Fractional Flow Reserve or Intravascular Ultrasonography to Guide PCI.

BACKGROUND: In patients with coronary artery disease who are being evaluated for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), procedures can be guided by fractional flow reserve (FFR) or intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) for decision making regarding revascularization and stent implantation. However, the differences in clinical outcomes when only one method is used for both purposes are unclear. METHODS: We randomly assigned 1682 patients who were being evaluated for PCI for the treatment of intermediate stenosis (40 to 70% occlusion by visual estimation on coronary angiography) in a 1:1 ratio to undergo either an FFR-guided or IVUS-guided procedure. FFR or IVUS was to be used to determine whether to perform PCI and to assess PCI success. In the FFR group, PCI was to be performed if the FFR was 0.80 or less. In the IVUS group, the criteria for PCI were a minimal lumen area measuring either 3 mm2 or less or measuring 3 to 4 mm2 with a plaque burden of more than 70%. The primary outcome was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization at 24 months after randomization. We tested the noninferiority of the FFR group as compared with the IVUS group (noninferiority margin, 2.5 percentage points). RESULTS: The frequency of PCI was 44.4% among patients in the FFR group and 65.3% among those in the IVUS group. At 24 months, a primary-outcome event had occurred in 8.1% of the patients in the FFR group and in 8.5% of those in the IVUS group (absolute difference, -0.4 percentage points; upper boundary of the one-sided 97.5% confidence interval, 2.2 percentage points; P = 0.01 for noninferiority). Patient-reported outcomes as reported on the Seattle Angina Questionnaire were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with intermediate stenosis who were being evaluated for PCI, FFR guidance was noninferior to IVUS guidance with respect to the composite primary outcome of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization at 24 months. (Funded by Boston Scientific; FLAVOUR ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02673424.).

Reliability and validity of the Korean version of the MacNew heart disease Health-related Quality of Life questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction and unstable angina are prevalent in Korea. The MacNew Heart Disease health-related quality of life questionnaire is a widely used patient-reported outcome measure for patients with heart disease in several countries. In this study, we tested the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the MacNew (K-MacNew). METHODS: Participants were 200 patients who had experienced unstable angina or myocardial infarction, and were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Korea. The K-MacNew was developed using forward-backward translation techniques. Construct validity (including discriminative validity), concurrent validity, and internal consistency reliability of the K-MacNew were assessed. Discriminative validity was assessed by examining the between-group differences in the K-MacNew scores according to functional capacity, anxiety, and depression levels. Concurrent validity was examined by correlating the K-MacNew dimensions with the physical and mental health domains of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey Instrument (SF-36). RESULTS: Factor analysis results of the K-MacNew demonstrated a three-factor structure (emotional, physical, and social) that explained 57.92% of the variance. Significant differences in the K-MacNew scores were observed according to patients' functional capacity, anxiety, and depression levels. The SF-36 physical health domain score showed a moderate positive correlation with the physical dimension score of the K-MacNew (r = 0.517, P < 0.001), and the SF-36 mental health domain score showed a strong positive correlation with the emotional dimension of K-MacNew (r = 0.745, P < 0.001). The K-MacNew showed good internal consistency, with a Cronbach's α of 0.947 for the global scale. CONCLUSION: The K-MacNew demonstrated good reliability and validity for use as a patient-reported outcome measure and is ready for the assessment of the health-related quality of life of patients with coronary artery disease in Korea. To establish the clinical validity of the K-MacNew, additional studies should be conducted to verify the validity and reliability of the K-MacNew in a number of participants, including those with various types of coronary artery disease.

