Prospective cohort study of elderly patients with coronary artery disease: impact of frailty on quality of life and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Elderly, frail patients are often excluded from clinical trials so there is lack of data regarding optimal management when they present with symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this observational study was to evaluate an unselected elderly population with CAD for the occurrence of frailty, and its association with quality of life (QoL) and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Consecutive patients aged ≥80 years presenting with CAD were prospectively assessed for frailty (Fried frailty phenotype (FFP), Edmonton frailty scale (EFS)), QoL (Short form survey (SF-12)) and comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI)). Patients were re-assessed at 4 months to determine any change in frailty and QoL status as well as the clinical outcome. RESULTS: One hundred fifty consecutive patients with symptomatic CAD were recruited in the study. The mean age was 83.7±3.2 years, 99 (66.0%) were men. The clinical presentation was stable angina in 68 (45.3%), the remainder admitted with an acute coronary syndrome including 21 (14.0%) with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Frailty was present in 28% and 26% by FFP and EFS, respectively, and was associated with a significantly higher CCI (7.5±2.4 in frail, 6.2±2.2 in prefrail, 5.9±1.6 in those without frailty, p=0.005). FFP was significantly related to the physical composite score for QoL, while EFS was significantly related to the mental composite score for QoL (p=0.003). Treatment was determined by the cardiologist: percutaneous coronary intervention in 51 (34%), coronary artery bypass graft surgery in 15 (10%) and medical therapy in 84 (56%). At 4 months, 14 (9.3%) had died. Frail participants had the lowest survival. Cardiovascular symptom status and the mental composite score of QoL significantly improved (52.7±11.5 at baseline vs 55.1±10.6 at follow-up, p=0.04). However, overall frailty status did not significantly change, nor the physical health composite score of QoL (37.2±11.0 at baseline vs 38.5±11.3 at follow-up, p=0.27). CONCLUSIONS: In patients referred to hospital with CAD, frailty is associated with impaired QoL and a high coexistence of comorbidities. Following cardiac treatment, patients had improvement in cardiovascular symptoms and mental component of QoL.

Systemic Cardiac Troponin T Associated With Incident Atrial Fibrillation Among Patients With Suspected Stable Angina Pectoris.

Higher concentrations of cardiac troponin T are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and adverse cardiovascular prognosis. The relation with incident atrial fibrillation (AF) is less explored. We studied this association among 3,568 patients evaluated with coronary angiography for stable angina pectoris without previous history of AF. The prospective association between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) categories (≤3 ng/L; n = 1,694, 4-9; n = 1,085, 10 to 19; n = 614 and 20 to 30; n = 175) and incident AF and interactions with the extent of CAD were studied by Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox regression. Risk prediction improvements were assessed by receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC) analyses. During median (25 to 75 percentile) 7.3 (6.3 to 8.6) years of follow-up 412 (11.5%) were diagnosed with AF. In a Cox model adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and left ventricular ejection fraction, hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were 1.53 (1.16 to 2.03), 2.03 (1.49 to 2.78), and 2.15 (1.40 to 3.31) when comparing the second, third, and fourth to the first hs-cTnT group, respectively (P for trend <0.000001). The strongest association between hs-cTnT levels and incident AF was found among patients without obstructive CAD (Pint = 0.024) and adding hs-cTnT to established AF risk factors improved risk classification slightly (ΔROC 0.006, p = 0.044). In conclusion, in patients with suspected stable angina higher levels of hs-cTnT predicted increased risk of incident AF. This was most pronounced in patients without obstructive CAD suggesting an association not mediated by coronary disease.

Relationship between mild renal dysfunction and coronary artery disease in young patients with stable angina pectoris.

Aim: We investigated the relationship between mild renal dysfunction (MRD) and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in people under 60 years of age. Materials & methods: A total of 634 (317 patients with vessel stenosis ≥50% and 317 with normal angiography) individuals diagnosed with stable angina pectoris and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 were included in the present study. Results: The mean eGFR was lower (95.3 ± 23.7 vs 109.7 ± 22.3, respectively, p = 0.002) and the number of patients with MRD was higher in patients with CAD (137, 43.2%) than in the control group (52, 16.4%, p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis showed that lower eGFR is an independent risk factor for presence of CAD in people under 60 years of age with stable angina pectoris. Conclusion: According to our retrospective study, the risk of developing CAD appears to be slightly increased in individuals under 60 years of age with MRD.

