Definition of flow parameters in proximal nonstenotic coronary arteries using transesophageal Doppler echocardiography

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) enables the visualization of proximal coronary arteries. We investigated the feasibility of coronary flow evaluation using TEE, as well as to define flow parameters found in normal proximal coronary arteries. The subgroups of patients with normal proximal segments of coronary arteries were selected from the cohort of 210 patients undergoing routine coronary angiography. The left main coronary artery (LMCA), proximal segment of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), left circumflex artery (LCx), and right coronary artery (RCA) were analyzed separately in 147, 64, 53, and 70 patients, respectively. Proximal coronary arteries were evaluated in the transverse plane using a 5-MHz TEE probe, and the flow in normal arteries was registered using pulsed-wave Doppler. The registration of flow with pulsed-wave Doppler was feasible in 88% of studies for the LMCA, 85% for the LAD, 58% for the LCx, and 65% for the RCA. Normal flow was laminar with distinct phasic character (diastolic predominance). Mean +/- SD values of peak coronary flow velocity were (systole/diastole) for the LMCA, 36 +/- 11/71 +/- 19 cm/sec; the LAD, 31 +/- 9/67 +/- 19 cm/sec; the LCx, 36 +/- 13/75 +/- 24 cm/sec; and the RCA, 25 +/- 8/39 +/- 12 cm/sec. Peak diastolic coronary flow velocity was most significantly correlated with heart rate. Doppler evaluation of proximal coronary flow is feasible using TEE in the majority of patients. The knowledge of normal flow values, which is different for the left and the right coronary artery, provides the background for proper interpretation of flow in diseased coronary arteries.     

Intravascular ultrasound findings in patients with abnormal coronary flow reserve after stenting.

A coronary flow reserve (CFR) of 2.0 has been advocated as the endpoint for coronary intervention therapy. Experience shows, however, that CFR does indeed exceed 2.0 in many cases poststenting, while remaining below 2.0 in others. In this study, we assessed the clinical characteristics and IVUS findings of patients whose CFR remained below 2.0 after stent implantation, specifically 16 patients with CFR below 2.0 (22 lesions, 64 +/- 9 years, 4 female), and 102 patients with CFR above 2.0 (112 lesions, mean age 66 +/- 11 years, 22 female). Patient population comprised patients selected for retrospective study, but participants were selected on the basis of matching patient and lesion characteristics. The IVUS findings showed that incidence of calcified lesions and post-PTCA dissection of hard plaque were higher among patients with CFR < 2.0. Further, IVUS-obtained vascular measurements showed post-PTCA area stenosis to be 58.7 +/- 15.2% in the CFR < 2.0 group, and 45.3 +/- 12.5% among CFR > or = 2.0 patients (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that patients with diffuse calcified lesions or high post-PTCA % area stenosis, as determined by IVUS, are more likely to have lower CFR after stenting.     

Damage to the collateral circulation by ptca of an occluded coronary artery

In this report, a patient is described with an occluded left circumflex artery, in whom the corresponding myocardium was protected at rest by sufficient collateral circulation. Because of angina pectoris class III, a PTCA of that occluded vessel was performed, complicated by a large dissection. Recruitable collateral flow, assessed from pressure calculations by a new technique, suddenly decreased at the very moment of dissection. This was accompanied by resting pain and ischemia on the ECG. This case report confirms the hypothesis that the collateral circulation can be damaged by PTCA and emphasizes that every PTCA implies a definite risk, even in case of an occluded coronary artery filled by collaterals.     

Short-term hemodynamic effects of intravenous propionyl-L-carnitine in anesthetized dogs

The effects of intravenous administration of propionyl-L-carnitine (PLC) were investigated in anesthetized dogs instrumented for the analysis of general hemodynamic and electrocardiographic data, peripheral blood flows, coronary blood flow and oxygen consumption, urine flow, and renal function. PLC was administered in bolus (20, 60, and 200 mg/kg) or by infusion (20 mg/kg/min ^* 15 min or 30 mg/kg/min ^* 10 min). In some cases also L-carnitine (LC) and L-carnitine + propionate (LC + P) were administered in doses equimolar to those of PLC. PLC elicited dose-dependent, short-lasting enhancements of cardiac output, both in open-and close-chest conditions. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and contractility varied slightly and unpredictably; the substance did not elicit electrocardiographic effects. These responses were not changed by alpha- or beta-adrenergic blockade, nor by the administration of a calcium antagonist, but they were abolished or reversed by the combination of such blocking interventions. Mesenteric and iliac blood flows were increased by both PLC and LC; LC + P increased these, and in addition increased renal blood flow. A strong diuresis obtained with PLC, LC, and LC + P was due to osmotic clearance following the administration of hyperosmotic solutions. PLC elicited coronary vasodilation with reduced oxygen extraction; this effect lasted longer than the general hemodynamic effects and was not seen with LC. All the cardiovascular actions of PLC can be attributed to its pharmacologic properties, rather than to its role as a metabolic intermediate.     

