Circulating Progenitor Cells and Coronary Collaterals in Chronic Total Occlusion.

BACKGROUND: The role of circulating progenitor cells (CPC) in collateral formation that occurs in the presence of chronic total occlusions (CTO) of a coronary artery is not well established. In stable patients with a CTO, we investigated whether CPC levels are associated with (a) collateral development and (b) ischemic burden, as measured by circulating high sensitivity troponin-I (hsTn-I) levels. METHODS: CPCs were enumerated by flow cytometry as CD45med+ blood mononuclear cells expressing CD34 and both CD34 and CD133 epitopes. The association between CPC counts and both Rentrop collateral grade (0, 1, 2, or 3) and hsTn-I levels were evaluated using multivariate regression analysis, after adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: In 89 patients (age 65.5, 72% male, 27% Black), a higher CPC count was positively associated with a higher Rentrop collateral grade; [CD34+ adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.49 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.95, 2.34) P = 0.082] and [CD34+/CD133+ OR 1.57 95% CI (1.05, 2.36) P = 0.028]. Every doubling of CPC counts was also associated with lower hsTn-I levels [CD34+ ß -0.35 95% CI (-0.49, -0.15) P = 0.002] and [CD34+/CD133+ ß -0.27 95% CI (-0.43, -0.08) P = 0.009] after adjustment. CONCLUSION: Individuals with higher CPC counts have greater collateral development and lower ischemic burden in the presence of a CTO.

Association between the triglyceride glucose index and coronary collateralization in coronary artery disease patients with chronic total occlusion lesions.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have substantiated the role of the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index in predicting the prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, while no relevant studies have revealed the association between the TyG index and coronary collateralization in the event of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO). The current study intends to explore whether, or to what extent, the TyG index is associated with impaired collateralization in CAD patients with CTO lesions. METHODS: The study enrolled 1093 CAD patients undergoing cardiac catheterization for at least one CTO lesion. Data were collected from the Beijing Anzhen Hospital record system. The degree of collaterals was determined according to the Rentrop classification system. The correlation between the TyG index and coronary collateralization was assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 318 patients were included in a less developed collateralization (Rentrop classification 0-1) group. The TyG index was significantly higher in patients with impaired collateralization (9.3±0.65 vs. 8.8±0.53, P<0.001). After adjusting for various confounding factors, the TyG index remained correlated with the occurrence of impaired collateralization, with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.59 and 5.72 in the T2 and T3 group compared with the first tertile group (P<0.001). In addition, subgroup analysis showed that higher TyG index values remained strongly associated with increased risk of less developed collateralization. To compare the risk assessment efficacy for the formation of collateralization between the TyG index and other metabolic abnormality indicators, an area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was obtained. A significant improvement in the risk assessment performance for impaired collateralization emerged when adding the TyG index into a baseline model. CONCLUSIONS: The increased TyG index is strongly associated with less developed collateralization in CAD patients with CTO lesions and its risk assessment performance is better than single metabolic abnormality indicators.

The relationship between uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and collateral index in patients with chronic total occlusion.

Background    High serum uric acid (UA) levels and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are accepted as risk factors for cardiovascular mortality. Hyperuricemia and low HDL-C levels were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and the development of diabetes and hypertension. However, the association of UA with cardiovascular (CV) mortality,collateral index are undetermined in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO).Material and methods    124 patients who underwent coronary angiography with the diagnosis of stable or unstable angina pectoris and had chronic total occlusion were included in our study. Blood samples were collected from all patients before the angiography procedure. Coronary collateral circulation (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. We divided our patients into two groups as low-grade CCC and high-grade CCC and examined these two groups in terms of uric acid / HDL ratios. Group 1: Rentrop classification grade 0-1 (mean age, 63,9±9,9), Group 2: Rentrop classification grade 2-3 (mean age, 62,1±9,4).Results    The baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Uric acid / High density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratios and uric acid levels were higher in group 1 with poor collateral circulation [group 1; 0,21 (0,07-0,39) vs. group 2; 0,16 (0,08-0,31), group 1; 8,2 (3,4-10,4) vs. group 2; 5,85 (3,5-7,7), p<0,001, p<0,001 respectively].Conclusions    We found that high Uric acid / High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratios and high uric acid levels are associated with poor collateral circulation.

Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio serve as a predictor for coronary collateral circulation in chronic total occlusive patients.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the potential correlation between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (non-HDL-C/HDL) and the formation of coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in coronary artery disease cases with chronic total occlusive (CTO) lesions. METHODS: Two experienced cardiologists identified and selected patients with CTO lesions for retrospective analysis. The 353 patients were divided into a CCC poor formation group (Rentrop 0-1 grade, n = 209) and a CCC good formation group (Rentrop 2-3 grade, n = 144) based on the Cohen-Rentrop standard. A comparison of non-HDL-C/HDL ratios between the two groups was performed. The Spearman test was used to obtain the correlation between the cholesterol ratio and Rentrop grade. Independent predictors of CCC were analyzed using logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was also performed to quantify the predictive value of research indicator. RESULTS: The non-HDL-C/HDL ratio in the CCC poor formation group was elevated markedly compared to the CCC good formation group [( 3.86 ± 1.40) vs ( 3.31 ± 1.22), P = 0.000]. The Spearman test results indicated that non-HDL-C/HDL negatively correlated with Rentrop grade (r = - 0.115, P = 0.030). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that non-HDL-C/HDL ratio was an independent predictor of CCC formation (OR = 1.195, 95%CI = 1.020-1.400, P = 0.027). The area under the curve of ROC for detecting CCC poor formation was 0.611 (95% CI: 0.551-0.671, P = 0.000) with an optimal cut-off value of 2.77. CONCLUSION: Non-HDL-C/HDL negatively correlated with the formation of CCC and served as an independent predictor of CCC formation, which may be used as a biomarker for the evaluation of CCC.

Glycemic Control Status and Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Diabetic Chronic Total Occlusion Patients: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Whether good glycemic control can result in clinical benefits for diabetic chronic total occlusion (CTO) patients is still a matter of debate. METHODS: We studied 1029 diabetic CTO patients. Based on one-year glycosylated hemoglobin A (HbA1c) levels, we assigned the patients into 2 groups: HbA1c<7% group (n = 448) and HbA1c ≥ 7% group (n = 581). We further subdivided the patients into the successful CTO revascularization (CTO-SR) and nonsuccessful CTO revascularization (CTO-NSR) groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression before and after propensity score matching were used to compare major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and other endpoints. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of most endpoints in the overall patients. After propensity score-matched analysis, patients with HbA1c < 7.0 tended to be superior in terms of MACE, which was mainly attributed to repeat revascularization but the other endpoints. Furthermore, the benefit of the HbA1c < 7 group was more prominent among patients with CTO-NSR in terms of MACE, repeat revascularization, and target vessel revascularization (TVR); and the improvement of the HbAc1 < 7 group was more prominent among patients without chronic heart failure (CHF) (P=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: HbA1c < 7.0 was associated with a reduced incidence of MACE, which was mainly attributed to a reduction in repeat revascularization. Good glycemic control can improve diabetic CTO patients' clinical prognosis, especially in CTO-NSR patients.

Cholesterol Efflux and Collateral Circulation in Chronic Total Coronary Occlusion: Effect-Circ Study.

