Unstable Coronary Artery Disease Research Articles

Examining the Pre- and Post-percutaneous Coronary Intervention Blood Pressure Variability Using Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Patients With Stable and Unstable Coronary Artery Disease

Examining the Pre- and Post-percutaneous Coronary Intervention Blood Pressure Variability Using Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Patients With Stable and Unstable Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery lesions in Takayasu arteritis.

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a granulomatous inflammation of vessels of large diameter, mainly affecting the aorta and its proximal branches, which is more common in young women. The incidence of coronary artery disease in TAK is unknown and not sufficiently studied. A literature review was performed for the period 2003 to 2023 using a search of the PubMed and Scopus scientific databases. We used the following key words to search the academic journal databases: "Takayasu arteritis", "coronary angiography", "myocardial revascularization", "coronary artery disease", "angina pectoris", and "myocardial infarction". The analysis of studies showed that coronary artery lesions (CAL) in TAK are not uncommon, being identified particularly in children and young individuals. Pathology of the coronary arteries increases the morbidity and mortality of TAK patients. In TAK, the ostia and proximal segments of the coronary arteries are more frequently affected, presenting as stenosis or occlusion with the development of stable coronary artery disease, unstable coronary artery disease, acute myocardial infarction, and sudden death. The diagnosis of TAK and coronary artery pathology is often complicated due to nonspecific manifestations and frequently the absence of symptoms. The treatment of patients with TAK with CAL is challenging and requires both pharmacological therapy and interventional or surgical methods of myocardial revascularization. Takayasu arteritis is a more prevalent cause of CAL development, especially in young patients, than previously believed, and cardiovascular death due to CAL is not rare. Early diagnosis of TAK with CAL, particularly occlusion or hemodynamically significant stenosis, and the prompt initiation of appropriate treatment prevent dangerous complications, reduce mortality, and improve prognosis.

Do We Still Need Aspirin in Coronary Artery Disease?

Aspirin has for some time been used as a first-line treatment for acute coronary syndromes, including ST-elevation myocardial infarction, for secondary prevention of established coronary disease, and for primary prevention in patients at risk of coronary artery disease. Although aspirin has been in use for decades, the available evidence for its efficacy largely predates the introduction of other drugs, such as statins and P2Y12 inhibitors. Based on recent trials, the recommendation for aspirin use as primary prevention has been downgraded. In addition, P2Y12 inhibitors given as a single antiplatelet therapy have been associated with a lower incidence of bleeding than dual antiplatelet therapy in combination with aspirin in patients with stable and unstable coronary artery disease. The aim of this review is to discuss the role of aspirin considering the available evidence for primary prevention, secondary prevention for stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndromes, and after percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass revascularization.

Temporal Changes in Coronary 18F-Fluoride Plaque Uptake in Patients with Coronary Atherosclerosis.

Coronary 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-fluoride) uptake is a marker of both atherosclerotic disease activity and disease progression. It is currently unknown whether there are rapid temporal changes in coronary 18F-fluoride uptake and whether these are more marked in those with clinically unstable coronary artery disease. This study aimed to determine the natural history of coronary 18F-fluoride uptake over 12 mo in patients with either advanced chronic coronary artery disease or a recent myocardial infarction. Methods: Patients with established multivessel coronary artery disease and either chronic disease or a recent acute myocardial infarction underwent coronary 18F-fluoride PET and CT angiography, which was repeated at 3, 6, or 12 mo. Coronary 18F-fluoride uptake was assessed in each vessel by measuring the coronary microcalcification activity (CMA). Coronary calcification was quantified by measuring calcium score, mass, and volume. Results: Fifty-nine patients had chronic coronary artery disease (median age, 68 y; 93% male), and 52 patients had a recent myocardial infarction (median age, 65 y; 83% male). Reflecting the greater burden of coronary artery disease, baseline CMA values were higher in those with chronic coronary artery disease. Coronary 18F-fluoride uptake (CMA > 0) was associated with higher baseline calcium scores (294 Agatston units [AU] [interquartile range, 116-483 AU] vs. 72 AU [interquartile range, 8-222 AU]; P < 0.001) and more rapid progression of coronary calcification scores (39 AU [interquartile range, 10-82 AU] vs. 12 AU [interquartile range, 1-36 AU]; P < 0.001) than was the absence of uptake (CMA = 0). Coronary 18F-fluoride uptake did not markedly alter over the course of 3, 6, or 12 mo in patients with either chronic coronary artery disease or a recent myocardial infarction. Conclusion: Coronary 18F-fluoride uptake is associated with the severity and progression of coronary artery disease but does not undergo a rapid dynamic change in patients with chronic or unstable coronary artery disease. This finding suggests that coronary 18F-fluoride uptake is a temporally stable marker of established and progressive disease.

