Impact of white blood cell count on myocardial salvage,infarct size,and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a magnetic resonance imaging study

We sought to determine the relationship between white blood cell count (WBCc) and infarct size assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In 198 patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI, WBCc was measured upon arrival and CMR was performed a median of 7 days after the index event. Infarct size was measured on delayed enhancement imaging and the area at risk (AAR) was quantified on T2-weighted images. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the high WBCc group (>11,000/mm³, n = 91) and low WBCc group (≤11,000/mm³, n = 107). The median infarct size was larger in the high WBCc group than in the low WBCc group [22.0 % (16.7–33.9) vs. 14.7 % (8.5–24.7), p < 0.01]. Compared with the low WBCc group, the high WBCc group had a greater extent of AAR and a smaller myocardial salvage index [MSI = (AAR?infarct size)/AAR × 100]. The major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiac death, nonfatal reinfarction, and rehospitalization for congestive heart failure at 12-month occurred more frequently in the high WBCc group (12.1 vs. 0.9 %, p < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, high WBCc significantly increased the risk of a large infarct (OR 3.04 95 % CI 1.65–5.61, p < 0.01), a low MSI (OR 2.08, 95 % CI 1.13–3.86, p = 0.02), and 1-year MACE (OR 16.0, 95 % CI 1.89–134.5, p = 0.01). In patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI, an elevated baseline WBCc is associated with less salvaged myocardium, larger infarct size and poorer clinical outcomes.     

Thalidomide influences atherogenesis in aortas of ApoE−/−/LDLR−/− double knockout mice: a nano-CT study

Plaque progression in atherosclerosis is closely connected to angiogenesis due to vasa vasorum (VV) growth. Objective of this study was to determine the unknown long-term effect of thalidomide on adventitial VV neovascularization and plaque progression using nano-focussed computed tomography (nano-CT). Proliferation and migration assays in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) measured number of viable cells after incubation with thalidomide. Male ApoE^?/?/LDLR^?/? (AL) mice (n = 5) received a thalidomide containing western diet (WD) over 29 weeks. Another five male AL mice (WD without thalidomide) served as control group. Descending aortas were scanned with nano-CT at (1.5 μm)³ isotropic voxel size. Number and area of adventitial VV as well as plaque cross sectional area were measured. Results were complemented by histology. Thalidomide inhibited proliferation and migration of HCAEC dose-dependently. VV neovascularization decreased in number per cross section (7.66 ± 0.301 vs. 8.62 ± 0.164, p < 0.001) and in cross sectional area (0.0183 ± 0.0011 vs. 0.0238 ± 0.0008 mm², p < 0.001). Cross sectional area of plaque decreased significantly when treated with thalidomide (0.57 ± 0.0187 vs. 0.803 ± 0.0148 mm², p < 0.001). Nano-CT imaging revealed a reduced plaque growth and VV neovascularization after long-term application of thalidomide. Therefore, nano-CT can be considered as a new method to detect therapeutic effects in experimental models of atherosclerosis.     

In vivo comparison of lumen dimensions measured by time domain-, and frequency domain-optical coherence tomography, and intravascular ultrasound

Lumen dimensions measured by time-domain optical coherence tomography (TD-OCT) may be influenced by the hemodynamic effect of proximal balloon occlusion. Frequency-domain OCT (FD-OCT) does not require the interruption of blood flow. Therefore, we compared the coronary lumen dimensions measured by TD-OCT, FD-OCT, and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in both stented and non-stented segments. Twenty patients who underwent both IVUS and OCT imaging (10 for TD- and 10 for FD-OCT) after stent implantation were included. The maximum, minimum, and mean diameters and areas were measured at the proximal and distal stent edges, as well as 3 mm inside and 5 mm outside of both edges. The measurements inside stent showed no significant differences between IVUS and TD- or FD-OCT. The lumen mean diameters and areas measured by IVUS at 5 mm outside stent were similar to those measured by FD-OCT (Distal; 3.07 ± 0.7 vs 3.03 ± 0.7 mm, p = 0.08 and 7.80 ± 4.0 vs 7.72 ± 4.1 mm², p = 0.07, respectively. Proximal; 3.25 ± 0.7 vs 3.23 ± 0.7 mm, p = 0.09 and 8.78 ± 3.8 vs 8.65 ± 3.7 mm², p = 0.08, respectively), but were greater than those measured by TD-OCT (Distal; 2.75 ± 0.5 vs 2.29 ± 0.5 mm, p = 0.0001 and 6.15 ± 2.6 vs 4.38 ± 1.9 mm², p = 0.0002, respectively. Proximal; 3.27 ± 0.6 vs 2.69 ± 0.6 mm, p = 0.0001 and 8.64 ± 3.4 vs 6.12 ± 2.7 mm², p = 0.0001 respectively). The interaction between TD- and FD-OCT for lumen dimension measurements at 5 mm outside stent was statistically significant. Vessel dimension measurements were similar between IVUS and FD-OCT in native vessel unlike with TD-OCT. Therefore, we might adapt the IVUS criteria of lesion severity for percutaneous coronary intervention to FD-OCT.     

