bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantifying coronary microvascular disease: assessing absolute microvascular resistance reserve (MRR) by continuous coronary thermodilution
Authors: Gallinoro E , Colaiori I , Di Gioia G , Fournier S , Kodeboina M , Candreva A , Sonck J , Pijls N.H.J , Collet C , De Bruyne B 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background and aim
Hyperemic absolute coronary blood flow (in mL/min) can be safely and reproducibly measured with intracoronary continuous thermodilution of saline at room temperature at an infusion rate of 20 mL/min. This study aims at assessing whether continuous thermodilution can also measure resting flow and microvascular resistance.

Methods and results
In 87 coronary arteries (58 patients) with angiographic non-significant stenoses absolute flow was assessed by continuous thermodilution of saline at infusion rates of 10 mL/min and 20 mL/min using a pressure/temperature sensored guide wire, a dedicated infusion catheter and a dedicated software. In addition, in 26 arteries, average peak velocity (APV) was measured simultaneously using an intracoronary Doppler-wire.
There was no significant difference between Pd/Pa at baseline and during saline infusion at 10 mL/min, (0.95±0.053 vs 0.94±0.054, respectively (p=0.53) and there was no significant difference in APV at baseline and during the infusion of saline at 10 mL/min (22.2±8.40 vs 23.2±8.39 cm/s, respectively, p=0.63), thus indicating presence of resting coronary blood flow during the infusion of 10 mL/min of saline.
In contrast, at an infusion rate of 20 mL/min, a significant decrease in Pd/Pa was observed compared to baseline: (0.85±0.089 vs 0.95±0.053, respectively, p&lt;0.001) and a significant increase in APV was observed (22.2±8.4 cm/s to 57.8±25.5 cm/s, respectively, p&lt;0.001). The coronary flow reserve (CFR) calculated by thermodilution and by Doppler flow velocity were similar (2.73±0.85 vs 2.72±1.07, respectively) and their individual values correlated closely (r=0.87, 95% CI 0.72–0.94, p&lt;0,001). Microvascular resistance (Rμ), defined as the distal coronary pressure divided by the absolute flow was calculated both at rest (Rμ-rest) and during hyperemia (Rμ-hyper). Microvascular Resistance Reserve (MRR), is calculated as the ratio of Rμ-rest and Rμ-hyper and showed a good correlation with the analogous Doppler-derived parameter (using the APV instead of absolute flow). Mean doppler and thermodilution derived MRR were similar (3.32±1.50 vs 3.23±1.16) and values correlated closely (r=0.91, 95% CI 0.81 - 0.96, p&lt;0.001; Bland-Altman analysis: mean bias = 0.071, limit of agreement −1.195 to 1.338).

Conclusion
Absolute coronary blood flow (in mL/min) can be measured by continuous thermodilution both at rest and during hyperemia. This allows accurate, reproducible, and operator-independent direct volumetric calculation of CFR and MRR. The latter is a quantitative metric which is specific for microvascular function and independent from myocardial mass.
Doppler and Thermodilution derived MRR

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
PCI complexity and risk of adverse events in relation to high bleeding risk among patients receiving drug-eluting stents
Authors: Wang H , Xu B.O , Zhang D , Gao R , Dou K 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
The relation between complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), high bleeding risk (HBR), and adverse events after coronary artery implantation of drug-eluting stents has been incompletely characterized. This study sought to investigate the ischemic and bleeding events after complex PCI including a stratification according to HBR estimated by PARIS bleeding risk score.

Methods
Between January 2013 and December 2013, 10,167 consecutive patients undergoing PCI were prospectively enrolled in Fuwai PCI Registry. Complex PCI was defined when having at least one of the following characteristics: 3 vessels treated, ≥3 stents implanted, ≥3 lesions treated, bifurcation with 2 stents implanted, total stent length &gt;60 mm, treatment of chronic total occlusion, unprotected left main PCI, in-stent restenosis target lesion, and severely calcified lesion. The primary ischemic endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) [composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and definite/probable stent thrombosis], and primary bleeding endpoint was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding.

Results
The median duration of follow-up was 29 months. In adjusted Cox regression analysis, patients having complex PCI procedures experienced higher risks of MACE (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38–1.92; P&lt;0.001), compared with non-complex PCI. In contrast, the risk of clinically relevant bleeding was statistically similar between the 2 groups (HR: 0.86 [0.66–1.11]; P=0.238). There was no statistical interaction between HBR (PARIS bleeding score ≥8 or &lt;8) and complex PCI in regard to MACE (adjusted Pinteraction=0.388) and clinically relevant bleeding (adjusted Pinteraction=0.279).