Elevated Levels of Circulating lncRNAs LIPCAR and MALAT1 Predict an Unfavorable Outcome in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. In this study, we aimed to assess the potential of plasma long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) LIPCAR and MALAT1 and microRNAs (miRNAs) miR-142-3p and miR-155-5p to discriminate unstable CAD patients from stable ones. 23 stable angina (SA), 21 unstable angina (UA), and 50 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients were enrolled; their plasma was collected. ncRNA plasma levels were evaluated using RT-qPCR. All measured ncRNA levels were significantly increased in UA patients' plasma compared to SA patients' plasma and in STEMI-with major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) patients' plasma vs. STEMI-without MACE patients' plasma. ROC analysis showed that increased levels of LIPCAR and MALAT1 were associated with UA, and the prognostic model improved with the addition of miR-155-5p levels. The assessed lncRNAs discriminated between hyperglycemic (HG) and normoglycemic (NG) UA patients, and they were associated with MACE incidence in STEMI patients; this prediction was improved by the addition of miR-142-3p levels to the ROC multivariate model. We propose LIPCAR and MALAT1 as effective diagnostic markers for vulnerable CAD, their association with HG in UA patients, and as robust predictors for unfavorable evolution of STEMI patients.

Circulatory soluble LOX-1 is a novel predictor for coronary artery disease patients.

This study investigated the biomarker effect of soluble lectin-like oxidised low-density lipoprotein (sLOX-1) levels for the evaluation of stable and unstable coronary heart disease, correlating it with aging. This case-control study was conducted at the Cardiology Department of Xiangya Hospital between June 2015 and September 2018. Stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients were confirmed by an invasive coronary angiogram, and American College of Cardiology as well as European Cardiology Society clinical protocols were used for the diagnosis of unstable CAD subjects. Plasma sLOX-1 levels were determined from 226 stable CAD patients, 138 unstable CAD subjects and 75 healthy participants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma sLOX-1 expressions were significantly elevated in stable CAD patients (4.5-fold) and unstable CAD patients (5.8-fold) above that of volunteer healthy participants. Moreover, between the stable and unstable patient groups, sLOX-1 concentrations were also statistically significantly different (p < 0.001). Levels of plasma sLOX-1 in the healthy female (30-60 years), and stable and unstable CAD female subjects (61-84 years) were markedly elevated compared with healthy male (30-60 years), as well as stable and unstable CAD male patients (61-84 years) (p < 0.001). Besides, in the female unstable CAD (61-84 years) subjects, circulatory sLOX-1 expressions were much higher than in the younger female unstable CAD (30-60 years) patients (p < 0.001). The stable CAD patients were clearly differentiated from healthy subjects with a high sensitivity of the area under the curve (AUC = 0.895). Unstable CAD patients and healthy subjects were also markedly different with a high sensitivity, as shown by AUC (0.902). Stable and unstable CAD subjects were differentiated with an AUC of 0.867. Elevated plasma sLOX-1 levels could be regarded as a novel biomarker for detecting CAD patients and there was a significant association with gender and aging.

Advances in Clinical Cardiology 2022: A Summary of Key Clinical Trials.

