Novel Stentless Strategy With Perfusion and Drug-Coated Balloons for Treating Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: The challenge with the stentless strategy is that the method of optimal predilatation, and predictors of success remain unknown. Studies involving the stentless strategy prior to predilatation are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of a new stentless strategy for treating acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using gradual, prolonged predilation with a perfusion balloon combined with a drug-coated balloon (DCB). Methods: This was a single-center, prospective, single-arm study. A total of 30 patients with ACS underwent gradual, prolonged predilation using a perfusion balloon for 10 minutes, followed by additional dilation using a DCB. The primary end point was target vessel failure at 24 months. Secondary end points were a composite of acute end points, including stentless strategy success rate, procedural complications, final grade of coronary dissection, acute coronary occlusion, in-hospital major adverse cardiac events, and a chronic end point of target vessel failure at 24 months. Results: A successful stentless strategy was achieved in 24 patients (80%), and 2 (8.3%) patients required ischemic-driven target lesion revascularization in the chronic phase. Six (20%) patients required stent placement due to type C dissection or acute recoil. No acute occlusion and in-hospital major adverse cardiac events were reported. Conclusions: A novel stentless strategy using predilation with a perfusion balloon and DCB may be helpful for the revascularization of patients with ACS.

Determinants of One-Year Outcome After Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion; Insight from Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry.

Although outcomes have improved with new-generation drug-eluting stents, few reports have analyzed the risk factors associated with chronic outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO)-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to investigate the independent risk factors for target lesion revascularization (TLR) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) after CTO-PCI using Japanese multicenter data. A total of 3,666 patients, who underwent CTO-PCI and completed a 1-year follow-up, registered at the Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry from 2014 to 2019, were examined. The primary outcome was defined as TLR, and the secondary outcome was MACCEs at the 1-year follow-up. TLRs and MACCEs occurred in 175 (4.8%) and 524 (14.3%) patients, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that in-stent occlusion (ISO) (odds ratio [OR] 2.604, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.695 to 4.001), hemodialysis (OR 1.784, 95% CI 1.062 to 2.997), diabetes mellitus with insulin use (OR 1.741, 95% CI 1.060 to 2.861), moderate-to-severe calcification (OR 1.726, 95% CI 1.197 to 2.487), and the right coronary artery as the target vessel (OR 1.468, 95% CI 1.018 to 2.117) were significantly associated with TLR. Hemodialysis (OR 2.214, 95% CI 1.574 to 3.113), ISO (OR 1.499, 95% CI 1.127 to 1.993), arteriosclerosis obliterans (OR 1.414, 95% CI 1.074 to 1.863), and multivessel disease (OR 1.356, 95% CI 1.117 to 1.647) were significantly associated with MACCEs. One-year outcomes of new-generation drug-eluting stents for CTO-PCI were favorable, and ISO as a lesion factor and hemodialysis as a patient factor were strongly associated with TLR and MACCEs, respectively.

Retrograde Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention (JR-CTO) Score: From the Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry.

BACKGROUND: Despite the effectiveness of the retrograde approach for chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions, there are no standardized tools to predict the success of retrograde percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop a prediction tool to identify CTO lesions that will achieve successful retrograde PCI. METHODS: This study evaluated data from 2,374 patients who underwent primary retrograde CTO-PCI and were enrolled in the Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry between January 2016 and December 2022 (NCT01889459). All observations were randomly assigned to the derivation and validation cohorts at a 2:1 ratio. The prediction score for guidewire failure in retrograde CTO-PCI was determined by assigning 1 point for each factor and summing all accrued points. RESULTS: The JR-CTO score (moderate-severe calcification, tortuosity, Werner collateral connection grade ≤1, and nonseptal collateral channel) demonstrated a C-statistic for guidewire failure of 0.72 (95% CI: 0.67-0.76) and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.64-0.77) in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. Patients with lower scores had higher guidewire and technical success rates and decreased guidewire crossing time and procedural time (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The JR-CTO (Japanese Retrograde Chronic Total Occlusion) score, a simple 4-item score that predicts successful guidewire crossing in patients undergoing retrograde CTO-PCI, has the potential to support clinical decision-making for the retrograde approach.

