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Coronary plaque composition may play an important role in the induction of myocardial ischemia. Our objective was to further clarify the relation between coronary plaque composition and myocardial ischemia in patients with chest pain symptoms. The study population consisted of 103 patients who presented to the outpatient clinic or emergency department with chest pain symptoms and were referred for diagnostic invasive coronary angiography. Intravascular ultrasound virtual histology was used for the assessment of coronary plaque composition. A noncalcified plaque was defined as a combination of necrotic core and fibrofatty tissue. Quantitative flow ratio (QFR), which is a coronary angiography-based technique used to calculate fractional flow reserve without the need for hyperemia induction or for a pressure wire, was used as the reference standard for the evaluation of myocardial ischemia. Coronary artery plaques with QFR of ≤0.80 were considered abnormal-that is, ischemia-generating. In total, 149 coronary plaques were analyzed, 21 of which (14%) were considered abnormal according to QFR. The percentage of noncalcified tissue was significantly higher in plaques with abnormal QFR (38.2 ± 6.5% vs 33.1 ± 9.0%, p = 0.014). After univariable analysis, both plaque load (odds ratio [OR] per 1% increase 1.081, p0.001) and the percentage of noncalcified tissue (OR per 1% increase 1.070, p = 0.020) were significantly associated with reduced QFR. However, after multivariable analysis, only plaque load remained significantly associated with abnormal QFR (OR per 1% increase 1.072, p0.001). In conclusion, the noncalcified plaque area was significantly higher in hemodynamically significant coronary lesions than in nonsignificant lesions. Although an increase in the noncalcified plaque area was significantly associated with a reduced QFR, this association lost significance after adjustment for localized plaque load. more...

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) and may provoke structural and functional changes in coronary vasculature. The coronary volume to left ventricular mass (V/M) ratio is a new anatomical parameter capable of revealing a potential physiological imbalance between coronary vasculature and myocardial mass. The aim of this study was to examine the V/M derived from coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in patients with diabetes.METHODS: Patients with clinically suspected CAD enrolled in the ADVANCE (Assessing Diagnostic Value of Non-invasive FFRCT in Coronary Care) registry and known diabetic status were included. Coronary artery volume and left ventricular myocardial mass were analyzed from CCTA and the V/M ratio was calculated and compared between patients with and without diabetes.RESULTS: Of the 3053 patients (age 66 ​± ​10 years; 66% male) with known diabetic status, diabetes was present in 21.9%. Coronary volume was lower in patients with diabetes compared to those without diabetes (2850 ​± ​940 ​mm3 vs. 3040 ​± ​970 ​mm3, p ​< ​0.0001), whereas the myocardial mass was comparable between the 2 groups (122 ​± ​33 ​g vs. 122 ​± ​32 ​g, p ​= ​0.70). The V/M ratio was significantly lower in patients with diabetes (23.9 ​± ​6.8 ​mm3/g vs. 25.7 ​± ​7.5 ​mm3/g, p ​< ​0.0001). Among subjects with obstructive CAD (n ​= ​2191, 24.0% diabetics) and non-obstructive CAD (16.7% diabetics), the V/M ratio was significantly lower in patients with diabetes compared to those without (23.4 ​± ​6.7 ​mm3/g vs. 25.0 ​± ​7.3 ​mm3/g, p ​< ​0.0001 and 25.6 ​± ​6.9 ​mm3/g vs. 27.3 ​± ​7.6 ​mm3/g, respectively, p ​= ​0.006).CONCLUSION: The V/M ratio was significantly lower in patients with diabetes compared to non-diabetics, even after correcting for obstructive coronary stenosis. The clinical value of the reduced V/M ratio in diabetic patients needs further investigation. more...

Long-term data on sex-differences in coronary plaque changes over time is lacking in a low-to-intermediate risk population of stable coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of sex on long-term plaque progression and evolution of plaque composition. Furthermore, the influence of menopause on plaque progression and composition was also evaluated. Patients that underwent a coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) were prospectively included to undergo a follow-up coronary CTA. Total and compositional plaque volumes were normalized using the vessel volume to calculate a percentage atheroma volume (PAV). To investigate the influence of menopause on plaque progression, patients were divided into two groups, under and over 55 years of age. In total, 211 patients were included in this analysis, 146 (69%) men. The mean interscan period between baseline and follow-up coronary CTA was 6.2 ± 1.4 years. Women were older, had higher HDL levels and presented more often with atypical chest pain. Men had 434 plaque sites and women 156. On a per-lesion analysis, women had less fibro-fatty PAV compared to men (β -1.3 ± 0.4%; p more...

