Time-related aortic inflammatory response, as assessed with 18F-FDG PET/CT, in patients hospitalized with severely or critical COVID-19: the COVAIR study.

AIM: Arterial involvement has been implicated in the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). Fluorine 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) imaging is a valuable tool for the assessment of aortic inflammation and is a predictor of outcome. We sought to prospectively assess the presence of aortic inflammation and its time-dependent trend in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Between November 2020 and May 2021, in this pilot, case-control study, we recruited 20 patients with severe or critical COVID-19 (mean age of 59 ± 12 years), while 10 age and sex-matched individuals served as the control group. Aortic inflammation was assessed by measuring 18F-FDG uptake in PET/CT performed 20-120 days post-admission. Global aortic target to background ratio (GLA-TBR) was calculated as the sum of TBRs of ascending and descending aorta, aortic arch, and abdominal aorta divided by 4. Index aortic segment TBR (IAS-TBR) was designated as the aortic segment with the highest TBR. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in aortic 18F-FDG PET/CT uptake between patients and controls (GLA-TBR: 1.46 [1.40-1.57] vs. 1.43 [1.32-1.70], respectively, P = 0.422 and IAS-TBR: 1.60 [1.50-1.67] vs. 1.50 [1.42-1.61], respectively, P = 0.155). There was a moderate correlation between aortic TBR values (both GLA and IAS) and time distance from admission to 18F-FDG PET-CT scan (Spearman's rho = - 0.528, P = 0.017 and Spearman's rho = - 0.480, p = 0.032, respectively). Patients who were scanned less than or equal to 60 days from admission (n = 11) had significantly higher GLA-TBR values compared to patients that were examined more than 60 days post-admission (GLA-TBR: 1.53 [1.42-1.60] vs. 1.40 [1.33-1.45], respectively, P = 0.016 and IAS-TBR: 1.64 [1.51-1.74] vs. 1.52 [1.46-1.60], respectively, P = 0.038). There was a significant difference in IAS- TBR between patients scanned ≤ 60 days and controls (1.64 [1.51-1.74] vs. 1.50 [1.41-1.61], P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: This is the first study suggesting that aortic inflammation, as assessed by 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging, is increased in the early post COVID phase in patients with severe or critical COVID-19 and largely resolves over time. Our findings may have important implications for the understanding of the course of the disease and for improving our preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Central Over Peripheral Blood Pressure: An Emerging Issue in Hypertension Research.

Measurement of blood pressure is one of the most important and powerful clinical tools in clinical practice. Physicians use the classical method that was introduced more than 100 years ago with the emergence of the brachial cuff sphygmomanometer. The use of this method, despite its initial setbacks, spread like fire throughout the medical community with the boost by the early adoption by insurance companies to assess risk as well as the ease of use, the availability with the wide variety of devices, the good reproducibility and its predictive role. However, a long-forgotten dispute between measurements of peripheral (brachial) and central (aortic, carotid) blood pressure has resurfaced after the introduction of techniques and devices that can easily and accurately estimate non-invasively the central pressure waveform. Clinicians, until recently, focussed only on the pressure waveform trough (diastole) and peak (systole), ignoring the possible information provided by the rest of the arterial pressure waveform. Several restrictions exist with peripheral blood pressures measured with either an oscillometric or a sphygmomanometer device that blur the existing image of the ideal biomarker to describe the haemodynamic characteristics of the cardiovascular system. On the other hand, central pressures seem to be more pathophysiologically relevant to end-organ damage of the brain, heart and kidneys and on future events. Furthermore, measurement of the central waveform can provide clinically useful information, like the quantification of wave reflections with augmentation index, beyond blood pressure measured in the brachial artery. This article will explain the pathophysiological mechanisms linking central pressures to cardiovascular outcomes, review the evidence for the use of central blood pressure over peripheral pressures, elaborate on the prognostic role of central blood pressures and finally review the latest developments on the pharmacological modulation of central blood pressures.

PCSK9 and Lp(a) levels of children born after assisted reproduction technologies.

