PAR4 Antagonism in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Receiving Antiplatelet Therapies.

BACKGROUND: BMS-986141 is a novel potent highly selective antagonist of PAR (protease-activated receptor) type 4. PAR4 antagonism has been demonstrated to reduce thrombus formation in isolation and in combination with factor Xa inhibition in high shear conditions in healthy people. We sought to determine whether PAR4 antagonism had additive antithrombotic effects in patients with coronary artery disease who were receiving antiplatelet therapy. METHODS: Forty-five patients with stable coronary heart disease and 10 healthy volunteers completed a phase 2a open-label 4-arm single-center study. Patients were allocated to 1 of 3 treatment arms for 7 days: (1) ticagrelor (90 mg BID), (2) aspirin (75 mg QD), or (3) the combination of ticagrelor and aspirin. Agonist-induced platelet aggregation, platelet activation, and ex vivo thrombus formation were measured before and 2 and 24 hours after a single oral 4-mg dose of BMS-986141 on the first study visit day in all participants. RESULTS: BMS-986141 demonstrated highly selective inhibition of PAR4-AP (agonist peptide)-induced platelet aggregation, P-selectin expression, and platelet-monocyte aggregate expression (P≤0.001 for all), which were unaffected by concomitant antiplatelet therapies. PAR4 antagonism reduced ex vivo thrombus area in high shear conditions in healthy volunteers (-21%; P=0.001) and in patients receiving ticagrelor alone (-28%; P=0.001), aspirin alone (-23%; P=0.018), or both in combination (-24%; P≤0.001). Plasma concentration of BMS-986141 correlated with PAR4-AP-induced platelet responses (P≤0.001 for all) and total thrombus area under high shear stress conditions (P≤0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: PAR4 antagonism has additive antithrombotic effects when used in addition to ticagrelor, aspirin, or their combination, in patients with stable coronary heart disease. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT05093790.

Aortic valve perivascular adipose tissue computed tomography attenuation in patients with aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic stenosis (AS) shares pathophysiological similarities with atherosclerosis including active inflammation. CT attenuation of perivascular adipose tissue provides a measure of vascular inflammation that is linked to prognosis and has the potential to be applied to the aortic valve. We investigated perivascular adipose tissue attenuation around the aortic valve in patients with AS. METHODS: CT attenuation was measured in the perivascular adipose tissue extending 3 mm radially and 10 mm longitudinally around the aortic valve in patients with and without AS. Associations between perivascular adipose tissue attenuation and AS disease severity, activity and progression were investigated. RESULTS: Perivascular adipose tissue attenuation around the aortic valve demonstrated good intraobserver and interobserver repeatability (interobserver: intraclass correlation coefficient 0.977 (95% CI: 0.94, 0.99)) but was similar between patients with AS (n=120) and control subjects (n=80) (-62.4 (-68.7, -56.5) Hounsfield units (HU) vs -61.2 (-65.3, -55.6) HU, p=0.099). There were no differences between perivascular adipose tissue attenuation in patients with mild (-60.2 (-66.9, -55.1) HU), moderate (-62.8 (-69.6, -56.80) HU) or severe (-62.3 (-69.3, -55.4) HU) AS (all p>0.05), and perivascular adipose tissue attenuation did not demonstrate an association with AS severity as assessed by echocardiography or CT calcium scoring, nor with disease activity assessed by 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography. Moreover, there was no association between baseline aortic valve perivascular adipose tissue attenuation and subsequent AS progression (annualised change in peak velocity: r=0.072, p=0.458). Similar results were found using five other image analysis methods. CONCLUSIONS: CT-derived aortic valve perivascular adipose tissue attenuation is not associated with AS disease severity, activity or progression suggesting that it has no value in the investigation and management of patients with AS.