Background The mechanism through which high-density lipoprotein (HDL) induces cardioprotection is not completely understood. We evaluated the correlation between cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), a functional parameter of HDL, and coronary collateral circulation (CCC). We additionally investigated whether A1BP (apoA1-binding protein) concentration correlates with CEC and CCC. Methods and Results In this case-control study, clinical and angiographic data were collected from 226 patients (mean age, 58 years; male, 72%) with chronic total coronary occlusion. CEC was assessed using a radioisotope and J774 cells, and human A1BP concentration was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Differences between the good and poor CCC groups were compared, and associations between CEC, A1BP, and other variables were evaluated. Predictors of CCC were identified by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The CEC was higher in the good than in the poor CCC group (22.0±4.6% versus 20.2±4.7%; P=0.009). In multivariable analyses including age, sex, HDL-cholesterol levels, age (odds ratio [OR], 0.96; P=0.003), and CEC (OR, 1.10; P=0.004) were identified as the independent predictors of good CCC. These relationships remained significant after additional adjustment for diabetes mellitus, acute coronary syndrome, and Gensini score. The A1BP levels were not significantly correlated with CCC (300 pg/mL and 283 pg/mL in the good CCC and poor CCC groups, respectively, P=0.25) or CEC. Conclusions The relationship between higher CEC and good CCC indicates that well-functioning HDL may contribute to CCC and may be cardioprotective; this suggests that a specific function of HDL can have biological and clinical consequences.

Temporal Release of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T and I and Copeptin After Brief Induced Coronary Artery Balloon Occlusion in Humans.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac troponins (cTns) are the cornerstone of diagnosing acute myocardial infarction. There is limited knowledge on the duration of ischemia necessary to induce a measurable release of cTns or the very-early-release kinetics of cTns after an ischemic event. Copeptin may have a supplementary role in ruling out myocardial infarction early. We investigated the release of cTns and copeptin in the first hours after experimental balloon-induced ischemia in humans. METHODS: Thirty-four patients (median age, 60 years [interquartile range, 51-64]; 15 men, 43%) with angiographically normal coronary arteries were randomly assigned into 4 groups with different durations of induced myocardial ischemia (0, 30, 60, 90 s). Ischemia was induced by inflating a balloon in the left anterior descending artery between the first and second diagonal branch. Blood was collected before balloon inflation (baseline) every 15 minutes for the first 3 hours, and every 30 minutes for the next 3 hours. The cTns were analyzed by 3 high-sensitivity (hs) cTn assays: hs-cTnT (Roche), hs-cTnI (Siemens), and hs-cTnI (Abbott). Copeptin was analyzed by a sandwich immunoluminometric assay. RESULTS: None of the patients had any complications. Increased cTn concentrations were detected by all 3 assays, and the magnitude of the increase was associated with the duration of ischemia. Increased hs-cTnI (Siemens) concentrations were first detectable 15 minutes after 90-s ischemia (median 43.7% increase) and increased more steeply and had a higher peak than the other assays. Copeptin levels did not significantly change. Using the cTnT, hs-cTnI (Siemens), and hs-cTnI (Abbott) concentrations at 0 and 180 minutes, 1 (11%), 0, and 0 patients from the 60-s ischemia group and 5 (63%), 2 (25%), and 1 (11%) from the 90-s ischemia group, respectively, fulfilled criteria for a biochemical myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to report the early-release kinetics of cTn concentrations after different durations of experimental coronary balloon occlusion in humans. All assays detected a cTn increase after only 30 s of ischemia. hs-cTnI (Siemens) rose faster and reached a higher peak. Copeptin levels did not change significantly. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03203057.

Correlation between ischemia-modified albumin level and coronary collateral circulation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels and coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with chronic total occlusive (CTO). METHODS: Coronary angiography was performed in the Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from 2017 to 08 to 2019-02 to identify 128 patients with CTO lesions in at least one major coronary artery. According to the Rentrop evaluation criteria, the degree of CCC formation was divided into the poor CCC formation group (Rentrop0-1 grade,n = 69) and the good CCC formation group (Rentrop2-3 grade,n = 59). The IMA level of the patients was measured using an albumin-cobalt binding assay. The general data, routine blood panel, total bilirubin (TBIL), blood lipids, uric acid (UA), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and other indicators of the patients were recorded and analyzed while assessing the patients' blood vessel occlusion. RESULTS: The proportion of platelet count and diabetes in the poor CCC group was higher than that in the good CCC group (P < 0.05). The ratio of ischemia-modified albumin and total bilirubin in the poor CCC group was lower than that in the good CCC group (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ischemia-modified albumin was positively correlated with CCC formation [OR = 1.190,95% CI (1.092-1.297),P < 0.001], while diabetes was negatively correlated with CCC formation [OR = 0.285,95% CI (0.094-0.864), P < 0.05]. Ischemic modified albumin predicted good formation of CCC according to the ROC curve, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.769(95% CI,0.686-0.851, P<0.001); the optimal cut-off value was 63.35 KU/L, and the sensitivity was 71.2%,specificity is 71%. CONCLUSION: The IMA level is closely related to good formation of CCC. Higher IMA levels can be used as an effective predictor of good CCC formation in patients with CTO.

