Smoking and Hypertriglyceridemia Predict ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Kosovo Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI), presented as ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI), is influenced by atherosclerosis risk factors. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the patterns of presentation of patients with acute MI in Kosovo. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo, which included all patients hospitalized with acute MI over a period of 7 years. RESULTS: Among the 7353 patients admitted with acute MI (age 63 ± 12 years, 29% female), 59.4% had STEMI and 40.6% had NSTEMI. The patients with NSTEMI patients less (48.3% vs. 54%, p < 0.001), but more of them had diabetes (37.8% vs. 33.6%, p < 0.001), hypertension (69.6% vs. 63%, p < 0.001), frequently had a family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) (40% vs. 38%, p = 0.009), and had more females compared to the patients with STEMI (32% vs. 27%, p < 0.001). The patients with NSTEMI underwent less primary percutaneous interventions compared with the patients with STEMI (43.6% vs. 55.2%, p < 0.001). Smoking [1.277 (1.117-1.459), p ˂ 0.001] and high triglycerides [0.791 (0.714-0.878), p = 0.02] were independent predictors of STEMI. CONCLUSIONS: In Kosovo, patients with STEMI are more common than those with NSTEMI, and they were mostly males and more likely to have diabetes, hypertension, and a family history of CAD compared to those with NSTEMI. Smoking and high triglycerides proved to be the strongest predictors of acute STEMI in Kosovo, thus highlighting the urgent need for optimum atherosclerosis risk control and education strategies.

Diabetes Is the Strongest Predictor of Limited Exercise Capacity in Chronic Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF).

Background and Aim: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a known risk factor in patients with heart failure (HF), but its impact on phenotypic presentations remains unclear. This study aimed to prospectively examine the relationship between T2DM and functional exercise capacity, assessed by the 6-min walk test (6-MWT) in chronic HF. Methods: We studied 344 chronic patients with HF (mean age 61 ± 10 years, 54% female) in whom clinical, biochemical, and anthropometric data were available and all patients underwent an echo-Doppler study and a 6-MWT on the same day. The 6-MWT distance divided the cohort into; Group I: those who managed ≤ 300 m and Group II: those who managed >300 m. Additionally, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF), estimated using the modified Simpson's method, classified patients into HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) and HF with reduced EF (HFrEF). Results: The results showed that 111/344 (32%) patients had T2DM, who had a higher prevalence of arterial hypertension (p = 0.004), higher waist/hips ratio (p = 0.041), higher creatinine (p = 0.008) and urea (p = 0.003), lower hemoglobin (p = 0.001), and they achieved shorter 6-MWT distance (p < 0.001) compared with those with no T2DM. Patients with limited exercise (<300 m) had higher prevalence of T2DM (p < 0.001), arterial hypertension (p = 0.004), and atrial fibrillation (p = 0.001), higher waist/hips ratio (p = 0.041), higher glucose level (p < 0.001), lower hemoglobin (p < 0.001), larger left atrium (LA) (p = 0.002), lower lateral mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) (p = 0.032), septal MAPSE (p < 0.001), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (p < 0.001), compared with those performing >300 m. In the cohort as a whole, multivariate analysis, T2DM (p < 0.001), low hemoglobin (p = 0.008), atrial fibrillation (p = 0.014), and reduced septal MAPSE (p = 0.021) independently predicted the limited 6-MWT distance.In patients with HFpEF, diabetes [6.083 (2.613-14.160), p < 0.001], atrial fibrillation [6.092 (1.769-20.979), p = 0.002], and septal MAPSE [0.063 (0.027-0.184), p = 0.002], independently predicted the reduced 6-MWT, whereas hemoglobin [0.786 (0.624-0.998), p = 0.049] and TAPSE [0.462 (0.214-0.988), p = 0.041] predicted it in patients with HFrEF. Conclusion: Predictors of exercise intolerance in patients with chronic HF differ according to LV systolic function, demonstrated as EF. T2DM seems the most powerful predictor of limited exercise capacity in patients with HFpEF.