Over the course of 2022, numerous key clinical trials with valuable contributions to clinical cardiology were published or presented at major international conferences. This review seeks to summarise these trials and to reflect on their clinical context. The authors reviewed clinical trials presented at major cardiology conferences during 2022, including the American College of Cardiology (ACC), European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EuroPCR), European Society of Cardiology (ESC), Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT), American Heart Association (AHA), European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), TVT-The Heart Summit (TVT) and Cardiovascular Research Technologies (CRT). Trials with a broad relevance to the cardiology community and those with potential to change current practice were included. A total of 93 key cardiology clinical trials were identified for inclusion. Interventional cardiology data included trials evaluating the use of new generation novel stent technology and new intravascular physiology strategies such as quantitative flow ratio (QFR) to guide revascularisation in stable and unstable coronary artery disease. New trials in acute coronary syndromes and intervention focused on long-term outcomes of optimal medical therapy (OMT), revascularisation in ischaemic dysfunction and left main (LM) intervention. Structural intervention trials included latest data on optimal timing and anticoagulation strategies in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), in addition to expanding evidence in mitral and tricuspid valve interventions. Heart failure data included trials with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, iron replacement and novel drugs such as omecamtiv. Prevention trials included new data on proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors and polypill strategies. In electrophysiology, new data regarding optimal timing of ablative therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF) in addition to novel screening strategies were evaluated. This article presents a summary of key clinical cardiology trials published and presented during the past year and should be of interest to both practising clinicians and researchers.

Crystalline sirolimus-coated balloon (cSCB) angioplasty in an all-comers, patient population with stable and unstable coronary artery disease including chronic total occlusions: rationale, methodology and design of the SCORE trial

BackgroundA decade ago, the iopromide-paclitaxel coated balloon (iPCB) was added to the cardiologist‘s toolbox to initially treat in-stent restenosis followed by the treatment of de novo coronary lesions. In the meantime, DES technologies have been substantially improved to address in-stent restenosis and thrombosis, and shortened anti-platelet therapy. Recently, sirolimus-coated balloon catheters (SCB) have emerged to provide an alternative drug to combat restenosis.MethodsThe objective of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of a novel crystalline sirolimus-coated balloon (cSCB) technology in an unselective, international, large-scale patient population. Percutaneous coronary interventions of native stenosis, in-stent stenosis, and chronic total occlusions with the SCB in patients with stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndrome were included. The primary outcome variable is the target lesion failure (TLF) rate at 12 months, defined as the composite rate of target vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI), cardiac death or ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization (TLR). The secondary outcome variables include TLF at 24 months, ischemia driven TLR at 12 and 24 months and all-cause death, cardiac death at 12 and 24 months.DiscussionSince there is a wealth of patient-based all-comers data for iPCB available for this study, a propensity-score matched analysis is planned to compare cSCB and iPCB for the treatment of de novo and different types of ISR. In addition, pre-specified analyses in challenging lesion subsets such as chronic total occlusions will provide evidence whether the two balloon coating technologies differ in their clinical benefit for the patient.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04470934.

The association of preoperative high-sensitivity cardiac troponin i and long-term outcomes in colorectal cancer patients received tumor resection surgery

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the association between preoperative hs-cTnI and long-term mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in colorectal cancer patients.MethodsThis single-center retrospective cohort study included 1105 consecutive colorectal cancer patients who received tumor resection surgery between January 2018 and June 2020. Inclusion criteria were an age ≥ 18 years and had been tested for hs-cTnI on admission within 7 days prior to tumor resection surgery. Exclusion criteria were emergent surgery, failure to received tumor resection surgery, hospital death, there was clinical evidence of unstable coronary artery disease or pulmonary embolism occurred before operation according to medical record. The primary endpoint was all-cause death. Secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).ResultsA total of 1105 patients were enrolled: 1032 with normal hs-cTnI and 73 with elevated hs-cTnI. The mean follow-up was 24.4 ± 10.8 months, 176 patients died and 39 patients met MACE. In the elevated troponin group, 50%, 32.1% and 17.9% died from cancer, cardiovascular and other causes, while those in the normal troponin group were 75.7%, 2% and 22.3%, there was statistical difference between 2 groups (P < 0.001). Patients with elevated preoperative hs-cTnI had significantly higher mortality (P < 0.001) and more MACE (P < 0.001) compared with those with normal hs-cTnI. A propensity-matching analysis were performed, resulting in 151 patients with normal hs-cTnI and 60 patients with elevated hs-cTnI. The matched population had the similar results for all-cause death (P = 0.009) and MACE (P = 0.001). The results were consistent after further excluding 147 patients who had received chemoradiotherapy prior to surgery in subgroup analysis. The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis shown that hs-cTnI was one of the best predictors for all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR] 2.278; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19–4.361) and MACE (HR, 3.523; 95%CI, 1.477–8.403) in total populations, similar results were found in subgroup analysis.ConclusionsColorectal cancer patients without myocardial ischemia manifestation but with elevated hs-cTnI prior to tumor resection surgery were at increased risk for long-term all-cause death and MACE, irrespective of whether they have received chemoradiotherapy prior to surgery.

