Epicardial Adipose Tissue Accumulation Is Associated With Renal Dysfunction and Coronary Plaque Morphology on Multidetector Computed Tomography.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is strongly associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), although the underlying pathophysiological mechanism remains unclear. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has recently been recognized as an important source of various pro-inflammatory cytokines causing coronary atherosclerosis. This study investigated the relationship between CKD and EAT volume in association with high-risk plaque. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 275 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30 ml/min/1.73 m(2)who underwent multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for the evaluation of CAD. Patients were classified, according to eGFR, into a CKD group (30≤eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) or a non-CKD group (eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)). MDCT was used to assess coronary plaque morphology and EAT volume. One hundred and ten patients with CKD were more likely to be older, have higher prevalence of hypertension, lower serum HDL-C, higher serum CRP, and larger EAT volume, than those without CKD (all P<0.01). On multivariate analysis age, hypertension, and EAT volume were significantly associated with eGFR (all P<0.01). EAT volume was associated with the presence of high-risk plaque, independent of traditional CAD risk factors (P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CKD had significantly increased EAT volume, which could be associated with the presence of high-risk plaque.

Peri-atrial epicardial adipose tissue is associated with new-onset nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is recognized as an important inflammatory tissue that may exert deleterious effects on the adjacent left atrial (LA) wall. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) can accurately assess EAT's volume and distribution. This study used MDCT to investigate the effect of peri-atrial EAT on new-onset nonvalvular AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study group consisted of 279 patients (176 men; age, 65±10 years) with no history of AF who underwent MDCT examination for evaluation of CAD. EAT was automatically identified on the basis of threshold attenuation values of -30 to -250 Hounsfield units. EAT volume was calculated as the sum of EAT area and subsequently divided into peri-atrial and peri-ventricular EAT. During follow-up of 3.3±1.0 years, AF occurred in 17 (6.1%) patients. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that male sex, and the LA and peri-atrial EAT volumes (P=0.03, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively) were independent predictors for future AF. The sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of AF using a peri-atrial EAT volume index of ≥27 ml/m(2) were 88% and 92%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study demonstrating that peri-atrial EAT volume estimated by MDCT excellently predicted the development of new-onset AF in patients with CAD, independent of LA enlargement.

Aorto-renal bypass surgery normalized blood pressure without antihypertensive medications in a young female patient with renal artery occlusion.

We described a 19 year old female case with renovascular hypertension, whose blood pressure was high taking antihypertensive medications. The right renal artery was completely occluded at its ostium, and percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty was unsuccessful. After aortorenal bypass surgery, blood pressure was normalized without administration of antihypertensive medication.

"Passive exercise" using whole body periodic acceleration: effects on coronary microcirculation.

BACKGROUND: The whole body periodic acceleration (WBPA) system has recently been developed as a "passive exercise" device by providing increased pulsatile shear stress for improvement of endothelial function. This study aimed to investigate the short-term effect of WBPA on coronary flow reserve (CFR) through transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) in healthy subjects and patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: This study consisted of 15 healthy subjects and 20 patients with CAD who underwent CFR examination before and immediately after WBPA. The flow velocity in the distal portion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was measured with TTDE at baseline and during adenosine infusion. Coronary flow reserve was calculated as the ratio of hyperemic to basal mean diastolic flow velocity. RESULTS: The WBPA treatment was completed in all 35 subjects without complications. There were no significant differences in heart rate and systolic blood pressure before and after WBPA. Whole body periodic acceleration increased CFR from 3.3 +/- 1.0 to 3.7 +/- 1.1 in the 35 subjects (P < .001). Coronary angiography showed significant LAD narrowing in 8 of the 20 CAD patients, but WBPA increased CFR from 2.4 +/- 0.4 to 2.7 +/- 0.5 in them as well (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that WBPA improves CFR in healthy subjects and patients with CAD.

Impact of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy on the occurrence of cardiovascular events in elderly hypertensive patients. - The Japanese trial to assess optimal systolic blood pressure in elderly hypertensive patients (JATOS) -.