Invasive Management of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy With Clinically Important Obstruction: Catheter Intervention Is Superior.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common inherited cardiac condition where the myocardium progressively thickens in the absence of abnormal loading conditions. Left ventricular hypertrophy often leads to outflow tract obstruction, and this confers significant mortality and morbidity implications. Septal reduction therapies aim to relieve the obstruction in an attempt to reduce the burden of symptoms and potentially improve prognosis. However, both surgical and catheter-based approaches to septal reduction carry risks. At present, international guidelines and expert consensus statements suggest surgical myomectomy is the gold-standard treatment. In this point-counterpoint review, we discuss why in our opinion this recommendation should be reconsidered. We hope to cover the history of catheter based septal reduction therapies and the significant advances made over the last two decades. We also hope to show why we believe the current evidence shows catheter-based alcohol septal ablation is superior to surgical myomectomy.

Interventions in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy.

Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common genetically transmitted cardiomyopathy that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite contemporary treatments and interventions, the management of patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy remains poorly defined compared with other branches of cardiology. In this review, we discuss established and novel therapeutic interventions in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with a focus on percutaneous and surgical strategies including surgical myectomy, mitral valve repair or replacement, percutaneous alcohol septal ablation, pacemaker and cardioverter-defibrillator implantation, septal embolization, radiofrequency endocardial catheter ablation, and percutaneous intramyocardial septal radiofrequency ablation.

Early computed tomography coronary angiography and preventative treatment in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome: A secondary analysis of the RAPID-CTCA trial.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) offers detailed assessment of the presence of coronary atherosclerosis and helps guide patient management. We investigated influences of early CTCA on the subsequent use of preventative treatment in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: In this secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial of early CTCA in intermediate-risk patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome, prescription of aspirin, P2Y12 receptor antagonist, statin, renin-angiotensin system blocker, and beta-blocker therapies from randomization to discharge were compared within then between those randomized to early CTCA or to standard of care only. Effects of CTCA findings on adjustment of these therapies were further examined. RESULTS: In 1,743 patients (874 randomized to early CTCA and 869 to standard of care only), prescription of P2Y12 receptor antagonist, dual antiplatelet, and statin therapies increased more in the early CTCA group (between-group difference: 4.6% [95% confidence interval, 0.3-8.9], 4.5% [95% confidence interval, 0.2-8.7], and 4.3% [95% confidence interval, 0.2-8.5], respectively), whereas prescription of other preventative therapies increased by similar extent in both study groups. Among patients randomized to early CTCA, there were additional increments of preventative treatment in those with obstructive coronary artery disease and higher rates of reductions in antiplatelet and beta-blocker therapies in those with normal coronary arteries. CONCLUSIONS: Prescription patterns of preventative treatment varied during index hospitalization in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome. Early CTCA facilitated targeted individualization of these therapies based on the extent of coronary artery disease.

Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Future Coronary Events.

Importance: Recurrent coronary events in patients with recent myocardial infarction remain a major clinical problem. Noninvasive measures of coronary atherosclerotic disease activity have the potential to identify individuals at greatest risk. Objective: To assess whether coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity as assessed by noninvasive imaging is associated with recurrent coronary events in patients with myocardial infarction. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective, longitudinal, international multicenter cohort study recruited participants aged 50 years or older with multivessel coronary artery disease and recent (within 21 days) myocardial infarction between September 2015 and February 2020, with a minimum 2 years' follow-up. Intervention: Coronary 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography and coronary computed tomography angiography. Main Outcomes and Measures: Total coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity was assessed by 18F-sodium fluoride uptake. The primary end point was cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction but was expanded during study conduct to include unscheduled coronary revascularization due to lower than anticipated primary event rates. Results: Among 2684 patients screened, 995 were eligible, 712 attended for imaging, and 704 completed an interpretable scan and comprised the study population. The mean (SD) age of participants was 63.8 (8.2) years, and most were male (601 [85%]). Total coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity was identified in 421 participants (60%). After a median follow-up of 4 years (IQR, 3-5 years), 141 participants (20%) experienced the primary end point: 9 had cardiac death, 49 had nonfatal myocardial infarction, and 83 had unscheduled coronary revascularizations. Increased coronary plaque activity was not associated with the primary end point (hazard ratio [HR], 1.25; 95% CI, 0.89-1.76; P = .20) or unscheduled revascularization (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.64-1.49; P = .91) but was associated with the secondary end point of cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction (47 of 421 patients with high plaque activity [11.2%] vs 19 of 283 with low plaque activity [6.7%]; HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.07-3.10; P = .03) and all-cause mortality (30 of 421 patients with high plaque activity [7.1%] vs 9 of 283 with low plaque activity [3.2%]; HR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.15-5.12; P = .02). After adjustment for differences in baseline clinical characteristics, coronary angiography findings, and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events score, high coronary plaque activity was associated with cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction (HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.00-3.10; P = .05) but not with all-cause mortality (HR, 2.01; 95% CI, 0.90-4.49; P = .09). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of patients with recent myocardial infarction, coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity was not associated with the primary composite end point. The findings suggest that risk of cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction in patients with elevated plaque activity warrants further research to explore its incremental prognostic implications.

