Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction Frame Count Research Articles

Acute myocardial infarction reparation/regeneration strategy using Wharton's jelly multipotent stem cells as an 'unlimited' therapeutic agent: 3-year outcomes in a pilot cohort of the CIRCULATE-AMI trial.

CIRCULATE-AMI (NCT03404063), a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) infarct size-reduction-powered double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) of standardized Wharton jelly multipotent stem cells (WJMSCs, CardioCell Investigational Medical Product) vs. placebo (2 : 1) transcoronary transfer on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) day ~5-7, is preceded by safety and feasibility evaluation in a pilot study cohort (CIRCULATE-AMI PSC). To evaluate WJMSC transplantation safety and evolution of left ventricular (LV) remodeling in CIRCULATE-AMI PSC. In 10 consecutive patients (32-65 years, peak CK-MB 533 ±89 U/l, cMRI-LVEF 40.3 ±2.7%, cMRI-infarct size 20.1 ±2.8%), 30 × 106 WJMSCs were administered using a novel cell delivery-dedicated, coronary-non-occlusive method (CIRCULATE catheter). Other treatment was guideline-based. WJMSC transfer was safe and occurred in the absence of coronary (TIMI-3 in all) or myocardial (corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC) 45 ±8 vs. 44 ±9, p = 0.51) flow deterioration or troponin elevation. By 3 years, 1 patient died from a new, non-index territory AMI; there were no other major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and no adverse events that might be related to WJMSCs. cMRI infarct size was reduced from 33.2 ±7.6 g to 25.5 ±6.4 g at 1 year and 23.1 ±5.6 g at 3 years (p = 0.03 vs. baseline). cMRI, SPECT, and echo showed a consistent, statistically significant increase in LVEF at 6-12 months (41.9 ±2.6% vs. 51.0 ±3.3%, 36.0 ±3.9% vs. 44.9 ±5.0%, and 38.4 ±2.5% vs. 48.0 ±2.1% respectively, p < 0.01 for all); the effect was sustained at 3 years. CIRCULATE-AMI PSC data suggest that WJMSC transcoronary application ~5-7 days after large AMI in humans is feasible and safe and it may be associated with a durable LVEF improvement. CIRCULATE-AMI RCT will quantify the magnitude of LV adverse remodeling attenuation with CardioCell/placebo administration.

293 Impact of metabolic syndrome on coronary microvascular dysfunction: a single-centre experience

Abstract Aims The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether microvascular dysfunction is more present in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) compared to diabetics and hypertensive patients with two angiographic imaging methods, to evaluate the degree of microcirculation dysfunction, the TIMI frame count and Myocardial Blush grade. Both techniques of rapid use and relatively cheap, and allow us to have a good degree of evaluation referred to the function of the coronary microcirculation. Methods and results The study included 445 patients allocated into three groups, 157 in the MetS group, 128 in the diabetics group, and 160 patients in the hypertensive group. All patients accessed to the emergency room for anginal chest pain, all were hospitalized in the cardiac intensive care unit from 2015 to 2020. Inclusion criteria were the presences of chest pain and/or their positive stress test, and epicardial coronary arteries free from stenosis at coronary angiography. We compared the results obtained from the angiographic techniques (TIMI Frame Count and Myocardial Blush Grade) in the two subgroups: MetS vs. hypertensive, and MetS vs. diabetics. In the first subgroup, we analyzed the TFCs of the three vessels in patients with hypertension and comparing them with patients with MetS, we observed that the latter have a worse perfusion condition: the three epicardial coronary vessels have a higher TFC than the hypertensive population (TFC LAD 33.1 ± 5.6 vs. 28.4 ± 5.6, P = 0.018), (TFC RCA 27.2 ± 5.2 vs. 23.1 ± 5.2, P = 0.014) (TFC CX 27.9 ± 5.4 vs. 26.9 ± 5.4, P = 0.03). That indicates slow flow in patients with MetS coronary microcirculation. Analyzing the MBG, however, in the three coronary vessels of patients with hypertension compared to patients with metabolic syndrome, no difference was found in terms of worsening of the coronary microcirculation. Finally comparing the indices that summarize the values of the individual arteries both for the TFC and MBG, was seen as the TMBS is reduced in both groups (7.1 ± 0.49 vs. 7.1 ± 0.6, P-value = 0.04). The TTFC is instead higher in patients with MetS (83.9 ± 5.8 vs. 77.8 ± 6.7, P-value =0.024). Then we performed the same type of comparison between MetS and type 2 diabetic subgroup, in this comparison we observed how by analyzing the TFCs of the three coronary vessels, MetS patients have a slower coronary flow than patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (TFC LAD 33.1 ± 5.6 vs. 30.6 ± 6.2, P = 0.04), (TFC RCA 27.2 ± 5.2 vs. 25 ± 5.3, P = 0.02), (TFC CX 27.9 ± 5.4 vs. 27.2 ± 5.6, P = 0.05). Comparing MBG of the three coronary vessels instead, the flow is lower in diabetic patients TTFC was higher in patients with metabolic syndrome (83.9 ± 5.8 vs. 82.7 ± 8.6, P-value = 0.02). While TMBS was lower in diabetic patients than in patients with metabolic syndrome (7.1 ± 0.49 vs. 6.7 ± 0.74, P-value = 0.01). Conclusions This study shows that patients with MetS had a major coronary microvascular dysfunction using TFC imaging technique, analysis compared to diabetics or hypertensive patients, these differences resulted to be statistically significant. A clinical evaluation of this parameters using TFC such in this study, might give further information about (CMD) in this patients in order to act to develop the best treatment to this patients and to improve their clinical condition.

