Correlación entre ecografía intracoronaria y reserva fraccional de flujo en lesiones coronarias largas. Un estudio de ecografía intracoronaria tridimensional

Introduction and objectives

Intracoronary ultrasound estimation of the functional significance of intermediate angiographic lesions has mainly been based on measuring the minimal lumen area. These estimates take no account of lesion length and pay insufficient attention to long coronary lesions.

Methods

We included 61 lesions with visual angiographic stenosis of 40% to 70% that required treatment with a ≥20 mm stent, studied with ultrasound and fractional flow reserve. Three-dimensional analysis of the ultrasound study was conducted offline and blinded to fractional reserve values. Angiographic and ultrasound parameters were correlated with fractional reserve.

Results

From the angiography we obtained data on mean reference diameter (2.87 [0.57] mm), length (29.8 [10.01] mm), and severity of stenosis (50.3% [8.7]%). Mean fractional flow reserve was 0.78 (0.09). We found a weak linear correlation (R) between fractional reserve and the ultrasound parameters that did not include lesion length: fractional reserve-minimal luminal area (R=0.4; P=.003). The correlation was stronger when lesion length was included: fractional reserve–volume of plaque (R=−0.65; P<.0005); fractional reserve–length/mean luminal area (R=0.73; P<.0005). The strongest correlation came from the product of mean stenosis by area multiplied by lesion length (R=−0.78; P<.0005).

Conclusions

In long coronary lesions, the correlation between ultrasound-measured minimal lumen area and functional significance is weak. In these cases, estimates of functional significance should incorporate lesion length or be derived from direct fractional flow reserve measurement.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Clinical predictors of left main coronary artery disease in high-risk patients with a first episode of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Risk stratification in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome makes use of clinical variables that can identify patients at an increased risk of complications. Our objective was to identify clinical variables that predict significant stenosis (i.e., >50%) of the left main coronary artery in high-risk patients who have had a first episode of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome but who do not have a history of coronary artery disease. METHODS: The study included 102 high-risk patients with no history of coronary artery disease who were admitted because of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome. All underwent coronary angiography. Patients were divided into two groups: those with significant left main coronary artery stenosis (n=14) and those without (n=88). RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that the variables significantly associated with left main coronary artery stenosis were age >65 years (57.1% vs 15.9%, P=.002), diabetes mellitus (71.4% vs 33.0%, P=.006), chronic renal failure (28.6% vs 5.7%, P=.019), left heart failure (71.4% vs 6.8%, P< .0001), cardiogenic shock (21.4% vs 1.1%, P=.008), and a low left ventricular ejection fraction at admission (49.9% [14.7%] vs 58.8% [9.9%], P=.044). In the multivariate analysis, the only significant independent predictor of left main coronary artery disease was left heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of left heart failure at initial assessment of high-risk patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome but without a history of coronary artery disease could be a useful predictor of significant left main coronary artery disease.     

Angiographic evaluation of high-risk treadmill scores in patients with unstable angina according to sex, age, or use of drugs with a negative chronotropic effect

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to determine whether age, sex, or the use of drugs with a negative chronotropic effect modifies the sensitivity, specificity, positive or negative predictive value, or positive or negative likelihood ratio of the high-risk criteria used in exercise testing as defined by the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC) and the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA), the Duke treadmill score, the Veterans Affairs and West Virginia prognostic score, or the ST/Heart Rate Index at the time when left main coronary artery disease, three-vessel disease or two-vessel disease involving the proximal left anterior descending artery is detected by coronary angiography. METHODS: The study included a cohort of 469 consecutive patients aged 75 years who were admitted to hospital for unstable angina. All patients underwent exercise stress testing and coronary angiography. RESULTS: In all situations, the ACC/AHA high-risk criteria had the highest sensitivity, negative predictive value, and negative likelihood ratio, and the Duke Treadmill Score had the highest specificity and positive predictive value. The diagnostic accuracy of the other treadmill scores was affected by sex, age or the use of drugs with a negative chronotropic effect. CONCLUSIONS: The ACC/AHA high-risk criteria and Duke Treadmill Score provided useful additional information during the assessment of ST-segment depression. These measures could help improve the diagnostic accuracy of conventional ECG exercise testing in women, older individuals, and patients taking beta-blockers or non-dihydropyridine calcium antagonists.     

