Prognostic Implications of Quantitative Flow Ratio and Plaque Characteristics in Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Treatment Strategy.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is a method for evaluating fractional flow reserve without the use of an invasive coronary pressure wire or pharmacological hyperemic agent. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic implications of QFR and plaque characteristics in patients who underwent intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided treatment for intermediate lesions. METHODS: Among the IVUS-guided strategy group in the FLAVOUR (Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular Ultrasound for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis) trial, vessels suitable for QFR analysis were included in this study. High-risk features were defined as low QFR (≤0.90), quantitative high-risk plaque characteristics (qn-HRPCs) (minimal lumen area ≤3.5 mm2, or plaque burden ≥70%), and qualitative high-risk plaque characteristics (ql-HRPCs) (attenuated plaque, positive remodeling, or plaque rupture) assessed using IVUS. The primary clinical endpoint was target vessel failure (TVF), defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. RESULTS: A total of 415 (46.1%) vessels could be analyzable for QFR. The numbers of qn-HRPCs and ql-HRPCs increased with decreasing QFR. Among deferred vessels, those with 3 high-risk features exhibits a significantly higher risk of TVF compared with those with ≤2 high-risk features (12.0% vs 2.7%; HR: 4.54; 95% CI: 1.02-20.29). CONCLUSIONS: Among the IVUS-guided deferred group, vessels with qn-HRPC and ql-HRPC with low QFR (≤0.90) exhibited a significantly higher risk for TVF compared with those with ≤2 features. Integrative assessment of angiography-derived fractional flow reserve and anatomical and morphological plaque characteristics is recommended to improve clinical outcomes in patients undergoing IVUS-guided deferred treatment.

Clinical Outcomes of Deferred Lesions by IVUS Versus FFR-Guided Treatment Decision.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding the safety of deferral of percutaneous coronary intervention based on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) findings. The current study sought to compare the prognosis between deferred lesions based on IVUS and fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided treatment decision. METHODS: This study is a post hoc analysis of the FLAVOUR randomized trial (Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular Ultrasound for Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Intermediate Stenosis) that compared 2-year clinical outcomes between IVUS- and FFR-guided treatment decision on intermediate coronary artery lesions using predefined criteria. In both IVUS and FFR groups, vessels were classified into deferred or revascularized vessels, and patients were classified as those with or without deferred lesions. Vessel-oriented composite outcomes (cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization) in deferred vessels and patient-oriented composite outcomes (death, myocardial infarction, or any revascularization) in patients with deferred lesions were compared between the IVUS and FFR groups. RESULTS: A total of 1682 patients and 1820 vessels were analyzed, of which 922 patients and 989 vessels were deferred. At 2 years, there was no difference in the cumulative incidence of vessel-oriented composite outcomes in deferred vessels between IVUS (n=375) and FFR (n=614) groups (3.8% versus 4.1%; hazard ratio, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.47-1.75]; P=0.77). The risk of vessel-oriented composite outcomes was comparable between deferred and revascularized vessels following treatment decision by IVUS (3.8% versus 3.5%; hazard ratio, 1.09 [95% CI, 0.54-2.19]; P=0.81) and FFR (4.1% versus 3.6%; hazard ratio, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.56-2.32]; P=0.72). In comparison of patient-oriented composite outcomes in patients with deferred lesions, there was no significant difference between the IVUS (n=357) and FFR (n=565) groups (6.2% versus 5.9%; hazard ratio, 1.05 [95% CI, 0.61-1.80]; P=0.86). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with intermediate coronary artery stenosis, deferral of percutaneous coronary intervention based on IVUS-guided treatment decision showed comparable risk of clinical events with FFR-guided treatment decision. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02673424.

Fractional Flow Reserve or Intravascular Ultrasonography to Guide PCI.