Conclusions
Patients who had undergone complex PCI resulted in substantially more ischemic events, without an increase in clinically relevant bleeding risk; and these associations did not seem to be modified by HBR status. More intensified antiplatelet therapy may be beneficial for patients with complex percutaneous coronary revascularization procedures.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences
Lipoprotein subfraction LDL-5 and the presence of coronary atherosclerosis
Authors: Klevjer M , Saether J.C , Vesterbekkmo E , Giskeoedegaard G , Bathen T , Gigante B , Gjaere S , Myhra M , Wiseth R , Madssen E , Bye A 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Coronary artery disease (CAD) has high mortality rates and is a frequent cause of death globally. Serum lipids play a pivotal role in the development of atherosclerosis, and elevated levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides are well known risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there are limitations in the ability to predict CVD risk, which has led to an increased clinical interest in identifying novel risk markers. With the advances in lipidomic technology, lipoprotein subfractions may provide additional information that is missing in today's evaluation of CVD risk. Lipoprotein subfractions differ in size and density, and recent studies suggest that high density of small LDL particles provide a greater risk for CVD.

Purpose
To investigate whether lipoprotein subfractions are associated with the presence and extent of coronary atherosclerosis.

Methods
Fasting serum samples from 60 participants with suspected stable CAD were collected before scheduled coronary angiography, and analysed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The presence and extent of atherosclerosis were quantified by the Gensini Score. Participants were classified into one of three Gensini groups based on severity (&lt;20.5, normal; 20.6–30, non-significant CAD; &gt;30.1, significant CAD).

Results
A three-way ANOVA, adjusted for statin-use and sex, revealed statistically significant differences (p&lt;0.005) in LDL-5 particle number, LDL-5 triglycerides, and LDL-5 phospholipids between the Gensini groups. In addition, significant differences (p&lt;0.005) were found in the ratios apolipoprotein A/apolipoprotein B and LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol between the Gensini groups. All significant variables, identified by the three-way ANOVA, displayed the highest levels in the Gensini group with significant CAD.

Conclusion
Despite no difference in the traditional clinical measurements (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides), NMR-lipidomics revealed significant differences in LDL-5 between the Gensini groups. Interestingly, our results reveal that those with significant CAD have a higher density of small LDL subfractions.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Norwegian Health Association, The Liaison Committee for Education, Research and Innovation in Central Norway
Diagnostic accuracy of Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio (iFR) for the assessment of myocardial ischaemia: a comparison with non-invasive stress imaging
Authors: Stazzoni L , Tessandori L , Spontoni P , Angelillis M , Giannini C , Christou A , Pieroni A , De Carlo M , Petronio A.S 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio (iFR) allows for the assessment of the haemodynamic effects of epicardial coronary stenoses without the need for hyperaemia; iFR is currently recommended as a means to evaluate myocardial ischaemia.

Purpose
To assess the diagnostic accuracy of iFR with respect to the identification of coronary epicardial stenoses causing ischemia. Therefore, we combined anatomical (% stenosis at invasive coronary angiography, ICA) and functional (non-invasive imaging stress test, NIST) information to obtain a “gold standard” for the identification of stenoses causing ischaemia.

Methods
We enrolled 71 patients (52 male, 19 female; age mean 68.4±8.1 years) with chronic coronary syndrome or low-risk acute coronary syndrome without ST segment elevation who had at least a NIST and who had at least one vessel with a 50%-85% stenosis at ICA. iFR was measured in all coronary arteries with stenosis &gt;50% and categorised according to the 0.89 threshold for ischaemia.