Individualizing Revascularization Strategy for Diabetic Patients With Multivessel Coronary Disease.

BACKGROUND: In patients with diabetes and multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD), the FREEDOM (Future Revascularization Evaluation in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: Optimal Management of Multivessel Disease) trial demonstrated that, on average, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was superior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for major acute cardiovascular events (MACE) and angina reduction. Nonetheless, multivessel PCI remains a common revascularization strategy in the real world. OBJECTIVES: To translate the results of FREEDOM to individual patients in clinical practice, risk models of the heterogeneity of treatment benefit were built. METHODS: Using patient-level data from 1,900 FREEDOM patients, the authors developed models to predict 5-year MACE (all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke) and 1-year angina after CABG and PCI using baseline covariates and treatment interactions. Parsimonious models were created to support clinical use. The models were internally validated using bootstrap resampling, and the MACE model was externally validated in a large real-world registry. RESULTS: The 5-year MACE occurred in 346 (18.2%) patients, and 310 (16.3%) had angina at 1 year. The MACE model included 8 variables and treatment interactions with smoking status (c = 0.67). External validation in stable CAD (c = 0.65) and ACS (c = 0.68) demonstrated comparable performance. The 6-variable angina model included a treatment interaction with SYNTAX score (c = 0.67). PCI was never superior to CABG, and CABG was superior to PCI for MACE in 54.5% of patients and in 100% of patients with history of smoking. CONCLUSIONS: To help disseminate the results of FREEDOM, the authors created a personalized risk prediction tool for patients with diabetes and multivessel CAD that could be used in shared decision-making for CABG versus PCI by estimating each patient's personal outcomes with both treatments.

Risk factors for coronary artery disease in young patients with stable angina pectoris

Background/aim: We aimed to investigate the relationship between risk factors and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in a young population with stable angina pectoris (SAP). Materials and methods: A total of571 individuals younger than 60 years old, admitted to the outpatient clinic with chest pain and referred for coronary angiography between January 2015 and December 2017, were included in the study. All clinical and biochemical parameters were documented in the hospital records. Coronary angiography of patients was monitored from records. The individuals were divided into two groups. The patient group consisted of 363 individuals with at least one-vessel stenosis of ≥70%, and the control group consisted of 208 individuals with normal coronary angiography. We compared the traditional and nontraditional risk factors of these two groups in terms of the presence of CAD. Results: Prevalence of male sex and smoking were higher in the patient group, and the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes were similar in the two groups. In the patient group, mean age, blood cholesterols, serum gamma-glutamyltransferase, hemoglobin, and white blood cell and lymphocyte levels were higher, while estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), platelets, and neutrophil/lymphocyte and platelet/lymphocyte ratios were lower. Low eGFR and HDL-C levels, older age, male sex, smoking, and high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lymphocytes were independent risk factors for the presence of CAD in young patients. Conclusion: Contrary to studies performed in the elderly, traditional and nontraditional risk factors could not exactly predict the presence of CAD in a young population with SAP.

CABG and Preoperative use of Beta-Blockers in Patients with Stable Angina are Associated with Better Cardiovascular Survival.

