Sex differences in treatment strategy for coronary artery aneurysms: Insights from the international Coronary Artery Aneurysm Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Sex disparities exist in coronary artery disease (CAD) in terms of risk profile, clinical management and outcome. It is unclear if differences are also present in coronary aneurysms, a rare variant of CAD. METHODS: Patients were selected from the international Coronary Artery Aneurysm Registry (CAAR; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02563626), and differences between groups were analysed according to sex. The CAAR database is a prospective multicentre registry of 1565 patients with coronary aneurysms (336 females). Kaplan-Meier method was used for event-free survival analysis for death, major adverse cardiac events (MACE: composite endpoint of death, heart failure and acute coronary syndrome) and bleeding. RESULTS: Female patients were older, were more often hypertensive and less frequently smoker. They were treated conservatively more often compared to male patients and received significantly less frequently aspirin (92% vs 88%, p = 0.002) or dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (67% vs 58%, p = 0.001) at discharge. Median DAPT duration was also shorter (3 vs 9 months, p = 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no sex differences in death, MACE or bleeding during a median follow-up duration of 37 months, although male patients did experience acute coronary syndrome (ACS) more often during follow-up (15% vs 10%, p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: These CAAR findings showed a comparable high-risk cardiovascular risk profile for both sexes. Female patients were treated conservatively more often and received DAPT less often at discharge, with a shorter DAPT duration. ACS was more prevalent among male patients; however, overall clinical outcome was not different between male and female patients during follow-up.

Occupational eye lens doses in interventional cardiology. A multicentric study.

New European regulation regarding radiological protection of workers and more specifically the new occupational dose limit for the eye lens recently reduced to 20 mSv yr(-1) may affect interventional cardiologists. This paper presents a set of measurements of occupational doses performed in five interventional cardiology centres and then compared with the new dose limit. The measurement of occupational doses was performed over the apron at chest level using electronic dosemeters recording H p(10). In one of the centres, scatter dose at goggles was also measured with optically stimulated luminescence dosemeters calibrated in terms of H p(0.07). An average H p(10) over the apron of 46 µSv/procedure was measured for cardiologists. Lower doses were noted in other professionals like second cardiologists, nurses or anaesthetists. Procedures for valvular and other structural heart diseases involved the highest occupational doses, averaging over 100 µSv/procedure. Important differences in occupational doses among centres may be indicative of different radiation protection habits. The new occupational dose limit for the eye lens is likely to be exceeded by those among the interventionalists who do not use protection tools (ceiling suspended screen and/or goggles) even with standard workloads.

Lower-normal TSH is associated with better metabolic risk factors: A cross-sectional study on Spanish men.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Subclinical thyroid conditions, defined by normal thyroxin (T4) but abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, may be associated with cardiovascular and metabolic risk. More recently, TSH levels within the normal range have been suggested to be associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk. This work studies the linearity of the relationship between metabolic syndrome and TSH across the euthyroid range. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 3533 male participants of the Aragon Workers' Health Study (AWHS) with normal TSH and free T4 levels, across quintiles of these variables, after adjusting for age, alcohol intake, and smoking. Compared with the lowest TSH quintile, the odds ratios for metabolic syndrome at the higher quintiles, which indicate lower thyroid function, were 1.34 (1.04, 1.73), 1.56 (1.21, 2.01), 1.57 (1.22, 2.03), and 1.71 (1.32, 2.21). The lowest free T4 quintile also showed an odds ratio of 1.49 (1.16, 1.90) with respect to the highest quintile. In addition, spline models showed departures from linearity: the risk of metabolic syndrome mostly increases at TSH values below the median (sample half-closest to subclinical hyperthyroidism). Interestingly, glucose also increases with TSH primarily below the median TSH, diastolic blood pressure shows similar changes across the entire TSH range, whereas body mass index, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol change only at the highest normal TSH values, which are associated with lower free T4 concentration. CONCLUSIONS: TSH and free T4 within the normal range are associated with the metabolic syndrome. The sample half-below the TSH median (with probably higher functional thyroid status) exhibited better metabolic and cardiovascular profiles.