Latent Coronary Plaque Morphology From Computed Tomography Angiography, Molecular Disease Activity on Positron Emission Tomography, and Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Assessments of coronary disease activity with 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography and radiomics-based precision coronary plaque phenotyping derived from coronary computed tomography angiography may enhance risk stratification in patients with coronary artery disease. We sought to investigate whether the prognostic information provided by these 2 approaches is complementary in the prediction of myocardial infarction. METHODS: Patients with known coronary artery disease underwent coronary 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography and coronary computed tomography angiography on a hybrid positron emission tomography/computed tomography scanner. Coronary 18F-NaF uptake was determined by the coronary microcalcification activity. We performed quantitative plaque analysis of coronary computed tomography angiography datasets and extracted 1103 radiomic features for each plaque. Using weighted correlation network analysis, we derived latent morphological features of coronary lesions which were aggregated to patient-level radiomics nomograms to predict myocardial infarction. RESULTS: Among 260 patients with established coronary artery disease (age, 65±9 years; 83% men), 179 (69%) participants showed increased coronary 18F-NaF activity (coronary microcalcification activity>0). Over 53 (40-59) months of follow-up, 18 patients had a myocardial infarction. Using weighted correlation network analysis, we derived 15 distinct eigen radiomic features representing latent morphological coronary plaque patterns in an unsupervised fashion. Following adjustments for calcified, noncalcified, and low-density noncalcified plaque volumes and 18F-NaF coronary microcalcification activity, 4 radiomic features remained independent predictors of myocardial infarction (hazard ratio, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.03-2.08]; P=0.03; hazard ratio, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.04-2.54]; P=0.02; hazard ratio, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.07-2.06]; P=0.01; and hazard ratio, 1.50 (95% CI, 1.05-2.13); P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with established coronary artery disease, latent coronary plaque morphological features, quantitative plaque volumes, and disease activity on 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography are additive predictors of myocardial infarction.

Coronary low-attenuation plaque and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin.

OBJECTIVE: In patients with acute chest pain who have had myocardial infarction excluded, plasma cardiac troponin I concentrations ≥5 ng/L are associated with risk of future adverse cardiovascular events. We aim to evaluate the association between cardiac troponin and coronary plaque composition in such patients. METHODS: In a prespecified secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study, blinded quantitative plaque analysis was performed on 242 CT coronary angiograms of patients with acute chest pain in whom myocardial infarction was excluded. Patients were stratified by peak plasma cardiac troponin I concentration ≥5 ng/L or <5 ng/L. Associations were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The cohort was predominantly middle-aged (62±12 years) men (69%). Patients with plasma cardiac troponin I concentration ≥5 ng/L (n=161) had a higher total (median 33% (IQR 0-47) vs 0% (IQR 0-33)), non-calcified (27% (IQR 0-37) vs 0% (IQR 0-28)), calcified (2% (IQR 0-8) vs 0% (IQR 0-3)) and low-attenuation (1% (IQR 0-3) vs 0% (IQR 0-1)) coronary plaque burden compared with those with concentrations <5 ng/L (n=81; p≤0.001 for all). Low-attenuation plaque burden was independently associated with plasma cardiac troponin I concentration ≥5 ng/L after adjustment for clinical characteristics (adjusted OR per doubling 1.62 (95% CI 1.17 to 2.32), p=0.005) or presence of any visible coronary artery disease (adjusted OR per doubling 1.57 (95% CI 1.07 to 2.37), p=0.026). CONCLUSION: In patients with acute chest pain but without myocardial infarction, plasma cardiac troponin I concentrations ≥5 ng/L are associated with greater burden of low-attenuation coronary plaque.

