Diagnostic Performance of On-Site Computed Tomography Derived Fractional Flow Reserve on Non-Culprit Coronary Lesions in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

The role of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) in the assessment of non-culprit lesions (NCL) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is debated. In this prospective clinical study, a total of 68 ACS patients with 89 moderate (30−70% diameter stenosis) NCLs were enrolled to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of on-site CT-FFR compared to invasive fractional flow reserve (FFRi) and dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) as reference standards. CT-FFR and FFRi values ≤0.80, as well as new or worsening wall motion abnormality in ≥2 contiguous segments on the supplying area of an NCL on DSE, were considered positive for ischemia. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive value of CT-FFR relative to FFRi and DSE were 51%, 89%, 75%, and 74% and 37%, 77%, 42%, and 74%, respectively. CT-FFR value (ß = 0.334, p < 0.001) and CT-FFR drop from proximal to distal measuring point [(CT-FFR drop), ß = −0.289, p = 0.002)] were independent predictors of FFRi value in multivariate linear regression analysis. Based on comparing their receiver operating characteristics area under the curve (AUC) values, CT-FFR value and CT-FFR drop provided better discriminatory power than CCTA-based minimal lumen diameter stenosis to distinguish between an NCL with positive and negative FFRi [0.77 (95% Confidence Intervals, CI: 0.67−0.86) and 0.77 (CI: 0.67−0.86) vs. 0.63 (CI: 0.52−0.73), p = 0.029 and p = 0.043, respectively]. Neither CT-FFR value nor CT-FFR drop was predictive of regional wall motion score index at peak stress (ß = −0.440, p = 0.441 and ß = 0.403, p = 0.494) or was able to confirm ischemia on the territory of an NCL revealed by DSE (AUC = 0.54, CI: 0.43−0.64 and AUC = 0.55, CI: 0.44−0.65, respectively). In conclusion, on-site CT-FFR is superior to conventional CCTA-based anatomical analysis in the assessment of moderate NCLs; however, its diagnostic capacity is not sufficient to make it a gatekeeper to invasive functional evaluation. Moreover, based on its comparison with DSE, CT-FFR might not yield any information on the microvascular dysfunction in the territory of an NCL.

Patients with Moderate Non-Culprit Coronary Lesions of Recent Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement was compared to dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) instable angina (SA) with stable coronary lesion (s) (SCL (s) ) in a few trials; however, similar comparisons in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with non-culprit lesion (s) (NCL (s) ) are lacking. Our objectives were to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of FFR with two different cutoff values (< 0.80 and < 0.75) relative to DSE in moderate (30%-70% diameter stenosis) NCLs (ACS group) and to compare these observations with those measured in SCLs (SA group). One hundred seventy-five consecutive patients with SA (n = 86) and ACS (n = 89) with 225 coronary lesions (109 SCLs and 116 NCLs) were enrolled. In contrast to the ACS cohort in SA patients, normal DSE was associated with higher FFR values compared to those with abnormal DSE (P = 0.051 versus P = 0.006). In addition, in the SA group, a significant correlation was observed between DSE (regional wall motion score index at peak stress) and FFR (r = -0.290; P = 0.002), whereas a similar association was absent (r = -0.029; P = 0.760) among ACS patients. In the SA group, decreasing the FFR cutoff value (< 0.80 versus < 0.75) improved the concordance of FFR with DSE (70.6% versus 81.7%) without altering its discriminatory power (area under the curve; 0.68 versus 0.63; P = 0.369), whereas in the ACS group, concordance remained similar (69.0% versus 71.6%) and discriminatory power decreased (0.62 versus 0.51; P = 0.049), respectively. In conclusion, lesion-specific FFR assessment may have different relevance in patients with moderate NCLs than in patients with SCLs.

Pregnant intravenous drug user tricuspid valve infective endocarditis treated with a successful simultaneous valve replacement and Cesarean section.

A 30-year-old female patient known to be an intravenous drug user (IVDU) was admitted to Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Hospital Cardiology Intensive Care Unit at 29-week gestation with severe sepsis and right heart failure. She had methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus on blood culture. Echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis of tricuspid valve infective endocarditis (IE). She had acute deterioration and hemodynamic instability for which an emergency tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) with a simultaneous Cesarean section (CS) was performed simultaneously. Medical management is the standard treatment in IE of IVDU pregnant patients, but in case of life-threatening complications, emergency TVR and CS are to be considered. This is the first reported case of IVDU IE treated with simultaneous TVR and CS.

Comparison of Platelet Function Guided Versus Unguided Treatment With P2Y12 Inhibitors in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction (from the Hungarian Myocardial Infarction Registry).