Non-Invasive Flow Ratio (NiFR) Measurement based on Angiography Images.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a gold standard to assess the impact of stenosis on the blood flow. The FFR method enhances diagnostic accuracy, lessens the need for stenting, and reduces costs. However, FFR is used in less than 10% of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures because it needs pressure wires to measure the distal and proximal pressures and adenosine to create hyperemic conditions. Pressure-wire-based FFR measurement is, therefore, expensive and invasive.Objective: This study aims to introduce a new approach on the basis of 3D coronary angiography and the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count for fast computation of FFR in patients with coronary artery disease.Material and Methods: In this simulation study, we herein introduce Non-Invasive Flow Ratio drawing upon CFD to measure FFR based on coronary angiography images with less run time. In this study, 3D geometry was created based on coronary angiography images. The mean volumetric flow rate was calculated using the TIMI frame count. FFR calculated based on CFD was compared with pressure-wire-based FFR and NiFR was calculated in 85 patients. Results: The NiFR (r = 0.738, P< 0.001) exhibited a strong correlation with pressure-wire-based FFR. The result indicated that FFR was higher than 0.8 in the arteries with non-signif­icant stenosis and lower than 0.8 in the arter­ies with significant stenosis.Conclusion: The computational simulation of FFR and hemodynamic parameters such as pressure drop is a safe, efficient, and cost-effective method to evaluate the severity of coronary stenosis.

Evaluation of heart rate recovery index in patients with coronary slow flow: preliminary results.

Coronary slow flow (CSF) is an angiographic finding detected in patients presenting with chest pain and with normal coronary artery appearance on routine angiograms. Heart rate recovery index (HRRI) reflects autonomic function and independently predicts cardiovascular disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate HRRI in patients with CSF. The study was conducted with a total of 200 individuals including 72 (36%) females and 128 (64%) males who presented to the cardiology clinic. Coronary blood flow was calculated numerically using the TIMI frame count (TFC) method. Treadmill stress electrocardiogram (ECG) test was applied to all patients according to the Bruce protocol. HRRIs at 1, 2, 3 and 5 minutes were recorded after the stress test. HRRI was calculated by subtracting the HR at 1, 2, 3 and 5 minutes of recovery from the subject's maximal exercise HR at the end of the exercise. Duration of exercise, METs, max. HR, SBP and DBP at baseline, max. SBP and DBP, and changes in SBP and DBP were similar between the groups (p>0.05). HRRIs at 1, 2, 3 and 5 minutes were higher in CSF patients compared to control subjects (all p<0.001). Coronary slow flow affects HRRI values. CSF may adversely affect the neuro-cardiovascular system.

Identification of Flow-Limiting Coronary Stenosis With PCS: A New Cost-Effective Index Derived From the Product of Corrected TIMI Frame Count and Percent Diameter Stenosis.

Background: Identifying functional coronary stenosis with simple and cost-effective methods during invasive coronary angiography is still challenging. Corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) is considered to be the frame count velocity of coronary blood flow. We aimed to propose a simple and cost-effective index based on CTFC and percent diameter stenosis (DS) to identify flow-limiting coronary stenosis. For this, a new index was put forward as the product of CTFC and DS (PCS). PCS can be regarded as the loss of coronary blood flow due to diameter stenosis.Methods: DS, CTFC, PCS, and Fractional flow reserve (FFR) of 111 vessels in 84 patients with suspected coronary heart disease were measured. FFR ≤0.80 was defined as flow-limiting. Models involving CTFC, DS, and PCS were developed. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the values on diagnosing flow-limiting stenosis.Results: Vessels with flow-limiting coronary stenosis exhibited higher CTFC values than those without (28.56 vs. 21.64). The performance including the AUC (0.887), sensitivity (87.8%), and Youden index (0.678) for detecting flow-limiting stenosis was improved by adding the CTFC to the DS, while PCS had the largest positive predictive value (PPV) and diagnostic accuracy (DA) being 72.0 and 82.9%, respectively. For vessels with ≥50% lesions, PCS still had the best DA (80.9%), specificity (85.9%), and PPV (72.9%). At the same stenosis severity level, the AUC, Youden index and, DA of PCS were higher than those of CTFC.Conclusions: PCS is simple and accurate to identify flow-limiting coronary stenosis, especially at vessels with moderate to severe stenosis.

