The impact of lesion complexity on predicting mortality of coronary artery disease patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most frequent cause of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Nevertheless, there have been limited studies focusing on the impact of lesion complexity on resuscitated CAD patients. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between coronary lesion complexity and the mortality of CAD patients after OHCA. METHODS: From pooled database of two centers, which comprised 706 successfully resuscitated OHCA patients, 172 patients undergoing coronary angiography were retrospectively investigated. A total of 148 patients exhibited coronary stenosis on angiogram and were included in the final analysis. Baseline characteristics, pre-and post-hospital care, general status after resuscitation and angiographical findings were compared between the patients who deceased within 30 days and those who survived and the predictors of 30-day mortality were determined. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients (63.5%) survived at 30 days. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (Odds ratio (OR) 0.36; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14-0.96; P = 0.041), revascularization of coronary stenosis (OR 0.15; 95% CI 0.19-0.86; P < 0.001), GRACE risk score (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.05; P < 0.001) and SYNTAX score (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.01-1.13; P = 0.025) were independent predictors of 30-day mortality. As multiple predictors such as bystander CPR, GRACE score and SYNTAX score were combined, the 30-day mortality gradually deteriorated. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to bystander CPR, GRACE score and revascularization, SYNTAX score independently predicted 30-day mortality of CAD patients after OHCA.

Predictors of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy-Detected Lipid-Rich Plaques by Optical Coherence Tomography-Defined Morphological Features in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) provides the localization of lipid-rich components in coronary plaques. However, morphological features in NIRS-detected lipid-rich plaques (LRP) are unclear. Methods: A total of 140 de novo culprit lesions in 140 patients with the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent NIRS and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations for the culprit lesions at the time of percutaneous coronary interventions were investigated. We defined a NIRS-LRP as a lesion with a maximum lipid core burden index of 4 mm [LCBI4mm] > 500 in the culprit plaque. Clinical demographics, angiographic, and OCT findings were compared between the patients with NIRS-LRP (n = 54) vs. those without NIRS-LRP (n = 86). Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the independent OCT morphological predictors for NIRS-LRP. Results: Clinical demographics showed no significant differences between the two groups. The angiographic minimum lumen diameter was smaller in the NIRS-LRP group than in the non- NIRS-LRP group. In OCT analysis, the minimum flow area was smaller; lipid angle, lipid length, the prevalence of thin-cap fibroatheroma, and cholesterol crystals were greater in the NIRS-LRP group than in the non-NIRS-LRP group. Plaque rupture and thrombi were more frequent in the NIRS-LRP group, albeit not significant. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, presence of thin-cap fibroatheroma [odds ratio (OR): 2.56; 95% CI: 1.12 to 5.84; p = 0.03] and cholesterol crystals (OR: 2.90; 95% CI: 1.20 to 6.99; p = 0.02) were independently predictive of NIRS-LRP. Conclusions: In ACS culprit lesions, OCT-detected thin-cap fibroatheroma and cholesterol crystals rather than plaque rupture and thrombi were closely associated with a great lipid-core burden.

Erratum to: "Efficacy of 265-nm ultraviolet light in inactivating infectious SARS-CoV-2" [Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.jpap.2021.100050.].