Midterm outcome of patients with asymptomatic restenosis after coronary balloon angioplasty.

Although many patients with restenosis after balloon coronary angioplasty have recurrence of angina, others remain asymptomatic. To assess the clinical implications of asymptomatic coronary restenosis, we analyzed clinical and angiographic characteristics of 277 consecutive patients with restenosis, 133 (48%) of whom were asymptomatic (group I) and 144 (52%) symptomatic (group II). Restenosis was documented 6 to 9 months after the index procedure, or earlier if angina recurred, and was defined as a greater than 50% lumen narrowing (visual estimation). Group I (asymptomatic group) included fewer female (9% vs. 18%, p less than 0.05) and hypertensive patients (38% vs. 56%, p less than 0.005) and more patients with a previous myocardial infarction (48% vs. 28%, p less than 0.05) and single-vessel disease (67% vs. 55%, p less than 0.05). Before angioplasty, symptoms had lasted for a shorter period (10 +/- 25 vs. 23 +/- 42 months, p less than 0.001), ischemia after a recent infarction was a more frequent indication (21% vs. 10%, p less than 0.05) and total revascularization more frequently obtained (74% vs. 63%, p less than 0.05) in group I than in group II patients. Only a normal blood pressure, previous myocardial infarction, single-vessel disease and a shorter duration of symptoms were independent correlates of asymptomatic restenosis. No differences were found in stenosis severity before angioplasty (90% in both groups) or after angioplasty (22% +/- 12% vs. 24% +/- 16%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of the relative thrombogenicity of atherosclerotic plaque components: implications for consequences of plaque rupture.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether different components of human atherosclerotic plaques exposed to flowing blood resulted in different degrees of thrombus formation. BACKGROUND: It is likely that the nature of the substrate exposed after spontaneous or angioplasty-induced plaque rupture is one factor determining whether an unstable plaque proceeds rapidly to an occlusive thrombus or persists as a nonocclusive mural thrombus. Although observational data show that plaque rupture is a potent stimulus for thrombosis, and exposed collagen is suggested to have a predominant role in thrombosis, the relative thrombogenicity of different components of human atherosclerotic plaques is not well established. METHODS: We investigated thrombus formation on foam cell-rich matrix (obtained from fatty streaks), collagen-rich matrix (from sclerotic plaques), collagen-poor matrix without cholesterol crystals (from fibrolipid plaques), atheromatous core with abundant cholesterol crystals (from atheromatous plaques) and segments of normal intima derived from human aortas at necropsy. Specimens were mounted in a tubular chamber placed within an ex vivo extracorporeal perfusion system and exposed to heparinized porcine blood (mean [+/- SEM] activated partial thromboplastin time ratio 1.5 +/- 0.04) for 5 min under high shear rate conditions (1,690 s-1). Thrombus was quantitated by measurement of indium-labeled platelets and morphometric analysis. Under similar conditions, substrates were perfused with heparinized human blood (2 IU/ml) in an in vitro system, and thrombus formation was similarly evaluated. RESULTS: Thrombus formation on atheromatous core was up to sixfold greater than that on other substrates, including collagen-rich matrix (p = 0.0001) in both heterologous and homologous systems. Although the atheromatous core had a more irregular exposed surface and thrombus formation tended to increase with increasing roughness, the atheromatous core remained the most thrombogenic substrate when the substrates were normalized by the degree of irregularity as defined by the roughness index (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The atheromatous core is the most thrombogenic component of human atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore, plaques with a large atheromatous core content are at high risk of leading to acute coronary syndromes after spontaneous or mechanically induced rupture because of the increased thrombogenicity of their content.

