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Background Myocardial bridging (MB) is accompanied by the dynamic extravascular compression of epicardial coronary arteries, leading to intracoronary hemodynamic disturbance with abnormal coronary flow profiles. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic implications of resistive reserve ratio (RRR), a composite measure of flow and pressure parameters that represents the vasodilatory capacity of the coronary arteries, in patients with angina with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) and MB, in comparison with coronary flow reserve (CFR). Methods and Results In this retrospective cohort study, we included patients with ANOCA who underwent coronary reactivity testing, where MB was identified by transient constriction in coronary artery segments between systole and diastole. Abnormal CFR and RRR were defined as

Background Recent studies have indicated high rates of future major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC), but there is no well‐established tool for risk stratification. This study sought to evaluate the prognostic value of several artificial intelligence‐augmented ECG (AI‐ECG) algorithms in patients with TC. Methods and Results This study examined consecutive patients in the prospective and observational Mayo Clinic Takotsubo syndrome registry. Several previously validated AI‐ECG algorithms were used for the estimation of ECG‐ age, probability of low ejection fraction, and probability of atrial fibrillation. Multivariable models were constructed to evaluate the association of AI‐ECG and other clinical characteristics with major adverse cardiac events, defined as cardiovascular death, recurrence of TC, nonfatal myocardial infarction, hospitalization for congestive heart failure, and stroke. In the final analysis, 305 patients with TC were studied over a median follow‐up of 4.8 years. Patients with future major adverse cardiac events were more likely to be older, have a history of hypertension, congestive heart failure, worse renal function, as well as high‐risk AI‐ECG findings compared with those without. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis indicated that the presence of 2 or 3 high‐risk findings detected by AI‐ECG remained a significant predictor of major adverse cardiac events in patients with TC after adjustment by conventional risk factors (hazard ratio, 4.419 [95% CI, 1.833–10.66], P=0.001). Conclusions The combined use of AI‐ECG algorithms derived from a single 12‐lead ECG might detect subtle underlying patterns associated with worse outcomes in patients with TC. This approach might be beneficial for stratifying high‐risk patients with TC.

Abstract This study sought to evaluate the prognostic implications of the presence of preprocedural unrecognized myocardial infarction (UMI) and periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) evaluated by delayed gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (DE-CMR) in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We enrolled 250 CCS patients scheduled for elective PCI. UMI was defined as the presence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) detected by pre-PCI CMR in the region without medical history of revascularization and/or MI. Periprocedural new occurrence or increased volume of LGE in the target territory detected by post-PCI CMR (PPL) were used to assess PMI. In the final analysis of 235 patients, UMI and PPL were detected in 43 patients (18.3%) and 45 patients (19.1%), respectively. During follow-up for a median of 2.2 years, major adverse cardiac events (MACE) occurred in 31 (13.2%) patients. On multivariable analysis, UMI and PPL remained as significant predictors of MACE after adjusting confounding factors (HR 4.62, 95% CI 2.24–9.54, P

BackgroundStress-transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (S-TDE) provides a noninvasive assessment of coronary flow parameters in the left anterior descending artery (LAD). However, the association between morphological characteristics and coronary flow changes after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the relationships between periprocedural coronary flow changes observed on S-TDE and lesion-specific plaque characteristics obtained by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the interrogated vessels in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS).Methods and resultsPatients with CCS who underwent pre- and post-PCI S-TDE and elective fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided PCI under OCT guidance for de novo single LAD lesions were included. S-TDE-derived hyperemic diastolic peak flow velocity (hDPV) was used as a surrogate for coronary flow. Lesions were categorized into two groups based on the %hDPV increase or decrease. The baseline clinical, physiological, and OCT findings were compared between the groups. In total, 103 LAD lesions were studied in 103 patients. After PCI, hDPV significantly increased from 55.6 cm/s to 69.5 cm/s (PConclusionsIn patients who underwent successful uncomplicated elective PCI for de novo single LAD lesions, the presence of layered plaques was independently associated with hyperemic coronary flow decrease as assessed by S-TDE.

Abstract The prognostic value of abnormal resting Pd/Pa and coronary flow reserve (CFR) after fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided revascularisation deferral according to sex remains unknown. From the ILIAS Registry composed of 20 hospitals globally from 7 countries, patients with deferred lesions following FFR assessment (FFR > 0.8) were included. (NCT 04485234) The primary clinical endpoint was target vessel failure (TVF) at 2-years follow-up. We included 1392 patients with 1759 vessels (n = 564 women, 31.9%). Although resting Pd/Pa was similar between the sexes (p = 0.116), women had lower CFR than men (2.5 [2.0–3.2] vs. 2.7 [2.1–3.5]; p = 0.004). During a 2-year follow-up period, TVF events occurred in 56 vessels (3.2%). The risk of 2-year TVF was significantly higher in women with low versus high resting Pd/Pa (HR: 9.79; p

