Examination of the Suitability of Vericiguat in Non-Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction Patients with Improved Ejection Fraction.

Background/Objectives: Vericiguat has been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality and hospitalisation for heart failure in patients with reduced ejection fraction. While Vericiguat is considered one of the standard treatments for heart failure, it is unclear under which conditions Vericiguat would be most effective. With a focus on the prognosis and improved EF of heart failure, we aimed to investigate in which cases Vericiguat is suitable for use in addition to standard cardioprotective drugs. Methods: We prospectively compared echocardiograms taken before and after the administration of Vericiguat in 46 patients with non-dialysis and without heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (non-HFpEF) (left ventricle ejection fraction [LVEF] < 50%) who were able to continue Vericiguat in addition to other standard heart failure drugs (the "Fantastic Four") for more than 6 months at our hospital. Patients who showed an improvement of 10 points or more in LVEF were defined as improved EF+. Results: LVEF improved significantly from 38 [33-45]% at the time of administration to 46 [35-54.5]% at 6 months (p < 0.001). When comparing patients with and without improved EF, a significant difference was observed in the Hb (OR = 1.66, 95%CI = 1.12-2.83, p = 0.028), early introduction (OR = 12.5, 95%CI = 1.58-149, p = 0.025), and initiation of Vericiguat after the administration of the Fantastic Four (OR = 9.79, 95%CI = 1.71-100.2, p = 0.022). Conclusions: In this study, the early administration of Vericiguat, haemoglobin value, and initiation of Vericiguat after the introduction of the Fantastic Four were identified as independent factors for eligibility in non-dialysis, non-HFpEF patients who were able to continue GDMT treatment for more than 6 months after adding Vericiguat.

Medium-Term Outcomes of Treatment with a VIABAHN VBX Covered Stent for Aortoiliac Occlusive Lesions in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment (EVT) for aortoiliac (AI) occlusive lesions is now conducted worldwide, but there are challenges in EVT for complex AI lesions. The VIABAHN VBX (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) is a next-generation balloon-expandable covered stent designed for use with complex AI lesions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the medium-term outcomes of VIABAHN VBX for such lesions. METHODS: Symptomatic patients who underwent EVT with VIABAHN VBX for an AI lesion from 2018 to 2020 at 7 Japanese centers were reviewed retrospectively. The primary endpoints were primary patency and freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR). RESULTS: A total of 95 EVT procedures with VIABAHN VBX for AI occlusive lesions were performed in 71 patients. The patients had high rates of dyslipidemia (53%) and chronic kidney disease (61%), and 22% had chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). The Transatlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC Ⅱ) class was A in 12 patients (17%), B in 12 (17%), C in 10 (14%), and D in 37 (52%). Severe calcification (360°) of the treated lesion was present in 31 patients (33%). The median procedure time was 84 (49-158) min, with a technical success rate of 100%. The median follow-up period was 36 (32-43) months. The 3-year primary and secondary patency of VIABAHN VBX were 91% and 99%, the 3-year freedom from TLR was 92%, and the 3-year freedom from major adverse limb event (MALE) was 98%. No limbs required major amputation. Lesion severity (TASC Ⅱ C or D) and severe calcification did not affect the primary patency or freedom from TLR. CONCLUSIONS: Medium-term outcomes after EVT with VIABAHN VBX for AI lesions were acceptable regardless of lesion severity and calcification. These results suggest that VIABAHN VBX may be suitable for AI occlusive lesions with severe anatomical complexity and/or severe calcification.

A curious Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after COVID-19.

We present the case of a 66-year-old woman undergoing chronic dialysis who developed pneumonia and enteritis after being infected with COVID-19 and had severe wall motion reduction similar to a left ventricular aneurysm. There was concern that the condition might worsen due to left ventricular wall thinning and curious wall motion abnormalities, but echocardiography one month later showed normalization. After four months, simultaneous binuclear myocardial scintigraphy of thallium and BMIPP showed that the mismatch had disappeared. We considered that there may be other factors specific to COVID-19 infection in addition to the stress associated with infection and reviewed the literature.