Background: Noninvasive left ventricular (LV) pressure-strain loop analysis is emerging as a new echocardiographic method to evaluate LV function, integrating longitudinal strain by speckle-tracking analysis and sphygmomanometrically measured blood pressure to estimate myocardial work. The aims of this study were (1) to describe global and segmental myocardial work in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), (2) to assess the correlation between myocardial work and other echocardiographic parameters, and (3) to evaluate the association of myocardial work with adverse outcomes.Methods: One hundred ten patients with nonobstructive HCM (mean age, 55 +/- 15 years; 66% men), with different phenotypes (apical, concentric, and septal hypertrophy), and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were included. The following myocardial work indices were included: myocardial work index, constructive work (CW), wasted work, and cardiac efficiency. The combined end point included all-cause mortality, heart transplantation, heart failure hospitalization, aborted sudden cardiac death, and appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy.Results: Mean global CW (1,722 +/- 602 vs 2,274 +/- 574 mm Hg%, P < .001), global cardiac efficiency (93% [89%-95%] vs 96% [96%-97%], P < .001), and global MWI (1,534 +/- 551 vs 1,929 +/- 473 mm Hg%) were significantly reduced, while global wasted work (104 mm Hg% [66-137 mm Hg%] vs 71 mm Hg% [49-92 mm Hg%], P < .001) was increased in patients with HCM compared with control subjects. Segmental impairment in CW colocalized with maximal wall thickness (HCM phenotype), and global CW correlated with LV wall thickness (r = -0.41, P < .001), diastolic function (r = -0.27, P = .001), and QRS duration (r = -0.28, P = .001). Patients with global CW > 1,730 mm Hg% (the median value) experienced better event-free survival than those with global CW < 1,730 mm Hg% (P < .001).Conclusions: Myocardial work, assessed noninvasively using echocardiography and blood pressure measurement, is reduced in patients with nonobstructive HCM; it correlates with maximum LV wall thickness and is significantly associated with a worse long-term outcome. more...

Background and aims: Elevated triglycerides (TG) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) define a specific lipid profile associated with residual coronary artery disease (CAD) risk independently of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Aim of the present study was to assess whether TG/ HDL-C ratio, coronary atherosclerosis and their change over time are characterized by a specific lipidomic profiling in stable patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). Methods: TG/HDL-C ratio was calculated in 193 patients (57.8 +/- 7.6 years, 115 males) with CCS characterized by clinical, bio-humoral profiles and cardiac imaging. Patient-specific plasma targeted lipidomics was defined through a high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) strategy. Patients underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and an individual CTA risk score, combining extent, severity, composition, and location of plaques, was calculated. All patients entered a follow-up (6.39 +/- 1.17 years), including clinical, lipidomics and coronary CTA assessments. Results: Patients were divided in groups according to baseline TG/HDL-C quartiles: IQ (= 3.287). A specific pattern of altered lipids, characterized by reduced plasma levels of cholesterol esters, phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins, was associated with higher TG/HDL-C both at baseline and follow-up (IVQ vs IQ). The CTA risk score increased over time and this lipid signature was also associated with higher CTA score at follow-up. Conclusions: In stable CCS, a specific lipidomic signature identifies those patients with higher TG/HDL- C ratio and higher CTA score over time, suggesting possible molecular pathways of residual CAD risk not tackled by current optimal medical treatments. more...

Introduction 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. Therefore, we aimed to study whether LAA volume (LAAV) and function influence the long-term recurrence of AF after catheter ablation, depending on AF type. Methods AF patients who underwent point-by-point radiofrequency catheter ablation after cardiac computed tomography (CT) were included in this analysis. LAAV and LAA orifice area were measured by CT. 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 persistent AF had significantly higher iLAV, LAAV, LAA orifice area and lower LAA flow velocity, than those with paroxysmal AF. After adjustment left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) more...

Introduction: Combination of computed tomography angiography (CTA) and adenosine stress CT myocardial perfusion (CTP) allows for coronary artery lesion assessment as well as myocardial ischemia. Nowadays, ischemia on CTP is assessed semi-quantitatively by visual analysis. The aim of this study was to fully quantify myocardial ischemia and the subtended myocardial mass on CTP. Methods: We included 33 patients referred for a combined CTA and adenosine stress CTP with good or excellent imaging quality on CTP. Firstly, the coronary artery tree was automatically extracted from CTA and the relevant coronary artery lesions (≥ 50%) were manually defined (fig 1A). Secondly, epi- and endocardial contours along with CTP deficits were manually defined in short-axis images (fig 1D, 1E). Thirdly, a Voronoi-based algorithm was used to quantify the subtended myocardial mass (fig 1B). Fourthly, the perfusion defect and subtended myocardial mass were spatially registered to the CTA and measured in grams (fig 1F, 1C). Finally, this can be used to quantitatively correlate the perfusion defect to the subtended myocardial mass. To assess reproducibility, left ventricular epicardial and endocardial contours along with perfusion defects were re-drawn. Results: Voronoi-based segmentation was successful in all cases. We assessed a total of 64 relevant coronary artery lesions. Average values for left ventricular mass, total subtended mass and perfusion defect mass were 118, 69 and 7 grams respectively. In 19/33 patients (58%) the total perfusion defect mass could be distributed over the relevant coronary artery lesion(s). Results were highly reproducible (r≥0.822, p Conclusions: Quantification of myocardial ischemia and subtended myocardial mass using a Voronoi-based segmentation algorithm seem feasible at adenosine stress CTP and allows for quantitative correlation of coronary artery lesions to corresponding areas of myocardial hypoperfusion. more...