Anatomical-functional discordance between quantitative coronary angiography and diastolic pressure ratio during wave-free period.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the predictors of anatomical-functional discordance between quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) derived diameter stenosis (QCA-DS) and diastolic pressure ratio during wave-free period (dPRWFP ). BACKGROUND: The discrepancy between angiographical stenosis and physiological significance is frequently experienced in clinical practice. Although the anatomical-functional discordance between angiography and fractional flow reserve (FFR) has been intensively investigated, that of resting index including dPRWFP remains to be elucidated. METHODS: In a total of 647 angiographically intermediate lesions with QCA-DS between 30 and 70% in 502 patients, predictors of having QCA-DS >50% and dPRWFP > 0.89 (QCA-dPRWFP mismatch), and those of having QCA-DS ≤50% and dPRWFP ≤ 0.89 (QCA-dPRWFP reverse mismatch) were determined. FFR ≤0.80 was defined as positive FFR and the predictors of QCA-FFR discordance were determined as well. RESULTS: QCA-dPRWFP mismatch and reverse mismatch were observed in 27.5 and 17.6% of cases, respectively. The predictors of mismatch were non-left anterior descending artery (LAD) lesion, large minimal lumen diameter, low baseline heart rate, and high coronary flow reserve (CFR), while those of reverse mismatch were LAD lesion, non-culprit lesion of acute coronary syndrome, long lesion length, low left ventricular ejection fraction, and low CFR and index of microcirculatory resistance. Age, sex, and the culprit vessel of prior myocardial infarction were not significant determinants of QCA-dPRWFP discordance unlike QCA-FFR discordance derived from the same cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical-functional discordance between angiography and dPRWFP was not uncommon. Predictors differed between QCA-dPRWFP discordance and QCA-FFR discordance.

Efficacy of 265-nm ultraviolet light in inactivating infectious SARS-CoV-2.

Although, Low-pressure (LP) mercury lamps that emit wavelengths of around 254 nm have been widely applied as ultraviolet (UV) light devices for decontamination of microorganisms, they have raised environmental concerns due to their mercury content. Therefore, UV-LED lamps have high potential for practical use as a replacement for LP mercury lamps. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of 265-nm UV irradiation in comparison to 254-nm and 280-nm UV irradiation for inactivating infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Irradiation from a 265-nm deep UV light-emitting diode (DUV-LED) lamp efficiently inactivated SARS-CoV-2 at a similar level as a 254-nm UV cold cathode lamp, and at a higher level than a 280-nm DUV-LED lamp.

FFR=1.0 flow changes after percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The present study investigated the relationships between physiological indices and increased coronary flow during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using a novel index of "anticipated maximum flow" [AMF; theoretical coronary flow of fractional flow reserve (FFR) = 1]. FFR-guided PCI aims to increase coronary flow, whereas recent studies have reported that PCI does not necessarily increase coronary flow despite improvement in FFR. METHODS: This retrospective analysis was performed in 71 functionally significant lesions treated with elective PCI. AMF obtained by hyperemic average peak coronary flow velocity (h-APV) divided by FFR would not change after PCI given the constant microvascular resistance, which is the assumption of FFR as a surrogate of coronary flow. We evaluated the relationship between AMF and coronary flow during PCI. RESULTS: Post-PCI AMF was significantly different from pre-PCI AMF (p = 0.022), which impacted discordance between FFR improvement and change in coronary flow. Coronary flow increase >50% was associated with smaller minimum lumen diameter (p = 0.010), greater diameter stenosis (p = 0.003), lower pre-PCI FFR (p < 0.001), lower pre-PCI coronary flow reserve (p = 0.001), higher pre-PCI hyperemic stenosis resistance (p < 0.001), lower pre-PCI h-APV (p = 0.001), and lower pre-PCI AMF (p = 0.031). Pre-PCI AMF provided significant incremental predictive capability for coronary flow increase >50% when added to the clinical model including pre-PCI FFR. CONCLUSION: Pre-PCI AMF provided incremental ability to predict increased coronary flow after PCI and impacted the discordance between FFR improvement and increased coronary flow.

Coronary spasm and optical coherence tomography defined plaque erosion causing ST-segment-elevation acute myocardial infarction in a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia.

An 84-year-old man with coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia developed ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and was brought to the catheterization laboratory. His angiogram showed a haziness in distal right coronary artery, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) exhibited vascular spasm and OCT-defined plaque erosion, which were thought to be the causes of non-obstructive myocardial infarction. .