In-stent fractional flow reserve variations and related optical coherence tomography findings: the FFR–OCT co-registration study

We sought to assess in-stent variations in fractional flow reserve (FFR) in patients with previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to associate any drop in FFR with findings by optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. Suboptimal post-PCI FFR values were previously associated with poor outcomes. It is not known to which extent in-stent pressure loss contributes to reduced FFR. In this single-arm observational study, 26 patients who previously underwent PCI with drug-eluting stent or scaffold implantation were enrolled. Motorized FFR pullback during continuous intravenous adenosine infusion and OCT assessments was performed. Post-PCI FFR?<?0.94 was defined as suboptimal. At a median of 63 days after PCI (interquartile range: 59–64 days), 18 out of 26 patients (72%) had suboptimal FFR. The in-stent drop in FFR was significantly higher in patients with suboptimal FFR vs. patients with optimal FFR (0.08?±?0.07 vs. 0.01?±?0.02, p?<?0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that an in-stent FFR variation of >?0.03 was associated with suboptimal FFR. In patients with suboptimal FFR, the OCT analyses revealed higher mean neointimal area (respectively: 1.06?±?0.80 vs. 0.51?±?0.23 mm²; p?=?0.018) and higher neointimal thickness of covered struts (respectively 0.11?±?0.07 vs. 0.06?±?0.01 mm; p?=?0.021). Suboptimal FFR values following stent-implantation are mainly caused by significant in-stent pressure loss during hyperemia. This finding is associated to a larger neointimal proliferation.     

Characterization of culprit lesions in acute coronary syndromes compared with stable angina pectoris by dual-source computed tomography

To identify the characterization of culprit lesions in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared with stable angina pectoris (SAP) by dual-source computed tomography (DSCT). 65 patients with ACS and 75 controls with SAP and a similar atherosclerotic risk profile were studied. Computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography was performed using a DSCT scanner before invasive catheterization. Using DSCT and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), lesion characteristics [luminal cross-section area (L-CSA), vascular cross-section area (V-CSA), plaque area and degree of stenosis) were detected. Plaque types, mean and minimum CT density (Hounsfield Unit; HU), remodeling index, and presence of “spotty” calcifications were analyzed using DSCT. A good correlation was observed between DSCT and QCA for all lesion characteristics (P < 0.05). Culprit lesions in ACS had much larger V-CSA (20.5 ± 6.0 vs. 14.8 ± 4.8 mm²), plaque area (15.3 ± 5.0 vs. 11.1 ± 3.3 mm²) and remodeling index (1.3 ± 0.2 vs. 1.0 ± 0.4) than stable lesions in SAP (P < 0.05). The prevalence of non-calcified/calcified/mixed plaque was 30/0/35 in ACS versus 25/15/35 stable lesions in SAP (P < 0.01). The proportion of “spotty” calcified plaques was 21.5 % in culprit lesions (14 of 65) versus 1.3 % in SAP (1 of 75). The mean/minimum HU of culprit lesions was 88.6 ± 43.2/154.2 ± 98.7 in ACS versus 45.9 ± 34.7/98.2 ± 76.8 in SAP (both P < 0.01). DSCT is a feasible means of detecting coronary stenosis with good accuracy compared with QCA. Culprit lesions in ACS display a greater proportion of non-calcified material with lower CT attenuation, “spotty” calcifications and higher remodeling index compared with SAP lesions.     