Kinetics of C-reactive protein release in different forms of acute coronary syndrome

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Better knowledge of C-reactive protein (CRP) kinetics could lead to improved clinical application of this biomarker. METHODS: We studied 110 patients: 42 had ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI), 35 had non-ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and 33 had unstable angina. Patients were admitted to our institution within 6 hours of symptom onset. The levels of CRP, troponin-I, and creatine kinase MB fraction (CK-MB) were measured on admission and every 6 hours during the first 48 h. The CRP level was also measured daily until hospital discharge. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) CRP level increased relative to baseline from 6 hours after admission, from 5 (2-9) mg/L to 6 (3-10) mg/L (P=.004). Although, CRP levels on admission were similar in all groups, there was a significant difference in peak CRP level: it was 67 (36-112) mg/L in the STEMI group, 29 (20-87) mg/L in the NSTEMI group, and 18 (12-36) mg/L in the unstable angina group. The maximum CRP level was observed 49 (38-53) hours after the onset of symptoms, but occurred later in patients with STEMI. Although there was only a weak non-significant correlation between CRP and troponin levels (r=0.135) at admission, the maximum CRP level was found to be influenced by the degree of myocardial damage (r=0.496; P< .001). CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of CRP release observed was clearly different in different forms of acute coronary syndrome. Although the CRP level measured at admission was similar in all patient groups, it was influenced by the degree of early myocardial tissue necrosis. This variation in CRP kinetics should be taken into consideration when designing future studies.     

心肌血流储备分数在急性冠状动脉综合征中的应用现状

<正>自从冠状动脉造影技术问世以来,它已经成为解剖学上评价冠状动脉病变的重要方法,以及对病变进行冠状动脉介入治疗的重要依据,然而,冠状动脉造影术并不能准确评价冠状动脉狭窄病变引起血流功能性变化。1993年,Pijls     

Metoprolol does not effect myocardial fractional flow reserve in patients with intermediate coronary stenoses

OBJECTIVE: Myocardial fractional flow reserve (FFR) is utilized to determine the hemodynamic significance of coronary stenoses. We sought to determine the effect, if any, of metoprolol on FFR in patients with coronary stenoses of intermediate severity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighteen patients (10 males, mean age, 59.4 +/- 7.7 years) with isolated, intermediate (30% to 70% narrowing on coronary angiogram) lesions on the proximal LAD and a preserved ejection fraction, underwent FFR measurement using a 0.014 inch pressurewire and intracoronary adenosine injection before and after intravenous metoprolol at a dose that achieved at least a 10% decrease in the heart rate. Heart rate dropped significantly with metoprolol. At the premetoprolol measurement, aortic pressure (Pa) remained essentially the same (105.7 +/- 11.5 versus 105.6 +/- 11.6 mmHg, P > 0.05) and distal coronary pressure (Pd) dropped significantly by 9% from 96.3 +/- 12.7 to 87.4 +/- 13.4 mmHg (P < 0.001) after adenosine injection yielding an FFR(1) of 0.83 +/- 0.07. At the postmetoprolol phase, Pa dropped nonsignificantly by 2% from 104.4 +/- 12.8 to 102.4 +/- 14.3 mmHg (P = 0.09) and Pd dropped significantly by 11% from 95.7 +/- 14.4 to 85.3 +/- 16.4 mmHg (P < 0.001) after adenosine injection, yielding an FFR(2) of 0.83 +/- 0.08, which was almost exactly the same as FFR(1) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, FFR was found not to be influenced by metoprolol treatment in patients with intermediate coronary stenoses and a preserved ejection fraction.     

Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio is related to the severity of coronary artery disease in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing coronary angiography

ObjectivesThis study was to explore the potential relationship between the fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in stage 3–5 predialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.DesignThis study included 978 patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG). CAD was defined as the presence of obstructive stenosis > 50% of the lumen diameter in any of the four main coronary arteries. Gensini scores (GSs), left main coronary artery (LMCA) and three-vessel coronary artery disease (TVD) were used to elevate the severity of CAD.ResultsThe adjusted odds ratios of CAD were 3.059 (95% CI: 1.859–5.032) and 2.670 (95% CI: 1.605–4.441) in the third and fourth quartiles of FAR compared with the first quartile, respectively. Among 759 patients diagnosed with CAD, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that FAR (at the 0.01 level) was significantly positively associated with the presence of LMCA (adjusted OR = 1.177, 95% CI 1.067–1.299, P = 0.001) or TVD (adjusted OR = 1.154, 95% CI 1.076–1.238, P < 0.001), and a higher GS (adjusted OR = 1.152, 95% CI 1.073–1.238, P < 0.001).ConclusionsFAR levels were independently associated with the presence and severity of CAD in stage 3–5 predialysis CKD patients.     

