Angina after percutaneous coronary intervention: The need for precision medicine

The association between stent type and developing angina pectoris following percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Angina pectoris can occur in up to 40% of patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There is limited data assessing whether the type of stent implanted during revascularization can predict post-PCI angina symptoms.

METHODS

In this study, data regarding revascularization characteristics including the stent type in patients admitted for PCI was collected. Prospective data including occurrence of angina and the presenting class, new onset ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and other clinical outcomes were collected at 1, 3, and 6-month follow-up intervals. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the potential predictors of angina symptoms at 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 787 patients (64.5% males) undergoing PCI with three stent types (Orsiro, Promus, and Xience) were included in the study. The occurrence of post PCI angina pectoris and new STEMI was similar among the stent types (p > 0.05). A linear association was found between the development of new STEMI (p = 0.018) and stroke (p = 0.003) and the worsening of angina class. The stent type was not a predictor of angina during the follow-up period. Other variables including dyslipidemia (odds ratio (OR) (95% CI), 1.51 (1.08; 2.10)), prior coronary artery disease (CAD) (OR (95% CI), 1.63 (1.02; 2.61)), and previous hospitalization (OR (95% CI), 2.10 (1.22; 3.63)) were independent predictors of angina.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the type of stent may not have an association with the post-PCI angina, other predictors such as dyslipidemia and previous CAD and hospitalization may predict recurrence of cardiac angina. The class of angina severity may have a linear association with new-onset STEMI and stroke.

Myocardial ischaemic syndromes: a new nomenclature to harmonize evolving international clinical practice guidelines

Since the 1960s, cardiologists have adopted several binary classification systems for acute myocardial infarction (MI) that facilitated improved patient management. Conversely, for chronic stable manifestations of myocardial ischaemia, various classifications have emerged over time, often with conflicting terminology-e.g. 'stable coronary artery disease' (CAD), 'stable ischaemic heart disease', and 'chronic coronary syndromes' (CCS). While the 2019 European guidelines introduced CCS to impart symmetry with 'acute coronary syndromes' (ACS), the 2023 American guidelines endorsed the alternative term 'chronic coronary disease'. An unintended consequence of these competing classifications is perpetuation of the restrictive terms 'coronary' and 'disease', often connoting only a singular obstructive CAD mechanism. It is now important to advance a more broadly inclusive terminology for both obstructive and non-obstructive causes of angina and myocardial ischaemia that fosters conceptual clarity and unifies dyssynchronous nomenclatures across guidelines. We, therefore, propose a new binary classification of 'acute myocardial ischaemic syndromes' and 'non-acute myocardial ischaemic syndromes', which comprises both obstructive epicardial and non-obstructive pathogenetic mechanisms, including microvascular dysfunction, vasospastic disorders, and non-coronary causes. We herein retain accepted categories of ACS, ST-segment elevation MI, and non-ST-segment elevation MI, as important subsets for which revascularization is of proven clinical benefit, as well as new terms like ischaemia and MI with non-obstructive coronary arteries. Overall, such a more encompassing nomenclature better aligns, unifies, and harmonizes different pathophysiologic causes of myocardial ischaemia and should result in more refined diagnostic and therapeutic approaches targeted to the multiple pathobiological precipitants of angina pectoris, ischaemia and infarction.

Optimizing Management of Stable Angina: A Patient-Centered Approach Integrating Revascularization, Medical Therapy, and Lifestyle Interventions

Angina pectoris may arise from obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) or in the absence of significant CAD (ischemia with nonobstructed coronary arteries [INOCA]). Therapeutic strategies for patients with angina and obstructive CAD focus on reducing cardiovascular events and relieving symptoms, whereas in INOCA the focus shifts toward managing functional alterations of the coronary circulation. In obstructive CAD, coronary revascularization might improve angina status, although a significant percentage of patients present angina persistence or recurrence, suggesting the presence of functional mechanisms along with epicardial CAD. In patients with INOCA, performing a precise endotype diagnosis is crucial to allow a tailored therapy targeted toward the specific pathogenic mechanism. In this expert opinion paper, we review the evidence for the management of angina, highlighting the complementary role of coronary revascularization, optimal medical therapy, and lifestyle interventions and underscoring the importance of a personalized approach that targets the underlying pathobiology.