BACKGROUND: In patients with coronary artery disease who are being evaluated for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), procedures can be guided by fractional flow reserve (FFR) or intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) for decision making regarding revascularization and stent implantation. However, the differences in clinical outcomes when only one method is used for both purposes are unclear. METHODS: We randomly assigned 1682 patients who were being evaluated for PCI for the treatment of intermediate stenosis (40 to 70% occlusion by visual estimation on coronary angiography) in a 1:1 ratio to undergo either an FFR-guided or IVUS-guided procedure. FFR or IVUS was to be used to determine whether to perform PCI and to assess PCI success. In the FFR group, PCI was to be performed if the FFR was 0.80 or less. In the IVUS group, the criteria for PCI were a minimal lumen area measuring either 3 mm2 or less or measuring 3 to 4 mm2 with a plaque burden of more than 70%. The primary outcome was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization at 24 months after randomization. We tested the noninferiority of the FFR group as compared with the IVUS group (noninferiority margin, 2.5 percentage points). RESULTS: The frequency of PCI was 44.4% among patients in the FFR group and 65.3% among those in the IVUS group. At 24 months, a primary-outcome event had occurred in 8.1% of the patients in the FFR group and in 8.5% of those in the IVUS group (absolute difference, -0.4 percentage points; upper boundary of the one-sided 97.5% confidence interval, 2.2 percentage points; P = 0.01 for noninferiority). Patient-reported outcomes as reported on the Seattle Angina Questionnaire were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with intermediate stenosis who were being evaluated for PCI, FFR guidance was noninferior to IVUS guidance with respect to the composite primary outcome of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization at 24 months. (Funded by Boston Scientific; FLAVOUR ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02673424.).

Development of the Hypertension Index Model in General Adult Using the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey and the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

Hypertension, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, has been increasing. Along with emphasizing awareness and control of hypertension, predicting the incidence of hypertension is important. Several studies have previously reported prediction models of hypertension. However, among the previous models for predicting hypertension, few models reflect various risk factors for hypertension. We constructed a sex-specific prediction model using Korean datasets, which included socioeconomic status, medical history, lifestyle-related variables, anthropometric status, and laboratory indices. We utilized the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2015 to derive a hypertension prediction model. Participants aged 40 years or older. We constructed a sex-specific hypertension classification model using logistic regression and features obtained by literature review and statistical analysis. We constructed a sex-specific hypertension classification model including approximately 20 variables. We estimated its performance using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dataset from 2016 to 2018 (AUC = 0.847 in men, AUC = 0.901 in women). The performance of our hypertension model was considered significant based on the cumulative incidence calculated from a longitudinal dataset, the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study dataset. We developed this hypertension prediction model using features that could be collected in a clinical office without difficulty. Individualized results may alert a person at high risk to modify unhealthy lifestyles.

Wide-viewing full-color depthmap computer-generated holograms.

An efficient synthesis algorithm for wide-viewing full-color depthmap computer-generated holograms is proposed. We develop a precise computational algorithm integrating wave-optic geometry-mapping, color-matching, and noise-filtering to multiplex multiview elementary computer-generated holograms (CGHs) into a single high-definition CGH without three-dimensional perspective distortion or color dispersion. Computational parallelism is exploited to achieve significant computational efficiency improvement in the production throughput of full-color wide-viewing angle CGHs. The proposed algorithm is verified through the full-color binary hologram reconstruction experiments utilizing an off-axis R·G·B simultaneous illumination method, which suggests the feasibility of the full-color sub-wavelength binary spatial light modulator technology.

Comparison of Blood Pressure Variability Between Losartan and Amlodipine in Essential Hypertension (COMPAS-BPV).

BACKGROUND: Antihypertensive therapy using renin-angiotensin system blockers and calcium channel blockers to target blood pressure variability (BPV) has not yet been established. We aimed to compare the ability of losartan and amlodipine to lower BPV and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in essential hypertensive patients. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned either losartan 50 mg or amlodipine 5 mg. Medications were uptitrated and hydrochlorothiazide was added according to protocol for 6 months. The primary endpoint was the office visit-to-visit SD of SBP. The secondary endpoints included average real variability (ARV), office SBP, and home SBP. RESULTS: The losartan group (n = 71) and amlodipine group (n = 73) finished the scheduled visits between April 2013 and May 2017. The office visit-to-visit SD of SBP was comparable between the losartan and amlodipine groups (11.0 ± 4.2 vs. 10.5 ± 3.8, P = 0.468). The office visit-to-visit ARV of SBP was significantly elevated in the losartan group (10.6 ± 4.3 vs. 9.1 ± 3.4, P = 0.02). The absolute SBP decrement from baseline to 6 months was similar between groups, although the office mean SBP at 6 months was higher in the losartan group (132.3 ± 12.9 vs. 127.5 ± 9.0 mm Hg, P = 0.011). In home blood pressure analysis, evening day-to-day BPV indexes (SD and ARV) were significantly higher in the losartan group at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The lowering effect of the office visit-to-visit SD of SBP was similar between losartan and amlodipine. However, the losartan group showed a higher office visit-to-visit ARV of SBP and evening day-to-day home BPV indexes. Therefore, amlodipine may be better to lower BPV in essential hypertensive patients.

