Diagnostic performance of quantitative flow ratio in non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes in comparison to non-hyperemic pressure ratios: a prospective study.

Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is a new angiography-based coronary physiology tool aimed to evaluate functional relevance of intermediate coronary lesions. Aim of the study is to assess diagnostic performance of QFR in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) in comparison to currently used non-hyperaemic pressure ratios (NHPRs). In this prospective, single-centre study, coronary physiology of intermediate coronary stenoses of non-culprit vessels in patients presenting with NSTE-ACS was evaluated using NHPRs (iFR, DFR or RFR). Subsequently, QFR was computed offline by a QFR analyst blinded to the NHPR results. Diagnostic performance of QFR was assessed in comparison to NHPRs as reference standard. A total of 60 vessels with intermediate coronary stenoses was investigated. The NHPRs were used as follows: RFR 38%, DFR 47% and iFR 15% of the cases. The NHPR result was positive, showing significant lesion, in 19 cases. A significant correlation was found between NHPR and QFR (r = 0.84, p < 0.001). Classification agreement of the two methods (95%) and diagnostic performance of QFR in comparison to NHPR (AUC: 0.962 [0.914-1.00]) were both high. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of QFR in comparison to NHPR were 84.2%, 100%, 100% and 93.2% respectively. QFR has high diagnostic performance in detecting functionally significant lesions of non-culprit arteries in patients with NSTE-ACS and multivessel disease. Due to its high negative predictive value, it can be used to safely avoid unnecessary invasive physiological assessment of these lesions.

Angiography-derived functional assessment of left main coronary stenoses.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of quantitative flow ratio (QFR) in left main (LM) coronary stenoses, using Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) as reference. BACKGROUND: QFR has demonstrated a high accuracy in determining the functional relevance of coronary stenoses in non-LM. However, there is an important paucity of data regarding its diagnostic value in the specific anatomical subset of LM disease. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational, multicenter, international, and blinded study including patients with LM stenoses. Cases with significant ostial LM disease were excluded. QFR was calculated from conventional angiograms at blinded fashion with respect to FFR. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients with LM stenoses were analyzed. Overall, LM had intermediate severity, both from angiographic (diameter stenosis [%DS] 43.8 ± 11.1%) and functional perspective (FFR 0.756 ± 0.105). Mean QFR was 0.733 ± 0.159. Correlation between QFR and FFR was moderate (r = 0.590). Positive and negative predictive value, sensitivity and specificity were 85.4%, 64%, 85.4%, and 69.6% respectively. Classification agreement of QFR and FFR in terms of functional stenosis severity was 78.1%. Area under the receiver operating characteristics of QFR using FFR as reference was 0.82 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.93], and significantly better than angiographic evaluation including %DS (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve [AUC] 0.45 [95% CI, 0.32-0.58], p < 0.001) and minimum lumen diameter (AUC 0.60 [95% CI, 0.47-0.74], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with FFR, QFR has acceptable diagnostic performance in determining the functional relevance of LM stenosis, being better than conventional angiographic assessment. Nonetheless, caution should be taken when applying functional angiography techniques for the assessment of LM stenosis given its particular anatomical characteristics.

Same day discharge after chronic total occlusion interventions: A single center experience.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility and safety of same day discharge (SDD) after chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: CTO PCI has been associated with higher complication rates and procedural and hospitalization costs. Shortening post-PCI hospitalization length not only increases the patients' comfort but at the same time it consists an important part of cost reduction policies. METHODS: We retrospectively compared the 30-day outcomes of patients who underwent CTO PCI at the Red Cross Hospital, Greece between January 2016 and June 2019 and underwent SDD versus non-SDD. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were defined as the composite of death, myocardial infarction, urgent repeat target vessel revascularization, tamponade, and stroke. RESULTS: A total of 173 patients (mean age 63.7 ± 8.9 years) were included, of whom 51 (30%) underwent SDD. SDD patients were less likely to have diabetes mellitus (51 vs. 31%, p = .015), arterial hypertension (89 vs. 67%, p < .001), and acute coronary syndrome presentation (39.7 vs. 21.6%, p = .022), compared with non-SDD patients. Forearm access was used in all SDD patients and in 83% of the non-SDD patients. The 30-day incidence of MACE was 0% in the SDD group and 1.6% in the non-SDD group. Multivariable analysis showed that diabetes mellitus and longer procedural time were associated with lower probability of SDD (OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.73 and OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.71, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: SDD appears to be feasible and safe in selected patients undergoing an uncomplicated CTO PCI through forearm approach.