Precision Medicine Approaches in Cardiology and Personalized Therapies for Improved Patient Outcomes: A systematic review

Personalized medicine is a novel and rapidly evolving approach to clinical practice that involves making decisions about disease prediction, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment by utilizing modern technologies. The concepts of precision medicine have grown as a result of ongoing developments in genomic analysis, molecular diagnostics, and technology. These advancements have enabled a deeper understanding and interpretation of the human genome, allowing for a personalized approach to clinical care. The primary objective of this research is to assess personalized medicine in terms of its indications, advantages, practical clinical uses, potential future directions, problems, and effects on healthcare. An extensive analysis of the scientific literature regarding this topic demonstrated the new medical approach's relevance and usefulness, as well as the fact that personalized medicine is becoming increasingly prevalent in various sectors. The online, internationally indexed databases PubMed and Cochrane Reviews were used to conduct searches for and critically evaluate the most relevant published research including original papers and reviews in the scientific literature. The findings suggest that precision medicine has a lot of potential and its implementation lowers the incidence of stroke as well as coronary heart disease and improves patient health in cardiology.

Comparison of bolus versus continuous thermodilution derived indices of microvascular dysfunction in revascularized coronary syndromes

Background

The assessment of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) using invasive methods is a field of growing interest, however the preferred method remains debated. Bolus and continuous thermodilution are commonly used methods, but weak agreement has been observed in patients with angina with non-obstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA). This study examined their agreement in revascularized acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) patients.

Objective

To compare bolus thermodilution and continuous thermodilution indices of CMD in revascularized ACS and CCS patients and assess their diagnostic agreement at pre-defined cut-off points.

Methods

Patients from two centers underwent paired bolus and continuous thermodilution assessments after revascularization. CMD indices were compared between the two methods and their agreements at binary cut-off points were assessed.

Results

Ninety-six patients and 116 vessels were included. The mean age was 64 ± 11 years, and 20 (21 %) were female. Overall, weak correlations were observed between the Index of Microcirculatory Resistance (IMR) and continuous thermodilution microvascular resistance (Rµ) (rho = 0.30p = 0.001). The median coronary flow reserve (CFR) from continuous thermodilution (CFRcont) and bolus thermodilution (CFRbolus) were 2.19 (1.76-2.67) and 2.55 (1.50-3.58), respectively (p < 0.001). Weak correlation and agreement were observed between CFRcont and CFRbolus (rho = 0.37, p < 0.001, ICC 0.228 [0.055-0.389]). When assessed at CFR cut-off values of 2.0 and 2.5, the methods disagreed in 41 (35 %) and 45 (39 %) of cases, respectively.

Conclusions

There is a significant difference and weak agreement between bolus and continuous thermodilution-derived indices, which must be considered when diagnosing CMD in ACS and CCS patients.

Direct comparison of coronary microvascular obstruction evaluation using CMR feature tracking and layer-specific speckle tracking echocardiography in STEMI patients

PURPOSE

Layer-specific speckle tissue echocardiography (LS-STE) is a unique technique used to assess coronary microvascular obstruction (CMVO) that may offer more information on the myocardial anatomy of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) has also been gaining popularity as a way to evaluate CMVO. The aim of the present study was to directly compare CMVO assessment in STEMI patients using CMR-FT and LS-STE.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 105 STEMI patients with LS-STE, CMR-FT, and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) were included in the study. Longitudinal peak systolic strain (LS), circumferential peak systolic strain (CS), and radial peak systolic strain (RS) were each used to evaluate CMVO using CMR-FT and LS-STE.

