The Impact of Downstream Coronary Stenosis on Fractional Flow Reserve Assessment of Intermediate Left Main Coronary Artery Disease: Human Validation

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the impact of downstream coronary stenosis in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) or left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) on the assessment of fractional flow reserve (FFR) across an intermediate left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis in humans with the pressure wire positioned in the nondiseased downstream vessel.BackgroundAccurate assessment of intermediate LMCA disease is critical for guiding decisions regarding revascularization. In theory, FFR across an intermediate LMCA stenosis will be affected by downstream disease, even if the pressure wire is positioned in the nondiseased downstream vessel.MethodsAfter percutaneous coronary intervention of the LAD, LCx, or both, an intermediate LMCA stenosis was created with a deflated balloon catheter. FFR was measured in the LAD and LCx coronary arteries before and after creation of downstream stenosis by inflating an angioplasty balloon within the newly placed stent. The true FFR (FFR_true) of the LMCA, measured in the nondiseased downstream vessel in the absence of stenosis in the other vessel, was compared with the apparent FFR (FFR_app) measured in the presence of stenosis.ResultsIn 25 patients, 91 pairs of measurements were made, 71 with LAD stenosis and 20 with LCx stenosis. FFR_true of the LMCA was significantly lower than FFR_app (0.81 ± 0.08 vs. 0.83 ± 0.08, p < 0.001), although the numerical difference was small. This difference correlated with the severity of the downstream disease (r = 0.35, p < 0.001). In all cases in which FFR_app was >0.85, FFR_true was >0.80.ConclusionsIn most cases, downstream disease does not have a clinically significant impact on the assessment of FFR across an intermediate LMCA stenosis with the pressure wire positioned in the nondiseased vessel.     

Intravascular Ultrasound-Derived Minimal Lumen Area Criteria for Functionally Significant Left Main Coronary Artery Stenosis

ObjectivesThis study sought to evaluate the intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) minimal lumen area (MLA) for functionally significant left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis using fractional flow reserve (FFR) as the standard.BackgroundThe evaluation of significant LMCA stenosis remains challenging.MethodsWe identified 112 patients with isolated ostial and shaft intermediate LMCA stenosis (angiographic diameter stenosis of 30% to 80%) who underwent IVUS and FFR measurement.ResultsThe FFR was ≤0.80 in 66 LMCA lesions (59%); these exhibited smaller reference vessels, smaller minimal lumen diameter, greater diameter of stenosis, longer lesion length, smaller MLA, larger plaque burden, and more frequent plaque rupture. The independent factors of an FFR of ≤0.80 were plaque rupture (odds ratio [OR]: 4.47; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.35 to 14.8; p = 0.014); body mass index (OR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.41; p = 0.05), age (OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.00; p = 0.031), and IVUS MLA (OR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.25 to 0.56; p < 0.001). The optimal IVUS MLA cutoff value for an FFR of ≤0.80 was 4.5 mm² (77% sensitivity, 82% specificity, 84% positive predictive value, 75% negative predictive value, area under the curve: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.76 to 0.96; p < 0.001) overall and 4.1 to 4.5 mm² in various subgroups. Adjustment for the body surface area, body mass index, and left ventricular mass did not improve the diagnostic accuracy of the IVUS MLA.ConclusionsIn patients with isolated ostial and shaft intermediate LMCA stenosis, an IVUS-derived MLA of ≤4.5 mm² is a useful index of an FFR of ≤0.80.     

Drug Delivering Technology for Endovascular Management of Infrainguinal Peripheral Artery Disease

Endovascular intervention has become a well-recognized treatment modality for peripheral artery disease; however, mid- and long-term outcomes have been plagued by limited durability. Plain balloon angioplasty and bare-metal stents have historically suffered from high restenosis rates leading to the need for frequent repeat revascularization procedures. The innovation of locally administered, drug-delivering balloons and stents has been a direct result of technological innovations directed toward prevention and treatment of this limitation. Over the last 5 years, numerous clinical trials investigating the use of drug-coated stents and drug-coated balloons indicate a significant improvement in endovascular treatment durability and outcomes. This review provides an up-to-date assessment of the current evidence for the use of drug-coated stents and drug-coated balloons in the treatment of femoropopliteal and infrapopliteal peripheral artery disease. Additionally, it provides an overview of the development of this technology, highlights landmark ongoing and completed clinical trials, examines evidence to support the use of drug-coated technologies in combination with other modalities, and examines promising new technological developments. Last, it summarizes the challenges and safety concerns that have delayed U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of these devices.     

