Incremental prognostic value of cardiac computed tomography angiography in asymptomatic aortic stenosis: Significance of aortic valve calcium score

Background

Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) provides the simultaneous evaluation of the aortic valve, myocardium, and coronary arteries. In particular, aortic valve calcium score (AVCS) can be accurately measured on the same scanning sequence used to measure coronary artery calcification, with no additional cost or radiation exposure. We sought to evaluate the prognostic value of CCTA measures, including AVCS, in asymptomatic aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods and results

Sixty-four initially asymptomatic patients with AS with a normal ejection fraction were prospectively enrolled and followed for median 29 (IQR = 18–50) months. During follow-up, 27 (42%) patients experienced cardiac events, including five cardiac deaths, eleven aortic valve replacements. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis identified three CCTA measures as significant predictors of cardiac events: aortic valve area (per 0.1 cm² decrease; hazard ratio [HR]: 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.34); multi-vessel obstructive coronary artery disease (HR: 2.84, 95% CI: 1.10–7.32); and AVCS (per 100; HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04–1.15). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients with AVCS greater than or equal to the median value of 723 had significantly worse outcomes than those with AVCS less than 723 (p < 0.0001). The C-statistic value for cardiac events substantially increased when these CCTA measures were added to clinical characteristics plus echocardiographic peak transaortic velocity (0.913 vs. 0.702, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In patients with asymptomatic AS, CCTA measures of valve area, coronary stenosis, and calcification severity provide independent and incremental prognostic value after accounting for the echocardiographic severity of stenosis.     

冠状动脉计算机断层扫描血管造影双低扫描对冠状动脉狭窄的诊断性能

目的观察分析冠状动脉(冠脉)计算机断层扫描血管造影(CTA)双低扫描对冠脉狭窄的诊断性能。方法选取2017年7月至2018年7月于宝鸡市妇幼保健院经心电图诊断疑似冠脉狭窄的患者94例,分别进行计算机断层扫描血管造影双低扫描检查和数字减影血管造影(DSA)检查,将接受计算机断层扫描血管造影检查的患者纳入观察组(n=114),数字减影血管造影检查的为对照组(n=108)。记录两组患者的诊断结果,分析两组检查方法的灵敏度、特异度、准确度,以及对冠脉狭窄程度的检测结果。结果计算机断层扫描血管造影双低扫描检查的灵敏度为96.67%,特异度为80.00%,准确度95.74%。在对狭窄程度诊断结果的比较中,计算机断层扫描血管造影双低扫描与DSA的诊断结果比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论冠脉计算机断层扫描血管造影双低扫描能够清晰显示冠脉狭窄的部位、程度,准确性较好,且对患者辐射量小,可以应用于对冠脉狭窄的诊断。     

Non-invasive and invasive evaluation of aortic valve area in 100 patients with severe aortic valve stenosis: Comparison of cardiac computed tomography with ECHO (transesophageal/transthoracic) and catheter examination

BackgroundCurrent guidelines place emphasis on the determination of aortic valve area (AVA) for defining an appropriate treatment strategy. Invasive and non-invasive modalities are used to perform planimetric [transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and cardiac multidetector computed tomography (MDCT)] and calculated [catheter examination (CE), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)] AVA measurements.Purpose and methodsWe investigated 100 patients admitted to evaluate the AVA using cardiac MDCT (CT), TEE/TTE as well as invasive CE.ResultsIn all 100 patients we calculated a mean AVA of 0.79 ± 0.29 cm² (female 50/100, 0.70 ± 0.19 cm², male 0.9 ± 0.21 cm²) determined by all investigated examinations (mean ± SEM). AVA measurements determined by CT were significantly greater (0.86 ± 0.25 cm²) than those determined by CE: 0.75 ± 0.18 cm², p = 0.01. Echocardiographically determined AVA was comparable to CE (statistically not significant). Similar results were seen in all patients regardless of gender, presence of atrial fibrillation, and heart rate. We calculated a mean AVA for each patient and evaluated the variance of the AVA determined through investigated specific examinations as the bias. Overall, we found for CT 0.13 ± 0.1 cm², CE 0.13 ± 0.11 cm², TEE 0.16 ± 0.09 cm², and for TTE 0.16 ± 0.08 cm² a specific statistical non-significant variance. On subgroups: sinus rhythm, atrial fibrillation, females, males or combination, we found no further significant relevance for the specific variance.ConclusionOur data suggest the feasibility of cardiac MDCT to evaluate the correct AVA regardless of rhythm, heart rate, and sex. The planimetric concept to determine the AVA with CT displaces the “gold-standard” CE with respect to elucidating the potencies for complications, i.e. cerebral stroke. Regardless of CT's accessing of AVA measurement the TTE examination should remain the primary method of screening for aortic valve pathologies.     