Adhesive-Layer-Free and Double-Faced Nanotransfer Lithography for a Flexible Large-Area MetaSurface Hologram.

Herein, we develop an adhesive-free double-faced nanotransfer lithography (ADNT) technique based on the surface deformation of flexible substrates under the conditions of temperature and pressure control and thus address the challenge of realizing the mass production of large-area nanodevices in the fields of optics, metasurfaces, and holograms. During ADNT, which is conducted on a flexible polymer substrate above its glass transition temperature in the absence of adhesive materials and chemical bonding agents, nanostructures from the polymer stamp are attached to the deformed polymer substrate. Various silicon masters are employed to prove our method applicable to arbitrary nanopatterns, and diverse Ag and Au nanostructures are deposited on polymer molds to demonstrate the wide scope of useable metals. Finally, ADNT is used to (i) produce a flexible large-area hologram on the defect-free poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) film and (ii) fabricate a metasurface hologram and a color filter on the front and back surfaces of the PMMA film, respectively, to realize dual functionality. Thus, it is concluded that the use of ADNT can decrease the fabrication time and cost of high-density nanodevices and facilitate their commercialization.

Co-treatment with interferon-γ and 1-methyl tryptophan ameliorates cardiac fibrosis through cardiac myofibroblasts apoptosis.

Cardiac remodeling characterized by cardiac fibrosis is a pathologic process occurring after acute myocardial infarction. Fibrosis can be ameliorated by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which is a soluble cytokine showing various effects such as anti-fibrosis, apoptosis, anti-proliferation, immunomodulation, and anti-viral activities. However, the role of IFN-γ in cardiac myofibroblasts is not well established. Therefore, we investigated the anti-fibrotic effects of IFN-γ in human cardiac myofibroblasts (hCMs) in vitro and whether indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), induced by IFN-γ and resulting in cell cycle arrest, plays an important role in regulating the biological activity of hCMs. After IFN-γ treatment, cell signaling pathways and DNA contents were analyzed to assess the biological activity of IFN-γ in hCMs. In addition, an IDO inhibitor (1-methyl tryptophan; 1-MT) was used to assess whether IDO plays a key role in regulating hCMs. IFN-γ significantly inhibited hCM proliferation, and IFN-γ-induced IDO expression caused cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 through tryptophan depletion. Moreover, IFN-γ treatment gradually suppressed the expression of α-smooth muscle actin. When IDO activity was inhibited by 1-MT, marked apoptosis was observed in hCMs through the induction of interferon regulatory factor, Fas, and Fas ligand. Our results suggest that IFN-γ plays key roles in anti-proliferative and anti-fibrotic activities in hCMs and further induces apoptosis via IDO inhibition. In conclusion, co-treatment with IFN-γ and 1-MT can ameliorate fibrosis in cardiac myofibroblasts through apoptosis.

Real-world experience of the left distal transradial approach for coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention: a prospective observational study (LeDRA).

AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the left distal transradial approach (ldTRA) as a default route for coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS AND RESULTS: Between October 2017 and January 2018, 200 consecutive patients were enrolled in a single centre. The left distal radial artery was punctured with a 20-gauge venipuncture catheter needle by three expert left radial approach operators. The success rates of arterial puncture, CAG, and PCI were 95.5% (191/200), 100% (187/187), and 98.9% (86/87), respectively. Four patients scheduled for staged PCI skipped the routine diagnostic CAG. Puncture time and fluoroscopic time were 3.0±2.8 minutes and 11.3±18.4 minutes, respectively. Haemostasis time was 151.8±39.9 minutes. A total of 15 (7.9%) puncture site complications occurred, including 14 (7.4%) minor haematomas and one (0.5%) arterial dissection, in which the artery was patent at one-month follow-up. Two patients complained of left thumb numbness at one-month follow-up. No distal radial artery occlusion, perforation, pseudoaneurysm, or arteriovenous fistula occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The success and complication rates of ldTRA support the feasibility and safety of this procedure. Larger randomised comparison studies are needed to support this preliminary evidence.

Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on Clinical Outcomes in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the Era of Newer-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known to be a major adverse predictor in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It is expected that the use of newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) would improve clinical outcomes in these patients. We evaluated the impact of CKD on clinical outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing PCI using newer-generation DES in a real-world setting. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 887 patients who underwent PCI with newer-generation DES and who had a history of DM or HbA1c >6.5% at the time of hospitalization were analyzed. These patients were divided into groups without CKD (n=549) and with CKD (n=338). Among survivors at discharge, a patient-oriented composite outcome (POCO) including all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), and revascularization was evaluated, together with a device-oriented composite outcome (DOCO) including cardiac death, target vessel-related MI, and target lesion revascularization at a follow-up period of one year. RESULTS: The incidence of POCO (5.4% vs. 14.0%, log-rank p<0.001) and DOCO (1.1% vs. 4.1%, log-rank p<0.001) was higher in patients with CKD. According to multivariate analysis, which was adjusted for baseline differences in demographic, clinical, and angiographic factors, the presence of CKD was an independent predictor of POCO (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07 to 3.12), but not of DOCO (HR 2.08, 95% CI: 0.69-6.28). CONCLUSION: In DM patients, CKD is an independent and powerful predictor of patient-related outcomes, but not of device-related outcomes in the era of newer-generation DES.

Current Practice of Transradial Coronary Angiography and Intervention: Results from the Korean Transradial Intervention Prospective Registry.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although increasing evidence has indicated that radial access is a beneficial technique, few studies have focused on Korean subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate current practice of coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using radial access in South Korea. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 6338 subjects were analyzed from Korean Transradial Intervention prospective registry that was conducted at 20 centers in Korea. After evaluating the initial access, subjects intended for radial access were assessed for their baseline, procedure-related, and complication data. Subjects were categorized into three groups: group of overall subjects (n=5554); group of subjects who underwent PCI (n=1780); and group of subjects who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) (n=167). RESULTS: The rate of radial artery as an initial access and the rate of access site crossover was 87.6% and 4.4%, respectively, in overall subjects. Those rates were 82.4% and 8.1%, respectively, in subjects who underwent PCI, and 60.1% and 4.8%, respectively, in subjects who underwent PPCI. For subjects who underwent CAG, a 6-F introducer sheath and a 5-F angiographic catheter was the most commonly used. During PCI, a 6-F introducer sheath (90.6%) and a 6-F guiding catheter were standardly used. CONCLUSION: The large prospective registry allowed us to present the current practice of CAG and PCI using radial access. These data provides evidence to achieve consensus on radial access in CAG and PCI in the Korean population.

Urinary levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin f2α and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanine as markers of oxidative stress in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine if urinary levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanine (8-OHdG) could be used as markers of the oxidative stress in significant coronary artery disease (CAD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a case-control study in 104 subjects assessed by coronary angiography with the following diagnoses: 35 consecutive cases of significant CAD and 69 cases of non-CAD with stable angina. We compared the urinary levels of 8-iso-PGF 2α and 8-OHdG, as measured by immunoassay between the 2 groups. RESULTS: History of hypertension was significantly higher and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol level significantly lower in the CAD group compared with those in the non-CAD group. Median levels of 8-iso-PGF2α were significantly higher in the CAD group compared with the non-CAD group (9.2 vs. 6.0 ng/mg, p=0.001). There were no significant differences in 8-OHdG values between the 2 groups. The odds ratio of 8-iso-PGF2α for CAD in the highest tertile compared with that in the lowest tertile was 7.39 (95% confidence interval; 1.71-31.91). There was no significant difference in median values of 8-iso-PGF2α between single- and multi-vessel CAD. CONCLUSION: Urinary 8-iso-PGF 2α was independently associated with significant CAD in this case-control study.