Successful conservative treatment for left ventricular free wall rupture after acute myocardial infarction.

Left ventricular free wall rupture (LVFWR) is a rare but fatal complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). An 81-year-old female patient with several cardiovascular risk factors presented to the emergency department with symptoms of developing a chronic stomachache and cold sweat. An echocardiograph showed wall motion abnormalities from the lateral to posterior wall, as well as pericardial effusion containing clots of up to 17 mm in the posterior wall that indicated LVFWR after AMI. Although she was conscious after being brought to the initial care unit, she suddenly lost consciousness and fell into electromechanical dissociation (EMD). Endotracheal intubation was immediately initiated and her pericardial drainage and intra aortic balloon pump (IABP) placement, and hemodynamics recovered. Although she had 100% obstruction in the left circumflex artery (LCX) #12 on coronary angiography (CAG), she was discharged to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Conservative treatment such as intubation, sedation, pericardiocentesis and strict blood pressure management as well as treatment by IABP long-term support led to the patient being uneventfully discharged after 60 days.

The impact that myocarditis for post-acute COVID-19 syndrome may be dermatomyositis-like myocarditis: A case report.

Myocarditis is often reported as a complication of COVID-19 infection or post-vaccination, but there are few reports of "myocarditis for Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome", and many unknowns still remain. Apart from that, an association between COVID-19 infection and dermatomyositis has also been reported. We describe the clinical presentation of acute myocarditis in a patient who had developed COVID-19 syndrome one-month earlier. A healthy 49-year-old man experienced typical COVID-19 symptoms. Thirty-two days later, he was admitted because of fever and severe fatigue, chest pain and bradycardia. Blood tests showed major inflammation. PCR for SARS-CoV-2 on nasopharyngeal swab (ID NOW™) was positive, but diagnosed as a previous infection due to a high CT value. Because of haemodynamic worsening with both an increase in cardiac troponin I and NT-pro BNP levels and reduced wall motion on echocardiography, acute myocarditis was suspected. Myocardial biopsy revealed severe lymphocytic infiltration and interstitial edema between myocardial fibers. These findings led to the diagnosis of fulminant myocarditis. Interestingly, myocardium was also stained with human myxovirus resistance protein 1 (MxA). We consider that there may be an aspect of "dermatomyositis-like myocarditis with SARS-CoV-2" in our case. This is the first case of fulminant myocarditis for Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome in which diagnosis of active myocarditis was proven by pathological examination following myocardial biopsy and strong association with dermatomyositis was suggested pathologically.

With M-protein positive, could transthyretin amyrodosis be easily excluded? Not necessarily! Wild-type transthyretin amyrodosis with Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia: a case report.

Background: Generally, it is said that amyloid light-chain (AL) develops not only in multiple myeloma but also in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. We experienced a case of M-protein positive and diagnosed as wild-type transthyretin amyrodosis (ATTRwt) accompanied with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. Case summary: The patient was 72-year-old male, and the main complaint was dyspnoea in April 2020 and visited a nearby doctor. He was introduced to the Department of Haematology at our hospital for high levels of serum immunoglobulin M, M-protein positivity, and cardiac hypertrophy with a suspect of AL amyloidosis. Duodenal mucosal biopsy and abdominal skin biopsy showed no amyloid deposits, and left iliac bone marrow biopsy diagnosed Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and with no amyloid, and Kumamoto criteria score 1. Last of all, ATTRwt was diagnosed for endocardial biopsy. Discussion: This is a very rare case of ATTRwt with Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia.

A case in which SGLT2 inhibitor is a contributing factor to takotsubo cardiomyopathy and heart failure.

SGLT2 inhibitors are reported to have advantages in protecting against heart failure events. However, there are also reports of concerns when given to older persons or persons with geriatric syndrome. Our case is an example of a patient with a history of chronic thyroiditis where the SGLT2 inhibitor triggered a thyroid crisis, and blood catecholamine overload caused takotsubo cardiomyopathy and heart failure. .

