Angiography-derived assessment of coronary microcirculatory resistance in patients with suspected myocardial ischaemia and non-obstructive coronary arteries.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial ischaemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) represents a challenging and frequent, but largely underdiagnosed, condition. AIMS: We aimed to investigate the feasibility and diagnostic value of angiography-derived coronary microcirculatory resistance in patients with INOCA syndrome. METHODS: This is an investigator-driven, prospective and blinded study. The diagnostic yield of angiography-derived index of coronary microcirculatory resistance (angio-IMR) was investigated against thermodilution-derived IMR (thermo-IMR) in patients with clinically indicated coronary angiography due to suspected myocardial ischaemia and angiographically normal or non-obstructive coronary arteries. The angio-IMR was derived from resting angiograms (contrast-flow angio-IMR [cAngio-IMR]) by an expert analyst blinded to the thermo-IMR. An independent, blinded, physiology core laboratory analysed the raw intracoronary physiology data and provided the final thermo-IMR values. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients (108 coronary vessels) were analysed after fulfilling predefined inclusion criteria. Most patients were female (67%). Obstructive epicardial disease was angiographically (percent diameter stenosis <50%) and physiologically (fractional flow reserve>0.80) ruled out in all cases. Median thermo-IMR and cAngio-IMR were 16.6 (12.7, 23.0) and 16.8 (12.8, 23.1) units, respectively (median difference -0.31, 95% confidence interval: -1.53 to 1.00; p=0.654). cAngio-IMR showed good correlation (Pearson coefficient 0.76; p<0.001), agreement (mean bias 0.4), discriminatory power (area under the curve from the receiver operator characteristics 0.865; p<0.001) and accuracy (85%), compared to thermo-IMR (≥25 U). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluating coronary microcirculatory resistance in patients with INOCA syndrome using cAngio-IMR is feasible and accurate. By circumventing the need of coronary instrumentation and hyperaemic drugs, this method may facilitate the assessment of coronary microcirculatory resistance in patients with suspected INOCA. CLINICALTRIALS: gov: NCT04827498.

Mortality risk assessment in Spain and Italy, insights of the HOPE COVID-19 registry.

Recently the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has been declared a pandemic. Despite its aggressive extension and significant morbidity and mortality, risk factors are poorly characterized outside China. We designed a registry, HOPE COVID-19 (NCT04334291), assessing data of 1021 patients discharged (dead or alive) after COVID-19, from 23 hospitals in 4 countries, between 8 February and 1 April. The primary end-point was all-cause mortality aiming to produce a mortality risk score calculator. The median age was 68 years (IQR 52-79), and 59.5% were male. Most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (46.8%) and dyslipidemia (35.8%). A relevant heart or lung disease were depicted in 20%. And renal, neurological, or oncological disease, respectively, were detected in nearly 10%. Most common symptoms were fever, cough, and dyspnea at admission. 311 patients died and 710 were discharged alive. In the death-multivariate analysis, raised as most relevant: age, hypertension, obesity, renal insufficiency, any immunosuppressive disease, 02 saturation < 92% and an elevated C reactive protein (AUC = 0.87; Hosmer-Lemeshow test, p > 0.999; bootstrap-optimist: 0.0018). We provide a simple clinical score to estimate probability of death, dividing patients in four grades (I-IV) of increasing probability. Hydroxychloroquine (79.2%) and antivirals (67.6%) were the specific drugs most commonly used. After a propensity score adjustment, the results suggested a slight improvement in mortality rates (adjusted-ORhydroxychloroquine 0.88; 95% CI 0.81-0.91, p = 0.005; adjusted-ORantiviral 0.94; 95% CI 0.87-1.01; p = 0.115). COVID-19 produces important mortality, mostly in patients with comorbidities with respiratory symptoms. Hydroxychloroquine could be associated with survival benefit, but this data need to be confirmed with further trials. Trial Registration: NCT04334291/EUPAS34399.

Assessment of the German and Italian Stress Cardiomyopathy Score for Risk Stratification for In-hospital Complications in Patients With Takotsubo Syndrome.

