Fractional Flow Reserve-Guided PCI as Compared with Coronary Bypass Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients with three-vessel coronary artery disease have been found to have better outcomes with coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) than with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but studies in which PCI is guided by measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR) have been lacking. METHODS: In this multicenter, international, noninferiority trial, patients with three-vessel coronary artery disease were randomly assigned to undergo CABG or FFR-guided PCI with current-generation zotarolimus-eluting stents. The primary end point was the occurrence within 1 year of a major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular event, defined as death from any cause, myocardial infarction, stroke, or repeat revascularization. Noninferiority of FFR-guided PCI to CABG was prespecified as an upper boundary of less than 1.65 for the 95% confidence interval of the hazard ratio. Secondary end points included a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke; safety was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 1500 patients underwent randomization at 48 centers. Patients assigned to undergo PCI received a mean (±SD) of 3.7±1.9 stents, and those assigned to undergo CABG received 3.4±1.0 distal anastomoses. The 1-year incidence of the composite primary end point was 10.6% among patients randomly assigned to undergo FFR-guided PCI and 6.9% among those assigned to undergo CABG (hazard ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1 to 2.2), findings that were not consistent with noninferiority of FFR-guided PCI (P = 0.35 for noninferiority). The incidence of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke was 7.3% in the FFR-guided PCI group and 5.2% in the CABG group (hazard ratio, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.9 to 2.1). The incidences of major bleeding, arrhythmia, and acute kidney injury were higher in the CABG group than in the FFR-guided PCI group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with three-vessel coronary artery disease, FFR-guided PCI was not found to be noninferior to CABG with respect to the incidence of a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or repeat revascularization at 1 year. (Funded by Medtronic and Abbott Vascular; FAME 3 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02100722.).

Fractional Flow Reserve-Guided PCI or Coronary Bypass Surgery for 3-Vessel Coronary Artery Disease: 3-Year Follow-Up of the FAME 3 Trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies comparing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with multivessel coronary disease not involving the left main have shown significantly lower rates of death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke after CABG. These studies did not routinely use current-generation drug-eluting stents or fractional flow reserve (FFR) to guide PCI. METHODS: FAME 3 (Fractional Flow Reserve versus Angiography for Multivessel Evaluation) is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, international, randomized trial involving patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease (not involving the left main coronary artery) in 48 centers worldwide. Patients were randomly assigned to receive FFR-guided PCI using zotarolimus drug-eluting stents or CABG. The prespecified key secondary end point of the trial reported here is the 3-year incidence of the composite of death, MI, or stroke. RESULTS: A total of 1500 patients were randomized to FFR-guided PCI or CABG. Follow-up was achieved in >96% of patients in both groups. There was no difference in the incidence of the composite of death, MI, or stroke after FFR-guided PCI compared with CABG (12.0% versus 9.2%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.3 [95% CI, 0.98-1.83]; P=0.07). The rates of death (4.1% versus 3.9%; HR, 1.0 [95% CI, 0.6-1.7]; P=0.88) and stroke (1.6% versus 2.0%; HR, 0.8 [95% CI, 0.4-1.7]; P=0.56) were not different. MI occurred more frequently after PCI (7.0% versus 4.2%; HR, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.1-2.7]; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: At 3-year follow-up, there was no difference in the incidence of the composite of death, MI, or stroke after FFR-guided PCI with current-generation drug-eluting stents compared with CABG. There was a higher incidence of MI after PCI compared with CABG, with no difference in death or stroke. These results provide contemporary data to allow improved shared decision-making between physicians and patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique identifier: NCT02100722.

Effects of complete revascularization according to age in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel disease (COMPLETE-AGE).