Primary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma successfully treated with eribulin: a case report.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma that typically occurs in children and adolescents and is rare in adults. Furthermore, as cardiac tumor is rare, adult cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma is a very rare entity. Here, we report the case of a 68-year-old woman with cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma who was successfully treated with eribulin. She presented with sudden loss of consciousness, which was attributed to the cardiac tumor. The tumor was resected by emergency surgery and was diagnosed as embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Although surgical treatment alleviated her symptoms, the residual tumor increased in size after surgery and required multimodal treatment. First-line chemotherapy with the vincristine, actinomycin D, and cyclophosphamide regimen had to be discontinued owing to adverse events, and thus eribulin was used as a second-line treatment. Eribulin was better tolerated and helped maintain a stable disease status for >18 months. This reported case of cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma is the first case to be successfully treated with eribulin over a relatively long period. Eribulin therapy may thus be a viable treatment alternative for rhabdomyosarcoma.

Predictive value of plaque morphology assessed by frequency-domain optical coherence tomography for impaired microvascular perfusion after elective stent implantation: the intracoronary electrocardiogram study.

Aims: This study was undertaken to assess the association between plaque features at culprit lesions assessed by frequency-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) and impaired microvascular perfusion estimated by intracoronary electrocardiogram (IcECG) after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Furthermore, we investigated whether IcECG could predict future cardiac events. Methods and results: This study consisted of 84 patients who underwent both FD-OCT and IcECG during PCI. Patients were classified into two groups based on ST-segment elevation (ST-E) on IcECG after the procedure; ST-E (-) group (n = 53) and ST-E (+) group (n = 31). Minimum fibrous cap thickness was significantly thinner in the ST-E (+) group than in the ST-E (-) group (240 µm [IQR 180 to 310] vs. 100 µm [IQR 60 to 120], P < 0.001). Plaque rupture (7.5% vs. 35.5%, P = 0.001), lipid-rich plaque (75.5% vs. 100%, P < 0.001), the thin cap fibroatheroma (0% vs. 25.8%, P < 0.001) on pre-FD-OCT, protrusion (18.9% vs. 56.7%, P < 0.001), and intra-stent dissection (15.1% vs. 50.0%, P < 0.001) on post-FD-OCT were significantly more frequently found in the ST-E (+) group than in the ST-E (-) group. The incidence of MACE (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, hospitalization for heart failure) during 1-year was significantly higher in the ST-E (+) group than in the ST-E (-) group (5.7% vs. 19.4%, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Plaque features assessed by FD-OCT might be associated with impaired microvascular perfusion and ST-segment elevation on IcECG after the procedure could predict 1-year cardiac events after elective PCI.

Use of the augmentation index from applanation tonometry of the radial artery for assessing the extent of coronary artery calcium as assessed by coronary computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The augmentation index (AI) obtained from applanation tonometry of the radial artery is technically the easiest and quickest of available methods for assessing arterial stiffness. We tested the hypothesis that the radial AI is associated with the extent of coronary artery calcium (CAC) as assessed by coronary computed tomography (CCT). METHODS AND RESULTS: This study included 161 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease undergoing central hemodynamic measurements and CCT. Radial AI was recorded and was corrected in accordance with heart rate (radial AI@75). Thirty-seven patients had no CAC (CAC score = 0), 85 had low-grade CAC (CAC score = 1-399), and 39 had high-grade CAC (CAC score ≥400). Coronary risk factors, except for age and serum creatinine, were similar among the three groups. There were significant differences in brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p = 0.011) and radial AI@75 (%) (p = 0.006). Multivariate analysis showed that age (ß = 0.27, p = 0.001), serum creatinine (ß = 0.18, p = 0.03), and radial AI@75 (ß = 0.24, p = 0.005) were significantly associated with ln (CAC score + 1), whereas brachial SBP was not. Additionally, serum creatinine (odds ratio: 11.91, 95% confidence interval: 1.46-112.0, p = 0.02) and radial AI@75 (per 10%) (odds ratio: 1.76, 95% confidence interval: 1.22-2.64, p = 0.002) were independent factors associated with high-grade CAC. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the radial AI is better for estimating CAC than brachial SBP in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease.