A 14-Year-Old Male Patient with Kawasaki Disease Presented with Stroke after COVID-19.

According to several studies, children represent only about 2% of the patients affected by the current SARS-CoV-2, and most often, they are asymptomatic. However, there is a concern about a vascular inflammatory disease which is similar to Kawasaki disease observed in children and adolescents weeks after infection. We report a case of Kawasaki disease presented with ischemic stroke in a 14-year-old male patient following SARS-Cov-2 infection.

Left Ventricular Diastolic and Systolic Functions in Patients with Hypothyroidism.

Background and objectives: Long standing hypothyroidism may impair myocardial relaxation, but its effect on systolic myocardial function is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function in patients with hypothyroidism. Materials and Methods: This study included 81 (age 42 ± 13 years, 92% female) patients with hypothyroidism, and 22 age and gender matched controls. All subjects underwent a detailed clinical examination followed by a complete biochemical blood analysis including thyroid function assessment and anthropometric parameters measurements. LV function was assessed by 2-dimensional, M-mode and Tissue-Doppler Doppler echocardiographic examination performed in the same day. Results: Patients had lower waist/hip ratio (p< 0.001), higher urea level (p = 0.002), and lower white blood cells (p = 0.011), compared with controls. All other clinical, biochemical, and anthropometric data did not differ between the two groups. Patients had impaired LV diastolic function (lower E wave [p< 0.001], higher A wave [p = 0.028], lower E/A ratio [p< 0.001], longer E wave deceleration time [p = 0.01], and higher E/e' ratio [p< 0.001]), compared with controls. Although LV global systolic function did not differ between groups, LV longitudinal systolic function was compromised in patients (lateral mitral annular plane systolic excursion-MAPSE [p = 0.005], as were lateral and septal s' [p< 0.001 for both]). Conclusions: In patients with hypothyroidism, in addition to compromised LV diastolic function, LV longitudinal systolic function is also impaired compared to healthy subjects of the same age and gender. These findings suggest significant subendocardial function impairment, reflecting potentially micro-circulation disease that requires optimum management.

Exaggerated systolic hypertensive response to exercise predicts cardiovascular events: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The pathophysiology of exaggerated systolic hypertensive response to exercise (SHRE) is not fully understood, with contradictory data on its role in predicting cardiovascular (CV) events. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review and meta­analysis was to assess the association of SHRE with CV clinical outcomes in healthy normotensive individuals. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane Library, RefWorks, and Google Scholar to identify clinical studies that reported data on CV event rates and outcomes for patients with SHRE on exercise stress testing. Sensitivity and specificity analysis for assessing the diagnostic accuracy of the SHRE cutoff associated with CV events was estimated using hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: We included 8 studies with 47 188 participants and a median follow­up of 19.3 years. Exaggerated SHRE was found in patients with composite events (CV mortality and coronary artery disease; hazard ratio [HR], 1.363; 95% CI, 1.135-1.604; P <0.001), in those with coronary artery events (HR, 1.532; 95% CI, 1.240-1.893; P <0.001), and in those with CV mortality (HR, 1.286; 95% CI, 1.075-1.539; P =0.006), as compared with individuals with normal response. An exercise systolic blood pressure of 196 mm Hg predicted CV events with a sensitivity of 62% (54%-69%) and specificity of 75% (60%-86%), with a positive likelihood ratio of less than 3 and a strong correlation (r = -0.71). CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the clinical relevance of exaggerated SHRE as a predictor of composite and individual CV clinical outcome. These findings should be considered as thought­provoking evidence for better stratification and, consequently, for optimal management of this high­risk population.

Echo- and B-Type Natriuretic Peptide-Guided Follow-Up versus Symptom-Guided Follow-Up: Comparison of the Outcome in Ambulatory Heart Failure Patients.

