Association between perivascular inflammation and downstream myocardial perfusion in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

AIMS: To investigate the association between pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) computed tomography (CT) attenuation derived from coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) by positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: PCAT CT attenuation was measured in proximal segments of all major epicardial coronary vessels of 105 patients with suspected CAD. We evaluated the relationship between PCAT CT attenuation and other quantitative/qualitative CT-derived anatomic parameters with CFR by PET. Overall, the mean age was 60 ± 12 years and 93% had intermediate pre-test probability of obstructive CAD. Obstructive CAD (≥50% stenosis) was detected in 37 (35.2%) patients and impaired CFR (<2.0) in 32 (30.5%) patients. On a per-vessel analysis (315 vessels), obstructive CAD, non-calcified plaque volume, and PCAT CT attenuation were independently associated with CFR. In patients with coronary calcium score (CCS) <100, those with high-PCAT CT attenuation presented significantly lower CFR values than those with low-PCAT CT attenuation (2.47 ± 0.95 vs. 3.13 ± 0.89, P = 0.003). Among those without obstructive CAD, CFR was significantly lower in patients with high-PCAT CT attenuation (2.51 ± 0.95 vs. 3.02 ± 0.84, P = 0.021). CONCLUSION: Coronary perivascular inflammation by CTA was independently associated with downstream myocardial perfusion by PET. In patients with low CCS or without obstructive CAD, CFR was lower in the presence of higher perivascular inflammation. PCAT CT attenuation might help identifying myocardial ischaemia particularly among patients who are traditionally considered non-high risk for future cardiovascular events.

Evaluation of peri-implant marginal tissues around tissue-level and bone-level implants in patients with a history of chronic periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical and radiographic characteristics in peri-implant marginal tissues in patients with a history of chronic periodontitis, rehabilitated using tissue-level or bone-level implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using a split-mouth design, 20 patients with a history of chronic periodontitis were selected and received two different implants, tissue-level group (n = 20) and the bone-level group (n = 20). Peri-implant probing depth, relative peri-implant mucosal margin position, relative peri-implant clinical attachment level, peri-implant plaque index and peri-implant bleeding on probing were evaluated at prosthesis installation, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after implant loading. Radiographic marginal bone level was evaluated at implant insertion, prosthesis installation, 6 and 24 months after implant loading. RESULTS: The mean difference of peri-implant marginal bone resorption from implant installation to 24 months in function was 0.75 ± 1.12 mm for the tissue-level group and 0.70 ± 0.72 mm for the bone-level group. No statistically significant difference was found between groups at all assessment periods for clinical and radiographic peri-implant evaluation. CONCLUSION: Under a rigid supportive therapy, both approaches performed likewise regarding clinical and radiographic parameters for rehabilitation of patients with a history of chronic periodontitis.

Early postnatal rat ventricle resection leads to long-term preserved cardiac function despite tissue hypoperfusion.

One-day-old mice display a brief capacity for heart regeneration after apex resection. We sought to examine this response in a different model and to determine the impact of this early process on long-term tissue perfusion and overall cardiac function in response to stress. Apical resection of postnatal rats at day 1 (P1) and 7 (P7) rendered 18 ± 1.0% and 16 ± 1.3% loss of cardiac area estimated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), respectively (P > 0.05). P1 was associated with evidence of cardiac neoformation as indicated by Troponin I and Connexin 43 expression at 21 days postresection, while in the P7 group mainly scar tissue replacement ensued. Interestingly, there was an apparent lack of uniform alignment of newly formed cells in P1, and we detected cardiac tissue hypoperfusion for both groups at 21 and 60 days postresection using SPECT scanning. Direct basal cardiac function at 60 days, when the early lesion is undetectable, was preserved in all groups, whereas under hemodynamic stress the degree of change on LVDEP, Stroke Volume and Stroke Work indicated diminished overall cardiac function in P7 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the End-Diastolic Pressure-Volume relationship and increased interstitial collagen deposition in P7 is consistent with increased chamber stiffness. Taken together, we provide evidence that early cardiac repair response to apex resection in rats also leads to cardiomyocyte neoformation and is associated to long-term preservation of cardiac function despite tissue hypoperfusion.

