OXIDATIVE STRESS AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION: Oxidative stress in polycystic ovary syndrome.

In brief: A genetic, epigenetic, and environmental association exists between oxidative stress (OS) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), expressed in a multifaceted clinical profile. This review summarizes and discusses the role of OS in the pathogenesis of PCOS syndrome, focusing on metabolic, reproductive, and cancer complications. Abstract: Oxidative stress (OS), an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in cells, is one of many factors playing essential roles in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is described mainly as a disproportion of reproductive hormones, leading to chronic anovulation and infertility in women. Interestingly, OS in PCOS may be associated with many disorders and diseases. This review focuses on characteristic markers of OS in PCOS and the relationship between OS and PCOS related to insulin resistance (IR), hyperandrogenemia, obesity, chronic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Interestingly, in patients with PCOS, an increase in oxidative status and insufficient compensation of the increase in antioxidant status before any cardiovascular complications are observed. Moreover, free radicals promote carcinogenesis in PCOS patients. However, despite these data, it has not been established whether oxygen stress influences PCOS development or a secondary disorder resulting from hyperglycemia, IR, and cardiovascular and cancer complications in women.

Intra-Right Ventricle Course of the Coronary Arteries on Computed Tomography Angiography.

BACKGROUND: The clinical relevance and anatomic characteristics of intracavitary coronary arteries coursing within the right ventricle (RV) are largely unknown. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to assess the clinical and computed tomographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with intracavitary coronary arteries coursing within RV (intra-RV coronaries). METHODS: Electronic records from a single high-volume cardiac center were retrospectively screened for the presence of intra-RV coronaries among consecutive patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (coronary CTA) from 2008 to 2019. RESULTS: Overall, 31,748 coronary CTA reports were evaluated, and 17 subjects with intra-RV coronaries were identified. None of these patients was referred for subsequent invasive coronary angiography. One patient underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, 1 patient had a history of percutaneous coronary intervention, and 1 patient had a concomitant coronary anomaly: left circumflex coronary artery originating from the right coronary artery. All of the involved coronaries (n = 17) were the left anterior descending coronary arteries (LADs). Typical segmental coronary course within RV was along the border between free RV wall and interventricular septum (beneath interventricular groove), often within trabeculae carneae of the RV. Only the midsegment and distal segment of the LAD traversed within the RV. The mean ± SD distance from the aorta to the coronary entrance into the RV was 74.5 ± 17.1 mm, whereas the mean ± SD intra-RV coronary length was 25.1 ± 14.0 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-RV course of the coronaries in an adult CTA population is an infrequent anatomical variant involving LAD. It may require additional attention during interventional and surgical interventions.

Impact of the Balloon Inflation Time and Pattern on the Coronary Stent Expansion.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the expansion pattern of coronary stents by using different balloon inflation times and pressures. BACKGROUND: The selection of coronary stent size and its proper deployment is crucial in coronary artery interventions, having an impact on the success of the procedure and further therapy. METHODS: Ten pairs of different stents were deployed under nominal pressure using sequential (5, 5, 10, and 10 seconds of repeated inflations, thus 30 seconds of summarized time) and continuous (30 seconds) deployment pattern. After each given time-point, intraluminal stent measurements were performed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). RESULTS: Both in-stent diameters and cross-section areas (CSA) of paired stents measured by OCT at all sequential time-points were significantly smaller compared to given manufacturers charts' values (90% to 94% for diameters and 81% to 88% for CSA, p<0.05). Significant increase of in-stent diameter and CSA was observed across the step-by-step deployment pattern. In-stent lumen measurements were significantly larger when sequential deployment pattern was applied compared to continuous deployment. Additional measurements were also done for overlapping segments of stents, showing smaller in-stent measurements of the latter compared to nonoverlapping segments. Validation of OCT and IVUS measurements using a phantom metallic tube showed perfect reproducibility with OCT and overestimation with IVUS (8% for diameters and 16% for CSA). CONCLUSIONS: Stent diameter after deployment is time-dependent and not only pressure-dependent. Different stent expansion behavior, depending on the applied deployment pattern (sequential and nonsequential), was observed.

Triple Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty for Patients with Recurrent Mitral Valve Stenosis: Long-Term Observations.