First in vivo head-to-head comparison of high-definition versus standard-definition stent imaging with 64-slice computed tomography

The aim of this study was to compare image quality characteristics from 64-slice high definition (HDCT) versus 64-slice standard definition CT (SDCT) for coronary stent imaging. In twenty-five stents of 14 patients, undergoing contrast-enhanced CCTA both on 64-slice SDCT (LightSpeedVCT, GE Healthcare) and HDCT (Discovery HD750, GE Healthcare), radiation dose, contrast, noise and stent characteristics were assessed. Two blinded observers graded stent image quality (score 1 = no, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, and 4 = severe artefacts). All scans were reconstructed with increasing contributions of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) blending (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 %). Image quality was significantly superior in HDCT versus SDCT (score 1.7 ± 0.5 vs. 2.7 ± 0.7; p < 0.05). Image noise was significantly higher in HDCT compared to SDCT irrespective of ASIR contributions (p < 0.05). Addition of 40 % ASIR or more reduced image noise significantly in both HDCT and SDCT. In HDCT in-stent luminal attenuation was significantly lower and mean measured in-stent luminal diameter was significantly larger (1.2 ± 0.4 mm vs. 0.8 ± 0.4 mm; p < 0.05) compared to SDCT. Radiation dose from HDCT was comparable to SDCT (1.8 ± 0.7 mSv vs. 1.7 ± 0.7 mSv; p = ns). Use of HDCT for coronary stent imaging reduces partial volume artefacts from stents yielding improved image quality versus SDCT at a comparable radiation dose.     

Cardiac Amyloidosis Shows Decreased Diastolic Function as Assessed by Echocardiographic Parameterized Diastolic Filling

Cardiac amyloidosis is a rare but serious condition with poor survival. One of the early findings by echocardiography is impaired diastolic function, even before the development of cardiac symptoms. Early diagnosis is important, permitting initiation of treatment aimed at improving survival. The parameterized diastolic filling (PDF) formalism entails describing the left ventricular filling pattern during early diastole using the mathematical equation for the motion of a damped harmonic oscillator. We hypothesized that echocardiographic PDF analysis could detect differences in diastolic function between patients with amyloidosis and controls. Pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography of transmitral flow was measured in 13 patients with amyloid heart disease and 13 age- and gender matched controls. E- waves (2 to 3 per subject) were analyzed using in-house developed software. Nine PDF-derived parameters were obtained in addition to conventional echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function. Compared to controls, cardiac amyloidosis patients had a larger left atrial area (23.7 ± 7.5 cm² vs. 18.5 ± 4.8 cm², p = 0.04), greater interventricular septum wall thickness (14.4 ± 2.6 mm vs. 9.3 ± 1.3 mm, p < 0.001), lower e′ (0.06 ± 0.02 m/s vs. 0.09 ± 0.02 m/s, p < 0.001) and higher E/e′ (18.0 ± 12.9 vs. 7.7 ± 1.3, p = 0.001). The PDF parameter peak resistive force was greater in cardiac amyloidosis patients compared to controls (17.9 ± 5.7 mN vs. 13.1 ± 3.1 mN, p = 0.03), and other PDF parameters did not differ. PDF analysis revealed that patients with cardiac amyloidosis had a greater peak resistive force compared to controls, consistent with a greater degree of diastolic dysfunction. PDF analysis may be useful in characterizing diastolic function in amyloid heart disease.     

Left atrial remodelling in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a speckle-tracking prospective, longitudinal study

Aortic stenosis (AS) results in several left ventricular (LV) disturbances as well as progressive left atrial (LA) enlargement and dysfunction. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) reverses LV remodelling and improves overall systolic function but its effect on LA function remains undetermined. The aim of this prospective, longitudinal study was to investigate the effects of TAVI on LA structure and function. We studied thirty-two patients with severe symptomatic AS who underwent TAVI, using standard and 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography before, at 40-day and at 3-month follow-up. Following TAVI, mean transvalvular gradient decreased (p < 0.001). Both LA area index and LA volume index decreased at 40-day follow-up (16.2 ± 6.4 vs. 12.5 ± 2.9 cm²/m², and 47.3 ± 12.0 vs. 42.8 ± 12.5 mL/m², respectively, p < 0.05) and values remained unchanged at 3 months. The reduction of LA size was accompanied by a significant increase in global peak atrial longitudinal strain (14.4 ± 3.9 vs. 19.1 ± 4.7 %, p < 0.001) and in global peak atrial contraction strain (8.4 ± 2.5 vs. 11.0 ± 4.1 %, p < 0.05) at 3-month follow-up. LA stiffness measurements significantly decreased 3 months after TAVI (0.93 ± 0.59 vs. 0.65 ± 0.37, respectively, p < 0.001). Trans-aortic mean gradient change and pre-procedural LA volume were identified as predictors of global peak atrial longitudinal strain increase (β = ?0.41, β = ?0.35, respectively, p < 0.0001) while pre-procedural LA volume and trans-aortic mean gradient change as predictor of LA volume index reduction 3 months after TAVI (β = ?0.37, β = ?0.28, respectively, p < 0.0001). TAVI is associated with significant recovery of LA structure and function suggesting a reverse cavity remodelling. Such functional recovery is primarily determined by the severity of pre-procedural valve stenosis.     