Evidence is conflicting regarding the clinical benefits of selecting P2Y12 inhibitors based on platelet function testing (PFT). Between March 1, 2013 and March 1, 2014, we collected clinical characteristics and platelet function data in a nationwide acute myocardial infarction (AMI) registry from 15 interventional cardiology centers in Hungary. The risk of all-cause mortality at 1 year were compared after propensity score (PS) matching between patients receiving PFT-guided and unguided P2Y12-inhibitor therapies. High platelet reactivity on clopidogrel (HPRoC) was uniformly defined with the Multiplate assay. A total of 5,583 patients with AMI and coronary intervention were registered. After exclusion of cases with contraindication to prasugrel, propensity matching resulted in a sample of 2,104 patients with well-adjusted characteristics. Clopidogrel was the dominant P2Y12 inhibitor in both groups (unguided: 96% vs PFT guided: 85%, p <0.001). In the PFT-guided group, 19% of patients had HPRoC and 77% of them were switched to prasugrel. According to the adjusted analysis, all-cause mortality at 1 year was significantly lower in the PFT-guided compared with the unguided group (hazard ratio 0.57 [95% confidence interval 0.43 to 0.77], p <0.001). Although prasugrel treatment was not associated with lower all-cause mortality in the overall cohort, patients with HPRoC who switched to prasugrel had significantly lower mortality when compared with those continuing clopidogrel (hazard ratio 0.33 [95% confidence interval 0.12 to 0.92], p <0.05). In conclusion, in patients with AMI, PFT-guided treatment with a high rate of switchover to prasugrel was associated with a lower risk of mortality. Prasugrel was a predictor of lower mortality in patients with HPRoC but not in the overall cohort of AMI.

Three-dimensional dynamic morphology of the mitral valve in different forms of mitral valve prolapse - potential implications for annuloplasty ring selection.

BACKGROUND: Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography has increased our understanding of the distinct pathomechanisms underlying functional, ischaemic or degenerative mitral regurgitation. However, potential differences in dynamic morphology between the subtypes of degenerative mitral prolapse have scarcely been investigated. METHODS: In order to compare the dynamic behavior of the different phenotypes of degenerative mitral valve prolapse, real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography recordings of 77 subjects, 27 with Barlow disease (BD), 32 with Fibroelastic deficiency (FED) and 18 normal controls (NC) were analysed. RESULTS: Geometric annular and valvular parameters of the myxomatous patients were significantly larger compared to controls (BD vs. FED vs. NC 3D annular area: 15 ± 2.8 vs. 13.3 ± 2.4 vs. 10.6 ± 2.3cm(2), all p < 0.01). Beside similar ellipticity, BD annuli were significantly flatter compared to FED. Myxomatous annuli appeared less dynamic than normals, with decreased overall 3D area change, however only the BD group differed from NC significantly (BD vs. FED vs. NC normalized 3D area change 4.40 vs. 6.81 vs. 9.69 %; BD vs. NC p = 0.000; FED vs. NC p = not significant, BD vs. FED p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: BD and FED differ not only in terms of valve morphology, but also annular dynamics. Both pathologies are characterized by annular dilatation. However, in BD the annulus is remarkably flattened and hypodynamic, whereas in FED its saddle-shape and contractile function is relatively preserved. These features might influence the choice of repair technique and the selection of annuloplasty ring.

Underuse of coronary intervention and its impact on mortality in the elderly with myocardial infarction. A propensity-matched analysis from the Hungarian Myocardial Infarction Registry.

BACKGROUND: Data are limited on the real-life use of coronary intervention (PCI) and on its long-term efficacy and safety in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Data from a nation-wide registry of patients treated due to an AMI event in centers of invasive cardiology were analyzed for the potential interaction of age on the utilization of invasive therapy and outcome. Follow-up data of consecutive patients between March 1, 2013, and March 1, 2014 were analyzed. Differences in the risk of all-cause death at 1year between patients undergoing PCI versus others receiving conservative treatment were determined from vital records and were compared with propensity score matching. RESULTS: A total of 8485 consecutive patients were enrolled at 19 centers. Sixty-three percent of the patients were male; the mean age was 65.1±12.4years. The proportion of STEMI cases was 51%. STEMI cases were treated with primary PCI in 91.0% while patients with NSTEACS underwent PCI in 71.0%. The age of patients was a significant determinant of deferring coronary angiography (Hazard ratio (HR): 0.524 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-0.59, p<0.001) and PCI (HR: 0.76 95% CI 0.73-0.80, p<0.001). One-year survival after PCI was significantly better both in the overall and in the propensity matched cohort (HR: 0.44 [95% CI: 0.39-0.49] and HR: 0.59 [95% CI: 0.50-0.69], p<0.001, both). This benefit remained consistent in age-dependent subgroup analyses. CONCLUSION: Coronary intervention is underused among the elderly despite the mortality benefit of interventional therapy in myocardial infarction that is consistent in all age groups.

Successful cardiac resynchronization therapy after heart transplantation.

We describe a case of a 56-year-old male patient, who developed refractory dilated cardiomyopathy 5 years after heart transplantation. An atriobiventricular pacemaker was implanted when indication criteria of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) were seen. The intraventricular dyssynchrony was significant before CRT, while synchronous contraction was demonstrated later with the beneficial reverse remodelling of the left ventricle. Resynchronization therapy resulted in significant improvement of the patient's clinical parameters. The success of this therapy points out the possible role of CRT in the treatment of chronic allograft failure after heart transplantation.