Evaluation of fractional flow reserve and atherosclerotic plaque characteristics on coronary non-contrast T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The relationship between high-risk coronary plaque characteristics regardless of the severity of lesion stenosis and myocardial ischemia remains unsettled. High-intensity plaques (HIPs) on non-contrast T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (T1WI) have been characterized as high-risk coronary plaques. We sought to elucidate whether the presence of coronary HIPs on T1WI influences fractional flow reserve (FFR) in the distal segment of the vessel. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 281 vessels in 231 patients with chronic coronary syndrome who underwent invasive FFR measurement and coronary T1WI using a multicenter registry. The plaque-to-myocardial signal intensity ratio (PMR) of the most stenotic lesion was evaluated; a coronary plaque with PMR ≥1.4 was defined as a HIP. RESULTS: The median PMR of coronary plaques on T1WI in vessels with FFR ≤0.80 was significantly higher than that of plaques with FFR >0.80 (1.17 [interquartile range (IQR): 0.99-1.44] vs. 0.97 [IQR: 0.85-1.09]; p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that an increase in PMR of the most stenotic segment was associated with lower FFR (beta-coefficient, -0.050; p < 0.001). The presence of coronary HIPs was an independent predictor of FFR ≤0.80 (odds ratio (OR), 6.18; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.93-19.77; p = 0.002). Even after adjusting for plaque composition characteristics based on computed tomography angiography, the presence of coronary HIPs was an independent predictor of FFR ≤0.80 (OR, 4.48; 95% CI, 1.19-16.80; p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary plaques with high PMR are associated with low FFR in the corresponding vessel, indicating that plaque morphology might influence myocardial ischemia severity.

The Absorb GT1 Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold System　- 5-Year Post-Market Surveillance Study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The 1-year clinical outcomes of the Absorb GT1 Japan post-market surveillance (PMS) suggested that an appropriate intracoronary imaging-guided bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) implantation technique may reduce the risk of target lesion failure (TLF) and scaffold thrombosis (ST) associated with the Absorb GT1 BVS. The long-term outcomes through 5 years are now available. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study enrolled 135 consecutive patients (n=139 lesions) with ischemic heart disease in whom percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the Absorb GT1 BVS was attempted. Adequate lesion preparation, imaging-guided appropriate sizing, and high-pressure post-dilatation using a non-compliant balloon were strongly encouraged. All patients had at least 1 Absorb GT1 successfully implanted at the index procedure. Intracoronary imaging was performed in all patients (optical coherence tomography: 127/139 [91.4%] lesions) and adherence to the implantation technique recommendations was excellent: predilatation, 100% (139/139) lesions; post-dilatation, 98.6% (137/139) lesions; mean (±SD) post-dilatation pressure, 18.8±3.5 atm. At 5 years, the follow-up rate was 87.4% (118/135). No definite/probable ST was reported through 5 years. The cumulative TLF rate was 5.1% (6/118), including 2 cardiac deaths, 1 target vessel-attributable myocardial infarction, and 3 ischemia-driven target lesion revascularizations. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate intracoronary imaging-guided BVS implantation, including the proactive use of pre- and post-balloon dilatation during implantation may be beneficial, reducing the risk of TLF and ST through 5 years.

Interaction of AI-Enabled Quantitative Coronary Plaque Volumes on Coronary CT Angiography, FFRCT, and Clinical Outcomes: A Retrospective Analysis of the ADVANCE Registry.