Relationship Between Plasma Total Homocysteine Levels and Mean Corrected TIMI Frame Count in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between the plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels and slow coronary flow (SCF) measured by mean corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).MethodsNinety-one patients with primary myocardial infarction were enrolled in this study. The quantitative measurement of coronary blood flow was performed using the mean CTFC method. Plasma tHcy levels were determined using enzymatic assay from venous blood samples. Multivariable linear regression models indicated were used to estimate the effect size (β) of plasma tHcy levels on mean CTFC levels.ResultsCompared with patients with the mean CTFC ≤23.61 frames per second (FPS) group, there were increased plasma tHcy levels in patients of the second, third and highest mean CTFC quartiles (P < 0.001). Linear regression models indicated that plasma tHcy levels were positively associated with mean CTFC levels (adjusted-β per SD increase: 1.96, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.73, P < 0.001). Compared to the tHcy ≤12.30 μmol/L group, the third and highest tHcy-quartile groups had higher mean CTFC levels (adjusted-β: 2.52, 95% CI 0.39 to 4.65, P = 0.023; adjusted-β: 5.07, 95% CI 2.98 to 7.16, P < 0.001, respectively; P for trend <0.001). Moreover, this positive relationship was modified by diabetes mellitus (P-value for interaction was 0.046).ConclusionWe found a positive relationship between plasma tHcy levels and mean CTFC levels in patients with AMI. Moreover, diabetes mellitus played an interactive role in this positive association between the plasma tHcy levels and mean CTFC levels.

The roles of fasting blood glucose to HDL-cholesterol ratio and monocyte to HDL-cholesterol ratio on coronary slow flow in non-diabetic patients

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between coronary slow flow (CSF) with fasting blood glucose/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (GHR) and monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) in patients without overt diabetes and to reveal the effects of hyperglycemia and inflammation on CSF development. Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 237 patients who underwent coronary angiography were enrolled and divided into two groups according to CSF presence. 109 of them had CSF and 128 of them had normal coronary flow (CNF). The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) was calculated for each coronary artery and the values above the normal range was defined as CSF. Results: GHR and MHR were significantly higher in CSF patients compared to those without (p<0.001, p<0.001). In correlation analysis, total TFC showed a statistically significant relation with these markers (for both r=0.745, p<0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, GHR and MHR were independent predictors for CSF presence (p<0.001, p<0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed the best cut off values of GHR and MHR as 2.105 and as 12.93, respectively (AUC=0.861, p<0.001; AUC=0.849, p<0.001). Conclusion: In this study, there was a strong relationship between CSF with GHR and MHR. In addition, elevated values of GHR and MHR supported the roles of hyperglycemia and inflammation in CSF etiopathogenesis.

The efficacy and safety of the short-term combination therapy with ticagrelor and PPIs or H2RA in patients with acute STEMI who underwent emergency PCI.

Combination therapy with platelet inhibitors and acid‐suppressive agents is recommended for patients with acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but there remains a paucity of data to evaluate both the efficacy and safety of these combinations. In this prospective study, a total of 170 patients with acute STEMI who underwent PCI were divided into four groups: pantoprazole + ticagrelor, omeprazole + ticagrelor, ranitidine + ticagrelor, and ticagrelor only. The risk of PCI, antithrombotic efficacy, cardiac function, and main end points were evaluated and compared. No significant differences were found in infarction‐related artery perfusion indexes (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction [TIMI], corrected TIMI frame count), the incidence of stent thrombosis after PCI, platelet indicators (platelet count, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width), platelet activation (P‐selectin and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa levels), platelet aggregation (thrombelastography indicators, such as ADP% and MAADP), myocardial necrosis biomarker (creatine kinase isoenzyme‐MB and cardiac troponin I) levels, brain natriuretic peptide levels, the incidence of ischemic end point events, and the incidence of other tissue and organ bleeding events among the four groups. The incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding events in the proton pump‐inhibitor (PPI) group was significantly lower than that in the control group, whereas in the H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) group it was not significantly different from the control group. The short‐term combination therapy with ticagrelor and PPIs or H2RA is safe and effective in patients with acute STEMI after PCI. In addition, the PPIs combined with ticagrelor could reduce the incidence of GI bleeding events without increasing the incidence of ischemic events.

