Future culprit detection based on angiography-derived FFR.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to characterize the hemodynamic impact of mild coronary artery disease (CAD) using quantitative flow ratio (QFR, an angiography-derived fractional flow reserve [FFR]) in a population of patients with only non-significant CAD at baseline that subsequently experienced a myocardial infarction (MI). BACKGROUND: The discriminatory value of FFR in patients with mild CAD remains imperfect. METHODS: We retrospectively included patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography for an MI, in whom another angiogram had been performed within the previous 5 years. Three-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography, QFR, and lesion length analysis were conducted on lesions responsible for the MI (future culprit lesions, [FCL]) as well as on control lesions (non-culprit lesions, [NCL]). RESULTS: Eighty-three FCL and 117 NCL were analyzed in 83 patients: FCL were more severe (median % diameter of stenosis [DS] 39.1% [29.8; 45.7] vs. 29.8% [25.0; 37.2], p < .001), had lower QFR values (0.94 [0.86; 0.98] vs. 0.98 [0.96; 1.00], p < .001) and tended to be longer (15.2 mm [10.0; 27.3] vs. 12.7 mm [9.3; 22.4], p = .070) than NCL. In lesions with an interval < 2 years between baseline angiography and MI, the difference in QFR was more pronounced compared to the lesions with a longer interval (FCL: 0.92 [0.85; 0.97] vs. NCL: 0.98 [0.94; 1.00], p < .001 and FCL: 0.96 [0.88; 1.00] vs. NCL: 0.98 [0.96;1.00], p = .006 respectively) CONCLUSION: Mild coronary stenoses that are subsequently responsible for an MI (FCL) exhibit a higher DS and lower QFR years before the event. Furthermore, FCL with a lower QFR at baseline appear to lead earlier to MI.

[Chronic coronary syndrome (stable coronary artery disease)†: Indication to revascularization in 2020 and latest evidence]. / Syndrome coronarien chronique (angor stable)†: indication à la revascularisation en 2020 et dernières évidences.

The decision to perform coronary revascularization in the setting of chronic coronary syndrome is based on the detection of myocardial ischemia through non-invasive or invasive tests, according to the cardiovascular risk of each patient. This latter will also determine the benefit to be expected with revascularization. The present article is a brief summary of the latest evidence in this domain.

L'indication à une revascularisation chez un patient présentant un syndrome coronarien chronique (angor stable) se base sur la présence d'ischémie myocardique, documentée par un test non invasif ou invasif selon le contexte clinique et le profil de risque. Le profil de risque conditionnera également le bénéfice que chaque patient retirera d'une éventuelle revascularisation. Cet article présente un petit tour d'horizon de l'évidence actuelle dans ce domaine.

Prognostic evaluation of the elastic properties of the ascending aorta in dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays there is an increased interest in the role of aortic stiffness in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF), as it is a major determinant of left ventricular (LV) performance. We aimed at assessing the predictive value of the aortic stiffness parameters, measured by echocardiography, in patients affected by nonischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) regarding three end-points: death, HF rehospitalization, combined death or HF rehospitalization in a long-term follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 202 patients affected by nonischaemic DCM underwent an outpatient examination by echocardiography and blood pressure check at the brachial artery, in order to calculate aortic elastic properties (ie, compliance, distensibility, stiffness index, Peterson's elastic modulus, M-mode strain). ROC curves, Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox regressions (correcting for age, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), atrial fibrillation, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)) were run to assess the predictive ability of aortic elastic properties against the 3 end-points. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 9.83 ± 2.80 years. 24.8% of patients died, while 34.7% were rehospitalized for HF cause and 44.6% experienced the combined end-point. LVEF did not correlate with aortic elastic properties. ROC curves and Kaplan-Meier curves were elaborated. Aortic stiffness did not predict death in our cohort. Otherwise, all aortic elastic properties predicted HF rehospitalization and combined death or HF rehospitalization, after correcting for age, LVEF, atrial fibrillation, CRT. CONCLUSIONS: Elastic properties of the ascending aorta measured by echocardiography in patients with nonischaemic DCM predict long-term HF rehospitalization and combined death or HF rehospitalization, also after correcting for the confounding factors.