Clinical and angiographic implications of coronary stenting in thrombus-containing lesions.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the results of coronary stenting in thrombus-laden lesions. BACKGROUND: The angiographic evidence of intracoronary thrombus has classically been considered a formal contraindication to stent implantation. However, with increasing use of stenting, the indications for this technique have widened to include treatment of patients who have an acute coronary syndrome or lesions with adverse anatomic features. METHODS: We studied 86 consecutive patients (mean age +/- SD 61 +/- 11 years, 14 women) undergoing coronary stenting of a thrombus-containing lesion; the procedure was performed electively in 39% and after angioplasty failure in 61%. Sixty-four patients (75%) were treated for unstable angina, and 19 (22%) underwent the procedure during an acute myocardial infarction. A specific protocol that included clinical and late angiographic follow-up was used. RESULTS: Angiographic success was obtained in 83 patients (96%). Five patients (6%) died during the hospital stay despite angiographic success; four of these had cardiogenic shock, and one (1%) had subacute stent thrombosis. Non-Q wave myocardial infarction developed in five additional patients (6%), and four of these five had data consistent with distal embolization. Of the 78 patients discharged with angiographic success, 67 (86%) were event-free and clinically improved at last follow-up visit (12 +/- 11 months). During the follow-up period, eight patients required repeat angioplasty, one patient required heart transplantation, and two patients died. Quantitative angiography demonstrated excellent angiographic results after stenting (minimal lumen diameter 0.31 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.77 +/- 0.6 mm). Late angiographic follow-up (5.5 +/- 1 months) was obtained in 50 patients with 54 lesions (93% of eligible), revealing a minimal lumen diameter of 2.0 +/- 1 mm and restenosis (lumen narrowing > 50%) in 18 lesions (33%). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary stenting constitutes an effective therapeutic strategy for patients with thrombus-containing lesions, either after failure of initial angioplasty or electively as the primary procedure. Coronary stenting in this adverse anatomic setting results in a high degree of angiographic success, a low incidence of subacute thrombosis and an acceptable restenosis rate.

Propensity and mechanisms of restenosis in different coronary stent designs: complementary value of the analysis of the luminal gain-loss relationship.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate the influence of stent design on the long-term angiographic outcome. BACKGROUND: The proportional relationship between vessel injury and late luminal loss in percutaneous revascularization should be best appreciated in coronary stenting, where recoil and shrinkage are theoretically minimal. It is unclear whether all stent designs can counterbalance this reactive loss by achieving a large initial luminal gain (bigger is better). METHODS: In 523 lesions successfully stented, the long-term angiographic results of slotted-tube (n = 331), coil (n = 85), multicellular (n = 70) and self-expandable mesh (n = 37) stent designs were compared using the angiographic gain-loss relationship (GLR). RESULTS: Restenosis rate was 10% for multicellular, 20% for slotted-tube, 46% for coil and 49% for self-expandable designs (p = 0.001). At a difference with other designs, no significant GLR was found in coil stents, suggesting additional mechanisms of luminal loss (i.e., plaque protrusion, stent compression) to neointimal proliferation. Significant differences in late loss between stents were found within each quartile of luminal gain, suggesting a specific role of design in luminal loss. Multivariate analysis identified use of coil and self-expandable stents, vessel size, minimal luminal diameter preintervention, luminal gain and stent length as variables with independent predictive value for several indices of angiographic long-term outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of GLR: 1) demonstrates that stent design influences late luminal loss; 2) challenges the applicability of the widely accepted "bigger is better" approach to all stent designs; and 3) appears as a valuable tool in assessing long-term stent performance.

