Hemodialysis-induced Myocardial Stunning with No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: Pathophysiological Significance of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction.

Hemodialysis (HD)-induced myocardial stunning, characterized by transient left ventricular systolic dysfunction during HD, has been reported to be common and associated with a poor prognosis. However, the pathophysiology is not fully understood. We herein report a case of HD-induced myocardial stunning without obstructive coronary artery disease complicated by coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), suggesting that CMD plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of this disease.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Due to Spontaneous Coronary Artery Rupture - A Case Report with a Diagnostic Challenge.

Spontaneous coronary artery rupture (SCAR) is a rare, life-threatening disease, and the diagnosis is often challenging. We herein report a 70-year-old man who suffered sudden cardiac arrest due to SCAR with pericardial fluid. At first, emergent coronary angiography (CAG) failed to detect abnormalities. The emergent operation revealed that the presence of pericardial fluid was caused by bleeding that had spontaneously occurred at the left circumflex artery (LCx). A careful retrospective CAG review showed slight contrast spillage from the distal LCx. SCAR should be suspected in patients with unknown etiology of pericardial effusion, and careful inspection of CAG is necessary.

Physical activity and mortality in older patients with a pacemaker.

AIM: With increasing lifespans, patients requiring a pacemaker are older than they were in the past. Data regarding all-cause mortality in older patients implanted with a pacemaker are scarce. As physical activity is associated with a decrease in all-cause mortality, we investigated whether daily physical activity time, expressed as the activity rate determined by pacemakers, can predict all-cause mortality in older patients (aged ≥75 years) with a pacemaker. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the baseline characteristics, echocardiographic indices, laboratory data and pacemaker parameters of 107 consecutive older patients with a newly implanted pacemaker at our hospital (age 83.8 ± 5.0 years; 54.2% men). The study end-point was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: During the follow-up period (mean 3.0 years), 21 cases of all-cause death were reported. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for activity rate to predict all-cause mortality was 0.82 (95% confidence interval 0.72-0.92, P < 0.001). An activity rate of 3.4% (50 min/day) had a sensitivity of 86.0% and a specificity of 66.7% for predicting all-cause mortality. The survival rate was significantly higher among patients with an activity rate ≥3.4% than among those with an activity rate <3.4% (log-rank, P < 0.001). A multivariate Cox regression analysis identified low activity rates as a predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 15.0, 95% confidence interval 4.29-52.6; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Low activity rates appear to be a strong predictor of all-cause mortality in older patients with a pacemaker. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 106-111.

The impact of intraday glucose variability on coronary artery spasm in patients with dysglycemia.

Impaired glucose metabolism is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, and coronary artery spasm is thought to underlie the development of coronary artery disease. Intraday glucose variability (GV) accelerates oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine release, but its impact on coronary artery spasm remains unclear. This study investigated the relationship between intraday GV and coronary artery spasm. The study included 50 patients with dysglycemia and suspected coronary spastic angina. GV was analyzed by 24-h monitoring of the blood glucose concentration using a flash glucose monitoring system. The mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) was calculated as an index of GV. Coronary artery spasm was assessed using the intracoronary acetylcholine provocation test. Coronary spasm was defined as acetylcholine-induced total or subtotal coronary occlusion. Changes in vessel diameter in response to acetylcholine were evaluated with quantitative coronary angiography. Coronary artery spasms were observed in 21 patients (42%). MAGE was significantly higher in patients with spasms compared to those without spasms (127.5 ± 33.5 vs. 91.4 ± 37.6, p < 0.01). Regression analysis showed a positive correlation between MAGE levels and coronary diameter changes induced by acetylcholine (r = 0.47, p < 0.01). In multiple regression analysis, MAGE was independently associated with acetylcholine-induced coronary diameter change (ß = 0.47, p < 0.01). Intraday GV was associated with coronary artery spasm in patients with dysglycemia.

Impact of malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein on coronary plaque vulnerability in patients not receiving lipid-lowering therapy: a whole coronary analysis with multislice-computed tomography.