BACKGROUND: Luminal stenosis, computed tomography-derived fractional-flow reserve (FFRCT), and high-risk plaque features on coronary computed tomography angiography are all known to be associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The interactions between these variables, patient outcomes, and quantitative plaque volumes have not been previously described. METHODS: Patients with coronary computed tomography angiography (n=4430) and one-year outcome data from the international ADVANCE (Assessing Diagnostic Value of Noninvasive FFRCT in Coronary Care) registry underwent artificial intelligence-enabled quantitative coronary plaque analysis. Optimal cutoffs for coronary total plaque volume and each plaque subtype were derived using receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis. The resulting plaque volumes were adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, smoking status, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, luminal stenosis, distal FFRCT, and translesional delta-FFRCT. Median plaque volumes and optimal cutoffs for these adjusted variables were compared with major adverse cardiac events, late revascularization, a composite of the two, and cardiovascular death and myocardial infarction. RESULTS: At one year, 55 patients (1.2%) had experienced major adverse cardiac events, and 123 (2.8%) had undergone late revascularization (>90 days). Following adjustment for age, sex, risk factors, stenosis, and FFRCT, total plaque volume above the receiver-operator characteristic curve-derived optimal cutoff (total plaque volume >564 mm3) was associated with the major adverse cardiac event/late revascularization composite (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.515 [95% CI, 1.093-2.099]; P=0.0126), and both components. Total percent atheroma volume greater than the optimal cutoff was associated with both major adverse cardiac event/late revascularization (total percent atheroma volume >24.4%; hazard ratio, 2.046 [95% CI, 1.474-2.839]; P<0.0001) and cardiovascular death/myocardial infarction (total percent atheroma volume >37.17%, hazard ratio, 4.53 [95% CI, 1.943-10.576]; P=0.0005). Calcified, noncalcified, and low-attenuation percentage atheroma volumes above the optimal cutoff were associated with all adverse outcomes, although this relationship was not maintained for cardiovascular death/myocardial infarction in analyses stratified by median plaque volumes. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the ADVANCE registry using artificial intelligence-enabled quantitative plaque analysis shows that total plaque volume is associated with one-year adverse clinical events, with incremental predictive value over luminal stenosis or abnormal physiology by FFRCT. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02499679.

Impact of Smoking on Coronary Volume-to-Myocardial Mass Ratio: An ADVANCE Registry Substudy.

Purpose To examine the relationship between smoking status and coronary volume-to-myocardial mass ratio (V/M) among individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing CT fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) analysis. Materials and Methods In this secondary analysis, participants from the ADVANCE registry evaluated for suspected CAD from July 15, 2015, to October 20, 2017, who were found to have coronary stenosis of 30% or greater at coronary CT angiography (CCTA) were included if they had known smoking status and underwent CT-FFR and V/M analysis. CCTA images were segmented to calculate coronary volume and myocardial mass. V/M was compared between smoking groups, and predictors of low V/M were determined. Results The sample for analysis included 503 current smokers, 1060 former smokers, and 1311 never-smokers (2874 participants; 1906 male participants). After adjustment for demographic and clinical factors, former smokers had greater coronary volume than never-smokers (former smokers, 3021.7 mm3 ± 934.0 [SD]; never-smokers, 2967.6 mm3 ± 978.0; P = .002), while current smokers had increased myocardial mass compared with never-smokers (current smokers, 127.8 g ± 32.9; never-smokers, 118.0 g ± 32.5; P = .02). However, both current and former smokers had lower V/M than never-smokers (current smokers, 24.1 mm3/g ± 7.9; former smokers, 24.9 mm3/g ± 7.1; never-smokers, 25.8 mm3/g ± 7.4; P < .001 [unadjusted] and P = .002 [unadjusted], respectively). Current smoking status (odds ratio [OR], 0.74 [95% CI: 0.59, 0.93]; P = .009), former smoking status (OR, 0.81 [95% CI: 0.68, 0.97]; P = .02), stenosis of 50% or greater (OR, 0.62 [95% CI: 0.52, 0.74]; P < .001), and diabetes (OR, 0.67 [95% CI: 0.56, 0.82]; P < .001) were independent predictors of low V/M. Conclusion Both current and former smoking status were independently associated with low V/M. Keywords: CT Angiography, Cardiac, Heart, Ischemia/Infarction Clinical trial registration no. NCT02499679 Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2024.