LncRNA-LUNAR1 Levels Are Closely Related to Coronary Collaterals in Patients with Chronic Total Coronary Occlusion.

Coronary collaterals can effectively improve myocardial blood supply to the area of CTO (chronic total coronary occlusion) and can, thus, reduce infarct size. LUNAR1(leukemia-induced noncoding activator RNA-1) is a specific LncRNA regulated by Notch signaling that not only can enhance the expression of IGFR-1 but also can promote angiogenesis and cell survival. Here, we investigated the relationship between LncRNA-LUNAR1 levels in peripheral plasma and the formation of coronary collaterals. In total, 172 patients with CTO were enrolled and followed up for 12 months. Coronary collaterals were scored according to the Rentrop scoring system. Preclinical tests of tube formation were used to address the mechanisms behind the association between LncRNA-LUNAR1 and development of collaterals. Clinical data and inflammatory factors, including comorbidity, CD14++CD16- monocytes, and CCL2 (chemokine motif ligand 2), were compared and analyzed. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of LncRNA-LUNAR1 in peripheral blood plasma. The Rentrop score was positively correlated with LncRNA-LUNAR1 levels in patients with CTO (R = 0.47, p < 0.001). Tube formation assay proved the direct association between LncRNA-LUNAR1 and development of collaterals (p = 0.011). The univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with low LncRNA-LUNAR1 expression exhibited worse clinical outcomes than those with high LncRNA-LUNAR1 levels (p = 0.008). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and correlation analysis further confirmed that LncRNA-LUNAR1 expression was closely related to chronic inflammatory diseases, especially diabetes (area = 0.644, p = 0.001; 95% CI, 0.562-0.726). Furthermore, both CD14++CD16- monocytes (r = - 0.37; p < 0.001) and CCL2 levels (r = - 0.35; p < 0.001) negatively affected the expression of LncRNA-LUNAR1. LncRNA-LUNAR1 expression was positively correlated with coronary collaterals in patients with CTO. Inflammatory factors, including CD14++CD16- monocytes and CCL2, may be risk factors affecting LncRNA-LUNAR1 expression.

Occult obstructive coronary artery disease is associated with prolonged cardiac troponin elevation following strenuous exercise.

BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac death among middle-aged recreational athletes is predominantly due to myocardial ischaemia. This study examined whether measuring cardiac troponin I and T (cTnI and cTnT) after strenuous exercise could identify occult obstructive coronary artery disease. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. METHODS: Subjects were recruited from 1002 asymptomatic recreational cyclists completing a 91-km mountain bike race (North Sea Race Endurance Exercise Study). No subject had known cardiovascular disease or took cardiovascular medication. Blood samples were collected within 24 h before and 3 h and 24 h after the race. Coronary computed tomography angiography was performed in 80 participants with the highest post-exercise cTnI and in 40 reference subjects with moderately elevated cTnI values. RESULTS: Study subjects (N = 120) were 45 (36-52) years old and 74% were male. There were similar demographics in the High-cTnI group and the Reference group. The cTn concentrations were highest at 3 h post-race: cTnI, 224 (125-304) ng/L; cTnT, 89 (55-124) ng/L. Nine subjects had obstructive coronary artery disease on coronary computed tomography angiography, eight of whom were High-cTnI responders. Two subjects had myocardial bridging, both High-cTnI responders. Troponin concentrations at 24 h post-race were higher in subjects with obstructive coronary artery disease than in the rest of the cohort (n = 109): cTnI, 151 (72-233) ng/L vs. 24 (19-82) ng/L, p = 0.005; cTnT, 39 (25-55) ng/L vs. 20 (14-31) ng/L, p = 0.002. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for predicting obstructive coronary artery disease were 0.79, p = 0.005 (cTnI) and 0.82, p = 0.002 (cTnT). CONCLUSION: In subjects with occult obstructive coronary artery disease there was a prolonged elevation of cTn following strenuous exercise.

