Frequency tuning and automatic frequency tracking of shunted piezoelectric transducers.

Piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers, vital in medical devices and aerospace, often face challenges like resonant frequency shifts and impedance variations affecting their operational efficiency. This paper introduces a shunted piezoelectric transducer which could tune itself by digitally programmable inductance. A transformer and inductance-capacitance matching network ensures enhanced compatibility and impedance management. Proposing a fuzzy PI-based phase control method achieves resonant frequency tracking, synchronizing operational frequency with the transducer. In contrast to traditional methods, our approach enables faster and more precise fine-tuning, detecting and rectifying real-world deviations for optimal performance. A comprehensive experimental validation, based on fundamental knowledge analysis, confirms the feasibility and superiority of our proposed method, and the commonly encountered issues of resonance frequency deviation and impedance variation in high-power piezoelectric transducer applications can be effectively mitigated.

Focal plane coincidence method for a multi-view telecentric 3D imaging system.

Multi-view microscopic fringe projection systems, which use high-resolution telecentric lenses and the Scheimpflug condition, face challenges in coinciding focal planes accurately, resulting in inconsistent measurements between views. In this Letter, we developed a sharpness evaluation function based on the total power of the line-spread function, which was subsequently used to generate a full-field sharpness distribution map. Then we employed the correlation between the sharpness map and orientation of the focal plane to precisely coincide the focal planes. Experimental results validate the proposed method and demonstrate its improved consistency in 3D reconstruction.

Anti-crosstalk absolute phase retrieval method for microscopic fringe projection profilometry using temporal frequency-division multiplexing.

In microscopic fringe projection profilometry (MFPP), the traditional absolute phase retrieval method using composite frequency fringe has the shortcomings of low accuracy and poor robustness due to mutual crosstalk of harmonic from the different channels of frequency-division multiplexing. In this study, an absolute phase retrieval method that avoids the inter-channel crosstalk is proposed. By introducing guard bands to accommodate the frequency channels corresponding to the second harmonic that dominate the high order harmonics, the aliasing between the second harmonic and the fundamental is eliminated. Consequently, phase maps without crosstalk can be demodulated using appropriate phase-shifting algorithms. The proposed method is well-suited for high-precision three-dimensional shape measurement scenarios in many fields such as integrated circuit manufacturing process control and micro-electro-mechanical system quality inspection. The experiment results demonstrate that the anti-crosstalk method is effective and can realize three-dimensional reconstruction for discontinuous planar surface and spherical surface.

Combining Progressive Rethinking and Collaborative Learning: A Deep Framework for In-Loop Filtering.

In this paper, we aim to address issues of (1) joint spatial-temporal modeling and (2) side information injection for deep-learning based in-loop filter. For (1), we design a deep network with both progressive rethinking and collaborative learning mechanisms to improve quality of the reconstructed intra-frames and inter-frames, respectively. For intra coding, a Progressive Rethinking Network (PRN) is designed to simulate the human decision mechanism for effective spatial modeling. Our designed block introduces an additional inter-block connection to bypass a high-dimensional informative feature before the bottleneck module across blocks to review the complete past memorized experiences and rethinks progressively. For inter coding, the current reconstructed frame interacts with reference frames (peak quality frame and the nearest adjacent frame) collaboratively at the feature level. For (2), we extract both intra-frame and inter-frame side information for better context modeling. A coarse-to-fine partition map based on HEVC partition trees is built as the intra-frame side information. Furthermore, the warped features of the reference frames are offered as the inter-frame side information. Our PRN with intra-frame side information provides 9.0% BD-rate reduction on average compared to HEVC baseline under All-intra (AI) configuration. While under Low-Delay B (LDB), Low-Delay P (LDP) and Random Access (RA) configuration, our PRN with inter-frame side information provides 9.0%, 10.6% and 8.0% BD-rate reduction on average respectively. Our project webpage is https://dezhao-wang.github.io/PRN-v2/.