RESULTS

Correlation coefficients were 0.56, 0.53, and 0.55 for CMR-FT CS vs. endocardial CS, midcardial CS, and epicardial CS comparisons, respectively, and 0.87, 0.51, and 0.32 for CMR-FT LS vs. endocardial LS, midcardial LS, and epicardial LS comparisons, respectively. Bland-Altman analysis revealed strong inter-modality agreement and little bias in endocardial LS, while the absolute of limited of agreement (LOA) value was 2.28 ± 4.48. The absolutes LOA values were 1.26 ± 11.16, -0.02 ± 12.21, and - 1.3 ± 10.27 for endocardial, midcardial, and epicardial respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficient value of 0.87 showed good reliability in endocardial LS, and moderate reliability with values of 0.71, 0.70, and 0.64 in endocardial, midcardial, and epicardial CS, respectively (all p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

CMR-FT is a viable technique for CMVO evaluation in STEMI patients. Endocardial LS showed good reliability for CMR-FT. STEMI patients can undergo LS-STE to assess the CMVO before PPCI.

Pathophysiology of coronary microvascular dysfunction

The term "coronary microvascular dysfunction" (CMD) encompasses several pathogenetic mechanisms resulting in functional and/or structural changes in the coronary microcirculation. CMD often determines angina and myocardial ischemia in a broad spectrum of cardiovascular diseases, including patients with ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries or ischemia with obstructive coronary artery disease, infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries, cardiomyopathies, the Takotsubo syndrome and heart failure, especially heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. In this article, we provide updated evidence regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying CMD across the different cardiovascular diseases, aiming to pave the way for further research and the development of novel strategies for a precision medicine approach.

Coronary sinus narrowing therapy: A "Reducer" for angina and beyond

Refractory Angina (RA) is an increasingly common clinical diagnosis, in which patients unsuitable for further percutaneous or surgical procedures experience anginal symptoms, despite receiving optimal medical therapy. This clinical condition challenges the everyday activities and diminishes the quality of life of these patients. A wide variety of novel therapies for this type of angina are being investigated for clinical use. One of them is coronary sinus narrowing, which is performed as a percutaneous interventional procedure using catheter-delivered device, the Reducer. The device is implanted in the coronary sinus creating a physical narrowing and a pressure gradient in the sinus. This intervention improves the impaired blood flow in the ischemic regions of the heart leading to the relief of the anginal symptoms and, therefore, the overall clinical improvement of these patients. Several clinical trials have established both the safety and efficacy of the coronary sinus Reducer, while ongoing trials are aiming to further establish the procedure's safety and efficiency in both RA and other cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary microvascular dysfunction. This review aims to discuss the pathophysiology and the role of the coronary sinus Reducer in RA, the clinical trials documenting its safety and efficacy, as well as the future perspectives of this procedure among cardiovascular diseases.

Invasive Detection of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction: How It Began, and Where We Are Now

The landscape of interventional cardiology is ever evolving. Contemporary practice has shifted from a stenosis-centred approach to the total characterisation of both the epicardial and microcirculatory vessels. Microcirculatory dysfunction plays an important role in the pathophysiology of acute and chronic coronary syndromes, and characterisation of the microcirculation has important clinical consequences. Accordingly, the invasive diagnosis of microcirculatory dysfunction is becoming a key feature of the interventional cardiologist's toolkit. This review focuses on the methodology underpinning the invasive diagnosis of microvascular dysfunction and highlights the indices that have arisen from these methodologies.

