The Prognostic Value and Clinical Use of Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy in Asymptomatic Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: The role of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) in the follow-up of asymptomatic patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not established. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prognostic value and clinical use of MPS in asymptomatic patients after PCI. METHODS: Patients who underwent MPS consecutively between 2008 and 2012 after PCI were selected. The MPS were classified as normal and abnormal, the perfusion scores, summed stress score (SSS), and summed difference score (SDS) were calculated and converted into percentage of total perfusion defect and ischemic defect. The follow-up was undertaken through telephone interviews and consultation with the Mortality Information System. Primary endpoints were death, cardiovascular death, and nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and secondary endpoint was revascularization. Logistic regression and COX method were used to identify the predictors of events, and the value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 647 patients were followed for 5.2 ± 1.6 years. 47% of MPS were normal, 30% were abnormal with ischemia, and 23% were abnormal without ischemia. There were 61 deaths, 27 being cardiovascular, 19 non-fatal AMI, and 139 revascularizations. The annual death rate was higher in those with abnormal perfusion without ischemia compared to the groups with ischemia and normal perfusion (3.3% × 2% × 1.2%, p = 0.021). The annual revascularization rate was 10.3% in the ischemia group, 3.7% in those with normal MPS, and 3% in those with abnormal MPS without ischemia. The independent predictors of mortality and revascularization were, respectively, total perfusion defect greater than 6%, and ischemic defect greater than 3%. Forty-two percent of the patients underwent MPS less than 2 years after PCI, and no significant differences were observed in relation to those who underwent it after that period. CONCLUSION: Although this information is not contemplated in guidelines, in this study MPS was able to predict events in asymptomatic after PCI patients, regardless of when they were performed.

The Prognostic Value and Clinical Use of Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy in Asymptomatic Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / O Valor Prognóstico e o uso Clínico da Cintilografia de Perfusão Miocárdica em Pacientes Assintomáticos após Intervenção Coronariana Percutânea

Abstract Background: The role of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) in the follow-up of asymptomatic patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not established. Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic value and clinical use of MPS in asymptomatic patients after PCI. Methods: Patients who underwent MPS consecutively between 2008 and 2012 after PCI were selected. The MPS were classified as normal and abnormal, the perfusion scores, summed stress score (SSS), and summed difference score (SDS) were calculated and converted into percentage of total perfusion defect and ischemic defect. The follow-up was undertaken through telephone interviews and consultation with the Mortality Information System. Primary endpoints were death, cardiovascular death, and nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and secondary endpoint was revascularization. Logistic regression and COX method were used to identify the predictors of events, and the value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 647 patients were followed for 5.2 ± 1.6 years. 47% of MPS were normal, 30% were abnormal with ischemia, and 23% were abnormal without ischemia. There were 61 deaths, 27 being cardiovascular, 19 non-fatal AMI, and 139 revascularizations. The annual death rate was higher in those with abnormal perfusion without ischemia compared to the groups with ischemia and normal perfusion (3.3% × 2% × 1.2%, p = 0.021). The annual revascularization rate was 10.3% in the ischemia group, 3.7% in those with normal MPS, and 3% in those with abnormal MPS without ischemia. The independent predictors of mortality and revascularization were, respectively, total perfusion defect greater than 6%, and ischemic defect greater than 3%. Forty-two percent of the patients underwent MPS less than 2 years after PCI, and no significant differences were observed in relation to those who underwent it after that period. Conclusion: Although this information is not contemplated in guidelines, in this study MPS was able to predict events in asymptomatic after PCI patients, regardless of when they were performed.

