Aortic Stenosis and Renal Function: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Large observational studies have demonstrated a clear inverse association between renal function and risk of aortic stenosis (AS). Whether this represents a causal, reverse causal or correlative relationship remains unclear. We investigated this using a bidirectional 2-sample Mendelian randomization approach. METHODS AND RESULTS: We collected summary statistics for the primary analysis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and AS from genome-wide association study meta-analyses including 480 698 and 653 867 participants, respectively. We collected further genome-wide association study summary statistics from up to 1 004 040 participants for sensitivity analyses involving estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) derived from creatinine, eGFR derived from cystatin C, and serum urea nitrogen. Inverse-variance weighted was the primary analysis method, with weighted-median, weighted-mode, Mendelian randomization-Egger, and Mendelian randomization-Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier as sensitivity analyses. We did not find evidence of a causal relationship between genetically predicted CKD liability as the exposure and AS as the outcome (odds ratio [OR], 0.94 per unit increase in log odds of genetic liability to CKD [95% CI, 0.85-1.04], P=0.26) nor robust evidence of AS liability as the exposure and CKD as the outcome (OR, 1.04 per unit increase in log odds of genetic liability to AS [95% CI, 0.97-1.12], P=0.30). The sensitivity analyses were neutral overall, as were the analyses using eGFR derived from creatinine, eGFR derived from cystatin C, and serum urea nitrogen. All positive controls demonstrated strong significant associations. CONCLUSIONS: The present study did not find evidence of a substantial effect of genetically predicted renal impairment on risk of AS. This has important implications for research efforts that attempt to identify prevention and treatment targets for both CKD and AS.

Association between vessel-specific coronary Aggregated plaque burden, Agatston score and hemodynamic significance of coronary disease (The CAPTivAte study).

Background: CT coronary angiography (CTCA) is a guideline-endorsed assessment for patients with stable angina and suspected coronary disease. Although associated with excellent negative predictive value in ruling out obstructive coronary disease, there are limitations in the ability of CTCA to predict hemodynamically significant coronary disease. The CAPTivAte study aims to assess the utility of Aggregated Plaque Burden (APB) in predicting ischemia based on Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR). Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who had a CTCA and invasive FFR of the LAD were included. The entire length of the LAD was analyzed using semi-automated software which characterized total plaque burden and plaque morphological subtype (including Low Attenuation Plaque (LAP), Non-calcific plaque (NCP) and Calcific Plaque (CP). Aggregated Plaque Burden (APB) was calculated. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to assess the association between these CT-derived parameters and invasive FFR. Results: There were 145 patients included in this study. 84.8 % of patients were referred with stable angina. There was a significant linear association between APB and FFR in both univariate and multivariate analysis (Adjusted R-squared = 0.0469; p = 0.035). Mean Agatston scores are higher in FFR positive vessels compared to FFR negative vessels (371.6 (±443.8) vs 251.9 (±283.5, p = 0.0493). Conclusion: CTCA-derived APB is a reliable predictor of ischemia assessed using invasive FFR and may aid clinicians in rationalizing invasive vs non-invasive management strategies. Vessel-specific Agatston scores are significantly higher in FFR-positive vessels than in FFR-negative vessels. Associations between HU-derived plaque subtype and invasive FFR were inconclusive in this study.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on provision of interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery services in Australia: a review of Medicare claims data.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare service provision worldwide. There is limited information on changes in invasive cardiovascular services during the pandemic, particularly in Australia. AIM: We sought to assess temporal trends on the use of interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery services before and following the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. METHODS: Medicare Benefits Schedule items data from the Australian Government Services Australia on outpatient and private hospital interventional cardiology procedures (coronary angiogram, percutaneous coronary intervention and transcatheter aortic valve implantation) and cardiac surgery procedures (coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG] and surgical valve replacement, repair and annuloplasty) were analysed from March 2019 to 2021. This was superimposed on monthly COVID-19 case data obtained from the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care epidemiology reports. RESULTS: A sustained reduction in CABG (-10.1%) and surgical valve intervention (-11.1%) was appreciated from March 2019-2020 to March 2020-2021, in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, an overall increase (+25.9%) in the use of transcatheter aortic valve implantation was observed. Following the initial period of mandated isolation in March-April 2020, a reduction in coronary angiography (-29.1%) and percutaneous coronary intervention (-19.5%) was observed in comparison to March-April 2019; however, this was largely attenuated over time. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in reductions in the use of interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery services, with cardiac surgery most affected. However, an increase in uptake of transcatheter aortic valve implantation has been observed during the pandemic. This may have implications for future planning and resource allocation in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The ability of contemporary cardiologists to judge the ischemic impact of a coronary lesion visually