Abstract Unrecognized myocardial infarction (UMI) is associated with adverse outcomes. This prospective, single-center study elucidated the prevalence and prognostic significance of UMI before elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using delayed-enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (DE-CMR). We enrolled 236 patients with stable coronary artery disease who underwent DE-CMR before elective PCI. The prevalence of UMI and the association of clinical and CMR-derived variables with major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as cardiovascular death, nonfatal MI, hospitalization for congestive heart failure, and unplanned late revascularization, were assessed. Final analysis revealed that 63/213 (29.6%) patients had UMI. Target territory UMI was observed in 38 patients (17.8% of the total cohort, 60.3% of patients with UMI). UMI was significantly associated with sex, diabetes mellitus, left ventricular ejection fraction, SYNTAX score, and fractional flow reserve in the target vessels. During follow-up (median, 23 months), MACE occurred in 17 (27.0%) patients with UMI and 17 (11.3%) without UMI (P = 0.001). Multivariable modeling revealed that UMI (hazard ratio: 2.18, 95%CI, 1.10–4.33, P = 0.001) was an independent predictor of MACE. Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that the presence of UMI was significantly associated with a higher incidence of MACE. UMI was independently associated with a greater risk of MACE after successful PCI.

Background A previous coronary computed tomography (CT) angiographic study failed to discriminate optical coherence tomography‐defined intact fibrous cap culprit lesions (IFC group) from those with ruptured fibrous caps (RFC group) in patients with coronary artery disease. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of preprocedural coronary CT imaging in identifying subsequently performed optical coherence tomography‐defined plaque rupture or erosion at culprit lesions in patients with non–ST‐segment–elevation acute myocardial infarction. Methods and Results This study used data from 2 recently published studies that tested the hypothesis that coronary CT angiography (CCTA) before percutaneous coronary intervention may provide diagnostic information on the high‐risk atherosclerotic burden in patients with non–ST‐segment–elevation acute myocardial infarction. In the analysis of 186 patients, optical coherence tomography identified 106 RFC plaques and 80 IFC plaques as the culprit lesions. On CT, the prevalence of low‐attenuation plaque, positive remodeling, napkin‐ring sign, and spotty calcification were all significantly lower in the IFC group. The culprit vessel pericoronary adipose tissue inflammation and coronary artery calcium scores were significantly lower in the IFC group than in the RFC group. The absence of low‐attenuation plaque, napkin‐ring sign, zero coronary artery calcium, and low pericoronary adipose tissue inflammation were independent predictors of IFC. When stratified into 5 subgroups according to the number of these 4 CT factors, the prevalence of IFC was 8.3%, 20.8%, 44.6%, 75.6%, and 100% (P

Abstract In the presence of functionally significant epicardial lesions, microvascular resistance reserve (MRR) calculation needs incorporation of collateral flow. Coronary fractional flow reserve (FFRcor) requiring coronary wedge pressure (Pw), which is an essential part of the true MRR calculation, is reportedly estimated by myocardial FFR (FFRmyo) not requiring Pw measurement. We sought to find an equation to calculate MRR without the need for Pw. Furthermore, we assessed changes in MRR after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). An equation to estimate FFRcor was developed from a cohort of 230 patients who underwent physiological measurements and PCI. Corrected MRR was calculated using this equation and compared with true MRR in 115 patients of the different set of the validation cohort. True MRR was calculated using FFRcor. FFRcor and FFRmyo showed a strong linear relationship (r2 = 0.86) and an equation was FFRcor = 1.36 × FFRmyo – 0.34. This equation provided no significant difference between corrected MRR and true MRR in the validation cohort. Pre‐PCI lower coronary flow reserve and higher index of microcirculatory resistance were independent predictors of pre‐PCI decreased true MRR. True MRR significantly decreased after PCI. In conclusion, MRR can be accurately corrected using an equation for FFRcor estimation without Pw.

Abstract The benefit of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been reported to be associated with functional stenosis severity defined by fractional flow reserve (FFR). This study aimed to investigate the predictive ability of preprocedural transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TDE) for increased coronary flow. A total of 50 left anterior descending arteries (LAD) that underwent TDE examinations were analysed. Hyperaemic LAD diastolic peak velocity (hDPV) was used as a surrogate of volumetric coronary flow. The increase in coronary flow was evaluated by the metric of % hDPV-increase defined by 100× (post-PCI hDPV-pre-PCI hDPV)/pre-PCI hDPV. The two groups divided by the median value of % hDPV-increase were compared, and the determinants of a significant coronary flow increase defined as more than the median % hDPV-increase were explored. After PCI, FFR values improved in all cases. hDPV significantly increased from 53.0 to 76.0 mm/s (P