The significance of eosinophils in predicting the severity of acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia have a role in various types of solid tumors. However, the relationship between eosinophil and acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is unclear. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic significance of eosinophil in AIS patients. METHODS: This study included 300 AIS patients without hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). The hematologic indices were collected from each patient, including white blood count, eosinophil count, eosinophil percentage, neutrophil count, red blood count, and platelet. The severity of AIS was estimated by national institute of health stroke scale (NIHSS). Logistic regression analyses were performed to confirm the biomarkers for NIHSS and in-hospital non-death among the cases. Moreover, receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analyses were used to investigate the clinical performances of eosinophils and NIHSS in prediction of non-death. RESULTS: The admission NIHSS (P<0.001) and BMI (P<0.001) were predictors to the non-death of the patients. There was a significant correlation between eosinophil counts or eosinophil percentage and NIHSS score (r= -0.451, P < 0.001; r= -0.617, P<0.001, Spearson Correlation). ROC analysis showed that eosinophil counts and eosinophil percentage could predict non-death of the patients in-hospital, with the areas under the curves (AUC) of 0.791 and 0.867, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed a relationship between eosinophil and NIHSS score in the patients with AIS. Eosinophils might have certain value for predicting the severity of AIS.

Electrocardiogram in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction due to occlusion of circumflex artery.

To investigate the diagnostic value of electrocardiographic (ECG) ST-segment in acute inferior myocardial infarction (AIMI) caused by the left circumflex branch (LCX).A total of 240 clinical cases with AIMI in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All of them had received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 12 hours after symptom onset. The clinical features, ECG manifestations, and coronary artery lesion characteristics of the patients were collected.The right coronary artery (RCA) was shown to be the infarct-related artery (IRA) in 177 patients, while LCX was responsible for AIMI in 63 cases. There was no significant difference in the risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD) (P > .05 for all) between the 2 groups. ST-segment elevation in lead II, III, and AVF could be found in all patients. Moreover, ST-segment depression in lead I (STD I), ST-segment elevation in lead III (STE III), STE III-STE II, STE AVF, STD AVL, STD AVL-STD I and STE v6 lead ST-segment deviation exhibited significant difference in 2 groups (P < .05 for all). The changes of STD I, STE III < STEII, STD AVL < STD I could discriminate between LCX and RCA in AIMI patients with high sensitivity and specificity.ECG may be an effective tool to predict the IRA in patient with AIMI.

Association Between Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Long-term Outcome in Patients with Drug-eluting Stent Implantation.

To investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and the long-term outcome in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation and so as to explore the significance of Hp eradication therapy in preventing major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). 539 ACS patients with DES implantation from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012 were analyzed. All the patients were divided into two groups according to the result of 13C urea breath test. 253 patients with Hp infection were put into group A (Hp+), and 286 cases without Hp infection were put into group B (Hp-). Demographic data was collected and all patients went through biochemical indicators and other routine blood examinations. We explored the correlations of Hp infection with MACE and UGIB after 3 to 5 years of follow-up using survival analysis. Survival analysis showed that Hp infection was a predictor of MACE and UGI. Sub-group analysis showed that patients with Hp eradication therapy had no relationship with MACE but had a lower rate of UGIB than those without Hp eradication therapy.

Coronary Plaque Characterization Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography and Plasma Trimethylamine-N-oxide Levels in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been considered as the ideal tool for the evaluation of atherosclerotic plaques. Circulating trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), which is a metabolite of the dietary lipid phosphatidylcholine, has recently been linked to elevated coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. The objective of the study was to investigate the relation between circulating TMAO level and coronary plaque vulnerability assessed by OCT in patients with CAD. A total of 26 patients with CAD were recruited to assess coronary plaque using OCT and measure plasma TMAO level. According to plaque rupture status, patients were divided into plaque rupture group (n = 12) and nonplaque rupture group (n = 14). Plasma TMAO level was significantly higher in patients with plaque rupture than in those with nonplaque rupture (8.6 ± 4.8 µmol/L vs 4.2 ± 2.4 µmol/L, p = 0.011). Moreover, positive correlations between plasma TMAO level and lipid arc (r = 0.43, p = 0.031), lipid volume index (r = 0.39, p = 0.048) were also observed. In conclusion, circulating TMAO level may reflect coronary plaque vulnerability and progression.