Unrestricted utilization of frequency domain optical coherence tomography in coronary interventions

Frequency domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) has shown promise to evaluate coronary devices in clinical trials, however, little is known about its application in clinical practice. This prospective, single center initiative planned for 100 % FD-OCT utilization in all patients undergoing coronary interventions during a 60-day period. Operators pre-specified the planned intervention based on angiography alone. FD-OCT success was defined as acquisition of good quality images enabling adequate quantification of vessel dimensions and lesion/percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) assessment. Impact on management occurred when angiography-based planning was altered based on FD-OCT data. There were 297 FD-OCT acquisitions performed in 155 vessels from 150 patients. There were no FD-OCT procedural related cardiac adverse events and success was obtained in 85.7 % of all target vessels (pre-PCI = 76.8 % vs. post-PCI = 90.1 %, p = 0.004). Success on the first pullback occurred in 80.3 % overall (61.9 % in the initial operator experience and 85.5 % after the third procedure). FD-OCT impact on management was 81.8 % pre-PCI and 54.8 % post-PCI. Stent malapposition was detected in 39.2 % (89.4 % underwent further intervention) and edge dissection in 32.5 % (21.1 % treated with stent). FD-OCT success and management impact were similar in ACS and non-ACS patients (82.1 vs. 81.1 %, p = 1.000, and 62.5 vs. 65.1 %, p = 0.854, respectively). FD-OCT is safe, can successfully be incorporated into routine practice, and alters procedural strategy in a high proportion of patients undergoing PCI.     

Assessment of aortic stiffness among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis by magnetic resonance imaging

To evaluate aortic stiffness by MRI in female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in comparison to controls. We measured aortic strain, distensibility and pulse wave velocity (PWV) by MRI in 30 SLE patients, 31 RA patients and 53 matched controls. Mean PWV in SLE and RA patients were higher in comparison to controls (9.2 ± 4.4 vs. 7.6 ± 3.0 m/s, p = 0.04) and (6.2 ± 2.3 vs. 5.4 ± 1.7, p = 0.04) respectively. Aortic distensibility among RA patients was significantly lower in comparison to controls (4.4 ± 4.6 vs. 5.8 ± 4.9 kPa^?1 × 10^?3, p = 0.04). A significant correlation was found between PWV and age (r = 0.67, p < 0.001), Framingham risk score (r = 0.61, p < 0.001), waist to hip ratio (r = 0.45, p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.37, p = 0.01), diabetes (r = 0.32, p = 0.001) and dyslipidemia (r = 0.32, p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis for the prediction of PWV, variables which were found significant included: RA (p = 0.01), age (p < 0.001) and hypertension (p = 0.01) for patients with RA and SLE (p = 0.02), waist to hip ratio (p < 0.001) and total cholesterol (p < 0.001) for patients with SLE. Arterial stiffness, characterized by metrics of aortic distensibility and pulse wave velocity derived from MRI, is increased in SLE and RA female patients.     

Atrial longitudinal strain parameters predict left atrial reverse remodeling after mitral valve surgery: a speckle tracking echocardiography study

Volume overload in chronic severe mitral regurgitation (MR) causes left atrial (LA) remodeling. Volume overload generally diminishes after mitral valve surgery and LA size and shape are expected to recover. The recovery of LA functions named as reverse remodeling is said to be related with prognosis and mortality. A few clinical and echocardiographic parameters have been reported to be associated with LA reverse remodeling. In this study, we investigated the relationship between LA peak longitudinal strain (reservoir strain) assessed with 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) and LA reverse remodeling. 53 patients (24 females and 29 males, mean age: 45.7 ± 13.5 years) with severe MR and preserved left ventricular systolic function were included in the study. All patients had normal sinus rhythm. The etiology of MR was mitral valve prolapse (MVP) in 37 patients and rheumatic valvular disease in 16 patients. Mitral valve repair was performed in 30 patients while 23 underwent mitral valve replacement. Echocardiography was performed before the surgery and 6 months later. LA peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) was assessed with speckle tracking imaging. LA reverse remodeling was defined as a percent of decrease in LA volume index (LAVI). Left atrial volume index significantly decreased after surgery (58.2 ± 16.6 vs. 43.9 ± 17.2 ml/m², p ≤ 0.001). Mean LAVI reduction was 22.5 ± 27.2 %. There was no significant difference in LAVI reduction between mitral repair and replacement groups (22.1 ± 22.6 vs. 23.1 ± 32.8 %, p = 0.9). Although the decrease in LAVI was higher in MVP group than rheumatic group, it was not statistically significant (24.4 ± 26.8 vs. 18.2 ± 28.9 %, p = 0.4). Correlates of LAVI reduction were preoperative LAVI (r 0.28, p = 0.039), PALS (r 0.36, p = 0.001) and age (r ?0.36, p = 0.007). Furthermore, in multivariate linear regression analysis (entering models), preoperative LAVI, age and PALS were all significant predictors of LA reverse remodeling (p ≤ 0.001, p = 0.04, p = 0.001 respectively). Left atrial peak longitudinal strain measured by 2D STE, in conjunction with preoperative LAVI and age is a predictor of LA reverse remodeling in patients undergoing surgery for severe MR. We suggest that in this patient population, PALS may also be used as a preoperative prognostic marker.     