Interplay of TNF-α, soluble TNF receptors and oxidative stress in coronary chronic total occlusion of the oldest patients with coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: The interplay of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and oxidative stress was related to severities of coronary atherosclerosis and congestive heart failure. We tried to identify TNF-α, soluble tumour necrosis factor-α receptor-1 (sTNFR-1), soluble tumour necrosis factor-α receptor-2 (sTNFR-2) and oxidative stress as potential non-invasive diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for coronary chronic total occlusion (CCTO) in the oldest patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: We determined the expression levels of TNF-α, sTNFR-1, sTNFR-2, oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde [MDA], aldosterone [ALD], angiotensin II [Ang II], and high sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) in oldest patients with CCTO. RESULTS: The levels of TNF-α, sTNFR-1, sTNFR-2, MDA, ALD, Ang II and hs-CRP were increased in oldest patients with CCTO (P < 0.001). The CCTO of oldest patients with CHD may involve the interplay of TNF-α, sTNFR-1, sTNFR-2 and oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: The TNF-α, sTNFR-1, sTNFR-2 and oxidative stress could be considered as potential non-invasive diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for CCTO in the oldest patients with CHD.

Comparison of Apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio, Framingham risk score and TC/HDL-c for predicting clinical outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Apolipoproteins (Apo) are known atherogenic factors that play important roles in many mechanisms related to coronary heart disease (CHD). However, it is unclear whether the apoB/apoA1 ratio is an equal or a better predictor than the Framingham Risk Score or TC/HDL-c for predicting clinical outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: We investigated the association between Apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio and cardiovascular risk factors as well as the severity of CHD in 2256 Han Chinese patients. The potential of Apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio, Framingham Risk Score and TC/HDL-c were assessed as a marker to predict cardiovascular adverse events in a prospective subgroup of 1639 CHD patients during a 5-year follow-up. RESULTS: In the multivariate model, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were significant for 3-VD vs. 1-VD (OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.65-3.38, for the fourth vs. first quartile; Ptrend < 0.001). The subgroup analysis showed that patients with a higher ApoB/ApoA1 ratio had an increased risk of developing multi-branch lesions and potentially suffer more cardiovascular adverse events (anginas, myocardial infarctions, heart failures, strokes, and cardiac deaths) in the future (adjusted HR =1.92; 95% CI: 1.10-3.13, for the fourth vs. first quartile). In the ROC analysis, the AUC for ApoB/A1 ratio was larger than that of Framingham Risk Score (0.604 vs. 0.543, p = 0.01) and TC/HDL-c (0.604 vs. 0.525, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a significant association between ApoB/ApoA1 ratio and CHD severity and cardiovascular outcomes among patients with existing CHD and ApoB/A1 ratio demonstrated a better predictive accuracy for clinical outcomes compared with Framingham Risk Score and TC/HDL-c.

Incidence and Predictors of Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease and the Role of Cardiac Troponin Assays in Patients with Unstable Angina.