OBJECTIVE: In contrast to unstable angina, optimal therapy in patients with stable angina is debated. Our aim was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with stable angina scheduled for isolated coronary artery bypass grafts and the effect of preoperative use of beta-blockers. Overall and cardiovascular survivals were our primary outcome. Operative mortality and postoperative complications along with subgroup analysis of diabetic patients were our secondary outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of patients with stable angina scheduled for isolated coronary artery bypass grafts was included. Pre- and postoperative variables were extracted from the institution database. Survival was obtained from the National Registry. RESULTS: We included 282 patients with stable angina, with a mean age of 65.6±9.5 years. 26.6% were female and 38.7% had diabetes. Three-vessel disease was present in 76.6% of patients. Previous beta-blocker treatment was evident in 69.9% of patients. 10-year overall survival in the whole population was 60.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 50.3-70.7%). Operative mortality during the study period was 3.5%. Patients with preoperative use of beta-blocker therapy had better overall survival (9.0 years, 95%CI: 8.6-9.5) than those without treatment (7.9 years, 95%CI: 7.1-8.8 years; P=0.048). Predictors for overall survival were: hypertension, diabetes, and age. Predictors for cardiovascular survival in diabetic patients were: beta-blocker use, gender, and age. CONCLUSION: Coronary artery bypass grafts surgery in patients with stable angina carries low operative mortality, postoperative complications, and excellent long-term cardiovascular survival. The preoperative use of beta-blockers in diabetic patients is associated with better cardiovascular survival after coronary artery bypass grafts.

CANG and preoperative use of beta-blockers in patients with stable angina are associated with better cardiovascular survival

Abstract Objective: In contrast to unstable angina, optimal therapy in patients with stable angina is debated. Our aim was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with stable angina scheduled for isolated coronary artery bypass grafts and the effect of preoperative use of beta-blockers. Overall and cardiovascular survivals were our primary outcome. Operative mortality and postoperative complications along with subgroup analysis of diabetic patients were our secondary outcomes. Methods: Retrospective evaluation of patients with stable angina scheduled for isolated coronary artery bypass grafts was included. Pre- and postoperative variables were extracted from the institution database. Survival was obtained from the National Registry. Results: We included 282 patients with stable angina, with a mean age of 65.6±9.5 years. 26.6% were female and 38.7% had diabetes. Three-vessel disease was present in 76.6% of patients. Previous beta-blocker treatment was evident in 69.9% of patients. 10-year overall survival in the whole population was 60.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 50.3-70.7%). Operative mortality during the study period was 3.5%. Patients with preoperative use of beta-blocker therapy had better overall survival (9.0 years, 95%CI: 8.6-9.5) than those without treatment (7.9 years, 95%CI: 7.1-8.8 years; P=0.048). Predictors for overall survival were: hypertension, diabetes, and age. Predictors for cardiovascular survival in diabetic patients were: beta-blocker use, gender, and age. Conclusion: Coronary artery bypass grafts surgery in patients with stable angina carries low operative mortality, postoperative complications, and excellent long-term cardiovascular survival. The preoperative use of beta-blockers in diabetic patients is associated with better cardiovascular survival after coronary artery bypass grafts.

Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Mortality in Patients With Suspected Stable Angina Pectoris.

Context and Objective: Vitamin D status may affect cardiovascular disease (CVD) development and survival. We studied the relationship between concentrations of the circulating biomarker 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk. Design, Setting, Participants, and Main Outcome Measures: 25OHD, the sum of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, was analyzed in plasma samples from 4114 white patients suspected of having stable angina pectoris and was adjusted for seasonal variation. Hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were estimated by using multivariable Cox models with 25OHD as the main exposure variable, with adjustment for study site, age, sex, smoking, body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and systolic blood pressure. Results: A total of 895 (21.8%) deaths, including 407 (9.9%) from CVD causes, occurred during a mean ± standard deviation follow-up of 11.9 ± 3.0 years. Compared with the first 25OHD quartile, HRs in the second, third, and fourth quartiles were 0.64 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.54 to 0.77], 0.56 (95% CI, 0.46 to 0.67), and 0.56 (95% CI, 0.46 to 0.67) for all-cause mortality and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.53 to 0.91), 0.60 (95% CI, 0.45 to 0.79), and 0.57 (95% CI, 0.43 to 0.75) for cardiovascular mortality, respectively. Threshold analysis demonstrated increased all-cause and CVD mortality in patients with 25OHD concentrations below ∼42.5 nmol/L. Moreover, analysis suggested increased all-cause mortality at concentrations >100 nmol/L. Conclusion: Plasma 25OHD concentrations were inversely associated with cardiovascular mortality and nonlinearly (U-shaped) associated with all-cause mortality.