BACKGROUND: Landmark trials showed that invasive pressure measurement (Fractional Flow Reserve, FFR) was a better guide to coronary stenting than visual assessment. However, present-day interventionists have benefited from extensive research and personal experience of mapping anatomy to hemodynamics. AIMS: To determine if visual assessment of the angiogram performs as well as invasive measurement of coronary physiology. METHODS: 25 interventional cardiologists independently visually assessed the single vessel coronary disease of 200 randomized participants in The Objective Randomized Blinded Investigation with optimal medical Therapy of Angioplasty in stable angina trial (ORBITA). They gave a visual prediction of the FFR and Instantaneous Wave-free Ratio (iFR), denoted vFFR and viFR respectively. Each judged each lesion on 2 occasions, so that every lesion had 50 vFFR, and 50 viFR assessments. The group consensus visual estimates (vFFR-group and viFR-group) and individual cardiologists' visual estimates (vFFR-individual and viFR-individual) were tested alongside invasively measured FFR and iFR for their ability to predict the placebo-controlled reduction in stress echo ischemia with stenting. RESULTS: Placebo-controlled ischemia improvement with stenting was predicted by vFFR-group (p < 0.0001) and viFR-group (p < 0.0001), vFFR-individual (p < 0.0001) and viFR-individual (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences between the predictive performance of the group visual estimates and their invasive counterparts: p = 0.53 for vFFR vs FFR and p = 0.56 for viFR vs iFR. CONCLUSION: Visual assessment of the angiogram by contemporary experts, provides significant additional information on the amount of ischaemia which can be relieved by placebo-controlled stenting in single vessel coronary artery disease.

The ability of contemporary cardiologists to judge the ischemic impact of a coronary lesion visually.

BACKGROUND: Landmark trials showed that invasive pressure measurement (Fractional Flow Reserve, FFR) was a better guide to coronary stenting than visual assessment. However, present-day interventionists have benefited from extensive research and personal experience of mapping anatomy to hemodynamics. AIMS: To determine if visual assessment of the angiogram performs as well as invasive measurement of coronary physiology. METHODS: 25 interventional cardiologists independently visually assessed the single vessel coronary disease of 200 randomized participants in The Objective Randomized Blinded Investigation with optimal medical Therapy of Angioplasty in stable angina trial (ORBITA). They gave a visual prediction of the FFR and Instantaneous Wave-free Ratio (iFR), denoted vFFR and viFR respectively. Each judged each lesion on 2 occasions, so that every lesion had 50 vFFR, and 50 viFR assessments. The group consensus visual estimates (vFFR-group and viFR-group) and individual cardiologists' visual estimates (vFFR-individual and viFR-individual) were tested alongside invasively measured FFR and iFR for their ability to predict the placebo-controlled reduction in stress echo ischemia with stenting. RESULTS: Placebo-controlled ischemia improvement with stenting was predicted by vFFR-group (p < 0.0001) and viFR-group (p < 0.0001), vFFR-individual (p < 0.0001) and viFR-individual (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences between the predictive performance of the group visual estimates and their invasive counterparts: p = 0.53 for vFFR vs FFR and p = 0.56 for viFR vs iFR. CONCLUSION: Visual assessment of the angiogram by contemporary experts, provides significant additional information on the amount of ischaemia which can be relieved by placebo-controlled stenting in single vessel coronary artery disease.

The effect of immunomodulatory drugs on aortic stenosis: a Mendelian randomisation analysis.