“Virtual” (Computed) Fractional Flow Reserve: Current Challenges and Limitations

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is the “gold standard” for assessing the physiological significance of coronary artery disease during invasive coronary angiography. FFR-guided percutaneous coronary intervention improves patient outcomes and reduces stent insertion and cost; yet, due to several practical and operator related factors, it is used in <10% of percutaneous coronary intervention procedures. Virtual fractional flow reserve (vFFR) is computed using coronary imaging and computational fluid dynamics modeling. vFFR has emerged as an attractive alternative to invasive FFR by delivering physiological assessment without the factors that limit the invasive technique. vFFR may offer further diagnostic and planning benefits, including virtual pullback and virtual stenting facilities. However, there are key challenges that need to be overcome before vFFR can be translated into routine clinical practice. These span a spectrum of scientific, logistic, commercial, and political areas. The method used to generate 3-dimensional geometric arterial models (segmentation) and selection of appropriate, patient-specific boundary conditions represent the primary scientific limitations. Many conflicting priorities and design features must be carefully considered for vFFR models to be sufficiently accurate, fast, and intuitive for physicians to use. Consistency is needed in how accuracy is defined and reported. Furthermore, appropriate regulatory and industry standards need to be in place, and cohesive approaches to intellectual property management, reimbursement, and clinician training are required. Assuming successful development continues in these key areas, vFFR is likely to become a desirable tool in the functional assessment of coronary artery disease.     

Coronary Vessel Wall Contrast Enhancement Imaging as a Potential Direct Marker of Coronary Involvement: Integration of Findings From CAD and SLE Patients

ObjectivesThis study investigated the feasibility of visual and quantitative assessment of coronary vessel wall contrast enhancement (CE) for detection of symptomatic atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) and subclinical coronary vasculitis in autoimmune inflammatory disease (systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]), as well as the association with aortic stiffness, an established marker of risk.BackgroundCoronary CE by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a novel noninvasive approach to visualize gadolinium contrast uptake within the coronary artery vessel wall.MethodsA total of 75 subjects (CAD: n = 25; SLE: n = 27; control: n = 23) underwent CMR imaging using a 3-T clinical scanner. Coronary arteries were visualized by a T2-prepared steady state free precession technique. Coronary wall CE was visualized using inversion-recovery T1 weighted gradient echo sequence 40 min after administration of 0.2 mmol/kg gadobutrol. Proximal coronary segments were visually examined for distribution of CE and quantified for contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and total CE area.ResultsCoronary CE was prevalent in patients (93%, n = 42) with a diffuse pattern for SLE and a patchy/regional distribution in CAD patients. Compared with control subjects, CNR values and total CE area in patients with CAD and SLE were significantly higher (mean CNR: 3.9 ± 2.5 vs. 6.9 ± 2.5 vs. 6.8 ± 2.0, respectively; p < 0.001; total CE area: median 0.8 [interquartile range (IQR): 0.6 to 1.2] vs. 3.2 [IQR: 2.6 to 4.0] vs. 3.3 [IQR: 1.9 to 4.5], respectively; p < 0.001). Both measures were positively associated with aortic stiffness (CNR: r = 0.61, p < 0.01; total CE area: 0.36, p = 0.03), hypercholesterolemia (r = 0.68, p < 0.001; r = 0.61, p < 0.001) and hypertension (r = 0.40, p < 0.01; r = 0.32, p < 0.05).ConclusionsWe demonstrate that quantification of coronary CE by CNR and total CE area is feasible for detection of subclinical and clinical uptake of gadolinium within the coronary vessel wall. Coronary vessel wall CE may become an instrumental novel direct marker of vessel wall injury and remodeling in subpopulations at risk.     