In a time when cardiac troponin assays are widely used to detect myocardial injury, data remain scarce concerning the incidence and predictors of substantial obstructive coronary artery disease that causes unstable angina. This retrospective single-center study included consecutive patients hospitalized for unstable angina from January 2015 through January 2016. Patients with troponin I levels above the upper reference limit and those who did not undergo angiography were excluded. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of obstructive coronary artery disease that warranted revascularization and of major adverse cardiac events up to 6 months after discharge from the hospital. Of the 114 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 46 (40%) had obstructive coronary artery disease. In the univariate analysis, male sex, white race, history of coronary artery disease, prior revascularization, hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease, aspirin use, long-acting nitrate use, and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction score ≥3 were associated with obstructive coronary artery disease. History of coronary artery disease, prior revascularization, hyperlipidemia, and long-acting nitrate use were associated with major adverse cardiac events. Male sex was an independent predictor of obstructive coronary artery disease (adjusted odds ratio=4.82; 95% CI, 1.79-13; P=0.002) in the multivariate analysis. Our results showed that coronary artery disease warranting revascularization is present in a considerable proportion of patients who have unstable angina. The association that we found between male sex and obstructive coronary artery disease suggests that the risk stratification of patients presenting with unstable angina may need to be refined to improve outcomes.

Prognostic value of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and glycosylated hemoglobin for non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with single concomitant chronic total occlusion following primary percutaneous coronary intervention: A prospective observational study.

To investigate factors predicting the onset of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for patients with non-ST-segment elevation infarction (NSTEMI) and single concomitant chronic total occlusion (CTO). Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) both play essential role in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular homoeostasis. However, current knowledge of its predictive prognostic value is limited.422 patients with NSTEMI and CTO (59.7 ±â€Š12.4 years, 74.2% men) who underwent successful pPCI were enrolled and followed for 2 years. Multivariate cox regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to determine the factors predicting MACCEs.140 patients (33.2%) experienced MACCEs in the follow-up period. Multivariate cox regression analysis found when we process the model with NGAL at admission, low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, HR = 0.963, 95% CI 0.940 to 0.987, P = .003) and fasting blood glucose (HR = 1.078, 95% CI 1.002 to 1.159, P = .044), but not NGAL at admission, were independent predictors of 2 years MACCEs. While HbA1C (HR = 1.119, 95% CI 1.014 to 1.234, P = .025), LVEF (HR = 0.963, 95% CI 0.939 to 0.987, P = .003), estimated glomerular filtration rate (HR = 1.020, 95% CI 1.006 to 1.035, P = .006) and NGAL value 7 day (HR = 1.020, 95% CI 1.006 to 1.035, P = .006) showed their predictive value in another model. ROC analysis indicated NGAL 7 day (AUC = 0.680, P = .0054 and AUC = 0.622, P = .0005) and LVEF (AUC = 0.691, P = .0298 and AUC = 0.605, P = .0021) could predict both in-hospital and 2 years MACCEs, while higher NGAL at admission could only predict poorer in-hospital prognosis (AUC = 0.665, P = .0103). Further analysis showed the prognostic value of NGAL was particularly remarkable among those HbA1C<6.5%.Patients with NSTEMI and single concomitant CTO receiving pPCI with higher NGAL on 7 days during hospitalization are more likely to suffer 2 years MACCEs, particularly in those with lower HbA1C.

Acute myocardial infarction and transient elevated anticardiolipin antibody in a young adult with possible familial hypercholesterolemia: a case report : Anticardiolipin antibody and myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) can lead to premature coronary heart disease. Anticardiolipin antibody may be a contributor for thrombosis. Here, we report an adult with possible FH suffered from premature myocardial infarction that may be triggered by transient increased anticardiolipin antibody. CASE PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old male had presented with a history of 2-h chest pain and numbness of left upper arm before 5 days. The electrocardiogram (ECG) had demonstrated inferior wall myocardial infarction (MI). Five days later he was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed as acute MI and possible FH (premature coronary heart disease, low density lipoprotein cholesterol of 5.90 mmol/L) with increased anticardiolipin antibody (up to 120 RU/ml). Other auto-antibodies including ß2-glicoprotein antibodies IgM, IgA, IgG, lupus anticoagulant (LA), antinuclear antibodies, anti-myocardial antibody were normal. Coronary artery angiography (CAG) showed right coronary artery was total occlusion from the middle segment. Then he underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with a stent. Four days later, he was discharged with complete recovery. CAG showed intra-stent restenosis and anticardiolipin antibody level was normal and the patient had no any symptoms at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Transient elevated anticardiolipin antibody may be a trigger or biomarker of cardiac thrombotic events in younger atherosclerotic patients.