Intravascular Lithotripsy for Vessel Preparation in Calcified Coronary Arteries Prior to Stent Placement　- Japanese Disrupt CAD IV Study 2-Year Results.

Background: Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) delivers acoustic pressure waves to modify calcification to enhance vessel compliance and optimize stent deployment. The Disrupt CAD IV study enrolled patients with severe coronary artery calcification. The primary safety (30-day major adverse coronary events [MACE], 6.3%) and effectiveness (procedural success, 93.8%) endpoints were achieved. The present analysis evaluated the 2-year outcomes of the study. Methods and Results: Disrupt CAD IV (NCT04151628) was a prospective, single-arm, multicenter study designed for regulatory approval of the Shockwave Coronary C2 IVL system in Japan. Angiographic outcomes were analyzed by an independent core laboratory and adverse events were adjudicated by a Clinical Events Committee. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed for MACE (composite of cardiac death, MI or target-vessel revascularization [TVR]), target lesion failure (TLF: composite of cardiac death, TV-MI, and target lesion revascularization [TLR]), and stent thrombosis (ST). At 2 years, 62 subjects had completed follow-up. MACE occurred in 12.6% (cardiac death 0.0%, MI 6.3%, TVR 7.9%) and TLF occurred in 7.8% of patients, with both rates driven by non-Q-wave MI events (6.3%). TLR was 3.2%; no ST occurred through 2 years. Conclusions: Treatment with IVL in patients with severely calcified coronary lesions was associated with low rates of MACE, TLR, and ST at 2 years, demonstrating continued durable safety and effectiveness of coronary IVL in a Japanese population.

Impact of Coronary CT Angiography-derived Fractional Flow Reserve on Downstream Management and Clinical Outcomes in Individuals with and without Diabetes.

Purpose: To compare the clinical use of coronary CT angiography (CCTA)-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) in individuals with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials and Methods: This secondary analysis included participants (enrolled July 2015 to October 2017) from the prospective, multicenter, international The Assessing Diagnostic Value of Noninvasive CT-FFR in Coronary Care (ADVANCE) registry (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02499679) who were evaluated for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), with one or more coronary stenosis ≥30% on CCTA images, using CT-FFR. CCTA and CT-FFR findings, treatment strategies at 90 days, and clinical outcomes at 1-year follow-up were compared in participants with and without DM. Results: The study included 4290 participants (mean age, 66 years ± 10 [SD]; 66% male participants; 22% participants with DM). Participants with DM had more obstructive CAD (one or more coronary stenosis ≥50%; 78.8% vs 70.6%, P < .001), multivessel CAD (three-vessel obstructive CAD; 18.9% vs 11.2%, P < .001), and proportionally more vessels with CT-FFR ≤ 0.8 (74.3% vs 64.6%, P < .001). Treatment reclassification by CT-FFR occurred in two-thirds of participants which was consistent regardless of the presence of DM. There was a similar graded increase in coronary revascularization with declining CT-FFR in both groups. At 1 year, presence of DM was associated with higher rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2, 4.1; P = .01). However, no between group differences were observed when stratified by stenosis severity (<50% or ≥50%) or CT-FFR positivity. Conclusion: Both anatomic CCTA findings and CT-FFR demonstrated a more complex pattern of CAD in participants with versus without DM. Rates of treatment reclassification were similar regardless of the presence of DM, and DM was not an adverse prognostic indicator when adjusted for diameter stenosis and CT-FFR.Clinical trial registration no. NCT 02499679Keywords: Fractional Flow Reserve, CT Angiography, Diabetes Mellitus, Coronary Artery Disease Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the commentary by Ghoshhajra in this issue.© RSNA, 2023.