Usefulness of the trans-stent fractional flow reserve gradient for predicting clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the usefulness of a fractional flow reserve (FFR) gradient across the stent (ΔFFRstent ) for long-term clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with a drug-eluting stent (DES). BACKGROUND: The clinical meaning of a trans-stent pressure gradient after DES implantation has not been estimated adequately. METHODS: FFR pull-back and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) were performed after successful PCI in 135 left anterior descending artery lesions. ΔFFRstent was defined as the FFR gradient across the stent. The ΔFFRstent/length was defined as the ΔFFRstent value divided by the total stent length multiplied by 10. Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were the composite of all-cause death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. RESULTS: Despite successful PCI, ΔFFRstent > 0 was observed in 98.5% of cases. ΔFFRstent ≥ 0.04 and ΔFFRstent/length ≥ 0.009 predicted suboptimal stenting defined as final minimal stent area < 5.5 mm2 . During 2,183 ± 898 days, the MACE-free survival rate was significantly lower in patients with ΔFFRstent ≥ 0.04 and ΔFFRstent/length ≥ 0.009 compared to those with lower values (69.6 vs. 93.4%, log-rank p = .031; 72.1 vs. 97.7%, log-rank p = .003, respectively). ΔFFRstent/length ≥ 0.009 (hazard ratio 10.1, p = .032) was an independent predictor of MACE. CONCLUSION: A trans-stent FFR gradient was frequently observed. ΔFFRstent and ΔFFRstent/length are related to long-term outcomes in DES-treated patients.

Impact of new-onset diabetes on clinical outcomes after ST segment-elevated myocardial infarction.

Objective. Patients with diabetes have higher mortality rate than patients without diabetes after ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). Prognosis of patients with new onset diabetes (NOD) after STEMI remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of patients with NOD compared to that of patients without NOD after STEMI. Design. This study was a retrospective observational study. We enrolled 901 STEMI patients. Patients were divided into diabetic and non-diabetic groups at index admission. Non-diabetic group was divided into NOD and non-NOD groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox's proportional hazard regression models were used to compare major adverse cardiac events (MACE) free survival rate and hazard ratio for MACE between NOD and non-NOD groups. Results. Mean follow-up period was 59 ± 28 months. Diabetes group had higher MACE than non-diabetes group (p = .038). However, MACE was not different between NOD and non-NOD groups (p = 1.000). After 1:2 propensity score matching, incidence of MACE was not different between the two groups. In Kaplan-Meier survival curves, MACE-free survival rates were not statistically different between NOD and non-NOD groups either (p = .244). Adjusted hazard ratios of NOD for MACE, all-cause of death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization were 0.697 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.362-1.345, p = .282), 0.625 (95% CI: 0.179-2.183, p = .461), 0.794 (95% CI: 0.223-2.835, p = .723), and 0.506 (95% CI: 0.196-1.303, p = .158), respectively. Conclusion. This retrospective observational study with a limited statistical power did not show a different prognosis in patients with and without NOD.

Myocardial Mass Contributes to the Discrepancy Between Anatomic Stenosis Severity Assessed by Intravascular Ultrasound and Fractional Flow Reserve in Intermediate Lesions of the Coronary Artery.

OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the major contributors to the discrepancy between the minimal lumen area (MLA) and fractional flow reserve (FFR). BACKGROUND: There was considerable discrepancy between MLA or diameter stenosis (DS) and FFR. METHODS: We enrolled 744 patients with intermediate stenoses of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Summed epicardial coronary artery length distal to the target stenosis was obtained from each longest view of the vessels on the coronary angiograms. Mismatching was defined as a lesion with FFR of >0.80 and MLA smaller than the best cut-off value (BCV) for predicting FFR of ≤0.80. Reverse mismatching was defined as a lesion with FFR of ≤0.80 and MLA larger than the BCV. RESULTS: Summed epicardial coronary artery length was longer at the lesions of proximal LAD than that of middle LAD (380 mm ± 82 mm vs. 341 mm ± 80 mm, P < 0.001). Reverse mismatching was found more frequently in the proximal than middle LAD (28.3% vs. 5.5%, P < 0.001). Independent predictors of FFR ≤ 0.80 were age, male, multi-vessel disease, proximal LAD lesion, MLA, DS, plaque burden at distal reference, lesion length and summed epicardial coronary artery length. Proximal LAD lesion was an independent predictor of reverse mismatching (hazard ratio 3.162, 1.858-5.382, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial mass subtended by a lesion is an important factor predicting FFR ≤0.80 and discrepancy between FFR and MLA. Myocardial mass subtended by a lesion should be considered when determining the revascularization therapy by intravascular ultrasound parameters. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Impact of Age on the Functional Significance of Intermediate Epicardial Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: The functional significance of an intermediate coronary lesion is crucial for determining the treatment strategy, but age-related changes in cardiovascular function could affect the functional significance of an epicardial stenosis. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the impact of age on fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements in patients with intermediate coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Intracoronary pressure measurements and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) were performed in 178 left anterior descending coronary arteries with intermediate stenosis. The morphological characteristics and FFR of 91 lesions in patients <65 years old were compared with those of 87 patients ≥65 years old. There was no difference in lesion location, diameter stenosis, minimum lumen area, plaque burden, or lesion length between the 2 age groups. Elderly patients had higher FFR (0.81±0.06 vs. 0.79±0.06, P=0.004) and lower ∆FFR, defined as the difference between resting Pd/Pa and FFR (0.13±0.05 vs. 0.15±0.05, P=0.014). Age, along with the location and degree of stenosis, was independently associated with FFR and ∆FFR (ß=0.162, P=0.008; ß=-0.131, P=0.043, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with intermediate CAD are more likely to have higher FFR and lower ∆FFR, despite a similar degree of epicardial stenosis, compared with younger patients. (Circ J 2016; 80: 1583-1589).

Echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness is a predictor for target vessel revascularization in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The amount of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been demonstrated to correlate with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the CAD activity. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of EAT on long term clinical outcomes in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We analyzed the data and clinical outcomes of 761 patients (614 males, 57 ± 12 year-old) with STEMI who underwent successful primary PCI from 2003 to 2009. All patients were divided into two groups: thick EAT group, EAT ≥ 3.5 mm and thin EAT group, EAT < 3.5 mm. The primary end points were all-cause death, recurrent MI, target vessel revascularization (TVR) and major cardiac adverse events (MACEs), composite of all-cause death, recurrent MI and TVR, within 5 years. RESULTS: Median and mean EAT of 761 patients were 3.3 mm and 3.6 ± 1.7 mm, respectively. Mean follow up period was 46 ± 18 months. MACE-free survival rate in the thick EAT group was significantly lower than in the thin EAT group (log-rank P = 0.001). The event-free survival rate of all-cause death of the thick EAT group was significantly lower than that of the thin EAT group (log-rank P = 0.005). The TVR-free survival rate in the thick EAT group was significantly lower than in the thin EAT group (log-rank P = 0.007). The event-free survival rate of recurrent MI were not significantly different between the groups (log-rank P = 0.206). In the Cox's proportional hazard model, the adjusted hazard ratio of thick EAT thickness for TVR was 1.868 (95% confidence interval 1.181-2.953, P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the EAT thickness is related with long term clinical outcome in patients with STEMI. The EAT thickness might provide additional information for future clinical outcome, especially TVR.

Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Deferred Coronary Lesions according to Disease Severity Assessed by Fractional Flow Reserve.

Data on the clinical outcomes in deferred coronary lesions according to functional severity have been limited. This study evaluated the clinical outcomes of deferred lesions according to fractional flow reserve (FFR) grade using Korean FFR registry data. Among 1,294 patients and 1,628 lesions in Korean FFR registry, 665 patients with 781 deferred lesions were included in this study. All participants were consecutively categorized into 4 groups according to FFR; group 1: ≥ 0.96 (n = 56), group 2: 0.86-0.95 (n = 330), group 3: 0.81-0.85 (n = 170), and group 4: ≤ 0.80 (n = 99). Primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. The median follow-up period was 2.1 years. During follow-up, the incidence of MACE in groups 1-4 was 1.8%, 7.6%, 8.8%, and 13.1%, respectively. Compared to group 1, the cumulative rate by Kaplan-Meier analysis of MACE was not different for groups 2 and 3. However, group 4 had higher cumulative rate of MACE compared to group 1 (log-rank P = 0.013). In the multivariate Cox hazard models, only FFR (hazard ratio [HR], 0.95; P = 0.005) was independently associated with MACE among all participants. In contrast, previous history of percutaneous coronary intervention (HR, 2.37; P = 0.023) and diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (HR, 2.35; P = 0.015), but not FFR, were independent predictors for MACE in subjects with non-ischemic (FFR ≥ 0.81) deferred coronary lesions. Compared to subjects with ischemic deferred lesions, clinical outcomes in subjects with non-ischemic deferred lesions according to functional severity are favorable. However, longer-term follow-up may be necessary.