BACKGROUND: In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), complete revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces major cardiovascular events compared with culprit-lesion-only PCI. Whether age influences these results remains unknown. METHODS: COMPLETE was a multinational, randomized trial evaluating a strategy of staged complete revascularization, consisting of angiography-guided PCI of all suitable nonculprit lesions, versus a strategy of culprit-lesion-only PCI. In this prespecified subgroup analysis, treatment effect according to age (≥65 years vs <65 years) was determined for the first coprimary outcome of cardiovascular (CV) death or new myocardial infarction (MI) and the second coprimary outcome of CV death, new MI, or ischemia-driven revascularization (IDR). Median follow-up was 35.8 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 27.6-44.3 months). RESULTS: Of 4,041 patients randomized in COMPLETE, 1,613 were aged ≥ 65 years (39.9%). Higher event rates were observed for both coprimary outcomes in patients aged ≥ 65 years comparted with those aged < 65 years (11.2% vs 7.9%, HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.22-1.83; 14.4% vs 11.8%, HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.07-1.52, respectively). Complete revascularization reduced the first coprimary outcome in patients ≥ 65 years (9.7% vs 12.5%, HR 0.77; 95% CI, 0.58-1.04) and < 65 years (6.7% vs 9.1%, HR 0.72; 95% CI, 0.54-0.96)(interaction P = .74). The second coprimary outcome was reduced in those ≥ 65 years (HR 0.56, 95% CI, 0.43-0.74) and < 65 years (HR 0.48, 95% CI, 0.37-0.61 (interaction P = .37). A sensitivity analysis was performed with consistent results demonstrated using a 75-year threshold (albeit attenuated). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with STEMI and multivessel CAD, complete revascularization compared with culprit-lesion-only PCI reduced major cardiovascular events regardless of patient age and could be considered as a revascularization strategy in older adults.

Secondary syphilis presenting with aortitis and coronary ostial occlusion.

Aortitis is an established manifestation of tertiary syphilis. We report a rare case of aortitis with ostial occlusion and left ventricular failure in secondary syphilis. Her management required a true multidisciplinary approach from multiple specialities due to complications of concomitant psychosis and a history of anaphylaxis to penicillin. This case illustrates the complexities of diagnosing and managing a rare presentation of this increasingly prevalent infection.

Joint British Societies' guideline on management of cardiac arrest in the cardiac catheter laboratory.

More than 300 000 procedures are performed in cardiac catheter laboratories in the UK each year. The variety and complexity of percutaneous cardiovascular procedures have both increased substantially since the early days of invasive cardiology, when it was largely focused on elective coronary angiography and single chamber (right ventricular) permanent pacemaker implantation. Modern-day invasive cardiology encompasses primary percutaneous coronary intervention, cardiac resynchronisation therapy, complex arrhythmia ablation and structural heart interventions. These procedures all carry the risk of cardiac arrest.We have developed evidence-based guidelines for the management of cardiac arrest in adult patients in the catheter laboratory. The guidelines include recommendations which were developed by collaboration between nine professional and patient societies that are involved in promoting high-quality care for patients with cardiovascular conditions. We present a set of protocols which use the skills of the whole catheter laboratory team and which are aimed at achieving the best possible outcomes for patients who suffer a cardiac arrest in this setting. We identified six roles and developed a treatment algorithm which should be adopted during cardiac arrest in the catheter laboratory. We recommend that all catheter laboratory staff undergo regular training for these emergency situations which they will inevitably face.