64层CT冠状动脉成像技术和冠状动脉造影对冠状动脉疾病诊断的对照研究

目的比较64层计算机断层摄影扫描冠状动脉成像技术(64-slice computed tomography coronaryangiography,64-SCTCA)和冠状动脉造影(coronary artery angiography,CAG)在冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)诊断中的价值。方法回顾性分析126例疑似冠心病的患者64-SCTCA和CAG检查资料,并对两组资料进行对比分析。结果 64-SCTCA和CAG检查结果中可用于评价的病变血管段支数比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。CAG共发现≥50%狭窄节段242个,64-SCTCA共发现≥50%狭窄节段199个,两种检查方法对病变狭窄的显示情况比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。全部126例冠心病患者中有91%通过64-SCTCA发现(110/121)。64-SCTCA诊断冠状动脉病变血管的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为81.6%、98.8%、79.5%、99%。结论 64-SCTCA可作为冠心病无创、便捷、可靠的检查方法。     

Iatrogenic left main coronary artery stenosis following aortic valve replacement

A case of severe iatrogenic fibrous left main coronary arterystenosis following aortic valve replacement (Hall-Kaster prosthesis)is documented clinically, angiographically and histologically.Reported histological data of this rare complication of valvereplacement are reviewed. The onset of ischaemic symptoms inthe first six months after valve replacement is highly suggestiveof iatrogenic coronary artery stenosis, and urgent coronaryangiography is recommended.     

The value of percutaneous coronary intervention in aortic valve stenosis with coronary artery disease

Objectives

The study determines whether treatment of coronary disease by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the presence of severe aortic stenosis (AS) is feasible and defines which patients might benefit most.

Background

Severe symptomatic AS is considered a class I indication for aortic valve replacement (AVR). Many patients with AS have concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD), and the true reason for symptoms is often unclear. It is common practice to combine AVR with coronary artery bypass grafting. However, in some cases PCI alone might improve symptoms and allow surgery to be deferred.

Methods

We analyzed 38 consecutive patients who underwent PCI for CAD in the presence of significant AS between 1989 and 2004. Data included demographic factors, clinical features, angiographic, and echocardiographic information. Events during follow-up included PCI complications, improvement post-PCI, AVR, and death. Statistical analysis was used to assess the impact of PCI on outcome and survival.

Results

The mean age of the study group was 71 ± 9.3 years, and the mean aortic valve area was 0.84 ± 0.28 (0.4-1.2) cm². Reasons for choosing PCI over surgery were patients’ preference, high surgical risk, and cardiologist recommendation. Thirty-five patients (92.1%) reported symptomatic improvement after PCI, and no major PCI-related complications were recorded. Significant predictors for long-term event-free survival were good functional class (P = .006) and single-vessel coronary disease (P = .017).

Conclusion

PCI in patients with severe AS and significant CAD is safe, offers relief of symptoms in most cases, and has good long-term outcome in a subset of patients who have mild CAD and good functional class. This therapeutic approach should be considered in such patients and in those with high surgical risk.     

Diagnosis of aortic valvular stenosis by multislice cardiac computed tomography.