ß-Blocker Therapy in the Era of Primary Percutaneous Intervention for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

OBJECTIVES: With the present therapeutic advances in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the role of ß-blockers in ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) has remained contentious. METHODS: We analyzed the data and clinical outcomes of 901 STEMI patients who had undergone primary PCI. We classified the patients into ß-blocker (n = 598) and non-ß-blocker groups (n = 303). RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of all-cause death was 10.0% in the ß-blocker group and 25.4% in the non-ß-blocker group (p < 0.001). The incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was 22.1% in the ß-blocker group and 34.3% in the non-ß-blocker group (p < 0.001). The relative hazard ratio (HR) of ß-blockers for all-cause death and MACE with low left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF; <50%) was 0.55 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35-0.86, p = 0.009] and 0.75 (95% CI 0.51-1.09, p = 0.125), respectively. In patients with normal LVEF (≥50%), the relative HR of ß-blockers for death and MACE were 0.50 (95% CI 0.29-0.88, p = 0.016) and 0.75 (95% CI 0.51-1.12, p = 0.162), respectively. After propensity score matching of the difference of the baseline characteristics, the Kaplan-Meier survival curve demonstrated lower mortality in the ß-blocker group than in the non-ß-blocker group with both low LVEF and normal LVEF (p = 0.02 and p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ß-Blockers have beneficial clinical outcomes in the era of primary PCI for STEMI, regardless of the LVEF. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Left ventricular hypertrophy on long-term cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) had been associated with increased adverse cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients. Prognostic significance of LVH in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not established. This study aimed to investigate prognostic impact of LVH on the patients with STEMI. METHODS: We analyzed the data and clinical outcomes of 30-day survivors with STEMI who underwent successful coronary intervention from 2003 to 2009. Definition of LVH was LV mass index (LVMI) >115 g/m(2) in male and >95 g/m(2) in female. Patients were classified into a LVH group and a non-LVH group. Occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; death, recurrent MI, target vessel revascularization (TVR)) within 5 years was evaluated. RESULTS: We enrolled 418 patients and mean follow-up duration was 43 ± 17 months. Two hundred and fourteen patients (51%) had LVH. The survival of the patients with LVH was significantly worse than the patients without LVH (log-rank p = 0.024). In a multivariate regression model, the presence of LVH was independently associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality (OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.096-5.123, p = 0.028). When the end points were analyzed based on LVH severity, all-cause mortality was significantly correlated with LVH severity (p = 0.011). The severe LVH was independently associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality (OR, 5.110; 95% CI, 1.454-17.9, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: LVH was associated with increased rate of adverse clinical outcomes in 30-day survivors after STEMI, who underwent successful coronary intervention.