Vulnerable plaque disruption was suggested as a primary cause of acute coronary syndrome. This study investigated the impact of malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) on whole coronary plaque vulnerability, based on multislice-computed tomography (MSCT). We included 197 patients that were not receiving lipid-lowering therapy. We retrospectively analyzed MSCT and MDA-LDL measurements. We defined a CT-derived vulnerable plaque as a plaque with a remodeling index > 1.10 and a mean CT density value < 30 HU. Vulnerable plaques were detected in 60 patients (30%). Patients with vulnerable plaques had significantly higher MDA-LDL levels than patients without vulnerable plaques (151.3 ± 42.3 vs. 118.5 ± 41.7 U/L, p < 0.01). A univariate regression analysis showed that vulnerable plaques were significantly related to MDA-LDL levels [10 U/L groups, odds ratio (OR): 1.19; p < 0.01] and in a multivariate model (10 U/L groups, OR: 1.18; p < 0.01). Patients with multivessel vulnerable plaques had significantly higher MDA-LDL levels than those with single-vessel involvement or no vulnerable plaque (172.4 ± 28.5 vs. 142.8 ± 44.2 vs. 118.5 ± 41.7 U/L, respectively; p < 0.01). MDA-LDL difference was observed for all LDL tertiles (bottom; 128.9 ± 41.1 vs. 97.3 ± 25.0 U/L, p < 0.01, middle; 142.6 ± 42.7 vs. 122.5 ± 35.1 U/L, p = 0.05, top; 166.0 ± 38.1 vs. 143.5 ± 51.6 U/L, p = 0.05). Increased MDA-LDL levels were associated with the presence and extent of vulnerable plaques, regardless of LDL levels.

Non-atherosclerotic spontaneous coronary artery dissection revascularized by intravascular ultrasonography-guided fenestration with cutting balloon angioplasty.

A 46-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to chest pain. Twelve-lead electrocardiogram revealed ST-segment elevation suggesting acute myocardial infarction. Emergent coronary angiography showed diffuse narrowing and occlusion in the middle to distal left anterior descending artery (LAD). To investigate the cause of occlusion, an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination was performed and we diagnosed spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) as the cause of occlusion. After a cutting balloon was dilated at the distal LAD, coronary flow recovered. IVUS-guided angioplasty with cutting balloon could be a choice of treatment in SCAD patients who need revascularization.

Impact of epicardial adipose tissue volume quantified by non-contrast electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography on ergonovine-induced epicardial coronary artery spasm.

OBJECTIVE: Endothelial dysfunction of the coronary artery is thought to lead to the development of coronary spasms. Epicardial adipose tissue may be a marker of coronary atherosclerosis. This study investigated the diagnostic impact of epicardial fat volume (EFV), quantified with non-contrast electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated computed tomography (CT), on ergonovine-induced coronary spasms. METHODS: We included 97 patients with suspected coronary spastic angina who underwent ECG-gated CT and an ergonovine provocation test. The EFV was measured with CT data sets using dedicated software. Coronary spasm was defined as total or subtotal occlusion (compared with the relaxed state after nitroglycerin) that was associated with ischemic ECG changes and concurrent chest pain. RESULTS: Coronary spasms were observed in 27 patients (28%). The EFV was significantly higher in patients with spasms compared with those without spasms (175.0±57.8cm(3) vs. 129.7±57.8cm(3), p<0.01). Univariate logistic regression analyses indicated significant relationships between coronary spasms and EFV (per 10cm(3), odds ratio (OR): 1.13; p<0.01), male gender (OR: 3.34; p<0.01), and smoking (OR: 3.42; p<0.01). In the multivariate model, EFV (per 10cm(3), OR: 1.10; p=0.03) and male gender (OR: 5.94; p=0.02) remained significant predictors of coronary spasm. The optimal EFV threshold for predicting coronary spasm was 149.4cm(3), identified with a receiver operating characteristic curve. CONCLUSIONS: Increased EFV was associated with ergonovine-induced epicardial coronary artery spasms.