Distinguishing Type 1 from Type 2 Myocardial Infarction by Using CT Coronary Angiography.

Purpose: To determine whether quantitative plaque characterization by using CT coronary angiography (CTCA) can discriminate between type 1 and type 2 myocardial infarction. Materials and Methods: This was a secondary analysis of two prospective studies (ClinicalTrials.gov registration nos. NCT03338504 [2014-2019] and NCT02284191 [2018-2020]) that performed blinded quantitative plaque analysis on findings from CTCA in participants with type 1 myocardial infarction, type 2 myocardial infarction, and chest pain without myocardial infarction. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of type 1 myocardial infarction. Results: Overall, 155 participants (mean age, 64 years ± 12 [SD]; 114 men) and 36 participants (mean age, 67 years ± 12; 19 men) had type 1 and type 2 myocardial infarction, respectively, and 136 participants (62 years ± 12; 78 men) had chest pain without myocardial infarction. Participants with type 1 myocardial infarction had greater total (median, 44% [IQR: 35%-50%] vs 35% [IQR: 29%-46%]), noncalcified (39% [IQR: 31%-46%] vs 34% [IQR: 29%-40%]), and low-attenuation (4.15% [IQR: 1.88%-5.79%] vs 1.64% [IQR: 0.89%-2.28%]) plaque burdens (P < .05 for all) than those with type 2. Participants with type 2 myocardial infarction had similar low-attenuation plaque burden to those with chest pain without myocardial infarction (P = .4). Low-attenuation plaque was an independent predictor of type 1 myocardial infarction (adjusted odds ratio, 3.44 [95% CI: 1.84, 6.96]; P < .001), with better discrimination than noncalcified plaque burden and maximal area of coronary stenosis (C statistic, 0.75 [95% CI: 0.67, 0.83] vs 0.62 [95% CI: 0.53, 0.71] and 0.61 [95% CI: 0.51, 0.70] respectively; P ≤ .001 for both). Conclusion: Higher low-attenuation coronary plaque burden in patients with type 1 myocardial infarction may help distinguish these patients from those with type 2 myocardial infarction.Keywords: Ischemia/Infarction, CT Angiography, Quantitative CTClinical trial registration nos. NCT03338504 and NCT02284191 Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2022.

Plaque Burden and 1-Year Outcomes in Acute Chest Pain: Results From the Multicenter RAPID-CTCA Trial.

BACKGROUND: In patients with stable chest pain, computed tomography (CT) plaque burden is an independent predictor of future coronary events. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether plaque burden and characteristics can predict subsequent death or myocardial infarction in patients with acute chest pain. METHODS: In a post hoc analysis of a multicenter trial of early coronary CT angiography, the authors performed quantitative plaque analysis to assess the association between primary endpoint of 1-year all-cause death or nonfatal myocardial infarction and the GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) score, presence of obstructive coronary artery disease, and plaque burden in 404 patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome. RESULTS: Following the index event, 25 patients had a primary event that was associated with a higher GRACE score (134 ± 44 vs 113 ± 35; P = 0.012), larger burdens of total (46% [IQR: 43%-50%] vs 36% [IQR: 21%-46%]; P < 0.001), noncalcified (41% [IQR: 37%-%47] vs 33% [IQR: 20%-41%]; P < 0.001), and low-attenuation plaque (4.22% [IQR: 3.3%-5.68%] vs 2.14% [IQR: 0.5%-4.88%]; P < 0.001), but not obstructive coronary artery disease (P = 0.065). Total, noncalcified, and low-attenuation plaque burden were the strongest predictors of future events independent of GRACE score and obstructive coronary artery disease (P ≤ 0.002 for all). Patients with a low-attenuation burden above the median had nearly an 8-fold increased risk of the primary endpoint (HR: 7.80 [95% CI: 2.33-26.0]; P < 0.001), outperforming either a GRACE score of >140 (HR: 3.80 [95% CI :1.45-6.98]; P = 0.004) or obstructive coronary artery disease (HR: 2.07 [95% CI: 0.94-4.53]; P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome, low-attenuation plaque burden is a major predictor of 1-year death or recurrent myocardial infarction. (Rapid Assessment of Potential Ischaemic Heart Disease With CTCA [RAPID-CTCA]; NCT02284191).