PURPOSE: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]) levels are associated with cardiovascular risk. To investigate PCSK9 and Lp(a) levels of children born after assisted reproduction technologies (ART) compared with naturally conceived (NC) controls. METHODS: In this exposure-matched cohort study, 73 racial-, sex-, and age-matched children (mean age 98 ± 35 months) of ART (intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI] n = 33, classic in vitro fertilization [IVF] n = 40) and 73 NC children were assessed. Blood lipid profile, including PCSK9 and Lp(a) levels, was measured. Children were grouped according to age (< 8 years, 8-10 years, ≥ 10 years). RESULTS: In the overall population, PCSK9 levels were related to total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and systolic blood pressure, while Lp(a) levels were related to age, apolipoprotein-B, birth weight, height, waist-to-hip ratio, insulin resistance, insulin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. No significant differences were observed regarding lipid biomarkers between ART and NC children. However, a significant interaction was found between age groups and conception method (p < 0.001) showing that PCSK9 levels increase with age in ART children, while they decline with age in NC offspring. IVF children showed higher levels of adjusted mean Lp(a) than ICSI (13.5 vs. 6.8 mg/dl, p = 0.010) and NC children (12.3 vs. 8.3 mg/dl, p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: We show that PCSK9 levels increase with age in ART children, indicating a gradual deterioration of lipidemic profile that could lead to increased cardiovascular risk. Moreover, our results indicate that ART method may be of importance given that classic IVF is associated with higher levels of Lp(a).

Prognostic role of discordance between quantitative flow ratio and visual estimation in revascularization guidance.

Aims: Revascularization guided by functional severity has presented improved outcomes compared with visual angiographic guidance. Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is a reliable angiography-based method for functional assessment. We sought to investigate the prognostic value of discordance between QFR and visual estimation in coronary revascularization guidance. Methods and results: We performed offline QFR analysis on all-comers undergoing coronary angiography. Vessels with calculated QFR were divided into four groups based on the decision to perform or defer percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and on the QFR result, i.e.: Group A (PCI-, QFR > 0.8); Group B (PCI+, QFR ≤ 0.8); Group C (PCI+, QFR > 0.8); Group D (PCI-, QFR ≤ 0.8). Patients with at least one vessel falling within the disagreement groups formed the discordance group, whereas the remaining patients formed the concordance group. The primary endpoint was the composite endpoint of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and ischaemia-driven revascularization. Overall, 546 patients were included in the study. Discordance between QFR and visual estimation was found in 26.2% of patients. After a median follow-up period of 2.5 years, the discordance group had a significantly higher rate of the composite outcome (hazard ratio: 3.34, 95% confidence interval 1.99-5.60, P < 0.001). Both disagreement vessel Groups C and D were associated with increased cardiovascular risk compared with agreement Groups A and B. Conclusion: Discordance between QFR and visual estimation in revascularization guidance was associated with a worse long-term prognosis. Our results highlight the importance of proper patient selection for intervention and the need to avoid improper stent implantations when not dictated by a comprehensive functional assessment.

The Effect of Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement on Arterial Stiffness: Does the Valve Type Matter?