Intra-aortic Balloon Pump Securement.

Intra-aortic Balloon Pump Securement.

Nox5 in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells: A Promising Biomarker for Unstable Diabetic Vascular Disease

BackgroundHuman NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5) is expressed and functionally active in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Increased NOX5 expression has been demonstrated in atherosclerotic plaques of diabetic patients with associated coronary artery disease (CAD) and within diabetic kidney biopsies. We postulate that NOX5 expression in circulating PBMCs is particularly increased in diabetic patients with comorbid unstable CAD and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods64 males aged 33-85 years underwent elective or emergency coronary angiography/angioplasty at the Alfred Hospital Catheter Laboratory. PBMCs from whole blood were processed for flow-cytometry to measure NOX5 protein. In parallel, NOX5 gene expression was measured in PBMCs by qPCR. ResultsNOX5 protein expression in PBMCs was primarily driven by expression in monocytes (CD 45+/CD14+ cells) and was increased in diabetic patients with CKD versus without CKD (29.0±3.5 vs 12.8±2.3 AU; p=0.0007). CAD with acute presentation was associated with increased NOX5 expression versus elective presentation (24.7±2.7 vs 16.3±2.0 AU; p=0.013), especially in diabetic patients presenting acutely versus electively (28.2±3.5 vs 15.3±2.9 AU; p=0.0070). NOX5 expression was increased in diabetic patients with both CKD and acute presentation versus non-diabetic patients without CKD presenting electively (36.1±4.3 vs 11.9±3.4 AU; p=0.0003). A 3-fold upregulation of NOX5 gene was observed in diabetic patients with CAD and CKD versus diabetic patients with CAD but without CKD (p=0.044). ConclusionUnstable CAD and CKD appear to be key factors for increased NOX5 expression in circulating PBMC in patients with clustering diabetic complications. Measurement of NOX5 in PBMCs may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.

Optimisation of individual cardiovascular risk assessment in a German coronary artery disease cohort using a commercial test for genetic polymorphisms – a pilot study

Background and aims Assessment of cardiovascular risk using established risk scores such as ESC SCORE2 or PROCAM insufficiently emphasise the role of genetic factors. We hypothesise that commercially available genetic assays may provide additional information on hereditary cardiovascular risk in a timely and cost-efficient manner. Methods In a cohort of 51 patients treated for coronary artery disease (CAD) at University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany, a subgroup of patients with “unstable” CAD (i.e. recurrent acute coronary syndrome) was identified and compared to patients with “stable” disease (i.e. chronic coronary syndrome). Gene array analysis using a commercial assay for 15 potentially pathogenic polymorphisms revealed our cohort’s genetic risk profile regarding atherosclerotic/thromboembolic events. Improvement of cardiovascular risk assessment based on established risk scores was analysed using net reclassification, logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results Discriminatory capacity of traditional risk scores such as SCORE2 or PROCAM with regard to stable and unstable CAD groups was poor (ROC AUC <0.5). Patients with “unstable” CAD exhibited a significantly increased frequency of pathogenic eNOS 894 T and MTHFR 1298 C polymorphisms compared to “stable” CAD patients, and information on these polymorphisms individually as well as combinations with additional polymorphisms included in the assay such as ACE D/D or PAI-1 5 G variants markedly improved risk prediction compared to SCORE2/PROCAM alone (ROC AUC ≥0.75). Conclusion Commercially available assays for genetic polymorphisms may provide valuable information on individual genetic cardiovascular risk, potentially guiding future primary and/or secondary preventative therapies for coronary artery disease.