Computed tomography coronary angiography in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Electrocardiography and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin testing are routinely applied as the initial step for clinical evaluation of patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Once diagnosed, patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction are commenced on antithrombotic and secondary preventative therapies before undergoing invasive coronary angiography to determine the strategy of coronary revascularisation. However, this clinical pathway is imperfect and can lead to challenges in the diagnosis, management, and clinical outcomes of these patients. Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) has increasingly been utilised in the setting of patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, where it has an important role in avoiding unnecessary invasive coronary angiography and reducing downstream non-invasive functional testing for myocardial ischaemia. CTCA is an excellent gatekeeper for the cardiac catheterisation laboratory. In addition, CTCA provides complementary information for patients with myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease and highlights alternative or incidental diagnoses for those with cardiac troponin elevation. However, the routine application of CTCA has yet to demonstrate an impact on subsequent major adverse cardiovascular events. There are several ongoing studies evaluating CTCA and its associated technologies that will define and potentially expand its application in patients with suspected or diagnosed non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. We here review the current evidence relating to the clinical application of CTCA in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and highlight the areas where CTCA is likely to have an increasing important role and impact for our patients.

Hepatosteatosis and Atherosclerotic Plaque at Coronary CT Angiography.

Purpose: To assess the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and quantitative atherosclerotic plaque at CT. Materials and Methods: In this post hoc analysis of the prospective Scottish Computed Tomography of the HEART trial (November 2010 to September 2014), hepatosteatosis and coronary artery calcium score were measured at noncontrast CT. Presence of stenoses, visually assessed high-risk plaque, and quantitative plaque burden were assessed at coronary CT angiography. Multivariable models were constructed to assess the impact of hepatosteatosis and cardiovascular risk factors on coronary artery disease. Results: Images from 1726 participants (mean age, 58 years ± 9 [SD]; 974 men) were included. Participants with hepatosteatosis (155 of 1726, 9%) had a higher body mass index, more hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and higher cardiovascular risk scores (P < .001 for all) compared with those without hepatosteatosis. They had increased coronary artery calcium scores (median, 43 Agatston units [AU] [interquartile range, 0-273] vs 19 AU [0-225], P = .046), more nonobstructive disease (48% vs 37%, P = .02), and higher low-attenuation plaque burden (5.11% [0-7.16] vs 4.07% [0-6.84], P = .04). However, these associations were not independent of cardiovascular risk factors. Over a median of 4.7 years, there was no evidence of a difference in myocardial infarction between those with and without hepatosteatosis (1.9% vs 2.4%, P = .92). Conclusion: Hepatosteatosis at CT was associated with an increased prevalence of coronary artery disease at CT, but this was not independent of the presence of cardiovascular risk factors.Keywords: CT, Cardiac, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Coronary Artery Disease, Hepatosteatosis, Plaque QuantificationClinical trial registration no. NCT01149590 Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2022See also commentary by Abohashem and Blankstein in this issue.