Therapeutic effects of intravenous urapidil in elderly patients with hypertension and acute decompensated heart failure: A pilot clinical trial.

Urapidil has been proposed to be an effective vasodilator for the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF); however, its effect on cardiac function, as compared with that of nitroglycerin, in elderly patients with hypertension and ADHF has yet to be determined. In the present study, a multicenter, open-label clinical trial was performed, in which 120 elderly patients with hypertension and ADHF were randomly assigned to the treatment (50-400 µg/min intravenous urapidil) or control group (5-40 µg/min intravenous nitroglycerin). The dosages of the medications were adjusted according to the blood pressure of the patients. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and serum level of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were evaluated at hospital admission and at days 1, 2, 3 and 7 after treatment. In addition, the left ventricular function was assessed by measuring the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume at hospital admission and at days 2 and 7 after treatment. The results indicated that intravenous administration of urapidil and nitroglycerin were effective in lowering the blood pressure and heart rate within 7 days, with no significant differences observed between the two groups (P>0.05). By contrast, greater reduction in the serum NT-proBNP level (2,410.4±546.1 vs. 4,234.1±876.4 pg/ml; P<0.05) and greater improvement in the LVEF (55.3±3.4 vs. 45.2±2.4%; P<0.05) were observed in the urapidil-treated group, as compared with the nitroglycerin-treated group. No adverse events were reported during the treatment period in the two groups. The clinical outcomes at 6 months following discharge were evaluated and were not found to be significantly different between the two groups. In conclusion, the present results of the present study suggested that urapidil was as effective as nitroglycerin in controlling blood pressure and heart rate and was more effective in improving cardiac systolic function in elderly patients with hypertension and ADHF.

Relationship of coronary collateral circulation with eosinophils in patients with unstable angina pectoris.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophils (EOS) have been associated with prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease, and those who showed plenitudinous coronary collateral circulation (CCC) often have good clinical consequences. However, the relationship between EOS and CCC was seldom reported. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between EOS and CCC development in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP). METHODS: The study population consisted of 502 consecutive patients with UAP who underwent coronary angiography and coronary stenosis ≥80%. CCC was graded according to the Rentrop grading system of 0-3. Rentrop grades of 0 and 1 indicated low-grade CCC group, whereas grades 2 and 3 indicated high-grade CCC group. RESULTS: The EOS was significantly higher in the high-grade CCC group compared with the low-grade CCC group. In multiple logistic regression analysis, EOS (odds ratio: 1.969; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.210-3.3205; P=0.006) and neutrophil count (odds ratio: 0.757; 95% CI: 0.584-0.981; P=0.035) were predictors of high-grade CCC development. EOS of >0.12×10(9)/L could independently predict high-grade CCC with 72.5% sensitivity and 58.4% specificity (area under the curve: 0.681; 95% CI: 0.632-0.729). CONCLUSION: EOS were associated with high-grade CCC in patients with UAP with coronary stenosis ≥80%. Increased EOS count may play an important role in the development of CCC in patients with UAP.

[Carotid plaque characteristics detected with 3.0T high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in patients with coronary artery disease].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of detecting the compositional features of carotid atherosclerotic plaques by 3.0T high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Consecutive 104 patients with coronary atherosclerosis confirmed by coronary angiography were prospectively recruited from January 2013 to January 2015 in Tiantan hospital. All patients were imaged with 3.0T high resolution MRI system. After exclusion patients with poor image quality, 97 patients were divided into 3 groups according to the degree of coronary artery stenosis: coronary atherosclerosis group (coronary stenosis between 1%-49%, n=16); single-vessel lesion group (single vessel lesion with stenosis between 50%-100%, n=48); multi-vessel lesion group (two or three vessel lesions with stenosis between 50%-100% or left main stem disease, n=33). The prevalence of total carotid plaque, calcified plaque, lipid-rich necrotic core, intra-plaque hemorrhage, plaque ulcer and rupture were compared among 3 groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of total carotid plaque (81.3%(13/16), 72.9%(35/48), and 93.9%(31/33)) and calcified plaque (50.0%(8/16), 35.4%(17/48), and 42.4%(14/33)) were similar among the 3 groups (both P>0.05). The prevalence of carotid lipid-rich necrotic core in coronary atherosclerosis group was significantly lower than in single-vessel lesion group (18.8%(3/16) vs. 64.6%(31/48), P<0.01) and multi-vessel lesion group(18.8%(3/16) vs. 69.7%(23/33), P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between single-vessel lesion group and multi-vessel lesion group(P>0.05). Intra-plaque hemorrhage was detected in 2 patients of multi-vessel lesion group. There was no plaque ulcer or rupture in this cohort. CONCLUSION: Carotid plaque features are associated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in CAD patients.