血流储备分数指导冠心病介入治疗的研究

目的:讨论血流储备分数(FFR)指导冠心病介入治疗(PCI)的疗效.方法:入选2011年8月至2013年8月共126例需作介入治疗的冠心病患者,根据FFR分组,实验组:FFR≥0.8,63例,行延迟PCI+强化药物治疗(OMT)],共有77处病变;对照组:FFR＜0.8,63例,行PCI+ OMT,共有92处病变.所有患者在术后第12、24、36个月进行电话随访,在PCI术后12个月进行冠脉造影的复查.观察主要心血管不良事件(MACE).结果:实验组平均血管狭窄率明显低于FFR＜0.8组[(49.5±5.3)％比(75.9±10.1)％];术后经过(27.1±8.8)个月的随访,实验组有4例(6.4％)发生MACE事件:1例(1.6％)死亡,与对照组的MACE事件(14.3％,9/63),死亡率4.8％ (3/63)无显著差异,P＞0.05.结论:对于血流储备分数(FFR)≥0.8有手术指征的冠心病患者行延迟PCI+OMT是安全有效的.     

Fixed vs nonfixed coronary stenosis: The response to a fall in coronary pressure in a canine model

The resistance of a coronary stenosis capable of passive vasomotion may change in response to alterations in intraluminal pressure. We studied the effects of a fall in perfusion pressure on the hemodynamics of two types of coronary stenosis in 12 open chest dogs: (1) a stenosis produced by placing a soft wire snare around the artery, and (2) a stenosis that was fixed in severity, produced by introducing and tying a short section of hollow plastic tubing into the coronary artery. Aortic pressure, coronary pressure proximal and distal to the stenosis, and coronary flow were measured. Pressure in the stenotic artery was lowered by tightening a snare placed very proximally on the artery. In arteries with a snare stenosis, lowering proximal coronary pressure by a mean of 31 mm Hg caused a rise in stenosis resistance from 0.86 ± 0.06 to 1.38 ± 0.14 units (p < 0.001). However, in arteries with a fixed plastic stenosis, lowering the proximal coronary pressure by a mean of 30 mm Hg caused a fall in stenosis resistance from 0.36 ± 0.04 to 0.21 ± 0.03 units (p < 0.001). The increase in resistance of the snare stenoses as pressure was lowered may be attributed to passive narrowing of the stenotic segment, suggesting that these stenoses were not fixed in severity. However, the fixed plastic stenoses did not show an increase in resistance as pressure fell because the tubing was not capable of passively narrowing. Therefore, the hemodynamics of a coronary stenosis depend importantly on the type of stenosis that is present and whether it is capable of vasomotion.     

Forward coronary flow normally seen in systole is the result of both forward and concealed back flow

Summary Normally systolic coronary blood flow is almost entirely forward. As perfusion pressure was lowered through the autoregulatory range in open-chest dogs, net systolic back flow appeared at 70 mm Hg. Imposing a series resistance (R_s), which impedes both forward and back flow, abolished this reverse flow and resulted in net forward systolic flow. Thus we conclude that under normal perfusion conditions the pattern of net forward systolic flow contains a substantial reverse flow component.     

Does the β-Blocker Nebivolol Increase Coronary Flow Reserve?

Introduction Nebivolol, a highly selective β1-adrenergic receptor-blocker, increases basal and stimulated endothelial nitric oxide (NO)-release. It is unknown, whether coronary perfusion is improved by the increase in NO availability. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the effect of nebivolol on coronary flow reserve (CFR) and collateral flow. Methods Doppler-flow wire derived coronary flow velocity measurements were obtained in ten controls and eight patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) at rest and after intracoronary nebivolol. CFR was defined as maximal flow during adenosine-induced hyperemia divided by resting flow. In the CAD group, collateral flow was determined after dilatation of a flow-limiting coronary stenosis. Collateral flow index (CFI) was defined as the ratio of flow velocity during balloon inflation divided by resting flow. Results CFR at rest was 3.0 ± 0.6 in controls and 2.1 ± 0.4 in CAD patients. After intracoronary doses of 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 mg nebivolol, CFR increased to 3.4 ± 0.7, 3.9 ± 0.9, and 4.0 ± 0.1 (p < 0.01) in controls, and to 2.3 ± 0.7, 2.6 ± 0.9, and 2.6 ± 0.5 (p < 0.05) in CAD patients. CFI decreased significantly with intracoronary nebivolol and correlated to changes in heart rate (r = 0.75, p < 0.001) and rate-pressure product (r = 0.59, p = 0.001). Discussion Intracoronary nebivolol is associated with a significant increase in CFR due to reduction in resting flow (controls), or due to an increase in maximal coronary flow (CAD patients). CFI decreased with nebivolol parallel to the reduction in myocardial oxygen consumption.     