Coronary Artery and Cardiac Disease in Patients With Type 2 Myocardial Infarction: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 myocardial infarction is caused by myocardial oxygen supply-demand imbalance, and its diagnosis is increasingly common with the advent of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays. Although this diagnosis is associated with poor outcomes, widespread uncertainty and confusion remain among clinicians as to how to investigate and manage this heterogeneous group of patients with type 2 myocardial infarction. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, 8064 consecutive patients with increased cardiac troponin concentrations were screened to identify patients with type 2 myocardial infarction. We excluded patients with frailty or renal or hepatic failure. All study participants underwent coronary (invasive or computed tomography angiography) and cardiac (magnetic resonance or echocardiography) imaging, and the underlying causes of infarction were independently adjudicated. The primary outcome was the prevalence of coronary artery disease. RESULTS: In 100 patients with a provisional diagnosis of type 2 myocardial infarction (median age, 65 years [interquartile range, 55-74 years]; 43% women), coronary and cardiac imaging reclassified the diagnosis in 7 patients: type 1 or 4b myocardial infarction in 5 and acute myocardial injury in 2 patients. In those with type 2 myocardial infarction, median cardiac troponin I concentrations were 195 ng/L (interquartile range, 62-760 ng/L) at presentation and 1165 ng/L (interquartile range, 277-3782 ng/L) on repeat testing. The prevalence of coronary artery disease was 68% (63 of 93), which was obstructive in 30% (28 of 93). Infarct-pattern late gadolinium enhancement or regional wall motion abnormalities were observed in 42% (39 of 93), and left ventricular systolic dysfunction was seen in 34% (32 of 93). Only 10 patients had both normal coronary and normal cardiac imaging. Coronary artery disease and left ventricular systolic dysfunction were previously unrecognized in 60% (38 of 63) and 84% (27 of 32), respectively, with only 33% (21 of 63) and 19% (6 of 32) on evidence-based treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic coronary and cardiac imaging of patients with type 2 myocardial infarction identified coronary artery disease in two-thirds and left ventricular systolic dysfunction in one-third of patients. Unrecognized and untreated coronary or cardiac disease is seen in most patients with type 2 myocardial infarction, presenting opportunities for initiation of evidence-based treatments with major potential to improve clinical outcomes. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique identifier: NCT03338504.

Bypass Grafting and Native Coronary Artery Disease Activity.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the potential of 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) to identify graft vasculopathy and to investigate the influence of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery on native coronary artery disease activity and progression. BACKGROUND: As well as developing graft vasculopathy, CABGs have been proposed to accelerate native coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: Patients with established coronary artery disease underwent baseline 18F-NaF PET, coronary artery calcium scoring, coronary computed tomographic angiography, and 1-year repeat coronary artery calcium scoring. Whole-vessel coronary microcalcification activity (CMA) on 18F-NaF PET and change in calcium scores were quantified in patients with and without CABG surgery. RESULTS: Among 293 participants (mean age 65 ± 9 years, 84% men), 48 (16%) underwent CABG surgery 2.7 years [IQR: 1.4-10.4 years] previously. Although all arterial and the majority (120 of 128 [94%]) of vein grafts showed no 18F-NaF uptake, 8 saphenous vein grafts in 7 subjects had detectable CMA. Bypassed native coronary arteries had 3 times higher CMA values (2.1 [IQR: 0.4-7.5] vs 0.6 [IQR: 0-2.7]; P < 0.001) and greater progression of 1-year calcium scores (118 Agatston unit [IQR: 48-194 Agatston unit] vs 69 [IQR: 21-142 Agatston unit]; P = 0.01) compared with patients who had not undergone CABG, an effect confined largely to native coronary plaques proximal to the graft anastomosis. In sensitivity analysis, bypassed native coronary arteries had higher CMA (2.0 [IQR: 0.4-7.5] vs 0.8 [IQR: 0.3-3.2]; P < 0.001) and faster disease progression (24% [IQR: 16%-43%] vs 8% [IQR: 0%-24%]; P = 0.002) than matched patients (n = 48) with comparable burdens of coronary artery disease and cardiovascular comorbidities in the absence of bypass grafting. CONCLUSIONS: Native coronary arteries that have been bypassed demonstrate increased disease activity and more rapid disease progression than nonbypassed arteries, an observation that appears independent of baseline atherosclerotic plaque burden. Microcalcification activity is not a dominant feature of graft vasculopathy.

Debates in cardiac CT: Coronary CT angiography is the best test in asymptomatic patients.