Histological validation of frequency domain optical coherence tomography for the evaluation of neointimal formation after a novel polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stent implantation.

Novel polymer-free drug-eluting stents have been developed to reduce polymer-related adverse events. However, neointimal coverage after polymer-free DES implantation is unclear and validation between optical coherence tomography (OCT) and histology is required. Sixteen polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stents were randomly implanted into coronary arteries of 8 normal swine. OCT and histological measurement were conducted at 3 or 6 months after stent placement. For quantitative measures, lumen area, stent area, neointimal area and neointimal thickness were validated in every single OCT and histology matched cross-section. Moreover, for qualitative analysis, OCT signal patterns of neointimal tissue were classified as homogeneous, layered and heterogeneous patterns based on optical intensity and backscatter pattern and peri-strut inflammation was also determined by histology. In total, 70 OCT and histology matched cross-sections were analyzed. At quantitative analysis, good correlations and agreements were found in the measurement of lumen area (ICC = 0.67, P<0.001), neointimal area (ICC = 0.89, P<0.001) and neointimal thickness (ICC = 0.94, P<0.001) except for stent area (ICC 0.19, P = 0.13) between OCT and histology. At qualitative analysis, lymphocyte infiltrations of peri-strut were more frequently seen in heterogeneous sections than in homogeneous sections (10/14 sections, 71.4% vs. 12/50 sections, 24%; P = 0.003). In conclusion, OCT has proper correlation and agreement with histology in assessment of neointimal formation and heterogeneous neointima assessed by OCT may also be associated with peri-strut inflammation detected in histology after polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stents implantation, supporting the use of OCT to evaluate neointimal coverage after polymer-free stent implantation in clinical practice.

Randomized comparative study of left versus right radial approach in the setting of primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggests that the left radial approach (LRA) is related to decreased coronary procedure duration and fewer cerebrovascular complications as compared to the right radial approach (RRA) in elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the feasibility of LRA in primary PCI has yet to be studied further. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of LRA compared with RRA for primary PCI in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 200 consecutive patients with STEMI who received primary PCI were randomized to LRA (number [n]=100) or RRA (n=100). The study endpoint was needle-to-balloon time, defined as the time from local anesthesia infiltration to the first balloon inflation. Radiation dose by measuring cumulative air kerma (CAK) and CAK dose area product, as well as fluoroscopy time and contrast volume were also investigated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the two groups. The coronary procedural success rate was similar between both radial approaches (98% for left versus 94% for right; P=0.28). Compared with RRA, LRA had significantly shorter needle-to-balloon time (16.0±4.8 minutes versus 18.0±6.5 minutes, respectively; P=0.02). Additionally, fluoroscopy time (7.4±3.4 minutes versus 8.8±3.5 minutes, respectively; P=0.01) and CAK dose area product (51.9±30.4 Gy cm(2) versus 65.3±49.1 Gy cm(2), respectively; P=0.04) were significantly lower with LRA than with RRA. CONCLUSION: Primary PCI can be performed via LRA with earlier blood flow restoration in the infarct-related artery and lower radiation exposure when compared with RRA; therefore, the LRA may become a feasible and attractive alternative to perform primary PCI for STEMI patients.