There are currently no approved pharmacological treatment options for aortic stenosis (AS), and there are limited identified drug targets for this chronic condition. It remains unclear whether inflammation plays a role in AS pathogenesis and whether immunomodulation could become a therapeutic target. We evaluated the potentially causal association between inflammation and AS by investigating the genetically proxied effects of tocilizumab (IL6 receptor, IL6R, inhibitor), canakinumab (IL1ß inhibitor) and colchicine (ß-tubulin inhibitor) through a Mendelian randomisation (MR) approach. Genetic proxies for these drugs were identified as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene, enhancer or promoter regions of IL6R, IL1ß or ß-tubulin gene isoforms, respectively, that were significantly associated with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in a large European genome-wide association study (GWAS; 575,531 participants). These were paired with summary statistics from a large GWAS of AS in European patients (653,867 participants) to then perform primary inverse-variance weighted random effect and sensitivity MR analyses for each exposure. This analysis showed that genetically proxied tocilizumab was associated with reduced risk of AS (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.45-0.70 per unit decrease in genetically predicted log-transformed CRP). Genetically proxied canakinumab was not associated with risk of AS (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.51-1.26), and only one suitable SNP was identified to proxy the effect of colchicine (OR 34.37, 95% CI 1.99-592.89). The finding that genetically proxied tocilizumab was associated with reduced risk of AS is concordant with an inflammatory hypothesis of AS pathogenesis. Inhibition of IL6R may be a promising therapeutic target for AS management.

Lipids, Blood Pressure, and Diabetes Mellitus on Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in East Asians: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Elevated blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and impaired glycemic control are well-established cardiovascular risk factors in Europeans, but there are comparatively few studies focused on East Asian populations. This study evaluated the potential causal relations between traditional cardiovascular risk factors and disease risk in East Asians through a 2-sample Mendelian randomization approach. We collected summary statistics for blood pressure parameters, lipid subsets, and type 2 diabetes mellitus liability from large genome-wide association study meta-analyses conducted in East Asians and Europeans. These were paired with summary statistics for ischemic heart disease (IHD), ischemic stroke (IS), peripheral vascular disease, heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF). We performed univariable Mendelian randomization analyses for each exposure-outcome pair, followed by multivariable analyses for the available lipid subsets. The genetically predicted risk factors associated with IHD and AF were similar between East Asians and Europeans. However, in East Asians only genetically predicted elevated blood pressure was significantly associated with IS (odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.04 to 1.06, p <0.0001) and HF (odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.04 to 1.06, p <0.0001), whereas nearly all genetically predicted risk factors were significantly associated with IS and HF in Europeans. In conclusion, this study provides supportive evidence for similar causal relations between traditional cardiovascular risk factors and IHD and AF in both East Asian and European ancestry populations. However, the identified risk factors for IS and HF differed between East Asians and Europeans, potentially highlighting distinct disease etiologies between these populations.

Vessel-Specific Outcomes of Deferred Revascularization Following Negative Fractional Flow Reserve.

Variations in myocardial supply area and hydrostatic pressure gradients result in greater likelihood of positive fractional flow reserve (FFR) in the left anterior descending (LAD) compared with the circumflex (Cx) and right coronary artery (RCA). However, the same FFR threshold for deferral of revascularization is applied to all arteries, without evidence that this results in equivalent outcomes. We assessed vessel-specific outcomes of deferred revascularization for the 3 major coronary arteries based on FFR > 0.8. In this retrospective study, data were obtained on consecutive patients who underwent indicated FFR assessment across 2 tertiary institutions. Patients with deferred revascularization were followed for 36 months for the primary end point of vessel-specific target lesion failure (TLF). Of 1,916 major coronary arteries (1,579 patients), the odds ratio of positive FFR was highest in the LAD (odds ratio 3.36, p <0.001). In total, 867 vessels (733 patients) with FFR > 0.8 had complete 3-year medical record follow-ups. The TLF rate for deferred vessels was 10.21%, 11.52%, and 10.96% for the LAD, Cx, and RCA respectively. In a multivariate analysis, there was no significant difference in the odds of TLF for the 0.84 (0.53 to 1.33, p = 0.459), 1.17 (0.68 to 2.01, p = 0.582), and 1.11 (0.62 to 2.00, p = 0.715) in the LAD, Cx, and RCA, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus was the only baseline characteristic significantly associated at risk of TLF (1.43 [1.01 to 2.02], p = 0.043). In conclusion, despite greater likelihood of positive FFR in the LAD, the FFR threshold for deferred revascularization resulted in equivalent outcomes in all 3 major coronary arteries, and patients with diabetes mellitus may represent a group that requires aggressive surveillance and risk factor modification after deferred revascularization.