LncRNA MEG3: Potential stock for precision treatment of cardiovascular diseases

The prevalence and mortality rates of cardiovascular diseases are increasing, and new treatment strategies are urgently needed. From the perspective of basic pathogenesis, the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases are related to inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis and autophagy of cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells and other related cells. The involvement of maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) in human disease processes has been increasingly reported. P53 and PI3K/Akt are important pathways by which MEG3 participates in regulating cell apoptosis. MEG3 directly or competitively binds with miRNA to participate in apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, EMT and other processes. LncRNA MEG3 is mainly involved in malignant tumors, metabolic diseases, immune system diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, etc., LncRNA MEG3 has a variety of pathological effects in cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells and has great clinical application potential in the prevention and treatment of AS, MIRI, hypertension and HF. This paper will review the research progress of MEG3 in the aspects of mechanism of action, other systemic diseases and cardiovascular diseases, and point out its great potential in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. lncRNAs also play a role in endothelial cells. In addition, lncRNA MEG3 has shown biomarker value, prognostic value and therapeutic response measurement in tumor diseases. We boldly speculate that MEG3 will play a role in the emerging discipline of tumor heart disease.

Angina with coronary microvascular dysfunction and its physiological assessment: a review with cases

Imagine that it is possible to know, the actual coronary blood flow. Would this not remove any doubt, if a chest pain is the heart's fault?

Predictors of angina resolution after percutaneous coronary intervention in stable coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is performed to relieve symptoms of angina. Identifying patients who will benefit symptomatically after PCI would be clinically advantageous but robust predictors of symptom resolution are ill-defined.

METHODS

Prospective indexing of baseline angina status, clinical, and procedural characteristics were collected over a 5-year period in a regional revascularization registry. At 1-year follow-up, angina resolution was assessed. We performed a stepwise selection algorithm to identify predictors of persistent angina at 1 year.

RESULTS

A total of 777 patients were included in the analysis and the median follow-up was 387 days. Mean age of the cohort was 66.6 years, 23.8% were female and 23.3% had baseline Canadian Cardiovascular Society class 3 or 4 angina. Overall, 13.1% had persistent angina. The only predictor of persistent angina was the presence of a residual chronic total occlusion after PCI with odds ratio of 3.06 (95% confidence interval, 1.81-5.17). Residual stenoses 50-69%, 70-89%, and 90-99% were not associated with residual angina after PCI.

CONCLUSION

Most patients achieved symptom resolution with PCI and optimal medical therapy. A residual chronic total occlusion after PCI was associated with persistent angina. Other degrees of stenoses were not associated with persistent angina.

Clinical value of resting cardiac dual-energy CT in patients suspected of coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Rest/stress myocardial CT perfusion (CTP) has high diagnostic value for coronary artery disease (CAD), but the additional value of resting CTP especially dual-energy CTP (DE-CTP) beyond coronary CT angiography (CCTA) in chest pain triage remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of resting myocardial DE-CTP, and additional value in detecting CAD beyond CCTA (obstructive stenosis: ≥ 50%) in patients suspected of CAD.

METHODS

In this prespecified subanalysis of 54 patients, we included patients suspected of CAD referred to invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Diagnostic accuracy of resting myocardial DE-CTP in detecting myocardial perfusion defects was assessed using resting ¹³N-ammonia positron emission tomography (PET) as the gold standard. Diagnostic accuracy of cardiac dual-energy CT in detecting flow-limiting stenoses (justifying revascularization) by CCTA combined with resting myocardial DE-CTP, using ICA plus resting ¹³N-ammonia PET as the gold standard. The CCTA and DE-CTP datasets derived from a single-phase scan performed with dual-energy mode.

RESULTS

For detecting myocardial perfusion defects, DE-CTP demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy with a sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 95.52%, 85.93%, and 0.907 on a per-segment basis. For detecting flow-limiting stenoses by CCTA alone, sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 100%, 56.47%, and 0.777 respectively on a per-vessel basis. For detecting flow-limiting stenoses by CCTA combined with resting myocardial DE-CTP, sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 96.10%, 95.29% and 0.956 respectively on a per-vessel basis. Additionally, CCTA combined with resting myocardial DE-CTP detected five patients (9%) with no obstructive stenosis but with myocardial perfusion defects confirmed by ICA plus ¹³N-ammonia PET.