Five-year clinical outcomes of a 2.25 mm sirolimus-eluting stent in Japanese patients with very small coronary artery disease: final results of the CENTURY JSV study

The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of the 2.25 mm bioresorbable-polymer sirolimus-eluting Ultimaster stent in a Japanese patient population. Treatment of coronary artery disease in very small vessels is associated with an increased risk for cardiac events. The CENTURY JSV study is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study. Seventy patients with stable and unstable coronary artery disease with a coronary lesion eligible for implantation with a 2.25 mm stent were enrolled in this study. Patients underwent clinical follow-up through 5-year after the PCI procedure. The mean age was 70.4 ± 9.2 years. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 37.1%, all not insulin dependent. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events, defined as cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction (MI), and clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) at 5 years was 5.7%. A non-Q wave MI was noted in 1.4% and 4.3% underwent a CD-TLR. There was no stent thrombosis during the entire follow-up period. No cardiac events were reported between 2 and 5 years. This is the first study to demonstrate safety and effectiveness for 5 years after treatment of very small coronary disease with 2.25 mm-diameter DES.Clinical trial registration: UMIN000012928

Effect of physical activity on peak expiratory flow and the 6-minute walk test

The study conducted research aimed at assessing the influence of physical activity on peak expiratory flow (PEF) and the 6-minute walk test (6MTW). The research was carried out at the Department of Systemic Rehabilitation - Post Covid at the Pj-Med Rehabilitation Hospital in Popielówek from June 2021 to April 2022.&#x0D; The inclusion criteria for the studies was a positive PCR test performed up to one year after the end of treatment. Exclusion criteria - active inflammation (CRP &lt;5 or increasing CRP level), acute pulmonary embolism, heart failure with impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF &lt;35%) without cardioverter-defibrillator protection, unstable disease outside the circulatory system, unstable coronary artery disease, uncontrolled arrhythmias.&#x0D; The entire rehabilitation program lasted 6 weeks. The beginning of rehabilitation services was on average 4 months after the positive PCR result (min. 1 month and max. 11 months).&#x0D; A statistically significant difference was observed in the PEF parameter and in the 6MTW test before and after rehabilitation.

Comparative Analysis of the Perioperative Period in High-Risk Cardiac Surgery Patients with Stable and Unstable Angina Pectoris

&#x0D; The aim. To analyze the features of the perioperative period in cardiac surgery patients with stable and unstable angina.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Retrospective analysis of random 194 cardiac surgery patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and EuroSCORE II &gt; 5%, who were operated and discharged from the National Amosov Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery of the NAMS of Ukraine from 2009 to 2019. All the patients underwent standard clinical, laboratory and functional tests, coronary angiography and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).&#x0D; Results. When assessing the initial clinical picture of randomized patients, 110 (56.7%) were diagnosed with stable angina, and 84 (43.2%) with unstable. On admission, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was diagnosed in 12 (14.3%) patients (p &lt; 0.0001), and among patients with stable angina 91 (82.7%) had a history of AMI (p = 0.0158). All the patients had polymorbidity: the Charlson comorbidity index was 5.7 ± 1.8 in patients with unstable angina and 5.9 ± 1.9 in stable CAD (p = 0.4583). Patients with unstable angina were more likely to have subocclusive-occlusive lesions of the left main coronary artery (p = 0.0083), left anterior descending artery (p = 0.0392) and left circumflex artery (p = 0.0387). All the patients were discussed by the cardiac team prior to surgery which was performed by experienced cardiac surgeons with 24 ± 12.5 years of experience. Emergency surgery was performed in 43 (51.1%) patients with unstable angina and 12 (10.9%) with stable angina (p &lt;0.0001), off-pump CABG was performed in 82 (97.6%) and 105 (95.4%) patients, respectively (p = 0.4231). The postoperative period in patients with unstable angina was almost no different from that in patients with stable CAD. The patients with unstable angina were discharged on average on day 8.7 ± 4.04, and those with stable CAD were discharged on day 8.2 ± 3.2 (p = 0.3373).&#x0D; Conclusions. The outcome of the operation depends on the quality of the heart team work and requires a highly qualified cardiac surgeon with sufficient experience. Performing CABG on a working heart minimizes the occurrence of perioperative complications in patients with both unstable and stable CAD.