Recent European Society of Cardiology and American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Guidelines did not recommend biomarker-guided therapy in the management of heart failure (HF) patients. Combination of echo- and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) may be an alternative approach in guiding ambulatory HF management. Our aim was to determine whether a therapy guided by echo markers of left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP), lung ultrasound (LUS) assessment of B-lines, and BNP improves outcomes of HF patients. Consecutive outpatients with LV ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 50% have been prospectively enrolled. In Group I (n=224), follow-up was guided by echo and BNP with the goal of achieving E-wave deceleration time (EDT) ≥ 150 ms, tissue Doppler index E/e' < 13, B-line numbers < 15, and BNP ≤ 125 pg/ml or decrease >30%; in Group II (n=293), follow-up was clinically guided, while the remaining 277 patients (Group III) did not receive any dedicated follow-up. At 60 months, survival was 88% in Group I compared to 75% in Group II and 54% in Group III (χ 2 53.5; p < 0.0001). Survival curves exhibited statistically significant differences using Mantel-Cox analysis. The number needed to treat to spare one death was 7.9 (Group I versus Group II) and 3.8 (Group I versus Group III). At multivariate Cox regression analyses, major predictors of all-cause mortality were follow-up E/e' (HR: 1.05; p=0.0038) and BNP >125 pg/ml or decrease ≤30% (HR: 4.90; p=0.0054), while BNP > 125 pg/ml or decrease ≤30% and B-line numbers ≥15 were associated with the combined end point of death and HF hospitalization. Evidence-based HF treatment guided by serum biomarkers and ultrasound with the goal of reducing elevated BNP and LVFP, and resolving pulmonary congestion was associated with better clinical outcomes and can be valuable in guiding ambulatory HF management.

Carotid IM-GSM is better than IMT for identifying patients with multiple arterial disease.

OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerosis is a systemic inflammatory disease that can affect more than one arterial bed simultaneously. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between ultrasound markers of atherosclerosis and multiple arterial disease. DESIGN: We have included 87 currently asymptomatic carotid disease patients (mean age 69 ± 6 year, 34% females) in this study. Intima media thickness (IMT) and intima media-grey scale median (IM-GSM) were measured in the common carotid artery (CCA), and correlated with previous and/or current atherosclerotic vascular disease in the coronary, carotid and lower extremities. Patients were divided into three groups: (1) asymptomatic, (2) previous symptoms in one arterial territory and (3) previous symptoms in multiple arterial territories. RESULTS: Patients with previous disease in the coronary arteries had higher IMT (p = .034) and lower IM-GSM (p < .001), and those with prior stroke had lower IM-GSM (p = .007). Neither IMT nor IM-GSM was different between patients with and without previous lower extremity vascular disease. IM-GSM was significantly different between groups, it decreased significantly with increasing number of arterial territories affected (37.7 ± 15.4 vs. 29.3 ± 16.4 vs. 20.7 ± 12.9) p < .001, for asymptomatic, symptoms in one and in multiple arterial systems, respectively. Conventional IMT was not significantly different between groups p = .49. CONCLUSION: Carotid IMT was higher and IM-GSM lower in patients with symptomatic nearby arterial territories but not in those with peripheral disease. In contrast to conventional IMT, IM-GSM can differentiate between numbers of arterial territories affected by atherosclerosis, suggesting that it is a better surrogate for monitoring multiple arterial territory disease.

Complete revascularization for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the recent findings in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with limited sample sizes and the updates in clinical guidelines, the current available data for the complete revascularization (CR) in hemodynamically stable patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at the time of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are still contradictory. AIM: The aim of this meta-analysis of the existing RCTs was to assess the efficacy of the CR versus revascularization of infarct-related artery (IRA) only during primary PCI in patients with STEMI and multivessel disease (MVD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov databases aiming to find RCTs for patients with STEMI and MVD which compared CR with IRA-only. Random effect risk ratios (RRs) were calculated for efficacy and safety outcomes. RESULTS: Ten RCTs with 3291 patients were included. The median follow-up duration was 17.5 months. Major adverse cardiac events (RR=0.57; 0.43-0.76; P<0.0001), cardiac mortality (RR=0.52; 0.31-0.87; P=0.014), and repeat revascularization (RR=0.50; 0.30-0.84; P=0.009) were lower in CR compared with IRA-only strategies. However, there was no significant difference in the risk of all-cause mortality, recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, major bleeding events, and contrast-induced nephropathy. CONCLUSION: For patients with STEMI and MVD undergoing primary PCI, the current evidence suggests that the risk of major adverse cardiac events, repeat revascularization, and cardiac death is reduced by CR. However, the risk for all-cause mortality and PCI-related complications is not different from the isolated culprit lesion-only treatment. Although these findings support the cardiac mortality and safety benefit of CR in stable STEMI, further large trials are required to provide better guidance for optimum management of such patients.

