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Background Catheter ablation is an established therapy for rhythm control in patients with drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF), however, recurrence is frequent particularly in persistent AF. There are no consistently confirmed predictors of AF recurrence after catheter ablation. The left atrial appendage (LAA) potentially plays an important role in AF recurrence, although the exact mechanism and pathophysiology are still unclear. Purpose We aimed to study whether LAA volume (LAAV) and function influence the long-term recurrence of AF after point-by-point radiofrequency catheter ablation, depending on AF type. Methods AF patients who underwent point-by-point radiofrequency catheter ablation after preprocedural cardiac computed tomography (CT) and transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were included in this retrospective analysis. LAAV and LAA orifice area were measured by CT and LAA flow velocity assessed by TEE and was used as a surrogate marker of LAA function. Uni- and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were performed to determine the predictors of AF recurrence. Results In total, 561 AF patients (61.9±10.2 years, 34.9% females) were included in the study. Recurrence of AF was detected in 40.8% of the cases (34.6% in patients with paroxysmal and 53.5% in those with persistent AF) with a median recurrence-free time of 22.7 [9.3–43.1] months. Patients with AF recurrence had significantly higher body surface area-indexed left atrial volume (iLAV), LAAV and LAA orifice area, as compared to those without recurrence. Moreover, patients with persistent AF had significantly higher iLAV, LAAV, LAA orifice area and lower LAA flow velocity, than those with paroxysmal AF. After adjustment for the main cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) Conclusions The current study demonstrates that beyond left ventricular systolic dysfunction, LAA enlargement is associated with higher rate of AF recurrence after catheter ablation in persistent AF, but not in patients with paroxysmal AF. Our results suggest that preprocedural assessment of LVEF and LAAV might contribute to optimal patient selection and aid to improve long-term results of ablation procedures in patients with persistent AF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): The EVINCI study was supported by a grant from the European Union FP7-CP-FP506 2007 project (GA 222915). The SMARTool study was supported by a grant from the European Union H2020-PHC-30-2015 (GA 689068). This study was also partially supported by a grant from AMGEN (Protocol N. 20167781, 2017). Background. High triglycerides (TG) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) characterize an atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CAD) risk condition defined as atherogenic dyslipidemia. Aim. To assess whether atherogenic dyslipidemia defined by TG/HDL-C ratio predicts CAD related outcomes in patients with stable angina, independently of other risk factors and treatments. Methods. We studied 355 patients (60 ± 9 y, 211m) with stable angina from the EVINCI Outcome study. Patients were characterized for clinical, bio-humoral and imaging profiles, managed clinically, and followed for 4.5 ± 0.9 years. A computed tomography angiography (CTA) coronary risk score was obtained at baseline in all patients, and at follow-up in 154 of them. The primary composite outcome was all-cause mortality and non-fatal myocardial infarction. CTA scan was repeated at follow-up in 154 patients to assess CAD progression. Results. The median value of TG/HDL-C ratio was 2.095 (2.079IQR). At baseline, the proportion of males, smoking, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, as well as circulating bio-markers of abnormal glucose metabolism and myocardial damage progressively increased across quartiles of TG/HDL-C ratio. The CTA score was significantly higher in the IV quartile of the TG/HDL-C ratio and both were the only independent predictors of the primary (CTA Score: HR 1.06, 95%CI 1.03-1.09, p = 0.001; TG/HDL-C IV quartile: HR 2.85, 95%CI 1.30-6.26, p Conclusions. In patients with stable angina, the TG/HDL-C ratio expresses a cardio-metabolic atherogenic disorder which is progressive over time and is associated with CAD related outcomes independently of LDL-C levels and treatments.

Background Sex related differences exist for coronary artery disease (CAD). Women tend to be older when presenting with CAD and have lower rates of obstructive disease. Invasive intravascular ultrasound studies have shown differences in plaque composition between males and females. However, these studies were performed in a high risk population needing invasive imaging. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) allows for a fast and non-invasive quantification of CAD in low risk patients. Sex differences and quantitative analysis of plaque progression and changes in plaque composition have not been studied intensively. Purpose To evaluate the role of sex on long term plaque progression and on the change of plaque composition in a population with low-intermediate risk. Methods Patients that received a coronary CTA were prospectively included in the SMARTool study to receive a follow-up coronary CTA. In total, 275 patients from 5 European countries were recruited in 7 centers. Baseline and follow-up coronary CTA were quantitative analyzed on a per-lesion basis using dedicated software package. Patients without coronary plaques at follow-up or with uninterpretable coronary CTA results were excluded. Total plaque volume and compositional volumes, calcified or non-calcified (defined as fibrous, fibro-fatty or necrotic core), were normalized using the vessel volume to calculate a percentage atheroma volume (PAV). Lesions between males and females were compared using linear mixed models. We further classified patients into age groups Results In total, 211 patients were included in this analysis, 146 (69%) were male and 65 (31%) were female. Mean interscan period was 6.2±1.4 years. Females were older (64±7 vs 61±8 years; p0.05). When stratifying the patients in above and below 55 years old, females still had less fibro-fatty PAV compared to males in both age groups (p Conclusions Males have larger fibro-fatty PAV compared to females, however the rate of change did not differ. Younger women showed more regression of fibrous PAV and non-calcified PAV compared to males. No differences in the rate of plaque progression or plaque composition changes were seen between males and females in the older age group. Figure plaque progression and sex diff Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): EU H2020 research and innovation program

Background Elevated TG/HDL-C ratio is associated with CVD outcomes in high-risk populations presenting for coronary angiography, but studies were limited in gender-specific populations or in pts with ACS. Purpose Aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of TG/HDL-C levels and their association with CAD progression in pts with suspected stable CAD. Methods TG/HDL-C ratio was calculated in 545 pts (60±9yrs,330males) with symptoms of stable CAD enrolled in the EVINCI study. 490 pts underwent coronary CTA to assess the presence of CAD (>50%stenosis) and entered a clinical follow up (4.5±0.9yrs). The CVD outcome measure included all cause mortality, non fatal MI, hospitalization for unstable angina or HF. After 6±1yrs, during the SMARTool study, a second CTA was obtained in 171 EVINCI pts and a CTA risk score (based on plaque extent, severity, composition, and location) was calculated at enrolment and at follow up to assess CAD progression (ΔCTA score). Results Pts were divided according to TG/HDL-C quartiles: IQ (3.33). As reported in Table, the frequency of male, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity increased among quartiles. Glucidic biomarkers progressively increased from quartile I to IV, while LDL-C decreased. The prevalence of obstructive CAD at CTA did not differ among groups. The CVD endpoint occurred in 7% of pts. At multivariable analyses, high TG/HDL-C ratio (IVQ) was associated with the outcome endpoint independently from presence of obstructive CAD and treatment (HR 3.477, 95% CI 1.181–10.239, P=0.0237). CTA score was significantly higher in pts in IVQ compared to IQ at both SMARTool enrolment and follow up (Figure1). A significantly higher ΔCTA score was observed in pts in III-IVQ compared with those in I-IIQ (Figure2). Conclusion Elevated TG/HDL-C ratio is an independent predictor of outcome and it is associated with CAD progression in patients with stable CAD. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): “EValuation of INtegrated Cardiac Imaging” - EVINCI [GA number: 222915]; “Simulation Modeling of coronary ARTery disease: a tool for clinical decision support - SMARTool” [GA number: 689068]