Coronary slow-flow phenomenon in takotsubo syndrome: the prevalence, clinical determinants and long-term prognostic impact

Abstract Background Previous studies demonstrated that patients with takotsubo syndrome (TTS) may present with coronary slow-flow (CSF) at coronary angiography performed in the acute phase [1]. However, the exact clinical relevance and its long-term prognostic impact have not been established yet. In the only recently published study Montone et al. proved that TTS patients with CSF were characterized by a worse clinical presentation with higher rate of intrahospital complications and poor long-term clinical outcome [2]. Purpose We sought to investigate the prevalence of CSF in TTS patients, its determinants and long-term prognostic impact. Methods Among 7771 myocardial infarction patients hospitalized in our center in 2012–2019 years, we identified 82 (1.1%) TTS patients with performed coronary angiography (Figure 1A). The coronary flow was assessed quantitatively with TIMI Frame Count (TFC), whereas myocardial perfusion with TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG). The clinical and angiographic characterstics of 67 TTS patients complying with MINOCA definition were compared with representative 50 non-TTS MINOCA (Figure 1A). Results CSF (TIMI 2) was identified in 33 (40.2%) TTS patients. CSF-TTS patients were characterized with higher TFC and worse TMPG in each analyzed coronary vessel (Figure 1B). CSF was observed in LAD artery in each patient, in 78.8% in LCx and in 33.3% in RCA, respectively. In CSF-TTS lower values of LVEF on admission (33.5 (25–40) vs 40 (35–45)%, P=0.019) as well as more frequent midventricular TTS (27.3 vs 8.2%, P=0.020), nearly normal coronary arteries (&amp;lt;30% stenosis) (75.8 vs 49.0%, P=0.015) and coexistence of both physical and emotional triggers (9.1 vs 0%, P=0.032) were noted. Moreover, CSF was observed significantly more frequent than in non-TTS MINOCA (44.8 vs 10.0%, P&amp;lt;0.001) with different distribution in particular vessels (P&amp;lt;0.001). In median 55 months of long-term observation higher all-cause mortality was stated in CSF-TTS (30.3 vs 10.2%, P=0.024) (Figure 1C) without difference between TTS and non-TTS MINOCA (P=0.42) (Figure 1D). By Cox proportional hazards model the CSF was identified as an independent predictor of long-term mortality (P&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusions As has been shown high proportion of TTS patients were characterized with remarkably marked myocardial perfusion abnormalities, especially in the left coronary vessels, which were associated with unfavorable long-term prognosis. Our study is the first presenting the direct angiographic, clinical and prognostic comparison of TTS MINOCA and non-TTS MINOCA patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1

Evaluation of myocardial reperfusion in patients undergoing cangrelor supported primary PCI for STEMI

Abstract Background Optimal myocardial reperfusion is the main goal of pharmaco-invasive treatment in STEMI patients. Cangrelor is a new intravenous P2Y12 inhibitor, mainly used in intra-procedural PCI setting of STEMI patients. Intracoronary cangrelor bolus application results in high local drug concentrations and may be more effective than a standard intravenous bolus. Aim This study aims to investigate the potential benefits of intracoronary versus intravenous cangrelor bolus in STEMI patients undergoing to primary PCI (p-PCI). Materials and methods Overall, 71 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing p-PCI were treated with intracoronary (n=37) or intravenous (n=34) bolus cangrelor administration with subsequent 2-hour intravenous infusion. The primary end point was ST-elevation reduction (STR) ≥50% at 30 minutes and at 24 hours after p-PCI. Secondary end points were STR ≥70% at 30 min after p-PC, TIMI frame count, and the QT dispersion (QTd). Moreover, stent thrombosis, bleeding events according to BARC classification, and 30-day mortality have been evaluated as safety explorative end points. Results STEMI patients treated with intravenous Cangrelor bolus had a higher rate of STR ≥50% either at 30 minutes (72% vs. 45%; p=0.033) or at 24 hours after p-PCI (87.1% vs. 63.6%; p=0.030) as compared to patients treated with intracoronary Cangrelor bolus; similarly, STR ≥70% at 30 minutes was more frequent in the intravenous bolus group as compared to intracoronary one (67% vs. 29% p=0.02). Furthermore, multivariable analysis demonstrated that intravenous Cangrelor bolus administration was an independent predictor of STR ≥50% (OR 3.586; 95% CI 1.134 to 11.335; p=0.030). No differences according to the TIMI frame count and the QTd were found. No stent thrombosis were observed at 30 days. The incidence of mortality and bleeding events (BARC 3–5) were comparable among study groups (30 days-death: 2.9% vs 5.4%, p=0.606; BARC 3–5 bleedings: 17.6% vs 13.5% p=0.630). Conclusion Intravenous coronary bolus administration of cangrelor in primary PCI is superior to intracoronary treatment with respect to extent of microvascular obstruction, and perfusion. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Predictors of coronary slow flow phenomenon in patients with angina and normal epicardial coronaries