Relationship between intravascular ultrasound parameters and fractional flow reserve in intermediate coronary artery stenosis of left anterior descending artery: intravascular ultrasound volumetric analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) parameters, including volumetric analysis, and fractional flow reserve (FFR). BACKGROUND: Although it is known that coronary atherosclerosis burden measured by IVUS volumetric analysis is related with clinical outcomes, its relationship with functional significance remains unknown. METHODS: Both IVUS and FFR were performed in 206 cases of intermediate stenosis of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Myocardial ischemia was assessed by FFR and maximal hyperemia was induced by continuous intracoronary adenosine infusion. FFR < 0.80 was considered as significant inducible myocardial ischemia. We performed standard IVUS parameter measurements and volumetric analyses. IVUS parameter comparison was performed in the presence (n = 90) or absence (n =116) of significant myocardial ischemia. RESULTS: Lesions with minimal lumen area (MLA) ≥ 4.0 mm2 had FFR ≥ 0.80 in 91.4% of cases, while 50.9% of lesions with MLA < 4.0 mm2 had FFR < 0.80. The independent predictors of FFR < 0.80 were IVUS lesion length (odds ratio [OR]: 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06­1.18, P < 0.001) and MLA significance according to the lesion location (OR: 7.01, 95% CI = 3.09­15.92, P = 0.001). FFR correlated with plaque volume (r = −0.345, P < 0.001) and percent atheroma volume (PAV) (r = −0.398, P < 0.001). Lesions with significant ischemia (FFR < 0.80) as compared to those with FFR > 0.80 were associated with larger plaque volume (181.8 ± 82.3 vs. 125.9 ± 77.9 mm3, P < 0.001) and PAV (58.9 ± 5.6 vs. 53.8 ± 7.9%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: IVUS parameters representing severity and extent of atheromatous plaque correlated with functional significance in LAD lesions with intermediate stenosis.

The pattern of Tpeak-Tend and QT interval, and J wave during therapeutic hypothermia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The electrocardiogram manifestations of hypothermia include J waves and prolongation of QT intervals. This study described changes in repolarization patterns during therapeutic hypothermia (TH). METHODS: We measured the QTc and the interval from the peak to the end of the T wave (TpTe) from the V4 and V6 leads in 20 patients with TH. The TpTe was also expressed as a ratio to the duration of QT ([TpTe/QT]×100%), and to the corrected value for heart rate (TpTe/√RR). RESULTS: The QTc became prolonged in all patients during TH. While the TpTe/√RR did not change, the ([TpTe/QTe]×100%] decreased significantly during TH. The J wave developed during TH in seven patients. With one patient, ventricular fibrillation occurred preceded by an abnormal J wave and prolonged TpTe during TH. CONCLUSIONS: QTc prolongation without TpTe increase or abnormal J wave may not be arrhythmogenic during TH.

Psychometric Testing of the Korean Version of the Self-Care of Coronary Heart Disease Inventory Version 3.

PURPOSE: This methodological study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Self-Care of Coronary Heart Disease Inventory version 3 (SC-CHDI v3) in a Korean context. METHODS: The SC-CHDI v3 was translated into Korean following a rigorous translation process. Participants were 452 patients who had experienced coronary heart disease (CHD), all recruited from a tertiary hospital in Korea. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to test construct validity. Concurrent validity was examined by correlating scores from the Korean version of the SC-CHDI v3 with those from the Cardiac Self-Efficacy Scale. Internal consistency was analyzed using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega. RESULTS: The Korean version of the SC-CHDI v3 consists of 21 items, excluding two from the original instrument. The self-care maintenance subscale identified a two-factor structure: "treatment adherence" and "health-promoting behaviors." The goodness-of-fit indices were satisfied: χ2 = 18.19, p = .110, comparative fit index (CFI) = .97, Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = .95, and standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = .04. The self-care monitoring subscale consisted of a one-dimensional structure ("monitoring behaviors") and the goodness-of-fit indices were satisfied: χ2 = 19.19, p = .059, CFI = .99, TLI = .99, and SRMR = .04. The self-care management subscales had a two-factor structure of "consulting behaviors" and "problem-solving behaviors." The goodness-of-fit indices were satisfied: χ2 = 16.44, p = .037, CFI = .99, TLI = .98, and SRMR = .03. Scores from the Cardiac Self-Efficacy Scale showed a positive correlation with the Korean version of SC-CHDI v3 subscales. Reliability estimates were ≥ .80 for all subscales except for the self-care maintenance subscale. CONCLUSIONS: The Korean version of the SC-CHDI v3 consists of 21 items in 3 subscales and is a valid and reliable instrument. Therefore, healthcare providers can effectively utilize it to assess the self-care levels of patients with CHD.