经胸多普勒超声冠状动脉血流储备检查诊断左前降支显著狭窄

目的比较经胸多普勒超声冠状动脉血流储备（CFR）指标诊断左前降支（LAD）显著狭窄的临床价值。方法连续120例怀疑冠心病的患者于冠状动脉造影（CAG）前一天进行双嘧达莫（0．56mg／kg）负荷试验，测定LAD的CFR指标，包括收缩期最大冠状动脉血流储备（SCFRpeak）、收缩期平均冠状动脉血流储备（SCF Rmean）、收缩期流速时间积分储备（SCFRVTI）、舒张期最大冠状动脉血流储备（DCFRpeak）、舒张期平均冠状动脉血流储备（DCFRmean）和舒张期流速时间积分储备（DCFRVTI）。结果82例获得LAD血流频谱，按照CAG结果分为LAD显著狭窄组（A组，≥70％狭窄，n=16）和LAD非显著狭窄组（B组，〈70％狭窄，n=66）。A组患者各项CFR指标均显著低于B组。ROC曲线法分析显示，DCFRmean〈1．825诊断LAD显著狭窄的敏感性和特异性相对较高。结论经胸多普勒超声评价CFR有助于检出LAD显著狭窄，DCFRmean〈1．825是较好的判别指标。     

Clinical methods to determine coronary flow and myocardial perfusion

In this overview, currently available clinical methods to measure flow in the coronary circulation will be discussed. Methods only applicable in the experimental laboratory or in the anaesthetized patient during cardiac surgery, will not be described. We distinguish between methods that measure global blood flow, and methods that determine regional flow, either at the level of the coronary arteries or at the level of the myocardium. Since it is difficult to measure coronary flow in absolute values, flow reserve is often used as an alternative. Flow reserve is calculated by dividing maximal flow, usually pharmacologically induced, by basal flow. Consequently, assessment of flow reserve requires only measurements of relative changes of coronary flow. The applicability and relative merits and limitations of the techniques are discussed.     

Characterization of intra-arterial flow velocity within left coronary to pulmonary artery fistula

The physiology of a coronary to pulmonary artery fistula has not been well characterized. This case report demonstrates the flow velocity pattern of a coronary fistula to the pulmonary artery, which supports the hypothesized physiology that flow is predominantly continuous without a phasic pattern. The flow velocity within a coronary fistula has not been previously demonstrated. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 41:208–212, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Evaluation of intermediate coronary stenosis with intravascular ultrasound and fractional flow reserve: Its use and abuse

Clinical decision making in patients with intermediate coronary stenosis is still debated. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination and/or functional assessment of coronary stenosis by fractional flow reserve (FFR) are currently used to define the severity of such lesions. There are very few studies with a small sample size that have a head‐to‐head comparison between IVUS and FFR in the evaluation of angiographically de novo intermediate lesions. There are no randomized, controlled trials to demonstrate the superiority of IVUS versus FFR in providing improved clinical outcomes in comparison with angiography alone. However, the issue of superiority might be irrelevant, because IVUS and FFR could be complementary techniques to be used in the catheterization laboratory to provide critical anatomic and functional data that permit more accurate decisions in the management of the patient. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Effects of atorvastatin on coronary flow reserve in patients with slow coronary flow

BACKGROUND: Statins improve endothelial functioning in patients with coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia, while substantially little is known about induced changes in myocardial microcirculation. However, although previous studies have suggested that microvascular abnormalities and endothelial dysfunction is responsible for slow coronary flow (SCF), there is no study investigating possible effects of statins on coronary microvascular function in patients with SCF. HYPOTHESIS: We prospectively investigated the effects of short-term lipid-lowering therapy with atorvastatin on coronary flow reserve (CFR) reflecting coronary microvascular function in patients with SCF assessed by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE). METHODS: In an open clinical trial, CFR was studied in 20 subjects with SCF. TTDE was used to assess CFR at baseline as well as after 8 weeks of atorvastatin therapy. Coronary flow was quantified according to TIMI frame count (TFC). Coronary diastolic peak flow velocities were measured at baseline and after dipyridamole infusion. CFR was calculated as the ratio of hyperemic to baseline diastolic peak velocities. RESULTS: CFR was independently correlated with TFC. After 8 weeks of atorvastatin therapy, CFR values increased significantly (1.95 +/- 0.38 vs. 2.54 +/- 0.56, (p < 0.001). No change in hemodynamic parameters was noted during the entire study. The improvement in CFR was not correlated to the amount of lipid-lowering effect of atorvastatin. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that short-term lipid-lowering therapy with atorvastatin improved CFR, which reflects coronary microvascular functioning in patients with SCF.