Fate of stent-related side branches after coronary intervention in patients with in-stent restenosis.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the fate of stent (ST)-related side branches (SB) after coronary intervention in patients with in-ST restenosis. BACKGROUND: In-ST restenosis constitutes a therapeutic challenge. Although the fate of lesion-related SB after conventional angioplasty or initial coronary stenting is well established, the outcome of ST-related SB in patients with in-ST restenosis undergoing repeat intervention is unknown. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients (age 61 +/- 11 years, 22 women) undergoing repeat intervention for in-ST restenosis (101 ST) were prospectively studied. Two hundred and twenty-six SB spanned by the ST were identified. The SB size, type, ostium involvement, location within the ST and take-off angle were evaluated. The SB TIMI (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction trial) flow grade was studied in detail before, during, immediately after the procedure, and at late angiography. RESULTS: Occlusion (TIMI flow grade = 0) was produced in 24 (10%) SB, whereas some degree of flow deterioration (> or = 1 TIMI flow grade) was observed in 57 SB (25%). The SB occlusion was associated with non-Q wave myocardial infarction in two patients (both had large and diseased SB). Side-branch occlusion at the time of initial stenting (RR [relative risk] 11.1, 95% CI [confidence interval] 3.5-35.5, p < 0.001), diabetes (RR 3.5, 95% CI 1.1-10.5, p = 0.02), SB ostium involvement (RR 5.0, 95% CI 1.4-17.2, p = 0.004), baseline SB TIMI flow grade <3 (RR 5.5, 95% CI 1.7-18.1, p = 0.005), and restenosis length (RR 1.05 95% CI 1.01-1.11, p = 0.03) were identified as independent predictors of SB occlusion. Late angiography in 19 initially occluded SB revealed that 17 (89%) were patent again. The long-term clinical event-free survival (81% vs. 82% at two years) in patients with and without initial SB occlusion was similar. CONCLUSIONS: Occlusion or flow deterioration of SB spanned by the ST is relatively common during repeat intervention for in-ST restenosis. Several factors (mainly anatomic features) are useful predictors of this event. However, most SB occlusions are clinically silent and frequently reappear at follow-up.

Role of thrombosis in atherosclerosis and its complications.

The endothelium is intact but activated and dysfunctioning during the early phase of atherogenesis. Owing to increased endothelial permeability, many blood-derived components, including hemostatic factors, are present in early as well as advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Insudated fibrin(ogen) and related degradation products and thrombin could contribute to atherogenesis by their chemotactic (attracting monocytes/macrophages) and mitogenic (stimulating cell proliferation) properties. All key cells in plaque may express thrombin receptors, indicating that thrombin may play a role in the genesis of uncomplicated atherosclerosis by mediating inflammatory and proliferative processes. Later, endothelial denudation with platelet adherence occurs over mature plaques. Then, incorporation of microthrombi and probably platelet/thrombus-derived growth factors are critical for the progressive growth of the smooth muscle cell-related plaque component. Besides transendothelial influx and incorporation of mural thrombi, blood products in atherosclerotic plaques may originate from hemorrhage through a ruptured plaque surface or from fragile newly formed vessels (neovascularization) frequently found at the base of advanced plaques. Rupture-related plaque progression due to luminal thrombosis and/or plaque hemorrhage is the most important mechanism underlying the unpredictable rapid progression of coronary lesions responsible for acute coronary syndromes. Both platelets and fibrin play a role in the dynamic thrombotic response to plaque rupture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angioscopic characteristics of coronary narrowing in patients with recurrent myocardial ischemia after myocardial infarction.

Coronary angioscopy was used to elucidate the underlying substrate of the culprit lesion in 20 patients with postinfarction ischemia and in 19 patients with other types of unstable angina. Plaque characteristics were similar in both groups, but red thrombi and occlusive thrombi were more frequently seen in patients with postinfarction ischemia.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty after non-Q-wave acute myocardial infarction.

The value of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for ischemia after a non-Q-wave acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was assessed prospectively in 33 consecutive patients. In 30 patients the indication for the procedure was post-AMI angina and 3 patients underwent PTCA for silent ischemia. A total of 43 lesions were attempted at 63 +/- 94 days after the non-Q-wave AMI. Primary PTCA success was obtained in 30 (91%) patients and no major complications occurred. Angiographic evaluation was performed either for symptoms or for protocol (7 +/- 1 months after PTCA) in 28 (93%) of the 30 patients with successful PTCA, but 2 patients (7%) who were asymptomatic refused the repeat angiogram. Twenty (71%) had no restenosis and 8 (29%) had restenosis. Of these, 5 patients with restenosis underwent a successful repeat PTCA (6 +/- 1 months after the initial procedure). At the last clinical follow-up (17 +/- 8 months), 2 of the 30 (7%) patients successfully dilated presented with stable angina despite medical treatment, whereas the rest (93%) remained asymptomatic. During the study period no patient died, had an AMI or required coronary artery bypass grafting. Thus, selected patients with ischemia after a non-Q-wave AMI, a "high-risk population," can be effectively treated with PTCA with an initial success rate and angiographic restenosis rate similar to that of the general PTCA population and appear to have sustained symptomatic benefit remaining free of subsequent cardiac events.

Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty with severe pulmonary artery hypertension.

The aim of this study was to assess the initial and midterm outcome of patients with severe pulmonary hypertension undergoing percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV). Accordingly, the baseline characteristics, immediate results and follow-up of 64 consecutive patients with severe pulmonary artery hypertension (systolic pulmonary artery pressure > or = 60 mm Hg on cardiac catheterization) (group I) were analyzed and compared with those of 194 consecutive patients with lower pulmonary pressures (group II). Patients in group I were more symptomatic (New York Heart Association functional class > or = III, 72 vs 40%, p < 0.001) and had higher echocardiographic scores (8.6 +/- 2 vs 7.4 +/- 1, p < 0.05). Before PMV, mitral gradient was higher (17 +/- 6 vs 13 +/- 5 mm Hg, p < 0.025) and mitral valve area smaller (0.79 +/- 0.2 vs 0.96 +/- 0.2 cm2, p < 0.005) in group I patients, who also had higher pulmonary vascular resistances (469 +/- 299 vs 157 +/- 125 dynes s-1 cm-5, p < 0.005). On multivariate analysis patients in group I were more symptomatic, had smaller mitral valve areas and higher mitral gradients. PMV success (area gain > 50% without complications) was similar (89 vs 87%) in both groups. After PMV final mitral gradient (5 +/- 2 vs 4 +/- 2 mm Hg) and area (1.82 +/- 0.5 vs 1.87 +/- 0.5 cm2) were similar in both groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of Palmaz-Schatz stents on angled coronary arteries.

This review of consecutive, single Palmaz-Schatz stent implantations reveals that coronary lesion angulation does not result in suboptimal results or increased restenosis after stenting. The implantation of a rigid stent at an arterial hinge point is associated with an increased restenosis rate.

Long-term outcome and determinants of event-free survival in patients treated with balloon angioplasty for in-stent restenosis.

Long-term prognosis and predictors of event-free survival were studied in 56 consecutive patients with in-stent restenosis successfully treated with balloon angioplasty. Most patients sustained prolonged clinical benefit, but during follow-up, those with diabetes or with a short time interval (<4 months) from stenting to repeat angioplasty experienced adverse cardiac events more often.

Early and late results of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty for mitral stenosis associated with mild mitral regurgitation.

To assess the influence of mild mitral regurgitation (MR) on the initial and long-term results of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV), the baseline characteristics, early results and follow-up of 102 consecutive patients with mild MR before PMV (group I) were prospectively analyzed and compared with those of 186 consecutive patients without MR (group II). Age, gender and symptomatic status were similar in both groups, but more patients in group I were in atrial fibrillation (70 vs 54%, p < 0.05) and had had a previous episode of pulmonary edema (25 vs 14%, p < 0.05). On echocardiography, patients in group I had larger left atria (58 +/- 12 vs 53 +/- 10 mm, p < 0.05) and more calcified mitral valves (score 1.9 +/- 0.8 vs 1.5 +/- 0.7, p < 0.05), but the total echocardiographic score (8.0 +/- 2 vs 7.3 +/- 2) was similar in both groups. Baseline hemodynamic data were also similar in both groups. On multivariate analysis, group I patients were only independently associated with more calcified mitral valves and larger left atria. PMV success (area gain > or = 50% without complications) was similar (88 vs 86%) in both groups, but mitral valve area gain was smaller (0.8 +/- 0.3 vs 1.0 +/- 0.3 cm2, p < 0.05) in group I. After PMV an increase in the severity of MR > or = 2 grades (17 vs 6%, p < 0.05) occurred more frequently in group II patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Predictors, mechanisms and outcome of severe mitral regurgitation complicating percutaneous mitral valvotomy with the Inoue balloon.