BackgroundThe relationship of layered plaque detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) with coronary inflammation and coronary flow reserve (CFR) remains elusive. We aimed to investigate the association of OCT-defined layered plaque with pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) inflammation assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and global (G)-CFR assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).MethodsWe retrospectively investigated 88 patients with first ACS who underwent preprocedural CCTA, OCT imaging of the culprit lesion prior to primary/urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and postprocedural CMR. All patients were divided into two groups according to the presence and absence of OCT-defined layered plaque at the culprit lesion. Coronary inflammation was assessed by the mean value of PCAT attenuation (-190 to -30 HU) of the three major coronary vessels. G-CFR was obtained by quantifying absolute coronary sinus flow at rest and during maximum hyperemia. CCTA and CMR findings were compared between the groups.ResultsIn a total of 88 patients, layered plaque was detected in 51 patients (58.0%). The patients with layered plaque had higher three-vessel-PCAT attenuation value (-68.58 ± 6.41 vs. -71.60 ± 5.21 HU, P = 0.021) and culprit vessel-PCAT attenuation value (-67.69 ± 7.76 vs. -72.07 ± 6.57 HU, P = 0.007) than those with non-layered plaque. The patients with layered plaque had lower G-CFR value (median, 2.26 [interquartile range, 1.78, 2.89] vs. 3.06 [2.41, 3.90], P = 0.003) than those with non-layered plaque.ConclusionsThe presence of OCT-defined layered plaque at the culprit lesion was associated with high PCAT attenuation and low G-CFR after primary/urgent PCI in patients with ACS. OCT assessment of culprit plaque morphology and detection of layered plaque may help identify increased pericoronary inflammation and impaired CFR, potentially providing the risk stratification in patients with ACS and residual microvascular dysfunction after PCI.

Background Mechanisms underlying bioprosthetic valve deterioration are multifactorial and incompletely elucidated. Reparative circulating progenitor cells, and conversely calcification‐associated osteocalcin expressing circulating progenitor cells, have been linked to native aortic valve deterioration. However, their role in bioprosthetic valve deterioration remains elusive. This study sought to evaluate the contribution of different subpopulations of circulating progenitor cells in bioprosthetic valve deterioration. Methods and Results This single‐center prospective study enrolled 121 patients who had peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated before bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement and had an echocardiographic follow‐up ≥2 years after the procedure. Using flow cytometry, fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed for the surface markers CD34, CD133, and osteocalcin. Bioprosthetic valve deterioration was evaluated by hemodynamic valve deterioration (HVD) using echocardiography, which was defined as an elevated mean transprosthetic gradient ≥30 mm Hg or at least moderate intraprosthetic regurgitation. Sixteen patients (13.2%) developed HVD during follow‐up for a median of 5.9 years. Patients with HVD showed significantly lower levels of reparative CD34+CD133+ cells and higher levels of osteocalcin‐positive cells than those without HVD (CD34+CD133+ cells: 125 [80, 210] versus 270 [130, 420], P=0.002; osteocalcin‐positive cells: 3060 [523, 5528] versus 670 [180, 1930], P=0.005 respectively). Decreased level of CD34+CD133+ cells was a significant predictor of HVD (hazard ratio, 0.995 [95% CI, 0.990%–0.999%]). Conclusions Circulating levels of CD34+CD133+ cells and osteocalcin‐positive cells were significantly associated with the subsequent occurrence of HVD in patients undergoing bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement. Circulating progenitor cells might play a vital role in the mechanism, risk stratification, and a potential therapeutic target for patients with bioprosthetic valve deterioration.

Abstract Both fractional flow reserve (FFR) and global coronary flow reserve (g-CFR) provide prognostic information in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Inflammation plays a vital role in impaired endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerotic progression, potentially predicting cardiovascular mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological significance of pericoronary adipose tissue inflammation assessed by CT attenuation (PCATA) in epicardial functional stenosis severity and g-CFR in patients with CAD. A total of 131 CAD patients with a single de novo epicardial coronary stenosis who underwent coronary CT-angiography (CCTA), phase-contrast cine-magnetic resonance imaging (PC-CMR) and FFR measurement were studied. PCATA was assessed using the mean CT attenuation value. G-CFR was obtained by quantifying absolute coronary sinus flow (ml/min/g) by PC-CMR at rest and during maximum hyperemia. Median FFR, g-CFR, and PCATA values were 0.75, 2.59, and − 71.3, respectively. Serum creatinine, NT-proBNP, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, and PCATA were independently associated with g-CFR. PCATA showed a significant incremental predictive efficacy for impaired g-CFR (

Background This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of hyperemic coronary sinus flow (h‐CSF) and global coronary flow reserve (g‐CFR) obtained by phase‐contrast cine‐magnetic resonance imaging in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and Results This retrospective study analyzed patients with acute MI (n=523) who underwent primary (ST‐segment–elevation MI) or urgent (non–ST‐segment–elevation MI) percutaneous coronary intervention. Absolute coronary sinus blood flow (CSF) at rest and during vasodilator stress hyperemia was quantified at 30 days (24–36 days) after the index infarct‐related lesion percutaneous coronary intervention and revascularization of functionally significant non–infarct‐related lesions. We used Cox proportional hazards regression modeling to examine the association between h‐CSF, g‐CFR, and major adverse cardiac events defined as all‐cause death, nonfatal MI, hospitalization for congestive heart failure, and stroke. Finally, 325 patients with ST‐segment–elevation MI (62.1%) and 198 patients with non–ST‐segment–elevation MI (37.9%) were studied over a median follow‐up of 2.5 years. The rest CSF, h‐CSF, and g‐CFR were 0.94 (0.68–1.26) mL/min per g, 2.05 (1.42–2.73) mL/min per g, and 2.17 (1.54–3.03), respectively. Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 62 patients, and Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that h‐CSF and g‐CFR were independent predictors of major adverse cardiac events (h‐CSF: hazard ratio [HR], 0.64; 95% CI, 0.47–0.88; P=0.005; g‐CFR: HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.47–0.82; P=0.001). When stratified by h‐CSF and g‐CFR, cardiac event‐free survival was the worst in patients with concordantly impaired h‐CSF (