Results
iFR was assessed in 122 vessels. In a per-vessel analysis, in 56.7% ischaemia was present both at iFR and NIST, in 21.3% ischaemia was absent in both, while in 23.0% ischaemia was found at NIST but not confirmed by iFR. The overall accuracy of iFR with respect to NIST was 90.1%. However, when considering as the “gold standard” for coronary disease causing ischaemia the contemporary presence of an epicardial stenosis &gt;70% at ICA and a positive NIST, the diagnostic accuracy of iFR greatly improved. The sensibility, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy were 96.5%, 75.0%, 73.3%, 96.7% and 84.4%, respectively. In case of discordance between NIST and iFR, revascularization was based on iFR. At a mean follow-up of 23±18 months, the composite endpoint of MACE (major adverse cardiac events, defined as the composite of all-cause death, nonfatal MI and unplanned coronary revascularization) occurred in 16.4%, while death/MI occurred in 11.9%. Stratification according to the per-patient concordance between iFR and NIST showed no significant differences in rates of MACE (p=0.50) and death/MI (p=0.20). Stratification based on iFR showed a higher death/MI rate in iFR-positive patients (11.9% vs. 0%, p=0.047) and a trend to higher MACE rate (11.9% vs. 4.47% p=0.14),

Conclusions
The diagnostic accuracy of iFR is low when compared with NIST as the reference for myocardial ischaemia, but it is very high when compared with the combined presence of epicardial stenosis and positive NIST. Therefore, iFR can accurately guide the decision to treat or defer revascularization of intermediate coronary stenoses, being most useful in patients with multivessel CAD and when non-invasive functional data are lacking or discordant with anatomy.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
ESC guidelines on stable chest pain: a comparison of the previous and current risk scores for the assessment of pre-test probability of coronary artery disease
Authors: Fyyaz S , Olabintan O , David S , Plein S , Alfakih K 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Introduction
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines on stable chest pain recommend the use of a pre-test probability (PTP) risk score (RS) which predicts the likelihood of coronary artery disease (CAD) to guide investigation and modality. The 2019 guidelines provide an updated PTPRS compared with 2013 guidelines, adjusted for the lower prevalence of coronary artery disease in contemporary populations. We assessed the performance of the two PTPRS in a cohort of patients with stable chest pain who underwent CT coronary angiography (CTCA) as the first line investigation.

Methods
We retrospectively searched a radiology database from January 2017 to June 2018. CTCA reported CAD degree of stenosis as normal/minimal stenosis, mild (30–50%), moderate (50–70%), or severe (&gt;70%) and retrospectively calculated ESC PTP scores for 2013 and 2019 guidelines.

Results
In total 652 patients underwent CTCA (mean age 55 yrs; IQR 48–63; 330 male).
For ESC 2019 PTPRS there were no patients with PTP &gt;85%. 2 patients had PTP 50–85%; 1 patient had moderate stenosis and 1 mild stenosis on CTCA. 267 patients had PTP 15–50%; 23 (9%) had severe stenosis and 35 (13%) moderate stenosis. Finally, 379 patients had PTP &lt;15%; 11 (3%) had severe stenosis and 18 (5%) moderate CTCA stenosis.
In comparison, ESC 2013 PTPRS had 2 patients with PTP &gt;85%; 1 had moderate stenosis and 1 had mild stenosis on CTCA. 149 patients had PTP 50–85%; 17 (11%) had severe stenosis and 23 (15%) moderate stenosis. A further 427 patients had a PTP 15–50%; 17 (4%) had severe stenosis and 32 (8%) had moderate stenosis. Lastly, 70 patients had a PTP &lt;15% and two (3%) were found to have a moderate stenosis on CTCA.

Conclusions
The updated ESC 2019 PTPRS appears to underestimate the presence of CAD given 11 (3%) patients with severe CTCA stenosis would have been missed. Although the 2013 PTPRS was thought to overestimate the prevalence of CAD, it did not miss anyone found to have severe CTCA stenosis.
Furthermore, patients with evidence of mild or moderate CAD on CTCA may not have been investigated due to PTP &lt;15% and therefore may not be commenced on medical therapy, to derive a mortality benefit as demonstrated in SCOT-Heart trial.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
Angioscopic evaluation of vascular healing at 1 and 12 months after drug-coated stent implantation
Authors: Kosugi S , Ueda Y , Abe H , Mishima T , Shinouchi K , Ozaki T , Takayasu K , Iida Y , Ohashi T , Toriyama C , Nakamura M , Date M , Uematsu M , Koretsune Y 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Polymer- and carrier-free Biolimus-A9-coated stent (DCS) is expected better vascular healing compared with conventional durable polymer drug-eluting stents (DES). Moreover, DCS had been demonstrated in clinical trials to allow one-month short dual antiplatelet therapy, which might achieve sufficient healing at only 1 month after implantation. However, the process of vascular healing after DCS implantation has not been elucidated by angioscopic observation.