Adiponectin correlates with body mass index and to a lesser extent with left ventricular mass in dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin is a serum protein produced by adipose tissue which exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-atherosclerotic properties, hence is considered a cardio-protective marker. With the current uncertain role of adiponectin in dialysis patients to the aim of this study was to investigate its relationship with left ventricular (LV) structure and function in these patients. METHODS: This study included 89 (age 56 ± 13 years, 43% male) patients treated with regular dialysis for > 6 months, and 55 control subjects with normal renal function. A complete two-dimensional, M-mode and tissue-Doppler echocardiographic study, and biochemical blood analyses, adiponectin and anthropometric parameters were obtainedon the same day. RESULTS: Dialysis patients had lower body mass index (BMI) and lower body surface area (BSA) (p < 0.001 for both), lower waist/hips ratio (p = 0.005), higher LV mass index (LVMI, p < 0.001), higher adiponectin level (p < 0.001) and LV end-systolic volume (p = 0.003), lower LV ejection fraction (p = 0.006), longer isovolumic relaxation time (p < 0.001), lower mean LV strain (p = 0.002), larger left atrium volume (p = 0.022) and lower left atrium emptying fraction (p = 0.026), compared to controls. In dialysis patients, adiponectin correlated with waist circumference (r = -0.427, p < 0.001), BMI (r = -0.403, p < 0.001) and BSA (r = -0.480, p < 0.001), and to a lesser extent with LVMI (r = 0.296, p = 0.005), waist/hips ratio (r = -0.222, p = 0.037) and total cholesterol (r = -0.292, p = 0.013). But in controls, it correlated only modestly with age (r = 0.304, p = 0.024), hemoglobin (r = 0.371, p = 0.005), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.315, p = 0.019) and LVMI (r = 0.277, p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that in dialysis patients, adiponectin modest correlation with anthropometric measurements suggests an ongoing catabolic process rather than a change in ventricular function.

Quality of life questionnaire predicts poor exercise capacity only in HFpEF and not in HFrEF.

BACKGROUND: The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) is the most widely used measure of quality of life (QoL) in HF patients. This prospective study aimed to assess the relationship between QoL and exercise capacity in HF patients. METHODS: The study subjects were 118 consecutive patients with chronic HF (62 ± 10 years, 57 females, in NYHA I-III). Patients answered a MLHFQ questionnaire in the same day of complete clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic assessment. They also underwent a 5 min walk test (6-MWT), in the same day, which grouped them into; Group I: ≤ 300 m and Group II: >300 m. In addition, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF), divided them into: Group A, with preserved EF (HFpEF) and Group B with reduced EF (HFrEF). RESULTS: The mean MLHFQ total scale score was 48 (±17). The total scale, and the physical and emotional functional MLHFQ scores did not differ between HFpEF and HFpEF. Group I patients were older (p = 0.003), had higher NYHA functional class (p = 0.002), faster baseline heart rate (p = 0.006), higher prevalence of smoking (p = 0.015), higher global, physical and emotional MLHFQ scores (p < 0.001, for all), larger left atrial (LA) diameter (p = 0.001), shorter LV filling time (p = 0.027), higher E/e' ratio (0.02), shorter isovolumic relaxation time (p = 0.028), lower septal a' (p = 0.019) and s' (p = 0.023), compared to Group II. Independent predictors of 6-MWT distance for the group as a whole were increased MLHFQ total score (p = 0.005), older age (p = 0.035), and diabetes (p = 0.045), in HFpEF were total MLHFQ (p = 0.007) and diabetes (p = 0.045) but in HFrEF were only LA enlargement (p = 0.005) and age (p = 0.013. A total MLHFQ score of 48.5 had a sensitivity of 67% and specificity of 63% (AUC on ROC analysis of 72%) for limited exercise performance in HF patients. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life, assessment by MLHFQ, is the best correlate of exercise capacity measured by 6-MWT, particularly in HFpEF patients. Despite worse ejection fraction in HFrEF, signs of raised LA pressure independently determine exercise capacity in these patients.