Release of MMP-2 in the circulation of patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: Role of platelets

IntroductionMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) of atherosclerotic tissue contribute to plaque rupture triggering acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Several MMPs, including MMP-2, are also contained in platelets and released upon activation. An increase in circulating levels of MMP-2 has been reported in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), but its time-course and origin remain unclear. Aims of our study were to assess the time-course of MMP-2 release in blood of stable and unstable coronary artery disease patients undergoing PCI and to unravel the possible contribution of platelets to its release. MethodsPeripheral blood samples were drawn immediately before, 4 and 24 h after PCI from patients with ACS (NSTEMI or STEMI, n = 21) or with stable angina (SA, n = 21). Platelet-poor plasma and washed platelet lysates were prepared and stored for subsequent assay of MMP-2 and β-thromboglobulin (β-TG), a platelet-specific protein released upon activation. ResultsPlasma MMP-2 and β-TG increased significantly 4 h after PCI and returned to baseline at 24 h in ACS patients, while they did not change in SA patients. Platelet content of MMP-2 and β-TG decreased significantly 4 h after PCI in patients with ACS, compatible with intravascular platelet activation and release, while they did not change in patients with SA. ConclusionsPCI triggers the release of MMP-2 in the circulation of ACS patients but not in that of patients with SA. Platelets activated by PCI contribute to the increase of plasma MMP-2 releasing their MMP-2 content. Given that previous mechanicistic studies have shown that MMP-2 may sustain platelet activation and unstabilize downstream-located plaques and in the long term favour restenosis and atherosclerosis progression, these data may encourage the search for therapeutic agents blocking MMP-2 release or activity in ACS.

437-P: NOX5 in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Is a Potential Biomarker for Unstable Diabetic Vascular Disease

Background: Human NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5) is expressed and functionally active in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) . In those with diabetes, there is increased NOX5 expression in atherosclerotic plaques with associated coronary artery disease (CAD) and within the glomeruli in kidney biopsies. We hypothesise that NOX5 expression in circulating PBMCs is increased in patients with diabetes, particularly in those with comorbid unstable CAD and chronic kidney disease (CKD) . Methods: 55 males aged 33-83 years underwent elective or emergency coronary angiography/angioplasty at the Alfred Hospital Catheter Laboratory. PBMCs from whole blood were processed for flow-cytometry to measure NOX5 protein. In parallel, NOX5 expression was measured in PBMCs by qPCR. In vitro, human macrophages (THP-1) were incubated in normal (5 mM) and high glucose (25 mM) . NOX5 expression and inflammatory markers were measured by qPCR. Results: NOX5 protein expression in PBMCs was primarily driven by expression in monocytes (CD 45+/CD14+ cells) and was increased in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with CKD (28.7±4.2 vs. 17.3±1.7 AU; p=0.0038) and in diabetic patients with CKD versus without CKD (27.5±4.1 vs. 14.6±2.3 AU; p=0.012) . CAD with acute presentation was associated with increased NOX5 expression versus elective presentation (25.9±2.9 vs. 16.8±1.9 AU; p=0.0085) , particularly in diabetic patients presenting acutely versus electively (29.1±4.2 vs. 13.9±2.4 AU; p=0.0025) . A 4-fold upregulation of NOX5 gene was observed in patients with CKD versus without CKD irrespective of diabetes or CAD (p=0.018) . In vitro, there was a 2-fold increase in NOX5, TNF-α and IL-6 expression in THP-1 cells exposed to high glucose. Conclusion: CKD and unstable CAD appear to be key factors for increased NOX5 expression in circulating PBMCs. Measurement of NOX5 in PBMCs may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker and attractive therapeutic target in patients with clustering diabetic complications. Disclosure T.J.Block: None. K.Sourris: None. W.Khan: None. P.Kantharidis: None. J.C.Jha: None. M.E.Cooper: Advisory Panel; Bayer AG, Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme Corp., Consultant; Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Research Support; Novo Nordisk, Speaker's Bureau; AstraZeneca, Servier Laboratories. J.Shaw: None. K.Jandeleit-dahm: None.