Cardiac MRI for detection of unrecognized myocardial infarction in patients with end-stage renal disease: comparison with ECG and scintigraphy.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to use the myocardial delayed enhancement technique of cardiac MRI to investigate the frequency of unrecognized myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with end-stage renal disease, to compare the findings with those of ECG and SPECT, and to examine factors that may influence the utility of these methods in the detection of MI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We prospectively performed cardiac MRI, ECG, and SPECT to detect unrecognized MI in 72 patients with end-stage renal disease at high risk of coronary artery disease but without a clinical history of MI. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients (78%) were men (mean age, 56.2 +/- 9.4 years) and 16 (22%) were women (mean age, 55.8 +/- 11.4). The mean left ventricular mass index was 103.4 +/- 27.3 g/m(2), and the mean ejection fraction was 60.6% +/- 15.5%. Myocardial delayed enhancement imaging depicted unrecognized MI in 18 patients (25%). ECG findings were abnormal in five patients (7%), and SPECT findings were abnormal in 19 patients (26%). ECG findings were false-negative in 14 cases and false-positive in one case. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of ECG were 79.2%, 22.2%, and 98.1% (p = 0.002). SPECT findings were false-negative in six cases and false-positive in seven cases. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of SPECT were 81.9%, 66.7%, and 87.0% (not significant). During a period of 4.9-77.9 months, 19 cardiac deaths were documented, but no statistical significance was found in survival analysis. CONCLUSION: Cardiac MRI with myocardial delayed enhancement can depict unrecognized MI in patients with end-stage renal disease. ECG and SPECT had low sensitivity in detection of MI. Infarct size and left ventricular mass can influence the utility of these methods in the detection of MI.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy evaluated by myocardial scintigraphy with 99mTc-MIBI: changes in left ventricular uptake, dyssynchrony, and function.

PURPOSE: (99m)Tc-MIBI gated myocardial scintigraphy (GMS) evaluates myocyte integrity and perfusion, left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony and function. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may improve the clinical symptoms of heart failure (HF), but its benefits for LV function are less pronounced. We assessed whether changes in myocardial (99m)Tc-MIBI uptake after CRT are related to improvement in clinical symptoms, LV synchrony and performance, and whether GMS adds information for patient selection for CRT. METHODS: A group of 30 patients with severe HF were prospectively studied before and 3 months after CRT. Variables analysed were HF functional class, QRS duration, LV ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography, myocardial (99m)Tc-MIBI uptake, LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV), phase analysis LV dyssynchrony indices, and regional motion by GMS. After CRT, patients were divided into two groups according to improvement in LVEF: group 1 (12 patients) with increase in LVEF of 5 or more points, and group 2 (18 patients) without a significant increase. RESULTS: After CRT, both groups showed a significant improvement in HF functional class, reduced QRS width and increased septal wall (99m)Tc-MIBI uptake. Only group 1 showed favourable changes in EDV, ESV, LV dyssynchrony indices, and regional motion. Before CRT, EDV, and ESV were lower in group 1 than in group 2. Anterior and inferior wall (99m)Tc-MIBI uptakes were higher in group 1 than in group 2 (p<0.05). EDV was the only independent predictor of an increase in LVEF (p=0.01). The optimal EDV cut-off point was 315 ml (sensitivity 89%, specificity 94%). CONCLUSION: The evaluation of EDV by GMS added information on patient selection for CRT. After CRT, LVEF increase occurred in hearts less dilated and with more normal (99m)Tc-MIBI uptake.

Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy to predict outcomes after coronary stenting.

The value of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) in predicting the occurrence of restenosis or new coronary lesions after stent implantation is debatable. A total of 47 patients treated with successful bare stent implantation underwent stress gated SPECT MPS at three time-points: pre-procedure, early pos-procedure, and 6-month follow-up. Follow-up angiographic re-study was obtained at 6 months. Overall, 51.1% of patients had angiographic in-stent restenosis or a new lesion at follow-up. Pre-procedure MPS and early MPS scans did not differ between patients with or without restenosis/new lesions. At follow-up transient perfusion defects were observed in 26.1% of patients without restenosis/new lesions and in 75.0% of patients presenting with restenosis/new lesions (p<0.01) (sensitivity: 75.0%; especificity: 73.9%). When comparing early post procedure MPS to follow-up MPS, patients without restenosis/new lesions had no changes or a decrease in the number of segments with transient defects (median difference 0 [interquartile range -2 - 0]), while patients with restenosis/new lesions had an increase in transient defects (+2 [interquartile range 2 - 3.75]; p<0.01). Two multivariate factors independently predicted new lesion/restenosis: reference diameter < 2.9 mm (OR 6.50; p=0.05) and the difference in the number of segments with transient defects between early post procedure and follow-up MPS (OR 1.87; p<0.01). In conclusion, pre-procedure and early MPS did not predict complications after coronary stenting, while follow-up MPS was suboptimal in differentiating patients with or without new lesions/restenosis. However, the change in myocardial perfusion from early post-procedure to the follow-up scan was an important -prognostic factor to predict the incidence of new lesion/restenosis.