Immediate recruitment of dormant coronary collaterals can provide more than half of normal resting perfusion during coronary occlusion in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Dormant coronary collaterals are highly prevalent and clinically beneficial in cases of coronary occlusion. However, the magnitude of myocardial perfusion provided by immediate coronary collateral recruitment during acute occlusion is unknown. We aimed to quantify collateral myocardial perfusion during balloon occlusion in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Patients without angiographically visible collaterals undergoing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to a single epicardial vessel underwent two scans with 99mTc-sestamibi myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). All subjects underwent at least three minutes of angiographically verified complete balloon occlusion, at which time an intravenous injection of the radiotracer was administered, followed by SPECT imaging. A second radiotracer injection followed by SPECT imaging was performed 24 h after PTCA. RESULTS: The study included 22 patients (median [interquartile range] age 68 [54-72] years. The perfusion defect extent was 19 [11-38] % of the LV, and the collateral perfusion at rest was 64 [58-67]% of normal. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to describe the magnitude of short-term changes in coronary microvascular collateral perfusion in patients with CAD. On average, despite coronary occlusion and an absence of angiographically visible collateral vessels, collaterals provided more than half of the normal perfusion.

Prospective observational study on the accuracy of predictors of high-grade atrioventricular conduction block after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (CONDUCT-TAVI): study protocol, background and significance.

INTRODUCTION: Aortic stenosis is the most common cardiac valve pathology worldwide and has a mortality rate of over 50% at 5 years if left untreated. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a minimally invasive and highly effective alternative treatment option to open-heart surgery. High-grade atrioventricular conduction block (HGAVB) is one of the most common complications after TAVI and requires a permanent pacemaker. Due to this, patients are typically monitored for 48 hours post TAVI, however up to 40% of HGAVB may delayed, and occur after discharge. Delayed HGAVB can cause syncope or sudden unexplained cardiac death in a vulnerable population, and no accurate methods currently exist to identify patients at risk. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The prospective observational study on the accuracy of predictors of high-grade atrioventricular conduction block after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (CONDUCT-TAVI) trial is an Australian-led, multicentre, prospective observational study, aiming to improve the prediction of HGAVB, after TAVI. The primary objective of the trial is to assess whether published and novel invasive electrophysiology predictors performed immediately before and after TAVI can help predict HGAVB after TAVI. The secondary objective aims to further evaluate the accuracy of previously published predictors of HGAVB after TAVI, including CT measurements, 12-lead ECG, valve characteristics, percentage oversizing and implantation depth. Follow-up will be for 2 years, and detailed continuous heart rhythm monitoring will be obtained by inserting an implantable loop recorder in all participants. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval has been obtained for the two participating centres. Results of the study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12621001700820.

Outcomes of deferred revascularisation following negative fractional flow reserve in diabetic and non-diabetic patients: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) is a widely applied invasive physiological assessment, endorsed by major guidelines to aid in the decision to perform or defer revascularisation. While a threshold of > 0.8 has been applied universally, clinical outcomes may be affected by numerous factors, including the presence of diabetes. This meta-analysis aims to investigate the outcomes of diabetic versus non-diabetic patients in whom revascularisation was deferred based on negative FFR. METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis investigating the outcomes of diabetic and non-diabetic patients in whom revascularisation was deferred based on negative FFR. A search was performed on MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE, and peer-reviewed studies that reported MACE for diabetic and non-diabetic patients with deferred revascularisation based on FFR > 0.8 were included. The primary end point was MACE. RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 7 studies in which 4275 patients had revascularisation deferred based on FFR > 0.8 (1250 diabetic). Follow up occurred over a mean of 3.2 years. Diabetes was associated with a higher odds of MACE (OR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.35-2.04, p = < 0.001), unplanned revascularisation (OR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.06-2.06, p = 0.02), all-cause mortality (OR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.20-2.52, p = 0.004) and cardiovascular mortality (OR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.07-4.05, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with stable coronary syndromes and deferred revascularisation based on FFR > 0.8, the presence of diabetes portends an increased long-term risk of MACE compared to non-diabetic patients. Trail registration URL:  https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ ; Unique identifier: CRD42022367312.