Serum Carnitine Metabolites and Incident Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Patients With Suspected Stable Angina Pectoris.

Context: Carnitine and its metabolites are centrally involved in fatty acid metabolism. Although elevated circulating concentrations have been observed in obesity and insulin resistance, prospective studies examining whether these metabolites are associated with incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) are sparse. Objective: We performed a comprehensive evaluation of metabolites along the carnitine pathway relative to incident T2D. Design: A total of 2519 patients (73.1% men) with coronary artery disease, but without T2D, were followed for median 7.7 years until the end of 2009, during which 173 (6.9%) new cases of T2D were identified. Serum levels of free carnitine, its precursors trimethyllysine (TML) and γ-butyrobetaine, and the esters acetyl-, propionyl-, (iso)valeryl-, octanoyl-, and palmitoylcarnitine were measured by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Risk associations were explored by logistic regression and reported per (log-transformed) standard deviation increment. Results: Median age at inclusion was 62 years and median body mass index (BMI) 26.0 kg/m2. In models adjusted for age, sex, fasting status, BMI, estimated glomerular filtration rate, glycated hemoglobin A1c, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and study center, serum levels of TML and palmitoylcarnitine associated positively [odds ratio (95% confidence interval), 1.22 (1.04 to 1.43) and 1.24 (1.04 to 1.49), respectively], whereas γ-butyrobetaine associated negatively [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 0.81 (0.66 to 0.98)] with T2D risk. Conclusion: Serum levels of TML, γ-butyrobetaine, and the long-chained palmitoylcarnitine predict long-term risk of T2D independently of traditional risk factors, possibly reflecting dysfunctional fatty acid metabolism in patients susceptible to T2D development.

Benefits and risks of P2Y12 inhibitor preloading in patients with acute coronary syndrome and stable angina.

Treatment with P2Y12 inhibitors is an integral part of the standard of care for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the most appropriate timing for P2Y12 inhibitor administration remains unclear, and the value of "preloading" with P2Y12 inhibitors prior to cardiac catheterization is controversial. While pre-catheterization treatment with P2Y12 inhibitors is performed with the goal of decreasing adverse cardiovascular events, this potential benefit must be weighed against the increased risk of bleeding complications and operative delay if coronary artery bypass graft surgery is indicated. A number of studies have been conducted to evaluate the utility of preloading with P2Y12 inhibitors prior to cardiac catheterization for varying indications including stable angina and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In this article, we review the literature and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the preloading strategy. Several individual studies offer inconclusive and even conflicting findings. However, when taken in sum, these studies allow for several conclusions about the utility of P2Y12 inhibitor pretreatment. The existing literature demonstrate that preloading is associated with some degree of reduction in adverse ischemic events, although this benefit comes with an increased risk of bleeding complications. The appropriateness of preloading therefore varies based on the indication for catheterization, likely justified in patients with ACS but unlikely to benefit patients with stable angina.

Plasma MicroRNA-126-5p is Associated with the Complexity and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Stable Angina Pectoris.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major problem worldwide. As an endothelium-enriched microRNA (miRNA), miR-126 has been reported to serve as a potential biomarker of acute myocardial infarction. However, the relationship between miR-126 and the severity of CAD remains unknown. This study was designed to test whether circulating miR-126 levels are associated with the severity of CAD. METHODS: The present study enrolled 40 patients who had risk factors for CAD without angiographically significant CAD, and 110 patients presenting with stable angina pectoris, who were validated left main coronary artery disease (LMCA) and/or multi-vessel disease by coronary angiography. The expression levels of plasma miR-126-5p from all enrolled subjects were estimated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Then, the relationships between plasma miR-126-5p levels, number of diseased vessels and the corresponding Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) score were analyzed. RESULTS: The expression of circulating miR-126-5p was affected by some CAD risk factors including aging, dyslipidemia and DM. Furthermore, plasma miR-126-5p levels were significantly down-regulated in CAD patients with multi-vessel disease, higher SYNTAX score, rather than isolated LMCA and low SYNTAX score. CONCLUSION: Circulating miR-126-5p has emerged as a potential biomarker for complexity and severity of CAD in patients with stable angina pectoris.