Background: Despite the increasing use of transcatheter aortic valve procedures, many patients still require surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Assessing arterial properties in patients undergoing SAVR for aortic valve stenosis can be challenging, and the existing evidence is inconclusive. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of SAVR on vascular stiffness and the quality of life, as well as the different effects of valve type on arterial properties. Methods: We included 60 patients (mean age 70.25 ± 8.76 years, 65% men) with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who underwent SAVR. Arterial stiffness (cfPWV, baPWV) and vascular parameters (AIx@75, central pressures, SEVR) were measured at baseline, pre-discharge, and 1-year post-operation. The QOL was assessed using the generic questionnaire-short-form health survey 36 (SF-36) pre-operatively and at 1 year. Results: Post-SAVR, cfPWV increased immediately (7.67 ± 1.70 m/s vs. 8.27 ± 1.92 m/s, p = 0.009) and persisted at 1 year (8.27 ± 1.92 m/s vs. 9.29 ± 2.59 m/s, p ≤ 0.001). Similarly, baPWV (n = 55) increased acutely (1633 ± 429 cm/s vs. 2014 ± 606 cm/s, p < 0.001) and remained elevated at 1 year (1633 ± 429 cm/s vs. 1867 ± 408 cm/s, p < 0.001). Acute decrease in Alx@75 (31.16 ± 10% vs. 22.48 ± 13%, p < 0.001) reversed at 1 year (31.16 ± 10% vs. 30.98 ± 9%, p = 0.71). SEVR improved (136.1 ± 30.4% vs. 149.2 ± 32.7%, p = 0.01) and persisted at 1 year (136.1 ± 30.4% vs. 147.5 ± 30.4%, p = 0.01). SV had a greater cfPWV increase at 1 year (p = 0.049). The QOL improved irrespective of arterial stiffness changes. Conclusions: After SAVR, arterial stiffness demonstrates a persistent increase at 1-year, with valve type having a slight influence on the outcomes. These findings remain consistent despite the perceived QOL.

Prognostic Value of Post-PCI Angiography-Derived Fractional Flow Reserve: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies.

The post-percutaneous coronary intervention (post-PCI) fractional flow reserve (FFR) can detect suboptimal PCI or residual ischemia and potentially lead to fewer adverse clinical outcomes. We sought to investigate the predictive value of the angiography-derived FFR for adverse cardiovascular events in patients after PCI. We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, for studies published until March 2023 that investigated the prognostic role of angiography-derived fractional flow reserve values after PCI. We investigated the best predictive ability of the post-PCI angiography-derived FFR and relative risk (RR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between post-PCI angiography-derived FFR values and adverse events. Thirteen cohort studies involving 6961 patients (9719 vascular lesions; mean follow-up: 2.2 years) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled HR of the studies using specific cut-off points for post-PCI angiography-derived FFR was 4.13 (95% CI, 2.92-5.82) for total cardiovascular events, while the pooled HRs for target vessel revascularization, cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization were 6.87 (95% CI, 4.93-9.56), 6.17 (95% CI, 3.52-10.80), 3.98 (95% CI, 2.37-6.66) and 6.27 (95% CI, 3.08-12.79), respectively. In a sensitivity analysis of three studies with 1789 patients assessing the predictive role of the post-PCI angiography-derived FFR as a continuous variable, we found a 58% risk reduction for future adverse events per 0.1 increase in the post-PCI angiography-derived FFR value. In conclusion, post-PCI angiography-derived FFR is an effective tool for predicting adverse cardiovascular events and could be potentially used in decision making, both during PCI and in the long-term follow-up.

Angiography-based estimation of coronary physiology: A frame is worth a thousand words.

Cumulative evidence has shown that coronary revascularization should be guided by functional significance of coronary lesions. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is the gold standard for assessment of hemodynamic significance of coronary stenosis and FFR-guided percutaneous coronary intervention has improved clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. However, limitations of FFR such as increased operational time and cost, requirement of pressure wire and adenosine and technical difficulties have led to significant underutilization of the method in clinical practice. In the last few years, several methods of FFR estimation based on coronary angiography images have emerged to overcome invasive FFR limitations. The common elements of the novel indices include a 3D anatomical reconstruction of coronary vessels by angiographic projections and various approaches to fluid dynamics computation. Angiography-derived FFR methods have shown high diagnostic accuracy compared to invasive FFR. Although there are promising results regarding their prognostic role, large randomized trials evaluating clinical outcomes are lacking. The aim of this review is to present currently available angiography-derived FFR indices and highlight their differences, advantages, disadvantages and potential clinical implications.

The effect of an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 on endothelial function and arterial stiffness.

