Simultaneous Viability Assessment and Invasive Coronary Angiography Using a Therapeutic CT System in Chronic Myocardial Infarction Patients

Purpose@#In a preclinical study using a swine myocardial infarction (MI) model, a delayed enhancement (DE)-multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scan was performed using a hybrid system alongside diagnostic invasive coronary angiography (ICA) without the additional use of a contrast agent, and demonstrated an excellent correlation in the infarct area compared with histopathologic specimens. In the present investigation, we evaluated the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of a myocardial viability assessment by DE-MDCT using a hybrid system comprising ICA and MDCT alongside diagnostic ICA without the additional use of a contrast agent. @*Materials and Methods@#We prospectively enrolled 13 patients (median age: 67 years) with a previous MI (>6 months) scheduled to undergo ICA. All patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging before diagnostic ICA. MDCT viability scans were performed concurrently with diagnostic ICA without the use of additional contrast. The total myocardial scar volume per patient and average transmurality per myocardial segment measured by DE-MDCT were compared with those from DE-CMR. @*Results@#The DE volume measured by MDCT showed an excellent correlation with the volume measured by CMR (r=0.986, p<0.0001). The transmurality per segment by MDCT was well-correlated with CMR (r=0.900, p<0.0001); the diagnostic performance of MDCT in differentiating non-viable from viable myocardium using a 50% transmurality criterion was good with a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of 87.5%, 99.5%, 87.5%, 99.5%, and 99.1%, respectively. @*Conclusion@#The feasibility of the DE-MDCT viability assessment acquired simultaneously with conventional ICA was proven in patients with chronic MI using DE-CMR as the reference standard.

Association between Sarcopenic Obesity Status and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Fibrosis

Background/Aims@#There are no data regarding the association between sarcopenic obesity status and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and NAFLD-associated liver fibrosis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between sarcopenic obesity status (sarcopenia only, obesity only, and sarcopenic obesity) and NAFLD and liver fibrosis in Korean adults. @*Methods@#In total, 2,191 subjects completed a health checkup program, including abdominal ultrasonography and FibroScan. Subjects were classified into the following four categories: optimal body composition (nonobese and nonsarcopenic), sarcopenia only (nonobese), obesity only (nonsarcopenic), and sarcopenic obesity. Sarcopenic obesity was stratified by the skeletal muscle mass index and body fat using bioelectrical impedance analysis. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonography, and liver fibrosis was assessed using transient elastography in subjects with NAFLD. @*Results@#The prevalence of NAFLD and liver fibrosis significantly increased according to the sarcopenic obesity status. In the logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for multiple risk factors, the odds ratio (OR) for the risk of NAFLD was largest in the sarcopenic obesity group (OR, 3.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.94 to 4.60), followed by the obesity only (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.67 to 3.03) and sarcopenia only (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.30 to 2.84) groups, when compared with the optimal group. Additionally, liver fibrosis was independently associated with sarcopenic obesity status (OR 4.69, 95% CI 1.95 to 11.29; OR 4.17, 95% CI 1.56 to 11.17; OR 3.80, 95% CI 0.86 to 16.75, respectively). @*Conclusions@#These results demonstrated that sarcopenic obesity was independently associated with NAFLD and liver fibrosis and increased the risk of NAFLD and liver fibrosis more than obesity or sarcopenia alone.

Assessment of Image Quality for Selective Intracoronary Contrast-Injected CT Angiography in a Hybrid Angio-CT System: A Feasibility Study in Swine

Purpose@#To compare image quality in selective intracoronary contrast-injected computed tomography angiography (SelectiveCTA) with that in conventional intravenous contrast-injected CTA (IV-CTA). @*Materials and Methods@#Six pigs (35 to 40 kg) underwent both IV-CTA using an intravenous injection (60 mL) and Selective-CTA using an intracoronary injection (20 mL) through a guide-wire during/after percutaneous coronary intervention. Images of the common coronary artery were acquired. Scans were performed using a combined machine comprising an invasive coronary angiography suite and a 320-channel multi-slice CT scanner. Quantitative image quality parameters of CT attenuation, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), mean lumen diameter (MLD), and mean lumen area (MLA) were measured and compared. Qualitative analysis was performed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), which was calculated for analysis of interobserver agreement. @*Results@#Quantitative image quality, determined by assessing the uniformity of CT attenuation (399.06 vs. 330.21, p<0.001), image noise (24.93 vs. 18.43, p<0.001), SNR (16.43 vs. 18.52, p=0.005), and CNR (11.56 vs. 13.46, p=0.002), differed significantly between IV-CTA and Selective-CTA. MLD and MLA showed no significant difference overall (2.38 vs. 2.44, p=0.068, 4.72 vs. 4.95, p=0.078).The density of contrast agent was significantly lower for selective-CTA (13.13 mg/mL) than for IV-CTA (400 mg/mL). Agreement between observers was acceptable (ICC=0.79±0.08). @*Conclusion@#Our feasibility study in swine showed that compared to IV-CTA, Selective-CTA provides better image quality and requires less iodine contrast medium.