Hospital-Level Variation in Use of Cardiovascular Testing for Adults With Incident Heart Failure: Findings From the Cardiovascular Research Network Heart Failure Study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to characterize the use of cardiovascular testing for patients with incident heart failure (HF) hospitalization who participated in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute sponsored Cardiovascular Research Network (CVRN) Heart Failure study.BackgroundHF is a common cause of hospitalization, and testing and treatment patterns may differ substantially between providers. Testing choices have important implications for the cost and quality of care.MethodsCrude and adjusted cardiovascular testing rates were calculated for each participating hospital. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine hospital testing rates after adjustment for hospital-level patient case mix.ResultsOf the 37,099 patients in the CVRN Heart Failure study, 5,878 patients were hospitalized with incident HF between 2005 and 2008. Of these, evidence of cardiovascular testing was available for 4,650 (79.1%) patients between 14 days before the incident HF admission and ending 6 months after the incident discharge. We compared crude and adjusted cardiovascular testing rates at the hospital level because the majority of testing occurred during the incident HF hospitalization. Of patients who underwent testing, 4,085 (87.9%) had an echocardiogram, 4,345 (93.4%) had a systolic function assessment, and 1,714 (36.9%) had a coronary artery disease assessment. Crude and adjusted testing rates varied markedly across the profiled hospitals, for individual testing modalities (e.g., echocardiography, stress echocardiography, nuclear stress testing, and left heart catheterization) and for specific clinical indications (e.g., systolic function assessment and coronary artery disease assessment).ConclusionsFor patients with newly diagnosed HF, we did not observe widespread overuse of cardiovascular testing in the 6 months following incident HF hospitalization relative to existing HF guidelines. Variations in testing were greatest for assessment of ischemia, in which testing guidelines are less certain.     

Biomechanical Modeling to Improve Coronary Artery Bifurcation Stenting: Expert Review Document on Techniques and Clinical Implementation

Treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions remains an ongoing challenge for interventional cardiologists. Stenting of coronary bifurcations carries higher risk for in-stent restenosis, stent thrombosis, and recurrent clinical events. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding application and use of biomechanical modeling in the study of stent properties, local flow dynamics, and outcomes after percutaneous coronary interventions in bifurcation lesions. Biomechanical modeling of bifurcation stenting involves computational simulations and in vitro bench testing using subject-specific arterial geometries obtained from in vivo imaging. Biomechanical modeling has the potential to optimize stenting strategies and stent design, thereby reducing adverse outcomes. Large-scale clinical studies are needed to establish the translation of pre-clinical findings to the clinical arena.     

Effect of Daily Glucose Fluctuation on Coronary Plaque Vulnerability in Patients Pre-Treated With Lipid-Lowering Therapy: A Prospective Observational Study

ObjectivesThis study sought to investigate the effect of daily glucose fluctuation on coronary plaque properties in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) pre-treated with lipid-lowering therapy.BackgroundThere is growing evidence that glucose fluctuation, as a residual risk apart from dyslipidemia, is an important factor contributing to the development of CAD.MethodsThis prospective study enrolled 70 consecutive CAD patients who were referred for percutaneous coronary intervention and whose low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was <120 mg/dl under statin treatment or <100 mg/dl without statins. Daily glucose fluctuation was analyzed by measuring the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE). The plaque properties in the culprit and nonculprit lesions were assessed by virtual histology intravascular ultrasound, and the volume percentage of necrotic core within the plaque (%NC) and the presence of thin-cap fibroatheroma were evaluated.ResultsIn total, 165 lesions were evaluated in 70 patients (40 diabetic and 30 nondiabetic patients). %NC was well correlated with MAGE (r = 0.490, p <0.001). A linear mixed effect model showed that MAGE had the strongest effect on %NC (coefficient β = 0.080 ± 0.020 [standard error], p < 0.001). The generalized linear mixed effect model revealed that MAGE was the only independent predictor of the presence of thin-cap fibroatheroma (odds ratio: 1.037; 95% confidence interval: 1.010 to 1.065; p = 0.007).ConclusionsDaily glucose fluctuation may have an effect on coronary plaque vulnerability in patients with CAD pre-treated with lipid-lowering therapy. Further investigations should address the rationale for the early detection and control of glucose fluctuation in the era of universal statin use for CAD patients.     