Purpose
To evaluate the process of vascular healing at 1 month and 12 months after DCS implantation.

Methods
This study included 57 patients treated with DCS or durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents (EES) in our hospital from April 2017 to April 2019. Firstly, the angioscopic findings of DCS at 1 month (n=16) and 12 months (n=14) after implantation were respectively compared with EES at 12 months after implantation (EES-12, n=35) as a standard healing status of DES. Secondary, angioscopic findings of DCS at 1 month and 12 months after implantation were compared among the serially observed eight patients. Neointimal coverage (NIC) grade, yellow colour grade, and the presence of thrombus were evaluated. NIC grade was classified as grade 0 (no neointimal coverage), grade 1 (struts were bulged into lumen but covered), grade 2 (struts were embedded in the neointima but visible), or grade 3 (struts were fully embedded and invisible). Yellow colour grade was classified as grade 0 (white), grade 1 (light yellow), grade 2 (yellow), or grade 3 (intensive yellow).

Results
At 1 month after DCS implantation, dominant NIC grade was lower (0.3±0.5 vs. 1.5±0.7, p&lt;0.001) and the frequency of thrombus was higher (38% vs. 6%, p=0.008) than EES-12. On the other hands, at 12 months after DCS implantation, dominant NIC grade was higher (2.1±0.6 vs. 1.5±0.7, p=0.013) and the frequency of thrombus was not different (7% vs. 6%, p=1.000) in comparison with EES-12. By serial observation of DCS, dominant NIC grade was higher at 12 months than at 1 month (2.3±0.5 vs. 0.4±0.5, p&lt;0.001), while yellow colour grade (1.0±0.5 vs. 1.5±1.2, p=0.227) and the frequency of thrombus adhesion (0% vs. 38%, p=0.200) were not different.

Conclusion
Compared with EES-12, vascular healing of DCS was inferior at 1 month but superior at 12 months.
Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
Association between lipid lowering regimen intensity at discharge and long-term mortality in optimally-treated patients with acute myocardial infraction. The FAST-MI programme
Authors: Danchin N , Ferrieres J , Puymirat E , Cayla G , Cottin Y , Coste P , Roubille F , Furber A , Albert F , Schiele F , Simon T 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Randomised trials evaluate the efficacy of individual medications, irrespective of overall patient management. We assessed the association between lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) intensity and long-term mortality in otherwise optimally-treated patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods
FAST-MI consists in one-month nationwide French surveys of patients admitted for a recent AMI, repeated every 5 years. We used the 2010 and 2015 data with 3-year follow-up. Background optimal therapy was defined as use of PCI, together with ESC guideline-recommended treatment with beta-blockers, ACEi/ARB, when indicated, and optimal antithrombotic medications including type of P2Y12-i; of 9,460 patients included, 4,042 were optimally-treated, with 478 (12%), 1120 (28%), and 2,444 (60%) respectively receiving conventional-dose statins (Gr 1), moderate-intensity statins (atorvastatin 40 mg or rosuvastatin 10 mg) (Gr2) or high-dose LLT (atorvastatin 80 mg, rosuvastatin ≥20 mg or statin-ezetimibe combination) (Gr3).

Results
Baseline characteristics markedly differed in the 3 groups (Table 1).
Three-year Kaplan-Meier survival was 88.5%, 93.5% and 96.3% respectively for gr 1, 2 and 3, with Cox-adjusted HR of 0.75 (0.51–1.10), P=0.137, and 0.59 (0.41–0.86), P=0.006 for gr 2 and 3 compared with Gr1 (Figure).

Conclusion
In otherwise optimally-treated AMI patients, lipid-lowering regimen intensity at discharge was inversely associated with 3-year mortality. These results confirm that high-intensity lipid lowering therapy at discharge is likely beneficial even in patients receiving otherwise optimal therapy.
Figure 1. 3-year survival

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): MSD, AstraZeneca
Machine learning analysis of factors influencing ischemic stroke after coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Gelsomino S , Bonacchi M , Del Pace S , Caciolli S , Parise O , Prifti E.P , La Meir M , Maessen J.G 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Aims
Ischemic Stroke (IS) is a devastating complication of coronary bypass (CABG) surgery, significantly increasing mortality, morbidity, cost, and the need for long-term care, and reducing the quality of life. With the aim of a learning-machine method, we investigated factors influencing the occurrence of IS after CABG.