CONCLUSIONS

Resting cardiac DE-CTP demonstrates a high diagnostic accuracy in detecting myocardial perfusion defects and provides an additional clinical value by reducing rates of false-positive and false-negative patients beyond CCTA in patients suspected of CAD.

IL-6, IL-1β and MDA correlate with Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Inflammation plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) but is not included in current risk stratification.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score and inflammatory biomarkers in the ACS, including unstable angina (UA), non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We hypothesized that including inflammatory biomarkers could add prognostic value to the TIMI risk score.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, serum levels of interleukins (IL)-6 and IL-1β and MDA (malondialdehyde) were quantified by ELISA and colorimetry, respectively , patients with ACS (n = 48; 31.3% with UA, 33.3% with NSTEMI, and 35.4% with STEMI) and healthy controls (n = 43). We assessed the TIMI scores in the first 24 h after symptom onset.

RESULTS

The results showed that patients with ACS had significantly higher levels (p<0.05) of the inflammatory biomarkers IL-6, IL-1β, and MDA compared to the control group. However, we found no significant differences in IL-6, IL-1β, and MDA levels among the patients with ACS according to their classification as UA, NSTEMI, and STEMI. Positive correlations were observed between TIMI and IL-6 (r=0.68), IL-1β (r= 0.53), and MDA (r=0.58) in patients with UA and between TIMI and IL-1β (r= 0.62) in STEMI patients.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest the presence of a pro-inflammatory profile in patients with ACS as well as positive correlations between TIMI scores and the inflammatory biomarkers IL-6, IL-1β, and MDA in patients with UA and between TIMI scores and IL-1β in patients with STEMI. Combining inflammatory biomarkers with the TIMI risk score could provide better insight into the processes involved in ACS.

Effectiveness and Tolerability of Trimetazidine 80 Mg Once Daily in Patients with Stable Angina Uncontrolled with Bisoprolol-Based Therapy: The Modus Vivendi Observational Study

Introduction

Modus Vivendi was conducted in routine clinical practice to evaluate the effect of adding trimetazidine 80 mg once daily (TMZ 80 OD) to treat patients with persistent symptoms despite treatment with background antianginal therapies including maximally tolerated bisoprolol.

Methods

This multicenter, prospective, observational, open-label, uncontrolled study recruited adult outpatients with a confirmed diagnosis of stable angina to whom physicians had decided to prescribe TMZ 80 OD. All patients were symptomatic despite treatment, including maximally tolerated doses of bisoprolol. Data on number of angina attacks, use of short-acting nitrates, and quality of life (QoL) were collected at baseline (V1) and at 1-month (V2) and 3-month (V2) follow-up visits. Two sub-analyses assessed efficacy in patients who remained on a stable bisoprolol dose throughout the study, and in patients in whom background antianginal therapy was known.

Results

A total of 1939 patients were recruited (57.2% women). The mean age was 65.6 ± 8.8 years; 73.8% had class II and 26.2% class III angina. At V1, the mean number of angina attacks per week was 6.2 ± 6.5 despite antianginal therapy including maximally tolerated bisoprolol dosage. Following the addition of TMZ 80 OD, this decreased to 3.4 ± 4.2 attacks per week at V2, and 1.6 ± 2.6 at V3 (P < 0.05 at V2 and V3), with concomitant reductions in short-acting nitrate use (P < 0.05). Significant improvements in QoL were observed throughout the study. Subgroup analyses showed that the addition of TMZ 80 OD to guideline-recommended antianginal therapy was associated with significant reductions in the mean number of weekly angina attacks and consumption of short-acting nitrates and improvements in QoL whether patients were treated with maximally tolerated bisoprolol and TMZ 80 OD alone, or maximally tolerated bisoprolol and TMZ 80 OD on top of other antianginal therapies. Treatment was well tolerated.

Conclusion

The study findings support the addition of TMZ 80 OD to bisoprolol with or without other antianginal therapies for patients with persistent angina.

Trial Registration

This study was retrospectively registered under the number ISRCTN29992579.