Predictors of Medical Management in Patients Undergoing Elective Cardiac Catheterization for Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: Compared with medical therapy, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) does not reduce mortality or myocardial infarction in patients with stable angina. Therefore, PCI should be guided by refractory anginal symptoms and not just lesion characteristics. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that angiographic lesion characteristics and stress test results would have a greater role in the decision to proceed with PCI than would symptom severity. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing elective cardiac catheterization and possible PCI at an academic medical center. Anginal symptoms, optimal medical therapy, antianginal therapy, stress test results, and angiographic lesions (including American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association [ACC/AHA] lesion type) were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of medical management among patients not referred for coronary artery bypass surgery. RESULTS: Of the 207 patients with obstructive lesions amenable to PCI, 163 underwent PCI and 44 were referred to medical therapy. In the multivariable logistic model, the following variables were associated with medical management: advancing age (odds ratio [OR] per 1 year: 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91-0.98), chronic kidney disease (OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.06-0.95), distal location (OR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.09-0.48), and ACC/AHA type C lesion (OR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.03-0.22). There was no association with sex, race, symptoms, optimal medical therapy, maximal antianginal therapy, referral status, or type of interventional cardiologist (academic vs private practice). CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing cardiac catheterization for stable angina, the decision to proceed to PCI vs medical management appears to depend largely on patient and angiographic characteristics, but not on symptoms or ischemia. Distal and high-risk lesions (ACC/AHA type C) are more often referred for medical therapy.

Severity of erectile dysfunction is highly correlated with the syntax score in patients undergoing coronariography

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the association between the severity of erectile dysfunction (ED) and coronary artery disease (CAD) in men undergoing coronary angiography for angina or acute myocardial infarct (AMI). Material and Methods We studied 132 males who underwent coronary angiography for first time between January and November 2010. ED severity was assessed by the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5) and CAD severity was assessed by the Syntax score. Patients with CAD (cases) and without CAD (controls) had their IIEF-5 compared. In the group with CAD, their IIEF-5 scores were compared to their Syntax score results. Results We identified 86 patients with and 46 without CAD. The IIEF-5 score of the group without CAD (22.6±0.8) was significantly higher than the group with CAD (12.5±0.5; p<0.0001). In patients without ED, the Syntax score average was 6.3±3.5, while those with moderate or severe ED had a mean Syntax score of 39.0±11.1. After adjustment, ED was independently associated to CAD, with an odds ratio of 40.6 (CI 95%, 14.3-115.3, p<0.0001). The accuracy of the logistic model to correctly identify presence or absence of CAD was 87%, with 92% sensitivity and 78% specificity. The average time that ED was present in patients with CAD was 38.8±2.3 months before coronary symptoms, about twice as high as patients without CAD (18.0±5.1 months). Conclusions ED severity is strongly and independently correlated with CAD complexity, as assessed by the Syntax score in patients undergoing coronariography for evaluation of new onset coronary symptoms.

Integrity(®) bare-metal coronary stent-induced platelet and endothelial cell activation results in a higher risk of restenosis compared to Xience(®) everolimus-eluting stents in stable angina patients.