Cardiovascular disease remains a major cause of mortality, accounting for a third of all global deaths annually. Although there have been major improvements in our ability to detect and to treat patients with coronary heart disease, most myocardial infarctions occur in previously asymptomatic individuals. Identification of individuals at risk of myocardial infarction remains challenging and primary prevention guidelines rely on the use of cardiovascular risk scores that can be supplemented by coronary artery calcium scores. Coronary artery calcium scores provide a simple surrogate late marker of atherosclerosis but is unable to identify the early high risk non-calcified plaque which can be particularly problematic in younger individuals. Coronary computed tomography angiography is increasingly being used as the imaging strategy of choice in patients with symptoms of coronary heart disease. As an anatomical test, it can non-invasively detect the presence of coronary atherosclerosis, providing clinicians with a strong mandate to commence symptom relieving and preventative therapies. For asymptomatic individuals, it allows precise targeting of therapies to those with coronary heart disease rather than those "at risk" of disease. Moreover, our ability to calculate risk using coronary computed tomography angiography is rapidly improving with the use of techniques, such as plaque quantification and characterisation. These techniques have the potential to provide clinicians with tools to target cardiovascular disease prevention in a precision medicine approach. We here debate the ways in which coronary computed tomography angiography could improve the selection of asymptomatic individuals for preventative therapies over and above risk calculators and calcium scoring.

Association of Lipoprotein(a) With Atherosclerotic Plaque Progression.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction, although the mechanism for this observation remains uncertain. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate whether Lp(a) is associated with adverse plaque progression. METHODS: Lp(a) was measured in patients with advanced stable coronary artery disease undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography at baseline and 12 months to assess progression of total, calcific, noncalcific, and low-attenuation plaque (necrotic core) in particular. High Lp(a) was defined as Lp(a) ≥ 70 mg/dL. The relationship of Lp(a) with plaque progression was assessed using linear regression analysis, adjusting for body mass index, segment involvement score, and ASSIGN score (a Scottish cardiovascular risk score comprised of age, sex, smoking, blood pressure, total and high-density lipoprotein [HDL]-cholesterol, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and deprivation index). RESULTS: A total of 191 patients (65.9 ± 8.3 years of age; 152 [80%] male) were included in the analysis, with median Lp(a) values of 100 (range: 82 to 115) mg/dL and 10 (range: 5 to 24) mg/dL in the high and low Lp(a) groups, respectively. At baseline, there was no difference in coronary artery disease severity or plaque burden. Patients with high Lp(a) showed accelerated progression of low-attenuation plaque compared with low Lp(a) patients (26.2 ± 88.4 mm3 vs -0.7 ± 50.1 mm3; P = 0.020). Multivariable linear regression analysis confirmed the relation between Lp(a) and low-attenuation plaque volume progression (ß = 10.5% increase for each 50 mg/dL Lp(a), 95% CI: 0.7%-20.3%). There was no difference in total, calcific, and noncalcific plaque volume progression. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with advanced stable coronary artery disease, Lp(a) is associated with accelerated progression of coronary low-attenuation plaque (necrotic core). This may explain the association between Lp(a) and the high residual risk of myocardial infarction, providing support for Lp(a) as a treatment target in atherosclerosis.

Machine Learning with 18F-Sodium Fluoride PET and Quantitative Plaque Analysis on CT Angiography for the Future Risk of Myocardial Infarction.

Coronary 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) PET and CT angiography-based quantitative plaque analysis have shown promise in refining risk stratification in patients with coronary artery disease. We combined both of these novel imaging approaches to develop an optimal machine-learning model for the future risk of myocardial infarction in patients with stable coronary disease. Methods: Patients with known coronary artery disease underwent coronary 18F-NaF PET and CT angiography on a hybrid PET/CT scanner. Machine-learning by extreme gradient boosting was trained using clinical data, CT quantitative plaque analysis, measures and 18F-NaF PET, and it was tested using repeated 10-fold hold-out testing. Results: Among 293 study participants (65 ± 9 y; 84% male), 22 subjects experienced a myocardial infarction over the 53 (40-59) months of follow-up. On univariable receiver-operator-curve analysis, only 18F-NaF coronary uptake emerged as a predictor of myocardial infarction (c-statistic 0.76, 95% CI 0.68-0.83). When incorporated into machine-learning models, clinical characteristics showed limited predictive performance (c-statistic 0.64, 95% CI 0.53-0.76) and were outperformed by a quantitative plaque analysis-based machine-learning model (c-statistic 0.72, 95% CI 0.60-0.84). After inclusion of all available data (clinical, quantitative plaque and 18F-NaF PET), we achieved a substantial improvement (P = 0.008 versus 18F-NaF PET alone) in the model performance (c-statistic 0.85, 95% CI 0.79-0.91). Conclusion: Both 18F-NaF uptake and quantitative plaque analysis measures are additive and strong predictors of outcome in patients with established coronary artery disease. Optimal risk stratification can be achieved by combining clinical data with these approaches in a machine-learning model.

