RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Epicardial fat volume (EFV) has been reported to correlate with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Pericardial fat volume (PFV) has recently been reported to be strongly associated with CAD severity and presence. We aimed to investigate the relationship between EFV and PFV with severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients undergoing 64-slice multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT). METHODS: One hundred and fifty one patients undergoing MSCT for suspected CAD were enrolled. Non-enhanced images were acquired to assess calcium score. Contrast enhanced images were used to quantify EFV, PFV and severity of luminal stenosis. RESULTS: Coronary artery stenosis was mild in 25 cases (16.6%), moderate in 58 cases (38.4%) and severe in 68 cases (45%). With increase in severity of coronary artery stenosis, there was significant increase in PFV, EFV as well as epicardial fat thickness in right ventricle free wall in basal view and epicardial fat thickness in left ventricle posterior wall in mid and apical view. There was significant linear correlation between PFV with coronary calcification score (r=0.18, P=0.02), between coronary artery stenosis severity and PFV (r=0.75, P<0.001), EFV (r=0.79, P<0.001), apical epicardial fat thickness in right ventricle free wall (r=0.29, P<0.001), Mid (r=0.28, P<0.001) and basal (r=0.23, P=0.004) epicardial fat thickness in left ventricle posterior wall. CONCLUSION: PFV, EFV and regional epicardial thickness are correlated with severity of CAD and could be used as a reliable marker in predicting CAD severity.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: There are limited data comparing long-term efficacy and safety of OPTIMA tacrolimus-eluting stent (TES) with Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAT) in daily practice. Therefore, we evaluated the safety and performance of OPTIMA TES with 2 or 6-month dual antiplatelet therapy in a 12-month follow up period. METHODS: In a prospective, non-randomized single center registry in which 106 patients that underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with the OPTIMA TES between January 2010 and February 2011 were enrolled. After stenting, 62 patients received DAT for 2 months and the remainder for 6 months. Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACE), stent thrombosis rate and target lesion revascularization (TLR) were evaluated in a 12-month follow-up period for 2-and 6-month DAT groups. RESULTS: No cases with death, MI or stent thrombosis were observed within the 12-month follow-up period in either of the groups. TLR and MACE rates were higher in 6-month DAT group compared to 2-month group (6.8% vs. 3.2% respectively, P=0.001) which may be due to this group having more diffuse disease (23.60±5.69 vs. 20.88±5.14, P=0.018). CONCLUSION: OPTIMA tacrolimus-eluting stent is safe and efficient with short term DAT period. A randomized trial is needed for better evaluations of OPTIMA TES in daily clinical practice.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Many studies have reported on the association between human coronary artery disease (CAD) and certain persistent bacterial and viral infections. Currently, it is unclear whether hepatitis B virus infection is associated with the risk of the atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between hepatitis B virus infection and angiography-proven CAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sera from 5,004 patients who underwent coronary angiography were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay at Madani Heart Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. RESULTS: Our study population comprised 66% male and 34% female, with an age range of 36 to 86 years. The prevalence of HBsAg positivity tended to be higher in CAD patients than in those without CAD (3.28% versus 2.17%), but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that hepatitis B virus infection is not associated with coronary atherosclerosis in this population.