Selvester QRS score and total perfusion deficit calculated by quantitative gated single-photon emission computed tomography in patients with prior anterior myocardial infarction in the coronary intervention era.

Selvester QRS scoring system has an advantage of being inexpensive and easily accessible for estimating myocardial infarct (MI) size. We assessed the correlation and agreement between QRS score and total perfusion deficit (TPD) calculated by quantitative gated single-photon emission computed tomography (QGS) in patients with prior anterior MI undergoing coronary intervention. Sixty-six patients with prior anterior MI and 66 age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled. QRS score was obtained using a 50-criteria and 31-point system. QRS score was significantly higher in patients with prior anterior MI than control subjects (12.8 ± 8.9 vs 1.1 ± 2.7 %, p < 0.001). In overall patients (n = 132), QRS score was correlated well with TPD (r = 0.81, p < 0.001). This good correlation was found even in patients with TPD ≤40 % (n = 126) or in patients with TPD ≤30 % (n = 117). In overall patients, MI size estimated by QRS score was 7.0 ± 8.8 %, which was significantly smaller than TPD, 11.4 ± 14.0 % (p < 0.001). Bland-Altman plot showed that there was an increasing difference between QRS score and TPD with increasing MI size. When Blant-Altman plots were applied to patients with TPD ≤40 % and further in patients with TPD ≤30 %, the difference between QRS score and TPD became smaller, and the agreement became better. In overall patients, QRS score was correlated well with QGS measurements, such as end-diastolic volume (r = 0.62, p < 0.001), end-systolic volume (r = 0.67, p < 0.001), or ejection fraction (r = -0.73, p < 0.001). Our results suggest that QRS score reflects TPD well in patients with prior anterior MI, whose TPD is less than approximately 30 % even in the coronary intervention era.

Implications of World Health Organization classification for body mass index on the correlations between common electrocardiographic indexes for left ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular mass.

BACKGROUND: Some electrocardiographic indexes such as Cornell index, Cornell product index, or Sokolow-Lyon index remain to be used in the clinical setting. We assessed the effects of body mass index (BMI) on the correlations between these ECG indexes and left ventricular mass (LVM). METHODS: One hundred ninety-six outpatients who underwent both ECG and echocardiography on the same day were included in this study. In accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of BMI, the patients were classified into the four groups: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2, n = 30), normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m2, n = 83), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2, n = 43), and obese (≥30 kg/m2, n = 40). RESULTS: With increasing WHO classification of BMI, Cornell index (RaVL+SV3), Cornell product index [(RaVL+SV3)RQRS duration], and LVM increased. On the other hand, Sokolow-Lyon index (SV1+RV5) decreased. Cornell index correlated with LVM in normal weight group (r = 0.27, p = 0.015), but did not in the other groups. Cornell product index also correlated with LVM in normal weight group (r = 0.30, p = 0.006), but did not in the other groups. Sokolow-Lyon index correlated with LVM well in normal weight group (r = 0.32, p = 0.004) and better in underweight group (r = 0.61, p = 0.0004). However, no correlations were found in overweight and obese groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that BMI influences the correlations between these ECG indexes and LVM, and should be taken into consideration when assessing LVH.

Impact of Malondialdehyde-Modified Low-Density Lipoprotein on Tissue Characteristics in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease　- Integrated Backscatter-Intravascular Ultrasound Study.

BACKGROUND: Malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) is considered to play an essential role in plaque destabilization. We aimed to investigate the association between the tissue characteristics of culprit plaque assessed by integrated backscatter (IB)-intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and the serum MDA-LDL levels in patients with stable coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study group consisted of 179 patients undergoing IB-IVUS during elective percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were classified into 2 groups based on serum MDA-LDL level: low MDA-LDL group (<102 U/L, n=88) and high MDA-LDL group (≥102 U/L, n=91). Plaques in the high MDA-LDL group had higher %lipid (45.2±12.5% vs. 54.9±14.5%, P<0.001) and lower %fibrosis (43.0±9.1% vs. 36.4±11.4%, P<0.001) than did plaques in the low MDA-LDL group. Lipid-rich plaque (%lipid >60% or %fibrosis <30%) was significantly more frequently found in the high MDA-LDL group than in the low MDA-LDL group (14.3% vs. 39.8%, P<0.001). The incidence of MACE (cardiac death, myocardial infarction and/or hospitalization for heart failure) during 3 years was significantly higher in the high MDA-LDL group than in the low MDA-LDL group (6.6% vs. 15.9%, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Higher MDA-LDL might be associated with greater lipid and lower fibrous content, contributing to coronary plaque vulnerability. (Circ J 2016; 80: 2173-2182).

Nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation in coronary and brachial arteries in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation, an index of endothelium-independent vasodilation, is measured for the assessment of vascular smooth muscle cell function or alterations of vascular structure. Both coronary and brachial artery responses to nitroglycerine have been demonstrated to be independent prognostic markers of cardiovascular events. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation in coronary and brachial arteries in the same patients. METHODS: We measured nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation in coronary and brachial arteries in 30 subjects with suspected coronary artery disease who underwent coronary angiography (19 men and 11 women; mean age, 69.0±8.8years; age range, 42-85years). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The mean values of nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation in the brachial artery, left anterior descending coronary artery, and left circumflex coronary artery were 12.6±5.2%, 11.6±10.3%, and 11.9±11.0%, respectively. Nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation in the brachial artery correlated significantly with that in the left anterior descending coronary artery (r=0.43, P=0.02) and that in the left circumflex coronary artery (r=0.49, P=0.006). There was also a significant correlation between nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation in the left anterior descending coronary artery and that in the left circumflex coronary artery (r=0.72, P<0.001). These findings suggest that vascular smooth muscle cell dysfunction is a systemic disorder and thus impairment of endothelium-independent vasodilation in peripheral arteries and that in coronary arteries are simultaneously present. Nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation in the brachial artery could be used as a surrogate for that in a coronary artery and as a prognostic marker for cardiovascular events.

Reduction of Central Blood Pressure in Response to Oral Glucose Loading Is Blunted in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that arterial stiffness is reduced after meal intake. We evaluated the acute response of central hemodynamics to glucose loading and the variation in their responses among normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: The study enrolled 85 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease who underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Central hemodynamic measurements were assessed using radial applanation tonometry at fasting, 60, and 120 minutes after glucose loading. RESULTS: Glucose loading decreased the augmentation index normalized to a heart rate of 75 bpm (AIx@75) (81.6±13.9 to 74.5±14.1%, P < 0.01) and central systolic blood pressure (SBP) (115±22 to 109±21mm Hg, P < 0.01) at 120 minutes without a significant change in brachial SBP (126±25 to 125±25mm Hg, P = 0.93). Glucose loading decreased central SBP in NGT and IGT groups but did not affect the DM group. Change in AIx@75 at 120 minutes after glucose loading was blunted in IGT and DM groups compared with the NGT group (-5.7±4.4 vs. -3.6±4.1 vs. -9.3±6.2%, P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified DM as an independent factor associated with the presence of blunted response of AIx to glucose loading. CONCLUSIONS: Oral glucose loading decreased central SBP and AIx@75 without a significant change in brachial SBP, and these central hemodynamic responses were blunted in patients with DM.

Influence of dual antiplatelet therapy on mean platelet volume in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a well-established marker of platelet activation, and recent studies have shown that platelet activation is central to the processes in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease (CAD). The study population consisted of 45 patients with stable CAD who underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents. We selected 45 age- and sex-matched control subjects without cardiovascular diseases who did not require antiplatelet therapy. Hematological test was performed 3 times within 1 month before DAPT (baseline), at 2 weeks after PCI (post PCI) and at 9 months after PCI (follow-up). Compared to control subjects, MPV was significantly larger in patients with CAD (10.0 ± 0.6 vs 10.7 ± 0.8 fl, p < 0.01) although there was no significant difference in white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and platelet count between the 2 groups. In patients with CAD, DAPT did not affect platelet count (19.3 ± 4.8 × 10(4)-18.9 ± 4.6 × 10(4)/µl) or MPV (10.7 ± 0.8-10.5 ± 0.9 fl) during the follow-up period. MPV remained to be higher at follow-up in patients with CAD despite DAPT compared to control subjects (10.1 ± 0.7 vs 10.5 ± 0.9 fl, p < 0.05). Our data suggested that MPV might not be suitable for monitoring the effects of DAPT on platelet activity in patients with CAD undergoing PCI.