Strategy for identifying an efficient dosage of beta-blocker for elderly patients with myocardial ischemia and preserved left ventricular function.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the strategy of titration for prescribing an efficient dosage of propranolol to reduce myocardial ischemia in the elderly. METHODS: The study comprised 14 elderly men (73.6 +/- 5.3 years) with stable coronary heart disease documented on coronary cineangiography, ischemic response to exercise testing, and preserved left ventricular function. Titration was performed to identify the dosage of propranolol that would cause a 15% reduction in heart rate at the end of a 50 W load (corresponding to normal daily activities in the elderly) in weekly exercise tests. Synchronous scintigraphic study of the cardiac chambers was performed at rest and during exercise prior to and after propranolol use. RESULTS: The reductions in heart rate with the 50 W load and at rest were similar (21% vs 20%; P=0.5100). Propranolol improved the duration of exercise (12.2 +/- 2.0 min vs 13.1 +/- 1.8 min; P=0.0313) and abolished the changes in the ST segment induced by exercise in 8 (57%) patients. At rest, the ejection fraction was not modified by the beta-blocker. During maximum exercise, propranolol reduced the end-systolic volume index and increased ejection fraction. CONCLUSION: The strategy of using beta-blockers to reduce heart rate by 15% with a 50 W load is safe and beneficial in the elderly patient with myocardial ischemia and preserved ventricular function. The dose of beta-blocker used reduced myocardial ischemia and improved tolerance to exercise without hampering ventricular performance during maximum exercise.

Estratégia para individualizar uma dose eficiente de betabloqueador em pacientes idosos com isquemia miocárdica e função ventricular esquerda preservada / Strategy for identifying an efficient dosage of beta-blocker for elderly patients with myocardial ischemia and preserved left ventricular function

OBJETIVO: Avaliar estratégia de titulação para prescrever uma dose de propranolol que seria eficiente em reduzir isquemia do miocárdio em idosos. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 14 homens idosos (73,6 ± 5,3 anos), portadores de doença coronariana estável, documentada pela cinecoronariografia, com resposta isquêmica ao teste ergométrico e função ventricular esquerda preservada. O propranolol foi titulado a fim de atingir redução de 15 por cento na freqüência cardíaca, ao final da carga de 50 W (correspondente às atividades diárias normais de idosos), em testes ergométricos semanais e feito estudo cintilográfico sincronizado das câmaras cardíacas, em repouso e durante exercício, antes e após seu uso. RESULTADOS: As reduções da freqüência cardíaca na carga de 50 W e em repouso foram semelhantes (21 por cento vs 20 por cento; p=0,5100). O propranolol melhorou a duração do exercício (12,2 ± 2,0 min vs 13,1 ± 1,8 min; p=0,0313) e aboliu as alterações do segmento ST induzidas pelo exercício em 8 (57 por cento) pacientes. Em repouso, a fração de ejeção não foi modificada pelo betabloqueador. Durante o exercício máximo, o propranolol reduziu o índice de volume sistólico final e aumentou a fração de ejeção. CONCLUSAO: A estratégia de empregar betabloqueadores para reduzir a freqüência cardíaca em 15 por cento na carga de 50 W é segura e benéfica nos idosos com isquemia miocárdica e função ventricular preservada. A dose utilizada reduziu a isquemia miocárdica e melhorou a tolerância ao exercício, sem prejudicar o desempenho ventricular durante exercício máximo.

Estudo da viabilidade miocárdica através do SPECT-Tálio-201: redistribuiçäo convencional versus reinjeçäo / Myocardial Viability Assessed by Tl-201 SPECT. Redistribution Versus Reinjection

Objetivo - Verificar se uma 3ª série de imagens obtidas pela reinjeçäo do tálio-201, 24h após tomografia convencional de perfusäo miocárdica com esse radioisótopo, melhora a identificaçäo de áreas de viabilidade miocárdica. Métodos - Foram estudados 30 pacientes masculinos, com idade média de 57,7 + ou - 9,4 anos, com infarto do miocárdio antigo através de SPECT (single-photon-emission computed tomography) - tálico-201, obtendo-se 3 séries de imagens (estresse, redistribuiçäo após 4h e reinjeçäo após 24h). As imagens foram interpretadas, dividindo-se o coraçäo em 5 paredes(apical, lateral, anterior, septal e inferior(, atribuindo-se a cada uma delas um valor, através de sistema de escore de 4 pontos (0= captaçäo normal; 1=hipocaptaçäo discreta; 2=hipocaptaçäo moderada; 3=hipocaptaçäo acentuada ou ausência de cpataçäo). Foi considerado miocárdio viável quando houve melhora em pelo menos um poto no escore total da parede, em pelo menos duas projeçöes no território relacionado ao infarto (determinado pelo eletrocardiograma de repouso). Resultados - Se (23,3 por cento) pacientes mostraram melhora de captaçäo do radiofármaco, exclusivamente durante a reinjeçäo, denotando melhora na eficácia do método. Nove (30 por cento) apresentaram hipocaptaçäo persistente em todos os momentos, sugerindo fibrose na área relacionada ao infarto. Apresentaram melhora da captaçäo já na redistribuiçäo 14 (46,7 por cento) pacientes e, destes, 6 obtiveram melhora ainda maior na reinjeçäo. Esta condiçäo foi interpretada como processo isquêmico regional crônico, ou seja, miocárdio hibernante. Conclusäo - Imagens de redistribuiçäo hipocaptantes, sem alteraçöes significativas em relaçäo às imagens de estresse, näo necessariamente indicam fibrose. A técnica de reinjeçäo foi superior ao SPECT convencional na detecçäo de miocárdio viável, o que permitiu melhor orientaçäo terapêutica