BackgroundNear-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) provides the localization of lipid-rich components in coronary plaques. However, morphological features in NIRS-detected lipid-rich plaques (LRP) are unclear.MethodsA total of 140 de novo culprit lesions in 140 patients with the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent NIRS and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations for the culprit lesions at the time of percutaneous coronary interventions were investigated. We defined a NIRS-LRP as a lesion with a maximum lipid core burden index of 4 mm [LCBI4mm] > 500 in the culprit plaque. Clinical demographics, angiographic, and OCT findings were compared between the patients with NIRS-LRP (n = 54) vs. those without NIRS-LRP (n = 86). Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the independent OCT morphological predictors for NIRS-LRP.ResultsClinical demographics showed no significant differences between the two groups. The angiographic minimum lumen diameter was smaller in the NIRS-LRP group than in the non- NIRS-LRP group. In OCT analysis, the minimum flow area was smaller; lipid angle, lipid length, the prevalence of thin-cap fibroatheroma, and cholesterol crystals were greater in the NIRS-LRP group than in the non-NIRS-LRP group. Plaque rupture and thrombi were more frequent in the NIRS-LRP group, albeit not significant. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, presence of thin-cap fibroatheroma [odds ratio (OR): 2.56; 95% CI: 1.12 to 5.84; p = 0.03] and cholesterol crystals (OR: 2.90; 95% CI: 1.20 to 6.99; p = 0.02) were independently predictive of NIRS-LRP.ConclusionsIn ACS culprit lesions, OCT-detected thin-cap fibroatheroma and cholesterol crystals rather than plaque rupture and thrombi were closely associated with a great lipid-core burden.

Objective. To assess the clinical utility of synthesized V7–V9 ST-segment elevation (sV7-9 STE) in patients with 12-lead-electrocardiogram (ECG)-based non-STE myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in diagnosing left circumflex artery (LCx) STEMI-equivalent acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Background. The 12-lead-ECG is insufficient for diagnosing patients with ACS, especially those with an LCx culprit. Methods. We retrospectively examined 219 patients with NSTEMI who underwent synthesized 18-lead ECG acquisition on admission and urgent catheterization. Associations between baseline variables, including sV7-9 STE and LCx STEMI-equivalent ACS, were analyzed using logistic regression models and receiver operating characteristics. LCx-culprit ACS was defined as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 0–1 flow. The association between sV7-9 STE and myocardial damage was also assessed. Results. The mean (SD) age of the population was 68.8 (12.0) years, and 81.7% were men. LCx-culprit NSTEMI occurred in 58 (26.5%) patients and 15 (6.8%) were LCx STEMI-equivalent. SV7-9 STE was observed in 16 patients (7.9%). SV7-9 STE was the sole significant predictor of LCx STEMI-equivalent ACS with an odds ratio of 19.0 (95% CI: 5.6–63.9, p

ObjectivesThis study sought to assess the predictors of coronary computed tomography angiographic findings for non-infarct-related (non-IR) territory unrecognized myocardial infarction (UMI) in patients with a first episode of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS).BackgroundUMI detected by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with both acute coronary syndrome and chronic coronary syndrome. However, the association between the presence of UMI and coronary computed tomography angiographic (CCTA) findings remains unknown.MethodsWe investigated 158 patients with a first clinical episode of NSTE-ACS, who underwent pre-PCI 320-slice CCTA and uncomplicated urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 48 h of admission. In these patients, post-PCI CMR was performed within 30 days from urgent PCI and before non-IR lesion staged PCI. UMI was assessed using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE)-CMR by identifying regions of hyperenhancement with an ischemic distribution pattern in non-IR territories (non-IR UMI). CCTA analysis included qualitative and quantitative assessments of the culprit segment, Agatston score, mean peri-coronary fat attenuation index (FAI), epicardial fat volume (EFV) and epicardial fat attenuation (EFA).ResultsNon-IR UMI was detected in 30 vessel territories (9.7%, 30/308 vessels) of 28 patients (17.7%, 28/158 patients). The presence of low-attenuation plaque, spotty calcification, napkin ring sign, and positive remodeling was not significantly different between vessels with and without subtended non-IR UMI. Agatston score >30.0 (OR: 8.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.17 to 32.45, p = 0.002), mean FAI >-64.3 (OR: 3.23, 95% CI: 1.34 to 7.81, p = 0.009), and stenosis severity (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.06, p < 0.001) were independently associated with non-IR UMI. Neither EFV (p = 0.340) nor EFA (p = 0.700) was associated with non-IR UMI.ConclusionThe prevalence of non-IR UMI was 17.7 % in patients with first NSTE-ACS presentation. Agatston score, mean FAI, and coronary stenosis severity were independent CCTA predictors of the presence of non-IR UMI. The integrated CCTA assessment may help identify the presence of non-IR UMI before urgent PCI.