Association of mitral annular velocity with myocardial ischemia assessed by single-photon emission computed tomography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease and preserved ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is a sensitive and early sign of myocardial ischemia. We assessed whether mitral annular velocity reflected the severity of myocardial ischemia evaluated by single-photon emission computed tomography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and preserved ejection fraction. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population consisted of 125 patients with suspected CAD who underwent both single-photon emission computed tomography and transthoracic echocardiography. There were 68 patients with no ischemia, 42 patients with mild ischemia, and 15 patients with severe ischemia. With increasing severity of myocardial ischemia, septal e' decreased. Compared with patients with no ischemia, septal e' was significantly lower even in patients with mild ischemia (6.6 ± 1.4 vs. 6.1 ± 1.4 cm/s, P < 0.05). Septal E/e' (9.9 ± 2.6 vs. 13.6 ± 4.0, P < 0.01) and lateral E/e' (7.7 ± 2.3 vs. 10.3 ± 3.6, P < 0.01) were significantly higher finally in patients with severe ischemia. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that BMI [odds ratio (OR) 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.29; P = 0.03] and septal e' (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.53-0.94; P = 0.02) were independent predictors of any myocardial ischemia and that diabetes (OR 5.78, 95% CI 1.58-23.0; P = 0.008) and septal E/e' (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.13-1.76; P = 0.001) were independent predictors of severe myocardial ischemia. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that decreased e' was useful in detecting mild myocardial ischemia and increased E/e' was useful in detecting severe myocardial ischemia in patients with suspected CAD and preserved ejection fraction.

Usefulness of aortic knob width on chest radiography to predict central hemodynamics in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Aortic knob width on chest radiography is independently related to cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the correlation between aortic knob width and central hemodynamics. METHODS: Central blood pressure was measured invasively with diagnostic catheter in 92 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. RESULTS: Aortic knob width was positively associated with age (r = 0.42; p < 0.001), central systolic blood pressure (r = 0.35; p < 0.001) and central pulse pressure (r = 0.34; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that larger aortic knob width was independently related to the higher central systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Lager aortic knob width on chest radiography is an independent predictor of increase of central systolic blood pressure.

Myocardial Injury after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for In-Stent Restenosis Versus de novo Stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) remains a relatively common complication even after successful procedures. In-stent restenosis (ISR) may be involved in lesion-related factors for PMI. We compared the incidence of PMI between patients with ISR and those with de novo stenosis. METHODS: The study population consisted of 121 patients with coronary artery disease who had been treated with statins and subsequently underwent angiographically successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Blood samples for troponin I were collected 18 to 24 hours after PCI. PMI was defined as an increase in the troponin I levels greater than 0.15 ng/mL. Major PMI was defined as an increase in the troponin I levels greater than 0.75 ng/mL. RESULTS: There were 34 patients with ISR and 87 patients with de novo stenosis. The incidence of PMI was similar between the two groups (47.1 % vs. 55.2 %, p=0.42). Among the patients with ISR, the incidences of PMI were 33.3 %, 60.0 % and 66.7 % in patients with focal ISR, diffuse ISR and diffuse proliferative ISR, respectively, although these differences were not statistically significant. The incidence of major PMI was significantly less frequent in patients with ISR than those with de novo stenosis (5.9 % vs. 25.3 %, p=0.03). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ISR [odds ratio (OR) 0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03-0.90; p=0.03] and the maximum inflation pressure (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.04-1.30; p=0.009) were independent predictors of major PMI. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that while PMI occurs in patients with ISR as commonly as those with de novo stenosis, major PMI occurs less frequently in patients with ISR.