Clinical picture of the duration of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: analysis from JROAD-DPC.

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has been widely used for critically ill patients all over the world; however, comprehensive survey regarding the relationship between VA-ECMO duration and prognosis is limited. We conducted a survey of VA-ECMO patients in the Japanese Registry of All Cardiac and Vascular Diseases-Diagnosis Procedure Combination (JROAD-DPC), which was a health insurance claim database study among cardiovascular centers associated with the Japan Circulation Society, between April 2012 and March 2016. Out of 13,542 VA-ECMO patients, we analyzed 5766 cardiovascular patients treated with VA-ECMO. 68% patients used VA-ECMO only for 1 day and 93% had VA-ECMO terminated within 1 week. In multivariate analysis, the hazard ratio of 1-day support was significantly high at 1.72 (95% confidence intervals; 95% CI 1.53-1.95) (p < 0.001), while that of 2-day [0.60 (95% CI 0.49-0.73)], 3-day [0.75 (95% CI 0.60-0.94)], 4-day [0.43 (95% CI 0.31-0.60)] and 5-day support [0.62 (95% CI 0.44-0.86)] was significantly low. Comprehensive database analysis of JROAD-DPC revealed that cardiovascular patients who were supported with VA-ECMO for 2-5 days showed lower mortality. The optimal VA-ECMO support window should be investigated in further studies.

Intracardiac Thrombosis and Systemic Embolism in a Patient with Cardiac Amyloidosis in Sinus Rhythm.

Intracardiac thrombosis formation in patients in sinus rhythm is a rare phenomenon. An 84-year-old woman was admitted because of worsening dyspnea on exertion. An electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm, left atrial overload, marked left axis deviation, low voltage, and poor r-wave progression in leads V1-4. An echocardiogram showed relatively preserved left ventricular ejection fraction with minimal wall thickening. Her serum level of B-type natriuretic peptide (931 pg/mL) was markedly elevated and a diagnosis of worsening heart failure was made. During the course of treatment for heart failure, she was complicated by acute abdominal aortic thromboembolism together with left atrial thrombus. An emergency abdominal aortic thrombectomy was followed by the removal of a left atrial thrombus 2 days later. Left ventricular biopsy performed during the surgery revealed amyloid deposits in the myocardial interstitium. Immunohistochemical study confirmed the diagnosis of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis. It is postulated that the risk of intracardiac thrombosis and systemic embolism is increased even in sinus rhythm in patients with cardiac amyloidosis.

Institutional Characteristics and Prognosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction With Cardiogenic Shock in Japan　- Analysis From the JROAD/JROAD-DPC Database.

BACKGROUND: The high mortality of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with cardiogenic shock (i.e., Killip class IV AMI) remains a challenge in emergency cardiovascular care. This study aimed to examine institutional factors, including the number of JCS board-certified members, that are independently associated with the prognosis of Killip class IV AMI patients.Methods and Results:In the Japanese registry of all cardiac and vascular diseases-diagnosis procedure combination (JROAD-DPC) database (years 2012-2016), the 30-day mortality of Killip class IV AMI patients (n=21,823) was 42.3%. Multivariate analysis identified age, female sex, admission by ambulance, deep coma, and cardiac arrest as patient factors that were independently associated with higher 30-day mortality, and the numbers of JCS board-certified members and of intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) cases per year as institutional factors that were independently associated with lower mortality in Killip class IV patients, although IABP was associated with higher mortality in Killip classes I-III patients. Among hospitals with the highest quartile (≥9 JCS board-certified members), the 30-day mortality of Killip class IV patients was 37.4%. CONCLUSIONS: A higher numbers of JCS board-certified members was associated with better survival of Killip class IV AMI patients. This finding may provide a clue to optimizing local emergency medical services for better management of AMI patients in Japan.

Correction to: Three-dimensional assessment of coronary high-intensity plaques with T1-weighted cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging to predict periprocedural myocardial injury after elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

In the original publication of this article [1] the wording of '3Di-PMR' was different between the text and figures.