Abstract Background Coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP), also called as syndrome Y is characterized by the delayed passage of contrast distally when injected into the epicardial coronaries. It accounts for upto 7% of patients undergoing coronary angiogram (CAG) for angina. Conventionally, it is determined by the coronary filling time. We aimed to determine whether coronary emptying time is a significant predictor of the coronary slow flow. Purpose To determine the coronary artery filling time and emptying time at prespecified vascular landmarks in patients with chest pain and normal epicardial coronaries. To determine the association of coronary arterial filling time and emptying time in patients with coronary slow flow phenomenon. To determine the association of various conventional coronary artery disease risk factors and various clinical parameters in patients with coronary slow flow phenomenon. Methods Patients with angina, having normal epicardial coronaries on CAG were selected consecutively between January 2019 and December 2020. Each angiogram was assessed for the coronary filling and emptying times at prespecified standard vascular landmarks on the basis of TIMI frame counts (TFC). Results A total of 37 patients with normal epicardial coronaries were analyzed, out of which 27 patients had slow flow in LAD and 17 patients had slow flow in RCA (10 had normal flow in LAD and 12 had normal flow in RCA). Eight had non dominant RCA, which were too small for analyzing TFC were excluded from the study. We observed positive correlation of coronary filling times and emptying times, both in LAD (R-Sq 0.24) and RCA (R-Sq 0.05) in slow flow patients unlike those with normal flow. We found the filling times and emptying times are significantly prolonged in slow flow patients [with mean CTFC values of 77.94 &amp; 92.85 in LAD and 36.91 &amp; 120.82 in RCA, respectively (P&amp;lt;0.05)]. The capillary and venous transit time is prolonged both in LAD and RCA slow flow groups, which was of statistical significance in the RCA slow flow group (P&amp;lt;0.05), but not in LAD slow flow group (P=0.43). We observed slow flow significantly more in male population (P=0.02) and associated with high LDL/HDL ratios and high triglycerides. Conclusion 1. In addition to coronary artery filling times, Coronary artery emptying time is an independent and significant predictor of coronary slow flow phenomenon. 2. Capillary and venous transit time is significantly prolonged in patients with slow flow in RCA whereas in patients with LAD slow flow there is non significant prolongation of capillary and venous transit time. 3. There is a positive correlation of coronary emptying time with coronary filling time in Coronary Slow Flow. This correlation is not seen in patients with normal coronary flow. 4. Coronary slow flow is observed significantly more in male population. 5. Coronary slow flow is significantly associated with high LDL/HDL ratios and triglyceride levels. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Study designAngiographic landmarks for LAD and RCA – Pictorial representation

Efficacy of Distal Intracoronary Epinephrine and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors in the Treatment of No-reflow during Percutaneous

Background: No-reflow is considered a major percutaneous coronary intervention complication, especially in primary PCI. A variety of medications have been studied for no-reflow treatment, including intracoronary nitrates, verapamil, adenosine, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, and epinephrine. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and epinephrine are the two most promising agents for the treatment of no-reflow. Aim of work: evaluating epinephrine and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors efficacy in treating no-reflow through local distal intracoronary injection in comparison to traditional intracoronary administration in the guiding catheter. Subjects and methods: 30 patients undergoing PCI complicated by no-reflow phenomenon. Patients were randomized to either group I where they were treated by local distal intracoronary injection of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor and epinephrine or to group II where they received the same medications via the traditional intracoronary injection. Primary outcomes were TIMI flow, corrected TIMI frame count and TMPG, and major adverse cardiac events within 48 hours was the secondary outcome. Results: Group I had significantly superior angiographic outcomes than group II. As regards TIMI II-III flow, 86.7% of patients achieved it in versus 53.3% in group II, CTFC was 8.2versus 9.9, and in group I, 80% of patients achieved TMPG II-III, compared to 46.7 % in group II. MACE was insignificantly different between both groups. Diabetes mellitus was found to be the only predictor to be negatively associated with TIMI flow. Conclusion: Distal coronary artery local injection of a combination of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors and epinephrine achieved superior angiographic outcomes in the treatment of refractory no-reflow in comparison with traditional intracoronary administration of the same medications.