Impact of coronary disease patterns, anatomical factors, micro-vascular disease and non-coronary cardiac factors on invasive coronary physiology.

Invasive coronary physiology has been applied by interventional cardiologists to guide the management of coronary artery disease (CAD), with well-defined thresholds applied to determine whether CAD should be managed with optimal medical therapy (OMT) alone or OMT and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There are multiple modalities in clinical use, including hyperaemic and non-hyperaemic indices. Despite endorsement in the major guidelines, there are various factors which impact and confound the readings of invasive coronary physiology, both within the coronary tree and beyond. This review article aims to summarise the mechanisms by which these factors impact invasive coronary physiology, and distinguish factors that contribute to ischaemia from confounding factors. The potential for mis-classification of ischaemic status is highlighted. Lastly, the authors identify targets for future research to improve the precision of physiology-guided management of CAD.

Angiographic predictors of coronary hemodynamics.

Aims: Assess the correlation between diameter stenosis, lesion length, location, diffuse coronary disease and with fractional flow reserve (FFR). Methods/Results: We performed quantitative coronary analysis analysis on 384 lesions with stable coronary artery disease undergoing FFR assessment. Vessels were 59.1% left anterior descending artery (LAD), 16.1% left circumflex artery and 14.8% right coronary artery. Median diameter stenosis was 58% ± 2.5 and median lesion length was 10 mm ± 7.36. 21% of vessels were diffusely diseased. Lesions were 33.6% proximal, 44% mid-vessel and 12% distal. Median FFR was 0.85. Diameter stenosis correlated with lower FFR (p < 0.005, odds ratio [OR]: 2.4 [95% CI: 0.99-5.63]). There was no association between lesion length, location, number of proximal side branches and FFR. Vessels with diffuse disease had a nonsignificant trend for lower FFR (0.84 vs 0.85, p = 0.375, OR: 1.26 [95% CI: 0.76-2.09]). LAD lesions had significantly lower FFR compared with non-LAD (p < 0.001, OR: 2.55 [95% CI: 1.61-4.04]); including left circumflex artery and right coronary artery lesions (p = 0.001, OR: 3.4 [95% CI: 1.7-6.9]) and p = 0.02, OR: 2.55 [95% CI: 1.17-4.34]). Conclusion: FFR is not related to lesion length, location or number of proximal branches.

Safety and Feasibility of Rotational Atherectomy in Severe Aortic Stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of rotational atherectomy (RA) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). BACKGROUND: Heavily calcified coronary lesions are commonly encountered in elderly patients with severe AS who are being considered for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The use of RA in these patients is controversial as they may be at a higher risk of complications. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled patients with severe AS who underwent RA across two hospitals from March 2010 to September 2019. Patients with severe AS prior to or within 8 weeks of RA were included. RESULTS: Twenty-seven (27) consecutive patients (83±5.2 yrs 63% male) with severe AS (peak velocity 4.1±0.5 m/s, mean gradient 40.0±10.2 mmHg) were enrolled and 31 lesions were treated with RA across 30 separate procedures. Three (3) (11.1%) patients had left ventricular ejection fraction ≤30%. Nine (9) (30%) procedures involved percutaneous coronary intervention of multiple arteries, with most lesions in the right coronary artery (51.6%) and left anterior descending artery (32.3%). Three (3) (9.7%) lesions were in the left main stem. RA-facilitated stenting was successful in all lesions. There were no episodes of coronary perforation or slow-flow/no-reflow. There was one episode of coronary dissection in an artery that did not undergo RA, which was successfully treated with a drug-eluting stent. There were no deaths within 30 days and three deaths (11.1%) within 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Rotational atherectomy in patients with severe AS is feasible and has a low rate of procedural complications.