Neointimal coverage and vasodilator response to titanium-nitride-oxide-coated bioactive stents and everolimus-eluting stents in patients with acute coronary syndrome: insights from the BASE-ACS trial

Incomplete stent endothelialization is associated with late and very late stent thrombosis. In a post hoc analysis of the BASE-ACS trial, we sought to assess neointimal coverage and coronary flow reserve (CFR) 9 months after implantation of titanium-nitride-oxide-coated bioactive stents (BAS) versus everolimus-eluting stents (EES) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In the BASE-ACS trial, 827 patients with ACS were randomized to receive either BAS or EES. In the current study, we examined neointimal growth and strut coverage by optical coherence tomography and CFR by trans-thoracic echocardiography in 28 consecutive non-diabetic patients with the culprit lesion in the left anterior descending coronary artery. The primary endpoints were binary stent strut coverage and CFR at 9-month follow-up. A total of 13 patients were included in the BAS group (2,033 struts); 15 in the EES group (2,898 struts). Binary stent strut coverage was higher and malapposed struts lower with BAS versus EES (99.4 vs 89.2, and 0.2 vs 4.6 %, respectively, p < 0.001 for both). Neointimal hyperplasia thickness was greater with BAS versus EES (274.2 vs 100.1 μm, respectively, p < 0.001). CFR was lower with EES versus BAS (2.2 ± 0.8 vs 3.0 ± 0.5, respectively, p = 0.001). Abnormal CFR (<2.5) were detected in 10 patients in the EES group versus one in the BAS group (p = 0.002). The current study demonstrated that in patients with ACS, BAS resulted in improved neointimal stent strut coverage and better coronary vasodilator function as compared with EES at 9-month follow-up.     

Comparison of two different paclitaxel-coated balloon catheters in the porcine coronary restenosis model

Background

Drug-eluting balloon (DEB) catheters coated with paclitaxel in a water-soluble matrix have shown beneficial effects in the treatment and prevention of restenosis in the porcine coronary overstretch model and in clinical trials. Adherence of paclitaxel, same dose, on another recently introduced coated percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) catheter (DIOR^®) is mediated by a roughened balloon surface. Only scarce experimental and clinical data has been published on the new coating method. The aim of the present study was to compare the safety and efficacy of the two coatings in the porcine model.

Methods and results

Twenty-eight stainless steel stents were implanted in the left anterior descending and circumflex coronary arteries of 14 domestic pigs using either matrix-coated (n = 8), roughened DEB (n = 9), or uncoated PCI catheters, which served as control (n = 11). After 28 days, quantitative angiography and histomorphometry of the stented arteries were performed. Matrix-coated DEB led to a highly significant (P < 0.01) reduction of all parameters indicating neointimal proliferation compared to both, uncoated control and the roughened DEB; late lumen loss in-segment was 0.4 ± 0.2, 1.9 ± 0.5, and 1.4 ± 0.5 mm, respectively. In contrast, the roughened DEB failed to produce statistically significant effects on angiographic measures of stenosis or morphometric parameters such as maximal neointimal thickness and luminal area, except for neointimal area (5.7 ± 1.5 mm² in the control group, 4.1 ± 1.7 mm² roughened DEB, P < 0.05 vs. control, and 2.5 ± 0.8 mm² matrix-coated DEB, P < 0.01 vs. control).

Conclusion

Inhibition of neointimal proliferation in the porcine coronary overstretch model by paclitaxel depends critically on the coating method.