Triple-Access Retrograde Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention Through Vein Graft and Epicardial Collaterals.

Based on the patient's symptoms and examination, a decision was made to recanalize his totally occluded RCA via retrograde approach through the SVG to the OM. Due to inadequate visualization of the epicardial collaterals and distal RCA via SVG, triple-access was used and injection via left main. In selected CTO cases, triple access may facilitate the retrograde approach, allowing optimal collateral visualization.

Angiography-derived functional assessment of non-culprit coronary stenoses in primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

AIMS: Functional assessment of non-culprit lesions (NCL) in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease constitutes an unmet need. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of quantitative flow ratio (QFR) in the functional assessment of NCL during the acute phase of STEMI. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a retrospective, observational, multicentre study including patients with STEMI and staged fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessment of NCL. QFR in NCL was calculated from the coronary angiogram acquired during primary PCI in a blinded fashion with respect to FFR. The diagnostic value of QFR in the STEMI population was compared with a propensity score-matched population of stable angina patients. Eighty-two patients (91 NCL) were included. Target lesions were of both angiographic and functional (mean FFR 0.82±0.09) intermediate severity. The diagnostic performance of QFR was high (AUC 0.91 [95% CI: 0.85-0.97]) and similar to that observed in the matched control population (AUC 0.91 vs 0.94, p=0.5). The diagnostic accuracy of QFR was very high (>95%) in those vessels (61.5%) with QFR values out of a ROC-defined "grey zone" (0.75-0.85). A hybrid FFR/QFR approach (FFR only when QFR is in the grey zone) would adequately classify 96.7% of NCL, avoiding 58.5% of repeat diagnostic procedures. CONCLUSIONS: QFR has a good diagnostic accuracy in assessing the functional relevance of NCL during primary PCI, similar to the accuracy observed in stable patients.

Distal Radial Access: A Review Article.

Transradial approach (TRA) for coronary angiography and interventions has been increasingly used over the last decades and has become the default strategy in the majority of catheterization laboratories worldwide. Recently, a novel transradial access site, the distal radial access (DRA), has been proposed as an alternative to traditional TRA. Several case reports and case series have been published on this new approach over the last year showing overall good success rates. Aim of this review is to present the possible benefits and drawbacks of DRA and offer guidance on its successful use.

Influence of Microcirculatory Dysfunction on Angiography-Based Functional Assessment of Coronary Stenoses.

OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to evaluate the influence of coronary microcirculatory dysfunction (CMD) on the diagnostic performance of the quantitative flow ratio (QFR). BACKGROUND: Functional angiographic assessment of coronary stenoses based on fluid dynamics, such as QFR, constitutes an attractive alternative to fractional flow reserve (FFR). However, it is unknown whether CMD affects the reliability of angiography-based functional indices. METHODS: FFR and the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) were measured in 300 vessels (248 patients) as part of a multicenter international registry. QFR was calculated at a blinded core laboratory. Vessels were classified into 2 groups according to microcirculatory status: low IMR (<23 U), and high IMR (≥23 U, CMD). The impact of CMD on the diagnostic performance of QFR, as well as on incremental value of QFR over quantitative angiography, was assessed using FFR as reference. RESULTS: Percent diameter stenosis (%DS) and FFR were similar in low- and high-IMR groups (%DS 51 ± 12% vs. 53 ± 11%; p = 0.16; FFR 0.80 ± 0.11 vs. 0.81 ± 0.11; p = 0.23, respectively). In the overall cohort, classification agreement (CA) between QFR and FFR and diagnostic efficiency of QFR (area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve [AUC]) were high (CA: 88%; AUC: 0.93 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.90 to 0.96]). However, when assessed according to microcirculatory status, a significantly lower CA and AUC of QFR were found in the high-IMR group as compared with the low-IMR group (CA: 76% vs. 92%; p < 0.001; AUC: 0.88 [95% CI: 0.79 to 0.94] vs. 0.96 [95% CI: 0.92 to 0.98]; p < 0.05). Compared with angiographic assessment, QFR increased by 0.20 (p < 0.001) and by 0.16 (p < 0.001) the AUC of %DS in low- and high-IMR groups, respectively. Independent predictors of misclassification between QFR and FFR were high IMR and acute coronary syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: CMD decreases the diagnostic performance of QFR. However, even in the presence of CMD, QFR remains superior to angiography alone in ascertaining functional stenosis severity.