Helicobacter pylori infection in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and atrial fibrillation (AF) in Chinese patients. METHODS: A total of 285 hospitalized patients with AF and 300 patients from Health Screening Center who matched age and sex with AF group were enrolled. AF patients were divided into two groups: the short-standing AF category (less than a year) and the long-standing AF category (more than a year). All patients had laboratory testing of (13)C urea breath test, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and left atrial diameter (LAD). We analyzed the difference of these factors in all groups and explored the correlation between Hp infection and AF using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Both AF groups had more hypertension, diabetes, and Hp infection than the control group. The Hp value and the hs-CRP level in patients with long-standing AF were higher than those in the short-standing AF and the control groups (for Hp value: P<0.001 for both and for hs-CRP level: P=0.003, 0.002, respectively). The LAD of patients in the long-standing AF group was significantly larger than those in the short-standing AF group and control group (P=0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). The values of Hp, hs-CRP, and LAD in the long-standing AF category were significantly higher than those in the short-standing AF category (all P<0.05). After controlling the potential confounders, Hp value ≥4‰, hs-CRP >5 mg/L, and LAD >36 mm were significantly related to long-standing AF. CONCLUSION: The values of Hp in patients with long-standing AF were significantly higher than those in short-standing AF and control groups. Hp δ value ≥4‰ is an independent predictor for long-standing AF.

Significance of eosinophil accumulation in the thrombus and decrease in peripheral blood in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is well known that the interaction between platelets (PLTs), endothelial cells, and leukocytes contributes to thrombosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of PLTs and eosinophils (EOS) in coronary arterial thrombi. METHODS: PLT count, mean PLT volume, PLT mass, EOS count, EOS percentage, and troponin I level in peripheral blood were determined in 81 patients with angina pectoris (AP) and 49 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A total of 12 thrombus specimens from AMI patients were submitted for histopathological analysis. EOS presence in thrombectomy specimens were checked by hematoxylin-eosin staining and confirmed by Luna staining. RESULTS: Results showed that EOS were present in all 12 samples (100%). Cell count and percentage of EOS in peripheral blood of patients with AMI were lower than those in patients with AP (both P<0.00001). A higher PLT count was observed in AMI patients (243±70), especially among female patients or those who were older than 60 years, when compared with AP patients (216±60; all P<0.05). According to the troponin I level, we divided AMI patients into groups I (≥20 ng/ml) and II (<20 ng/ml). Group I had a lower EOS percentage compared with group II (P=0.0496). PLT count was also lower in group I with no statistical difference found (P=0.1202). Moreover, there was an inverse correlation between the EOS percentage and the troponin I level (r=-0.434). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, patients with AMI presented with a decreased EOS percentage and an increased PLT count. The decreased EOS percentage suggested serious myocardial damage. The study indicated that EOS play an important role in thrombosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Echo-tracking technology assessment of carotid artery stiffness in patients with coronary slow flow.

Coronary slow flow (CSF) in coronary angiography (CAG) is a well-recognized clinical entity. Previous studies have suggested that microvascular abnormalities and endothelial dysfunction are responsible for CSF. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the CSF phenomenon is a form of atherosclerosis including both small vessels and epicardial coronary arteries. The echo-tracking (ET) technique is a non-invasive detection method for early prediction of arterial atherosclerosis. Therefore, we investigated carotid elasticity with the ET technique in patients with CSF. Fifty patients with CSF and 50 patients with normal coronary artery blood flow, as determined by CAG, with a similar distribution of risk factors were recruited. The stiffness parameter (ß), pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep), arterial compliance (AC), augmentation index (AIx) and local pulse-wave velocity (PWV) were determined at the level of the bilateral common carotid artery (CCA) with using the ET technique. Levels of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-HSCRP) were determined for the two groups. ß, Ep and PWV were significantly higher in the CSF group than in the control group (ß: 11.4 ± 3.76 vs. 9.22 ± 3.28, p < 0.01; Ep: 153.44 ± 47.85 vs. 126.40 ± 43.32, p < 0.01; PWV: 7.26 ± 1.10 vs. 6.55 ± 1.02, p < 0.01), but AC was lower in the CSF group than in the control group (0.62 ± 0.20 vs. 0.74 ± 0.24, p < 0.01). The elasticity parameters of the bilateral common carotid artery did not significantly differ. The level of hs-HSCRP was correlated positively with ß (r = 0.306, p = 0.015), Ep (r = 0.358, p = 0.005) and PWV (r = 0.306, p = 0.015), but negatively with AC (r = -0.236, p = 0.049). In conclusion, the ET technique is a simple practical method for evaluating carotid artery elasticity, and there is a significant correlation between carotid artery stiffness and level of hs-HSCRP in patients with CSF.