Resumo Fundamentos: O papel da cintilografia de perfusão miocárdica (CPM) no seguimento de pacientes assintomáticos após intervenção coronariana percutânea (ICP) não está estabelecido. Objetivos. Avaliar o valor prognóstico e o uso clínico da CPM em pacientes assintomáticos após ICP. Métodos: Foram selecionados pacientes que realizaram CPM consecutivamente entre 2008 e 2012 após ICP. As CPM foram classificadas em normais e anormais, os escores de perfusão, escore somado do estresse (SSS) e escore somado da diferença (SDS) foram calculados e convertidos em porcentagem de defeito perfusional total e de defeito isquêmico. O seguimento foi por meio de entrevistas telefônicas e consulta ao Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade. Desfechos primários foram morte, morte cardiovascular e infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) não fatal e desfecho secundário foi revascularização. Regressão logística e método de COX foram utilizados para identificar os preditores de eventos e o valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados: 647 pacientes foram acompanhados por 5,2 ± 1,6 anos. 47% das CPM foram normais, 30% anormais com isquemia e 23% anormais sem isquemia. Ocorreram 61 mortes, 27 cardiovasculares, 19 IAM não fatais e 139 revascularizações. A taxa anual de óbitos foi superior naqueles com perfusão anormal sem isquemia comparada aos grupos com isquemia e perfusão normal (3,3% × 2% × 1,2%, p = 0,021). A taxa anual de revascularização foi 10,3% no grupo com isquemia, 3,7% naqueles com CPM normal e 3% naqueles com CPM anormal sem isquemia. Foram preditores independentes de mortalidade e revascularização, respectivamente, defeito perfusional total maior que 6% e defeito isquêmico maior que 3%. Quarenta e dois por cento dos pacientes realizaram CPM menos de 2 anos após ICP e não foram observadas diferenças relevantes em relação aos que realizaram após esse período. Conclusão: Embora esta informação não esteja contemplada em diretrizes, neste estudo a CPM foi capaz de predizer eventos em pacientes assintomáticos após ICP, independente do momento de realização.

Preditores da indicação de coronariografia pós-cintilografia miocárdica de perfusão / Predictors for indication to catheterization after myocardial perfusion gated spec

Fundamentos: Pacientes coronariopatas portadores de disfunção ventricular esquerda apresentam maior mortalidade e por isso são os maiores beneficiados de procedimento de revascularização miocárdica. Estudo anterior demonstrou que a fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) é um determinante negativo para realização de cateterismo cardíaco (CAT) após a realização de cintilografia miocárdica de perfusão (CMP). Objetivo: Determinar os fatores clínicos e cintilográficos associados à indicação de cateterismo cardíaco em pacientes submetidos a CMP. População: Pacientes consecutivamente submetidos a CMP no período de março de 2008 a dezembro de 2012. Metodologia: Todos os pacientes submetidos a CMP durante o estudo foram cadastrados num banco de dados, onde foram registrados os dados epidemiológicos, clínicos e cintilográficos (escores de perfusão e FEVE). Pacientes ou seus médicos assistentes foram contatados semestralmente por telefone para acompanhamento. Para análise estatística, foram realizadas análise univariada e selecionadas as variáveis para a inclusão em um modelo de regressão logística. Resultados: Foram submetidos a CMP 5536 pacientes, dos quais 643 realizaram CAT após o exame. Este grupo apresenta maior prevalência do sexo masculino, hipertensos, dislipidêmicos e revascularizados previamente. Os pacientes submetidos ao CAT têm angina com mais frequência, escores de isquemia mais extensos e menor FEVE. Apenas a presença de angina (IC 95% 1,2 - 1,7; p < 0,001) e a extensão de isquemia (IC 95% 1,2 - 1,3; p < 0,001) se mostraram variáveis independentes para indicação de CAT. Conclusão: A presença de angina e a extensão de isquemia foram os principais preditores para indicação de CAT pós-CMP enquanto a FEVE menor não foi um preditor independente

Background: Patients with coronary artery disease with left ventricular dysfunction present higher mortality and are the major beneficiaries of a myocardial revascularization procedure. A previous study showed that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a negative determinant for cardiac catheterization (CAT) after myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS). Objective: To determine clinical and scintigraphic factors associated with cardiac catheterization (CAT) indication in patients undergoing myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS).Population: Patients consecutively submitted to PMC in the period from March 2008 to December 2012. Methods: All patients undergoing MPS during the study were recorded in a data bank, where epidemiological, clinical and scintigraphic data (perfusion scores and LVEF) were recorded. Patients or their attending physicians were contacted by phone semiannually for follow-up. For statistical analysis, univariate analyzes were performed and variables were selected for inclusion in a logistic regression model. Results: 5536 patients were submitted to MPS, of which 643 performed CAT after the examination. This group presents a higher prevalence of males, hypertensive, dyslipidemic and previously revascularized. Patients undergoing CAT have angina more frequently, more extensive ischemia scores and lower LVEF. Only presence of angina (IC95% 1.2 - 1.7, p < 0.001) and extent of ischemia (95% CI 1.2 - 1.3, p < 0.001) were independent variables for CAT indication. Conclusion: The presence of angina and the extent of ischemia were the main predictors for CAT post-MPS indication while lower LVEF was not an independent predictor

Factors Associated With Coronary Artery Disease Progression Assessed By Serial Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography.

Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) allows for noninvasive coronary artery disease (CAD) phenotyping. Factors related to CAD progression are epidemiologically valuable. Objective: To identify factors associated with CAD progression in patients undergoing sequential CCTA testing. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 384 consecutive patients who had at least two CCTA studies between December 2005 and March 2013. Due to limitations in the quantification of CAD progression, we excluded patients who had undergone surgical revascularization previously or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between studies. CAD progression was defined as any increase in the adapted segment stenosis score (calculated using the number of diseased segments and stenosis severity) in all coronary segments without stent (in-stent restenosis was excluded from the analysis). Stepwise logistic regression was used to assess variables associated with CAD progression. Results: From a final population of 234 patients, a total of 117 (50%) had CAD progression. In a model accounting for major CAD risk factors and other baseline characteristics, only age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.01-1.07), interstudy interval (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.01-1.04), and past PCI (OR 3.66, 95%CI 1.77-7.55) showed an independent relationship with CAD progression. Conclusions: A history of PCI with stent placement was independently associated with a 3.7-fold increase in the odds of CAD progression, excluding in-stent restenosis. Age and interstudy interval were also independent predictors of progression.

Objetivo: Angiografia coronariana por tomografia computadorizada (ACTC) permite fenotipagem não invasiva da doença arterial coronariana (DAC). Fatores relacionados à progressão da DAC têm valor epidemiológico. Métodos: Nós analisamos retrospectivamente 384 pacientes consecutivos que apresentavam pelo menos duas avaliações por ACTC entre dezembro de 2005 e março de 2013. Devido às limitações na quantificação da progressão da DAC, os pacientes que haviam sido submetidos previamente à revascularização cirúrgica ou intervenção coronariana percutânea (ICP) entre as avaliações foram excluídos. A progressão da DAC foi definida como qualquer aumento no escore adaptado de estenose segmentar (calculado com utilização do número de segmentos afetados e gravidade da estenose) em todos os segmentos coronarianos sem stent (restenose intra-stent foi excluída da análise). Regressão logística stepwise foi utilizada para avaliar as variáveis associadas com a progressão da DAC. Resultados: De uma população final de 234 pacientes, um total de 117 (50%) pacientes apresentaram progressão da DAC. Em um modelo considerando os principais fatores de risco para DAC e outras características basais, apenas a idade (odds ratio [OR] 1,04, intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%] 1,01-1,07), intervalo entre avaliações (OR 1,03, IC95% 1,01-1,04) e ICP prévia (OR 3,66, IC95% 1,77-7,55) mostraram uma relação independente com a progressão da DAC. Conclusões: Uma história de ICP com implante de stent esteve independentemente associada a um aumento de 3,7 vezes na chance de progressão da DAC, excluindo a restenose intra-stent. Idade e intervalo entre avaliações também foram preditores independentes de progressão.

Factors Associated With Coronary Artery Disease Progression Assessed By Serial Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography / Fatores Associados com Progressão da Doença Arterial Coronariana Avaliada por Angiografia Coronariana por Tomografia Computadorizada Seriada

Abstract Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) allows for noninvasive coronary artery disease (CAD) phenotyping. Factors related to CAD progression are epidemiologically valuable. Objective: To identify factors associated with CAD progression in patients undergoing sequential CCTA testing. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 384 consecutive patients who had at least two CCTA studies between December 2005 and March 2013. Due to limitations in the quantification of CAD progression, we excluded patients who had undergone surgical revascularization previously or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between studies. CAD progression was defined as any increase in the adapted segment stenosis score (calculated using the number of diseased segments and stenosis severity) in all coronary segments without stent (in-stent restenosis was excluded from the analysis). Stepwise logistic regression was used to assess variables associated with CAD progression. Results: From a final population of 234 patients, a total of 117 (50%) had CAD progression. In a model accounting for major CAD risk factors and other baseline characteristics, only age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.01-1.07), interstudy interval (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.01-1.04), and past PCI (OR 3.66, 95%CI 1.77-7.55) showed an independent relationship with CAD progression. Conclusions: A history of PCI with stent placement was independently associated with a 3.7-fold increase in the odds of CAD progression, excluding in-stent restenosis. Age and interstudy interval were also independent predictors of progression.