Objectives: We investigated the influence of coronary disease characteristics on prognostic implications of residual ischemia after coronary stent implantation.Methods: This study included 1,476 patients with drug-eluting stent implantation and available pre- and post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements. Residual ischemia was defined as post-PCI FFR ≤ 0.80. Coronary disease characteristics with significant interaction hazard ratios (HRs) for clinical outcomes with residual ischemia were defined as interaction characteristics with residual ischemia (ICwRI). The primary outcome was target vessel failure (TVF)—a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization—at 2 years.Results: The mean pre- and post-PCI FFR were 0.68 ± 0.11 and 0.87 ± 0.07, respectively. During the median follow-up duration of 2.0 years, the cumulative incidence of TVF was 6.1%. The 203 vessels (13.8%) with residual ischemia had higher risks of TVF compared to that for post-PCI FFR >0.80 (P < 0.001). ICwRI with a significant interaction HR with residual ischemia included pre-PCI SYNTAX score >17 and pre-PCI FFR ≤ 0.62. Each ICwRI had a direct prognostic effect not mediated by residual ischemia. The association between an increased TVF risk and residual ischemia was significant in patients with 0 or 1 ICwRI [hazard ratio (HR) 3.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.90–5.57, P < 0.001] but not in those with 2 ICwRI (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.14–1.64, P = 0.24). Among patients with post-PCI FFR >0.80, those with 2 ICwRI showed similar TVF risks to those with residual ischemia (HR 1.55, 95% CI 0.79–3.02, P = 0.20).Conclusions: Coronary disease characteristics including pre-PCI SYNTAX score and pre-PCI FFR affected the prognostic implications of residual ischemia. The prognostic relevance of residual ischemia was attenuated in patients with multiple interacting characteristics.

Vascular inflammation is linked with the pathogenesis of vasospastic angina (VSA). Recent studies reported the potential of pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation as shown on coronary computed tomography angiography to detect coronary inflammation. This report presents a case of myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries potentially complicated with VSA that demonstrated reduction of inflammation after symptom improvement with calcium channel–blocker treatment as assessed by serial examination of pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation. This case highlighted the feasibility of a noninvasive assessment of pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation to evaluate the disease activity of VSA and guide patient management. Résumé: L’inflammation vasculaire est liée à la pathogenèse de l’angine vasospastique (AVS). De récentes études ont révélé le potentiel de l’atténuation du tissu adipeux péricoronaire qui était observée à l’angiographie coronarienne par tomodensitométrie pour détecter l’inflammation coronarienne. Le présent rapport porte sur un cas d’infarctus du myocarde sans obstruction coronaire potentiellement compliqué par l’AVS qui selon l’examen en série de l’atténuation du tissu adipeux péricoronaire a démontré une réduction de l’inflammation après l’amélioration des symptômes à l’aide d’un traitement par bloqueurs des canaux calciques. Ce cas a illustré la faisabilité d’un examen non effractif de l’atténuation du tissu adipeux péricoronaire pour évaluer l’activité de l’AVS et orienter la prise en charge du patient.

BackgroundLimited data are available regarding the influence of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of non-totally occluded lesions (non-CTO) on the coronary flow of non-target vessels. We sought to investigate the short-term impact of the non-left anterior descending artery (non-LAD) PCI on the coronary flow physiology of LAD using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TDE).Methods and resultsWe consecutively studied 50 patients who underwent successful PCI of non-LAD and non-CTO lesions and a coronary flow velocity assessment of LAD at rest and maximal hyperemia before and at 2 days after the procedure by TDE. Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) was calculated as the ratio of hyperemic to resting diastolic peak velocity (hDPV/bDPV). We evaluated the changes in LAD coronary flow characteristics after PCI of non-LAD and explored the determinants of the change in LAD-CFVR. The median fractional flow reserve (FFR) of the culprit lesion and the LAD quantitative flow ratio (QFR) were 0.67 and 0.88, respectively. After non-LAD PCI, LAD-CFVR was decreased in 33 patients (66.0%). LAD-CFVR significantly decreased (pre-PCI: 2.41, post-PCI: 2.03, p = 0.001) due to a significant decrease in LAD-hDPV (P = 0.007). The prevalence of impaired LAD-CFVR (≤2.0) significantly increased (pre: 30%, post: 48%, P = 0.027). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that pre-PCI LAD-CFVR was independent predictor of the change in LAD-CFVR after PCI.ConclusionsLAD-CFVR significantly decreased after successful non-LAD PCI due to the postprocedural reduction of coronary flow assessed by LAD-hDPV.