A prospective randomized comparison of left and right radial approach for percutaneous coronary angiography in Asian populations.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of coronary angiography may be different in the right radial approach (RRA) and the left radial approach (LRA) due to more common vascular tortuosity in the RRA. The aim of the study was to determine whether LRA is a valid alternative for coronary angiography compared with RRA in Asian populations. METHODS: This is a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled study. A total of 1,400 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography were recruited and randomized to the RRA (number [n]=700) or LRA (n=700) group. The primary end point was total procedural duration. Secondary end points included fluoroscopy time, dose of radiation including cumulative air kerma and dose area product, contrast volume, and the incidence of vascular complications. RESULTS: Coronary procedural success was achieved in 682 of 700 (97.4%) patients in the RRA and 680 of 700 (97.1%) in the LRA. The total procedural time (RRA 14.1±6.3 minutes versus LRA 13.2±6.0 minutes; P=0.006) and fluoroscopy time (RRA 3.8±3.3 minutes versus LRA 3.4±2.8 minutes; P=0.046) were significantly shorter via LRA in comparison to RRA. The percentage of hydrophilic wire use was also lower in the LRA group (14% [RRA] versus 10% [LRA]; P=0.016). The dose of radiation and contrast volume were not different between the two approaches. No cases of major bleeding and vascular complications requiring surgical intervention were reported, other than with one patient who experienced a symptomatic stroke and died in the RRA group compared with none in the LRA group. CONCLUSION: The LRA seems to be a feasible alternative for coronary angiography in Asian patients due to shorter procedural duration and fluoroscopy time, as well as less hydrophilic wire use in comparison to RRA.

Left main coronary artery spasm in a hyperthyroid patient with suspected acute coronary syndrome.

The left main coronary artery (LMCA) vasospasm is rare. We report a suspected acute coronary syndrome patient with hyperthyroidism who had LMCA vasospasm. Coronary angiogram showed 60% stenosis at LMCA. After administering nitroglycerin, re-angiography showed no significant stenosis. Then we evaluated LMCA lesion using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) showing no significant stenosis. We considered that it was a LMCA vasospasm and may be assosiated with hyperthyroid state. After anti-thyroid and anti-spasm treatment, chest pain subsided. In conclusion, hyperthyroidism induced coronary hypersensitivity may contribute to LMCA vasospasm as seen in this case. IVUS may be useful to identify coronary vasospasm.

Prediction of coronary artery disease using pulse wave velocity and retinal artery lesions.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. The prevention and early diagnosis of CAD is important for the treatment of this disease. Since the coronary angiographic examination is not available for every hospital, the convenient, quick and cheap prediction marker is needed for the screening of the suspected CAD patients. The aim of this study was to assess whether the combination of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and staging of retinal artery lesions could be a useful approach to predict CAD in symptomatic patients, including atypical chest pain. To prove this question, 472 Chinese patients with suspected CAD underwent coronary angiography, the eye fundus examination and measurement of baPWV. The results show that the frequency of baPWV of 1,400 cm/s or retinal artery atherosclerosis of ≥ Stage 2 is higher in patients with CAD (n = 312) than those without CAD (n = 160, p < 0.001). Both baPWV and retinal artery atherosclerosis are correlated with the presence of CAD with and without typical chest pain (p < 0.001), indicating that the combination of the two indexes is an independent predictor of the presence of CAD (OR: 10.37, 95% CI: 5.72-18.81, p < 0.001). Either baPWV over 1,400 cm/s or retinal artery atherosclerosis of ≥ Stage 2 is a useful marker to predict the presence of CAD even with atypical chest pain. The combination of the two non-invasive methods is also useful for predicting CAD in symptomatic Chinese patients.