BACKGROUND: A third percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) may provide a means of treating symptomatic patients with re-restenosis after successful initial and second valvuloplasties, though data related to the long-term safety and efficacy of a third PMBV are lacking. The study aim was to determine the immediate and long-term clinical outcome in patients who underwent a third PMBV to treat recurrent mitral stenosis. METHODS: Among a total of 1,849 patients who underwent PMBV at the authors' institution, seven females (mean age 38.5 ± 12.2 years at the first procedure) required repeat second and third PMBVs. The mean interval between the first and second valvuloplasties was 6.4 ± 2.5 years, and between the first and third valvuloplasties was 12.5 ± 6.5 years. All procedures were performed using the Inoue balloon system. RESULTS: Second and third PMBVs resulted in a significant increase in mitral valve area (MVA), from 1.1 ± 0.1 cm2 to 1.6 ± 0.2 cm2, and from 1.0 ± 0.2 cm2 to 1.6 ± 0.4 cm2, respectively. However, as mitral degeneration progressed, four patients required mitral valve replacement (MVR) at 9.2 ± 5.8 years (range: 6-18 years) after the third PMBV. The preoperative MVA of these patients was 0.97 ± 0.1 cm2. One patient died due to surgical complications, while the fifth and sixth patients remain under clinical observation. If patients have a fourth recurrence of mitral stenosis they are no longer considered to be suitable candidates for re-PMBV. The seventh patient died at the age of 84 years. CONCLUSIONS: A repeat, third PMBV is a safe and feasible procedure in selected patients with recurrent stenosis after successful first and second valvuloplasties. Although the third procedure provides good immediate results, the long-term outcome is not satisfactory. Nonetheless, a third PMBV would allow MVR surgery to be postponed for a few years.

Immediate results of bifurcational stenting assessed with optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: A tubular stent may adapt with difficulty to coronary bifurcation lesions (CBLs). METHODS: Time domain or frequency domain (FD) optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed to assess strut apposition immediately after stent implantation across four segments inside the bifurcation, in a consecutive series of patients. OCT pullbacks were performed in the main vessel (MV). RESULTS: A total of 13,142 struts in 45 CBL in 41 patients were assessed. Strut malapposition was significantly more frequent in the half bifurcation facing the side-branch (SB) ostium (42.9%) than in the proximal segment of the bifurcation 11.8%, half bifurcation opposite the SB 6.7%, or the distal segment 5.7% (all P < 0.0001). Lesions (n = 15) treated with stenting of both MV and SB had a total higher rate of malapposition than those (n = 30) treated with stenting of the MV only (17.6% vs. 9.5%; P = 0.0014). In latter group, lesions treated with FD-OCT-guided stent implantation (n = 13) presented a lower rate of malapposition than those treated with conventional angiographic-guided stent implantation (n = 17) (7.1% vs. 17.5%; P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In CBL, strut malapposition is particularly high at the SB ostium. However, a strategy of stenting MV only with adjunctive FD-OCT guidance is associated with lower rates of malapposition.

Computed tomographic characteristics of congenital coronary artery fistulas in an adult population.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) are usually congenital coronary artery anomalies of termination. AIMS: This study aimed to assess the prevalence, anatomic characteristics, and clinical significance of CAFs detected by computed tomography (CT) in an adult population. METHODS: We performed 45 817 CT examinations in 39 066 subjects between 2008 and 2020. The electronic database was manually checked using specific keywords to identify patients with CAFs. The CT characteristics of CAFs were evaluated. CAF was defined as clinically significant if it was the most plausible cause of myocardial infarction, infective endocarditis, heart failure, death during follow-up, hospitalization, or if it required either percutaneous or surgical intervention. RESULTS: Of 39 066 patients, 56 CAFs were detected in 42 subjects (20 men, 47.6%) with a prevalence of 0.11%. Most CAFs originated from the right coronary artery (RCA) (48.2%) and drained into the pulmonary artery (PA) (58.9%). CAFs terminating in the PA were more frequently multiple (P <0.001) and tortuous (P <0.001) as compared to CAFs without PA drainage. Clinically significant CAFs, identified in 7 of 42 patients, were more common in younger (P = 0.03) and male (P = 0.04) subjects and had larger lumen area and diameter at the site of origin (P = 0.03, P = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In the unselected adult population undergoing coronary CT angiography, the RCA and the PA are the most common sites of origin and termination of CAFs, respectively. CAFs draining into the PA are more often multiple and tortuous. Clinically meaningful CAFs are larger and most frequently detected in younger and male patients.