Background Impaired global coronary flow reserve (g‐CFR) is related to worse outcomes. Inflammation has been postulated to play a role in atherosclerosis. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between pre‐procedural pericoronary adipose tissue inflammation and g‐CFR after the urgent percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with first non–ST‐segment–elevation acute coronary syndrome. Methods and Results Phase‐contrast cine‐magnetic resonance imaging was performed to obtain g‐CFR by quantifying coronary sinus flow at 1 month after percutaneous coronary intervention in a total of 116 first non–ST‐segment–elevation acute coronary syndrome patients who underwent pre‐percutaneous coronary intervention computed tomography angiography. On proximal 40‐mm segments of 3 major coronary vessels on computed tomography angiography, pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation was assessed by the crude analysis of mean computed tomography attenuation value. The patients were divided into 2 groups with and without impaired g‐CFR divided by the g‐CFR value of 1.8. There were significant differences in age, culprit lesion location, N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide levels, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) levels, mean pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation between patients with impaired g‐CFR and those without (g‐CFR, 1.47 [1.16, 1.68] versus 2.66 [2.22, 3.28]; P

Background Recent studies have reported the association between pericoronary inflammation assessed by pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation (PCATA) on computed tomography angiography and worse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. We investigated the determinants predicting increased PCATA in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. Methods and Results A total of 540 patients who underwent computed tomography angiography and invasive coronary angiography were studied. Mean computed tomography attenuation values of PCAT (−190 to −30 Hounsfield units) (PCATA) were assessed at the proximal 40‐mm segments of all 3 major coronary arteries by crude analysis. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine the predictors of increased PCATA surrounding the proximal right coronary artery. Mean right coronary artery‐PCATA was −72.22±8.47 Hounsfield units and the average of 3‐vessel PCATA was −70.24±6.60 Hounsfield units. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that the independent determinants of right coronary artery‐PCATA were male (β coefficient=4.965, P50%) (β coefficient=2.418, P=0.008). Sex‐related determinants were NT‐proBNP level (N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide; β coefficient

Background Coronary flow capacity (CFC), which is a categorical assessment based on the combination of hyperemic coronary flow and coronary flow reserve (CFR), has been introduced as a comprehensive assessment of the coronary circulation to overcome the limitations of CFR alone. The aim of this study was to quantify coronary flow changes after percutaneous coronary intervention in relation to the classification of CFC and the current physiological cutoff values of fractional flow reserve, instantaneous wave‐free ratio, and CFR. Methods and Results Using the combined data set from DEFINE FLOW (Distal Evaluation of Functional Performance With Intravascular Sensors to Assess the Narrowing Effect ‐Combined Pressure and Doppler FLOW Velocity Measurements) and IDEAL (Iberian‐Dutch‐English), a total of 133 vessels that underwent intracoronary Doppler flow measurement before and after percutaneous coronary intervention were analyzed. CFC classified prerevascularization lesions as normal (14), mildly reduced (40), moderately reduced (31), and severely reduced (48). Lesions with larger impairment of CFC showed greater increase in coronary flow and vice versa (median percent increase in coronary flow by revascularization: 4.2%, 25.9%, 50.1%, and 145.5%, respectively; P50% increase in coronary flow after percutaneous coronary intervention. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that only CFC has a superior predictive efficacy to CFR (P

BackgroundMeasurement of the contrast-flow quantitative flow ratio (cQFR) is a novel method for rapid computational estimation of fractional flow reserve (FFR). Discordance between FFR and cQFR has not been completely characterised.MethodsWe performed a post-hoc analysis of 504 vessels with angiographically intermediate stenosis in 504 patients who underwent measurement of FFR, coronary flow reserve (CFR), the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) and Duke jeopardy score.ResultsIn total, 396 (78.6%) and 108 (21.4%) lesions showed concordant and discordant FFR and cQFR functional classifications, respectively. Among lesions with a reduced FFR (FFR+), those with a preserved cQFR (cQFR−) showed significantly lower IMR, shorter mean transit time (Tmn), shorter lesion length (all, p0.80) and a cQFR below the lower limit (≤0.75). In contrast, five territories (1.0%; ‘jump in’ group) exhibited opposite results (FFR of ≤0.75 and cQFR of >0.80). The ‘jump out’ territories showed significantly higher IMR values than ‘jump in’ territories (p