Impact of Intensive Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol-Lowering Therapy on Coronary Artery Plaques in Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is associated with a high incidence of unstable plaques beyond the culprit lesion, leading to early recurrence of cardiovascular events. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) can be used to noninvasively observe plaques throughout the coronary arteries. To evaluate the impact of intensive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering therapy on quantitative changes in coronary plaque, assessed using CCTA in a study population with ACS. In total, 81 consecutive patients with ACS who underwent CCTA at discharge and at 1-year follow-up from April 2018 to March 2020 were analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those who achieved LDL-C <70 mg/100 ml and those who did not. Changes in plaque morphology within and between the 2 groups were compared using CCTA. A total of 198 vessels were analyzed. The calcified plaque volume was significantly increased in the LDL-C <70 group (65.8 ± 80.1 mm3 to 73.6 ± 83.7 mm3, p = 0.007), whereas no significant change was observed in the LDL-C ≥70 group (106.9 ± 161.7 mm3 to 105.7 ± 137.5 mm3, p = 0.552). Percent change in low-attenuation plaque volume in the LDL <70 group was significantly lower than in the LDL-C ≥70 group (17.2 ± 90.9% vs 84.4 ± 162.6%, p = 0.020). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the target LDL-C level for low-attenuation plaque volume regression was 64 mg/100 ml. In conclusion, noninvasive CCTA demonstrated that intensive LDL-C lowering in high-risk patients with ACS could potentially lead to plaque stabilization.

Impact of minimum contrast media volumes during percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion lesion.

Contrast media exposure is associated with contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO). Aim of this study is to assess the utility of minimum contrast media volume (CMV ≤ 50 mL) during CTO-PCI for CIN prevention in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We extracted data from the Japanese CTO-PCI expert registry; 2863 patients with CKD who underwent CTO-PCI performed from 2014 to 2020 were divided into two groups: minimum CMV (n = 191) and non-minimum CMV groups (n = 2672). CIN was defined as an increased serum creatinine level of ≥ 25% and/or ≥ 0.5 mg/dL compared with baseline levels within 72 h of the procedure. In the minimum CMV group, the CIN incidence was lower than that in the non-minimum CMV group (1.0% vs. 4.1%; p = 0.03). Patient success rate was higher and complication rate was lower in the minimum CMV group than in the non-minimum CMV group (96.8% vs. 90.3%; p = 0.02 and 3.1% vs. 7.1%; p = 0.03). In the minimum CMV group, the primary retrograde approach was more frequent in the case of J-CTO = 1,2 and 3-5 groups compared to that in non-minimum CMV-PCI group (J-CTO = 0; 11% vs. 17.7%, p = 0.06; J-CTO = 1; 22% vs. 35.8%, p = 0.01; J-CTO = 2; 32.4% vs. 46.5%, p = 0.01; and J-CTO = 3-5; 44.7% vs. 80.0%, p = 0.02). Minimum CMV-PCI for CTO in CKD patients could reduce the incidence of CIN. The primary retrograde approach was observed to a greater extent in the minimum CMV group, especially in cases of difficult CTO.

Coronary Volume to Left Ventricular Mass Ratio in Patients With Hypertension.

The coronary vascular volume to left ventricular mass (V/M) ratio assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a promising new parameter to investigate the relation of coronary vasculature to the myocardium supplied. It is hypothesized that hypertension decreases the ratio between coronary volume and myocardial mass by way of myocardial hypertrophy, which could explain the detected abnormal myocardial perfusion reserve reported in patients with hypertension. Individuals enrolled in the multicenter ADVANCE (Assessing Diagnostic Value of Noninvasive FFRCT in Coronary Care) registry who underwent clinically indicated CCTA for analysis of suspected coronary artery disease with known hypertension status were included in current analysis. The V/M ratio was calculated from CCTA by segmenting the coronary artery luminal volume and left ventricular myocardial mass. In total, 2,378 subjects were included in this study, of whom 1,346 (56%) had hypertension. Left ventricular myocardial mass and coronary volume were higher in subjects with hypertension than normotensive patients (122.7 ± 32.8 g vs 120.0 ± 30.5 g, p = 0.039, and 3,105.0 ± 992.0 mm3 vs 2,965.6 ± 943.7 mm3, p <0.001, respectively). Subsequently, the V/M ratio was higher in patients with hypertension than those without (26.0 ± 7.6 mm3/g vs 25.3 ± 7.3 mm3/g, p = 0.024). After correcting for potential confounding factors, the coronary volume and ventricular mass remained higher in patients with hypertension (least square) mean difference estimate: 196.3 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 119.9 to 272.7) mm3, p <0.001, and 5.60 (95% CI 3.42 to 7.78) g, p <0.001, respectively), but the V/M ratio was not significantly different (least square mean difference estimate: 0.48 (95% CI -0.12 to 1.08) mm3/g, p = 0.116). In conclusion, our findings do not support the hypothesis that the abnormal perfusion reserve would be caused by reduced V/M ratio in patients with hypertension.