AIMS: Current improvements in spatial, temporal, and contrast resolution of multislice computed tomography (CT) could be useful in the assessment of valvular diseases. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of multislice CT for the identification and quantification of aortic valvular stenosis (AS), compared with echography. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients, referred for coronary CT, were evaluated for AS, by the use of standard electrocardiography-gated 16-slice CT protocol. Multiplanar reformat was applied to systolic phases of the cardiac cycle, with projection on thick slices for measuring the aortic valvular area (AVA). CT results were compared with echocardiographic-based measurement of the AVA. Among 107 enrolled patients, CT analysis of the AVA was feasible in 103. Among the 30 patients with AS, Bland-Altman analysis showed good agreement between the two methods [mean difference -7 mm(2) (-40-25 mm(2))]. CONCLUSION: CT analysis of aortic valve is feasible in most cases and allows for reliable diagnosis and quantification of AS.     

老年人主动脉瓣置换术后病死率分析

目的 对年龄≥70岁的主动脉瓣狭窄患者主动脉瓣置换术后的病死率进行分析.方法 回顾性分析246例年龄≥70岁、并接受主动脉瓣置换的主动脉瓣狭窄患者的临床资料.其中高血压144例(58.5%),心房颤动42例(17.1%),肥胖27例(11.0%),有心脏手术史18例(7.3%).结果 手术30 d内死亡29例,病死率为...     

Double right coronary artery detected on coronary computed tomography angiography: A case report

Double right coronary artery is a relatively rare coronary anomaly. In this case report we aim to increase awareness of the importance of recognizing such anomaly and a brief literature review of similar cases and possible high risk features. Computed Tomography is well recognized modality to detect coronary anomaly and in our case we demonstrated this as well.     

64层螺旋CT与冠状动脉造影诊断冠状动脉狭窄的对比研究

目的评价64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像(64-slice spiral computed tomographic coronary angiography,64-SCTCA)对冠状动脉各节段狭窄病变的诊断价值。方法85例疑诊为冠状动脉性心脏病(冠心病)患者,先后行64-SCTCA和冠状动脉造影(coronary angiography,CAG)检查,评价64-SCTCA诊断冠状动脉各节段狭窄病变的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值和准确性。结果①在CAG可清晰显影的744个节段中,64-SCTCA造影可清晰显示和评价的占639段(85.89%),另外105段(14.11%)显影不清。左主干和前降支可评价节段的比例显著高于左回旋支和右冠状动脉(P0.001),同一支血管中近段可评价的比例显著高于远段(P0.001);②64-SCTCA诊断冠心病的敏感度、特异度、准确度、阳性和阴性预测值分别为96.23%、90.63%、94.44%、93.55%、94.12%。按可评价节段计算,64-SCTCA诊断冠状动脉各节段有意义狭窄病变总的敏感性、特异性、准确性、阳性和阴性预测值分别为89.06%、95.89%、84.44%、95.33%、94.32%;③按可评价节段计算,64-SCTCA对诊断左主干、左前降支、左回旋支和右冠状动脉各节段病变的价值相似,但检测冠状动脉近中段病变的价值高于远段(χ2=4.66,P=0.03)。结论64-SCTCA对冠状动脉狭窄病变有较好的诊断价值,其检测左主干和左前降支病变的价值高于左回旋支和右冠状动脉,对冠状动脉近段病变的诊断价值高于远段,适合于冠心病的筛查。     

老年人多层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像诊断冠状动脉狭窄的研究

目的评价64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像在诊断老年患者冠状动脉狭窄中的临床应用价值。方法回顾性分析39例患者行64层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影的老年患者(>65岁)的影像资料,在15段分段法的基础上,评价每段冠状动脉CT造影的图像质量;以传统X线冠状动脉造影为“金标准”,评价CT血管造影诊断冠状动脉狭窄及其程度的价值。结果多层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影(MSCTA)评价冠状动脉狭窄的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为98.9%(90/91)、98.2%(426/434)、91.8%(90/98)和99.8%(426/427)。冠状动脉MSCTA与传统X线冠状动脉造影(CAG)对血管狭窄程度评价具有很好的一致性。结论多层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像在诊断老年人冠心病中具有重要的临床应用价值。     

Transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement in severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common type of valvular heart disease in the elderly. Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) has been the standard practice for treating severe, symptomatic AS, but recently new treatment options have emerged. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is now an established treatment option in patients at high surgical risk. In this review, we focus on recent developments and compare the two treatment methods in specific populations in terms of efficacy and safety (e.g., in patients with history of prior thoracic surgery, type of anesthesia employed, access site used or need for permanent pacing). The impact of comorbidities (pulmonary hypertension, arterial hypertension and obesity paradox), the cost-effectiveness of TAVR vs. SAVR and advances in transcatheter valve technology as well as issues that merit further investigation are further discussed. Moreover, outcomes and complications of TAVR in patients of different risk category (extremely high, high, intermediate and low risk) are analyzed. We strongly believe that during the following years, TAVR may evolve as the treatment of choice in a broader group of patients with symptomatic AS and beyond those with intermediate and high-risk features.     

Multislice computed tomography angiography in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease

Multislice CT angiography represents one of the most exciting technological revolutions in cardiac imaging and it has been increasingly used in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Rapid improvements in multislice CT scanners over the last decade have allowed this technique to become a potentially effective alternative to invasive coronary angiography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. High diagnostic value has been achieved with multislice CT angiography with use of 64- and more slice CT scanners. In addition, multislice CT angiography shows accurate detection and analysis of coronary calcium, characterization of coronary plaques, as well as prediction of the disease progression and major cardiac events. Thus, patients can benefit from multislice CT angiography that provides a rapid and accurate diagnosis while avoiding unnecessary invasive coronary angiography procedures. The aim of this article is present an overview of the clinical applications of multislice CT angiography in coronary artery disease with a focus on the diagnostic accuracy of coronary artery disease; prognostic value of coronary artery disease with regard to the prediction of major cardiac events; detection and quantification of coronary calcium and characterization of coronary plaques. Limitations of multislice CT angiography in coronary artery disease are also briefly discussed, and future directions are highlighted.     

Association between postprandial triglycerides and coronary artery disease detected by coronary computed tomography angiography

Background

Studies have demonstrated the association of severe anatomical coronary artery disease (CAD) with postprandial triglycerides (TG) concentrations. Nevertheless the relationship between less severe atherosclerosis plaque burden and postprandial TG is less established.

Objective

to study the relationship between postprandial TG and CAD detected by coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA).

Material and methods

130 patients who underwent an oral fat tolerance test were enrolled (85 with CAD detected by CTA and 45 without). Postprandial lipemia was studied by measuring TG from T0h to T6h with 2-h intervals, and analyzed the TG change over time using a longitudinal multivariable linear mixed effects model with the log normal of the TG as the primary outcome.

Results

The majority of individuals with CAD had non-obstructive disease (63.3%) Patients with CAD had a slower clearance of postprandial TG change from 4 h to 6 h (p < 0.05) compared to patients without CAD. These results remained significant after adjustment for fasting TG and glucose, age, gender, body mass index, and waist circumference. However, those differences did not reach statistical significance after adjustment for fasting HDL-C.

Conclusion

Patients with mild (<25% lumen obstruction) and moderate CAD (25–50% lumen obstruction) detected by coronary CTA had an impaired postprandial metabolism, with a delayed TG clearance, when compared to individuals with no CAD. This difference was partially explained by the lower HDL-C. Thus, though postprandial TG may contribute to the development of CAD, this association is partially related to low HDL-C.     

成人主动脉瓣疾病冠状动脉造影分析

目的 调查成人主动脉瓣疾病合并冠状动脉硬化性心脏病的情况。方法 成人主动脉瓣疾病需行手术治疗病人211例,根据病情均在术前行冠状动脉造影,分析临床资料及造影结果。结果 211例成人主动脉瓣疾病病人有58例合并冠心病。其中,钙化退行性主动脉瓣组病人合并冠心病显著高于风湿性、先天性及感染性主动脉瓣组。结论 退行性主动脉瓣病常合并冠心病,成人主动脉瓣疾病有心绞痛症状行手术治疗术前应常规行冠状动脉脉造影检查,无心绞痛症状的病人行此检查的年龄应适当放宽。     