Tetralogy of Fallot Associated with Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery. Clinical Implications. / Tetralogia de Fallot Associada a Artéria Subclávia Direita Aberrante. Implicações Clínicas.

Since the first description of Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) in 1671 by Niels Stensen and in 1888 by Étienne-Louis Arthur Fallot, numerous papers have reported on this anomaly, along with its variants and concomitant cardiovascular anomalies. Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) is the most common anomaly of the aortic arch. Different from the left aberrant subclavian artery, occurrence of ARSA in ToF-patients has only casuistically been reported so far. The present study reports on two ToF-patients with ARSA. It is important to note that knowledge of the coexistence of both anomalies has highly practical points during surgical or endovascular corrections of congenital heart defects (including ToF).

Desde a primeira descrição da tetralogia de Fallot (ToF) em 1671 por Niels Stensen e em 1888 por Étienne-Louis Arthur Fallot, vários trabalhos relataram essa anomalia juntamente com suas variantes e anomalias cardiovasculares concomitantes. A artéria subclávia direita aberrante (ASDA) é a anomalia do arco aórtico mais comum. Diferentemente da artéria subclávia esquerda aberrante, a ocorrência de ASDA em pacientes com ToF só foi relatada casuisticamente. Apresentamos dois pacientes de ToF com ASDA. É importante notar que o conhecimento da coexistência das duas anomalias tem pontos muito práticos durante correções endovasculares ou cirúrgicas de defeitos cardíacos congênitos (inclusive ToF).

Prognostic value of computed tomography derived measurements of pulmonary artery diameter for long-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: An increase in pulmonary artery diameter (PAD) on multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) may indicate pulmonary hypertension. We assessed the prognostic value of MDCT-derived measurements of PAD on outcomes after successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). METHODS: Consecutive patients treated with TAVR from February 2013 to October 2017, with a 68.8% rate of new generation valves, underwent pre-interventional MDCT with measurements of PAD (in the widest short-axis within 3 cm of the bifurcation) and ascending aortic diameter (AoD; at the level of the PAD). The PAD/AoD ratio was calculated. Patients with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels ≤46 mg/dl and C-reactive protein levels ≥0.20 mg/dl at baseline were identified as the frail group. One-year mortality was established for all subjects. RESULTS: Among studied 266 patients (median age, 82.0 years; 63.5% women) those who died at 1 year (n = 34; 12.8%) had larger PAD and PAD/AoD (28.9 [5.0] vs. 26.5 [4.6] mm and 0.81 [0.13] vs. 0.76 [0.13] mm vs. the rest of the studied subjects; P = 0.005 and P = 0.02, respectively) but similar AoD. The cutoff value for the PAD to predict 1-year mortality was 29.3 mm (sensitivity, 50%; specificity, 77%; area under the curve, 0.65). Patients with PAD >29.3 mm (n = 72; 27%) had higher 1-year mortality (23.6% vs. 8.8%, log-rank P = 0.001). Baseline characteristics associated with PAD29.3 mm were a bigger body mass index, more frequent diabetes mellitus, more prior stroke/transient ischemic attacks and atrial fibrillation, and lower baseline maximal aortic valve gradient with higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). PAD >29.3 mm and frailty, but not baseline PASP, remained predictive of 1-year mortality in the multivariable model (hazard ratio [HR], 2.221; 95%CI, 1.038-4.753; P = 0.04 and HR, 2.801; 95% CI, 1.328-5.910; P = 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: PAD >29.3 mm on baseline MDCT is associated with higher 1-year mortality after TAVR, independently of echocardiographic measures of PH and frailty.

Comparison of transcatheter aortic valve implantation outcomes in patients younger than 85 years and those aged 85 years or older: a single-center study.