We assessed whether high triglycerides (TG) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, expressed by an increased TG/HDL-C ratio, predict coronary atherosclerotic disease (CAD) outcomes in patients with stable angina. We studied 355 patients (60 ± 9 years, 211 males) with stable angina who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA), were managed clinically and followed for 4.5 ± 0.9 years. The primary composite outcome was all-cause mortality and non-fatal myocardial infarction. At baseline, the proportion of males, patients with metabolic syndrome, diabetes and obstructive CAD increased across TG/HDL-C ratio quartiles, together with markers of insulin resistance, hepatic and adipose tissue dysfunction and myocardial damage, with no difference in total cholesterol or LDL-C. At follow-up, the global CTA risk score (HR 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.09, P = 0.001) and the IV quartile of the TG/HDL-C ratio (HR 2.85, 95% CI 1.30–6.26, P Trial registration. EVINCI study: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00979199, registered September 17, 2009; SMARTool study: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04448691, registered June 26, 2020. more...

Global left ventricular (LV) myocardial work (MW) indices (GLVMWI) are derived from speckle tracking echocardiographic strain data in combination with non-invasive blood pressure measurements. Changes in global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW) and global work efficiency (GWE) after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have not been explored. The aim of present study was to assess the evolution of GLVMWI in STEMI patients from baseline (index infarct) to 3 months' follow-up. Three-hundred and fifty patients (265 men; mean age 61 +/- 10 years) with STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and guideline-based medical therapy were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical variables, conventional echocardiographic measures and GLVMWI were recorded at baseline within 48 hours post-primary PCI and 3 months' follow-up. LV ejection fraction (from 54 +/- 10% to 57 +/- 10%, p < 0.001), GWI (from 1449 +/- 451 mm Hg% to 1953 +/- 492 mm Hg%, p < 0.001), GCW (from 1624 +/- 519 mm Hg% to 2228 +/- 563 mm Hg%, p < 0.001) and GWE (from 93% (interquartile range (IQR) 86%-95%) to 95% (IQR 91%-96%), p < 0.001) improved significantly at 3 months' follow-up with no significant difference in GWW (from 101 mm Hg% (IQR 63-155 mm Hg%) to 96 mm Hg% (IQR 64-155 mm Hg %); p = 0.535). On multivariable linear regression analysis, lower values of troponin T at baseline, increase in systolic blood pressure and improvement in LV global longitudinal strain were independently associated with higher GWI and GCW at 3 months' follow-up. In conclusion, the evolution of GWI, GCW and GWE in STEMI patients may reflect myocardial stunning, whereas the stability in GWW may reflect permanent myocardial damage and the development of non-viable scar tissue. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. more...

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. more...

Noninvasive left ventricular (LV) myocardial work (MW) is a novel LV function parameter. It overcomes the load dependency of LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and LV strain by incorporating afterload. LVMW can be quantified noninvasively by integrating speckle tracking strain echocardiography and more...

Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is a novel technique to calculate fractional flow reserve (FFR), without hyperemia induction or a pressure wire, and has not yet been validated in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), who are at increased risk of coronary microvascular dysfunction. The purpose of our study was to compare the diagnostic performance of QFR in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography and subsequent invasive FFR measurement within 6 months were included. QFR was determined in all coronary arteries in which invasive FFR was performed, using a dedicated software package. Diagnostic accuracy and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) were determined for QFR, using an invasive FFR cut-off value of more...