Drug-eluting stenting (DES) has become a reliable tool for coronary stenting; however, its direct effects on platelet and endothelium function differ from those of bare-metal stenting (BMS). This study involved a periprocedural analysis of various biomarkers of cellular activation after elective DES (Xience(®), Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA) or BMS (Integrity(®), Medtronic, Minneapolis, MI, USA). Forty-nine stable angina patients were recruited: 28 underwent BMS, and 21 received everolimus-eluting stents. Samples were collected (i) prior to stenting, (ii) at 24 hours after procedure, and (iii) after 1 month of dual antiplatelet therapy. Platelet activation was analyzed by surface P-selectin positivity in parallel with plasma levels of soluble P-selectin, CD40L and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Endothelial cell (EC) activation was detected by measuring markers of early (von Willebrand factor) and delayed response (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin). Patients were followed for 6 months for the occurrence of restenosis or stent thrombosis. Increased platelet activation was sustained regardless of stent type or antiplatelet medication. Concentrations of most EC markers were more elevated after BMS than after DES. No stent thrombosis was seen, but six BMS subjects displayed restenosis with significantly higher sCD40L (779 [397-899] vs. 381 [229-498] pg/mL; p = 0.032) and sICAM-1 (222 [181-272] vs. 162 [153-223] ng/mL; p = 0.046) levels than in those without complication, while DES patients exhibited significantly decreased PDGF (572 [428-626] vs. 244 [228-311] pg/mL; p = 0.004) after 1 month. Nonresponsiveness to antiplatelet drugs did not influence these changes. In conclusion, the degree of platelet and EC activation suggests that Xience(®) DES may be regarded a safer coronary intervention than Integrity(®) BMS, with a lower risk of in-stent restenosis.

Epicardial adipose tissue thickness can be used to predict major adverse cardiac events.

OBJECTIVE: Increase in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness is associated with subclinical and manifest coronary artery disease. In addition, it is associated with the severity and extent of coronary atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate whether increased EAT thickness is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred consecutive patients who were admitted with stable angina pectoris, unstable angina pectoris or acute myocardial infarction (MI), and had undergone coronary angiography were included and followed for revascularization, nonfatal MI, hospitalization for heart failure and cardiovascular death for 26 (5-30) months. RESULTS: There were significantly more revascularizations, nonfatal MI and cardiovascular death in patients with an initial EAT thickness more than 7 mm (P<0.001 for all). Significant predictors of cardiovascular death were identified as an EAT thickness more than 7 mm [hazard ratio (HR) 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4-8.3, P=0.039] and diabetes (HR 3.42, 95% CI 0.7-17.5, P=0.014) in the multivariate Cox regression analysis. Event-free survival for cardiovascular death in the EAT up to 7 mm group was 97.9%, whereas it was 90.7% in the EAT more than 7 mm group (P=0.021). In addition, significant predictors of MI were identified as an EAT thickness more than 7 mm (HR 2.4, 95% CI 0.6-10.0, P=0.021) and diabetes (HR 3.4, 95% CI 1.0-11.2, P=0.04). Event-free survival for MI in the EAT up to 7 mm group was 96.4%, whereas it was 68.2% in the EAT more than 7 mm group (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Increase in EAT thickness independently predicts adverse cardiac events including MI and cardiovascular death.

Comparison of morphologic findings obtained by optical coherence tomography in acute coronary syndrome caused by vasospasm and chronic stable variant angina.

This study used optical coherence tomography (OCT) to evaluate morphologic changes in vasospastic lesions, which can cause acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or chronic stable VA. Thirty-nine patients (52.4 ± 9.0 years, 33 males) with vasospasm-induced ACS who presented with chest pain and displayed transient ST segment elevation on electrocardiography were included in the ACS group. Forty-one patients (49.3 ± 7.7 years, 33 males) who presented with chronic stable variant angina were included in the VA group. The clinical characteristics and morphologic OCT results of the two groups were compared. There were no differences in baseline characteristics, including the proportions of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and smoking, between the two groups. Intimal tear, erosion, and intra-luminal thrombi were more frequent in the ACS group than the VA group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.006, respectively). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was higher in the ACS group than the VA group (1.33 ± 1.93 vs 0.48 ± 0.50 mg/l, P = 0.011). Maximal intima thickness of spastic segment (0.38 ± 0.06 vs 0.31 ± 0.05 mm, P < 0.001) was significantly greater in the ACS group than in the VA group. In patients with vasospasm-induced ACS, intimal tear, intimal erosion, and microthrombi are major abnormal morphologic findings of OCT compared with patients with chronic stable VA.