Sex-based Approach for the Clinical Impact of the Increased Hemoglobin on Incident AF in the General Population

Background and Objectives@#Although the adverse cardiovascular effect of anemia has been well described, the effect of polycythemia on the incident atrial fibrillation (AF) remain unclear. The objective of this study is to identify the association between increased hemoglobin and incident AF. @*Methods@#This was a retrospective-cohort study with 434,269 subjects who underwent national health examinations from the Korean National Sample Cohort. We estimated the risk of incident AF according to hemoglobin-based four-categories. @*Results@#During 3.9-year of follow-up, polycythemia group showed higher incidences of AF (hazard ratio[HR] with 95% confidence interval[CI], 1.50 [1.28–1.76] and 1.69 [1.13–2.56]; in men and women, respectively) than normal hemoglobin group (each p<0.001). In the normal hemoglobin and polycythemia groups, a 1 g/dL increase in hemoglobin level was associated with increased risks of incident AF (1.12 [1.07–1.17] and 1.18 [1.10–1.26] in men and women, each p<0.001). To investigate the specific hemoglobin concentration related to greater AF incidence, we analyzed the sensitivity/specificity of different hemoglobin levels: ≥16.0 g/dL in men and ≥14.5 g/dL in women showed the highest Youden's index, with c-indices of 0.83 and 0.82, respectively. Kaplan-Meier cumulative-event curves according to these specific hemoglobin levels (≥16.0 g/dL in men and ≥14.5 g/dL in women) also showed consistent results in both sexes (each p<0.05). @*Conclusions@#Even in the Korean general population, increased hemoglobin was significantly associated with higher rate of incident AF. Especially, subjects with hemoglobin levels ≥14.5 g/ dL in women and ≥16.0 g/dL among men were associated with increased risk of incident AF.

Frequent Premature Atrial Contractions as a Poor Prognostic Factor in Cryptogenic Stroke Patients with Concomitant Non-Sustained Atrial Tachycardia

In cryptogenic stroke patients, early detection of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) and recurrent stroke is required to prevent poor clinical outcomes. Therefore, we investigated the predictors of new-onset AF and recurrent stroke in cryptogenic stroke patients without previously diagnosed AF. In total, 390 patients who were diagnosed with stroke and non-sustained atrial tachycardia (NSAT) on 24-hour Holter monitoring were followed up to assess new-onset AF and recurrent stroke. The 5-year event-free survival as well as the predictors of recurrent stroke or new-onset AF were investigated. Based on receiver operating characteristic analysis, frequent premature atrial contractions (PACs) were defined as PACs >44 beats/day. The median follow-up period was 35 months. The composite event rate was 11.5%. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the 5-year cumulative incidence of composite events was higher in cryptogenic stroke patients with frequent PACs than in those without frequent PACs. Multivariate analysis revealed that current smoking, increased left atrial volume index, and frequent PACs were poor prognostic predictors of composite event, and frequent PACs were an independent poor prognostic factor of new-onset AF in cryptogenic stroke patients. Therefore, frequent PACs might be associated with poor clinical outcomes (new-onset AF and recurrent stroke) in cryptogenic stroke patients with concomitant NSAT.

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Diseases in Korean Americans and Native Koreans Undergoing Health Checkup / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Korean Americans constitute the fifth largest subgroup in the Asian American population. Despite their increasing population, research and guidelines regarding their health status assessment and disease screening are lacking. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of diseases in Korean Americans and native Koreans to determine the risk factors and guidelines for disease screening. METHODS: Patients who visited the Gangnam Severance Hospital from February 2010 to May 2015 for a health checkup were enrolled in this study. Baseline characteristics, laboratory data, and the organs (stomach, colon, thyroid, brain, prostate, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas, adrenal gland, and heart) of patients were examined. Data regarding patients' dietary patterns were also obtained. Overall, 1,514 Korean Americans (group 1) and 1,514 native Koreans (group 2) were enrolled. RESULTS: The following diseases were more prevalent in group 1 than in group 2: reflux esophagitis (12.9% vs. 10%), gastric ulcer (3.0% vs. 5.5%), colorectal polyp (37.7% vs. 28.7%), hemorrhoids (32.2% vs. 29.9%), and benign prostatic hyperplasia (30.2% vs. 14.3%). Although not statistically significant, coronary artery disease has a high prevalence rate of >20% in both groups. Dietary patterns were not significant between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the prevalence of several diseases in Korean Americans differed from that observed in native Koreans. Therefore, a foundation for setting up new guidelines for disease screening among Korean Americans is established.