Background: The left atrial appendage (LAA) has been regarded as an important source of cardiac thrombus formation and appears important in the contribution to thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between LAA morphology and previous stroke or transient ischemic attack in 2 large and distinct patient cohorts with and without known AF. Methods: The study population consisted of patients with and without drug-refractory AF who underwent computed tomography before transcatheter AF ablation or clinically indicated for suspected coronary artery disease. The computed tomography data were used for volumetric assessment of the left atrium and LAA and to determine LAA morphology. The LAA was classified by 3 readers in consensus as chicken wing, swan, cauliflower, or windsock, based on predefined morphology classification criteria. Results: In total, 1813 patients (mean age 59±11 years, 42% female) who underwent computed tomography were included in this analysis (908 patients with AF and 905 patients without known AF). Swan LAA morphology was independently associated with prior stroke/transient ischemic attack in the overall study population (odds ratio, 3.40, P P =0.012) and without known AF (odds ratio, 3.96, P =0.011). Conclusions: Swan morphology of the LAA is independently associated with prior stroke or transient ischemic attack in patients with known AF, as well as in patients not previously diagnosed with AF. more...

Background Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score has shown to provide incremental prognostic information when added to the Framingham risk score. Although the relation between CAC and myocardial ischemia has been evaluated, there has been little evaluation of the relationship between CAC score and inducible myocardial ischemia on computed tomography myocardial perfusion (CTP). Methods and Results Patients who were referred with stable chest pain from the outpatient clinic and who underwent non-contrast computed tomography scan, coronary computed tomography angiography, and adenosine stress CTP were included in this study. CAC score was subdivided in four groups (1 to 99; 100 to 399, 400 to 999, and ≥ 1000). Inducible myocardial ischemia was considered when reversible perfusion defects were observed in ≥ 1 segment. A total of 131 patients (age 62 ± 9.4 years; 56% male) were included. The median CAC score was 241 (73 to 539). Forty-nine patients (37%) had evidence of inducible myocardial ischemia. The presence of inducible myocardial ischemia increased with increasing CAC score from 22% in the CAC score 1 to 99 subgroup to 35, 47, and 65% in the 100 to 399, 400 to 999, and ≥ 1000 CAC score subgroup, respectively. In multivariable analysis CAC score was the only determinant that significantly predicted the presence of inducible myocardial ischemia on CTP. Conclusions In a population of symptomatic patients, the majority of patients with extensive calcification had evidence of inducible myocardial ischemia on CTP. CAC score was the only independent predictor of inducible myocardial ischemia on CTP. more...

Multilayer (epi-, mid- and endocardium) left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) reflects the extent of myocardial damage after ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the prognostic implications of multilayer LV GLS remain unclear. We studied the association between multilayer LV GLS and prognosis in patients with mildly reduced or preserved LV ejection fraction (EF) after STEMI. Patients with first STEMI and LVEF>45% were evaluated retrospectively. Baseline multilayer (endocardial, mid-myocardial and epicardial) LV GLS were measured on 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. Patients were followed up for of all-cause mortality. A total of 569 patients (77% male, 60 +/- 11 years) were included. After a median follow-up of 117 (interquartile range 106-132) months, 95 (17%) patients died. We observed no differences in baseline LVEF and peak troponin levels between survivors and non-survivors. However, non-survivors showed more impaired GLS at all layers (epicardium: -11.9 +/- 2.8% vs. -13.4 +/- 2.8%; mid-myocardium: -14.2 +/- 3.2% vs. -15.6 +/- 3.2%; endocardium: -16.5 +/- 3.7% vs. -17.7 +/- 3.6%, p more...

This study investigates the relation of non-invasive myocardial work and myocardial viability following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) assessed on late gadolinium contrast enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE CMR) and characterizes the remote zone using non-invasive myocardial work parameters. STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included. Several non-invasive myocardial work parameters were derived from speckle tracking strain echocardiography and sphygmomanometric blood pressure, e.g.: myocardial work index (MWI), constructive work (CW), wasted work (WW) and myocardial work efficiency (MWE). LGE was quantified to determine infarct transmurality and scar burden. The core zone was defined as the segment with the largest extent of transmural LGE and the remote zone as the diametrically opposed segment without LGE. A total of 53 patients (89% male, mean age 58 +/- 9 years) and 689 segments were analyzed. The mean scar burden was 14 +/- 7% of the total LV mass, and 76 segments (11%) demonstrated transmural hyperenhancement, 280 (41%) non-transmural hyperenhancement and 333 (48%) no LGE. An inverse relation was observed between segmental MWI, CW and MWE and infarct transmurality (p < 0.05). MWI, CW and MWE were significantly lower in the core zone compared to the remote zone (p more...