Cystatin C and risk of mortality among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

AIMS: We tested the prognostic value of cystatin C in patients with documented coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent percutaneous coronary artery intervention (PCI). We also tested the hypothesis that the incremental predictive value of cystatin C on all-cause mortality was superior to that of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. METHODS AND RESULTS: Included in the study were 2,757 patients (mean age 63 years, 77% men). Blood samples for cystatin C levels were collected immediately before PCI. During a median follow-up of two years, 114 patients died. In multivariable Cox analyses, after adjustment for several confounders, GFR (p=0.004) and cystatin C concentration (p<0.0001) were independent predictors of all-cause death. Cystatin C predicted all-cause death (c-statistic: 0.794) better than GFR estimate based on creatinine (c-statistic: 0.776, p=0.008 for comparison), and significantly reclassified 15% of patients into categories that reflected their actual likelihood of death more accurately (p=0.005). Adding cystatin C and GFR in the same multivariable survival model, only cystatin C level was a significant predictor of death. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents for the first time the incremental predictive value of cystatin C over the creatinine-based MDRD formula on all-cause mortality for CAD patients undergoing PCI.

OSA and depression are common and independently associated with refractory angina in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: Refractory angina is a severe form of coronary artery disease (CAD) characterized by persistent angina despite optimal medical therapy. OSA and depression are common in patients with stable CAD and may contribute to a poor prognosis. We hypothesized that OSA and depression are more common and more severe in patients with refractory angina than in patients with stable CAD. METHODS: We used standardized questionnaires and full polysomnography to compare consecutive patients with well-established refractory angina vs consecutive patients with stable CAD evaluated for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. RESULTS: Patients with refractory angina (n = 70) compared with patients with stable CAD (n = 70) were similar in sex distribution (male, 61.5% vs 75.5%; P = .07) and BMI (29.5 ± 4 kg/m2 vs 28.5 ± 4 kg/m2, P = .06), and were older (61 ± 10 y vs 57 ± 7 y, P = .013), respectively. Patients with refractory angina had significantly more symptoms of daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, 12 ± 6 vs 8 ± 5; P < .001), had higher depression symptom scores (Beck Depression Inventory score, 19 ± 8 vs 10 ± 8; P < .001) despite greater use of antidepressants, had a higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (AHI, 37 ± 30 events/h vs 23 ± 20 events/h; P = .001), higher proportion of oxygen saturation < 90% during sleep (8% ± 13 vs 4% ± 9, P = .04), and a higher proportion of severe OSA (AHI ≥ 30 events/h, 48% vs 27%; P = .009) than patients with stable CAD. OSA (P = .017), depression (P < .001), higher Epworth Sleepiness Scale score (P = .007), and lower sleep efficiency (P = .016) were independently associated with refractory angina in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: OSA and depression are independently associated with refractory angina and may contribute to poor cardiovascular outcome.

Role of dongchongxiacao (Cordyceps) in prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with stable angina pectoris.

OBJECTIVE: To study the preventative effects of Dongchongxiacao (Cordyceps) on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP). METHODS: One-hundred and three SAP inpatients were divided randomly into two groups: basic treatment (n = 51) and Dongchongxiacao (Cordyceps) treatment (n = 52); corbrin capsules (3 g; t.d.s.) were used 3 days before angioplasty and 3 days after angioplasty). Serum creatinine (Scr) was assessed at the time of hospital admission and 1, 2, and 3 days after angioplasty. Values of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and interleukin (IL) 18 in the kidney were detected before angioplasty and 1 day after angioplasty in the patients of both groups. The prevalence of CIN between the two groups was then compared. RESULTS: CIN occurred in 9 of 103 patients (8.74%). The prevalence of CIN in the Dongchongxiacao (Cordyceps) treatment group was lower than that of the basic treatment group (5.77% vs 11.76%) but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The post-procedure mean peak of Scr, post-procedure increase in Scr levels from baseline, and urine levels of KIM-1, NGAL and IL18 after the procedure in the Dongchongxiacao (Cordyceps) treatment group were significantly lower than those in the basic treatment group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic treatment with Dongchongxiacao (Cordyceps) in SAP patients who undergo coronary angiography or coronary intervention could prevent contrast-induced renal impairment.