Transradial intervention as the first choice of treatment for ST elevation myocardial infarction patients: editorial comment

No abstract available.

Effect of Blood Donation on the Donor's Hemorheological Properties / 대한수혈학회지

The circulatory system is closely related to the inter-relationship between the anatomy of the heart and blood vessels, and the fluid dynamic properties of blood. The physical properties of blood, which affect blood flow, are called hemorheologic factors. Hemorheologic factors, such as blood viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation, are influenced mainly by hematocrit. A higher hematocrit level results in an increase in blood viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation, which impedes the circulation itself, and tissue oxygenation. An excess of serum ferritin causes injury to vascular endothelial cells and erythrocytes via oxygen free radicals. In addition, an excess of blood can aggravatee the adverse effects of the hemorheologic parameters and induce atherogenesis, microcirculatory disturbances, and major cardiovascular events. A preventive and therapeutic approach with a phlebotomy or blood donation has been stimulated by the knowledge that blood loss, such as regular donations, is associated with significant decreases in key hemorheologic variables, including blood viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation, hematocrit, and fibrinogen. Major cardiovascular events have been improved in regular blood donors by improving blood flow and microcirculation by decreasing the level of oxidative stress, improving the hemorheologic parameters, and reducing the serum ferritin level. Confirmation of the positive preventive and therapeutic effects of blood donations on cardiovascular disease by a well-designed and well-controlled Cohort study may be good news to patients with cardiovascular disease or at risk of these diseases, as well as patients who require a transfusion.

Associates and Prognosis of Giant Left Atrium; Single Center Experience

BACKGROUND: Left atrial (LA) remodeling develops as a result of longstanding pressure overload. However, determinants and clinical outcome of excessive remodeling, so called giant left atrium (GLA), are not clear. METHODS: Clinical characteristics of patients with GLA (antero-posterior diameter higher than 65 mm), including echo-Doppler parameters, and follow-up clinical outcomes from a tertiary referral hospital were investigated. RESULTS: Among 68519 consecutive primary patients who underwent echocardiography over a period of 10 years, data from 163 GLA cases (0.24%) were analyzed. Main causes were significant rheumatic mitral stenosis (n = 58, 36%); other causes comprised significant rheumatic mitral regurgitation (MR; n = 10, 6%), mitral valve (MV) prolapse or congenital mitral valvular disease (MVD) (n = 20, 12%), and functional MR (n = 25, 15%). However, mild rheumatic MV disease (n = 4, 3%) or left ventricular (LV) systolic or diastolic dysfunction without significant MR (n = 46, 28%) were also causes of GLA. During median follow-up of 22 months, 42 cases (26%) underwent composite events. MV surgery was related to lower rate of composite events. In multivariate analysis, MV surgery, elevated pulmonary arterial systolic pressure, and increased LA volume index were independent predictors of future events (p < 0.05) regardless of underlying diseases or history of MV surgery. CONCLUSION: Although rheumatic MVD with atrial fibrillation is the main contributor to GLA, longstanding atrial fibrillation with LV dysfunction but without MVD also could be related to GLA. Even in GLA state, accurate measurement of LA volume is crucial for risk stratification for future events, regardless of underlying disease.

Carotid Artery End-Diastolic Velocity and Future Cerebro-Cardiovascular Events in Asymptomatic High Risk Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prognostic value of additional carotid Doppler evaluations to carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque has not been completely evaluated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 1119 patients with risk factors for, but without, overt coronary artery disease (CAD), who underwent both carotid ultrasound and Doppler examination were included in the present study. Parameters of interest included peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities, resistive indices of the carotid arteries, IMT, and plaque measurements. The primary end-point was all-cause cerebro-cardiovascular events (CVEs) including acute myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization therapy, heart failure admission, stroke, and cardiovascular death. Model 1 covariates comprised age and sex; Model 2 also included hypertension, diabetes and smoking; Model 3 also had use of aspirin and statin; and Model 4 also included IMT and plaque. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 1386+/-461 days and the mean age of the study population was 60+/-12 years. Amongst 1119 participants, 43% were women, 57% had a history of hypertension, and 23% had diabetes. During follow-up, 6.6% of patients experienced CVEs. Among carotid Doppler parameters, average common carotid artery end-diastolic velocity was the independent predictor for future CVEs after adjustments for all models variables (HR 0.95 per cm/s, 95% confident interval 0.91-0.99, p=0.034 in Model 4) and significantly increased the predictive value of Model 4 (global chi2=59.0 vs. 62.8, p=0.029). CONCLUSION: Carotid Doppler measurements in addition to IMT and plaque evaluation are independently associated with future CVEs in asymptomatic patients at risk for CAD.