冠状动脉血流储备分数水平与冠心病患者预后的关系

目的:观察在冠心病诊疗中冠状动脉血流储备分数(FFR)对冠心病患者预后的指导价值。方法:本研究为前瞻性、观察性研究。研究纳入389例于北京安贞医院行冠状动脉造影及FFR检测的患者,根据治疗方式和FFR值分为两组:非FFR指导组(FFR≤0.80且药物治疗,n=62)和FFR值指导组(根据FFR值选择标准治疗策略,n=327),后者进一步分为两个亚组:FFR指导介入亚组(FFR≤0.80且PCI,n=134);FFR指导药物亚组(FFR0.80且药物治疗,n=193)。结果:中位随访时间为24.5个月,非FFR指导组较FFR值指导组主要临床终点发生率,差异无统计学意义(P=0.502),再次血运重建发生率有升高的趋势(P=0.081)。与FFR指导药物亚组比较,FFR指导介入亚组因再发心绞痛再次住院发生率较高(P=0.035),主要不良心血管病事件发生率显著升高(P=0.026)。Kaplan-Meier曲线显示类似结果。本项研究对489支血管进行了FFR测定,随访过程中,有25支检测血管发生了血运重建,4支检测血管为梗死相关血管。行FFR检测的血管中,FFR指导组中的FFR指导药物亚组、FFR指导介入亚组的患者的血运重建率分别是7.6%, 10.6%;非FFR指导治疗组中,FFR值介于0.75～0.8之间和0.75的患者血运重建率分别是11.1%和22.6%;与FFR指导药物亚组相比,非FFR指导组中FFR0.75的患者的再次血运重建率发生率有升高的趋势(P=0.064)。结论:FFR值检测在冠心病诊疗的现实世界中对预后具有重要的指导意义。     

Use of fractional flow reserve and intravascular ultrasonography to evaluate ambiguous left main coronary artery stenosis

Because angiography provides only a 2-dimensional image, it is an imperfect tool for accurately evaluating left main coronary artery stenosis. Additional methods, such as fractional flow reserve evaluation and intravascular ultrasonography, are more frequently being used to gauge the physiologic significance of angiographically ambiguous left main coronary artery stenosis. Previous studies have shown that a fractional flow reserve cutoff value of less than 0.75 indicates a need for surgical revascularization. It has been suggested that a fractional flow reserve value of 0.75 to 0.80 constitutes a "gray zone." Indeed, the management of patients who have angiographically ambiguous left main coronary artery disease and a fractional flow reserve value of 0.75 to 0.80 is not well established.Herein, we describe the cases of 3 patients whose fractional flow reserve values suggested functionally insignificant stenosis, but in whom intravascular ultrasonography showed substantial narrowing-the latter prompting surgical revascularization instead of medical management. All 3 patients underwent revascularization with good outcomes. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of intravascular ultrasonography in determining the severity of left main coronary artery stenosis and the preferred management thereof. Also warranting further investigation is the possible revision of the fractional flow reserve cutoff values that currently indicate significant stenosis of the left main coronary artery.     

Limitations of myocardial blush grade in the evaluation of myocardial perfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction and TIMI grade 3 flow

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: An analysis was made of variability in the measurement of the angiographic index blush between a university hospital and an independent core laboratory, as well as its correlation with perfusion analyzed by intracoronary myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and the ventricular function at the sixth month. METHODS: The study comprised 40 patients with a first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, single-vessel disease and open infarct-related artery. Perfusion was quantified by angiography (median fifth day, range 3-7) with blush in our laboratory and in an independent core laboratory. MCE was performed. Ejection fraction at the sixth month was determined with magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: We found a weak correlation (r=0.38) between both laboratories. In the comparison of blush measurements concordance was 80%, kappa=0.43 if normality was defined by blush 2-3; and concordance 55%, kappa=0.1 for blush 3. Neither perfusion analyzed by MCE (r= 0.23, P=.2) nor ejection fraction by resonance (r=0.20, P=.3) did correlate to blush. CONCLUSIONS: After infarction in patients with TIMI 3, variability is observed in blush measurements between a university hospital and an independent core laboratory, therefore it seems advisable to centralize blush measures in highly specialized core laboratories. A weak correlation was detected with perfusion analyzed by MCE and with late systolic function.     