BACKGROUND: Electrocardiographic (ECG) left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a risk factor for cardiovascular events and the incidence of LVH increases with age. However, few studies have assessed risks associated with LVH in elderly hypertensive patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Japanese Trial to Assess Optimal Systolic Blood Pressure in Elderly Hypertensive Patients (JATOS) was conducted to determine optimal blood pressure in elderly patients. At study entry, the sum of the S-wave in lead V(1) and the R-wave in lead V(5) (SV1+ RV5) could be determined in 3,230 patients, among whom 164 (5.1%) had cardiovascular events. On univariate analysis, the hazard ratio for cardiovascular events was 1.51 for each 10 mm (=1 mV) (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.34-1.69, P<0.0001) when SV1+ RV5 was considered a continuous variable, and 2.17 (95%CI: 1.54-3.05, P<0.0001) and 2.83 (95%CI: 1.91-4.19, P<0.0001) when SV1+ RV5 was classified into 2 groups at threshold values of either 35 mm or 40 mm, respectively. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that gender, age, current smoking, diabetes mellitus, history of renal disease, history of stroke, and SV1+ RV5 were significantly related to the occurrence of cardiovascular events. Kaplan - Meier curves showed that increasing SV1+ RV5 values were associated with higher incidences of cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS: ECG LVH is strongly related to cardiovascular events in elderly hypertensive patients.

Relationships Between Periventricular Epicardial Adipose Tissue Accumulation, Coronary Microcirculation, and Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is related to left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction, although its pathophysiological mechanism remains unclear. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is an ectopic fat with paracrine effects on coronary circulation and myocardium. We hypothesized that left ventricle-specific (periventricular) EAT may deteriorate diastolic function by impairing coronary microcirculation. METHODS: In protocol 1, 74 patients without obstructive narrowing of the left anterior descending artery on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) underwent coronary flow reserve (CFR) examination to evaluate the relationship between EAT and coronary microcirculation. In protocol 2, 372 patients who underwent both MDCT and serial transthoracic Doppler echocardiographic (TTDE) examinations were enrolled to investigate the impact of periventricular EAT on changes in diastolic function. EAT volume was measured by MDCT. CFR and diastolic function were assessed by TTDE. Deterioration of LV diastolic function was defined as a ≥ 20% decrease in early diastolic mitral annular velocity. RESULTS: CFR was significantly correlated with periventricular EAT volume (r = -0.37; P = 0.001), but not with total EAT volume (r = -0.21; P = 0.071). Periventricular EAT volume (P = 0.010) was significantly associated with CFR independent of cardiovascular risk factors. Among the 372 patients who had serial TTDE examinations, the frequency of deteriorated LV diastolic function was lowest in the lower tertile of periventricular EAT, intermediate in the middle tertile, and highest in the upper tertile (12.9%, 21.0%, and 25.8%, respectively; P = 0.037). Age, diabetes mellitus, and periventricular EAT volume were significantly associated with deterioration of LV diastolic function (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the close association of periventricular EAT with impaired CFR and deteriorated LV diastolic function.

Prevalence of spontaneous coronary artery dissection in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

AIMS: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) found typically in young females without classical coronary risk factors is thought to be a very rare cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The prevalence of SCAD in ACS subjects has been unclear, probably due to the nature of coronary angiography. The aim of this study was to use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to investigate the prevalence of SCAD in ACS. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study consisted of 326 patients with ACS (with or without ST-segment elevation) who underwent OCT to explore the entire culprit artery. According to OCT findings, patients were divided into a SCAD, a plaque rupture (PR), and a non-SCAD/non-PR group. OCT revealed 13 (4.0%) SCADs and 160 (49.1%) plaque ruptures in ACS subjects. The percentage of females versus males was greater in the SCAD group (SCAD: 53.8% vs. PR: 20.0% vs. non-SCAD/non-PR: 23.5%, p=0.02) while no difference was observed in age (SCAD: 67.3±13.3 vs. PR: 66.5±11.1 vs. non-SCAD/non-PR: 67.0±10.5, p=0.90). The prevalence of dyslipidemia (SCAD: 30.8% vs. PR: 63.8% vs. non-SCAD/non-PR: 67.5%, p=0.03) and current smoking (SCAD: 7.7% vs. PR: 57.9% vs. non-SCAD/non-PR: 59.7%, p<0.01) were significantly lower in the SCAD group. CONCLUSIONS: SCAD is not a rare cause for ACS, especially in females without classical coronary risk factors.