Blood Flow Energy Identifies Coronary Lesions Culprit of Future Myocardial Infarction.

The present study establishes a link between blood flow energy transformations in coronary atherosclerotic lesions and clinical outcomes. The predictive capacity for future myocardial infarction (MI) was compared with that of established quantitative coronary angiography (QCA)-derived predictors. Angiography-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed on 80 human coronary lesions culprit of MI within 5 years and 108 non-culprit lesions for future MI. Blood flow energy transformations were assessed in the converging flow segment of the lesion as ratios of kinetic and rotational energy values (KER and RER, respectively) at the QCA-identified minimum lumen area and proximal lesion sections. The anatomical and functional lesion severity were evaluated with QCA to derive percentage area stenosis (%AS), vessel fractional flow reserve (vFFR), and translesional vFFR (ΔvFFR). Wall shear stress profiles were investigated in terms of topological shear variation index (TSVI). KER and RER predicted MI at 5 years (AUC = 0.73, 95% CI 0.65-0.80, and AUC = 0.76, 95% CI 0.70-0.83, respectively; p < 0.0001 for both). The predictive capacity for future MI of KER and RER was significantly stronger than vFFR (p = 0.0391 and p = 0.0045, respectively). RER predictive capacity was significantly stronger than %AS and ΔvFFR (p = 0.0041 and p = 0.0059, respectively). The predictive capacity for future MI of KER and RER did not differ significantly from TSVI. Blood flow kinetic and rotational energy transformations were significant predictors for MI at 5 years (p < 0.0001). The findings of this study support the hypothesis of a biomechanical contribution to the process of plaque destabilization/rupture leading to MI.

Association Between Automated 3D Measurement of Coronary Luminal Narrowing and Risk of Future Myocardial Infarction.

This study focuses on identifying anatomical markers with predictive capacity for long-term myocardial infarction (MI) in focal coronary artery disease (CAD). Eighty future culprit lesions (FCL) and 108 non-culprit lesions (NCL) from 80 patients underwent 3D quantitative coronary angiography. The minimum lumen area (MLA), minimum lumen ratio (MLR), and vessel fractional flow reserve (vFFR) were evaluated. MLR was defined as the ratio between MLA and the cross-sectional area at the proximal lesion edge, with lower values indicating more abrupt luminal narrowing. Significant differences were observed between FCL and NCL in MLR (0.41 vs. 0.53, p < 0.001). MLR correlated inversely with translesional vFFR (r = - 0.26, p = 0.0004) and was the strongest predictor of MI at 5 years (AUC = 0.75). Lesions with MLR < 0.40 had a fourfold increased MI incidence at 5 years. MLR is a robust predictor of future adverse coronary events.

Deep learning-based prediction of future myocardial infarction using invasive coronary angiography: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Angiographic parameters can facilitate the risk stratification of coronary lesions but remain insufficient in the prediction of future myocardial infarction (MI). AIMS: We compared the ability of humans, angiographic parameters and deep learning (DL) to predict the lesion that would be responsible for a future MI in a population of patients with non-significant CAD at baseline. METHODS: We retrospectively included patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography (ICA) for MI, in whom a previous angiogram had been performed within 5 years. The ability of human visual assessment, diameter stenosis, area stenosis, quantitative flow ratio (QFR) and DL to predict the future culprit lesion (FCL) was compared. RESULTS: In total, 746 cropped ICA images of FCL and non-culprit lesions (NCL) were analysed. Predictive models for each modality were developed in a training set before validation in a test set. DL exhibited the best predictive performance with an area under the curve of 0.81, compared with diameter stenosis (0.62, p=0.04), area stenosis (0.58, p=0.05) and QFR (0.67, p=0.13). DL exhibited a significant net reclassification improvement (NRI) compared with area stenosis (0.75, p=0.03) and QFR (0.95, p=0.01), and a positive nonsignificant NRI when compared with diameter stenosis. Among all models, DL demonstrated the highest accuracy (0.78) followed by QFR (0.70) and area stenosis (0.68). Predictions based on human visual assessment and diameter stenosis had the lowest accuracy (0.58). CONCLUSION: In this feasibility study, DL outperformed human visual assessment and established angiographic parameters in the prediction of FCLs. Larger studies are now required to confirm this finding.