The relationship between triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and coronary slow-flow phenomenon.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between high triglyceride (TG)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease. This prospective study included a total of 84 CSFP patients and 83 controls with normal coronary flow, as evidenced by coronary angiography. The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) was used to measure the coronary blood flow velocity. The lipid profiles were analyzed and TG/HDL-C ratio were calculated dividing absolute TG levels by absolute HDL-C levels in peripheral blood. The median TG/HDL-C ratio was higher in the CSFP group than the control group (3.4 [2.6 to 4.9] vs. 2.3 [1.8 to 3], respectively; p < 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that TG/HDL-C ratio was an independent predictor of CSFP (odds ratio [OR] 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59-2.32; p = 0.001) and TG/HDL-C ratio was positively correlated with the TFC in the CSFP group (r = 0.311, p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of TG/HDL-C for the diagnosis of CSFP was 0.73 (95% CI 0.65-0.81; p < 0.001). If a cut-off value of 2.75 was used, higher levels of TG/HDL-C ratio could predict the presence of CSFP with 72% sensitivity and 71% specificity. Our study results suggest that TG/HDL-C ratio is associated with CSFP and may be a useful biomarker for predicting CSFP and its severity.

Prophylactic use of intracoronary sodium nitroprusside decreases incidence of no reflow after primary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction

Background: Intracoronary vasodilators are used in various stages of primary angioplasty, either to treat no reflow or prophylactically to prevent no reflow. Vasodilators were ineffective during primary angioplasty to treat no reflow likely because the drug was used after plaque modification. We evaluated the intracoronary use of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) before plaque modification and microembolization. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective case–control study of all primary angioplasty cases done at Lourdes Hospital, Kerala, India, from March 2016 to May 2018 by two operators at the hospital. We retrospectively collected the data for primary angioplasty at the hospital and analyzed the data into two groups: one operator routinely used prophylactic intracoronary SNP in stable primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients, whereas the other used it only if there was no reflow. The drug was delivered prophylactically through guiding catheter once at least TIMI I flow was present. We compared the effect of prophylactic vs. therapeutic use of intracoronary SNP on no reflow during primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Results: Incidence of no reflow was significantly less in the group in which SNP was used at the onset of primary PTCA when compared with those patients in whom it was not used at the onset (6.5% vs. 28.4%, P &lt; 0.001). The TIMI frame count (21.7 vs. 24, P = 0.22) and low TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (&lt;2) (14% vs. 20%, P = 0.272) did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: Prophylactic intracoronary use of SNP, before plaque modification, reduces the incidence of no reflow phenomenon after primary angioplasty. Brief Summary Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) has been used during various stages of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), with intention to treat or prevent no reflow with variable results. Use of the drug, after no flow has set in, may not allow the drug to reach the microvasculature in all cases, making the drug not very effective in the treatment of no flow. So we compared the effect of prophylactic SNP before plaque modification in preventing no reflow after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Improved Cardiac Function and Attenuated Inflammatory Response by Additional Administration of Tirofiban during PCI for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients.

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is one of the acute coronary syndromes, and it is the main cause of cardiac death worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether tirofiban improves cardiac function and attenuates inflammatory response in STEMI patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). From May 2016 to May 2019, a total of 124 patients who admitted into our hospital due to STEMI fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to PCI + tirofiban and PCI groups, 62 cases per groups. Intravenous administration of 10 μg kg−1 min−1 tirofiban was performed 30 min prior to PCI. During PCI, tirofiban infusion through a micropump with 0.15 μg kg−1 min−1 lasted for 48 h. It was found that the PCI + tirofiban group was significantly different from the PCI group in total corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) after PCI (15.88 ± 5.11 vs. 22.47 ± 6.26, P < 0.001). At day 7 and day 30 post-PCI, a significant time-dependent decrease in the levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) in both groups was observed after PCI (P < 0.001). More importantly, the patients in the PCI + tirofiban group had much lower levels of BNP, cTnI, and CK-MB compared with those in the PCI group at days 7 and 30 post-PCI (P < 0.001). At day 7 following PCI, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was statistically higher in the PCI + tirofiban group than in the PCI group (P < 0.05). At day 30 post-PCI, increased LVEF concomitant with reduced left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD) was observed in the PCI + tirofiban group compared with the PCI group. At day 7 and day 30 post-PCI, both groups displayed a time-dependent decline in the levels of C reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and procalcitonin (PCT) after PCI (P < 0.05). Additionally, the patients in the PCI + tirofiban group had lower levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and PCT compared with those in the PCI group at days 7 and 30 post-PCI (P < 0.05). All patients in the PCI + tirofiban and PCI groups were followed up for 12 months by outpatient or telephone after discharge. There were fewer patients with LVEF < 50% in the PCI + tirofiban group than the PCI group (P=0.044). Furthermore, it was found that the incidence rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in the PCI + tirofiban group was evidently lower than that in the PCI group (12.90% vs. 29.03%, P=0.028). Taken together, our data suggest that additional administration of tirofiban could improve cardiac function and attenuate inflammatory response in STEMI patients undergoing PCI, which is worthy of promotion in clinic.