Three-dimensional assessment of coronary high-intensity plaques with T1-weighted cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging to predict periprocedural myocardial injury after elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Periprocedural myocardial injury (pMI) is a common complication of elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) that reduces some of the beneficial effects of coronary revascularization and impacts the risk of cardiovascular events. We developed a 3-dimensional volumetric cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) method to evaluate coronary high intensity plaques and investigated their association with pMI after elective PCI. METHODS: Between October 2012 and October 2016, 141 patients with stable coronary artery disease underwent T1-weighted CMR imaging before PCI. A conventional 2-dimensional CMR plaque-to-myocardial signal intensity ratio (2D-PMR) and the newly developed 3-dimensional integral of PMR (3Di-PMR) were measured. 3Di-PMR was determined as the sum of PMRs above a threshold of > 1.0 for voxels in a target plaque. pMI was defined as high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T > 0.07 ng/mL. RESULTS: pMI following PCI was observed in 46 patients (33%). 3Di-PMR was significantly higher in patients with pMI than those without pMI. The optimal 3Di-PMR cutoff value for predicting pMI was 51 PMR*mm3 and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.753) was significantly greater than that for 2D-PMR (0.683, P = 0.015). 3Di-PMR was positively correlated with lipid volume (r = 0.449, P < 0.001) based on intravascular ultrasound. Stepwise multivariable analysis showed that 3Di-PMR ≥ 51 PMR*mm3 and the presence of a side branch at the PCI target lesion site were significant predictors of pMI (odds ratio [OR], 11.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.6-30.4, P < 0.001; and OR, 4.14; 95% CI, 1.6-11.1, P = 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: 3Di-PMR coronary assessment facilitates risk stratification for pMI after elective PCI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: retrospectively registered.

Takotsubo Syndrome in Older Men　- Clinical Characteristics Differ by Sex and Age.

Background: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) in male patients is under-studied, particularly in the older population. Methods and Results: From 226 patients with TTS, 44 older male patients (prevalence rate: 19.5%, age: median 77 years) were compared with 182 older female patients (prevalence rate: 80.5%, age: median 80 years). Emotional triggers of TTS were less frequent (2% vs. 19%; P=0.007), whereas physical triggers were more frequent (75% vs. 58%; P=0.040) in older men than in women. Among physical triggers, serious respiratory infection was more common in older men than in women. As initial clues to the diagnosis, ECG T-wave inversion was more frequent (48% vs. 29%; P=0.018) and chest pain and/or dyspnea were less common (23% vs. 38%; P=0.050) in older men than in women. In total, 14 patients (6%) had cardiogenic shock and 41 (18%) had severe heart failure as complications, although there were no significant differences in the frequency of these complications between older men and women. Although cardiac death occurred in 3 female patients (1%) and noncardiac death in 3 male and 5 female patients (4%), there were no significant differences in death rate between older men and women. Conclusions: Emotional triggers of TTS were extremely infrequent whereas physical triggers were common in older men. Although severe heart failure was common, there were no significant differences in the frequency of complications and in-hospital deaths between older men and women.

Effect of Eicosapentaenoic Acid/Docosahexaenoic Acid on Coronary High-Intensity Plaques Detected Using Noncontrast T1-weighted Imaging: The AQUAMARINE EPA/DHA Randomized Study.

AIM: Omega-3 fatty acids have emerged as a new option for controlling the residual risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) in the statin era. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is associated with reduced CAD risk in the Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention trial, whereas the Statin Residual Risk with Epanova in High Cardiovascular Risk Patients with Hypertriglyceridemia trial that used the combination EPA/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has failed to derive any clinical benefit. These contradictory results raise important questions about whether investigating the antiatherosclerotic effect of omega-3 fatty acids could help to understand their significance for CAD-risk reduction. METHODS: The Attempts at Plaque Vulnerability Quantification with Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Noncontrast T1-weighted Technic EPA/DHA study is a single-center, triple-arm, randomized, controlled, open-label trial used to investigate the effect of EPA/DHA on high-risk coronary plaques after 12 months of treatment, detected using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with CAD receiving statin therapy. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to no-treatment, 2-g/day, and 4-g/day EPA/DHA groups. The primary endpoint was the change in the plaque-to-myocardium signal intensity ratio (PMR) of coronary high-intensity plaques detected by CMR. Coronary plaque assessment using computed tomography angiography (CTA) was also investigated. RESULTS: Overall, 84 patients (mean age: 68.2 years, male: 85%) who achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of ＜100 mg/dL were enrolled. The PMR was reduced in each group over 12 months. There were no significant differences in PMR changes among the three groups in the primary analysis or analysis including total lesions. The changes in CTA parameters, including indexes for detecting high-risk features, also did not differ. CONCLUSION: The EPA/DHA therapy of 2 or 4 g/day did not significantly improve the high-risk features of coronary atherosclerotic plaques evaluated using CMR under statin therapy.