Comorbidities may offset expected improved survival after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Aims: After transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular comorbidities may offset the survival benefit from the procedure. We aimed to describe the relationships between that benefit and patient comorbidities. Methods and results: The study pooled two European cohorts of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS-pooled): one with patients who underwent (cohort of AS patients treated by TAVR, N = 233) and another with patients who did not undergo TAVR (cohort of AS patients treated medically; N = 291). The investigators collected the following: calcification prognostic impact (CAPRI) and Charlson scores for cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular comorbidities, activities of daily living (ADL)/instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scores for frailty as well as routine Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score and Logistic Euroscore. Unlike ADL/IADL scores, CAPRI and Charlson scores were found to be independent predictors of 1-year all-cause death in the AS-pooled cohort, with and without adjustment for STS score or Logistic Euroscore; they were thus retained to define a three-level prognostic scale (good, intermediate, and poor). The survival benefit from TAVR-vs. no TAVR-was stratified according to these three prognosis categories. The beneficial effect of TAVR on 1-year all-cause death was significant in patients with good and intermediate prognosis, hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.36 (0.18; 0.72) and 0.32 (0.15; 0.67). That effect was reduced and not statistically significant in patient with poor prognosis [0.65 (0.22; 1.88)]. Conclusion: The study showed that, beyond a given comorbidity burden (as assessed by CAPRI and Charlson scores), the probability of death within a year was high and poorly reduced by TAVR. This indicates the futility of TAVR in patients in the poor prognosis category.

Risk of myocardial infarction based on endothelial shear stress analysis using coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Wall shear stress (WSS) has been associated with atherogenesis and plaque progression. The present study assessed the value of WSS analysis derived from conventional coronary angiography to detect lesions culprit for future myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS AND RESULTS: Three-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography (3DQCA), was used to calculate WSS and pressure drop in 80 patients. WSS descriptors were compared between 80 lesions culprit of future MI and 108 non-culprit lesions (controls). Endothelium-blood flow interaction was assessed by computational fluid dynamics (10.8 ± 1.41 min per vessel). Median time between baseline angiography and MI was 25.9 (21.9-29.8) months. Mean patient age was 70.3 ± 12.7. Clinical presentation was STEMI in 35% and NSTEMI in 65%. Culprit lesions showed higher percent area stenosis (%AS), translesional vFFR difference (ΔvFFR), time-averaged WSS (TAWSS) and topological shear variation index (TSVI) compared to non-culprit lesions (p < 0.05 for all). TSVI was superior to TAWSS in predicting MI (AUC-TSVI = 0.77, 95%CI 0.71-0.84 vs. AUC-TAWSS = 0.61, 95%CI 0.53-0.69, p < 0.001). The addition of TSVI increased predictive and reclassification abilities compared to a model based on %AS and ΔvFFR (NRI = 1.04, p < 0.001, IDI = 0.22, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A 3DQCA-based WSS analysis was feasible and can identify lesions culprit for future MI. The combination of area stenoses, pressure gradients and WSS predicted the occurrence of MI. TSVI, a novel WSS descriptor, showed strong predictive capacity to detect lesions prone to cause MI.

Yield of the electrophysiological study in patients with new-onset left bundle branch block after transcathether aortic valve replacement: The PR interval matters.