Use of preintervention intravascular ultrasound in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

This study was designed to determine whether preintervention intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging can assist in predicting the likelihood of acute coronary occlusion after primary angioplasty. Primary angioplasty is in widespread use for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), although its usefulness is sometimes compromised by postprocedural acute coronary occlusion. If preintervention IVUS could be used to predict acute coronary occlusion, the task of determining treatment strategies for AMI would be significantly eased. Preintervention IVUS was performed without complications in 46 patients with AMI using manually prepared contrast medium. Coronary angiography was performed 1 hour after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Acute coronary occlusion was seen in 13 of 46 patients (28%). There were no differences in the clinical characteristics and angiographic results between the patients with and without occlusion. In patients with acute occlusion, the incidence of eccentric plaque (85% vs 36%, p <0.01) and echolucent area (92% vs 15%, p <0.01) was significantly higher than in the occlusion-free patients. Most of the echolucent areas were associated with eccentric plaques (88%). Eccentric plaques characterized by echolucent areas are prone to acute occlusion after primary balloon angioplasty for AMI. Preintervention IVUS is both a safe and a useful adjunct to primary angioplasty.

Persistent epicardial adipose tissue accumulation is associated with coronary plaque vulnerability and future acute coronary syndrome in non-obese subjects with coronary artery disease.

Objective. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is recognized as a novel risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), and its contribution is thought to be stronger in non-obese patients than in obese patients. However, the prognostic impact of the progression of EAT accumulation after comprehensive management for atherosclerotic risk factors remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether an increase of the EAT volume during follow-up predicts future acute coronary syndrome (ACS) events in non-obese CAD patients. Methods. This study consisted of 517 non-obese CAD patients (368 men; age, 66 ± 10 years) who underwent serial multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) examinations to evaluate coronary atherosclerosis progression. The MDCT examination was used to assess the severity of stenosis, plaque characteristics, and EAT volume. All patients received comprehensive management to reduce CAD risk factors after the first MDCT examination. The MDCT examination was repeated at 6-24 months, and patients were followed-up for more than 1 year or until the occurrence of ACS events. Results. Of 517 patients, 159 (31%) patients were classified into increase of EAT volume during follow-up, 91 (18%) into decrease of EAT volume during follow-up, and 267 (51%) patients into constant of EAT volume during follow-up. The prevalence of obstructive plaques and MDCT-derived vulnerable features of coronary plaques were significantly elevated in patients with increase of EAT volume during follow-up. In contrast, no significant changes were observed in the other 2 groups. During the follow-up period of 4.1 ± 1.8 years (median 4.4 years) after the second MDCT examination, ACS occurred in 43 (8.3%) patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the presence of low-attenuation plaque (hazard ratio [HR]; 1.78, p = 0.04) and napkin-ring sign (HR; 3.74, p < 0.001) at second MDCT examination, and changes of EAT volume per 10 ml (HR; 1.34, p = 0.004) were associated with future ACS events. Conclusion. Patients with increase of EAT volume during follow-up despite comprehensive management for CAD risks had an increased prevalence of obstructive plaques and plaques with high-risk features, which could be associated with unfavorable ACS outcomes in non-obese CAD patients.

Remote ischemic conditioning improves coronary microcirculation in healthy subjects and patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a treatment modality that suppresses inflammation and improves endothelial function, which are factors involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) is a physiological index of coronary microcirculation and is noninvasively measured by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE). This study aimed to investigate the effects of RIC on CFR in healthy subjects and patients with HF, through the assessment by TTDE. METHODS: Ten patients with HF with left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 40%, and ten healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. RIC treatment was performed twice a day for 1 week. Our custom-made RIC device was programmed to automatically conduct 4 cycles of 5 minutes inflation and 5 minutes deflation of a blood pressure cuff to create intermittent arm ischemia. CFR measurements and laboratory tests were examined before, and after 1 week of RIC treatment. RESULTS: One week of RIC treatment was well tolerated in both groups. RIC treatment increased CFR from 4.0 ± 0.9 to 4.6 ± 1.3 (mean ± standard deviation) in healthy subjects (P=0.02), and from 1.9 ± 0.4 to 2.3 ± 0.7 in patients with HF (P = 0.03), respectively. Systolic blood pressure in healthy subjects, and heart rate in HF patients decreased after RIC treatment (both P<0.01). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that a 1 week course of RIC treatment improved coronary microcirculation in healthy subjects and patients with HF associated with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

Prognosis of vulnerable plaque on computed tomographic coronary angiography with normal myocardial perfusion image.