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence following catheter ablation remains high. Recent studies have shown a relation between epicardial adipose tissue and AF. epicardial adipose tissue secretes several proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory adipokines that directly interact with the adjacent myocardium. The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether posterior left atrial (LA) adipose tissue attenuation, as marker of inflammation, is related to AF recurrences after catheter ablation. Methods: Consecutive patients with symptomatic AF referred for first AF catheter ablation who underwent computed tomography were included. The total epicardial adipose tissue and posterior LA adipose tissue were manually traced and adipose tissue was automatically recognized as tissue with Hounsfield units (HU) between −195 and −45. The attenuation value of the posterior LA adipose tissue was assessed, and the population was divided according to the mean HU value (−96.4 HU). Results: In total, 460 patients (66% male, age 61±10 years) were included in the analysis. After a median follow-up of 18 months (interquartile range, 6–32), 168 (37%) patients had AF recurrence. Patients with higher attenuation (≥−96.4 HU) of the posterior LA adipose tissue showed higher AF recurrence rates compared with patients with lower attenuation (P =0.046). Univariate analysis showed an association between AF recurrence and higher posterior LA adipose tissue attenuation (≥−96.4 HU; P P =0.181) remained a promising predictor of AF recurrence following catheter ablation. Conclusions: Posterior LA adipose tissue attenuation is a promising predictor of AF recurrence in patients who undergo catheter ablation. Higher adipose tissue attenuation might signal increased local inflammation and serve as an imaging biomarker of increased risk of AF recurrence. Graphic Abstract: A graphic abstract is available for this article. more...

Background: Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain has demonstrated incremental prognostic value over LV ejection fraction in patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. However, LV global longitudinal strain does not take into consideration the effect of afterload. Novel speckle-tracking echocardiographic indices of myocardial work integrate blood pressure measurements (afterload) with LV global longitudinal strain. The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of global LV myocardial work efficiency (GLVMWE; reflecting LV performance) obtained from pressure-strain loops with echocardiography in patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. Methods: A total of 507 ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients (mean age, 61±11 years; 76% men) were retrospectively analyzed. LV ejection fraction and GLVMWE were measured by transthoracic echocardiography within 48 hours of admission. GLVMWE was defined as the ratio of constructive work divided by the sum of constructive and wasted work in all LV segments and expressed as a percentage. Spline curve analysis was used to define the association between reduced GLVMWE and all-cause death. Results: After a median follow-up of 80 months (interquartile range, 67–97 months), 40 (8%) patients died. Patients with reduced GLVMWE (P P Conclusions: Reduced GLVMWE ( more...

Patients presenting with chronic and acute chest pain constitute a common and important diagnostic challenge. This has increased interest in using computerized tomography for non-invasive visualization of coronary artery disease in patients presenting with acute chest pain to the emergency department, particularly the subset of patients who are suspected of having an acute coronary syndrome, but without typical electrocardiographic changes and with normal troponin levels at presentation. As a result of rapid developments in coronary computerized tomography angiography technology, high diagnostic accuracies for excluding coronary artery disease can be obtained. It has been shown that these patients can be discharged safely. The accuracy for detecting a significant coronary artery stenosis is also high, but the presence of coronary artery atherosclerosis or stenosis does not imply necessarily that the cause of the chest pain is related to coronary artery disease. Moreover, non-invasive detection of coronary artery disease by computerized tomography has been shown to be related with an increased use of subsequent invasive coronary angiography and revascularization, and further studies are needed to define which patients benefit from invasive evaluation following coronary computerized tomography angiography. Conversely, implementation of coronary computerized tomography angiography can significantly reduce the length of hospital stay, with a significant cost reduction. Additionally, computerized tomography is an excellent modality in patients whose symptoms suggest other causes of acute chest pain such as aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, or pulmonary embolism. Furthermore, acquisition of the coronary arteries, thoracic aorta, and pulmonary arteries in a single computerized tomography examination is feasible, allowing ‘triple rule-out’ (exclusion of aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism, and coronary artery disease). Finally, other applications, such as evaluation of coronary artery plaque composition, myocardial function and perfusion, and non-invasive assessment of fractional flow reserve from coronary computerized tomography angiography, are currently being developed and may also become valuable in the setting of chronic and acute chest pain in the future. more...

Aims Left ventricular (LV) mechanical dispersion (MD) may result from heterogeneous electrical conduction and is associated with adverse events. The present study investigated (i) the association between LV MD and the extent of LV scar as assessed with contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and (ii) the prognostic implications of LV MD in patients after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Methods and results LV MD was calculated by echocardiography and myocardial scar was analysed on CMR data retrospectively. Infarct core and border zone were defined as ≥50% and 35–50% of maximal signal intensity, respectively. Patients were followed for the occurrence of the combined endpoint (all-cause mortality and appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy). In total, 96 patients (87% male, 57 ± 10 years) were included. Median LV MD was 53.5 ms [interquartile range (IQR) 43.4–62.8]. On CMR, total scar burden was 11.4% (IQR 3.8–17.1%), infarct core tissue 6.2% (IQR 2.0–12.7%), and border zone was 3.5% (IQR 1.5–5.7%). Correlations were observed between LV MD and infarct core (r = 0.517, P 53.5 ms showed higher event rates as compared to their counterparts. Finally, LV MD showed the highest area under the curve for the prediction of the combined endpoint. Conclusion LV MD is correlated with LV scar burden. In addition, patients with prolonged LV MD showed higher event rates. Finally, LV MD provided the highest predictive value for the combined endpoint when compared with other parameters. more...