Association of hypertension with mortality in patients hospitalised with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether hypertension is an independent risk factor for mortality among patients hospitalised with COVID-19, and to evaluate the impact of ACE inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) use on mortality in patients with a background of hypertension. METHOD: This observational cohort study included all index hospitalisations with laboratory-proven COVID-19 aged ≥18 years across 21 Australian hospitals. Patients with suspected, but not laboratory-proven COVID-19, were excluded. Registry data were analysed for in-hospital mortality in patients with comorbidities including hypertension, and baseline treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARBs. RESULTS: 546 consecutive patients (62.9±19.8 years old, 51.8% male) hospitalised with COVID-19 were enrolled. In the multivariable model, significant predictors of mortality were age (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.09, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.12, p<0.001), heart failure or cardiomyopathy (aOR 2.71, 95% CI 1.13 to 6.53, p=0.026), chronic kidney disease (aOR 2.33, 95% CI 1.02 to 5.32, p=0.044) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (aOR 2.27, 95% CI 1.06 to 4.85, p=0.035). Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity (49.5%) but was not independently associated with increased mortality (aOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.77, p=0.81). Among patients with hypertension, ACE inhibitor (aOR 1.37, 95% CI 0.61 to 3.08, p=0.61) and ARB (aOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.49, p=0.30) use was not associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In patients hospitalised with COVID-19, pre-existing hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity but was not independently associated with mortality. Similarly, the baseline use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs had no independent association with in-hospital mortality.

Cardiac Complications in Patients Hospitalised With COVID-19 in Australia.

OBJECTIVES: Describe the incidence of cardiac complications in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in Australia. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTING: Twenty-one (21) Australian hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients aged ≥18 years admitted to hospital with laboratory confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of cardiac complications. RESULTS: Six-hundred-and-forty-four (644) hospitalised patients (62.5±20.1 yo, 51.1% male) with COVID-19 were enrolled in the study. Overall in-hospital mortality was 14.3%. Twenty (20) (3.6%) patients developed new atrial fibrillation or flutter during admission and 9 (1.6%) patients were diagnosed with new heart failure or cardiomyopathy. Three (3) (0.5%) patients developed high grade atrioventricular (AV) block. Two (2) (0.3%) patients were clinically diagnosed with pericarditis or myopericarditis. Among the 295 (45.8%) patients with at least one troponin measurement, 99 (33.6%) had a peak troponin above the upper limit of normal (ULN). In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with raised troponin (32.3% vs 6.1%, p<0.001). New onset atrial fibrillation or flutter (6.4% vs 1.0%, p=0.001) and troponin elevation above the ULN (50.3% vs 16.4%, p<0.001) were more common in patients 65 years and older. There was no significant difference in the rate of cardiac complications between males and females. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with COVID-19 requiring hospitalisation in Australia, troponin elevation was common but clinical cardiac sequelae were uncommon. The incidence of atrial arrhythmias and troponin elevation was greatest in patients 65 years and older.

Influence of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Severity on Coronary Collateral Recruitment During Coronary Occlusion.

PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) which results in hypoxia may affect the ability to recruit coronary collaterals. The aim of this study was to determine whether the severity of OSA affects collateral recruitment in patients with total coronary occlusions. METHODS: Patients with total coronary artery occlusion were reviewed. Records from the sleep investigation laboratory were reviewed to identify those patients who had undergone diagnostic polysomnography. Robust coronary collaterals were those with Rentrop grade 2 or 3 collaterals. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients with a total coronary occlusion had polysomnography performed, of whom 60 patients had OSA. Thirty-two patients (53.3%) had poor collaterals, whilst 28 (46.7%) had robust collaterals. Twenty-four (40%) patients had mild OSA, 10 (16.7%) had moderate OSA and 26 (43.3%) had severe OSA. Patients with robust collaterals were more likely to be males (96.4% vs 74.3%, p < 0.05) and have a history of hypercholesterolaemia (88.9% vs 51.6%, p < 0.01). Patients with robust collaterals had a lower apnoea-hypopnoea index (13.6 vs 45.5, p < 0.05), a higher MinSaO2 (85.4% vs 79.8%, p < 0.05), less time SaO2 < 90% (0 min vs 30.4 min, p < 0.05) and lower oxygen desaturation index (6.9 vs 26.8, p < 0.05). Those with moderate OSA had a higher mean Rentrop grade (1.6 ± 0.3) than those with mild OSA (1.5 ± 1.1) and severe OSA (0.6 ± 0.2). CONCLUSION: The presence of more severe OSA is associated with poorer coronary collateral recruitment in patients with total coronary artery occlusion. The effect of treatment of OSA on subsequent ability to recruit collaterals and other cardioprotective mechanisms requires further research.

Influence of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea on Outcomes in Patients With ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI): the Role of the Coronary Collateral Circulation.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) occurs frequently in patients with coronary artery disease, with associated intermittent hypoxia a possible stimulus for coronary collateral recruitment through ischaemic preconditioning. We sought to determine whether OSA affects recruitment of coronary collaterals and prognosis of patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: Patients with a STEMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from July 2010 to December 2019 were reviewed. Electronic medical records were accessed to determine documented patient history of OSA. Patients with robust collaterals were defined as Rentrop Grade 2 or 3. RESULTS: 1,863 patients were included, of which 143 (7.7%) patients had documented evidence of OSA in their health record. Patients with OSA had a higher body mass index (BMI) (30.2 kg/m2 vs 27 kg/m2, p<0.0001), greater rate of hypertension (61.1% vs 45.1%, p<0.0001), hypercholesterolaemia (47.4% vs 38.4%, p<0.05) and diabetes mellitus (22.6% vs 15.9%, p<0.05). Patients with OSA were more likely to have robust coronary collaterals (OR: 2.2 [95% CI: 1.5-3.2]) and a lower rate of left ventricular (LV) impairment (50.7% vs 63.1%, p<0.01), a higher LV ejection fraction (50.3% vs 46.7%, p<0.0001) and a lower peak troponin-I level (26,452 ng/L vs 39,469 ng/L, p<0.01). There were no differences in rates of in-hospital or longer term mortality, in patients with OSA compared to those without. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with documented OSA presenting with STEMI appear to have more robust coronary collaterals observed on angiography which likely mediates lower myocardial necrosis. Broader implications of this finding on treatment require further investigation.

Impact of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on coronary collaterals in patients with a chronic total occlusion (CTO).

Chronic total occlusions (CTO) are found commonly in patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We sought to determine the effect of CABG on collateral robustness in patients with a CTO. Patients with a CTO diagnosed on coronary angiography between July 2010 and December 2019 were included in this study. Patients were classified as either CTO supplied by a functional graft, CTO supplied by collaterals from a non-grafted donor vessel (non-grafted) or a CTO supplied by collaterals from a grafted donor vessel (grafted). The degree of collateral robustness was determined by the Rentrop classification and collateral connection (CC) grade. Demographic, angiographic and clinical outcomes were recorded. A total of 2088 CTO lesions were identified, of which 878 (42.0%) were supplied by a functional graft, 994 (47.6%) CTOs were supplied by a non-grafted donor vessel and 216 (10.3%) CTOs were supplied by a grafted donor vessel. CTOs supplied by a grafted donor vessel had lower rates of robust collaterals (37.0% vs 83.0%, p < 0.0001) with less mature collaterals as determined by the Rentrop grade (p < 0.0001) and CC grade (p < 0.0001) as compared to CTOs supplied by a non-grafted donor vessel. In patients with a previous CABG, a grafted donor vessel results in less robust coronary collaterals with lower Rentrop and CC grade compared to an ungrafted donor vessel. This may be attributable to changes in coronary blood flow and shear stress, and may be a factor in the lower procedural success rates for CTO intervention in patients with prior CABG.