherent thrombi, are biologically active. Non-eruptive CNs, which have an intact fibrous cap without thrombi, are biologically inactive, representing either healed eruptive CNs or protrusion of calcium due to plaque progression. Recent studies using optical coherence tomography (OCT) have shown a difference in the mechanism of stent failure in the two subtypes, demonstrating early reappearance of eruptive CNs in the stent (at ~ 6months) as a unique mechanism of stent failure that does not seem to be preventable by simply achieving adequate stent expansion. The cause of CN reappearance in stent is not known and could be due to acute or subacute intrusion or continued growth of the CN. Whether modification of CN is needed, the most effective calcium modification modality and effectiveness of stent implantation in eruptive CNs has not been elucidated. In this review, we discuss pathogenesis of CNs and how intravascular imaging can help diagnose and manage patients with CNs. We also discuss medical and transcatheter therapies beyond conventional stent implantation for effective treatment of eruptive CNs that warrant testing in prospective studies.