Different determinants of exercise capacity in HFpEF compared to HFrEF.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life is as important as survival in heart failure (HF) patients. Controversies exist with regards to echocardiographic determinants of exercise capacity in HF, particularly in patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The aim of this study was to prospectively examine echocardiographic parameters that correlate and predict functional exercise capacity assessed by 6 min walk test (6-MWT) in patients with HFpEF. METHODS: In 111 HF patients (mean age 63 ± 10 years, 47% female), an echo-Doppler study and a 6-MWT were performed in the same day. Patients were divided into two groups based on the 6-MWT distance (Group I: ≤ 300 m and Group II: >300 m). RESULTS: Group I were older (p = 0.008), had higher prevalence of diabetes (p = 0.027), higher baseline heart rate (p = 0.004), larger left atrium - LA (p = 0.001), longer LV filling time - FT (p = 0.019), shorter isovolumic relaxation time (p = 0.037), shorter pulmonary artery acceleration time - PA acceleration time (p = 0.006), lower left atrial lateral wall myocardial velocity (a') (p = 0.018) and lower septal systolic myocardial velocity (s') (p = 0.023), compared with Group II. Patients with HF and reduced EF (HFrEF) had lower hemoglobin (p = 0.007), higher baseline heart rate (p = 0.005), higher NT-ProBNP (p = 0.001), larger LA (p = 0.004), lower septal s', e', a' waves, and septal mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE), shorter PA acceleration time (p < 0.001 for all), lower lateral MAPSE, higher E/A & E/e', and shorter LVFT (p = 0.001 for all), lower lateral e' (p = 0.009), s' (p = 0.006), right ventricular e' and LA emptying fraction (p = 0.012 for both), compared with HFpEF patients. In multivariate analysis, only LA diameter [2.676 (1.242-5.766), p = 0.012], and diabetes [0.274 (0.084-0.898), p = 0.033] independently predicted poor 6-MWT performance in the group as a whole. In HFrEF, age [1.073 (1.012-1.137), p = 0.018] and LA diameter [3.685 (1.348-10.071), p = 0.011], but in HFpEF, lateral s' [0.295 (0.099-0.882), p = 0.029], and hemoglobin level [0.497 (0.248-0.998), p = 0.049] independently predicted poor 6-MWT performance. CONCLUSIONS: In HF patients determinants of exercise capacity differ according to severity of overall LV systolic function, with left atrial enlargement in HFrEF and longitudinal systolic shortening in HFpEF as the the main determinants.

Coarctation repair normalizes left ventricular function and aorto-septal angle in neonates.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) have increased left ventricular (LV) afterload that has been shown to impact the LV and ascending aortic function. We aimed to examine the effect of coarctation on LV function and aorto-septal angle (AoSA) before and after surgical repair. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 21 patients with surgically repaired CoA at a median age of 9 (2-53) days at three time points: (1) just before intervention, (2) at short-term follow-up, and (3) at medium-term follow-up after intervention. AoSA was measured from the parasternal long axis view, at three time points during the cardiac cycle: (1) end diastole, (2) beginning of systole, and (3) at peak ejection in the descending aorta. In addition to conventional LV structure and function, global longitudinal strain, and strain rate were measured using STE technique and Tomtec software. Three groups of age matched healthy children served as controls at each time point. RESULTS: AoSA was significantly wider before intervention, in particular at peak ejection in the descending aorta (144° ± 6.4° vs. 136° ± 4.1°; P < .0001), and correlated with CoA pressure gradient. After intervention, AoSA normalized and significantly correlated with the increase of LV cavity function and overall LV deformation parameters. CONCLUSIONS: AoSA is abnormally wide in neonates with CoA and is associated with severity of obstruction, LV dysfunction and compromised LV global deformation.