Adverse events in patients with high platelet reactivity following successful chronic total occlusion PCI: The Assessment of Dual AntiPlatelet Therapy with Drug-Eluting Stents (ADAPT-DES) study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) typically requires a greater number of stents and longer stent length than non-CTO PCI, placing these patients at greater risk for adverse ischemic events. We sought to determine whether the association between high platelet reactivity (HPR) and the risk of ischemic events is stronger after CTO than non-CTO PCI. METHODS: Patients undergoing successful PCI in the multicenter ADAPT-DES study were stratified according to whether they underwent PCI of a CTO. HPR was defined as VerifyNow platelet reaction units >208. The study primary endpoint was the 2-year risk target vessel failure ([TVF] defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization). RESULTS: CTO PCI was performed in 400 of 8448 patients. HPR was present in 34.5% of CTO PCI patients and 43.1% of non-CTO PCI patients (P = .0007). Patients undergoing CTO PCI with versus without HPR had significantly higher 2-year rates of TVF (15.0% versus 8.3%, P = .04) without significant differences in bleeding. HPR was an independent predictor of 2-year TVF (adjusted HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02-1.34, P = .03) whereas CTO PCI was not (adjusted HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.65-1.22, P = .48). There was a significant interaction between CTO versus non-CTO PCI and PRU as a continuous variable for 2-year TVF (Pinteraction = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In ADAPT-DES, HPR was associated with an increased 2-year risk of TVF after PCI, an association that was at least as strong after CTO PCI compared with non-CTO PCI.

VEGF-A plasma levels are associated with microvascular obstruction in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular obstruction (MVO) is associated with poor outcome after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is a vascular permeability inducer playing a key role in MVO pathogenesis. We aimed to assess whether VEGF-A levels are associated with MVO, when evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in STEMI patients. METHODS: The multicenter prospective PREGICA study included a CMR substudy with all consecutive patients with a first STEMI who had undergone cardiac MRI at baseline and at 6-month follow-up. Patients with initial TIMI flow >1 were excluded. VEGF-A levels were measured in blood samples drawn at inclusion. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2017, 147 patients (mean age 57 ±â€¯10 years; 84% males) were included. MVO was present in 65 (44%) patients. After multivariate analysis, higher troponin peak (OR 1.005; 95% CI 1.001-1.008; p = 0.007) and VEGF-A levels (OR 1.003; 95% CI 1.001-1.005; p = 0.015) were independently associated with MVO. When considering only patients with successful percutaneous coronary intervention (final TIMI flow 3, n = 130), higher troponin peak (p = 0.004) and VEGF-A levels (p = 0.03) remained independently predictive of MVO. Moreover, MVO was associated with adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling and VEGF-A levels were significantly and inversely correlated with LV ejection fraction (EF) at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our results show that VEGF-A levels were independently associated with MVO during STEMI and correlated with mid-term LVEF alteration. VEGF-A could therefore be considered as a biomarker of MVO in STEMI patients and be used to stratify patient prognosis.