Background: Studies suggest that performing an electrophysiological study (EPS) may be useful to identify patients with new-onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) post-TAVR at risk of atrioventricular block. However, tools to optimize the yield of such strategy are needed. We therefore aimed to investigate whether 12-lead ECG changes post-TAVR may help identify patients with abnormal EPS findings. Materials and methods: Consecutive patients with new-onset LBBB post-TAVR who underwent EPS were included. PR and QRS intervals were measured on 12-lead ECG pre-TAVR and during EPS. Abnormal EPS was defined as an HV interval > 55 ms. Results: Among 61 patients, 28 (46%) had an HV interval > 55 ms after TAVR. Post-TAVR PR interval and ΔPR (PR-post-pre-TAVR) were significantly longer in patients with prolonged HV (PR: 188 ± 38 vs. 228 ± 34 ms, p < 0.001, ΔPR: 10 ± 30 vs. 34 ± 23 ms, p = 0.001), while no difference was found in QRS duration. PR and ΔPR intervals both effectively discriminated patients with HV > 55 ms (AUC = 0.804 and 0.769, respectively; p < 0.001). A PR > 200 ms identified patients with abnormal EPS results with a sensitivity of 89% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 88%. ΔPR ≥ 20 ms alone provided a somewhat lower sensitivity (64%) but combining both criteria (i.e., PR > 200 ms or ΔPR ≥ 20 ms) identified almost every patients with abnormal HV (sensitivity = 96%, NPV = 95%). Selecting EPS candidate based on both criteria would avoid 1/3 of exams. Conclusion: PR interval assessment may be useful to select patients with new-onset LBBB after TAVR who may benefit most from an EPS. In patients with PR ≤ 200 ms and ΔPR < 20 ms the likelihood of abnormal EPS is very low independently of QRS changes.

Corrigendum: Yield of the electrophysiological study in patients with new-onset left bundle branch block after transcathether aortic valve replacement: The PR interval matters.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.910693.].

Effects of ivabradine on endothelial function, aortic properties and ventricular-arterial coupling in chronic systolic heart failure patients.

AIM: Heart rate (HR) is an important prognostic factor in patients affected by chronic heart failure (CHF); ivabradine has been demonstrated to significantly reduce nonfatal myocardial infarction and hospitalization rate for acute heart failure and to improve left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling, quality of life, exercise capacity, and arterial elastance (Ea) in these patients. We aimed at evaluating the short-term effects of ivabradine on ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC), aortic stiffness, and endothelial function in stable patients with CHF. METHODS: We evaluated 30 consecutive CHF patients (LVEF≤ 35%, NYHA class II) with sinus rhythm and HR ≥ 70 bpm on optimized pharmacological therapy. All of them underwent both transthoracic echocardiogram to assess aortic elastic properties (aortic distensibility, AD; aortic stiffness index, ASI; systolic aortic strain, SAS) and VAC, and peripheral arterial tonometry to measure endothelial function. Therapy with ivabradine 5 mg bid was added and each patient was evaluated with the same examinations after 4 months. RESULTS: At the baseline, 73% of patients had impaired VAC and 63% endothelial dysfunction. After 4 months, there was a significant improvement in the VAC value (ΔVAC -0.10 ± 0.18, P = .021), mainly linked to Ea (ΔEa -0.40 ± 0.23 mm Hg/mL; P = .003). All the parameters of aortic elasticity underwent significant improvement (ΔAD 1.82 ± 1.43 cm² × dyn- ¹, P = .004; ΔASI -4.73 ± 6.07, P = .033; ΔSAS -7.98 ± 4.37%, P = .003). Lastly, we also noted a significant improvement of endothelial function (Δ RHI 0.35 ± 0.35; P < .001). At follow-up 40% of patients had impaired VAC (P = .018) and 33% endothelial dysfunction (P = .038). CONCLUSION: In patients with CHF adding ivabradine on top to the standard optimized medical therapy, when indicated, seems to improve endothelial function, aortic properties, and VAC.

Role of the old and new echocardiographic technologies in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an important tool for the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure, as it can correct the heterogeneity of regional left ventricular mechanical contraction, known as dyssynchrony. Although this therapy is strongly indicated in patients with both heart failure with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and wide Q-, R- and S-waves (QRS) on electrocardiogram, about one-third of these patients are non-responders. Since the degree of mechanical dyssynchrony can vary greatly, it is interesting to quantify dyssynchrony by means of imaging methods, such as echocardiography, which might be able to lead to a better selection of CRT candidates. This article will review the role of old and new echocardiographic techniques to predict CRT response.