Substrate for the Myocardial Inflammation-Heart Failure Hypothesis Identified Using Novel USPIO Methodology.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify where ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIO) locate to in myocardium, develop a methodology that differentiates active macrophage uptake of USPIO from passive tissue distribution; and investigate myocardial inflammation in cardiovascular diseases. BACKGROUND: Myocardial inflammation is hypothesized to be a key pathophysiological mechanism of heart failure (HF), but human evidence is limited, partly because evaluation is challenging. USPIO-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) potentially allows specific identification of myocardial inflammation but it remains unclear what the USPIO-MRI signal represents. METHODS: Histological validation was performed using a murine acute myocardial infarction (MI) model. A multiparametric, multi-time-point MRI methodology was developed, which was applied in patients with acute MI (n = 12), chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy (n = 7), myocarditis (n = 6), dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 5), and chronic sarcoidosis (n = 5). RESULTS: USPIO were identified in myocardial macrophages and myocardial interstitium. R1 time-course reflected passive interstitial distribution whereas multi-time-point R2* was also sensitive to active macrophage uptake. R2*/R1 ratio provided a quantitative measurement of myocardial macrophage infiltration. R2* behavior and R2*/R1 ratio were higher in infarcted (p = 0.001) and remote (p = 0.033) myocardium in acute MI and in chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy (infarct: p = 0.008; remote p = 0.010), and were borderline higher in DCM (p = 0.096), in comparison to healthy controls, but were no different in myocarditis or sarcoidosis. An R2*/R1 threshold of 25 had a sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 83%, respectively, for detecting active USPIO uptake. CONCLUSIONS: USPIO are phagocytized by cardiac macrophages but are also passively present in myocardial interstitium. A multiparametric multi-time-point MRI methodology specifically identifies active myocardial macrophage infiltration. Persistent active macrophage infiltration is present in infarcted and remote myocardium in chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy, providing a substrate for HF.

In vitro and in vivo studies on thermistor-based intracoronary temperature measurements: effect of pressure and flow.

BACKGROUND: Intracoronary thermography has been proposed to detect vulnerable plaques. We hypothesized that changes in coronary pressure and flow in the coronary tree may interfere with the temperature measurements obtained with thermistors. METHODS AND RESULTS: First, a very close correlation was found in vitro between the temperature measured by a thermocouple and by a thermistor-based temperature measuring guide wire (PressureWire, PW) over a large temperature range. Second, the PW was tested in a vitro low pressure model of "hot plaque". The sensor of the PW could detect changes in temperature of the wall of 0.5 degrees C as long as the distance from the wall was less than 0.5 mm and the flow less than 60 mL/min. Third, in 18 patients with an acute myocardial infarction, intracoronary pressure and temperature variations were assessed. Although crossing the occlusion, the temperature rose by 0.059 +/- 0.02 degrees C and this increase was correlated with the distal coronary pressure (r = 0.72, P < 0.001). Fourth, a balloon coronary occlusion (BCO) with the sensor distally in the distal part of the vessel (low flow/low pressure conditions) systematically induced an increase in temperature (0.14 +/- 0.07 degrees C) while with the sensor proximally to the balloon occlusion (low flow/normal pressure conditions), no change occurred. CONCLUSION: Taken together these observations suggest that thermistor-based sensors are not suited for assessing thermal heterogeneity in the vascular wall and that the data obtained so far in patients with acute coronary syndromes might have been flawed by pressure (and flow) artifacts.

Timing of Staged Nonculprit Artery Revascularization in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: COMPLETE Trial.

BACKGROUND: The COMPLETE (Complete vs Culprit-only Revascularization to Treat Multi-vessel Disease After Early PCI for STEMI) trial demonstrated that staged nonculprit lesion percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduced major cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of nonculprit-lesion PCI timing on major CV outcomes and also the time course of the benefit of complete revascularization. METHODS: Following culprit-lesion PCI, 4,041 patients with STEMI and multivessel CAD were randomized to staged nonculprit-lesion PCI or culprit-lesion only PCI. Randomization was stratified according to investigator-planned timing of nonculprit-lesion PCI: during or after the index hospitalization. The first coprimary outcome was the composite of CV death or myocardial infarction (MI). In pre-specified analyses, hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for each time stratum. Landmark analyses of the entire population were performed within 45 days and after 45 days. RESULTS: For nonculprit-lesion PCI planned during the index hospitalization (actual time: median 1 day), CV death or MI was reduced with complete revascularization compared with culprit-lesion only PCI (HR: 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59 to 1.00). For nonculprit lesion PCI planned to occur after hospital discharge (actual time: median 23 days), CV death or MI was also reduced with complete revascularization (HR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.97; interaction p = 0.62). Landmark analyses demonstrated an HR of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.59 to 1.24) during the first 45 days and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.54 to 0.89) from 45 days to the end of follow-up for intended nonculprit lesion PCI versus culprit lesion only PCI. CONCLUSIONS: Among STEMI patients with multivessel disease, the benefit of complete revascularization over culprit-lesion only PCI was consistent irrespective of the investigator-determined timing of nonculprit-lesion intervention. The benefit of complete revascularization on hard clinical outcomes emerged mainly over the long term.