Background: Assessment of left ventricular (LV) remodeling after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is pivotal for patient management. Noninvasive myocardial work indices obtained from echocardiography-derived strain-pressure loops provide a new tool that permits characterization of LV mechanics. We aimed at characterizing myocardial work indices in patients with LV remodeling after STEMI versus patients without remodeling.Methods: Six-hundred STEMI patients were retrospectively analyzed (456 men, mean age: 61 +/- 11 years) and divided according to the presence of LV remodeling 3 months after the index admission (>= 20% increase in LV end-diastolic volume). Noninvasive myocardial work indices were measured at 3 months after STEMI.Results: LV remodeling was observed in 150 patients (25%) who showed more impaired global myocardial work indices compared with their counterparts: work index (1,708 +/- 522 mm Hg% vs 1,979 +/- 450 mm Hg %; P < .001), constructive work (1,941 +/- 598 mm Hg% vs 2,272 +/- 519 mm Hg%; P < .001), and work efficiency (92% [range 88%-96%] vs 95% [range 93%-96%]; P < .001). In addition, patients with LV remodeling had significantly increased wasted work (116 mm Hg% [range 73-184 mm Hg%] vs 91 mm Hg% [range 61-132 mm Hg%]; P < .001). The frequency of impaired global work index, constructive and work efficiency, and increased wasted work was significantly higher among patients with LV remodeling compared with their counterparts: 21.3%, 34.7%, 34.7%, and 14.0%, respectively, versus 5.3%, 9.6%, 8.9%, and 4.9%, respectively (P < .001).Conclusions: At 3-month follow-up after STEMI, patients with LV remodeling revealed more impaired myocardial work indices compared with patients without LV remodeling. The prevalence of impaired myocardial work indices was higher among patients with LV remodeling compared with patients without. more...

Aims Right ventricular myocardial work (RVMW) is a novel method for non-invasive assessment of right ventricular (RV) function utilizing RV pressure–strain loops. This study aimed to explore the relationship between RVMW and invasive indices of right heart catheterization (RHC) in a cohort of patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF), and to compare values of RVMW with those of a group of patients without cardiovascular disease. Methods and results Non-invasive analysis of RVMW was performed in 22 HFrEF patients [median age 63 (59–67) years] who underwent echocardiography and invasive RHC within 48 h. Conventional RV functional measurements, RV global constructive work (RVGCW), RV global work index (RVGWI), RV global wasted work (RVGWW), and RV global work efficiency (RVGWE) were analysed and compared with invasively measured stroke volume and stroke volume index. Non-invasive analysis of RVMW was also performed in 22 patients without cardiovascular disease to allow for comparison between groups. None of the conventional echocardiographic parameters of RV systolic function were significantly correlated with stroke volume or stroke volume index. In contrast, one of the novel indices derived non-invasively by pressure–strain loops, RVGCW, demonstrated a moderate correlation with invasively measured stroke volume and stroke volume index (r = 0.63, P = 0.002 and r = 0.59, P = 0.004, respectively). RVGWI, RVGCW, and RVGWE were significantly lower in patients with HFrEF compared to a healthy cohort, while values of RVGWW were significantly higher. Conclusion RVGCW is a novel parameter that provides an integrative analysis of RV systolic function and correlates more closely with invasively measured stroke volume and stroke volume index than other standard echocardiographic parameters. more...

Aims Adverse left ventricular (LV) remodelling after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with poor outcome. Global and regional LV myocardial work (LVMW) derived from speckle tracking echocardiographic strain data in combination with non-invasive blood pressure recordings could provide information for prediction of LV remodelling after STEMI. The aim of the study was to assess the predictive value of global and regional LVMW for LV remodelling before discharge in patients with STEMI. Methods and results Three-hundred and fifty STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included [265 men (76%), mean age: 61 ± 10 years]. Clinical variables, conventional echocardiographic parameters, global and regional measures of myocardial work index (MWI), and myocardial work efficiency were recorded before discharge. The primary endpoint was early LV remodelling defined as increase in LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) ≥20% at 3 months after STEMI. Eighty-seven patients (25%) showed early LV remodelling. The global and regional LVMW in the culprit territory were significantly lower in patients with early LV remodelling. Peak troponin I (OR 1.109, 95% CI 1.046–1.177; P = 0.001), LVEDV (OR 0.972, 95% CI 0.959–0.984; P Conclusion In STEMI patients treated with primary PCI and optimal medical therapy, the regional cardiac work index in the culprit vessel territory before discharge is independently associated with early adverse LV remodelling. more...