Safety and utility of total percutaneous endovascular aortic repair with a single Perclose ProGlide closure device.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of total percutaneous endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (PEVAR) with a single Perclose ProGlide device (Abbot Vascular, Santa Clara, Calif) compared with endovascular aortic repair with surgical cutdown (SEVAR). METHODS: The study included 50 abdominal aortic aneurysm patients who were treated with PEVAR with a single Perclose ProGlide device and 96 patients treated with SEVAR. Technical success was defined as successful arterial closure of the common femoral artery without the need for adjunctive surgical or endovascular procedures. The rates of complications, including bleeding requiring transfusion, infection, pseudoaneurysm, paresthesia, and lymphocele, as well as the operating room time and hospital duration were compared between the PEVAR and SEVAR groups. RESULTS: Technical success was obtained in all patients in the PEVAR group. One patient in the SEVAR group needed surgical repair due to access site bleeding. Complication rates were similar between the groups (4% in the PEVAR vs 8% in the SEVAR; P = .495). The PEVAR group had significantly shorter operating room times (153 ± 47 minutes vs 211 ± 88 minutes, P < .001) and hospital lengths of stay (6.7 ± 6.8 days vs 9.3 ± 4.5 days, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with SEVAR, PEVAR with a single ProGlide device is a safe procedure with a shorter operating room time and hospital stay, without increasing access site complications.

Electrocardiographic changes associated with takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient with pre-existing left bundle branch block.

An 81-year-old man was referred to our emergency department with severe persistent chest pain. One year before presentation at our department, his 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed a normal QRS pattern during the period of normal conduction with intermittent left bundle branch block (LBBB). His ECG immediately after arrival showed deep T-wave inversion in the precordial leads during normal conduction. During LBBB, there was mild ST-segment elevation with poor R-wave progression across the precordial leads. Emergent cardiac catheterization was performed to rule out acute coronary syndrome. Coronary angiography showed no significant stenosis, and coronary spasm was not provoked by the administration of intracoronary ergonovine. Left ventriculography demonstrated persistent left ventricular apical akinesis with systolic ballooning. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed to have takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM). After 6 months, echocardiography demonstrated the recovery of the left ventricular regional wall motion abnormality. An ECG performed 6 months after the presentation showed incomplete resolution of T-wave inversion in the periods of normal conduction. ST elevation and poor R-wave progression were improved during LBBB. In a case with acute chest pain and an ECG changes incompatible with acute ischemia superimposed on a pattern of LBBB, TCM should be considered as a differential diagnosis.

Acute myocardial infarction due to spontaneous, localized, acute dissection of the sinus of Valsalva detected by intravascular ultrasound and electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography.

A 58-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of chest pain. The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed ST-segment elevation in II, III, and a Vf with advanced heart block. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated aortic root dilatation at the sinus of Valsalva, moderate aortic regurgitation, and decreased wall motion in the inferior part of the left ventricle. Non-ECG-gated enhanced computed tomography (CT) did not reveal an aortic dissection. The patient underwent emergent coronary angiography, which revealed a severely narrowed ostium of the right coronary artery (RCA). Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed under intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance. IVUS images demonstrated an intimal flap extending from the aortic wall to the proximal RCA, suggesting that a periaortic hematoma in the false lumen compressed the ostium of the RCA, leading to acute myocardial infarction. To recover hemodynamic stability, the RCA ostium was stented. Subsequent ECG-gated enhanced CT clearly depicted the entry point and extension of the dissection localized within the sinus of Valsalva. The dissection likely involved the left main coronary artery and an emergent Bentall procedure was performed. Intraoperative findings confirmed an intimal tear and extension of the dissection. Thus, ECG-gated CT can clearly depict the entry site and extension of a dissection occurring in the localized area that cannot be detected by conventional CT.