Relation of low response to clopidogrel assessed with point-of-care assay to periprocedural myonecrosis in patients undergoing elective coronary stenting for stable angina pectoris.

Impaired responses to antiplatelet therapy assessed by laboratory tests are associated with an increased risk of recurrent ischemic events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study was designed to determine the relation between responses to aspirin and clopidogrel as assessed by a point-of-care assay (Verify Now, Accumetrics, San Diego, California) and periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) in patients undergoing elective PCI for stable angina. One hundred twenty-two consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary stenting prospectively received aspirin 500 mg and clopidogrel 600 mg >or=12 hours before PCI. Clopidogrel response was measured with P2Y12 reaction units (PRUs) and percent inhibition P2Y12 from baseline (percent inhibition P2Y12) and aspirin response with aspirin reaction units (ARUs). Troponin T level was considered positive if it was >0.03 ng/ml. Responses to aspirin and clopidogrel were correlated (r=0.42, p <0.0001). PMI occurred in 27 patients (22%) who showed significantly lower percent inhibition P2Y12 (25.3+/-26 vs 38.3+/-25, p=0.01) and a trend toward higher PRU values (221+/-87 vs 193+/-94, p=0.21). We did not find any difference for aspirin response as assessed by ARUs in patients with or without PMI (460+/-82 vs 454+/-73, p = 0.82). Stratification of percent inhibition P2Y12 isolated a quartile of clopidogrel nonresponders (inhibition P2Y12 <15%) with significantly higher incidence of PMI (44% vs 15%, odds ratio 4.6, 95% confidence interval 1.9 to 11.5, p=0.001). In conclusion, point-of-care assessment of clopidogrel response reliably predicted PMI after low- to medium-risk elective PCI for stable angina.

Flow cytometric analysis of circulating platelet-monocyte aggregates in whole blood: methodological considerations.

Platelet-monocyte aggregates are increasingly being used to quantify platelet activation. The variables that influence platelet-monocyte aggregates have not been well defined. We sought to determine the effect of blood collection, handling and processing techniques on detected levels of platelet-monocyte aggregates using a flow cytometric assay. Whole blood was labelled with anti-CD14-PE and anti-CD42a-FITC. Thereafter, samples were fixed and red cells lysed. Analysis was performed with the flow cytometer initially triggering on light scatter and then on FL-2 to identify CD14-PE positive monocytes. Platelet-monocyte aggregates were defined as monocytes positive for CD42a. The effect of collection, handling and processing techniques on this assay were assessed. Anticoagulation with heparin (20.1 +/- 2.0%), PPACK (16.8 +/- 1.9%), sodium citrate (12.3 +/- 1.6%) and EDTA (9.5 +/- 1.0%) resulted in markedly different levels of platelet-monocyte aggregation (P < 0.0001). Platelet-monocyte aggregation was higher in samples obtained from intravenous cannulae compared to those obtained by venepuncture (20.9 +/- 3.9% vs.13.8 +/- 2.4%, P = 0.03). For every 10 minutes of delay prior to processing platelet-monocyte aggregates increased by 2.8% (P = 0.0001) in PPACK anticoagulated blood and 1.7% (P = 0.01) in citrate anticoagulated blood. Erythrocyte lysis together with fixation does not affect platelet-monocyte aggregation. Platelet-monocyte aggregates remained stable over 24 hours when fixed and stored at 4 degrees C. Multiple handling and processing factors may affect platelet-monocyte aggregation. We recommend the measurement of platelet-monocyte aggregates on samples collected by direct venepuncture, using a direct thrombin inhibitor as the anticoagulant and minimising the time delay before sample fixation.