Multi-modality imaging of high-intensity plaques on non-contrast T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging: a case report.

Background: Non-contrast T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) with cardiac magnetic resonance enables to evaluate the intensity of coronary plaque. Plaque-to-myocardial signal intensity ratio (PMR) has been shown to associate with an elevated risk of future coronary events. Of note, PMR >1.4 is a best cut-off value to identify high-risk plaque causing future coronary events. One recent study has reported intraluminal thrombus as a contributor to PMR. However, whether plaque material itself is associated with PMR has not been fully characterized yet. We present three cases with coronary artery stenosis evaluated by non-contrast T1WI-magnetic resonance imaging, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging. Case Description: Case 1 exhibited one lesion with high PMR (2.79) at the proximal segment of left anterior descending (LAD) artery. OCT imaging did not identify any obvious intra-luminal thrombus but the presence of lipid-rich plaque harboring cholesterol crystal at the corresponding lesion. In addition, an elevated maximum 4-mm lipid-core burden index (maxLCBI4mm) (=873) was observed at this lesion by NIRS/IVUS imaging. In case 2, PMR of coronary stenosis at the middle segment of LAD artery was 1.88. This lesion harboured lipidic materials without any thrombus on OCT imaging. NIRS-derived maxLCBI4mm was 725. Case 3 had a severe stenosis at the middle segment of LAD artery. This lesion exhibited a low PMR (0.90). On OCT and NIRS/IVUS imaging, this lesion was characterized as the presence of small lipid arc with a low maxLCBI4mm (=386). Conclusions: These cases showed the possible relationship of T1WI-derived PMR with the degree of lipidic plaque components.

Pulmonary hypertension secondary to interstitial fibrosis with pulmonary venous lesions masquerading pulmonary veno-occlusive disease.

We present a 41-year-old man with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in the setting of a non-autoimmune background whose clinical presentation masqueraded pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD). Because of no histological evidence of venous occlusion in his previous lung biopsy, phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor was given, resulting in sudden onset of pulmonary edema. At autopsy, there were histological features of interstitial fibrosis with occlusion of the lobular septal veins and venules. Clinical presentations of PH due to interstitial fibrosis with pulmonary venous lesions may simulate those of PVOD and careful diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are required.

Refractory electrical storm in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

A 63-year-old man with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), mid-ventricular obstruction, and an apical aneurysm had an episode of cardiac arrest due to sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). He was resuscitated and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was implanted. In the following years, several episodes of VT and ventricular fibrillation were successfully terminated by antitachycardia pacing or ICD shocks. Three years after ICD implantation, he was re-admitted because of refractory electrical storm (ES). Since aggressive pharmacological treatments, direct current cardioversions, and deep sedation were not effective, he underwent epicardial catheter ablation which was successful to terminate ES. However, because of the recurrence of refractory ES after one year, he proceeded to surgical left ventricular myectomy with apical aneurysmectomy which provided him a relatively stable clinical course for six years. Although epicardial catheter ablation may be an acceptable option, surgical resection of apical aneurysm seems to be most efficacious for ES in patients with HCM and an apical aneurysm. Learning objectives: In patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are the gold standard of therapy for prophylaxis against sudden death. Electrical storm (ES) caused by recurrent episodes of ventricular tachycardia can cause sudden death even in patients with ICDs. Although epicardial catheter ablation may be an acceptable option, surgical resection of apical aneurysm is most efficacious for ES in patients with HCM, mid-ventricular obstruction, and an apical aneurysm.

Calcified plaque harboring lipidic materials associates with no-reflow phenomenon after PCI in stable CAD.