Resumo Fundamento: Angiografia coronariana por tomografia computadorizada (ACTC) permite fenotipagem não invasiva da doença arterial coronariana (DAC). Fatores relacionados à progressão da DAC têm valor epidemiológico. Objetivo: Identificar os fatores associados com a progressão da DAC em pacientes submetidos à avaliação sequencial por ACTC. Métodos: Nós analisamos retrospectivamente 384 pacientes consecutivos que apresentavam pelo menos duas avaliações por ACTC entre dezembro de 2005 e março de 2013. Devido às limitações na quantificação da progressão da DAC, os pacientes que haviam sido submetidos previamente à revascularização cirúrgica ou intervenção coronariana percutânea (ICP) entre as avaliações foram excluídos. A progressão da DAC foi definida como qualquer aumento no escore adaptado de estenose segmentar (calculado com utilização do número de segmentos afetados e gravidade da estenose) em todos os segmentos coronarianos sem stent (restenose intra-stent foi excluída da análise). Regressão logística stepwise foi utilizada para avaliar as variáveis associadas com a progressão da DAC. Resultados: De uma população final de 234 pacientes, um total de 117 (50%) pacientes apresentaram progressão da DAC. Em um modelo considerando os principais fatores de risco para DAC e outras características basais, apenas a idade (odds ratio [OR] 1,04, intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%] 1,01-1,07), intervalo entre avaliações (OR 1,03, IC95% 1,01-1,04) e ICP prévia (OR 3,66, IC95% 1,77-7,55) mostraram uma relação independente com a progressão da DAC. Conclusões: Uma história de ICP com implante de stent esteve independentemente associada a um aumento de 3,7 vezes na chance de progressão da DAC, excluindo a restenose intra-stent. Idade e intervalo entre avaliações também foram preditores independentes de progressão.

Prognostic performance of coronary computed tomography angiography in asymptomatic individuals as compared to symptomatic patients with an appropriate indication.

INTRODUCTION: Current Appropriatene Usa Criteria exclude coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) in asymptomatic individuals. We compared the prognostic value of coronary CTA in asymptomatic individuals to symptomatic patients with "definitely appropriate" indications for coronary CTA. METHODS: Consecutive patients without previously known CAD referred for a CTA exam were divided into 2 groups. One group consisted ofasymptomatic individuals, the other of symptomatic patients with a "definitely appropriate" indication for coronary CT (unable to exercise and/or with an uninterpretable electrocardiogram and at an intermediate pre-test probability of obstructive coronary artery disease). Patients that did not fit into either groups were excluded. The segment stenosis score (SSS) was calculated based on coronary CTA and patients were followed for a composite endpoint of all-cause death, acute myocardial infarction and late revascularization. RESULTS: A total of 1080 patients (60 ± 12 years, 65% male) were included in the study (674 "asymptomatic" and 406 "appropriate"). SSS >4 was more frequent in "asymptomatic" than in "appropriate" CT data sets (27% vs 20%, p = 0.02). After a mean follow-up of 4.4 ± 1.8 yrs, 49 patients reached the composite endpoint. On multivariable analysis adjusting for CAD risk factors and symptoms, only a high-risk CTA study and past smoking were independently predictive of events. CONCLUSIONS: Although currently not regarded as "definitely appropriate", the use of coronary CTA in a selected asymptomatic population had higher yield for identifying high-risk individuals than appropriately indicated studies in symptomatic patients and provided thequal prognostic information.

Changes in Medical Management after Coronary CT Angiography.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) allows for non-invasive coronary artery disease (CAD) phenotyping. There are still some uncertainties regarding the impact this knowledge has on the clinical care of patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether CAD phenotyping by CCTA influences clinical decision making by the prescription of cardiovascular drugs and their impact on non-LDL cholesterol (NLDLC) levels. METHODS: We analysed consecutive patients from 2008 to 2011 submitted to CCTA without previous diagnosis of CAD that had two serial measures of NLDLC, one up to 3 months before CCTA and the second from 3 to 6 months after. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients were included, of which 69% were men, mean age 64 ± 12 years. CCTA revealed that 18 (18%) patients had no CAD, 38 (39%) had non-obstructive (< 50%) lesions and 41 (42%) had at least one obstructive ≥ 50% lesion. NLDLC was similar at baseline between the grups (138 ± 52 mg/dL vs. 135 ± 42 mg/dL vs. 131 ± 44 mg/dL, respectively, p = 0.32). We found significative reduction in NLDLC among patients with obstrctive lesions (-18%, p = 0.001). We also found a positive relationship between clinical treatment intensification with aspirin and cholesterol reducing drugs and the severity of CAD. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that CCTA results were used for cardiovascular clinical treatment titration, with especial intensification seen in patients with obstructive ≥50% CAD.