Influence of Obesity on Coronary Artery Disease and Clinical Outcomes in the ADVANCE Registry.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between body size and cardiovascular events is complex. This study utilized the ADVANCE (Assessing Diagnostic Value of Noninvasive FFRCT in Coronary Care) Registry to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI), coronary artery disease (CAD), and clinical outcomes. METHODS: The ADVANCE registry enrolled patients undergoing evaluation for clinically suspected CAD who had >30% stenosis on cardiac computed tomography angiography. Patients were stratified by BMI: normal <25 kg/m2, overweight 25-29.9 kg/m2, and obese ≥30 kg/m2. Baseline characteristics, cardiac computed tomography angiography and computed tomography fractional flow reserve (FFRCT), were compared across BMI groups. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards models assessed the association between BMI and outcomes. RESULTS: Among 5014 patients, 2166 (43.2%) had a normal BMI, 1883 (37.6%) were overweight, and 965 (19.2%) were obese. Patients with obesity were younger and more likely to have comorbidities, including diabetes and hypertension (all P<0.001), but were less likely to have obstructive coronary stenosis (65.2% obese, 72.2% overweight, and 73.2% normal BMI; P<0.001). However, the rate of hemodynamic significance, as indicated by a positive FFRCT, was similar across BMI categories (63.4% obese, 66.1% overweight, and 67.8% normal BMI; P=0.07). Additionally, patients with obesity had a lower coronary volume-to-myocardial mass ratio compared with patients who were overweight or had normal BMI (obese BMI, 23.7; overweight BMI, 24.8; and normal BMI, 26.3; P<0.001). After adjustment, the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events was similar regardless of BMI (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with obesity in the ADVANCE registry were less likely to have anatomically obstructive CAD by cardiac computed tomography angiography but had a similar degree of physiologically significant CAD by FFRCT and similar rates of adverse events. An exclusively anatomic assessment of CAD in patients with obesity may underestimate the burden of physiologically significant disease that is potentially due to a significantly lower volume-to-myocardial mass ratio.

Machine Learning for Prediction of Technical Results of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion.

(1) Background: The probability of technical success in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) represents essential information for specifying the priority of PCI for treatment selection in patients with CTO. However, the predictabilities of existing scores based on conventional regression analysis remain modest, leaving room for improvements in model discrimination. Recently, machine learning (ML) techniques have emerged as highly effective methods for prediction and decision-making in various disciplines. We therefore investigated the predictability of ML models for technical results of CTO-PCI and compared their performances to the results from existing scores, including J-CTO, CL, and CASTLE scores. (2) Methods: This analysis used data from the Japanese CTO-PCI expert registry, which enrolled 8760 consecutive patients undergoing CTO-PCI. The performance of prediction models was assessed using the area under the receiver operating curve (ROC-AUC). (3) Results: Technical success was achieved in 7990 procedures, accounting for an overall success rate of 91.2%. The best ML model, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), outperformed the conventional prediction scores with ROC-AUC (XGBoost 0.760 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.740-0.780] vs. J-CTO 0.697 [95%CI: 0.675-0.719], CL 0.662 [95%CI: 0.639-0.684], CASTLE 0.659 [95%CI: 0.636-0.681]; p < 0.005 for all). The XGBoost model demonstrated acceptable concordance between the observed and predicted probabilities of CTO-PCI failure. Calcification was the leading predictor. (4) Conclusions: ML techniques provide accurate, specific information regarding the likelihood of success in CTO-PCI, which would help select the best treatment for individual patients with CTO.