     

Subclinical left ventricular systolic impairment in steady state young adult patients with sickle-cell anemia

Chronic volume overload in sickle-cell anemia (SCA) is associated with left ventricular (LV) enlargement and hypertrophy. The effect of the disease on LV systolic function remains debated. The aim of our study was to investigate LV systolic function in SCA patients using 2D speckle-tracking imaging. We compared 30 steady state asymptomatic adult SCA patients (17 women, mean age 24.7 ± 5.1 years) with 30 age and sex-matched healthy subjects (17 women, mean age 25.0 ± 4.9 years). In addition to conventional echocardiographic parameters including LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and LV mass index (LVMi), global longitudinal strain (GLS) and strain rate (GLSR) were measured. GLS (?17.9 ± 2.0 vs. ?19.7 ± 2.5 %, p = 0.004) and GLSR (?0.92 ± 0.09 vs. ?1.07 ± 0.17 s^?1, p < 0.0001) values were lower in SCA patients while LVEF values (60.1 ± 3.8 vs. 61.7 ± 4.7 %, p = 0.30) were not different. LVMi was increased in SCA patients (100.7 ± 23.5 vs. 72.4 ± 15.2 g/m², p = 0.0001) and GLSR was significantly lower in the subgroup of patients with LV hypertrophy (?0.88 ± 0.09 vs. ?0.96 ± 0.08 s^?1, p = 0.02). In SCA patients LVMi was correlated to GLS (r = 0.58, p = 0.001) and GLSR (r = 0.45, p = 0.015) pleading in favor of a pathological LV remodeling. Asymptomatic SCA patients exhibited a subclinical alteration of LV systolic function. Myocardial dysfunction appears to be linked to the degree of LV hypertrophy. 2D speckle-tracking imaging might be useful for long-term follow-up and to study the natural course of LV dysfunction in SCA patients.     

Very long-term follow-up of strut apposition and tissue coverage with Biolimus A9 stents analyzed by optical coherence tomography

First generation drug-eluting stents (DES) are associated with reduced in-stent restenosis but significant increased risk of very late stent thrombosis (VLST). The absence of polymer in DES systems may reduce the occurrence of VLST. Optic coherence tomography (OCT) has been used for stent analysis as a surrogate safety endpoint. This study aimed to assess the long-term follow up of strut apposition and tissue coverage of BioMatrix? DES by OCT. 20 patients undergoing BioMatrix? DES (n = 15) or S-Stent? BMS (n = 5) implantation were followed for at least 5 years and evaluated by quantitative coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound, and OCT. The difference between the stent types was evaluated by nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test while categorical variables were evaluated by Fisher exact test. Rates of in-stent late loss were similar between groups [0.40 (0.21;0.77) vs. 0.68 (0.66; 0.82) mm, p = 0.205, for BioMatrix? and S-Stent?, respectively]. The vessel, stent and lumen volumes did not differ between groups. Patients treated with BioMatrix? had significantly less stent obstruction [5.6 (4.4;9.7) vs. 28.6 (24.7;29.0) %, p = 0.001]. OCT analysis of 12 stents (Biomatrix? = 9 and S-Stent? = 3) demonstrated 126 (8.7 %) uncovered struts in the BioMatrix? group compared to 23 (4.0 %) in the S-Stent? group (p = 0.297), being the majority of them well apposed (117/126 and 21/23, respectively, p = 0.292). Only 9 (0.6 %) struts in the DES and 2 (0.4 %) struts in the BMS groups were simultaneously uncovered and malapposed (p = 0.924). BioMatrix? DES was associated with lower rates of in-stent obstruction, and similar percentage of neointimal coverage on struts and of complete strut apposition.     

Influence of beta-blocker therapy on aortic blood flow in patients with bicuspid aortic valve

In patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), beta-blockers (BB) are assumed to slow ascending aorta (AAo) dilation by reducing wall shear stress (WSS) on the aneurysmal segment. The aim of this study was to assess differences in AAo peak velocity and WSS in BAV patients with and without BB therapy. BAV patients receiving BB (BB+, n = 30, age: 47 ± 11 years) or not on BB (BB?, n = 30, age: 46 ± 13 years) and healthy controls (n = 15, age: 43 ± 11 years) underwent 4D flow MRI for the assessment of in vivo aortic 3D blood flow. Peak systolic velocities and 3D WSS were calculated at the anterior and posterior walls of the AAo. Both patient groups had higher maximum and mean WSS relative to the control group (p = 0.001 to p = 0.04). WSS was not reduced in the BB+ group compared to BB? patients in the anterior AAo (maximum: 1.49 ± 0.47 vs. 1.38 ± 0.49 N/m², p = 0.99, mean: 0.76 ± 0.2 vs. 0.74 ± 0.18 N/m², p = 1.00) or posterior AAo (maximum: 1.45 ± 0.42 vs. 1.39 ± 0.58 N/m², p = 1.00; mean: 0.65 ± 0.16 vs. 0.63 ± 0.16 N/m², p = 1.00). AAo peak velocity was elevated in patients compared to controls (p < 0.01) but similar for BB+ and BB? groups (p = 0.42). Linear models identified significant relationships between aortic stenosis severity and increased maximum WSS (β = 0.186, p = 0.007) and between diameter at the sinus of Valsalva and reduced mean WSS (β = ?0.151, p = 0.045). Peak velocity and systolic WSS were similar for BAV patients irrespective of BB therapy. Further prospective studies are needed to investigate the impact of dosage and duration of BB therapy on aortic hemodynamics and development of aortopathy.     

Impact of chronic liver disease in intensive care unit acquired pneumonia: a prospective study

Purpose

To assess the impact of chronic liver disease (CLD) on ICU-acquired pneumonia.

Methods

This was a prospective, observational study of the characteristics, microbiology, and outcomes of 343 consecutive patients with ICU-acquired pneumonia clustered according to the presence of CLD.

Results

Sixty-seven (20 %) patients had CLD (67 % had liver cirrhosis, LC), MELD score 26 ± 9, 20 % Child–Pugh class C). They presented higher severity scores than patients without CLD both on admission to the ICU (APACHE II, LC 19 ± 6 vs. other CLD 18 ± 6 vs. no CLD 16 ± 6; p < 0.001; SOFA, 10 ± 3 vs. 8 ± 4 vs. 7 ± 3; p < 0.001) and at onset of pneumonia (APACHE II, 19 ± 6 vs. 17 ± 6 vs. 16 ± 5; p = 0.001; SOFA, 11 ± 4 vs. 9 ± 4 vs. 7 ± 3; p < 0.001). Levels of CRP were lower in patients with LC than in the other two groups (day 1, 6.5 [2.5–11.5] vs. 13 [6–23] vs. 15.5 [8–24], p < 0.001, day 3, 6 [3–12] vs. 16 [9–21] vs. 11 [5–20], p = 0.001); all the other biomarkers were higher in LC and other CLD patients. LC patients had higher 28- and 90-day mortality (63 vs. 28 %, p < 0.001; 72 vs. 38 %, p < 0.001, respectively) than non-CLD patients. Presence of LC was independently associated with decreased 28- and 90-day survival (95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.982–17.250; p = 0.001; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 2.915–20.699, p = 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

In critically ill patients with ICU-acquired pneumonia, CLD is associated with a more severe clinical presentation and poor clinical outcomes. Moreover, LC is independently associated with 28- and 90-day mortality. The results of this study are important for future trials focused on mortality.     

Ability and efficiency of an automatic analysis software to measure microvascular parameters

Analysis of the microcirculation is currently performed offline, is time consuming and operator dependent. The aim of this study was to assess the ability and efficiency of the automatic analysis software CytoCamTools 1.7.12 (CC) to measure microvascular parameters in comparison with Automated Vascular Analysis (AVA) software 3.2. 22 patients admitted to the cardiothoracic intensive care unit following cardiac surgery were prospectively enrolled. Sublingual microcirculatory videos were analysed using AVA and CC software. The total vessel density (TVD) for small vessels, perfused vessel density (PVD) and proportion of perfused vessels (PPV) were calculated. Blood flow was assessed using the microvascular flow index (MFI) for AVA software and the averaged perfused speed indicator (APSI) for the CC software. The duration of the analysis was also recorded. Eighty-four videos from 22 patients were analysed. The bias between TVD-CC and TVD-AVA was 2.20 mm/mm² (95 % CI 1.37–3.03) with limits of agreement (LOA) of ?4.39 (95 % CI ?5.66 to ?3.16) and 8.79 (95 % CI 7.50–10.01) mm/mm². The percentage error (PE) for TVD was ±32.2 %. TVD was positively correlated between CC and AVA (r = 0.74, p < 0.001). The bias between PVD-CC and PVD-AVA was 6.54 mm/mm² (95 % CI 5.60–7.48) with LOA of ?4.25 (95 % CI ?8.48 to ?0.02) and 17.34 (95 % CI 13.11–21.57) mm/mm². The PE for PVD was ±61.2 %. PVD was positively correlated between CC and AVA (r = 0.66, p < 0.001). The median PPV-AVA was significantly higher than the median PPV-CC [97.39 % (95.25, 100 %) vs. 81.65 % (61.97, 88.99), p < 0.0001]. MFI categories cannot estimate or predict APSI values (p = 0.45). The time required for the analysis was shorter with CC than with AVA system [2′42″ (2′12″, 3′31″) vs. 16′12″ (13′38″, 17′57″), p < 0.001]. TVD is comparable between the two softwares, although faster with CC software. The values for PVD and PPV are not interchangeable given the different approach to assess microcirculatory flow.     