The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score predicts mortality and neurological outcome in patients with post-cardiac arrest syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and subsequent post-cardiac arrest syndrome are often compromised by multi-organ failure. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score has been used to predict clinical outcome of patients requiring intensive care for multi-organ failure. Thus, the assessment of SOFA score is recommended as a criterion for sepsis. Although post-cardiac arrest patients frequently develop sepsis-like status in ICU, there are limited reports evaluating the SOFA score in post-cardiac arrest patients. We investigated the predictive value of the SOFA score in survival and neurological outcomes in patients with post-cardiac arrest syndrome. METHODS: A total of 231 cardiovascular arrest patients achieving return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) were finally extracted from the institutional consecutive database comprised of 1218 OHCA patients transferred to the institution between January 2015 and July 2018. The SOFA score was calculated on admission and after 48h. Predictors of survival and neurological outcome defined as having cerebral-performance-category (CPC) 1 or 2 at 30 days were determined. RESULTS: SOFA score was lower in survived patients (5.0 vs 10.0, p<0.001) and those with favorable neurological outcome (5.0 vs 8.0, p<0.001) as compared with the counterparts. The SOFA score on admission was an independent predictor of survival (OR 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59-0.78; p<0.001) and favorable neurological performance (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.69-0.90; p<0.001) at 30 days. Furthermore, a change in SOFA score (48-0h) was predictive of favorable 30-day neurological outcome (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.60-0.85; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of the SOFA score in the ICU is useful to predict survival and neurological outcome in post-cardiac arrest patients.

Plaque morphology assessed by optical coherence tomography in the culprit lesions of the first episode of acute myocardial infarction in patients with low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level.

BACKGROUND: There remains a residual risk for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) even with low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. This study aimed to characterize the culprit lesion morphology of AMI by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with low LDL-C. METHODS: Four-hundred and nine culprit lesions of 409 patients with their first presentation of AMI imaged by OCT were investigated. OCT analysis included the presence of plaque rupture and thin-capped fibroatheroma (TCFA). Fibrous cap thickness and lipid length were also measured. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was performed in 368 (90.0%) patients. OCT and IVUS findings were compared between patients with LDL-C < 100 mg/dl (lower-LDL group) and those with LDL ≥ 100 mg/dl (higher-LDL group). RESULTS: Lower-LDL group included 93 (22.7%) patients. Plaque rupture (54.8% vs. 68.7%, p = 0.018) and TCFA (39.8% vs. 54.6%, p = 0.013) were less frequently observed in lower-LDL than in higher-LDL. Fibrous cap was thicker [73 (59-109) µm vs. 63 (57-83) µm, p = 0.028] and lipid length was smaller [5.4 (2.3-9.9) mm vs. 7.1 (4.1-10.5) mm, p = 0.012] in lower-LDL than in higher-LDL. There were no significant differences in IVUS parameters including plaque burden or remodeling index between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with lower LDL-C showed more prevalent intact fibrous cap and less vulnerable features in the culprit lesions, which may suggest the need for exploring a specific strategy for the prevention of plaque erosion in low LDL-C subjects.

Impact of Sex Difference on the Discordance of Revascularization Decision Making Between Fractional Flow Reserve and Diastolic Pressure Ratio During the Wave-Free Period.

Background Sex difference in fractional flow reserve (FFR) and resting index has not been fully clarified. We sought to investigate the impact of sex on the discordance of revascularization decision making between FFR and diastolic pressure ratio during the diastolic wave-free period (dPRWFP). Methods and Results A total of 759 angiographically intermediate lesions with 30% to 80% diameter stenosis by quantitative coronary angiography in 577 patients in whom FFR and dPRWFP were measured were investigated. dPRWFP was measured during the wave-free window of 5 heart cycles at an independent core laboratory. FFR ≤0.80 and dPRWFP ≤0.89 were considered positive studies. A total of 164 vessels in 126 women (21.6%) and 595 vessels in 451 men (78.4%) were included. In lesions with negative dPRWFP, positive FFR was less frequently observed in women (13 of 73; 17.8%) than in men (97 of 286; 33.9%) (P=0.009). In lesions with positive dPRWFP, the frequency of negative FFR was observed in 22 of 91 vessels (24.2%) in women and 51 of 309 vessels (16.5%) in men, which did not reach statistical significance (P=0.098). In multivariable analyses, female sex was independently associated with FFR-dPRWFP discordance both in negative dPRWFP cohort (odds ratio, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.21-0.98; P=0.036) and in positive dPRWFP cohort (odds ratio, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.17-4.96; P=0.017) after adjustment for age, weight, quantitative coronary angiography data, and baseline physiological indexes. Conclusions The frequency of FFR-dPRWFP discordance was significantly associated with sex, which may indicate potential shift of optimal threshold of either FFR or dPRWFP, or both of them, according to sex.

Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Atherosclerotic Coronary Lesion with Anomalous Origin of the Right Coronary Artery.

Congenital coronary artery anomalies, including anomalous origin of a coronary artery, can manifest as life-threatening conditions, such as myocardial infarction or arrhythmia, and may even lead to sudden death associated with specific congenital anatomical features. Such arteries can also develop atherosclerotic lesions. This report describes the case of a 75-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital due to exertional dyspnea. The right coronary artery was found to originate from the left coronary sinus and exhibit tight stenosis due to atherosclerosis, causing effort angina pectoris. This case highlights the fact that coronary artery anomalies can cause angina pectoris via both atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic effects, and successful revascularization was achieved noninvasively via percutaneous coronary angioplasty.

Coronary physiological assessment combining fractional flow reserve and index of microcirculatory resistance in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention with grey zone fractional flow reserve.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between fractional flow reserve (FFR) values and change in coronary physiological indices after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: Decision making for revascularization when FFR is 0.75-0.80 is controversial. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 296 patients with stable angina pectoris who underwent physiological examinations before and after PCI. To investigate the differences of coronary flow improvement between territories with low-FFR (<0.75) and grey-zone FFR (0.75-0.80), serial changes in physiological indices including mean transit time (Tmn), coronary flow reserve (CFR), and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: Compared to low-FFR territories, grey-zone FFR territories showed significantly lower prevalence of Tmn shortening, CFR improvement, and decrease in IMR (Tmn shorting, 63.9% vs. 87.0%, P < .001; CFR improvement, 63.0% vs. 75.7%, P = .019; IMR decrease, 51.3% vs. 63.3%, P = .040) and lower extent of their absolute changes (Tmn shorting, 0.06 (-0.03 to 0.16) vs. 0.22 (0.07-0.45), P < .001; CFR improvement, 0.45 (-0.32 to 1.87) vs. 1.08 (0.02-2.44), P < .01; IMR decrease, 0.2 (-44.0 to 31.3) vs. 2.9 (-2.9 to 11.8), P = .022). Multivariate analysis showed that pre-PCI IMR predicted improved coronary flow profile in both groups, whereas pre-PCI FFR predicted increased coronary flow indices in low-FFR territories. CONCLUSIONS: Worsening of physiological indices after PCI was not uncommon in territories showing grey-zone FFR. Physiological assessment combining FFR and IMR may help identify patients who may benefit by PCI, particularly those in the grey zone.