Percutaneous Circulatory Assist Devices for High-Risk Coronary Intervention

A unifying definition of what constitutes high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention remains elusive. This reflects the existence of several recognized patient, anatomic, and procedural characteristics that, when combined, can contribute to elevating risk. The relative inability to withstand the adverse hemodynamic sequelae of dysrhythmia, transient episodes of ischemia-reperfusion injury, or distal embolization of atherogenic material associated with coronary intervention serve as a common thread to tie this patient cohort together. This enhanced susceptibility to catastrophic hemodynamic collapse has triggered the development of percutaneous cardiac assist devices such as the intra-aortic balloon pump, Impella (Abiomed Inc., Danvers, Massachusetts), TandemHeart (CardiacAssist, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), and extracorporeal membranous oxygenation to provide adjunctive mechanical circulatory support. In this state-of-the-art review, we discuss the physiology underpinning their application. Thereafter, we examine the results of several randomized multicenter trials investigating their use in high-risk coronary intervention to determine which patients would benefit most from their implantation and whether there is a signal to delineate whether they should be used in an elective pre-procedure, standby, rescue, or routine post-procedure fashion.     

Pre-Treatment With Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Protects Against Ischemic Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Stunning Without a Detected Difference in Myocardial Substrate Utilization

ObjectivesThis study sought to determine whether pre-treatment with intravenous glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)(7-36) amide could alter myocardial glucose use and protect the heart against ischemic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction during percutaneous coronary intervention.BackgroundGLP-1 has been shown to have favorable cardioprotective effects, but its mechanisms of action remain unclear.MethodsTwenty patients with preserved LV function and single-vessel left anterior descending coronary artery disease undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention were studied. A conductance catheter was placed into the LV, and pressure-volume loops were recorded at baseline, during 1-min low-pressure balloon occlusion (BO), and at 30-min recovery. Patients were randomized to receive an infusion of either GLP-1(7-36) amide at 1.2 pmol/kg/min or saline immediately after baseline measurements. Simultaneous coronary artery and coronary sinus blood sampling was performed at baseline and after BO to assess transmyocardial glucose concentration gradients.ResultsBO caused both ischemic LV dysfunction and stunning in the control group but not in the GLP-1 group. Compared with control subjects, the GLP-1 group had a smaller reduction in LV performance during BO (delta dP/dT_max, –4.3 vs. –19.0%, p = 0.02; delta stroke volume, –7.8 vs. –26.4%, p = 0.05), and improved LV performance at 30-min recovery. There was no difference in transmyocardial glucose concentration gradients between the 2 groups.ConclusionsPre-treatment with GLP-1(7-36) amide protects the heart against ischemic LV dysfunction and improves the recovery of function during reperfusion. This occurs without a detected change in myocardial glucose extraction and may indicate a mechanism of action independent of an effect on cardiac substrate use. (Effect of Glucgon-Like-Peptide-1 [GLP-1] on Left Ventricular Function During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention [PCI]; ISRCTN77442023)     

Stent Thrombosis: A Clinical Perspective

The invention of intracoronary stents greatly increased the safety and applicability of percutaneous coronary interventions. At this time, >1 million coronary stent implantations are performed each year in the United States. But together with the growing use of stents, stent thrombosis, the most feared complication after stent implantation, has emerged as an important entity to understand and prevent. Adjunct pharmacological therapy, stent design, and deployment technique have been adjusted ever since to reduce its occurrence. The current clinical overview of stent thrombosis ranges from its pathophysiology to current state-of-the-art technical and pharmacological recommendations to avoid this complication.     

Prevalence of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction Among Patients With Chest Pain and Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease

ObjectivesThis study assessed the prevalence of coronary microvascular abnormalities in patients presenting with chest pain and nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).BackgroundCoronary microvascular abnormalities mediate ischemia and can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular events.MethodsUsing an intracoronary Doppler guidewire, endothelial-dependent microvascular function was examined by evaluating changes in coronary blood flow in response to acetylcholine, whereas endothelial-independent microvascular function was examined by evaluating changes in coronary flow velocity reserve in response to intracoronary adenosine. Patients were divided into 4 groups depending on whether they had a normal (+) or abnormal (−) coronary blood flow (CBF) in response to acetylcholine (Ach) and a normal (+) or abnormal (−) coronary flow velocity reserve (CFR) in response to adenosine (Adn): CBFAch+, CFRAdn+ (n = 520); CBFAch−, CFRAdn+ (n = 478); CBFAch+, CFRAdn− (n = 173); and CBFAch−, CFRAdn− (n = 268).ResultsTwo-thirds of all patients had some sort of microvascular dysfunction. Women were more prevalent in each group (56% to 82%). Diabetes was uncommon in all groups (7% to 12%), whereas hypertension and hyperlipidemia were relatively more prevalent in each group, although rates for most conventional cardiovascular risk factors did not differ significantly between groups. There were no significant differences in the findings of noninvasive functional testing between groups. In a multivariable analysis, age was the only variable that independently predicted abnormal microvascular function.ConclusionsPatients with chest pain and nonobstructive CAD have a high prevalence of coronary microvascular abnormalities. These abnormalities correlate poorly with conventional cardiovascular risk factors and are dissociated from the findings of noninvasive functional testing.     