Diabetes and Hypertension Consistently Predict the Presence and Extent of Coronary Artery Calcification in Symptomatic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The relationship of conventional cardiovascular risk factors (age, gender, ethnicity, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, obesity, exercise, and the number of risk factors) to coronary artery calcification (CAC) presence and extent has never before been assessed in a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We included only English language studies that assessed at least three conventional risk factors apart from age, gender, and ethnicity, but excluded studies in which all patients had another confirmed condition such as renal disease. RESULTS: In total, 10 studies, comprising 15,769 patients, were investigated in the systematic review and seven studies, comprising 12,682 patients, were included in the meta-analysis, which demonstrated the importance of diabetes and hypertension as predictors of CAC presence and extent, with age also predicting CAC presence. Male gender, dyslipidaemia, family history of coronary artery disease, obesity, and smoking were overall not predictive of either CAC presence or extent, despite dyslipidaemia being a key risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). CONCLUSION: Diabetes and hypertension consistently predict the presence and extent of CAC in symptomatic patients.

Persistent reduced myocardial deformation in neonates after CoA repair.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a safe procedure in children, however the condition is known for its potential recurrence and other related complications. The available evidence shows abnormal intrinsic properties of the aorta in CoA, thus suggesting additional effect, even after CoA repair, on left ventricular (LV) function. Accordingly, we sought to obtain a better understanding of LV myocardial mechanics in very early-corrected CoA using two-dimensional STE. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively studied 21 patients with corrected CoA at a median age of 9 (2-53) days at three time points: 1) just before intervention, 2) at short-term follow-up and 3) at medium-term follow-up after intervention and compared them with normal values. Speckle tracking analysis was conducted via vendor independent software, Tomtec. After intervention, LV function significantly improved (from -12.8±3.9 to -16.7±1.7; p<0.001), however normal values were not reached even at medium term follow-up (-18.3±1.7 vs. -20±1.6; p=0.002). Medium term longitudinal strain correlated with pre intervention EF (r=0.58, p=0.006). Moreover, medium term subnormal values were more frequently associated with bicuspid aortic valve (33.3% vs. 66.6%; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: LV myocardial function in neonates with CoA can be feasibly evaluated and followed up by speckle tracking echocardiography. LV subendocardial dysfunction however, remains in early infancy coarctation long after repair. Long-term follow-up through adulthood using myocardial deformation measurements should shed light on the natural history and consequences of this anomaly.

Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffolds in a Real-World Patient Population-Results From a Mid-Term Angiographic Follow-Up.

AIM: We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) in daily use in a real-world patient population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between March 2013 and September 2014, 224 patients (233 lesions) were treated with BVS at a tertiary care center. Patients underwent follow-up coronary angiography 3-6 months after implantation. Clinical presentations were stable angina in 101 patients (45.1%), unstable angina in 47 (21.0%), NSTEMI in 38 (17.0%), and STEMI in 38 (17.0%) patients. Twenty-two patients (27 lesions) had chronic total occlusion (CTO). Procedural success was achieved in all patients. Two patients died in the follow-up period due to BVS thrombosis (0.9%). In-hospital death occurred in further 3 patients (1.3%) due to other causes not related to the BVS implantation. Total BVS thrombosis was 3.1% (7 patients) and there was only 1 case of relevant restenosis on angiographic follow-up. The overall incidence of major adverse cardiac events was 11 (4.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Mid-term follow-up after implantation of BVS suggests a satisfactory safety profile and low restenosis rate in routine daily practice involving a large range of complex lesions.