Burden and Predictors of Chest Pain-Related Health-Care Utilization Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Chest pain (CP) has been reported in 20% to 40% of patients 1 year after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), though rates of post-PCI health-care utilization (HCU) for CP in nonclinical trial populations are unknown. Furthermore, the contribution of noncardiac factors - such as pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and psychological - to post-PCI CP HCU is unclear. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were to describe long-term trajectories and identify predictors of post-PCI CP-related HCU in real-world patients undergoing PCI for any indication. This retrospective cohort study included patients receiving PCI for any indication from 2003 to 2017 through a single integrated health-care system. Post-PCI CP-related HCU tracked through electronic medical records included (1) office visits, (2) emergency department (ED) visits, and (3) hospital admissions with CP or angina as the primary diagnosis. The strongest predictors of CP-related HCU were identified from >100 candidate variables. Among 6386 patients followed an average of 6.7 years after PCI, 73% received PCI for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 19% for stable angina, and 8% for other indications. Post-PCI CP-related HCU was common with 26%, 16%, and 5% of patients having ≥1 office visits, ED visits, and hospital admissions for CP within 2 years of PCI. The following factors were significant predictors of all 3 CP outcomes: ACS presentation, documented CP >7 days prior to the index PCI, anxiety, depression, and syncope. In conclusion, CP-related HCU following PCI was common, especially within the first 2 years. The strongest predictors of CP-related HCU included coronary disease attributes and psychological factors.

Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine Wen Xin granules for the treatment of unstable angina pectoris with Yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Unstable angina pectoris (UAP) is the common type of coronary heart disease with the risk of developing into acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Currently, there are still numerous patients suffering from recurrent angina after revascularization or conventional medication due to the microvascular lesions, endothelial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, in-stent restenosis, and other factors. As an important part of China's medical and health care system, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has rich clinical experience in the treatment of UAP. According to the theory of TCM, Yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome is a common type of UAP. Wen Xin decoction, as a type of Chinese herbal medicine, has been used in the clinic for years and shown great efficacy in the treatment of UAP with Yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Wen Xin granular in patients with UAP.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 502 participants will be randomly allocated to the intervention group and the placebo group. Based on conventional medication, the intervention group will be treated with Wen Xin granular and the placebo group will be treated with Wen Xin granular placebo. The primary outcomes are major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Assessments will be performed 1 year after the treatment. The secondary outcomes include TCM symptom scale score, Seattle angina questionnaire, and thromboelastography. Assessments will be performed at baseline (before randomization) and 4 and 8 weeks after randomization.

DISCUSSION

This trial will provide high-quality data on the benefits and risks of Wen Xin granular in patients with UAP.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04661709 . Registered on 30 November 2020.

Pathophysiology of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is commonly recognized as the consequence of coronary atherosclerosis and obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). However, a significant number of patients may present angina or myocardial infarction even in the absence of any significant coronary artery stenosis and impairment of the coronary microcirculation has been increasingly implicated as a relevant cause of IHD. The term "coronary microvascular dysfunction" (CMD) encompasses several pathogenic mechanisms resulting in functional and/or structural changes in the coronary microcirculation and determining angina and myocardial ischemia in patients with angina without obstructive CAD ("primary" microvascular angina), as well as in several other conditions, including obstructive CAD, cardiomyopathies, Takotsubo syndrome and heart failure, especially the phenotype with preserved ejection fraction. The pathogenesis of CMD is complex and involves the combination of functional and structural alterations leading to impaired coronary blood flow and resulting in myocardial ischemia. In the absence of therapies specifically targeting CMD, attention has been focused on the role of modifiable risk factors. Here, we provide updated evidence regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying CMD, with a particular focus on the role of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. Moreover, we discuss the specific pathogenic mechanisms of CMD across the different cardiovascular diseases, aiming to pave the way for further research and the development of novel strategies for a precision medicine approach.