Screening and Risk Stratification of Coronary Artery Disease in End-Stage Renal Disease

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a growing global health problem with major health and economic implications. Cardiovascular complication is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. Clustering of traditional atherosclerotic risk factors, such as diabetes, systemic inflammation, and altered mineral metabolism, contributes to enhanced systemic atherosclerosis in patients with ESRD. Prevalence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) on coronary angiography exceeds 50% in this population. Despite having extensive CAD and vascular disease, patients with ESRD often do not present with classic symptoms because of impaired exercise capacity and diabetes. Furthermore, clinical trial data are exceedingly lacking in this population, resulting in considerable clinical equipoise regarding the optimal approach to the identification and subsequent management of CAD in these patients. Traditional clinical screening tools, including conventional risk prediction models, are significantly limited in their predictive accuracy for cardiovascular events in patients with ESRD. Noninvasive cardiac stress imaging modalities, such as nuclear perfusion and echocardiography, have been shown to improve the traditional clinical model in identifying the presence of CAD. Furthermore, they add incremental prognostic information to angiographic data. Novel imaging techniques and biomarker assays hold significant promise in further improving the ability to identify and risk-stratify for CAD. This review focuses on the current understanding of the clinical risk profile of asymptomatic patients with ESRD with an emphasis on the strengths and limitations of various noninvasive cardiovascular imaging modalities, including the role of novel methods in refining risk prediction. In addition, issues and challenges pertaining to the optimal timing of initial risk assessment (“screening”) and possible repeat screening (“surveillance”) are addressed. We also summarize the current data on the approach to the patient with ESRD being evaluated for transplantation in the context of recent guidelines and position statements by various professional societies.     

Appropriateness Ratings of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Japan and Its Association With the Trend of Noninvasive Testing

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Japan and clarify the association between trends of pre-procedural noninvasive testing and changes in appropriateness ratings.BackgroundAlthough PCI appropriateness criteria are widely used for quality-of-care improvement, they have not been validated internationally. Furthermore, the correlation of appropriateness ratings with implementation of newly developed noninvasive testing is unclear.MethodsWe assigned an appropriateness rating to 11,258 consecutive PCIs registered in the Japanese Cardiovascular Database according to appropriateness use criteria developed in 2009 (AUC/2009) and the 2012 revised version (AUC/2012). Trends of pre-procedural noninvasive testing and appropriateness ratings were plotted; logistic regression was performed to identify inappropriate PCI predictors.ResultsIn nonacute settings, 15% of PCIs were rated inappropriate under AUC/2009, and this percent increased to 30.7% under AUC/2012 criteria. This was mostly because of the focused update of AUC, in which the patients were newly classified as inappropriate if they lacked proximal left anterior descending lesions and did not undergo pre-procedural noninvasive testing. However, these cases were simply not rated under AUC/2009. The amount of inappropriate PCIs increased over 5 years, proportional to the increase in coronary computed tomography angiography use. Use of coronary computed tomography angiography was independently associated with inappropriate PCIs (odds ratio: 1.33; p = 0.027).ConclusionsIn a multicenter, Japanese PCI registry, approximately one-sixth of nonacute PCIs were rated as inappropriate under AUC/2009, increasing to approximately one-third under the revised AUC/2012. This significant gap may reflect a needed shift in appropriateness recognition of methods for noninvasive pre-procedural evaluation of coronary artery disease.     