During 241 consecutive percutaneous mitral valvotomy (PMV) procedures performed with the Inoue balloon, 16 patients (6.6%) developed severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Baseline clinical, echocardiographic (Doppler mitral valve area and Wilkins' score) and hemodynamic data were not different from those of patients without this complication. Severe MR occurred during the first inflation in 7 patients and after several stepwise inflations in 9. Although maximal balloon size was similar in both groups, unusual indentations and subvalvular inflations were more frequently observed in patients who developed severe MR. Early mitral valve replacement was required in 6 patients. All of them had a leaflet rupture either along the midportion (2 patients), along a commissure (4 patients), or both. Commissural calcium was present in 5 valves and 5 also had severe subvalvular involvement that had been underestimated by echocardiography. Of the 10 nonsurgically treated patients, 4 had chordal rupture by echocardiographic criteria, whereas in the remaining 6 the precise mechanism of MR could not be determined. During follow-up (11.4 +/- 4 months, range 1 to 30), 1 patient required surgery for symptoms and the remaining 9 were symptomatically improved and free of left ventricular dilatation. In conclusion, severe MR complicated 6.6% of PMV procedures with the Inoue balloon, and its mechanism was leaflet or chordal rupture. Although one third of the patients required early mitral surgery, most of the remaining obtained midterm symptomatic benefit.

Stent embolization during intracoronary stenting.

Nine patients with systemic embolization complicating intracoronary stenting (incidence 1.8%) are described. Although this rare complication was not associated with any clinical sequelae, great care should be taken to prevent this possibility, especially in patients with unfavorable anatomic characteristics, including lesions in the left circumflex artery, at bend points, and calcified lesions.

Arterial perforation during optimization of coronary stents using high-pressure balloon inflations.

Angiographic optimization of coronary stents, using high-pressure balloon inflation, was complicated by vessel rupture in 3 patients. The risk of this potentially life-threatening complication should be considered during stent optimization.

Clinical and angiographic implications of balloon rupture during coronary stenting.

Balloon rupture was detected in 66 consecutive patients (5.8%) during coronary stenting. This rare phenomenon usually does not have clinical or angiographic sequelae, but in some cases, it may induce new coronary dissections that can be managed with additional stenting, but also may cause clinical complications.

Comparison of results of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty in patients with large (greater than 6 cm) versus those with smaller left atria.

To determine whether the presence of an aneurysmatic (severely enlarged) left atrium (greater than 60 mm on echocardiography) influences results of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV), the clinical, echocardiographic and hemodynamic characteristics and the results of this technique were compared in 46 consecutive patients with aneurysmatic left atrium (group I) and 125 consecutive patients without such echocardiographic finding (group II). Left atrial size was 70.5 +/- 8 vs 50.1 +/- 6 mm (p less than 0.005) in groups I and II, respectively. Patients in group I were older (57 +/- 12 vs 48 +/- 12 years, p less than 0.025), more symptomatic (New York Heart Association functional class greater than or equal to III or IV: 67 vs 42%, p less than 0.05), and had atrial fibrillation more frequently (91 vs 44%, p less than 0.001). The echocardiographic score (8.9 +/- 1.9 vs 7.5 +/- 2, p less than 0.005) and the incidence of mild mitral regurgitation on angiography before PMV (54 vs 30%, p less than 0.01) was also higher in group I patients. Hemodynamic parameters before PMV were similar in both groups, but after the procedure, final mitral valve area (1.61 +/- 0.5 vs 1.95 +/- 0.4 cm2, p less than 0.05) and the absolute increase in mitral area (0.81 +/- 0.3 vs 1.02 +/- 0.3 cm2, p less than 0.05) were lower and mean pulmonary artery pressure (35 +/- 10 vs 28 +/- 9 mm Hg, p less than 0.025) was higher in group I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)