The Role of Index of Microcirculatory Resistance in Left Anterior Descending Artery ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Our aim was to assess the relationship of the index of microvascular resistance (IMR) in left anterior descending (LAD) artery involved STEMI patients. Methods: Data of 316 STEMI patients who had undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were collected from three cardiovascular centers from 2005 to 2015. In total, 246 patients with LAD STEMI were enrolled for IMR evaluation. Patients were divided into two groups respective of the cut-off IMR value of 30. All-cause mortality, left ventricular function, improvement of systolic function, and cardiac biomarkers were analyzed and compared. Results: A total of 246 patients were enrolled. The number of patients in the IMR above 30 group was 93 and below 30 was 153. The mean ages for each group were 57.91 ± 11.99 and 54 ± 10.63, respectively. The peak creatinine kinase (CK) (3936.85 ± 2827.32 IU/L vs. 2218.08 ± 2310.41 IU/L, p < 0.001) and CKmb (336.15 ± 195.08 mg/mL vs. 231.53 ± 179.53 mg/mL, p < 0.001) levels were higher for an IMR above the 30 group. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (44.57 ± 6.685% vs. 47.35 ± 8.17%, p = 0.006) and improvement of LVEF (2.81 ± 7.135% vs. 5.88 ± 7.65%, p = 0.004) was lower in the IMR above 30 group. All-cause mortality (7.5% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.012) was higher in the IMR above 30 group, and a Cox regression analysis showed that an IMR above 30 was a poor prognostic factor regarding all-cause mortality (HR: 5.151, 95% CI 1.062-24.987, p = 0.042) even after adjusting for classical clinical risk factors. Conclusions: An elevated IMR value represented larger infarct size, more severe LV dysfunction, and higher mortality in LAD STEMI patients after successful PCI.

Prognostic Implications of Quantitative Flow Ratio and Plaque Characteristics in Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Treatment Strategy.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is a method for evaluating fractional flow reserve without the use of an invasive coronary pressure wire or pharmacological hyperemic agent. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic implications of QFR and plaque characteristics in patients who underwent intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided treatment for intermediate lesions. METHODS: Among the IVUS-guided strategy group in the FLAVOUR (Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular Ultrasound for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis) trial, vessels suitable for QFR analysis were included in this study. High-risk features were defined as low QFR (≤0.90), quantitative high-risk plaque characteristics (qn-HRPCs) (minimal lumen area ≤3.5 mm2, or plaque burden ≥70%), and qualitative high-risk plaque characteristics (ql-HRPCs) (attenuated plaque, positive remodeling, or plaque rupture) assessed using IVUS. The primary clinical endpoint was target vessel failure (TVF), defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. RESULTS: A total of 415 (46.1%) vessels could be analyzable for QFR. The numbers of qn-HRPCs and ql-HRPCs increased with decreasing QFR. Among deferred vessels, those with 3 high-risk features exhibits a significantly higher risk of TVF compared with those with ≤2 high-risk features (12.0% vs 2.7%; HR: 4.54; 95% CI: 1.02-20.29). CONCLUSIONS: Among the IVUS-guided deferred group, vessels with qn-HRPC and ql-HRPC with low QFR (≤0.90) exhibited a significantly higher risk for TVF compared with those with ≤2 features. Integrative assessment of angiography-derived fractional flow reserve and anatomical and morphological plaque characteristics is recommended to improve clinical outcomes in patients undergoing IVUS-guided deferred treatment.