Brainstem volume, diffusion, and metabolism are associated with chronic consciousness disorders after traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We aimed to identify reliable neuroradiological features of the brainstem reflecting the neurological symptoms of patients with chronic disorders of consciousness (DOCs) due to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: We retrospectively examined 86 patients with chronic DOCs due to severe TBI caused by automobile accidents. We studied the relationships among (1) neurological symptoms, including consciousness level, (2) integrated cognitive/physical condition, and (3) neuroradiological features of the brainstem (brainstem volume on MRI, fractional anisotropy [FA] value in the brainstem, and standardized uptake value [SUV] of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose [FDG] on positron emission tomography in the brainstem). RESULTS: Brainstem volume was significantly larger and FA values were significantly higher in patients with a better level of consciousness. However, brainstem volumes were significantly decreased and the maximum SUV (SUVmax ) of FDG significantly increased at 2 years following admission regardless of the level of consciousness at admission. The brainstem volume was significantly larger and the FA value and SUVmax of FDG were significantly higher in patients with better National Agency for Automotive Safety and Victims' Aid (NASVA) scores at admission. The decrease in the brainstem volume was significantly minimized and the SUVmax of FDG significantly increased in patients with more improvement in the NASVA score 2 years after admission. CONCLUSIONS: The volume, FA value, and SUVmax of FDG of the brainstem are important neuroradiological features associated with the neurological conditions of patients with chronic DOCs due to severe TBI.

Clinical impact of cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with suspected coronary artery disease associated with chronic kidney disease (AQUAMARINE-CKD study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although screening for coronary artery disease (CAD) using computed tomography coronary angiography in patients with stable chest pain has been reported to be beneficial, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) might have limited benefit due to complications of contrast agent nephropathy and decreased diagnostic accuracy as a result of coronary artery calcifications. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has emerged as a novel imaging modality for detecting coronary stenosis and high-risk coronary plaques without contrast media that is not affected by coronary artery calcification. However, the clinical use of this technology has not been robustly evaluated. METHODS: AQUAMARINE-CKD is an open parallel-group prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial of 524 patients with CKD at high risk for CAD estimated based on risk factor categories for a Japanese urban population (Suita score) recruited from 6 institutions. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive a CMR examination that includes non-contrast T1-weighted imaging and coronary magnetic angiography (CMR group) or standard examinations that include stress myocardial scintigraphy (control group). Randomization will be conducted using a web-based system. The primary outcome is a composite of cardiovascular events at 1 year after study examinations: all-cause death, death from CAD, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal ischemic stroke, and ischemia-driven unplanned coronary intervention (percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary bypass surgery). DISCUSSION: If the combination of T1-weighted imaging and coronary magnetic angiography contributes to the risk assessment of CAD in patients with CKD, this study will have major clinical implications for the management of patients with CKD at high risk for CAD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT) 1,052,210,075. Registered on September 10, 2021.

Intravascular Lithotripsy for Vessel Preparation in Calcified Coronary Arteries Prior to Stent Placement　- Japanese Disrupt CAD IV Study 1-Year Results.