Intravascular ultrasound-guided primary percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent implantation in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Studies investigating the clinical outcome of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) show conflicting results. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether IVUS-guidedPPCI with drug-eluting stents (DESs) in STEMI patients improves clinical outcome. HYPOTHESIS: IVUS-guided PPCI is superior to angio-guided PPCI. METHODS: Three hundred forty-one patients who underwent PPCI for STEMI and survived the hospitalization were enrolled in this study. Two hundred sixteen (63.3%) patients were treated with angio-guided PPCI and 125 (36.7%) patients were treated with IVUS-guided PPCI. The primary endpoint was defined as the composite of death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and target lesion revascularization at the 3-year follow-up visit. RESULTS: Male gender, dyslipidemia, and smoking were frequent in the IVUS-guided PPCI group. These patients had a higher rate of radial approach, adjunctive ballooning, thrombectomy, and the use of a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor. The number and length of implanted stents were higher in the IVUS-guided PPCI group. The primary end point (18.1% vs 12.8%, P = 0.22) and stent thrombosis (2.8% vs 2.4%, P = 1.00) was not different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In our observational study, IVUS-guided PPCI with DESs in patients with STEMI did not improve clinical outcome or stent thrombosis.

Feasibility of transradial coronary intervention using a sheathless guiding catheter in patients with small radial artery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Transradial coronary angiography and intervention are increasing in frequency due to lower major vascular access site complications and the potential for early mobilization. However, the small size of the radial artery (RA) is a major limitation of this technique. A sheathless guiding catheter (GC) has recently been introduced that has a 1-2 French smaller diameter compared with the corresponding introducer sheath. This catheter also has a hydrophilic coating along its entire length. We evaluated the feasibility of using a sheathless GC in patients who have small radial arteries. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The procedural results were evaluated in patients with small radial arteries (diameter <2.3 mm) who underwent transradial coronary intervention using a sheathless GC. RESULTS: A total of 25 (male: 9) patients with 29 lesions were enrolled. The mean RA diameter was 1.81±0.26 mm. 44% of the patients had stable angina and 50.0% had acute coronary syndrome. The procedural success rate was 93.1%. Two patients (6.9%) had chronic total occlusive lesions that could not be crossed with a guide-wire despite good guiding support. An intravascular ultrasound could be used for all of the treated lesions. Multi-vessel intervention was performed in 29.2% of the patients. Two bifurcated lesions were treated with a kissing balloon technique, and one with a modified T-stenting technique. No catheter related complications were reported. CONCLUSION: The use of a sheathless GC is feasible in patients with small radial arteries without catheter related complications.

Normative values and correlates of mean common carotid intima-media thickness in the Korean rural middle-aged population: the Atherosclerosis RIsk of Rural Areas iN Korea General Population (ARIRANG) study.

Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is considered as a surrogate marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We determined the normative value of CIMT and correlates of CVD risk factors and Framingham risk score (FRS) in Korean rural middle-aged population. We measured CIMT with a B-mode ultrasonography in 1,759 subjects, aged 40 to 70 yr, in a population-based cohort in Korea. A healthy reference sample (n = 433) without CVD, normal weight and normal metabolic parameters was selected to establish normative CIMT values. Correlates between CIMT and conventional CVD risk factors were assessed in the entire population. Mean values of CIMT (in mm) for healthy reference sample aged 40-49, 50-59, and 60-70 yr were 0.55, 0.59, and 0.66 for men and 0.48, 0.55, and 0.63 for women, respectively. In multivariate regression analysis, CIMT was correlated with older age, higher BMI, male gender, higher LDL-cholesterol level and history of diabetes mellitus. The mean CIMT was also correlated with FRS in both gender (r(2) = 0.043, P < 0.01 for men; r(2) = 0.142, P < 0.01 for women). We identified normative value of CIMT for the healthy Korean rural middle-aged population. The CIMT is associated with age, obesity, gender, LDL-cholesterol, diabetes mellitus and FRS.

Eutectic mixture of local anesthesia cream can reduce both the radial pain and sympathetic response during transradial coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: ADIAL ARTERY SPASM IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON COMPLICATIONS OF TRANSRADIAL CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY (TRA): the radial artery is prone to cathecholamine-induced contraction and radial pain during TRA could increase the sympathetic tone. The object of this study was to evaluate whether the eutectic mixture of local anesthesia (EMLA) cream, in addition to lidocaine infiltration, could reduce the sympathetic response by reducing radial pain during TRA. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients were randomized 1 : 1 to either EMLA or control groups. Radial pain was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the verbal rating scale (VRS-4). Sympathetic response, including systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse rate (PR), stroke volume (SV) and total peripheral resistance (TPR), was measured by photoplethysmography. RESULTS: RADIAL PAIN MEASURED DURING LIDOCAINE INFILTRATION WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER IN THE EMLA GROUP (VAS: 3.1 vs. 4.0, p=0.04; VRS-4: 2.0 vs. 2.2, p=0.03) and the sympathetic response was significantly blunted in the EMLA group from baseline to lidocaine infiltration (ΔSBP, mm Hg: 5 vs. 13, p<0.01; ΔDBP, mm Hg: 2 vs. 7, p=0.03; ΔPR, beat/min: 2 vs. 8, p<0.01, ΔSV, mL: 3 vs. 21, p<0.01; ΔTPR, mm Hg · L/min: 1.0 vs. 5.9, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing TRA, the EMLA cream, in addition to lidocaine infiltration, effectively reduces the radial pain and thereby the sympathetic response, during lidocaine infiltration.