AIMS: Increasing clinical evidence has emphasized the importance of coronary plaque characteristics, rather than the severity of luminal narrowing on acute coronary syndrome (ACS) outcome. Computed tomographic coronary angiography (CTCA) is a unique, non-invasive approach for assessing plaque characteristics. This study was prospectively designed to investigate the prognostic value of physiologically non-obstructive but a vulnerable coronary plaque on CTCA for predicting future ACS events. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study consisted of 543 patients who had undergone CTCA and had normal findings on exercise-stress myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography. CTCA analysis included the presence of >50% luminal stenosis and vulnerable features including positive remodelling (PR), low-attenuation plaque, and ring-like sign. The primary endpoint was ACS events including cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and unstable angina. The mean follow-up period was 3.4 ± 0.8 years. The 3-year cumulative event rate was 1.2% per year, and 87% of ACS events occurred in plaques with at least one of vulnerable features. In patient-based multivariate analysis, the presence of plaque with vulnerable features on CTCA was a significant predictor for future ACS events (P = 0.001). Patients with vulnerable plaque had worse ACS outcomes compared with those without vulnerable plaques (3-year cumulative event rate; 3.2 per year vs. 0.8%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that physiologically non-obstructive but vulnerable coronary plaques were associated with future ACS events. We should pay more attention to currently non-obstructive plaque but showing vulnerable morphologies on CTCA.

Napkin-ring sign on coronary CT angiography for the prediction of acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of the napkin-ring sign on coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) for future acute coronary syndrome (ACS) events in patients with coronary artery disease. BACKGROUND: Recent studies have reported a close association between the napkin-ring sign on coronary CTA and thin-cap fibroatheroma. METHODS: The subjects of this prospective study were 895 consecutive patients who underwent coronary CTA examination and were followed for >1 year. The primary endpoint was an ACS event (cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or unstable angina pectoris). The coronary CTA analysis included the presence of obstructive plaque, positive remodeling (PR), low-attenuation plaque (LAP), and the napkin-ring sign. The napkin-ring sign was defined by the following criteria: 1) the presence of a ring of high attenuation around certain coronary artery plaques; and 2) attenuation of the ring presenting higher than those of the adjacent plaque and no >130 Hounsfield units. RESULTS: Of the 12,727 segments, 1,174 plaques were observed, including plaques with PR in 130 segments (1.0%), LAP in 107 segments (0.8%), and napkin-ring signs in 45 segments (0.4%). Thirty-six of the 45 plaques with napkin-ring signs (80%) overlapped with those showing either PR or LAP. During the follow-up period (2.3 ± 0.8 years), 24 patients (2.6%) experienced ACS events, and plaques developed in 41% with a napkin-ring sign. Segment-based Cox proportional hazards models analysis showed that PR (p < 0.001), LAP (p = 0.007), and the napkin-ring sign (p < 0.0001) were independent predictive factors for future ACS events. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that plaques with napkin-ring signs showed a higher risk of ACS events compared with those without a napkin-ring sign. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated for the first time that the napkin-ring sign demonstrated on coronary CTA was strongly associated with future ACS events, independent of other high-risk coronary CTA features. Detection of the napkin-ring sign could help identify coronary artery disease patients at high risk of future ACS events.

Very rapid effect of pitavastatin on microvascular function in comparison to rosuvastatin: reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometric study.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that pitavastatin improves endothelial function faster than other statins. Recently introduced reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT) provides objective and quantitative assessment of peripheral microvascular function. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate whether peripheral microvascular function improved 2 hours after pitavastatin in subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD) using RH-PAT, and the results were compared with those of rosuvastatin. METHODS: This study included 94 subjects with CAD, assigned to a group given 2 mg of pitavastatin (n = 36), a group given 2.5 mg of rosuvastatin (n = 38), and a control group (n = 20). RH-PAT examinations were performed before and 2 hours after statin administration. RESULTS: The RH-PAT index increased 2 hours after pitavastatin administration from 1.82 ± 0.45 to 2.16 ± 0.62 (P = 0.02), whereas there were no differences in the RH-PAT index in the rosuvastatin group (1.79 ± 0.71 to 1.91 ± 0.53, P = 0.09) and the control group (1.68 ± 0.36 to 1.84 ± 0.58, P = 0.4). No significant changes were observed at 2 hours in serum cholesterol levels in each group. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that peripheral microvascular function improved 2 hours after a single clinical dose of pitavastatin, but not after rosuvastatin.

Circadian variation in coronary flow velocity reserve and its relation to α1-sympathetic activity in humans.