Increased platelet binding to circulating monocytes in acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Present therapies for acute coronary syndromes aim toward limiting platelet-platelet adhesion and aggregation processes. However, platelet-leukocyte interactions may contribute importantly to disease progression in the arterial wall. Recent studies suggest that prevention of platelet-leukocyte binding via P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) may be beneficial in animal models of vascular injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: P-selectin-PSGL-1 interactions were found to account for most platelet-monocyte binding observed in peripheral blood samples from healthy donors. However, a significant component of observed adhesion was calcium independent, involving neither PSGL-1 nor P-selectin. Platelet-monocyte interactions were examined in 52 patients admitted within 14 hours of symptom onset, with acute coronary syndromes defined as unstable angina (n=12) and acute myocardial infarction (n=13) or noncardiac chest pain (n=27). When compared with patients with noncardiac chest pain, significantly elevated levels of platelet-monocyte binding were found in patients with acute myocardial infarction (70.1+/-15.4% versus 45.4+/-23.3%; P<0.01) and unstable angina (67.4+/-12.9% versus 45.4+/-23.3%; P>0.01). Calcium-independent platelet-monocyte binding was significantly elevated in myocardial infarction patients alone (14.7+/-7.7% versus 6.1+/-5.96%; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence for a significant P-selectin-independent molecular component to the platelet-monocyte conjugation observed in peripheral blood. Patients with myocardial infarction and unstable angina demonstrate increased total binding of platelets to monocytes. Additionally, calcium-independent adhesion was significantly elevated in patients with evidence of myocardial infarction. These findings demonstrate that novel cation-independent adhesion mechanisms may mediate platelet-monocyte binding, representing a new therapeutic target after vascular injury associated with myocardial infarction.

Monocyte-platelets aggregates as cellular biomarker of endothelium-dependent coronary vasomotor dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease.

Monocyte-platelet aggregates (MPA) are increased in patients with acute coronary syndrome. We investigated whether MPA are associated with the presence of functionally significant coronary stenoses or with coronary arterial endothelial dysfunction. One hundred forty five patients undergoing elective coronary angiography were prospectively enrolled. Functional significance of coronary stenosis was assessed by fractional flow reserve (FFR). Thirty randomly selected patients underwent pacing protocol to evaluate Coronary endothelium-dependent vasomotor function (CVF). Whole blood was drawn to evaluate MPA. In patients with FFR ≤ 0.8 (FFRpos, n = 75), MPA did not significantly differ from FFR >0.8 patients (FFRneg, n = 70) (38.1% [25.7-56.6] vs. 34.0% [20.5-49.9], p = 0.08). CVF was similar in FFRpos and FFRneg patients (percent vessel diameter change, %VDC = 7.19 % [6.01-10.9] vs. 8.0 % [0.81-9.80], p = 0.78). Yet, patients with abnormal CVF showed higher MPA as compared to patients with preserved CVF (28.3% [28.8-53.4] vs. 20.5 % [17.0-32.9], p = 0.01). Moreover, MPA was inversely correlated with %VDC (R2 = 0.26, p < 0.01). MPA levels are significantly higher in patients with abnormal coronary vasomotor function regardless of the presence of functionally significant coronary stenosis.