To show the effect of intermittent fasting during ramadan on endothelial dysfunction via TIMI frame count.

Fasting and coronary functions are prestige fields for the study. There are a limited number of studies on these topics. The effect of Ramadan fasting on endothelial dysfunction, which can be manifested by loss of nitric oxide bioavailability, has been demonstrated via flow-mediated vasomotion in patients with the slow coronary flow in a small number of studies. To our knowledge, there is no study showing the relationship between TIMI frame count and Ramadan fasting. We aimed to prove that Ramadan fasting can improve endothelial dysfunction which can be documented via the TIMI frame count method in angiography. This retrospective study included 67 patients diagnosed with the coronary slow flow by coronary angiographic before Ramadan. All of them were evaluated again via TIMI frame count within a period of 1 to 3 months after Ramadan. We tested our hypothesis that fasting may improve endothelial dysfunction and it was proved by the TIMI frame count method in our study. TIMI frame counts measured angiographically from LAD, Cx, and RCA and they were significantly lower than the counts before fasting. All coronary frame count parameters showed significant improvement after Ramadan compared with the baseline values before the Ramadan fasting period (P < 0.001). Our results revealed that fasting and lifestyle changes during Ramadan may be beneficial for the improvement of endothelial dysfunctions in patients with the slow coronary flow and this can be showed easily using TIMI frame count. This is a practical and easy method for showing coronary functions.

Angiographic profiles in patients of persistent non-valvular atrial fibrillation from a tertiary care center in north india

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background The relationship of atrial fibrillation (AF) with coronary artery disease (CAD) is well established. Atrial ischemia due to obstructive CAD has been identified as one of the key risk factors, leading to AF. However, sufficient evidence exists as to the presence of myocardial ischemia on stress imaging, even without the presence of obstructive CAD in AF patients. Slow flow and coronary tortuosity on angiogram can lead to downstream myocardial ischemia independent of CAD. Purpose We aimed to delineate the angiographic profiles in AF patients with attention to slow flow and tortuosity leading to ischemia in those without obstructive CAD. Methods The study was a nonrandomised, prospective, single-centre observational study of consecutive patients of persistent non valvular AF. Symptomatic patients despite optimal medical therapy (OMT) for 3 months were recruited and all underwent coronary angiograms (CAG). Patients with known CAD or prior history of myocardial infarction were excluded. Further angiographic analysis was done in those without obstructive CAD to determine incidence of slow flow (&amp;gt;27 corrected TIMI frame count) and tortuosity (presence of ≥3 fixed bends in an epicardial artery). Results A total of 70 patients were recruited and followed for a mean duration of 12 ± 1.4 months. The mean age of the study group was 66.07 (±11.49). Hypertension (74%) was the commonest comorbidity followed by obesity (35%) and diabetes (30%). At CAG, 32/70 (45%) had obstructive CAD, 17/70 (24%) had non obstructive (&amp;lt;50-70% stenosis) CAD and 21/70 (30%) had normal coronaries without atherosclerosis. Amongst patients without obstructive CAD (n = 38) slow flow was seen in 16/38 (42%) and coronary tortuosity in 11/38 (29%) patients. There ware no differences in terms of death, HF and FVR hospitalisations or stroke at follow up between the obstructive CAD vs no obstructive CAD. However in patients without obstructive CAD, hospitalisations for FVR was significantly increased in those having slow flow on CAG, 9/12 (75%) vs 7/26 (27%) in those without slow flow (p value = 0.005). The mean TIMI frame count was also significantly higher in those with FVR hospitalisations 35.3 ± 11 vs 25.8 ± 8.9 (p value = 0.005). TIMI frame count &amp;gt;31 had a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 69% for predicting hospitalisations for FVR on ROC curve(AUC = 0.71). Conclusions CAD is closely related to AF and majority (70%) of our patients had evidence of atherosclerotic CAD on CAG in our study. A large proportion of patients with no evidence of obstructive CAD on CAG had slow flow or coronary tortuosity. Significantly increased hospitalisation for FVR seen in the slow flow group shows its significance and may lead to newer treatment modalities in future. Further larger studies looking at these aspects on CAG may give further insight as to the nature and prognosis of these entities.