Comparison of drug-eluting balloon versus drug-eluting stent treatment of drug-eluting stent in-stent restenosis: A meta-analysis of available evidence.

BACKGROUND: In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains an important concern despite the recent advances in the drug-eluting stent (DES) technology. The introduction of drug-eluting balloons (DEB) offers a good solution to such problem. OBJECTIVES: We performed a meta-analysis to assess the clinical efficiency and safety of DEB compared with DES in patients with DES-ISR. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted and all randomized and observational studies which compared DEB with DES in patients with DES-ISR were included. The primary outcome measure-major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)-as well as individual events as target lesion revascularization (TLR), stent thrombosis (ST), myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac death (CD) and all-cause mortality, were analyzed. RESULTS: Three randomized and 4 observational studies were included with a total of 2052 patients. MACE (relative risk [RR]=1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68 to 1.46, P=0.99), TLR (RR=1.15 [CI 0.79 to 1.68], P=0.44), ST (RR=0.37[0.10 to 1.34], P=0.13), MI (RR=0.97 [0.49 to 1.91], P=0.93) and CD (RR=0.73 [0.22 to 2.45], P=0.61) were not different between patients treated with DEB and with DES. However, all-cause mortality was lower in patients treated with DEB (RR=0.45 [0.23 to 0.87, P=0.019) and in particular when compared to only first generation DES (RR 0.33 [0.15-0.74], P=0.007). There was no statistical evidence for publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis showed that DEB and DES have similar efficacy and safety for the treatment of DES-ISR.

Aortic root, not valve, calcification correlates with coronary artery calcification in patients with severe aortic stenosis: A two-center study.

BACKGROUND: The underlying pathology in aortic stenosis (AS) and coronary artery stenosis (CAS) is similar including atherosclerosis and calcification. We hypothesize that coronary artery calcification (CAC) is likely to correlate with aortic root calcification (ARC) rather than with aortic valve calcification (AVC), due to tissue similarity between the two types of vessel rather than with the valve leaflet tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 212 consecutive patients (age 72.5 ± 7.9 years, 91 females) with AS requiring aortic valve replacement (AVR) in two Heart Centers, who underwent multidetector cardiac CT preoperatively. CAC, AVC and ARC were quantified using Agatston scoring. Correlations were tested by Spearman's test and Mann-Whitney U-test was used for comparing different subgroups; bicuspid (BAV) vs tricuspid (TAV) aortic valve. RESULTS: CAC was present in 92%, AVC in 100% and ARC in 82% of patients. CAC correlated with ARC (rho = 0.51, p < 0.001) but not with AVC. The number of calcified coronary arteries correlated with ARC (rho = 0.45, p < 0.001) but not with AVC. 29/152 patients had echocardiographic evidence of BAV and 123 TAV, who were older (p < 0.001) but CAC was associated with TAV even after adjusting for age (p = 0.01). AVC score was associated with BAV after adjusting for age (p = 0.03) but ARC was not. Of the total cohort, 82 patients (39%) had significant coronary stenosis (>50%), but these were not different in the pattern of calcification from those without CAS. CAC was consistently higher in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis compared to those without. CONCLUSION: The observed relationship between coronary and aortic root calcification suggests a diffuse arterial disease. The lack of relationship between coronary and aortic valve calcification suggests a different pathology.