Exercise capacity and haemodynamic response among 12,327 individuals with cardio-metabolic risk factors undergoing treadmill exercise.

Aims Haemodynamic parameters during and after exercise test seem to have a role in predicting cardiovascular events. We sought to evaluate the potential different responses in exercise capacity, heart rate and blood pressure levels in relation to major cardiovascular disease risk factors, among individuals undergoing exercise tolerance testing. Methods and results Consecutive individuals ( N = 12,327), aged 55 ± 11.8 years, underwent exercise tolerance testing, using the Bruce protocol. Obese participants showed higher values of peak systolic and diastolic blood pressure ( p < 0.01), with no heart rate differences. Diabetic patients presented increased systolic blood pressure across the test ( p = 0.02) and decreased tolerance to exercise ( p = 0.05), but without differences in diastolic blood pressure or heart rate. Hypertensives showed exaggerated blood pressure, chronotropic response and decreased capacity to exercise ( p < 0.001 for all). Smokers had increased baseline systolic blood pressure, peak diastolic blood pressure and recovery heart rate and decreased tolerance to exercise ( p < 0.001 for all). For all high-risk subgroups, exercise testing was more often positive. Age-stratified analysis revealed different patterns: all four risk factors significantly decreased peak metabolic equivalent in subjects <50 years old ( p < 0.05 for all), while in participants between 50 and 69 years old, diabetes mellitus ( p = 0.03), hypertension ( p = 0.04) and smoking ( p = 0.01) predicted achieved metabolic equivalent. For patients of ≥ 70 years old, obesity ( p = 0.006) and hypertension ( p = 0.02) decreased peak metabolic equivalent and systolic blood pressure recovery. In subjects without pre-existing cardiovascular disease and negative exercise tolerance testing (7064 subjects, mean age: 52.4 ± 12.1 years, 62.9% males), age, obesity, hypertension and female gender inversely and independently predicted peak metabolic equivalent. Conclusions High-risk individuals showed different haemodynamic responses when undergoing exercise tolerance testing, reflecting independent pathophysiological pathways.

Chronotropic response during treadmill exercise and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis after adjusting for the calibrated SCORE risk classification: a cross-sectional study.

Carotid atherosclerosis (CA) and chronotropic incompetence (CI) during exercise are two independent cardiovascular risk factors. Aim of the current study was to investigate the possible association between them, in apparently healthy individuals, after adjusting for the 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk score. This cross-sectional study consisted of 139 apparently healthy subjects, 40-65 years old, who underwent treadmill exercise test (Bruce protocol used), which showed no evidence of ischemia. Heart rate reserve (HR reserve) was calculated to assess chronotropic response; a value of ≤ 0.80 is considered CI. CA was assessed by the presence of carotid plaque(s) in common and internal carotid arteries and carotid bulb bilaterally, using B-mode ultrasound. A calibrated version of SCORE (i.e., HellenicSCORE) was used to estimate the 10-year fatal CVD risk; participants were classified into low-, moderate- or high-risk group. CI was present in 7.9 % and CA in 18.7 % of the participants. After adjusting for 10-year CVD risk and other key confounders, odds of CA were 8.6 times higher in subjects with CI compared to their counterparts with normal chronotropic response to exercise. The results of the study indicate that CI during exercise can lead to high clinical suspicion of CA in apparently healthy individuals.

Statin therapy and risk of diabetes in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or familial combined hyperlipidemia.