Calcified atheroma has been viewed conventionally as stable lesion which less likely increases no-reflow phenomenon. Given that lipidic materials triggers the formation of calcification, lipidic materials could exist within calcified lesion, which may cause no-reflow phenomenon after PCI. The REASSURE-NIRS registry (NCT04864171) employed near-infrared spectroscopy and intravascular ultrasound imaging to evaluate maximum 4-mm lipid-core burden index (maxLCBI4mm) at target lesions containing small (maximum calcification arc < 180°: n = 272) and large calcification (maximum calcification arc ≥ 180°: n = 189) in stable CAD patients. The associations of maxLCBI4mm with corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) and no-reflow phenomenon after PCI were analyzed in patients with target lesions containing small and large calcification, respectively. No-reflow phenomenon occurred in 8.0% of study population. Receiver-operating characteristics curve analyses revealed that optimal cut-off values of maxLCBI4mm for predicting no-reflow phenomenon were 585 at small calcification (AUC = 0.72, p < 0.001) and 679 at large calcification (AUC = 0.76, p = 0.001). Target lesions containing small calcification with maxLCBI4mm ≥ 585 more likely exhibited a greater CTFC (p < 0.001). In those with large calcification, 55.6% of them had maxLCBI4mm ≥ 400 [vs. 56.2% (small calcification), p = 0.82]. Furthermore, a higher CTFC (p < 0.001) was observed in association with maxLCBI4mm ≥ 679 at large calcification. On multivariable analysis, maxLCBI4mm at large calcification still independently predicted no-reflow phenomenon (OR = 1.60, 95%CI = 1.32-1.94, p < 0.001). MaxLCBI4mm at target lesions exhibiting large calcification elevated a risk of no-reflow phenomenon after PCI. Calcified plaque containing lipidic materials is not necessarily stable lesion, but could be active and high-risk one causing no-reflow phenomenon.

Fulminant lymphocytic myocarditis: Prediction of successful weaning from Impella support for cardiogenic shock.

We present a series of four patients with biopsy-proven fulminant lymphocytic myocarditis with cardiogenic shock and discuss whether it is possible to predict recovery of left ventricular function and successful weaning at the time of initial placement of mechanical circulatory support. Impella CP (Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA) was placed in these patients on admission. Patients 1 and 2 made complete recovery. Patient 3 proceeded to bi-ventricular assist device and is currently waiting for transplantation. Patient 4 proceeded to Impella 5 but died from multiple organ failure. Although the Impella provides excellent hemodynamic support, outcomes of the patients with fulminant myocarditis with Impella support may depend upon the severity of myocarditis and myocardial failure. In addition to the previously reported predictors such as the level of elevated biomarkers, the severity of ventricular wall edema, and the development of rhythm disturbances, the absence of right ventricular dysfunction seems important to predict successful weaning from Impella support. .

Unilateral Pulmonary Edema in Patients With Acute Mitral Regurgitation Caused by Chordal Rupture.

Background: Cardiogenic unilateral pulmonary edema (UPE) has been reported as an unusual condition and to occur in association with severe mitral regurgitation (MR). However, the prevalence of UPE in patients with severe MR remains unknown. Methods and Results: Among 143 consecutive patients with chordal rupture and significant MR, 38 patients with acute severe MR were studied. The prevalence of UPE was 50% (19 patients); all these patients had right-sided UPE. Eight (21%) patients had bilateral pulmonary edema (BPE). All 8 patients with BPE and 18 of 19 patients with UPE had chordal rupture of the posterior leaflet. All patients with UPE and BPE had severe MR with similar left atrial size. Chest radiographs taken ≤48 h from symptom onset diagnosed UPE in 15 of 19 (79%) patients and BPE in 3 of 8 (38%) patients (P=0.037). Chest radiographs taken >48 h from symptom onset diagnosed UPE in 4 (21%) patients and BPE in 5 (62%) patients (P=0.037). Conclusions: The prevalence of UPE was estimated as 50%; it was most frequently right sided and almost always associated with chordal rupture of the posterior leaflet. UPE is not rare, but common, particularly shortly after the development of acute severe MR caused by chordal rupture.

Acute Left Circumflex Coronary Artery Occlusion　- Diagnostic Problems of Initial Electrocardiographic Changes.