Atherosclerotic Calcification Detection: A Comparative Study of Carotid Ultrasound and Cone Beam CT.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Arterial calcification is often detected on ultrasound examination but its diagnostic accuracy is not well validated. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of carotid ultrasound B mode findings in detecting atherosclerotic calcification quantified by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: We analyzed 94 carotid arteries, from 88 patients (mean age 70 ± 7 years, 33% females), who underwent pre-endarterectomy ultrasound examination. Plaques with high echogenic nodules and posterior shadowing were considered calcified. After surgery, the excised plaques were examined using CBCT, from which the calcification volume (mm3) was calculated. In cases with multiple calcifications the largest calcification nodule volume was used to represent the plaque. Carotid artery calcification by the two imaging techniques was compared using conventional correlations. RESULTS: Carotid ultrasound was highly accurate in detecting the presence of calcification; with a sensitivity of 88.2%. Based on the quartile ranges of calcification volumes measured by CBCT we have divided plaque calcification into four groups: <8; 8-35; 36-70 and >70 mm3. Calcification volumes ≥8 were accurately detectable by ultrasound with a sensitivity of 96%. Of the 21 plaques with <8 mm3 calcification volume; only 13 were detected by ultrasound; resulting in a sensitivity of 62%. There was no difference in the volume of calcification between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSION: Carotid ultrasound is highly accurate in detecting the presence of calcified atherosclerotic lesions of volume ≥8 mm3; but less accurate in detecting smaller volume calcified plaques. Further development of ultrasound techniques should allow better detection of early arterial calcification.

Normal ranges of left ventricular strain in children: a meta-analysis.

AIMS: The definition of normal values of two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography derived left ventricular (LV) deformation parameters, is of critical importance for the routine application of this modality in children. The objectives of this study were to perform a meta-analysis of normal ranges for longitudinal, circumferential and radial strain/strain rate values and to identify confounders that may contribute to differences in reported measures. METHODS AND RESULTS: A systematic search was conducted. Studies describing normal healthy subjects and observational studies that used control groups as a comparison were included. Data were combined using a random-effect model. Effects of demographic, clinical and equipment variables were assessed through meta-regression. The search identified 1,192 subjects form 28 articles. Longitudinal strain (LS) normal mean values varied from -12.9 to -26.5 (mean, -20.5; 95% CI, -20.0 to -21.0). Normal mean values of circumferential strain (CS) varied from -10.5 to -27.0 (mean, -22.06; 95% CI, -21.5 to -22.5). Radial strain (RS) normal mean values varied from 24.9 to 62.1 (mean, 45.4; 95% CI, 43.0 to 47.8). Meta-regression showed LV end diastolic diameter as a significant determinant of variation for LS. Longitudinal systolic strain rate (LSRs) was significantly determined by the age and RS by the type of vendor used. CONCLUSION: Variations among different normal ranges were dependent on the vendor used, LV end-diastolic diameter and age. Vendor-independent software for analyzing myocardial deformation in children, using images from different vendors would be the ideal solution for strain measurements or else using the same system for patient's follow up.

Common carotid intima-media features determine distal disease phenotype and vulnerability in asymptomatic patients.

OBJECTIVES: There is a growing awareness of the importance of carotid plaque features evaluation in stroke prediction. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and recently its echogenicity were used for stroke prediction, although their clinical relevance was not well determined. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between common carotid artery (CCA) ultrasound markers of atherosclerosis and distal, bifurcation and internal carotid artery (ICA), plaque features. METHODS: We analyzed 137 carotid arteries in 87 asymptomatic patients with known carotid disease (mean age 69 ± 6 year, 34.5% females). Intima media thickness (IMT) and its gray scale median (IM-GSM) were measured at the CCA. Plaque textural features including gray scale median (GSM), juxtaluminal black area (JBA-mm(2)) without a visible cap, and plaque coarseness, at bifurcation and ICA were also determined. CCA measurements were correlated with those of the distal plaques. RESULTS: An increased IMT in CCA correlated with plaque irregularities in the bifurcation and ICA (r=0.53, p<0.001), while IM-GSM was closely related to plaque echogenicity (GSM) (r=0.76, p<0.001), and other textural plaque features. Both, IMT and IM-GSM correlated weakly with stenosis severity (r=0.27, p=0.001 and r=-0.18, p=0.026) respectively. CONCLUSION: In asymptomatic patients, measurements of CCA reflect distal, bifurcation and ICA disease, with IMT reflecting plaque irregularities and IM-GSM as markers of textural plaque abnormalities. Integrating measurements of both IMT and IM-GSM in a model could be used as a better marker of disease vulnerability over and above each measure individually.