Calcium in the cardiac valves can be observed in patients with severe chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the prevalence and prognostic implications of left-sided cardiac valve calcium in patients with stage 2 and 3 CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 60 to 89 and 30 to 59 ml/min/1.73 m² respectively) is unknown. The present study investigates the prevalence of mitral and aortic valve calcium in patients with stage 2 and 3 CKD and evaluates its association with all-cause mortality. In patients with stage 2 and 3 CKD who underwent clinically indicated coronary computed tomography angiography, the presence of mitral and/or aortic valve calcium was assessed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of mitral and/or aortic valve calcium on coronary computed tomography angiography. Patients were followed for the occurrence of all-cause mortality (primary end point). Of 204 stage 2 and 3 CKD patients (54% men, mean age 60 ± 10 years), 66 (32%) patients had mitral and/or aortic valve calcium. During a median follow-up of 6 years (IQR; 2, 9 years), 29 (14%) patients died. Patients with mitral and/or aortic valve calcium showed significantly higher mortality rates compared with patients without left-sided valve calcium (log-rank p = 0.009). Mitral valve calcium was independently associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, whereas aortic valve calcium was not. In conclusion, the prevalence of left-sided valve calcium in patients with stage 2 and 3 CKD is high. Mitral valve calcium was independently associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, whereas aortic valve calcium was not. more...

Regrettably the original version of the above article contained errors in the three chemical structures presented in the ‘Atherosclerosis imaging’ section of Table 5, namely: 99mTc annexin V, 68Ga DOTATATE, and 64Cu DOTATATE; the chemical structures have been corrected in Table presented here. In addition, the radiopharmaceutical for isotope 67Ga has been corrected to 67Ga citrate, and many of the radiopharmaceuticals presented at the end of the table have been corrected. more...

Background Progression of coronary artery disease using serial coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) is of clinical interest. Our primary aim was to prospectively assess the impact of clinical characteristics and statin use on quantitatively assessed coronary plaque progression in a low-risk study population during long-term follow-up. Methods Patients who previously underwent coronary CTA for suspected coronary artery disease were prospectively included to undergo follow-up coronary CTA. The primary end point was coronary artery disease progression, defined as the absolute annual increase in total, calcified, and noncalcified plaque volume by quantitative CTA analysis. Results In total, 202 patients underwent serial coronary CTA with a mean interscan period of 6.2±1.4 years. On a per-plaque basis, increasing age (β=0.070; P =0.058) and hypertension (β=1.380; P =0.075) were nonsignificantly associated with annual total plaque progression. Male sex (β=1.676; P =0.009), diabetes mellitus (β=1.725; P =0.012), and statin use (β=1.498; P =0.046) showed an independent association with annual progression of calcified plaque. While hypertension (β=2.259; P =0.015) was an independent determinant of noncalcified plaque progression, statin use (β=−2.178; P =0.050) was borderline significantly associated with a reduced progression of noncalcified plaque. Conclusions Statin use was associated with an increased progression of calcified coronary plaque and a reduced progression of noncalcified coronary plaque, potentially reflecting calcification of the noncalcified plaque component. Whereas hypertension was the only modifiable risk factor predictive of noncalcified plaque progression, diabetes mellitus mainly led to an increase in calcified plaque. These findings could yield the need for intensified preventive treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension to slow and stabilize coronary artery disease progression and improve clinical outcome. more...

Background: Global left ventricular (LV) myocardial work efficiency, the ratio of constructive to wasted work in all LV segments, reflects the efficiency by which mechanical energy is expended during the cardiac cycle. Global LV myocardial work efficiency can be derived from LV pressure-strain loop analysis incorporating both noninvasively estimated blood pressure recordings and echocardiographic strain data. The aim of this study was to characterize global LV myocardial work efficiency in healthy individuals and patients with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors or overt cardiac disease.Methods: We retrospectively included healthy individuals without structural heart disease or CV risk factors, who were selected from an ongoing database of normal individuals, and matched for age and sex with (1) individuals without structural heart disease but with CV risk factors, (2) postinfarct patients without heart failure, and (3) heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Global LV myocardial work efficiency was estimated with a proprietary algorithm from speckle-tracking strain analyses, as well as noninvasive blood pressure measurements.Results: In total, 120 individuals (44% male, 53 +/- 13 years) were included (n = 30 per group). In healthy individuals without structural heart disease or CV risk factors, global LV myocardial work efficiency was 96.0% (interquartile range, 95.0%-96.3%). Myocardial efficiency of the LV did not differ significantly between individuals without structural heart disease and those with CV risk factors (96.0% vs 96.0%; P = .589). Global LV myocardial work efficiency, however, was significantly decreased in postinfarct patients (96.0% vs 93.0%, P < .001) and in those with HFrEF (96.0% vs 69.0%; P < .001).Conclusions: While global LV myocardial work efficiency was similar in normal individuals and in those with CV risk factors, it was decreased in postinfarct and HFrEF patients. The global LV myocardial work efficiency values presented here show distinct patterns in different cardiac pathologies. more...