INTRODUCTION: The number of elderly patients requiring treatment of aortic stenosis is expected to grow steadily due to increasing lifespan. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative treat­ ment for patients with aortic stenosis considered nonoptimal candidates for surgical valve replacement. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess age­related differences in 30­day and 1­year cardiovascular mortality, Valve Academic Research Consortium­2 (VARC­2)-defined complications in patients undergoing TAVI, by comparing outcomes in patients younger than 85 years and those aged 85 years or older. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group included patients who underwent TAVI at the Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw from January 2009 to July 2019. Clinical, procedural, and follow­up data were retrospectively collected and compared in 2 groups defined according to age: group 1, younger than 85 years (417) and group 2, aged 85 or older (200). RESULTS: The surgical risk profile assessed by the EuroSCORE II was significantly higher in the group of older patients (median [interquartile range], 6.5% [3.5%-17.3%] vs 7.2% [3.4%-18.1%]; P = 0.002); 30­day and 1­year cardiovascular mortality was 4.3% in group 1 as compared with 5% in group 2 (P = 0.69) and 10.8% in group 1 as compared with 9.4% in group 2 (P = 0.51), respectively. The rate of VARC­2­defined complications was similar in both groups, with the exception of major vascular com­ plications (3.12% vs 8.5%; P = 0.004) and major bleeding (10.8% vs 18.5%; P = 0.008), which were more prevalent in older patients. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular mortality at 1 month and 1 year following TAVI is similar in patients aged 85 years or older and in those younger than 85 years.

Reduced kidney function estimated by cystatin C and clinical outcomes in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease: association with homocysteine and other cardiovascular risk factors.

AIMS: To evaluate the association between serum cystatin C and homocysteine concentrations, cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: 260 patients with hypertension and CAD (mean age 56.9 +/- 9.3) were included. During a mean 40-month follow-up the combined end-point of death from all causes, non-fatal myocardial infarction and stroke or coronary revascularization was assessed. RESULTS: Subjects in the highest serum cystatin C quartile (>103.4 nmol/l) as compared with the lowest were older, were characterized by a higher frequency of multivessel CAD, higher levels of homocysteine (13.2 +/- 5.2 vs. 11.4 +/- 4.2 micromol/l; p < 0.01), fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and by an increased intima-media thickness. Combined end-point occurred twice as frequently in the 4th quartile of serum cystatin C as compared with the 1st quartile (10.8 vs. 20.3%; p = 0.11). In an univariate analysis, but not in a multivariate model, cystatin C concentration predicted the combined end-point (Exp(B) = 1.096; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In hypertensive patients with CAD, serum cystatin C level was independently associated with the extent of CAD, homocysteine plasma level and traditional vascular risk factors. However, serum cystatin C concentration did not independently predict the combined end-point.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with previous mitral valve replacement. A systematic study.

INTRODUCTION: Severe aortic stenosis (AS) is an ever-growing healthcare problem in ageing populations. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has revolutionized the treatment of AS. However, TAVI in patients who have undergone mitral valve replacement (MVR) is associated with increased risk of mitral valve damage. Limited data exist on TAVI in patients with AS who underwent MVR in the past. AIM: To retrospectively assess the clinical characteristics, detailed echocardiographic and computed tomography measurements, procedural and in-hospital outcome as well as any valve intervention or major adverse cardiovascular events according to VARC-2 criteria at follow-up of patients with a history of MVR, who underwent TAVI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with a history of mitral valve operation, in whom TAVI was performed between 2010 and 2018, were identified. Of these, 15 underwent previous MVR. RESULTS: Overall, TAVI resulted in a decrease of mean transaortic gradient by 38.3 ±14 mm Hg (p < 0.001) and a decrease of maximal transaortic gradient by 58.6 ±27.6 mm Hg (p < 0.001). A successful immediate result was obtained in 14 (93.3%) patients. One tamponade occurred during TAVI, which was successfully treated with pericardiocentesis. Post-procedurally, no significant changes in transmitral gradients or mitral regurgitations were observed. Two patients died after hospital discharge, one due to possible internal bleeding and the other due to infection. CONCLUSIONS: TAVI in patients after MVR is feasible. Meticulous preinterventional echocardiographic and computed tomography planning is essential. Although recommended in previous reports, TEE guidance may not necessarily be obligatory during the procedure.