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T as a predictor of acute Total occlusion in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: A large percentage of patients with non-ST-segment acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) present with acute total occlusion (TO) of some major epicardial vessel that does not generate electrocardiographic changes. Ongoing research into the methods of accurately predicting acute TO have not yielded great success. HYPOTHESIS: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) has a good predictive value for the presence of acute TO of the culprit artery in patients with NSTE-ACS. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study of 1011 patients diagnosed with NSTE-ACS who underwent coronary angiography and hs-cTnT measured on admission. The predictive value of hs-cTnT in the presence of acute TO was assessed by the area under the ROC curve. RESULTS: The mean age of the population was 67.12 ± 13.18 and 74.1% were male. 7.3% of the patients presented with acute TO. The AUC for hs-cTnT to predict acute TO was 0.95. A hs-cTnT value of 1006 ng/L (71.8 fold of the URL) best predicted the presence of acute TO, with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 95% positive predictive value (PPV): 86% and negative predictive value (NPV): 94%. CONCLUSIONS: Hs-cTnT was a good predictor of acute TO in patients with NSTE-ACS. Hs-cTnT values greater than 1006 ng/L were highly predictive of acute TO of a major coronary vessel.

Triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol ratio as an independent risk factor for the poor development of coronary collateral circulation in elderly patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and acute total occlusion.

To determine the prognostic role of triglyceride (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) ratio for poorly developed coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in elderly patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and acute total occlusion (ATO).As a retrospective case-control study, elderly patients (age ≥60 years) with both STEMI and ATO (n = 346) were classified as having either poorly- or well-developed CCC (Rentrop grades 0-1 and 2-3, respectively). The ratio of TG/HDL was calculated according to the detected levels of TG and HDL. The difference of TG/HDL ratio in those 2 groups was compared by Student t test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis indicating occurrence of poorly developed CCC was performed. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis of TG/HDL ratio which determine the optimal cut-off value of TG/HDL ratio was applied.The TG/HDL ratio was significantly higher in patients with poorly developed CCC than in those with well-developed CCC (2.88 ±â€Š2.52 vs 1.81 ±â€Š1.18, P < .001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, higher TG/HDL ratio (OR 1.789, 95% CI 1 . 346-2.378, P < .001) and the presence of left circumflex branch of coronary artery (LCX) occlusion (OR6.235, 95% CI 2.220-17.510, P = .001) were emerged as independent positive predictors of poor development of CCC, whereas presence of right coronary artery (RCA) occlusion (OR 0.474, 95% CI 0.265-0.850, P = .002) and onset time (OR 0.693, 95% CI 0.620-0.775, P < .001) were found as negative indicators. The optimal cut-off value of TG/HDL ratio was found as 1.58 in ROC analysis, which yielded an area under the curve value of 0.716 (95% CI 0.654-0.778, P < .001) and demonstrated a sensitivity of 80.9% and a specificity of 59.3% for prediction of poorly developed CCC.TG/HDL ratio is an independent risk factor for predicting poor development of CCC in elderly patients with STEMI and ATO.

Relationship of Autophagy and Apoptosis with Total Occlusion of Coronary Arteries.

BACKGROUND The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the level of autophagy and apoptosis enzymes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Furthermore, we investigated the role of autophagy and apoptosis in the progression of coronary collateral and coronary total occlusion (TO). MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 115 patients in this prospective, observational, controlled study, who were categorized into 3 groups as follows: group 1, patients with chronic TO (n=49); group 2, patients with acute TO such as myocardial infarction (n=36); and group 3, healthy control patients (n=30). We used the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5) and apoptosis (M30) in the plasma for these 3 groups. RESULTS Autophagy levels significantly varied among the groups (13.7±5.3 ng/mL, 11.7±3.4 ng/mL, and 7.5±3, respectively; P<0.001). In addition, apoptosis levels significantly varied among the groups (78.6±33.4 ng/mL, 64.9±30.6 ng/mL, and 47.6±18.2, respectively; P<0.001). The subgroup analysis revealed significant positive correlations between the autophagy level and the Rentrop score in contrast to apoptosis in group 1 (r=0.463; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study determined that autophagy and apoptosis levels were higher in patients with CAD than in healthy controls. In contrast to the serum apoptosis level, serum autophagy levels demonstrated a significant positive correlation with the Rentrop score. Hence, an elevated autophagy level might be a potential activator and marker of the process by which the body protects itself in CAD.