Xuesaitong injection treating acute myocardial infarction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Although the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is decreasing, the mortality in AMI patients remains substantial. Traditional Chinese medicine has shown its role in the prevention and management of AMI. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Xuesaitong injection (XST) for the treatment of AMI by a meta-analysis.

METHODS

A literature search was performed in 5 medical databases up to June 1, 2020. Randomized controlled trials involving XST combined with conventional treatment versus conventional treatment were included. A meta-analysis of clinical efficacy, left ventricular function and other objective parameters was performed to evaluate the effects of XST on AMI.

RESULTS

Five randomized controlled trials involving 539 participants were eventually included. Meta-analysis showed that the combination of XST and conventional treatment could achieve significantly better effect on improving clinical efficacy (risk ratio: 1.09 [1.01, 1.17]; P = .04), left ventricular ejection fraction (mean difference [MD]: 3.18 [1.69, 4.67]; P < .0001), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (MD: -2.58 [-5.04, -0.12]; P = .04), interleukin 6 (MD: -26.00 [-38.85, -13.16]; P < .0001), cardiac troponin T (MD: -15.85 [-18.09, -13.61]; P < .00001) and creatine kinase myocardial isoenzyme (MD: -73.06 [-79.74, -66.37]; P < .00001).

CONCLUSION

XST combined with conventional treatment can achieve better efficacy on clinical performance and some of the AMI related parameters. However the interpretation of the results should be cautious, due to the relatively low quality of included trials. More rigorously designed, large-scaled, randomized controlled trials are warranted to support its clinical use in the future.

Recurrence of angina after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: the role of coronary microvascular obstruction

BACKGROUND

The recurrence of angina after percutaneous coronary intervention affects 20-35% of patients with stable coronary artery disease; however, few data are available in the setting of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. We evaluated the relation between coronary microvascular obstruction and the recurrence of angina at follow-up.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Microvascular obstruction was defined as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow less than 3 or 3 with myocardial blush grade less than 2. The primary endpoint was the recurrence of angina at follow-up. Moreover, angina status was evaluated by the Seattle angina questionnaire summary score (SAQSS). Therapy at follow-up and the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events were also collected.

RESULTS

We enrolled 200 patients. Microvascular obstruction occurred in 52 (26%) of them. Follow-up (mean time 25.17±9.28 months) was performed in all patients. Recurrent angina occurred in 31 (15.5%) patients, with a higher prevalence in patients with microvascular obstruction compared with patients without microvascular obstruction (13 (25.0%) vs. 18 (12.2%), P=0.008). Accordingly, SAQSS was lower and the need for two or more anti-anginal drugs was higher in patients with microvascular obstruction compared with patients without microvascular obstruction. At multiple linear regression analysis a history of previous acute coronary syndrome and the occurrence of microvascular obstruction were the only independent predictors of a worse SAQSS. Finally, the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events was higher in patients with microvascular obstruction compared with patients without microvascular obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

The recurrence of angina in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention is an important clinical issue. The occurrence of microvascular obstruction portends a worse angina status and is associated with the use of more anti-anginal drugs.

Machine Learning Identifies Metabolic Signatures that Predict the Risk of Recurrent Angina in Remitted Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study

Recurrent angina (RA) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has few known risk factors, hampering the identification of high-risk populations. In this multicenter study, plasma samples are collected from patients with stable angina after PCI, and these patients are followed-up for 9 months for angina recurrence. Broad-spectrum metabolomic profiling with LC-MS/MS followed by multiple machine learning algorithms is conducted to identify the metabolic signatures associated with future risk of angina recurrence in two large cohorts (n = 750 for discovery set, and n = 775 for additional independent discovery cohort). The metabolic predictors are further validated in a third cohort from another center (n = 130) using a clinically-sound quantitative approach. Compared to angina-free patients, the remitted patients with future RA demonstrates a unique chemical endophenotype dominated by abnormalities in chemical communication across lipid membranes and mitochondrial function. A novel multi-metabolite predictive model constructed from these latent signatures can stratify remitted patients at high-risk for angina recurrence with over 89% accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity across three independent cohorts. Our findings revealed reproducible plasma metabolic signatures to predict patients with a latent future risk of RA during post-PCI remission, allowing them to be treated in advance before an event.