Discordance Between Angiographic Assessment and Fractional Flow Reserve or Intravascular Ultrasound in Intermediate Coronary Lesions: A Post-hoc Analysis of the FLAVOUR Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Angiographic assessment of coronary stenosis severity using quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) is often inconsistent with that based on fractional flow reserve (FFR) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). We investigated the incidence of discrepancies between QCA and FFR or IVUS, and the outcomes of FFR- and IVUS-guided strategies in discordant coronary lesions. METHODS: This study was a post-hoc analysis of the FLAVOUR study. We used a QCA-derived diameter stenosis (DS) of 60% or greater, the highest tertile, to classify coronary lesions as concordant or discordant with FFR or IVUS criteria for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The patient-oriented composite outcome (POCO) was defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization at 24 months. RESULTS: The discordance rate between QCA and FFR or IVUS was 30.2% (n=551). The QCA-FFR discordance rate was numerically lower than the QCA-IVUS discordance rate (28.2% vs. 32.4%, p=0.050). In 200 patients with ≥60% DS, PCI was deferred according to negative FFR (n=141) and negative IVUS (n=59) (15.3% vs. 6.5%, p<0.001). The POCO incidence was comparable between the FFR- and IVUS-guided deferral strategies (5.9% vs. 3.4%, p=0.479). Conversely, 351 patients with DS <60% underwent PCI according to positive FFR (n=118) and positive IVUS (n=233) (12.8% vs. 25.9%, p<0.001). FFR- and IVUS-guided PCI did not differ in the incidence of POCO (9.5% vs. 6.5%, p=0.294). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of QCA-FFR or IVUS discordance was approximately one third for intermediate coronary lesions. FFR- or IVUS-guided strategies for these lesions were comparable with respect to POCO at 24 months. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02673424.

Physiology- or Imaging-Guided Strategies for Intermediate Coronary Stenosis.

Importance: Treatment strategies for intermediate coronary lesions guided by fractional flow reserve (FFR) and intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) have shown comparable outcomes. Identifying low-risk deferred vessels to ensure the safe deferral of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and high-risk revascularized vessels that necessitate thorough follow-up can help determine optimal treatment strategies. Objectives: To investigate outcomes according to treatment types and FFR and IVUS parameters after FFR- or IVUS-guided treatment. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study included patients with intermediate coronary stenosis from the Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial, an investigator-initiated, prospective, open-label, multicenter randomized clinical trial that assigned patients into an IVUS-guided strategy (which recommended PCI for minimum lumen area [MLA] ≤3 mm2 or 3 mm2 to 4 mm2 with plaque burden [PB] ≥70%) or an FFR-guided strategy (which recommended PCI for FFR ≤0.80). Data were analyzed from November to December 2022. Exposures: FFR or IVUS parameters within the deferred and revascularized vessels. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was target vessel failure (TVF), a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and revascularization at 2 years. Results: A total of 1619 patients (mean [SD] age, 65.1 [9.6] years; 1137 [70.2%] male) with 1753 vessels were included in analysis. In 950 vessels for which revascularization was deferred, incidence of TVF was comparable between IVUS and FFR groups (3.8% vs 4.1%; P = .72). Vessels with FFR greater than 0.92 in the FFR group and MLA greater than 4.5 mm2 or PB of 58% or less in the IVUS group were identified as low-risk deferred vessels, with a decreased risk of TVF (hazard ratio [HR], 0.25 [95% CI, 0.09-0.71]; P = .009). In 803 revascularized vessels, the incidence of TVF was comparable between IVUS and FFR groups (3.6% vs 3.7%; P = .95), which was similar in the revascularized vessels undergoing PCI optimization (4.2% vs 2.5%; P = .31). Vessels with post-PCI FFR of 0.80 or less in the FFR group or minimum stent area of 6.0 mm2 or less or with PB at stent edge greater than 58% in the IVUS group had an increased risk for TVF (HR, 7.20 [95% CI, 3.20-16.21]; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of patients with intermediate coronary stenosis, FFR- and IVUS-guided strategies showed comparable outcomes in both deferred and revascularized vessels. Binary FFR and IVUS parameters could further define low-risk deferred vessels and high-risk revascularized vessels.