Hybrid Revascularization for Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (MVCAD) referred for standard coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).BackgroundConventional CABG is still the treatment of choice in patients with MVCAD. However, the limitations of standard CABG and the unsatisfactory long-term patency of saphenous grafts are commonly known.MethodsA total of 200 patients with MVCAD involving the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and a critical (>70%) lesion in at least 1 major epicardial vessel (except the LAD) amenable to both PCI and CABG and referred for conventional surgical revascularization were randomly assigned to undergo HCR or CABG (in a 1:1 ratio). The primary endpoint was the evaluation of the safety of HCR. The feasibility was defined by the percent of patients with a complete HCR procedure and the percent of patients with conversions to standard CABG. The occurrence of major adverse cardiac events such as death, myocardial infarction, stroke, repeated revascularization, and major bleeding within the 12-month period after randomization was also assessed.ResultsMost of the pre-procedural characteristics were similar in the 2 groups. Of the patients in the hybrid group, 93.9% had complete HCR and 6.1% patients were converted to standard CABG. At 12 months, the rates of death (2.0% vs. 2.9 %, p = NS), myocardial infarction (6.1% vs. 3.9%, p = NS), major bleeding (2% vs. 2%, p = NS), and repeat revascularization (2% vs. 0%, p = NS) were similar in the 2 groups. In both groups, no cerebrovascular incidents were observed.ConclusionsHCR is feasible in select patients with MVCAD referred for conventional CABG. (Safety and Efficacy Study of Hybrid Revascularization in Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease [POL-MIDES]; NCT01035567).     

LV Mechanics in Mitral and Aortic Valve Diseases: Value of Functional Assessment Beyond Ejection Fraction

The assessment of myocardial function in the context of valvular heart disease remains highly challenging. The myocardium deforms simultaneously in 3 dimensions, and global left ventricular (LV) function parameters such as volume and ejection fraction may remain compensated despite the changes in myocardial deformation properties. Current guidelines recommend valve replacement/repair in the presence of symptoms or reduced LV ejection fraction, but the resolution of symptoms or recovery of LV function post-surgery may not be reliably predicted. A wealth of evidence currently suggests that LV dysfunction is frequently subclinical despite normal ejection fraction. It may precede the onset of symptoms and portend a poor outcome due to progressive myocardial remodeling and dysfunction during the post-operative period. The advent of novel tissue-tracking echocardiography techniques has unleashed new opportunities for the clinical identification of early abnormalities in LV function. This review gathers and summarizes current evidence regarding the use of these techniques to assess myocardial deformation in patients with valvular heart disease.     

Validation and Comparison of the Long-Term Prognostic Capability of the SYNTAX Score-II Among 1,528 Consecutive Patients Who Underwent Left Main Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

ObjectivesThis study sought to evaluate the long-term prognostic capacity of the SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score II (SS-II) and compare it with other risk scores among patients undergoing left main percutaneous coronary intervention (LM-PCI).BackgroundRecently, the SS-II was developed in an attempt to individualize and help the decision-making process between PCI and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in the management of complex coronary artery disease (CAD). However, there is a paucity of data regarding the utility of SS-II in patients undergoing LM-PCI.MethodsData from 1,528 consecutive patients from a single center undergoing unprotected LM-PCI were prospectively collected. The SS-II and other scores were then derived using patients’ baseline clinical characteristics. Patients were stratified according to tertiles of SS-II for PCI: SS-II ≤21 (n = 508), SS-II >21 and ≤28 (n = 480), and >28 (n = 540). Predictive capability for long-term mortality was compared between angiographic scores and scores combining both angiographic and clinical variables.ResultsAt a mean follow-up of 4.4 years, mortality in the first, second, and third SS-II tertiles was 1.8%, 3.5%, and 9.4%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed SS-II to be a strong independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio: 1.76, 95% confidence interval: 1.10 to 2.82; p = 0.02) after LM-PCI. When compared with the angiographic SS, scores combining both clinical and angiographic variables, such as the SS-II, were superior in terms of long-term prognostication.ConclusionsResults of this large series of consecutive patients who underwent unprotected LM-PCI suggested that the SS-II has better long-term prognostic power in terms of mortality compared with the original purely angiographic SS.     

Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Stents in Patients Treated With Thoracic External Beam Radiation for Cancer

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stents in patients treated with thoracic external beam radiation therapy (EBRT).BackgroundThoracic EBRT for cancer is associated with long-term cardiotoxic sequelae. The impact of EBRT on patients requiring coronary stents is unclear.MethodsWe analyzed outcomes after PCI in cancer survivors treated with curative thoracic EBRT before and after stenting between 1998 and 2012. Reference groups were propensity-matched cohorts with stenting but no EBRT. Primary endpoint was target lesion revascularization (TLR), a clinical surrogate for restenosis. Secondary endpoints included myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiac and overall mortality.ResultsWe identified 115 patients treated with EBRT a median 3.6 years after stenting (group A) and 45 patients treated with EBRT a median 2.2 years before stenting (group B). Long-term mean TLR rates in group A (3.2 vs. 6.6%; hazard ratio: 0.6; 95% confidence interval: 0.2 to 1.6; p = 0.31) and group B (9.2 vs. 9.7%; hazard ratio: 1.2; 95% confidence interval: 0.4 to 3.4; p = 0.79) were similar to rates in corresponding control patients (group A: 1,390 control patients; group B: 439 control patients). Three years post-PCI, group A had higher overall mortality (48.6% vs. 13.9%; p < 0.001) but not MI (4.8% vs. 4.3%; p = 0.93) or cardiac mortality (2.3% vs. 3.6%; p = 0.66) rates versus control patients. There were no significant differences in MI, cardiac, or overall mortality rates in group B.ConclusionsThoracic EBRT is not associated with increased stent failure rates when used before or after PCI. A history of PCI should not preclude the use of curative thoracic EBRT in cancer patients or vice versa. Optimal treatment of cancer should be the goal.     

Diagnostic Accuracy of Myocardial Magnetic Resonance Perfusion to Diagnose Ischemic Stenosis With Fractional Flow Reserve as Reference: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ObjectivesThis paper systematically analyzed the performance of magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion to diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD) with fractional flow reserve (FFR) as the reference standard.BackgroundMyocardial MR perfusion has passed the stage of a research technique and has demonstrated the ability to detect functional or ischemic stenosis of coronary arteries. However, the evidence is limited to single-center studies and small sample sizes.MethodsWe searched PubMed and Embase databases for all published studies that evaluated the accuracy of MR perfusion to diagnose CAD versus FFR. We used an exact binomial rendition of the bivariate mixed-effects regression model with test type as a random-effects covariate to synthesize the available data. Based on Bayes’ theorem, the post-test probability was calculated to guide MR perfusion’s clinical utility.ResultsWe identified 14 studies evaluating 1,073 arteries and 650 patients. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.86 to 0.93) and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.82 to 0.90) at the patient level and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.83 to 0.92) and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.77 to 0.92) at the artery and territory levels, respectively. The area under the summary receiver-operating characteristic at the patient level was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.92 to 0.96) and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.91 to 0.95) at the artery and territory levels, respectively. MR perfusion could increase the post-test probability of CAD >80% in patients with a pre-test probability of >37% and can decrease post-test probability of CAD <20% with a pre-test probability of <72%.ConclusionsWith FFR as the reference standard, the diagnostic ability of MR perfusion to detect ischemic CAD is high.     

Chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes: Lessons from the Renal Insufficiency And Cardiovascular Events (RIACE) Italian Multicentre Study

The Renal Insufficiency And Cardiovascular Events (RIACE) Italian Multicentre Study is an ongoing observational survey that examines the role of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as an independent predictor of cardiovascular and renal outcomes in 15,773 Italian subjects with type 2 diabetes. The analysis of data collected at the enrollment visit provided a picture of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its association with other complications, risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and treatments in a large contemporary cohort. Main results of this analysis were that (a) non-albuminuric renal impairment is the predominant clinical phenotype in patients, particularly women, with reduced eGFR; (b) concordance between CKD and diabetic retinopathy is low, with only a minority of patients with renal dysfunction presenting with any or advanced retinal lesions; (c) the non-albuminuric form is associated with a significant prevalence of CVD, especially at the level of the coronary vascular bed; (d) CKD is associated with hemoglobin (Hb) A_1c variability more than with average HbA_1c, whereas retinopathy and CVD are not; (e) in elderly individuals with moderate-to-severe eGFR reduction, use of agents which are not recommended, such as sulphonylureas and metformin, is still frequent; and (f) though complications are generally more prevalent in men (except non-albuminuric renal impairment) women show a less favorable CVD risk profile and achieve therapeutic targets to a lesser extent than men, despite the fact that treatment intensity is not lower. These data update existing information on the natural history of CKD in patients with type 2 diabetes.