Background Sex difference in fractional flow reserve (FFR) and resting index has not been fully clarified. We sought to investigate the impact of sex on the discordance of revascularization decision making between FFR and diastolic pressure ratio during the diastolic wave‐free period (dPRWFP). Methods and Results A total of 759 angiographically intermediate lesions with 30% to 80% diameter stenosis by quantitative coronary angiography in 577 patients in whom FFR and dPRWFP were measured were investigated. dPRWFP was measured during the wave‐free window of 5 heart cycles at an independent core laboratory. FFR ≤0.80 and dPRWFP ≤0.89 were considered positive studies. A total of 164 vessels in 126 women (21.6%) and 595 vessels in 451 men (78.4%) were included. In lesions with negative dPRWFP, positive FFR was less frequently observed in women (13 of 73; 17.8%) than in men (97 of 286; 33.9%) (P=0.009). In lesions with positive dPRWFP, the frequency of negative FFR was observed in 22 of 91 vessels (24.2%) in women and 51 of 309 vessels (16.5%) in men, which did not reach statistical significance (P=0.098). In multivariable analyses, female sex was independently associated with FFR‐dPRWFP discordance both in negative dPRWFP cohort (odds ratio, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.21–0.98; P=0.036) and in positive dPRWFP cohort (odds ratio, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.17–4.96; P=0.017) after adjustment for age, weight, quantitative coronary angiography data, and baseline physiological indexes. Conclusions The frequency of FFR‐dPRWFP discordance was significantly associated with sex, which may indicate potential shift of optimal threshold of either FFR or dPRWFP, or both of them, according to sex.

Background Sex‐specific differences may influence prognosis after deferred revascularization following fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement. This study sought to investigate the sex differences in long‐term prognosis of patients with deferred revascularization following FFR assessment. Methods and Results A total of 879 patients (879 vessels) with deferred revascularization with FFR >0.75 who underwent FFR and coronary flow reserve measurements were enrolled from 3 countries (Korea, Japan, and Spain). Long‐term outcomes were assessed in 649 men and 230 women by the patient‐oriented composite outcome (POCO, a composite of any death, any myocardial infarction, and any revascularization). We applied inverse‐probability weighting based on propensity scores to account for differences at baseline between women and men (age, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, diameter stenosis, lesion length, multivessel disease, FFR, coronary flow reserve. The median follow‐up duration was 1855 days (745–1855 days). Median FFR values were 0.88 (0.83–0.93) in men and 0.89 (0.85–0.94) in women, respectively. The occurrences of POCO were significantly high in men compared with that in women (10.5% versus 4.2%, P=0.007). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that women had a significantly lower risk of POCO (χ2=7.2, P=0.007). Multivariate COX proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that age, male, diabetes mellitus, diameter stenosis, lesion length, and coronary flow reserve were independent predictors of POCO. After applying IPW, the hazard ratio of males for POCO was 2.07 (95% CI, 1.07–4.04, P=0.032). Conclusions This large multinational study reveals that long‐term outcome differs between women and men in favor of women after FFR‐guided revascularization deferral. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02186093.

Coronary flow is expected to increase by epicardial lesion modification after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in stable angina. According to the concept of fractional flow reserve (FFR), the improvement in FFR after PCI reflects the extent of coronary flow increase. However, this theory assumes that hyperaemic microvascular resistance does not change after PCI, which is being refuted in recent studies. The authors quantitated regional absolute coronary blood flow (ABF) before and after PCI using a thermodilution method and compared it with FFR in 28 patients with stable coronary artery disease who had undergone successful PCI. Although FFR indicated changes in ABF, with a mean difference of −5.5 ml/min, there was no significant relationship between individual changes in FFR and in ABF (R=0.27, p=0.16). The discrepancy was partly explained by changes in microvascular resistance following PCI. These results suggest that changes in FFR do not necessarily indicate an increase in absolute coronary blood flow following PCI in individual patients, although they could be correlated in a cohort level.

Background Although most coronary thromboses occur on the surface of lipid‐rich plaque (LRP) with plaque rupture (PR), previous pathological and optical coherence tomography studies demonstrated diversity in the morphological characteristics of culprit plaque underlying the thrombus, including lesions with intact fibrous cap (IFC). We investigated the clinical significance of IFC in relation to the presence or absence of LRP observed via optical coherence tomography in culprit lesions of acute coronary syndrome. Methods and Results We investigated 510 patients with acute coronary syndrome who underwent optical coherence tomography for the culprit lesion. Optical coherence tomography analysis included the presence or absence of PR, which were categorized into the PR group and the IFC group, respectively. The IFC group was further categorized on the basis of the presence of LRP. Incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and clinically driven remote revascularizations, was compared. Culprit lesions were categorized into 328 PRs and 182 IFCs. MACEs occurred in 85 patients (16.7%) during the median follow‐up duration of 621 days. LRP was detected in 325 lesions (99%) with PR, whereas 60 (33.0%) of the lesions with IFC did not show LRP. Kaplan‐Meier analysis revealed significantly lower MACEs in the IFC group compared with the PR group. Furthermore, the IFC group without LRP showed significantly lower MACEs compared with the IFC group with LRP. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated that IFC without LRP was an independent predictor of better prognosis. Conclusions Exclusion of LRP underneath IFC culprit lesions in acute coronary syndrome may predict a lower risk of future MACEs.