Multiparametric cardiovascular magnetic resonance assessment of cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the diagnostic performance of multiparametric cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for detecting cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) using contemporary invasive epicardial artery and microvascular assessment techniques as reference standards, and to compare the performance of CMR with that of angiography. BACKGROUND: CAV continues to limit the long-term survival of heart transplant recipients. Coronary angiography has a Class I recommendation for CAV surveillance and annual or biannual surveillance angiography is performed routinely in most centers. METHODS: All transplant recipients referred for surveillance angiography at a single UK center over a 2-year period were prospectively screened for study eligibility. Patients prospectively underwent coronary angiography followed by coronary intravascular ultrasound, fractional flow reserve, and index of microcirculatory resistance. Within 1 month, patients underwent multiparametric CMR, including assessment of regional and global ventricular function, absolute myocardial blood flow quantification, and myocardial tissue characterization. In addition, 10 healthy volunteers underwent CMR. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were recruited, median 7.1 years (interquartile range: 4.6 to 10.3 years) since transplantation. The CMR myocardial perfusion reserve was the only independent predictor of both epicardial (ß = -0.57, p < 0.001) and microvascular disease (ß = -0.60, p < 0.001) on stepwise multivariable regression. The CMR myocardial perfusion reserve significantly outperformed angiography for detecting moderate CAV (area under the curve, 0.89 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79 to 1.00] vs. 0.59 [95% CI: 0.42 to 0.77], p = 0.01) and severe CAV (area under the curve, 0.88 [95% CI: 0.78 to 0.98] vs. 0.67 [95% CI: 0.52 to 0.82], p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CAV, including epicardial and microvascular components, can be detected more accurately using noninvasive CMR-based absolute myocardial blood flow assessment than with invasive coronary angiography, the current clinical surveillance technique.

Effect of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation on endothelial function, endogenous fibrinolysis and platelet activation in male cigarette smokers.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of ω-3 fatty acids on endothelial function, fibrinolysis and platelet function are uncertain. We investigated the effects of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation on endothelial vasomotor function, endogenous fibrinolysis, and platelet and monocyte activation in healthy cigarette smokers; a group at increased risk of myocardial infarction. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: Twenty cigarette smokers were recruited into a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation. INTERVENTION: ω-3 fatty acid supplements (2 g/day) or placebo for a 6-week period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Peripheral blood was taken for analysis of platelet and monocyte activation, and forearm blood flow (FBF) was assessed in a subset of 12 smokers during intrabrachial infusions of acetylcholine, substance P and sodium nitroprusside. Stimulated plasma tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) concentrations were measured during substance P infusion. RESULTS: All vasodilators caused dose-dependent increases in FBF (p<0.0001). Compared with placebo, ω-3 fatty acid supplementation led to greater endothelium-dependent vasodilatation with acetylcholine and substance P (p=0.0032 and p=0.056). Substance P caused a dose-dependent increase in plasma t-PA concentrations (p<0.0001) that was greater after ω-3 fatty acid supplementation compared with placebo (8.8±2.3 IU ml(-1) vs 3.6±1.1 IU ml(-1); p=0.029). ω-3 fatty acids did not affect platelet-monocyte aggregation, platelet P-selectin or CD40L, or monocyte CD40. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated for the first time that ω-3 fatty acids augment acute endothelial t-PA release and improve endothelial vasomotor function in cigarette smokers. Improved endogenous fibrinolysis and endothelial function may represent important mechanisms through which ω-3 fatty acids confer potential cardiovascular benefits.

Effect of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation on endothelial function, endogenous fibrinolysis and platelet activation in patients with a previous myocardial infarction: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The mechanisms through which ω-3 fatty acids reduce adverse cardiac events remain uncertain. We aimed to investigate the effect of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation on endothelial vasomotor function, endogenous fibrinolysis, and platelet and monocyte activation in patients with coronary heart disease. DESIGN: Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. SETTING: Academic cardiac centre. PARTICIPANTS: 20 male patients with a previous myocardial infarction. INTERVENTION: ω-3 Fatty acid supplementation (2 g/day for 6 weeks) versus olive oil placebo. OUTCOME MEASURES: Peripheral blood was taken for analysis of platelet and monocyte activation, and forearm blood flow (FBF) was assessed in a subset of 12 patients during intrabrachial infusions of acetylcholine, substance P and sodium nitroprusside. Stimulated plasma tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) concentrations were measured during substance P infusion. RESULTS: All vasodilators caused dose-dependent increases in FBF (p<0.0001). ω-3 Fatty acid supplementation did not affect endothelium-dependent vasodilation with acetylcholine and substance P compared with placebo (p=0.5 and 0.9). Substance P caused a dose-dependent increase in plasma t-PA concentrations (p<0.0001), which was not affected by ω-3 fatty acid supplementation (p=0.9). ω-3 Fatty acids did not affect platelet-monocyte aggregation, platelet P-selectin or CD40L, or monocyte CD40. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that dietary supplementation with ω-3 fatty acids does not affect endothelial vasomotor function, endothelial t-PA release, or platelet and monocyte activation in patients with coronary heart disease. Cardiac benefits conferred by ω-3 fatty acids in coronary heart disease are unlikely to be mediated through effects on these systems.