Background: Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) delivers acoustic pressure waves to modify calcium, enhance vessel compliance, and optimize stent deployment. The Disrupt CAD IV study enrolled patients with severe coronary artery calcification and demonstrated low 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and high procedural success following IVL with no final serious angiographic complications. To date, long-term outcomes have not been reported. This analysis evaluates 1-year outcomes of Disrupt CAD IV. Methods and Results: Disrupt CAD IV was a prospective single-arm multicenter study of IVL performed in a Japanese population with severe coronary artery calcification. Main outcomes included MACE (a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction [MI], or target vessel revascularization [TVR]), and target lesion failure (TLF; a composite of cardiac death, target vessel MI, and target lesion revascularization [TLR]) at 1 year. Compliance with patient follow-up at 1 year was 100%. MACE occurred in 9.4% of patients (cardiac death 0.0%, MI 6.3%, TVR 4.7%) and TLF occurred in 6.3% of patients, with both rates driven by non-Q wave MIs (6.3%). The TLR rate at 1 year was 1.6% and no stent thrombosis events were reported. Conclusions: Treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions with IVL was associated with low rates of 1-year MACE and TLR, suggesting durable safety and effectiveness of IVL-facilitated coronary stent implantation in severely calcified lesions in a Japanese population.

Ultrathin, Biodegradable-Polymer Sirolimus-Eluting Stent vs Thin, Durable-Polymer Everolimus-Eluting Stent.

BACKGROUND: Previous trials suggested the superiority of ultrathin- over thin-strut drug-eluting stents (DES) concerning target lesion failure (TLF) at 1 year after index percutaneous coronary intervention. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this randomized comparison study of ultrathin-strut and thin-strut DES (CASTLE [Randomized Comparison All-Comer Study of Ultrathin Strut and Thin Strut Drug-Eluting Stent]; jRCTs032180084) was to examine the impact of differences in strut thickness of DES on clinical outcomes when implanted with angiography and intravascular ultrasound or optical coherence tomographic guidance. METHODS: CASTLE was a multicenter, prospective, noninferiority study conducted at 65 institutions in Japan. Percutaneous coronary intervention patients were assigned (1:1) to an ultrathin, biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting stent (BP-SES) or a thin, durable-polymer everolimus-eluting stent (DP-EES). The primary endpoint was TLF, defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, and clinically driven target lesion revascularization at 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Between May 2019 and March 2020, 1,440 patients were randomly assigned to BP-SES (n = 722) or DP-EES (n = 718). TLF occurred in 6.0% and 5.7% of patients, respectively. Noninferiority (P = 0.040) was met because the upper limit (2.67%) of the 1-sided 95% CI between the groups was lower than the prespecified noninferiority margin (3.3%). No significant interactions were observed in the relative rates of TLF between prespecified subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The BP-SES was noninferior to the DP-EES regarding 1-year TLF. This demonstrates that strut thickness differences among DES have little impact on clinical outcomes when implanted with intravascular imaging guidance.

Procedural results and in-hospital outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction: Sub-analysis of the Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the procedural results and in-hospital outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). BACKGROUND: While the technical success of general CTO-PCI has improved, CTO-PCI patients with reduced LVEF remain at high-risk for adverse events. METHODS: The data of 820 patients with LVEF ≤ 35% (Group 1), 1816 patients with LVEF = 35%-50% (Group 2), and 5503 patients with LVEF ≥ 50% (Group 3), registered in the Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry from January 2014 to December 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. The primary endpoint was in-hospital major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), including death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, stroke, and emergent revascularization. Secondary endpoints included procedural details, guidewire success, and technical success. RESULTS: There were no differences in guidewire and technical success rates between the groups. In-hospital MACCEs was significantly higher in Group 1 (Group 1 vs. Group 2 vs. Group 3: 3.4% vs. 1.7% vs. 1.5%, p = 0.001) and was especially driven by death (1.3% vs. 0.3% vs. 0.1%, p < 0.001) and stroke (0.7% vs. 0.2% vs. 0.2%, p = 0.007). Multivariate analysis showed that LVEF ≤ 35% (odds ratio [OR]; 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.04-2.41, p = 0.03) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class ≥ 3 (OR; 2.01, 95% CI; 1.03-3.93, p = 0.04) were predictors of in-hospital MACCEs. CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital MACCEs were significantly higher in patients with LVEF ≤ 35%. LVEF ≤;35% and NYHA class ≥ 3 were predictors of in-hospital MACCEs after CTO-PCI.