Noncoronary ST elevation and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia during left-sided accessory pathway ablation.

INTRODUCTION: An early repolarization (ER) pattern on electrocardiogram (ECG) sometimes has the risk of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). An abnormal ER pattern can develop in various experimental or clinical situations. We experienced 4 cases of abnormal ER pattern with or without PVT during the radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the left accessory pathway. METHODS AND RESULTS: An electrophysiologic study and RF ablation were performed in 4 patients. Four patients had atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia. During RF ablation of the left accessory pathway, severe chest pain developed and was followed by abnormal J-point elevation. During the ongoing chest pain and J-point elevation, coronary angiograms showed normal findings. The chest pain and J-point elevation were followed by PVT or VF that was unresponsive to defibrillation. The PVT was spontaneously terminated and repeated. After 0.5 mg atropin was given, chest pain and ECG change disappeared. CONCLUSION: The mechanisms of ER syndrome during RF ablation might be increased vagal tone due to chest pain or direct vagal stimulation.

Comparison of 3-year clinical outcomes between classic crush and modified mini-crush technique in coronary bifurcation lesions.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare long-term clinical outcomes between modified mini-crush (modi-MC) technique with classic crush (crush) technique for treatment of bifurcation lesions. BACKGROUND: The modi-MC technique showed excellent procedural success and favorable 9-month clinical outcomes. METHODS: From January 2005 to November 2009, we enrolled patients with de novo bifurcation lesions treated with modi-MC (n = 112 lesions in 111 patients) and crush technique (n = 69 lesions in 67 patients). Primary endpoint was rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 3 years. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics. The modi-MC technique showed a significantly higher success rate of final kissing balloon inflation (84.1 vs. 98.2%, P = 0.001). After 3 years, MACE rate was significantly lower in the modi-MC group (25.4 vs. 12.6%, P = 0.030). The incidence of all-cause death was 7.5 vs. 2.7% (P = 0.087), MI was 4.5 vs. 1.8% (P = 0.290), TLR was 17.4 vs. 8.9% (P = 0.093) and stent thrombosis was 3.0 vs. 1.8% (P = 0.632) in the crush and modi-MC groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The modified mini-crush technique showed more favorable 3-year clinical outcomes compared to the classic crush technique.

Accuracy and predictive value of coronary computed tomography angiography for the detection of obstructive coronary heart disease in patients with an Agatston calcium score above 400.

PURPOSE: We assessed the accuracy of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) in patients with an Agatston calcium score (ACS) of greater than 400 by comparing it with invasive coronary angiography (ICA), and we evaluated the predictive value of CTA for obstructive coronary heart disease (CHD) compared with traditional clinical risk assessment. METHODS: A total of 253 patients who had an ACS of greater than 400 were enrolled in this study. The degree of coronary stenosis was visually and quantitatively estimated by postprocessing imaging using 15-segment coronary models. All patients underwent ICA after a mean (SD) of 34 (24) days, and the degree of coronary stenosis was compared with the results of CTA. RESULTS: Computed tomography angiography accurately diagnosed significant stenosis in 204 (99.0%) of 206 patients and in 649 (83.5%) of 777 segments. When the patients were considered based on their ACS (group A, 400 < ACS ≤ 1000, vs group B, ACS > 1000), group B showed lower specificity (9.1% vs 41.7%) and poorer agreement (k = 0.149 vs 0.495) than for ICA. By segment-based analysis, the agreement between CTA and ICA was good (k = 0.729), and there was no significant difference between groups A (k = 0.728) and B (k = 0.727). Computed tomography angiography was the most powerful predictor (odds ratio = 52.645, P < 0.001), whereas the 10-year CHD risk and pretest probability were not significantly correlated with obstructive CHD. CONCLUSIONS: Despite good overall diagnostic accuracy, coronary CTA in this group of patients was limited by low specificity. However, CTA was a better predictor of obstructive CHD compared with clinical predictors, and it avoided unnecessary ICA, even in patients with extensive coronary artery calcification.