Duration of dual antiplatelet therapy and stability of coronary heart disease: a 60 000-patient meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) has important implications for clinical outcomes in coronary disease. However, the optimal DAPT duration remains uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: We searched four major databases for randomised controlled trials comparing long-term (≥12 months) with short-term (≤6 months) or shorter (≤3 months) DAPT in patients with coronary syndromes. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were any bleeding and major bleeding (safety), cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, revascularisation and stroke (efficacy). Nineteen randomised controlled trials (n=60 111) satisfied inclusion criteria, 8 assessed ≤3 months DAPT. Compared with long-term (≥12 months), short-term DAPT (≤6 months) was associated with a trend towards reduced all-cause mortality (RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.01) and significant bleeding reduction (RR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.55 to 0.83 and RR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.56 to 0.77 for major and any bleeding, respectively). There were no significant differences in efficacy outcomes. These associations persisted in sensitivity analysis comparing shorter duration DAPT (≤3 months) to long-term DAPT (≥12 months) for all-cause mortality (RR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.79 to 1.05). In subgroup analysis, short-term DAPT was associated with lower risk of bleeding in patients with acute or chronic coronary syndromes (RR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.54 to 0.81 and RR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.65, respectively), but higher risk of stent thrombosis in acute coronary syndrome (RR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.17 vs RR: 1.25, 95% CI 0.44 to 3.58). CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis suggests that short (≤6 months) and shorter (≤3 months) durations DAPT are associated with lower risk of bleeding, equivalent efficacy and a trend towards lower all-cause mortality irrespective of coronary artery disease stability.

Risk of Major Bleeding With Potent Antiplatelet Agents After an Acute Coronary Event: A Comparison of Ticagrelor and Clopidogrel in 5116 Consecutive Patients in Clinical Practice.

Background Major bleeding after acute coronary syndrome predicts a poor outcome but is challenging to define. The choice of antiplatelet influences bleeding risk. Methods and Results Major bleeding, subsequent myocardial infarction (MI), and all-cause mortality to 1 year were compared in consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with clopidogrel (n=2491 between 2011 and 2013) and ticagrelor (n=2625 between 2012 and 2015) in 5 English hospitals. Clinical outcomes were identified from national hospital episode statistics. Bleeding and MI events were independently adjudicated by 2 experienced clinicians, blinded to drug, sequence, and year. Bleeding events were categorized using Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 3 to 5 and PLATO (Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes) criteria and MI by the Third Universal Definition. Multivariable regression analysis was used to adjust outcomes for case mix. The median age was 68 years and 34% were women. 39% underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and 13% coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Clinical outcome data were 100% complete for bleeding and 99.7% for MI. No statistically significant difference was seen in crude or adjusted major bleeding for ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 3-5, hazard ratio [HR], 1.23; 95% CI, 0.90-1.68; P=0.2, PLATO major adjusted HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.98-1.74; P=0.07) except in the non-coronary artery bypass graft cohort (n=4464), where bleeding was more frequent with ticagrelor (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 3-5, adjusted HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.09-2.31; P=0.017; and PLATO major HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.18-2.37; P=0.004). There was no difference in crude or adjusted subsequent MI (adjusted HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.87-1.64; P=0.27). Crude mortality was higher in the clopidogrel group but not after adjustment, using either Cox proportional hazards or propensity matched population (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.76-1.10; P=0.21) as was the case for stroke (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.52-1.32; P=0.42). Conclusions This observational study indicates that the apparent benefit of ticagrelor demonstrated in a clinical trial population may not be observed in the broader population encountered in clinical practice. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02484924.