Elective versus rescue balloon aortic valvuloplasty for critical aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) may be considered a bridge to further intervention in hemodynamically unstable patients or patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS). AIMS: This study aimed to retrospectively compare periprocedural and in­hospital outcomes of AS patients treated with elective BAV (group 1) and rescue BAV (group 2). METHODS: We identified 35 patients in whom BAV was performed between 2010 and 2018. Among them, 16 were treated electively (group 1) and 19 urgently (group 2). RESULTS: Overall, BAV resulted in a significant decrease in the mean transaortic gradient by a median (interquartile range [IQR]) value of 5 (1-10) mm Hg (P <0.01) and the maximal transaortic gradient by a median (IQR) value of 13.5 (2.5-23.2) mm Hg (P <0.01). Postprocedural grade II aortic regurgitation rates increased from 8.6% to 17.1% (P = 0.48). Periprocedural death occurred in 4 patients (11.4%)-all from group 2 (21%) (P = 0.1). In­hospital death occurred in 15 patients (42.8%)-3 patients (18.7%) from group 1 and 12 patients (63.1%) from group 2 (P <0.01). During follow­up, a single patient underwent surgical aortic valve replacement, and transcatheter aortic valve implantation was performed in 4 individuals. A single patient died 22 months after BAV. CONCLUSIONS: Periprocedural and in­hospital mortality in patients with critical AS treated with BAV remains very high, especially in patients treated urgently.

Inter-ethnic differences in normal coronary anatomy between Caucasian (Polish) and Asian (Korean) populations.

PURPOSE: Little is known about ethnic differences in the size of coronary arteries in disease-free individuals. Our aim was to compare coronary artery dimensions between Asian and Caucasian population without atherosclerosis. METHODS: One hundred and twelve Caucasian patients without any discernible atherosclerosis detected on coronary computed tomography angiography were matched with 112 Asian patients using sex, age, coronary dominance pattern and body surface area (BSA). Maximal and minimal lumen areas (LA) and diameters (LD) of proximal and middle coronary segments were measured, and the mean values were used for analyses. RESULTS: Caucasians had larger LA and LD than Asian patients in all proximal coronary segments. Overall, the mean difference in LA and LD was 11.4 % and 5.2 %, respectively. Significant differences were observed for all proximal segments (left anterior descending: 13 % and 6%, left circumflex 14 % and 8% and right coronary artery 8% and 4% for LA and LD), but not for mid segments. The greatest difference between Caucasians and Asians was found in left main coronary artery (LMCA) LA (21.2 ±â€¯6.5 vs.16.8 ±â€¯5.4 mm2, p < 0.01 respectively). The independent predictors of larger LA and LD of LMCA and proximal coronary segments were male sex (p < 0.05), Caucasian ethnicity (p < 0.05), and left dominance pattern (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In subjects without atherosclerosis, Asians have smaller dimensions of all proximal coronary arteries, most prominently displayed in LMCA, than the Caucasians regardless of age, sex, or body size.

Prevalence and Anatomic Characteristics of Single Coronary Artery Diagnosed by Computed Tomography Angiography.

Single coronary artery (SCA) is a rare congenital anomaly. We assessed the prevalence and anatomic characteristics of SCA diagnosed with coronary computed tomography angiography and compared the dimensions of the proximal SCA trunk with a reference group of 199 subjects with normal coronary arteries. We screened 30,230 patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography from 2008 to 2018 to identify 17 with SCA (age 55 ± 19.0 years, 8 men [47%]). The prevalence of SCA was 0.056%. SCA originated from the right sinus of Valsalva in 11 patients (65%) and from the left sinus of Valsalva in 6 subjects. According to Lipton's classification, the 17 SCAs were L1 (n = 5, 29%), L2-A (n = 1, 6%), R2-A (n = 2, 12%), R2-B (n = 6, 35%), R2-P (n = 2, 12%), and R3 (n = 1, 6%). (Lipton's classification consists of 3 groups and the division is based on the site of origin of SCA ["R" - right, "L" - left sinus of Valsalva] and its anatomical course relating to the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk ["A" - anterior to the pulmonary trunk, "B" - between the aorta and pulmonary trunk, "P" - posterior to the aorta].) As compared with the reference group, SCA patients had shorter proximal trunks (5.0 ± 3.6 mm vs 8.6 ± 4.8 mm, p = 0.0012). The lumen area (LA) and lumen diameter of the proximal trunk in patients with SCA were larger than the LA and lumen diameter of the left main coronary artery from the reference group (49.5 ± 18.0 mm2 vs 21.3 ± 6.5 mm2, p <0.0001, and 7.8 ± 1.6 mm vs 5.1 ± 0.75 mm, p <0.0001, respectively). Moreover, the LA of the proximal SCA trunk was larger than the sum of respective measurement performed in left main coronary artery and proximal right coronary artery segments in the control group (49.5 ± 18.0 mm2 vs 34.0 ± 7.9mm2, p = 0.0001). In conclusion, the incidence of SCA is very low; but this condition is associated with significant enlargement of the proximal vessel segment.