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with occlusion of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) poses diagnostic problems that may lead to a delay in reperfusion. Methods and Results: From a group of 1,269 consecutive patients with ACS, 138 patients with ACS due to LCX occlusion were analyzed for clinical, electrocardiographic, and angiographic presentations, as well as door-to-balloon (DTB) time. Electrocardiographic changes were classified into 4 patterns: ST-segment elevation in inferior/lateral leads (ST-E); ST-segment depression in V1-V4 (ST-D); no significant ST changes (No-ST); and others. The No-ST group was associated with a longer DTB time (P<0.0001) compared with the ST-E and ST-D groups. Compared with the No-ST and ST-E groups, the ST-D group presented with a more advanced Killip class (P=0.003), greater peak creatine phosphokinase (P=0.007) and peak creatine kinase-MB (P=0.006), more frequent proximal LCX occlusion (P=0.007), and worse 1-year outcomes (P=0.0034). Conclusions: One-third of ACS patients with LCX occlusion showed no ST-segment changes, resulting in significantly longer DTB time. Improving diagnostic accuracy is challenging but critical to avoid delayed reperfusion in these patients without electrocardiographic changes.

Predicting Parameters for Successful Weaning from Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Cardiogenic Shock.

AIMS: Percutaneous veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is utilized for patients with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. However, the procedure protocol for weaning from VA-ECMO has not been well established. The present study aimed to determine the usefulness of echocardiographic and pulmonary artery catheter parameters for predicting successful weaning from VA-ECMO in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively studied 50 patients who were hospitalized and supported by VA-ECMO for >48 h between January 2013 and March 2017. Patients successfully weaned from VA-ECMO without reintroduction of VA-ECMO or left ventricular assist device implantation were defined as 30 day survivors. Echocardiographic and pulmonary artery catheter parameters were evaluated when ECMO flow was limited to a maximum of 1.5-2.0 L/min. Twenty-four patients were successfully weaned from VA-ECMO, whereas 26 were not. Fractional shortening, corrected left ventricular ejection time (LVETc, defined as LVET divided by the square root of heart rate), left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral, and LVETc divided by pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) were significantly larger in the 30 day survivor groups. Multivariable analysis revealed LVETc∕PAWP as a significant independent predictor of successful weaning (LVETc∕PAWP, odds ratio 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.71-0.94, P = 0.005). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed 15.9 as the optimal LVETc∕PAWP for predicting successful weaning (area under the curve 0.82). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings indicate that LVETc∕PAWP is a potential predictor of successful weaning from VA-ECMO.

Cardiac outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome attributable to calcified nodule.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Calcified nodule (CN) is an eruptive calcified mass causing acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Since coronary calcification is associated with an elevated cardiac event's risk, ACS attributable to CN may exhibit worse clinical outcome following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 657 ACS patients receiving PCI with newer-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation under intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance. CN was defined as (1) protruding calcification with its irregular surface and (2) the presence of calcification at adjacent proximal and distal segments. The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiac event [MACE = cardiac death + ACS recurrence + target lesion revascularization (TLR)]. RESULTS: CN was identified in 5.3% (=35/657) of the study subjects. CN patients were more likely to have coronary risk factors including hypertension (p = 0.005), chronic kidney disease (p < 0.001), maintenance hemodialysis (p < 0.001) and a history of PCI (p < 0.001). During the observational period (median = 1304 days), CN was associated with an increased risk of MACE (HR = 7.68, 95%CI = 4.61-12.80, p < 0.001), ACS recurrence (HR = 12.32, 95%CI = 6.05-25.11, p < 0.001) and TLR (HR = 10.48, 95%CI = 5.80-18.94, p < 0.001). These cardiac risks related to CN were consistently observed by Cox proportional hazards model (MACE: p < 0.001, ACS recurrence: p < 0.001, TLR: p < 0.001) and a propensity score-matched cohort analysis (MACE: p = 0.002, ACS recurrence: p = 0.01, TLR: p = 0.005). Of note, over 80% of TLR at the CN lesion was driven by its re-appearance within the implanted DES. CONCLUSIONS: ACS patients attributable to CN have an increased risk of ACS recurrence and TLR, mainly driven by the continuous growth and protrusion of the calcified mass.

The association between the extent of lipidic burden and delta-fractional flow reserve: analysis from coronary physiological and near-infrared spectroscopic measures.