BACKGROUND: The circadian change in coronary microvascular function has not been directly assessed in human beings. Recent advances in transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) provide noninvasive, physiological assessment of coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR). METHODS: This study consisted of 20 young healthy subjects (24 ± 2 years, 20 men) who underwent CFVR examinations at 3 different times; early morning (6AM), late morning (11AM) and late evening (10PM). The flow velocity in the distal portion of the left anterior descending coronary artery was measured with TTDE at baseline and during adenosine infusion to calculate CFVR. These examinations were repeated with the intake of α1-blocker (prazosin 1mg) on the other day. RESULTS: CFVR showed a circadian variation with an increase from the early morning to the late morning, following a decrease to the late evening thereafter (4.4 ± 0.9 at 6AM; 5.2 ± 1.3 at 11AM; 4.2 ± 1.1 at 10PM, p<0.001). In the study with α1-blocker, CFVR was comparable between the early morning and the late morning, whereas CFVR in the late evening was lower than those in other 2 time points (5.0 ± 1.1 at 6AM; 4.9 ± 0.9 at 11AM; 4.3 ± 0.9 at 10PM, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that CFVR has a circadian variation in humans, with an increase from the late evening to the late morning. Adding α1-blocker ameliorated CFVR only in the early morning, indicating that α1-sympathetic activity plays a heterogeneous and important role in the circadian change of CFVR in humans.

Non-obstructive low attenuation coronary plaque predicts three-year acute coronary syndrome events in patients with hypertension: multidetector computed tomographic study.

BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertension is an established risk factor for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is an accurate and less invasive technique for assessment of the degree of coronary artery luminal narrowing and characterization of coronary atherosclerosis. We therefore aimed to investigate the predictive power of MDCT for future ACS events and compared with traditional parameters in patients with hypertension. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-four patients (93 men, mean age 70±11 years) with hypertension underwent MDCT for evaluation of coronary artery disease. MDCT analysis focused on the presence of plaques, the degree of stenosis, and the plaque characteristics. Traditional parameters included Framingham risk score, carotid intima-media thickness, and left ventricular mass index. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 39±10 months, ACS events occurred in 10 patients, including myocardial infarction (n=3) and unstable angina (n=7). Multivariate analysis identified total number of low attenuation plaques as an independent predictor of ACS events (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that non-obstructive low attenuation coronary plaques on MDCT predicted more accurately future ACS events in patients with hypertension than traditional parameters.

Aromatherapy alleviates endothelial dysfunction of medical staff after night-shift work: preliminary observations.

Night-shift work causes mental stress and lifestyle changes, and is recognized as a risk of cardiovascular diseases associated with impaired endothelial function. Aromatherapy is becoming popular as a complementary therapy that is beneficial for mental relaxation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aromatherapy on the endothelial function of medical staff after night-shift work. This study consisted of 19 healthy medical personnel (19 men, mean age 32 ± 7 years), including 11 physicians and 8 technicians. Aromatherapy was performed for 30 min by inhalation of the essential oil of lavender. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery was measured three times in each subject: on a regular workday, and after night-shift work before and immediately after aromatherapy. A control study was performed to assess the effect of a 30-min rest without aromatherapy. The mean value of sleep time during night-shift work was 3.3 ± 1.3 h. FMD after night-shift work was lower than on a regular workday (10.4 ± 1.8 vs. 12.5 ± 1.7%, P<0.001), which improved after aromatherapy (11.8 ± 2.5%, P=0.02 vs. before aromatherapy). FMD was stable in the control study (10.1 ± 1.9 vs. 10.1 ± 2.2%, P=0.9). This study demonstrated that night-shift work impaired endothelial function in medical staff, an effect that was alleviated by short-term aromatherapy.

Left atrial thrombus and prognosis after anticoagulation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulation therapy reduces the risk of thromboembolic events by two-thirds in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The prevalence of left atrial thrombus (LAT) in AF patients with anticoagulation therapy has not been fully investigated. PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of LAT and its impact on the outcomes in patients with nonvalvular AF after anticoagulation therapy. METHODS: This study consisted of 231 patients with nonvalvular AF who had transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) examinations more than 3 weeks after anticoagulation therapy. The clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were evaluated. RESULTS: LAT was observed in 13 (8.8%) of 148 patients with sub-therapeutic anticoagulation, and in 3 (3.6%) of 83 patients with sufficient anticoagulation. The presence of LAT was associated with higher CHADS(2) score, decreased LA volume changes and the presence of spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC) in patients with sub-therapeutic anticoagulation. Patients with LAT after sufficient anticoagulation were male with permanent AF who had decreased left ventricular systolic and diastolic function and dilated LA on TTE and SEC, and reduced appendage flow velocity on TEE. Patients with LAT had worse cardiovascular outcomes compared with those without LAT (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that LAT was a univariate risk factor associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes, which was observed in 8.8% of patients with sub-therapeutic anticoagulation and 3.6% of patients with sufficient anticoagulation.