Reduction of left ventricular mass, left atrial size, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level following alcohol septal ablation in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) is an alternative to surgical treatment in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Through alcohol-induced necrosis, ASA leads to an increase in left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter and a decrease in LVOT pressure gradient. AIM: We sought to assess the effect of ASA on left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and mass, left atrial (LA) size, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level. METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 50 patients with HOCM (30 in the ASA group, 20 in the optimal pharmacotherapy group [OPG]). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and NT-proBNP level analysis were performed at baseline and at six months. RESULTS: All parameters are presented as means. In the ASA group, the maximal LVOT pressure gradient decreased from 122.7 to 54.8 mmHg directly after ASA and to 37.2 mmHg after a further six months (p < 0.0001). The NT-proBNP level decreased from 2174.4 to 1103.4 pg/mL (p < 0.001). On TTE, the interventricular septum (IVS) thickness decreased to from 23.6 to 19.4 mm (p < 0.0001) and the lateral wall (LW) thickness decreased from 15.9 to 14.2 mm (p < 0.007). On CMR, basal IVS thickness decreased from 23.7 to 18.0 mm (p < 0.0001) and the LW thickness decreased from 13.2 to 12.2 mm (p = 0.02). IVS mass reduced from 108.9 to 91.5 g (-16%; p < 0.001). All of the above parameters remained unchanged in the OPG. CONCLUSIONS: Successful ASA reduces LV hypertrophy and improves parameters of the LV overload, resulting in LV wall hy-pertrophy regression, and LA size and NT-proBNP level reduction. The above parameters may be as useful in assessing the efficacy of ASA as the LVOT gradient itself.

Mechanisms of Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease: Results From the Optical Coherence Tomography Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess the presence and morphological features of coronary plaques on optical coherence tomography (OCT) as the causes of myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). BACKGROUND: Although coronary atherosclerosis has been postulated as a potential mechanism of MINOCA, the interaction between disrupted coronary plaques and myocardial injury remains unknown. METHODS: In a prospective study, consecutive patients with MI but without significant coronary stenosis (≥50%) at angiography underwent OCT and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with late gadolinium-enhancement (LGE). The infarct-related artery (IRA) was identified by localization of ischemic-type LGE. RESULTS: Thirty-eight MINOCA patients (mean age 62 ± 13 years, 55% female, 39% with ST-segment elevation) were enrolled. Maximal diameter stenosis was 35% by angiography, and 5 patients (13%) had normal angiogram results. Plaque disruption and coronary thrombus were observed in 9 patients (24%) and 7 patients (18%), respectively. Sixteen of 31 patients (52%) undergoing CMR showed LGE. Ischemic-type LGE was present in 7 patients (23%) and was more common in patients with than without plaque disruption (50% vs. 13%, respectively; p = 0.053) and coronary thrombus (67% vs. 12%, respectively; p = 0.014). In the per-lesion analysis, the IRA showed significantly more plaque disruption (40% vs. 6%; p = 0.02), thrombus (50% vs. 4%; p = 0.014), and thin-cap fibroatheroma (70% vs. 30%; p = 0.03) than the non-IRA. CONCLUSIONS: Plaque disruption and thrombus are not uncommon in MI without obstructive coronary stenoses at angiography and may be associated with the presence and location of ischemic-type myocardial injury on CMR. OCT may be valuable in identifying atherosclerotic etiology in individuals with MINOCA. (Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease [SOFT-MI]; NCT02783963).