糖尿病患者CT冠状动脉造影的诊断价值

目的通过对比观察糖尿病与非糖尿病患者CT冠状动脉造影（CTCA）的特征,探讨CTCA在糖尿病合并冠心病患者中的诊断价值。方法对380例糖尿病患者及481例非糖尿病患者进行CTCA检查,其中111例患者（糖尿病41例,非糖尿病70例）行选择性冠状动脉造影检查,观察CTCA与选择性冠状动脉造影的相关性,并比较糖尿病与非糖尿病患者冠状动脉病变的特征。结果糖尿病与非糖尿病患者中CTCA检查与选择性冠状动脉造影均相关良好,糖尿病患者血管狭窄发病率较非糖尿病患者显著增高（45．8％ vs 24．5％;P〈0．05）,多支病变发病率明显增高（P〈0．05）。结论糖尿病患者冠状动脉病变特征复杂,CTCA在糖尿病患者冠心病的筛查中具有重要意义。     

电子束CT冠状动脉血管成像技术对老年男性冠心病患者的诊断价值

目的 :评价电子束 CT冠状动脉血管成像技术 （EBT）在老年男性冠心病患者的诊断价值。方法 :对 4 8例临床有冠心病症状、可疑冠心病症状或无症状的老年男性 ,进行 EBT及冠脉造影 （CAG）检查 ,以 CAG结果作为“金标准”评价 EBT与冠脉狭窄之间的相关性。结果 :1冠状动脉狭窄组的 EBT阳性率明显高于非狭窄组 （P<0 .0 1） ;两种方法的检测结果并无统计学差异 （P>0 .0 5 ）。 2 EBT诊断冠脉狭窄的灵敏度、特异度、误诊率、漏诊率、准确度、阳性预告值、阴性预告值、阳性似然比及阴性似然比分别为 86 %、6 7%、33%、14 %、83%、95 %、4 0 %、2 .6及 0 .2 1。3EBT阳性与冠脉存在狭窄血管支数之间呈正相关。 4 EBT对于冠脉近段血管狭窄诊断的敏感性、特异性、准确性均较高 ,而对远段血管的诊断则与 CAG相差较大。结论 :1EBT是预测老年冠心病的有价值的检查手段。 2EBT对于冠脉近段病变具体位置的确定有价值。     

主动脉瓣钙化与冠心病的相关性研究

目的 探讨珠海地区汉族人群主动脉瓣钙化（AVC）与冠心病的相关性.方法 回顾性研究心内科住院患者1140例.所有患者均同期行超声心动图和冠状动脉造影检查,分析AVC与冠心病的相关性.结果 冠心病组中检出AVC的比率明显高于非冠心病组（32.3％比13.8％,P＜0.01）.冠心病组AVC患者冠脉受累严重程度高于无AVC患者.多因素分析显示,AVC、年龄、性别、高脂血症和糖尿病为全组冠心病的独立预测因子（P＜0.05）.结论 AVC与冠心病之间存在显著的相关性,对预测冠心病有一定参考价值.     

256层CTA技术在冠状动脉硬化狭窄诊断中的应用价值

目的 探讨256层CT血管成像（CTA）技术在冠状动脉成像及其狭窄诊断中的应用价值.方法 选择临床拟诊或疑诊冠状动脉疾病者400例,均行CTA冠状动脉检查,其中53例行DSA冠状动脉造影;由2名医生对图像质量评价,采用分级评分法评价冠状动脉15节段.结果 CTA显示冠状动脉节段共5 793个,其中评分为4、5分5 691个（98.24％）;与DSA比较,CTA诊断冠状动脉狭窄的准确率为94.33％、特异性为93.75％、敏感性为94.59％.DSA与CTA两种检查方法诊断冠状动脉狭窄一致性较好,Kappa为0.868.256层CTA诊断冠状动脉狭窄,在不同心率患者间差异无统计学意义.结论 256层CTA冠状动脉成像质量较高,可清晰地显示冠状动脉主要节段影像,较为准确地诊断冠状动脉狭窄,特异性、敏感性较好,且不受心率影响.