Methods and results
We employed a statistical learning method – random forests – to examine which of various variables had the greatest impact on postoperative IS. A dataset including 16,255 consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG between 1997 and 2017 In one Institution was examined.
Along with demographic and clinical variables technical-related factors were included, encompassing surgical technique, number of touches on the aorta, cardiopulmonary bypass, total aortic clamping, use of the side-biting clamp, or number of proximal anastomoses. A ranking score based on the average percent increase in mean squared error and obtained for all variables was employed to quantify the importance of any variable in predicting IS.
A total of 641 strokes occurred (3.9%). Total aortic clamp showed the highest incidence of stroke (n=570, 88.95% of total). Total aortic clamp had the highest score among all variables followed by previous stroke and carotid artery disease &gt;50%. In contrast, other variables related to surgical technique showed low ranking scores in predicting IS. In patients undergoing CABG with the use of total aortic, a previous brain ischemic insult as well as age &gt;75 years increase the risk of IS (fIGURE)

Conclusions
The use of total aortic clamp is the strongest predictor of stroke. A clamp-less technique is recommended whenever possible especially in older patients and those who experienced preoperative stroke or who had significant carotid stenosis.
Importance of variables in predicting IS

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
Treatment of de novo coronary artery lesions with paclitaxel drug coated balloons (DCB) in diabetic and non-diabetic patients
Authors: Mohd Saad Jalaluddin K.M.Z 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Drug-coated balloon has been widely used to treat In-Stent Restenosis as recommended by ESC/EACT coronary intervention guideline. However, trials of effectiveness of DCB in treating de novo lesions in diabetic patients are limited. This study will highlight the impact of DCB in diabetic patients with only de novo lesions against non-diabetic patients.

Aim
To compare the outcomes of Paclitaxel Drug Coated Balloon (DCB) in Diabetic and non-diabetic patients with only de novo coronary artery disease.

Methods
A retrospective, single center study was conducted from January 2016 till December 2018. All diabetic and non-diabetic patients underwent angioplasty to only de novo coronary artery lesions were included in the study. Patients' baseline characteristic, angiographic data, post procedural and 12 months follow-up outcomes including major adverse coronary artery event (MACE), target lesion revascularization (TLR) and myocardial infarction (MI) are compared.

Results
A total of 1257 patients (726 diabetic and 531 non-diabetic patients) with total 1385 de novo coronary artery lesions (791 lesions in diabetic group and 594 lesions in non-diabetic group) were included in this study. Mean age for non-diabetic group was 57.6±10.6 years and diabetic group was 59.6±9.6 years with male predominance (91.1% in non-diabetic group, n=484 and 79.2% in diabetic group, n=575). Majority of diabetic group has hypertension (83.7%, n=608 vs 58.6%, n+311), chronic renal failure (10.3%, n=75 vs 1.9%, n=10), documented coronary artery disease (55.6%, n=404 vs 47.5%, n=252) and previous coronary angioplasty 39.5%, n=287 vs 28.8%, n=153).
Adequate pre-dilatation was done in both groups (98.5%, n=585 in non-diabetic group and 99.4%, n=786 in diabetic group; p=0.000). Mean DCB diameter and length were almost similar in both groups. Mean residual stenosis after DCB was 11.15±16.9% in non-diabetic group and 13.13±13.4% in the diabetic group (p=0.008). 74.6% of non-diabetic group (n=396) and 77.1% of diabetic group (n=560) were on double antiplatelet therapy for 12 months.
86.8% (n=461) of non-diabetic and 88.4% (n=642) of diabetic patients were available for follow up. MACE events were significantly higher (p=0.000) in diabetic group (4.3%, n=31) as compare to non-diabetic group (0.6%, n=3). Target lesion revascularization (TLR) and myocardial infarction (MI) was also significantly higher in diabetic group (TLR 1.4%, N=10 vs 0.6%, n=3, p=0.049; MI 2.6%, n=19 vs 0.4%, n=2, p=0.002).

Conclusion
Treating de novo coronary lesions in diabetic patients with DCB associated with significantly higher MACE events, target lesion revascularization and myocardial infarction. Diabetic patients appear to have a greater volume of atherosclerotic plaque and increased propensity for atherosclerotic plaque rupture.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None