Relationship between optical coherence tomography-defined in-stent neoatherosclerosis and out-stent arterial remodeling assessed by serial intravascular ultrasound examinations in late and very late drug-eluting stent failure.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding the association between chronological out-stent vessel remodeling and in-stent tissue characteristics of drug-eluting stent (DES) failure. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between serial vessel remodeling after DES implantation and neoatherosclerosis (NA) assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with DES failure. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with late and very late stent failure after DES implantation, who underwent intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) at both the initial percutaneous coronary intervention and the time of stent failure and OCT imaging at the time of stent failure, were retrospectively investigated. NA on OCT was defined as neointimal formation with the presence of lipids or calcification inside the stents. Lesions were divided into two groups: those with NA and those without NA (NA: n=21; non-NA: n=27). From the serial IVUS examinations, external elastic membrane (EEM) volume and out-stent plaque volume were normalized by stent length and their changes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The NA group showed older stent age [median, 5.1 years (IQR, 4.8-8.3) vs 1.4 years (IQR, 0.8-4.5); p<0.01] and more prevalent sirolimus-eluting stents (SES; 81.0% vs. 29.6%; p<0.01). IVUS findings of the NA group showed a greater serial increase in both normalized EEM volume and normalized out-stent plaque volume (OSPVI) [1.05 (0.41-1.90) vs. 0.11 (-0.64 to 0.80) mm2; p<0.01; and 0.88 (0.57-1.98) vs. 0.12 (-0.41 to 0.78) mm2; p<0.01]. On multivariate analysis, percentage change in OSPVI (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01-1.14; p=0.02) and SES (OR, 9.78; 95% CI, 2.20-43.40; p<0.01) remained independent predictors of NA. CONCLUSIONS: NA in late and very late DES failure was associated with out-stent positive vessel remodeling. In addition to SES, out-stent progressive positive remodeling may help predict NA in late and very late DES failure.

Effect of Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Hyperemic Absolute Coronary Blood Flow Volume and Microvascular Resistance.

BACKGROUND: The hemodynamics involved in the relationship between absolute coronary blood flow (ABF) volume and myocardial resistance (MR) are complex, and the effect of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on their changes remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in hyperemic ABF and MR before and after elective PCI using a thermodilution method. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated 28 vessels (right coronary artery, 9; left anterior descending coronary artery, 18; left circumflex coronary artery, 1) from 28 patients with stable angina pectoris undergoing elective PCI. ABF was measured pre- and post-PCI using a pressure-temperature sensor-equipped wire, based on a thermodilution method with a continuous saline infusion of 20 mL/min through a proximally located microcatheter with an end-hole in the target vessel. MR equals distal coronary perfusion pressure divided by ABF at maximal hyperemia. Conventional fractional flow reserve was also measured pre- and post-PCI. Fractional flow reserve increased significantly after PCI (from 0.70 [0.65-0.75] to 0.88 [0.85-0.95]) in all examined territories. ABF also increased significantly (from 137.8 mL/min [86.3-180.8 mL/min] to 173.3 mL/min [137.9-234.3 mL/min] ; increase: 52.8 mL/min [9.7-80.8 mL/min]) while MR decreased in 11 vessels and increased in 17. No significant relationship was detected between these increases in fractional flow reserve and ABF. Both pre- and post-PCI MR distributed in a wide range, and there was a significant relationship between pre-PCI MR and the increase in ABF (r=0.44; P=0.02) although no significant change in MR was observed between pre- and post-PCI (P=0.37). CONCLUSIONS: Direct measurement of ABF and MR using thermodilution method offers a feasible approach that could shed a light on previously unclear aspects of coronary hemodynamics.

Predictors and clinical implication of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin-I elevation following diagnostic cardiac catheterisations.

OBJECTIVES: Although diagnostic coronary angiography (CAG) is performed worldwide, procedure-related myocardial necrosis (PMN) following diagnostic catheter-based procedures has not been well investigated. The aim of this study was to determine clinical and procedural factors associated with PMN, using a high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) assay, and to investigate the clinical implications of PMN. METHODS: Among 697 patients undergoing elective CAG and pre- and post-procedural hs-cTnI (pre-TnI, post-TnI, respectively) measurements, a total of 538 patients (124 female) were evaluated, with 2.2% lost during follow-up. Minor PMN was defined as post-TnI above the sex-specific upper reference limit (URL), with a 20% increase from the pre-TnI level. Major PMN was defined as post-TnI above 5x the URL. Clinical and procedural factors predicting PMN and the association between PMN and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) following CAG were examined. RESULTS: PMN of any type was detected in 178 patients (33.0%), while major PMN was observed in 32 patients (5.9%). Female sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate, procedural time, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and fractional flow reserve measurement independently predicted any PMN; whereas, only LVEDP and log-transformed N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide independently predicted major PMN. The incidence of MACE was significantly associated with major PMN. Cox proportional-hazards models revealed that major PMN, pre-TnI, and the absence of statin use were independently associated with MACE. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic cardiac catheteriation may highlight cardiomyocyte susceptibility to stress in patients with or without CAD. CAG-related major myocardial injury might be associated with future adverse cardiac events independently of the presence or absence of functional stenosis.