Decompensated heart failure secondary to hypocalcaemia post coronary artery bypass grafting.

A man presented with an exacerbation of heart failure following coronary artery bypass grafting. He was found to be severely hypocalcaemic secondary to a combination of decreased parathyroid reserve and severe vitamin D deficiency. On treatment of his hypocalcaemia, all symptoms resolved. This case highlights the importance of recognising that metabolic derangement can affect cardiac function.

Coronary-subclavian steal syndrome: an usual cause of refractory unstable angina.

A 73 year old woman, with previous history of coronary artery bypass grafting, was admitted for refractory unstable angina. The angiography revealed a significant stenosis of the ostium of the left subclavian artery. The patient underwent successful stenting of the subclavian artery and remained symptom free until hospital discharge a few days later.

Dietary intervention with oil rich fish reduces platelet-monocyte aggregation in man.

BACKGROUND: Dietary intake of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular events. The mechanisms for this are uncertain and previous studies investigating effects on platelet function have produced inconsistent results. Platelet-monocyte aggregation is a sensitive marker of platelet activation and may contribute to the initiation and progression of atherothrombosis. This study assessed the effect of dietary intervention with oily fish on platelet-monocyte aggregation in healthy subjects. METHODS: Fourteen subjects had their diet supplemented with 500 g of oil-rich fish per week for 4 weeks. A control group of 14 subjects received no dietary intervention over a 4-week period. Platelet-monocyte aggregates were assessed with flow cytometry. RESULTS: Dietary intervention with fish led to an increase in omega-3 fatty acids in plasma phospholipids (14.2+/-3.4% versus 5.8+/-1.3%, P<0.001). In contrast to the control group, platelet-monocyte aggregates were reduced by 35% following dietary intervention with oily fish (16.0+/-9.0% versus 24.8+/-10.9%, P<0.01), and returned to basal levels 4 weeks after discontinuation of supplementation. There was an inverse correlation between platelet-monocyte aggregation and plasma omega-3 fatty acid concentrations (r=-0.421, P=0.006). There were no changes in the plasma markers of platelet activation, soluble P-selectin or soluble CD40 ligand. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated, for the first time, that dietary intervention with oil-rich fish reduces platelet-monocyte aggregation in man. Our results suggest that reduced platelet activation provides a potential mechanism through which fish oils confer their cardiovascular preventative benefits.

Direct stenting for stable angina pectoris is associated with reduced periprocedural microcirculatory injury compared with stenting after pre-dilation.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a randomized study to compare the effect of direct stenting (DS) and conventional stenting (CS) on post-procedural index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) values. BACKGROUND: Direct stenting has been suggested to reduce periprocedural microcirculatory injury compared with stenting that follows pre-dilation (CS). The index of microcirculatory resistance is a sensitive invasive marker of coronary microvascular resistance. METHODS: Fifty patients admitted for elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included. All patients had stable angina (Canadian Cardiovascular Society class 0.03 ng/ml). Patients with troponin elevation had significantly greater post-PCI IMR values than patients without troponin elevation: 24.7 +/- 13.2 versus 16.9 +/- 10.2; p = 0.04. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing successful coronary stenting for stable angina, DS is associated with reduced microvascular dysfunction induced by PCI as compared with CS.