Discrepancies between Doppler and catheter gradients in ventricular septal defect: a correction of localized gradients from pressure recovery phenomenon

Although very high gradient levels were measured during the evaluation of ventricular septal defect (VSD) in daily practice, these measurements are generally interpreted as erroneous and thus neglected. Our aim was to assess the features of VSD’s having erroneous interventricular pressure gradients by echocardiography. A 46 patients were enrolled in the study. The patients with higher Doppler-derived interventricular gradient than brachial systolic blood pressure were compared with patients with lower gradient (group 1, n = 26; group 2, n = 20, respectively) in terms of echocardiographic characteristics of VSD. No significant relations were observed in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and interventricular synchronicity between two groups (117.1 ± 6.7 vs 110.2 ± 6.3 mmHg, p = 0.145; 74.7 ± 4.3 vs 73.2 ± 4.9 mmHg, p = 0.32; 31.2 ± 5.5 vs 33.2 ± 4.9 msn, p = 0.29, respectively). Left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters were greater in group 2 (46.6 ± 3.5 vs 49.5 ± 4.5, p = 0.022; 30.3 ± 2.5 vs 32.9 ± 3.2, p = 0.004, respectively). Doppler-derived interventricular pressure gradients were significantly higher in group 1 (144.4 ± 13.6 vs 75.7 ± 5.1 mmHg, p < 0.001, respectively). Defect width was significantly lower (3.20 ± 0.40 vs 4.8 ± 1.8 mm, respectively, p < 0.05), and length was greater in group 1 patients (5.75 ± 0.90 vs 2.80 ± 0.80 mm, p < 0.05, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation between pressure gradient and defect length (r = 0.84, p < 0.001), and a negative correlation between pressure gradient and defect width (r = ?0.66, p < 0.001). Defect length/width was significantly greater in group 1. With the cut-off value of 1.2, defect length/width was able to predict tunnel-type VSD with sensitivity of 88.5 % and specificity of 72.7 %. Continuous-wave Doppler method may overestimate interventricular pressure gradients in patients with tunnel-type ventricular septal defect.     

Tacrolimus-eluting carbon-coated stents versus sirolimus-eluting stents for prevention of symptom-driven clinical end points

Background

Coating of stents has been shown to minimize the interactions between platelets, stent surface and vascular response following stent implantation. The aim of our study was to compare the tacrolimus-eluting carbon-coated JANUS^® stent with sirolimus-eluting CYPHER^® stent for the prevention of symptom-driven clinical end points in a real world clinical setting.

Methods

This prospective registry with a follow-up period of 24 months was conducted in 90 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery stenting receiving CYPHER^® (n = 48) or JANUS^® (n = 42) stents. The primary end point was a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularisation, and the secondary end point was clinically driven in-stent restenosis.

Results

The primary combined endpoint occurred in 38% of patients (n = 16) in the JANUS^® group compared to 10% (n = 5) in the CYPHER^® group. The relative risk increase of the composite end point was therefore 63% higher in patients receiving JANUS^® stents compared to the CYPHER^® stents (crude HR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.17–2.28, p = 0.004; adjusted HR = 1.79, CI = 1.26–2.55, p = 0.001). Interestingly, 75% of events in the JANUS^® group occurred during the first 6 months after stent implantation. Similarly, the rate of clinically driven in-stent restenosis was higher in patients receiving JANUS^® stent (n = 10, 2%) compared to the CYPHER^® stent (n = 2, 4%). Concordantly, the relative risk for clinically driven in-stent restenosis was 81% higher in the JANUS^® group compared to the CYPHER^® group (crude HR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.08–3.02, p = 0.02; adjusted HR = 2.24, CI = 1.26–3.96, p = 0.006).

Conclusion

The use of tacrolimus-eluting carbon coated JANUS^® stent was associated with worse clinical outcome compared to the sirolimus-eluting CYPHER^® stent in clinical routine use.