Prevalence of Thin-Cap Fibroatheroma in Relation to the Severity of Anatomical and Physiological Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between the features of morphologically unstable plaque and physiological lesion severity remains elusive. We aimed to investigate this relationship using optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived high-risk plaque characteristics and fractional flow reserve (FFR) as the degree of anatomical and physiological stenosis severity.Methods and Results:We investigated 286 de novo intermediate and severe coronary lesions in 248 patients who underwent OCT and FFR examinations. Lesions were divided into tertiles based on either FFR or quantitative coronary angiographic diameter stenosis (QCA-%DS). The OCT findings were compared among the tertiles of FFR and QCA-%DS. FFR and QCA tertiles were defined as follows: FFR-T1 (FFR <0.74), FFR-T2 (0.74≤FFR≤0.81), and FFR-T3 (FFR >0.81); and QCA-T1 (%DS ≥61%), QCA-T2 (51%≤%DS<61%), and QCA-T3 (%DS <51%). The prevalence of thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) was significantly greater in FFR-T1 (20.0%) than in FFR-T2 and FFR-T3 (7.0%, P=0.03 and 7.7%, P=0.04, respectively), although no significant differences were observed among the QCA tertiles. CONCLUSIONS: Physiological severity of coronary stenosis evaluated by FFR correlated with plaque instability in terms of TCFA. Preferable clinical outcomes for lesions with negative FFR based on the existing clinical evidence might be attributable to less likelihood of TCFA.

Significance of Microvascular Function in Visual-Functional Mismatch Between Invasive Coronary Angiography and Fractional Flow Reserve.

BACKGROUND: Despite a moderate correlation between angiographical stenosis and physiological significance, the mechanism of discordance has not been fully elucidated, particularly regarding the significance of microvascular function. This study sought to clarify whether microvascular function affects visual-functional mismatch between quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and fractional flow reserve (FFR). METHODS AND RESULTS: We assessed QCA, FFR, coronary flow reserve, and the index of microcirculatory resistance in 849 non-left-main coronary lesions with visually estimated intermediate stenoses from 532 patients. Clinical and lesion-specific characteristics and physiological parameters associated with mismatch and reverse mismatch were studied. Coronary flow reserve and index of microcirculatory resistance showed a weak, but significant, correlation with FFR (R=0.306, P<0.001 and R=0.158, P<0.001, respectively). Four hundred twenty-two lesions were visually nonsignificant (diameter stenosis assessed by QCA [QCA-DS] ≤50%) and 427 lesions were visually significant (QCA-DS >50%). Among visually nonsignificant lesions, FFR ≤0.80 (reverse mismatch) was observed in 129 lesions (30.6%). Among visually significant lesions, FFR >0.80 (mismatch) were observed in 179 lesions (41.9%). The significant predictors of reverse mismatch were male sex, nonculprit lesions of acute coronary syndrome, left anterior descending artery location, smaller QCA reference diameter, greater QCA-DS, lower coronary flow reserve, and lower index of microcirculatory resistance. Mismatch was associated with right coronary artery location, greater QCA reference diameter, smaller QCA-DS, lesion length, higher coronary flow reserve, and higher index of microcirculatory resistance. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of visual-functional mismatches between QCA and FFR. The discrepancy was related to clinical characteristics, lesion-specific factors, and microvascular resistance that was undistinguishable by coronary angiography, thus suggesting the importance of physiological lesion assessment.