Background Even though implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation for primary prevention has shown to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death in chronic heart failure patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), a significant portion of these patients will never receive appropriate ICD therapy. We aimed to functionally characterize the arrhythmogenic substrate using left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) and heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) ratio on 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) scintigraphy. Methods We included patients with heart failure with reduced LVEF who received an ICD for primary prevention. To functionally characterize the arrhythmogenic substrate, we measured the LV GLS with two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and cardiac innervation measured as the H/M ratio on 123I-MIBG scintigraphy. An event was defined as appropriate ICD therapy. Results A total of 155 patients were included, 74% were male and the mean age was 72 ± 9 years. During a median follow-up of 10 (6–12) years, 43 patients (28%) experienced appropriate ICD therapy. Patients that experienced an event were more often male, had more often ischaemic cardiomyopathy and were more likely to have worse renal function. There was no difference in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between the two groups (25 ± 6.4% vs 26 ± 6.0%, p = 0.276). However, LV GLS was significantly more impaired in the group that experienced an event compared to patients that did not (− 6.7 ± 2.1% vs − 7.6 ± 2.1%; p = 0.020). The innervation, measured as the H/M ratio on 123I-MIBG scintigraphy was also significantly more impaired in the patients that experienced and event compared to patients that did not (1.34 ± 0.2 vs 1.47 ± 0.2, p ≤ 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed LV GLS and H/M ratio independently associated with appropriate ICD therapy with a hazard ratio of 1.24 (95% CI 1.027–1.491, p = 0.025) and 5.71 (95% CI 1.135–28.571, p = 0.034), respectively. LV GLS and H/M ratio were significantly correlated (Pearson correlation coefficient − 0.30, p more...

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disease burden worldwide. Nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging with either single-photon emission computed tomography or positron emission tomography has been used extensively to perform diagnosis, monitor therapies, and predict cardiovascular events. Several radiopharmaceutical tracers have recently been developed to evaluate CVD by targeting myocardial perfusion, metabolism, innervation, and inflammation. This article reviews old and newer used in nuclear cardiac imaging. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s12350-017-1131-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. more...

Aims Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is a recently developed technique to calculate fractional flow reserve (FFR) based on 3D quantitative coronary angiography and computational fluid dynamics, obviating the need for a pressure-wire and hyperaemia induction. QFR might be used to guide patient selection for FFR and subsequent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) referral in hospitals not capable to perform FFR and PCI. We aimed to investigate the feasibility to use QFR to appropriately select patients for FFR referral. Methods and results Patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography in a hospital where FFR and PCI could not be performed and were referred to our hospital for invasive FFR measurement, were included. Angiogram images from the referring hospitals were retrospectively collected for QFR analysis. Based on QFR cut-off values of 0.77 and 0.86, our patient cohort was reclassified to ‘no referral’ (QFR ≥0.86), referral for ‘FFR’ (QFR 0.78–0.85), or ‘direct PCI’ (QFR ≤0.77). In total, 290 patients were included. Overall accuracy of QFR to detect an invasive FFR of ≤0.80 was 86%. Based on a QFR cut-off value of 0.86, a 50% reduction in patient referral for FFR could be obtained, while only 5% of these patients had an invasive FFR of ≤0.80 (thus, these patients were incorrectly reclassified to the ‘no referral’ group). Furthermore, 22% of the patients that still need to be referred could undergo direct PCI, based on a QFR cut-off value of 0.77. Conclusion QFR is feasible to use for the selection of patients for FFR referral. more...

Atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation is commonly performed to treat AF. However, the success rate is suboptimal, as is the algorithm to predict success. We recently demonstrated that epicardial fat located posterior to the left atrium (LA) is strongly associated with AF. In this study we more...

Contrast-flow quantitative flow ratio (cQFR) is a recently developed technique to calculate fractional flow reserve (FFR) from invasive coronary angiography (ICA), obviating the need for hyperaemia induction. The purpose of our study was to assess the feasibility to use cQFR for the selection of more...