Importance: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute, reversible heart failure syndrome featured by significant rates of in-hospital complications. There is a lack of data for risk stratification during hospitalization. Objective: To derive a simple clinical score for risk prediction of in-hospital complications among patients with TTS. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this prognostic study, 1007 consecutive patients were enrolled in the German and Italian Stress Cardiomyopathy (GEIST) registry from July 1, 2007, through December 31, 2017, and identified as the derivation cohort; 946 patients were enrolled in the Spanish Registry for Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (RETAKO) as the external score validation. An admission risk score was developed using a stepwise multivariable regression analysis from 2 registries. Data analysis was performed from March 1, 2018, through July 31, 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures: In-hospital complications were defined as death, pulmonary edema, need for invasive ventilation, and cardiogenic shock. Four variables were identified as independent predictors of in-hospital complications and were used for the score: male sex, history of neurologic disorder, right ventricular involvement, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Results: Of the 1007 patients enrolled in the GEIST registry, 107 (10.6%) were male, with mean (SD) age of 69.8 (11.4) years. Overall rate of in-hospital complications was 23.3% (235 of 1007) (death, 4.0%; pulmonary edema, 5.8%; invasive ventilation, 6.4%; and cardiogenic shock, 9.1%). The GEIST prognosis score was derived by providing 20 points each for male sex and history of neurologic disorders and 30 points for right ventricular involvement and then subtracting the value in percent of LVEF (decimal values between 0.15 and 0.70). Score accuracy on area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was 0.71, with a negative predictive power of 87% with scores less than 20. External validation in the RETAKO population (124 [13.1%] male; mean [SD] age, 69.5 [14.9] years) revealed an area under the curve of 0.73 (P = .46 vs GEIST derivation cohort). Stratification into 3 risk groups (<20, 20-40, and >40 points) classified 316 patients (40.9%) as having low risk; 342 (44.3%) as having intermediate risk, and 114 (14.8%) as having high risk of complications. The observed in-hospital complication rates were 12.7% for low-risk patients, 23.4% for intermediate-risk patients, and 58.8% for high-risk patients (P < .001 for trend). After 2.6 years of follow-up, patients with in-hospital complications had significantly higher rates of mortality than those without complications (40% vs 10%, P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance: The GEIST prognostic score may be useful in early risk stratification for TTS. High-risk patients with TTS may require an intensive care unit stay, and low-risk patients with TTS could be discharged within a few days. In-hospital complications in patients with TTS may be associated with increased risk of long-term mortality.

Coronary aneurysms in the acute patient: Incidence, characterization and long-term management results.

BACKGROUND: Coronary aneurysms (1.5 times dilation the reference-vessel) are uncommon and have been diagnosed with increasing frequency with coronary angiography. The incidence varies from 1.5% to 5%. Reported complications are multiple: thrombosis, distal embolization, rupture and vasospasm, causing ischemia, heart failure or arrhythmias. However, the natural history and prognosis remains obscure. We aimed to describe the characteristics of acute patients with coronary aneurysms. METHODS: Prospective coronariography registry of patients with the diagnosis of coronary aneurysm between 2002 and 2013. Among 51,555 consecutive coronary angiograms, 414 patients with aneurysms were reported, of which 256 were considered acute (82% NSTE-ACS). RESULTS: Predominantly male (80%, mean age 65.5years), cardiovascular risk factors were common (hypertension 65%, dyslipidemia 65%, obesity 25%, diabetes mellitus 28.5%, and smokers 67%). With frequent coronary stenoses (94%), mostly with one aneurysm (80%), it was observed more frequently in the anterior descending artery. After a median follow-up of 52months, 53 died (14 cardiac causes) and 42% presented a cardiovascular event. Complications from the aneurysm were found in 4. The duration of dual antiplatelet therapy, LVEF, age and peripheral vascular disease highlighted in the multivariate analysis of death. CONCLUSION: The presence of coronary aneurysms in patients undergoing coronary angiography with an acute event is low. Patients who present them also have a large burden of atherosclerotic risk factors. In the long-term, the probability of cardiovascular complications is high, but only a small proportion are due to the aneurysm itself. A more intense and prolonged antithrombotic treatment may result in lower mortality rates.

Influence of the amount of myocardium subtended to a coronary stenosis on the index of microcirculatory resistance. Implications for the invasive assessment of microcirculatory function in ischaemic heart disease.

AIMS: The index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) is increasingly used to quantify microcirculatory function. However, in normal coronary arteries, resistance increases with the branching structure of the coronary tree, which suggests that IMR could be influenced by the amount of downstream myocardial mass (MM). We aimed to evaluate the influence of the amount of MM subtended to an intermediate stenosis on the IMR. METHODS AND RESULTS: IMR, fractional flow reserve and coronary flow reserve (CFR) were measured in 123 coronary arteries (102 patients) with intermediate stenosis. Jeopardised MM was estimated with the Myocardial Jeopardy Index (MJI). MM was inversely associated with IMR (R.

Intramural coronary hematoma, a complex three-dimensional entity: Multimodality assessment.

A 62-year-old woman was admitted with chest pain of two hours' duration, ECG changes in the precordial leads and left ventricular ejection fraction of 30% on the echocardiogram. Emergent catheterization demonstrated severe flow disturbance in the left coronary artery. An intra-aortic balloon pump and a drug-eluting stent were implanted. However, the flow disturbance persisted. Optical coherence tomography followed by intravascular ultrasound provided crucial data on the mechanism and helped to optimize treatment in this critical patient.