Peeled Guidewire Coating with Debulked Plaque Obtained by Directional Coronary Atherectomy.

Percutaneous directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) is a plaque debulking method performed in Japan, and recently a renewed DCA device has been launched. We present a case with a tight left anterior descending lesion undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with application of DCA. After several sessions of DCA, white plaques accompanied by green, stringed materials were obtained from the device; some materials were considerably long (approximately 15 mm in length). A drug-eluting stent was subsequently implanted, and the procedure was completed successfully without any complications. The extracted plaques and artificial materials were pathologically examined, and no inflammatory changes were detected on plaques adjacent to the material. Assessing pathological findings and structure of the DCA catheter, the obtained artificial materials were considered as peeled guidewire, possibly resulting from the friction between the guidewire and metallic bearing in the housing of DCA catheter. Of note, this phenomenon has been recognized even in other DCA cases in which guidewires of the other kind are used. We report this phenomenon for the first time, warning of theoretically possible distal embolization of artificial materials caused by any debulking devices.

Efficacy of Multidetector Computed Tomography to Predict Periprocedural Myocardial Injury After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion.

Specific signatures of culprit lesions detected on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) were identified as predictors of periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with stable angina; PMI has been shown to be associated with a worse prognosis. We investigated the association between preprocedural culprit lesion characteristics, assessed by MDCT, and PMI after PCI for chronic total occlusion (CTO). From three medical centers, 81 patients who underwent pre-PCI MDCT and CTO PCI, and systematic cardiac troponin (cTn) sampling before and after PCI, were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of post-PCI cTn elevation. Patient characteristics, MDCT findings, and procedural variables were compared between the two groups. Procedure success was observed in 65 patients (80.2%) and was not associated with PMI. The incidence of PMI was higher in patients treated with the retrograde versus the antegrade approach. On MDCT, lesion length and the presence of the napkin-ring sign were significantly associated with PMI. Multivariate analysis revealed that the lesion length (odds ratio [OR]: 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.08; P < 0.05), napkin-ring sign (OR: 5.41; 95% CI: 1.01-29.0; P < 0.05), and retrograde approach (OR: 4.78; 95% CI: 1.28-15.4; P < 0.05) were significant predictors of PMI. PMI is not uncommon in patients undergoing elective CTO PCI, regardless of procedure success or failure. Pre-PCI MDCT may help identify patients at high risk for PMI after CTO PCI.

Association Between Prior Aspirin Use and Morphological Features of Culprit Lesions at First Presentation of Acute Coronary Syndrome Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography.

BACKGROUND: The effect of prior use of aspirin (ASA) on the onset of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has not been clarified. This study used optical coherence tomography (OCT) to investigate the morphological features of culprit lesions of ACS in patients with prior ASA use.Methods and Results:In total, 442 patients with their first ACS episode undergoing OCT for the culprit lesions were investigated. Clinical characteristics, OCT findings, and adverse events at 30 days were compared between patients with prior ASA use and ASA-naïve patients (non-ASA). 67 patients (15.2%) had received ASA at presentation. The ASA group was older, had higher frequency of dyslipidemia and hypertension, and lower renal function than the non-ASA group. Non-ST-elevation ACS was more prevalent in the ASA than in the non-ASA group (79.1 vs. 53.6%, P<0.001). Propensity score matching yielded 49 patients in both groups. OCT revealed less frequent thrombi in the ASA than in the non-ASA group in both the entire (37.3 vs. 75.2%, P<0.001) and score-matched cohorts (38.8 vs. 75.5%, P<0.001), whereas no significant difference was observed in plaque characteristics. Rate of adverse events did not differ between the ASA and the non-ASA groups in the matched cohort. CONCLUSIONS: With a first ACS presentation, patients with prior ASA use were more likely to present with non-ST-elevation ACS with less frequent intraluminal thrombi, but no significant difference in underlying plaque characteristics or clinical course.