Advances in Clinical Cardiology 2021: A Summary of Key Clinical Trials

IntroductionOver the course of 2021, numerous key clinical trials with valuable contributions to clinical cardiology were published or presented at major international conferences. This review seeks to summarise these trials and reflect on their clinical context.MethodsThe authors reviewed clinical trials presented at major cardiology conferences during 2021 including the American College of Cardiology (ACC), European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EuroPCR), European Society of Cardiology (ESC), Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT), American Heart Association (AHA), European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), TVT-The Heart Summit (TVT) and Cardiovascular Research Technologies (CRT). Trials with a broad relevance to the cardiology community and those with potential to change current practice were included.ResultsA total of 150 key cardiology clinical trials were identified for inclusion. Interventional cardiology data included trials evaluating the use of new generation novel stent technology and new intravascular physiology strategies such as quantitative flow ratio (QFR) to guide revascularisation in stable and unstable coronary artery disease. New trials in acute coronary syndromes focused on shock, out of hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA), the impact of COVID-19 on ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) networks and optimal duration/type of antiplatelet treatment. Structural intervention trials included latest data on transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and mitral, tricuspid and pulmonary valve interventions. Heart failure data included trials with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, sacubitril/valsartan and novel drugs such as mavacamten for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Prevention trials included new data on proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. In electrophysiology, new data regarding atrial fibrillation (AF) screening and new evidence for rhythm vs. rate control strategies were evaluated.ConclusionThis article presents a summary of key clinical cardiology trials published and presented during the past year and should be of interest to both practising clinicians and researchers.

Proteomic Characterization of Atherosclerotic Lesions In Situ Using Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Angioplasty Balloons—Brief Report

Materials extracted from atherosclerotic arteries can disclose data about the molecular pathology of cardiovascular disease, but obtaining such samples is complex and requires invasive surgery. To overcome this barrier, this study investigated whether angioplasty balloons inflated during standard percutaneous coronary interventions retain proteins from treated (dilated) atherosclerotic lesions and whether proteomic analysis of this material could provide data on lesion protein profiles and distinguish between patients with stable and unstable coronary artery disease. Patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and stable angina pectoris were subjected to routine percutaneous coronary interventions. All angioplasty balloons inflated in a coronary artery were collected. Proteins retained on the balloons were extracted and analyzed using shotgun proteomic analysis. Proteomics identified and quantified 1365 unique proteins captured on percutaneous coronary intervention balloons. Control balloons inflated in the ascending aorta showed minimal nonspecific protein binding, indicating specificity to the luminal region of atherosclerotic lesions of the diseased artery wall. Clustering and principal component analyses showed that ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and stable angina pectoris subjects could be separated by variations in protein content and abundance. We identified 206 proteins as differentially abundant between ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and stable angina pectoris subjects. Pathway analysis indicated several enriched processes in the ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction group involved in neutrophil-mediated immunity and platelet activation. Disease-related proteins from coronary artery lesions adhere to angioplasty balloons and constitute a source of material for proteomic analysis. This approach can identify proteins and processes occurring in unstable coronary atherosclerotic lesions and suggest novel therapeutic approaches.

Plasma Ceramides in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Stratification.

ResumoA produção de ceramida ocorre em todo o corpo e desempenha um papel importante na manutenção da fisiologia normal. No entanto, os níveis de ceramidas são alterados em estados de doença, principalmente durante o desenvolvimento de diabetes e dislipidemia. A produção de ceramidas também está associada à instabilidade das placas ateroscleróticas. Estudos recentes revelam que pacientes com doença arterial coronariana instável apresentam níveis plasmáticos aumentados de ceramidas (principalmente C16, C18 e C24:1). Atualmente, são consideradas biomarcadores emergentes nas doenças cardiovasculares, sendo utilizadas na predição de instabilidade da placa aterosclerótica e eventos cardiovasculares adversos de forma independente aos fatores de risco tradicionais. Com o objetivo de descrever e discutir o papel das ceramidas na estratificação das doenças cardiovasculares, o desenvolvimento desta revisão narrativa contextualiza a importância desse biomarcador no cenário atual da cardiologia.