血流储备分数指导下介入治疗冠脉临界病变对NSTE-ACS患者预后的影响

目的 观察血流储备分数（fractional flow reserve,FFR）指导下介入治疗冠脉临界病变对非ST段抬高型急性冠脉综合征（NSTE-ACS）患者短期预后的影响。 方法 选取西京医院心血管内科冠状动脉造影（CAG）确定单支冠脉狭窄程度为50%~70%且拟行经皮冠状动脉介入（PCI）治疗的192例NSTE-ACS患者为研究对象,按随机数字表将患者分为CAG组（n=96）和FFR组（n=96）,患者随访12个月,比较两组患者再发心绞痛和主要不良心血管事件（MACE）的发生情况。 结果 与CAG组比较,FFR组再发心绞痛和MACE事件发生率均显著降低（P<0.05）。 结论 FFR指导下PCI治疗冠脉临界病变可更显著降低术后1年MACE事件发生率。     

Comparing stress testing and fractional flow reserve to evaluate presence,location and extent of ischemia in coronary artery disease

Background

FFR provides an accurate and reproducible assessment of the functional severity of coronary stenosis. Whereas stress testing remains the preferred initial modality for assessment of ischemia, there is limited data comparing it with FFR. We sought to determine the correlation between cardiac stress testing and coronary fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement for assessing the presence, location, and burden of myocardial ischemia in patients referred for evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

Over 5-year study period, of the 5420 consecutive coronary angiograms that were screened, 326 patients had FFR measurements. Of these, 96 patients with FFR measurements who had a preceding stress test (stress echocardiography [SE] or myocardial perfusion imaging [MPI]) within a year were included.

Results

Of the 96 patients, there were 46 (48%) men and 50 (52%) women with a mean age of 61 ± 10 years. SE was performed in 57 (59.3%) and MPI in 32 (40.7%) of patients. FFR was ≤0.79 in 54 (56%) patients. Stress testing had low sensitivity (55%) and specificity (47%) compared to FFR. The concordance between FFR and stress testing was low for both presence (k = 0.03) and location (k = 0.05) of the ischemic territory. The number of ischemic vascular territories was correctly estimated in only 39% of the stress tests. SE was more likely to overestimate and MPI more likely to underestimate extent of ischemia.

Conclusions

In patients referred for evaluation of CAD, there was poor correlation between stress testing and FFR. A prospective study comparing these two modalities with FFR is needed.     

Usefulness of fractional flow reserve in multivessel coronary artery disease with intermediate lesions

BACKGROUND: Calculation of myocardial fractional flow reserve (FFR) enables coronary stenoses to be evaluated. OBJECTIVES: We determined the usefulness of measuring the FFR in multivessel coronary artery disease, reflected in changes in the therapeutic options for patients with moderate coronary stenosis. METHODS: We studied 38 patients (30 men, 8 women; mean age: 59.8+/-10 years) with multivessel coronary artery disease with 41 moderate lesions. Indications for coronary angiography were unstable angina in 24 patients (60%), acute myocardial infarction in 10 (27%), and stable angina in 4 (13%). We studied the FFR (in nonactive lesions) in the left anterior descending artery in 23 patients (56%), the left coronary trunk in 8 (19.5%), the circumflex artery in 5 (12.2%), the right coronary artery in 3 (7.3%), and the left internal mammary artery and diagonal branch in 1 patient each. RESULTS: Twelve patients had a positive FFR, which resulted in no change in the mode of revascularization; 26 patients had a negative FFR, in 20 (77%) of whom the revascularization approach was changed, especially those with moderate lesions of the left coronary trunk or anterior descending artery. No differences were detected in the angiographic characteristics of the lesions examined. Cardiac events during follow-up were few. CONCLUSIONS: The results of FFR may influence the decision-making process after diagnostic coronary angiography in multivessel coronary artery disease with moderate lesions, especially in patients with a negative FFR in nonculprit lesions of the left trunk or left anterior descending artery.