Clinical outcome of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and angiographic evidence of coronary artery ectasia.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of coronary artery ectasia (CAE) in patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and to compare the long‐term outcome of subjects with and without CAE undergoing emergent coronary angiography.BackgroundThe prognostic impact of CAE in STEMI patients has been poorly investigated.MethodsThis retrospective, single‐center, study included consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing emergent coronary angiography from January 2012 to December 2017. The primary endpoint was the assessment of recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with versus those without CAE at the longest available follow‐up. The propensity score weighting technique was employed to account for potential selection bias between groups.ResultsFrom 1,674 patients with STEMI, 154 (9.2%) had an angiographic evidence of CAE; 380 patients were included in the no CAE group. CAE patients were more often males and smokers, and showed a lower prevalence of diabetes than no CAE patients. After percutaneous coronary intervention, the corrected thrombolysis in MI frame count (p < .001) and the myocardial blush grade (p < .001) were significantly lower in CAE than in no CAE patients.The mean follow‐up was 1,218.3 ± 574.8 days. The adjusted risk for the primary outcome resulted significantly higher in patients with CAE compared to those without (adjusted HR: 1.84; p = .017). No differences in terms of all‐cause and cardiac death were found between groups.ConclusionsIn this study, STEMI patients with CAE had a distinct clinical and angiographic profile, and showed a significantly higher risk of recurrent MI than those without CAE.

Thrombus aspiration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention improved outcome in patients with STEMI and a large thrombus burden.

BackgroundThe benefit of thrombus aspiration (TA) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) to patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains controversial. This study aimed to assess TA's impact on the outcome and prognosis for patients with STEMI and a large thrombus burden during PPCI.MethodsThis retrospective study evaluated consecutive patients with STEMI and a large thrombus burden (thrombolysis in myocardial infraction [TIMI] thrombus grade ≥4) who underwent conventional PPCI (n = 126) or PPCI + TA (n = 208) between February 2017 and January 2019. The procedure outcome and clinical prognosis were compared.ResultsPostprocedural vessel diameter was larger, and corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC) was lower in the PPCI + TA compared with the PPCI group. The proportion of postprocedural TIMI 3 flow was 83.3% in the PPC group and 94.2% in the PPCI+TA group. During the 12-month follow-up, no significant differences existed in the incidence of cardiac death, reinfarction, stent thrombosis, target vessel revascularization, or stroke.ConclusionApplication of TA in patients with STEMI and a large thrombus burden during PPCI may improve the procedural outcome, but it showed no benefit on the clinical prognosis in the 12-month follow-up. Longer follow-up studies are needed to confirm TA's clinical implications in patients with STEMI.

Myocardial protective effect of intracoronary administration of nicorandil and alprostadil via targeted perfusion microcatheter in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention: A randomized controlled trial.

Background:The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of nicorandil and alprostadil on myocardial protection in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods:In this prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled study, 90 consecutive patients scheduled for elective PCI for de novo coronary lesions were assigned to the nicorandil, alprostadil, and nitroglycerin groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. Drugs were administered intracoronary via a targeted perfusion microcatheter. The primary endpoint was the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) myocardial perfusion frame count (TMPFC). Additionally, the corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC), TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG), and incidence of periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) were assessed.Results:Both nicorandil and alprostadil were significantly effective in reducing TMPFC (114.6 ± 33.7 vs 93.4 ± 30.9, P = .016; 114.3 ± 34.3 vs 94.7 ± 33.3, P = .029, respectively). Similar findings were observed in the improvement of cTFC (20.3 ± 10.5 vs 13.5 ± 5.0, P = .003; 20.2 ± 7.4 vs 15.2 ± 5.2, P = .003, respectively) and percentage of TMPG 3 (100% vs 82.8%, P = .052; 83.3% vs 96.7%, P = .196, respectively); whereas, nitroglycerin produced a limited effect on TMPFC (114.4 ± 30.9 vs 112.1 ± 31.9, P = .739), cTFC (19.4 ± 7.2 vs 19.3 ± 7.2, P = .936), and percentage of TMPG 3 (86.7% vs 86.7%, P = 1.000). No significant difference was found in the incidence of PMI (16.7% vs 16.0% vs 27.6%, P = .537), though it was comparatively lower in the nicorandil and alprostadil groups. Furthermore, the intracoronary administration of nicorandil and alprostadil had a mild effect on blood pressure and heart rate.Conclusions:The intracoronary administration of nicorandil and alprostadil via a targeted perfusion microcatheter was more effective in improving myocardial perfusion in patients undergoing elective PCI than nitroglycerin.