Adenosine myocardial contrast echo in intermediate severity coronary stenoses: a prospective two-center study.

BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate the role of adenosine myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) for the determination of functional relevance of coronary stenoses with intermediate angiographic severity and compared the results to single photon imaging (SPECT). We hypothezised that sole assessment of myocardial blood volume changes during adenosine on MCE would indicate functional stensosis relevance when accompanied by increased myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2). METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with >or=1 coronary stenosis underwent adenosine MCE (ultraharmonic imaging) and exercise SPECT. On MCE, myocardial blood volume was assessed and constant or increased myocardial opacification during adenosine coupled with increased MVO2 was defined as normal and decreased opacification as abnormal. RESULTS: Rate-pressure product significantly increased during adenosine in all patients due to reflex tachycardia following mild hypotension, indicative of increased MVO2. Concordance between MCE and SPECT for the detection of reversible myocardial perfusion defects was 89% (kappa = 0.83). Comparison of regions between rest and during adenosine as opposed to comparison to remote regions of the same stage was important for accurate assessment because concordance betweenn MCE and SPECT was less on separate assessment at rest (73%, kappa = 0.40) compared to stress (91%, kappa = 0.81, P < 0.05) mainly due to territories scored normal on SPECT and abnormal on MCE. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of myocardial blood volume changes during adenosine using MCE can be used for the determination of the functional relevance of coronary stenoses of intermediate angiographic severity if MVO2 is increased during adenosine.

[Percutaneous coronary intervention without on-site cardiac surgery: the first one thousand patients]. / Percutan coronaria-intervenció kórházon belüli szívsebészet nélkül: az elso ezer beteg.

At the two hospitals, first percutaneous coronary intervention was performed on 1031 patients (700 male and 331 female, average age 59.8 +/- 15.1 years) between July 2000 and June 2002. The indications were: stable effort angina 679 (65.8%), unstable angina and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction 267 (26.0%), ST elevation myocardial infarction 85 (8.2%). Single vessel dilatation was performed on 906 (87.9%), double and triple vessel on 125 (12.1%) pts in 1170 vessels (1145 native, 24 saphenous vein and 1 mammary artery graft) and in 1372 stenoses. During the interventions, 1043 stents were implanted in 797 pts, average 1.3/pt. The intervention was clinically successful in 950 (92.1%) and unsuccessful in 81 (7.9%) pts. In most of cases, the lack of success was a result of ineffective recanalisation. 65 major adverse cardiac events occurred in 35 (3.4%) pts (acute redilatation 20 (1.9%), acute surgery 4 (0.4%), acute myocardial infarction 34 (3.3%) and fatal outcome 7 (0.7%). Fatal outcome occurred in the group of stable angina 1 (0.1%), in the group of unstable angina and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction 4 (1.5%), in the group of ST elevation myocardial infarction 2 (2.4%). Within one year, 228 (22.1%) repeated dilatations were performed because of chronic restenosis. The results suggest that the moderate risk interventions can be performed with satisfactory result and average risk even without in-hospital cardiac surgery. High-risk interventions are still to be performed in institutes without on-site surgery.

[Detection of myocardial viability with venous contrast echocardiography immediately after reperfusion therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction]. / Az életképes myocardium megítélése közvetlenül az akut myocardialis infarctus reperfúziós terápiája után végzett vénás myocardiális kontrasztultrahanggal.

INTRODUCTION: After reperfusion therapy of acute myocardial infarction not only the patency of infarct related artery (IRA) but uncompromised myocardial perfusion are essential for recovery of myocardial contractile function. AIM: The authors sought to evaluate the relation between the status of myocardial microvasculature early after successful mechanical reperfusion therapy of AMI and contractile function at rest two weeks later. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with first acute myocardial infarction underwent venous myocardial contrast echocardiography (VMCE) 3 hours after successful percutaneous coronary intervention. The myocardial contrast intensity of akinetic segments was evaluated according to a semiquantitative score (1 = normal; 2 = moderate contrast defect; 3 = serious contrast defect; 4 = no contrast at all). Two weeks later the resting contractile function of previously akinetic segments (n = 218) was re-evaluated. RESULTS: The semiquantitative contrast score was significantly different between differential functional groups observed after two weeks: normokinesia (1.21 +/- 0.47); hypokinesia (1.65 +/- 0.77); akinesia (2.75 +/- 0.85). Sensitivity and the specificity of semiquantitative venous myocardial contrast echocardiography for early prediction of functional recovery is 90% and 69%, respectively (chi 2 = 76.2; p < 0.001). The global wall motion score index improved in contrast positive patients (more than 50% of initial akinetic segments show score 1 or 2) (1.607 +/- 0.30 vs. 1.295 +/- 0.25; p < 0.001), but did not change in the contrast negative patients (1.702 +/- 0.38 vs. 1.603 +/- 0.33; p = NS). CONCLUSION: Functional recovery after AMI can be predicted with VMCE immediately after successful reopening of IRA. The post-PTCA contrast intensity of an infarcted segment is closely related to its subsequent functional status.