Impact of body mass index on the relationship of epicardial adipose tissue to metabolic syndrome and coronary artery disease in an Asian population.

BACKGROUND: In a previous study, we demonstrated that the thickness of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), measured by echocardiography, was increased in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Several studies on obese patients, however, failed to demonstrate any relationship between EAT and CAD. We hypothesized that body mass index (BMI) affected the link between EAT and MS and CAD. METHODS: We consecutively enrolled 643 patients (302 males, 341 females; 59 +/- 11 years), who underwent echocardiography and coronary angiography. The EAT thickness was measured on the free wall of the right ventricle at the end of diastole. All patients were divided into two groups: high BMI group, > or = 27 kg/m2 (n = 165), and non-high BMI group, < 27 kg/m2 (n = 478). RESULTS: The median and mean EAT thickness of 643 patients were 3.0 mm and 3.1 +/- 2.4 mm, respectively. In the non-high BMI group, the median EAT thickness was significantly increased in patients with MS compared to those without MS (3.5 vs. 1.9 mm, p < 0.001). In the high BMI group, however, there was no significant difference in the median EAT thickness between patients with and without MS (3.0 vs. 2.5 mm, p = 0.813). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis predicting MS revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the non-high BMI group was significantly larger than that of the high BMI group (0.659 vs. 0.506, p = 0.007). When compared to patients without CAD, patients with CAD in both the non-high and high BMI groups had a significantly higher median EAT thickness (3.5 vs. 1.5 mm, p < 0.001 and 4.0 vs. 2.5 mm, p = 0.001, respectively). However, an ROC curve analysis predicting CAD revealed that the AUC of the non-high BMI group tended to be larger than that of the high BMI group (0.735 vs. 0.657, p = 0.055). CONCLUSIONS: While EAT thickness was significantly increased in patients with MS and CAD, the power of EAT thickness to predict MS and CAD was stronger in patients with BMI < 27 kg/m2. These findings showed that the measurement of EAT thickness by echocardiography might be especially useful in an Asian population with a non-high BMI, less than 27 kg/m2.

Is E/E' reliable in patients with regional wall motion abnormalities to estimate left ventricular filling pressure?

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on the diagnostic utility of the transmitral to mitral annular velocity (E/E') by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in the presence of regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA). We aimed to investigate whether the E/E' is reliable in estimating left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) despite RWMA. METHODS: One hundred thirty consecutive patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and subsequent RWMA referred for cardiac catheterization and echocardiography to measure LV pre-A pressure (LVP(PRE-A)) and Doppler signals from the mitral inflow with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the mitral annulus. All patients were classified into three groups according to RWMA of the segment adjacent to the E'-measuring point using TDI: 83 patients with normal wall motions of the basal septal and basal lateral segments (group A); 28 patients with RWMA of the basal septum (group B); and 19 patients with RWMA of the basal lateral segment (group C). RESULTS: Septal E/E' correlated with LVP(PRE-A) in groups A and C (r = 0.383, P < 0.001; r = 0.482, P = 0.037, respectively). Lateral E/E' and LVP(PRE-A) showed good correlation in groups A, B and C (r = 0.470, P < 0.001; r = 0.416, P = 0.028; r = 0.727, P < 0.001, respectively). The largest area under the receiver operating curve was obtained by the lateral E/E' for the prediction of a high LVFP, irrespective of the location of RWMA. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients with abnormal wall motion of the basal septum, E/E' measured at the septum was not representative for LVFP. Lateral E/E' is reliable for the prediction of high LVFP, regardless of the site of RWMA.