Comparison of coronary microcirculation in female nurses after day-time versus night-time shifts.

Nightshift work, which is known to cause mental stress and disrupt normal biological diurnal rhythms, leads to endothelial dysfunction resulting in increased risk for cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to investigate the acute effect of night-shift work on coronary microcirculation through assessment of coronary flow reserve (CFR) by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. This study consisted of 36 women nurses who underwent transthoracic Doppler echocardiographic examinations after working a nightshift and on a regular day without previous nightshift work. Flow velocity in the distal portion of the left anterior descending coronary artery was measured at baseline and during adenosine infusion. CFR was calculated as the ratio of hyperemic to basal mean diastolic flow velocity. CFR after night work was lower than that on a regular workday (3.8 ± 0.6 vs 4.1 ± 0.6, p <0.001). Degree of decreases in CFR after night work was correlated to Framingham risk score (r = 0.35, p = 0.036). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that coronary microcirculation was impaired after nightshift work in women nurses.

Conformational change in coronary artery structure assessed by optical coherence tomography in patients with vasospastic angina.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the conformational change of arterial structure in the vasospastic lesion with optical coherence tomography. BACKGROUND: Coronary artery spasm plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart diseases. The conformational change of each arterial layer during vasospasm has not been studied in detail. METHODS: We assessed 19 coronary arteries (10 spasm and 9 nonspasm lesions) with optical coherence tomography during the provocation test for coronary spasm. An intimal bump was defined as 1 or more intimal projections into the lumen that disappeared after the administration of nitroglycerine (NTG). Intimal gathering was defined as a folding/gathering of the intima, resulting in multiple kinks in the luminal contour that resolved after the administration of NTG. RESULTS: The spasm lesion more frequently showed an intimal bump at baseline and intimal gathering during spasm compared with the nonspasm lesion (spasm 80% vs. nonspasm 0%, p < 0.01, spasm 100% vs. nonspasm 0%, p < 0.01, respectively). The spasm lesion demonstrated a thicker maximum media thickness (spasm 0.24 ± 0.04 mm vs. nonspasm 0.12 ± 0.03 mm, p < 0.01) at baseline, whereas no differences were observed after the administration of NTG (spasm 0.13 ± 0.03 mm vs. nonspasm 0.13 ± 0.02 mm, p = 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that medial contraction occurs even in an asymptomatic state and facilitates the formation of an intimal bump in patients with vasospastic angina. Luminal narrowing during spasm is associated with intimal gathering without alteration of intimal area.

Incidence and predictors of plaque rupture in the peripheral arteries.

BACKGROUND: Plaque rupture may be present in the peripheral arteries of the patients at high risk for cardiovascular events and is possibly associated with vascular vulnerability. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred one iliofemoral arteries from 101 patients undergoing angioplasty were studied. Intravascular ultrasound imaging was performed before intervention. Plaque rupture was defined as presence of a cavity that communicated with the lumen with an overlying residual fibrous cap fragment. Incidence, numbers, and location of the plaque rupture were investigated. Plaque rupture was found in 42 of 101 arteries (42%). Patients with plaque rupture had significantly higher prevalence of acute coronary syndrome than did patients without plaque rupture (42% vs 16%, P=0.01). By multivariable logistic regression analysis, acute coronary syndrome (P=0.004) and male sex (P=0.01) were independent clinical correlates of plaque rupture. During follow-up (median, 14.7 months), the incidence of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (death, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke) was similar between the 2 groups. The incidence of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events plus peripheral vascular events (unplanned vascular intervention and amputation) was significantly higher in patients with plaque rupture than in patients without plaque rupture (46% vs 21%, P=0.008). By multivariable Cox regression analysis, plaque rupture (hazard ratio=2.80, 95% CI: 1.23 to 6.37, P=0.01) and Fontaine stage IV (hazard ratio=3.50, 95% CI: 1.58 to 7.71, P=0.002) were independent predictors of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events plus peripheral vascular events. CONCLUSIONS: Ruptured plaque of the iliofemoral arteries is a common finding. Patients with plaque rupture had a higher prevalence of history of acute coronary syndrome and lower major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events plus peripheral vascular event-free survival.