BACKGROUND: Vulnerable plaque features including lipidic plaque have been shown to affect fractional flow reserve (FFR). Given that formation and propagation of lipid plaque is accompanied by endothelial dysfunction which impairs vascular tone, the degree of lipidic burden may affect vasoreactivity during hyperemia, potentially leading to reduced FFR. Our aim is to elucidate the relationship of the extent of lipidic plaque burden with coronary physiological vasoreactivity measure. METHODS: We analyzed 89 subjects requeuing PCI due to angiographically intermediate coronary stenosis with FFR ≤0.80. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and intravascular ultrasound were used to evaluate lipid-core burden index (LCBI) and atheroma volume at both target lesion (maxLCBI4mm; maximum value of LCBI within any 4 mm segments) and entire target vessel (LCBIvessel: LCBI within entire vessel). In addition to FFR, delta-FFR was measured by difference of distal coronary artery pressure/aortic pressure (Pd/Pa) between baseline and hyperemic state. RESULTS: The averaged FFR and delta-FFR was 0.74 (0.69-0.77), and 0.17±0.05, respectively. On target lesion-based analysis, maxLCBI4mm was negatively correlated to FFR (ρ=-0.213, P=0.040), and it was positively correlated to delta-FFR (ρ=0.313, P=0.002). Furthermore, target vessel-based analysis demonstrated similar relationship of LCBIvessel with FFR (ρ=-0.302, P=0.003) and delta-FFR (ρ=0.369, P<0.001). Even after adjusting clinical characteristics and lesion/vessel features, delta-FFR (by 0.10 increase) was independently associated with maxLCBI4mm (ß=57.2, P=0.027) and LCBIvessel (ß=24.8, P=0.007) by mixed linear model analyses. CONCLUSIONS: A greater amount of lipidic plaque burden at not only "target lesion" alone but "entire target vessel" was associated with a greater delta-FFR. The accumulation of lipidic plaque materials at both local site and entire vessel may impair hyperemia-induced vasoreactivity, which causes a reduced FFR.

The feasibility and limitation of coronary computed tomographic angiography imaging to identify coronary lipid-rich atheroma in vivo: Findings from near-infrared spectroscopy analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) non-invasively visualizes lipid-rich plaque. However, this ability is not fully validated in vivo. The current study aimed to elucidate the association of CCTA features with near-infrared spectroscopy-derived lipidic plaque measure in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS: 95 coronary lesions (culprit/non-culprit = 51/44) in 35 CAD subjects were evaluated by CCTA and NIRS imaging. CT density, positive remodeling, spotty calcification, napkin-ring sign and NIRS-derived maximum 4-mm lipid-core burden index (maxLCBI4mm) were analyzed by two independent physicians. The association of CCTA-derived plaque features with maxLCBI4mm ≥ 400 was evaluated. RESULTS: The median CT density and maxLCBI4mm were 57.7 Hounsfield units (HU) and 304, respectively. CT density (r = -0.75, p < 0.001) and remodeling index (RI) (r = 0.58, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with maxLCBI4mm, respectively. Although napkin-ring sign (p < 0.001) showed higher prevalence of maxLCBI4mm ≥ 400 than those without it, spotty calcification did not (p = 0.13). On multivariable analysis, CT density [odds ratio (OR) = 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.93-0.97; p < 0.001] and positive remodeling [OR = 7.71, 95%CI = 1.37-43.41, p = 0.02] independently predicted maxLCBI4mm ≥ 400. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated CT density <32.9 HU (AUC = 0.92, sensitivity = 85.7%, specificity = 91.7%) and RI ≥ 1.08 (AUC = 0.83, sensitivity = 74.3%, specificity = 85.0%) as optimal cut-off values of maxLCBI4mm ≥ 400. Of note, only 52.6% at lesions with one of these plaque features exhibited maxLCBI4mm ≥ 400, whereas the frequency of maxLCBI4mm ≥ 400 was highest at those with both features (88.5%, p < 0.001 for trend). CONCLUSIONS: CT density <32.9 HU and RI ≥ 1.08 were associated with lipid-rich plaque on NIRS imaging. Our findings underscore the synergistic value of CT density and positive remodeling to detect lipid-rich plaque by CCTA.