Longitudinal Strain Analysis and Correlation with TIMI Frame Count in Patients with Ischemia with No Obstructive Coronary Artery (INOCA) and Microvascular Angina (MVA).

Background: The aim of the study is to evaluate the subclinical alterations of cardiac mechanics detected using speckle-tracking echocardiography and compare these data with the coronary angiography indices used during coronary angiography in a population of patients diagnosed with ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery (INOCA) and microvascular angina (MVA). Methods: The study included 85 patients admitted to our center between November 2019 and January 2022 who were diagnosed with INOCA compared with a control group of 70 healthy patients. A collection of anamnestic data and a complete cardiovascular physical examination, and echocardiogram at rest with longitudinal strain were performed for all patients. Furthermore, the TIMI frame count (TFC) for the three coronary vessels was calculated according to Gibson's indications. All parameters were compared with a control population with similar characteristics. Results: Patients with INOCA compared to the control population showed statistically significant changes in the parameters assessed on the longitudinal strain analysis. In particular, patients with INOCA showed statistically significant changes in GLS (-16.71) compared to the control population (-19.64) (p = 0.003). In patients with INOCA, the total TIMI frame count (tTFC) correlated with the GLS value with a correlation coefficient of 0.418 (p = 0.021). Conclusions: In patients with angina, documented myocardial ischemia, the absence of angiographically significant stenosis (INOCA) and LVEF > 50%, the prevalence of microvascular dysfunction documented by TFC was extremely represented. A statistically significant reduction in GLS was observed in these patients. TFC and longitudinal strain, therefore, appear to be two reliable, sensitive and easily accessible methods for the study of alterations in coronary microcirculation and the characterization of patients with INOCA and microvascular angina.

[Ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease: microvascular angina and vasospastic angina]. / L'ischemia in assenza di malattia coronarica ostruttiva (INOCA): l'angina microvascolare e l'angina vasospastica.

About 40% of patients undergoing coronary angiography for chest pain with anginal features have angiographically normal or near-normal coronary arteries. It was necessary to standardize all myocardial ischemia scenarios in stable patients in the absence of coronary artery disease, therefore the term INOCA (ischemia with non-obstructive coronary artery disease) was coined. The aim of this article is to summarize and to clarify the vast and controversial chapter of INOCA, in order to better understand the pathophysiological, nosographic, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

Ischemia in patients with no obstructive coronary artery disease: classification, diagnosis and treatment of coronary microvascular dysfunction.

Patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction represent a widespread population, and despite the good prognosis, many of them, because of the angina symptoms, have a poor quality of life with strong limitations in their daily activities. In 2017, a new classification of microvascular dysfunction as well as a new definition of ischemia in patients with no obstructive coronary artery disease became available. This new definition improves Kemp's initial work, where cardiac X syndrome was initially described. This work summarizes the last updates on the subject with particular attention to the new classification of microvascular dysfunction, with particular attention to microvascular and vasospastic angina definition and diagnostic criteria.

Long-term effectiveness and safety of transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale compared with antithrombotic therapy alone: a meta-analysis of six randomised clinical trials and 3,560 patients with reconstructed time-to-event data.

AIMS: Although three recent trials have shown a significant stroke risk reduction after tPFOc, the individual statistical power is limited and the impact on pooled evidence needs to be explored. We aimed to pool data from available randomised clinical trials (RCT) to assess whether tPFOc is more effective and safe than antithrombotic therapy alone (ATA). METHODS AND RESULTS: Major electronic databases and tangential sources were searched. Six trials (3,560 patients) were identified. At a median follow-up of 3.6 (2.0-5.2) years (13,930 person-years), the risk of stroke was significantly lower after tPFOc compared with ATA (HR 0.28, 95% CI: 0.12-0.64, p=0.003). Significant heterogeneity was detected (I2=66.1%), although single trials did not significantly influence the results. Reconstructed time-to-event data revealed that tPFOc benefits accrue after approximately one year and persist over time without significant variations (96.4% versus 88.0%; HR 0.25, 95% CI: 0.09-0.66, p=0.005; NNT=11). Although results showed a greater benefit in patients <45 years old, male, and with substantial shunt, interaction between subgroups was not significant. Trial sequential analysis showed that accumulated evidence appeared to be sufficient. However, tPFOc did not confer protection against transient ischaemic attack (TIA; HR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.31-1.54, p=0.365) and a significant excess in the risk of atrial fibrillation was observed (OR 4.99, 95% CI: 1.99-10.10, p<0.001), though generally early and transient. Major bleeding and migraine were comparable between treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with ATA, tPFOc significantly reduces the risk of stroke at long-term follow-up but no benefit is observed in terms of TIA. Atrial fibrillation is higher after tPFOc, though generally early and transient. The risks of major bleeding and migraine are comparable between the groups.