Incidence, Management, and Immediate- and Long-Term Outcomes After Iatrogenic Aortic Dissection During Diagnostic or Interventional Coronary Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Aortic dissection type A is a disease with high mortality. Iatrogenic aortic dissection after interventional procedures is infrequent, and prognostic data are scarce. Our objective was to analyze its incidence, patient profile, and long-term prognosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2014, we retrospectively analyzed 74 patients with dissection of the ascending aorta. Clinical and procedural data were reviewed, and later, we performed a prospective clinical follow-up by telephone or in the office. The incidence of aortic dissection was 0.06%. Our patients, predominantly male (67.6%), had a mean age of 66.9±10.8 years. With multiple cardiovascular risk factors, the main reason for cardiac catheterization was an acute coronary syndrome (n=54). The complication was detected acutely in all, trying to engage the right coronary artery in 47 and the left main artery in 30 and after other maneuvers in 2, mostly complex therapeutic procedures (78.4%). A coronary artery was involved in 45 patients (60.8%). Thirty-five patients underwent an angioplasty and stent implantation; 3 had cardiac surgery; and 36 were managed conservatively. Two patients died of cardiogenic shock after the dissection. After a median follow-up of 51.2 months (range, 16.4-104.8 months), none of the remaining patients developed complications as a result of the dissection, progression, ischemia, pain, or dissection recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Iatrogenic catheter dissection of the aorta is a rare complication that carries an excellent short- and long-term prognosis with the adoption of a conservative approach. When a coronary artery is involved as an entry point, it usually can be safely sealed with a stent with good long-term outcomes.

Low coronary microcirculatory resistance associated with profound hypotension during intravenous adenosine infusion: implications for the functional assessment of coronary stenoses.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous adenosine infusion produces coronary and systemic vasodilatation, generally leading to systemic hypotension. However, adenosine-induced hypotension during stable hyperemia is heterogeneous, and its relevance to coronary stenoses assessment with fractional flow reserve (FFR) remains largely unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: FFR, coronary flow reserve, and index of microcirculatory resistance were measured in 93 stenosed arteries (79 patients). Clinical and intracoronary measurements were analyzed among tertiles of the percentage degree of adenosine-induced hypotension, defined as follows: %ΔP(a)=-[100-(hyperemic aortic pressure×100/baseline aortic pressure)]. Overall, %ΔP(a) was -13.6±12.0%. Body mass index was associated with %ΔP(a) (r=0.258; P=0.025) and obesity, an independent predictor of profound adenosine-induced hypotension (tertile 3 of %ΔP(a); odds ratio, 3.95 [95% confidence interval, 1.48-10.54]; P=0.006). %ΔP(a) was associated with index of microcirculatory resistance (ρ=0.311; P=0.002), coronary flow reserve (r=-0.246; P=0.017), and marginally with FFR (r=0.203; P=0.051). However, index of microcirculatory resistance (ß=0.003; P<0.001) and not %ΔP(a) (ß=-0.001; P=0.564) was a predictor of FFR. Compared with tertiles 1 and 2 of %ΔP(a) (n=62 [66.6%]), stenoses assessed during profound adenosine-induced hypotension (n=31 [33.3%]) had lower index of microcirculatory resistance (12.4 [8.6-22.7] versus 20 [15.8-35.5]; P=0.001) and FFR values (0.77±0.13 versus 0.83±0.12; P=0.021), as well as a nonsignificant increase in coronary flow reserve (2.5±1.1 versus 2.2±0.87; P=0.170). CONCLUSIONS: The modification of systemic blood pressure during intravenous adenosine infusion is related to hyperemic microcirculatory resistance in the heart. Profound adenosine-induced hypotension is associated with obesity, lower coronary microcirculatory resistance, and lower FFR values.

Assessment of myocardial deformation: Predicting medium-term left ventricular dysfunction after surgery in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The development of left ventricular dysfunction after mitral valve replacement is a common problem in patients with chronic severe mitral regurgitation. Assessment of myocardial deformation enables myocardial contractility to be accurately estimated. Our aim was to compare the value of the preoperative strain and strain rate derived by either speckle-tracking echocardiography or tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) for predicting the medium-term decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) following surgery. METHODS: This prospective study involved 38 consecutive patients with chronic severe mitral regurgitation who were scheduled for mitral valve replacement. The longitudinal strain and strain rate in the interventricular septum were measured preoperatively using speckle-tracking echocardiography and TDI. The LVEF was determined preoperatively and postoperatively using 3-dimensional echocardiography. Echocardiographic assessments were performed in the 48 hours prior to surgery and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 59.9+/-11.3 years and 10 (29.4%) were male. Both speckle-tracking echocardiography and TDI were found to be predictors of a >10% decrease in LVEF at 6 months. However, the predictive value of speckle-tracking echocardiography was greater than that of TDI. The longitudinal strain at baseline in the interventricular septum as measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography was the most powerful predictor; the area under the curve was 0.85 and the optimal cut-off value was -0.11. CONCLUSIONS: Speckle-tracking echocardiography can be used to predict a decrease in LVEF over the medium term after mitral valve replacement. Moreover, the predictive accuracy of speckle-tracking echocardiography was greater than that of TDI.