OBJECTIVE: Controversial findings exist regarding potential influence of statin therapy on diabetic incidence. Aim of this study was to investigate the role of long duration statin treatment on diabetes mellitus (DM) incidence of Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (hFH) and Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia (FCH) patients. METHODS: Study population consisted of 212 hFH and 147 FCH patients that visited Lipid Outpatient Department (mean follow up of 11 and 10 years respectively). Several clinical data such as history of DM, cardiovascular disease, thyroid function, metabolic syndrome, glucose levels, lipid profile and lifestyle data were obtained. In order to compare the effects of different doses of different types of statins, a "statin treatment intensity product" was used. RESULTS: 14% of FCH and only 1% of hFH patients developed DM during follow up. Although univariate analysis showed a statistical trend (p = 0.06) in the association between new onset DM and statin treatment intensity (STI) in the FCH subgroup of patients with normal baseline glucose levels, this was no longer significant after adjusting for several confounders. Furthermore, the type of statins used did not seem to play a role in the development of DM either in hFH or FCH patients. CONCLUSION: Long duration of high STI does not seem to be associated with diabetic risk in hFH patients. High STI used in the FCH population is not associated with increased risk of new onset DM compared to low STI. Further studies are required in order to clarify the potential diabetogenic effects of statins in these high risk populations.

Mediterranean diet mediates the adverse effect of depressive symptomatology on short-term outcome in elderly survivors from an acute coronary event.

Aims. We evaluated the interaction effect between depressive symptoms and dietary habits on 30-day development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (death or rehospitalization) in elderly, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) survivors. Methods. During 2006-2008, we recorded 277 nonfatal, consecutive ACS admissions (75 ± 6 years, 70% males, 70% had diagnosis of myocardial infarction) with complete 30-day follow-up. Assessment of recent depressive symptoms was based on the CES-D scale. Among sociodemographic, bioclinical, lifestyle characteristics, the MedDietScore that assesses the inherent characteristics of the Mediterranean diet was applied. Results. 22% of the ACS pts developed a CVD event during the first 30 days (14.8% rehospitalization and 9.4% death). Patients in the upper tertile of the CES-D scale (i.e., >18) had higher incidence of CVD events as compared with those in the lowest tertile (21% versus 8%, P = .01). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that 1-unit increase in CES-D was associated with 4% higher odds (95% CI 1.008-1.076, P = .01) of CVD events; however, when MedDietScore was entered in the model, CES-D lost its significance (P = .20). Conclusion. Short-term depressive symptoms are related to a worsen 30-day prognosis of ACS patients; however, this relationship was mediated by Mediterranean diet adherence.

Comparative value of simple inflammatory markers in the prediction of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in postacute coronary syndrome patients.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the comparative value of inflammatory markers on the occurrence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: During 2006-2008, 760 patients with an ACS were enrolled. C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count were measured during the first 12 hours of hospital admission. RESULTS: CRP levels and WBC count were significantly higher in those who developed LVSD compared to those who did not. The analysis revealed that a 10 mg/dL increase of CRP levels and a 1000/microL increase in WBC are associated with a 6% and a 7% increase in the likelihood of developing LVSD, respectively. Furthermore, WBC count at entry and CRP have almost the same predictive value for development of LVSD after an ACS (R(2) = 0.109 versus R(2) = 0.093). CONCLUSIONS: Serum CRP levels and WBC count at entry are almost equally powerful independent predictors of LVSD, after an ACS.

Moderate coffee consumption lowers the likelihood of developing left ventricular systolic dysfunction in post-acute coronary syndrome normotensive patients.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the association between coffee consumption and the development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in patients who had had an acute coronary syndrome. During 2006-2007, 144 male (65 +/- 14 years) and 50 female (71 +/- 12 years) post-acute coronary syndrome patients who developed LVSD (ejection fraction <40%) after the cardiac event and 129 male (64 +/- 12 years) and 51 female (67 +/- 10 years) post-acute coronary syndrome patients without LVSD (ejection fraction >50%) were included in the study. Participants were consequently selected. Detailed information regarding their medical records, sociodemographic and anthropometric data, and various psychological and lifestyle characteristics (physical activity, smoking habits, etc.) were recorded. In particular, nutritional habits, including coffee consumption, were evaluated using a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Multi-adjusted analysis revealed that in normotensive patients coffee consumption of 1-2 cups/day was associated with 88% (95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.84) lower likelihood of developing LVSD and consumption of >3 cups/day with 90% (95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.88) lower likelihood for LVSD, compared with no history of consumption of coffee and after adjusting for various confounders. In contrast, in hypertensive patients coffee consumption of >3 cups/day was associated with 4.5-fold higher likelihood for developing LVSD (95% confidence interval, 0.89-22.58) as compared with no history of coffee consumption. Coffee consumption has opposite effects on the likelihood of developing LVSD in post-acute coronary syndrome patients depending on their blood pressure levels.