To fight the COVID-19 pandemic, messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines were the first to be adopted by vaccination programs worldwide. We sought to investigate the short-term effect of mRNA vaccine administration on endothelial function and arterial stiffness. Thirty-two participants (mean age 37 ± 8 years, 20 men) who received the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine were studied in three sessions in a sequence-randomized, sham-controlled, assessor-blinded, crossover design. The primary outcome was endothelial function (assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD)), and the secondary outcomes were aortic stiffness (evaluated with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV)) and inflammation (measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in blood samples). The outcomes were assessed prior to and at 8 h and 24 h after the 1st dose of vaccine and at 8 h, 24 h, and 48 h after the 2nd dose. There was an increase in hsCRP that was apparent at 24 h after both the 1st dose (-0.60 [95% confidence intervals [CI]: -1.60 to -0.20], p = 0.013) and the 2nd dose (maximum median difference at 48 h -6.60 [95% CI: -9.80 to -3.40], p < 0.001) compared to placebo. The vaccine did not change PWV. FMD remained unchanged during the 1st dose but decreased significantly by 1.5% (95% CI: 0.1% to 2.9%, p = 0.037) at 24 h after the 2nd dose. FMD values returned to baseline at 48 h. Our study shows that the mRNA vaccine causes a prominent increase in inflammatory markers, especially after the 2nd dose, and a transient deterioration of endothelial function at 24 h that returns to baseline at 48 h. These results confirm the short-term cardiovascular safety of the vaccine.

Arterial biomarkers in the evaluation, management and prognosis of aortic stenosis.

Degenerative aortic valve stenosis is the most common primary valve disease and a significant cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In an era when new techniques for the management of aortic stenosis are gaining ground, the understanding of this disease is more important than ever to optimize treatment. So far, the focus has been placed on the assessment of the valve itself. However, the role that the arterial system plays in the pathogenesis and natural history of the disease needs to be further elucidated. Arteriosclerosis, when it coexists with a stenotic valve, augments the load posed on the left ventricle contributing to greater impairment of cardiovascular function. Arterial stiffness, a well-established predictor for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, could play a role in the prognosis and quality of life of this population. Several studies using a variety of indices to assess arterial stiffness have tried to address the potential utility of arterial function assessment in the case of aortic stenosis. Importantly, reliable data identify a prognostic role of arterial biomarkers in aortic stenosis and stress their possible use to optimize timing and method of treatment. This review aims at summarizing the existing knowledge on the interplay between the heart and the vessels in the presence of degenerative aortic stenosis, prior, upon and after interventional management. Further, it discusses the evidence supporting the potential clinical application of arterial biomarkers for the assessment of progression, severity, management and prognosis of aortic stenosis.

The impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on arterial stiffness and wave reflections.

BACKGROUND: The study of arterial properties in patients with aortic valve stenosis who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains challenging and results so far seem equivocal. We sought to investigate the acute and long-term effect of TAVI on arterial stiffness and wave reflections. METHODS: We enrolled 90 patients (mean age 80.2 ± 8.1 years, 50% males) with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI. Arterial stiffness was assessed by carotid-femoral and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (cfPWV and baPWV). Augmentation index corrected for heart rate (AIx@75), central pressures and subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) were assessed with arterial tonometry. Measurements were conducted at baseline, after TAVI and at 1 year. RESULTS: Immediately after TAVI there was an increase in arterial stiffness (7.5 ± 1.5 m/s vs 8.4 ± 1.7 m/s, p = .001 for cfPWV and 1773 ± 459 vs 2383 ± 645 cm/s, p < .001 for baPWV) that was retained at 1 year (7.5 ± 1.5 m/s vs 8.7 ± 1.7 m/s, p < .001 and 1773 ± 459 cm/s vs 2286 ± 575, p < .001). Post-TAVI we also observed a decrease in AIx@75 (32.2 ± 12.9% vs 27.9 ± 8.4%, p = .016) that was attenuated 1 year later (32.2 ± 12.9% vs 29.8 ± 9.1%, p = .38), and an increase in SEVR (131.2 ± 30.0% vs 148.4 ± 36.1%, p = .002), which remained improved at 1 year (131.2 ± 30.0% vs 146.0 ± 32.2%, p = .01). CONCLUSIONS: After TAVI the arterial system exhibits an increase of stiffness in response to the acute relief of the obstruction, which is retained in the long term.