BackgroundDespite a moderate correlation between angiographical stenosis and physiological significance, the mechanism of discordance has not been fully elucidated, particularly regarding the significance of microvascular function. This study sought to clarify whether microvascular function affects visual‐functional mismatch between quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and fractional flow reserve (FFR). Methods and ResultsWe assessed QCA, FFR, coronary flow reserve, and the index of microcirculatory resistance in 849 non‐left‐main coronary lesions with visually estimated intermediate stenoses from 532 patients. Clinical and lesion‐specific characteristics and physiological parameters associated with mismatch and reverse mismatch were studied. Coronary flow reserve and index of microcirculatory resistance showed a weak, but significant, correlation with FFR (R=0.306, P50%). Among visually nonsignificant lesions, FFR ≤0.80 (reverse mismatch) was observed in 129 lesions (30.6%). Among visually significant lesions, FFR >0.80 (mismatch) were observed in 179 lesions (41.9%). The significant predictors of reverse mismatch were male sex, nonculprit lesions of acute coronary syndrome, left anterior descending artery location, smaller QCA reference diameter, greater QCA‐DS, lower coronary flow reserve, and lower index of microcirculatory resistance. Mismatch was associated with right coronary artery location, greater QCA reference diameter, smaller QCA‐DS, lesion length, higher coronary flow reserve, and higher index of microcirculatory resistance. ConclusionsThere was a high prevalence of visual‐functional mismatches between QCA and FFR. The discrepancy was related to clinical characteristics, lesion‐specific factors, and microvascular resistance that was undistinguishable by coronary angiography, thus suggesting the importance of physiological lesion assessment.

Percutaneous directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) is a plaque debulking method performed in Japan, and recently a renewed DCA device has been launched. We present a case with a tight left anterior descending lesion undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with application of DCA. After several sessions of DCA, white plaques accompanied by green, stringed materials were obtained from the device; some materials were considerably long (approximately 15 mm in length). A drug-eluting stent was subsequently implanted, and the procedure was completed successfully without any complications. The extracted plaques and artificial materials were pathologically examined, and no inflammatory changes were detected on plaques adjacent to the material. Assessing pathological findings and structure of the DCA catheter, the obtained artificial materials were considered as peeled guidewire, possibly resulting from the friction between the guidewire and metallic bearing in the housing of DCA catheter. Of note, this phenomenon has been recognized even in other DCA cases in which guidewires of the other kind are used. We report this phenomenon for the first time, warning of theoretically possible distal embolization of artificial materials caused by any debulking devices.

BackgroundFractional flow reserve (FFR) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) are well‐validated physiological indices; however, changes in FFR and CFR after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain elusive. We sought to evaluate these changes and to investigate whether physiological indices predict cardiac event‐free survival after PCI. Methods and ResultsPhysiological assessment of 220 stenoses from 220 patients was performed before and after PCI. The changes in FFR and CFR were studied, and factors associated with CFR change were investigated. Follow‐up data were collected to determine the predictor of cardiac events. CFR increase was found in 158 (71.8%) territories, and 62 (28.2%) presented a decrease, whereas FFR increased in all 220 (100%) territories. Pre‐ and post‐PCI percentage diameter stenoses were 57.7±11.2% and 7.48±4.79%, respectively. Post‐PCI CFR increase was associated with pre‐PCI indices including low FFR, low CFR and high microvascular resistance, and post‐PCI hyperemic coronary flow increase. Post‐PCI CFR decrease was not associated with significant post‐PCI hyperemic coronary flow increase. At a median follow‐up of 24.3 months, adverse event–free survival was significantly worse in patients with lower pre‐PCI CFR (log‐rank test λ2=7.26; P=0.007). Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that lower pre‐PCI CFR (hazard ratio 0.73; 95% CI 0.55–0.97; P=0.028) was an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events after PCI. ConclusionsCFR decrease after PCI was not uncommon, and discordant change in FFR and CFR was associated with high pre‐PCI CFR, low pre‐PCI microvascular resistance, and no significant post‐PCI hyperemic coronary flow increase. Pre‐PCI CFR, not post‐PCI physiological indices, may help identify patients who require adjunctive management strategy after successful PCI.

The reverse CART technique provides the potential to modify the retrograde procedure by improving the controlled movement of the retrograde wire and improve the success rates of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO). Development of interventricular hematoma is a rare complication of CTO PCI. A 63-year-old man with effort angina with a right coronary artery CTO lesion underwent PCI by retrograde approach from the LAD to a septal branch. A contrast “stain” was demonstrated surrounding the septal collateral channel used for the retrograde approach at the end of the procedure without symptom. Echocardiography indicated an increased interventricular septum thickness with low echo signals region and decreased contractility. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging using gadolinium showed a diffusely thickened septum with a low signal fusiform neocavitation delimited by an enhanced-signal ring suggesting intraventricular septal dissecting hematoma. After conservative treatment, follow-up echocardiogram and CMR showed the resolution of the hematoma without clinical events. This case highlights the potentially lethal complication of septal perforator dissection and hematoma that may cause severe myocardial injury caused by retrograde approach for CTO PCI.