Coronary Sinus Reducer for the Treatment of Chronic Refractory Angina: Will This Challenge the Treatment of Coronary Chronic Total Occlusions?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The prevalence of angina despite optimal medical therapy is high among patients with coronary chronic total occlusions. Despite advancements in techniques and operator's experience, percutaneous revascularization of coronary chronic total occlusions is still associated with a not negligible risk of failures and complications. The Coronary Sinus Reducer, a new device developed to improve angina, has shown promising results in terms of efficacy and safety in patients with refractory symptoms. The aim of this review is to summarize the evidence so far available and to guide clinicians in the selection of patients with chronic total occlusions that could benefit more from Coronary Sinus Reducer implantation.

RECENT FINDINGS

A recently published study suggests a clear value of this device in patients with chronic total occlusions. This is likely to be related to the presence of a well-developed collateral circulation. A careful evaluation of risks and benefits of both myocardial revascularization and Coronary Sinus Reducer implantation should be done in all the cases in order to better define the optimal strategy for the patient. The Coronary Sinus Reducer implantation has a rationale in patients with chronic total occlusion as an alternative or additional therapy to myocardial revascularization.

Predictors of recurrent angina in patients with no need for secondary revascularization

BACKGROUND

Approximately 20% to 30% of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) develop recurrent angina pectoris following successful and complete coronary revascularization utilizing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We aim to investigate predictors of recurrent angina pectoris in patients who have undergone successful coronary revascularization using PCI, but on repeat coronary angiography have no need for secondary revascularization.

METHODS

The study comprised 3,837 patients with CAD, who were enrolled from January 2007 to June 2019. They had undergone successful PCI; some of them redeveloped angina pectoris within one year after the procedure, but on repeat coronary angiography had no need for revascularization. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count was used to evaluate the velocity of coronary blood in the follow-up angiogram. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate risk factors for recurrent angina pectoris. Similarly, predictors of recurrent angina according to the TIMI frame count were assessed using multivariate linear regression.

RESULTS

In this retrospective study, 53.5% of patients experienced recurrent angina pectoris. By multivariate logistic regression, the following characteristics were statistically identified as risk factors for recurrent angina pectoris: female sex, older age, current smoking, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥1.8 mmol/L, and an elevated TIMI frame count (P for all <0.05). Similarly, using multivariate linear regression, the statistical risk factors for TIMI frame count included: female sex, older age, diabetes, body mass index (BMI), post-procedural treatment without the inclusion of dual antiplatelet therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient characteristics of female sex, older age, diabetes, and elevated BMI are associated with an increased TIMI frame count, coronary microcirculation dysfunction, and recurrent angina pectoris after initially successful PCI. In addition, current smoking and LDL-C ≥1.8 mmol/L are risk factors for recurrent angina pectoris. In contrast, the treatment with dual antiplatelet therapy is negatively correlated with a higher TIMI frame count and the risk of recurrent angina pectoris.

Endothelial Dysfunction and Coronary Vasoreactivity - A Review of the History, Physiology, Diagnostic Techniques, and Clinical Relevance

The fervency for advancement and evolution in percutaneous coronary intervention has revolutionised the treatment of coronary artery disease. Historically, the focus of the interventional cardiologist was directed at the restoration of luminal patency of the major epicardial coronary arteries, yet whilst this approach is evolving with much greater utilisation of physiological assessment, it often neglects consideration of the role of the coronary microcirculation, which has been shown to clearly influence prognosis. In this review, we explore the narrative of the coronary circulation as more than just a simple conduit for blood but an organ with functional significance. We review organisation and physiology of the coronary circulation, as well as the current methods and techniques used to examine it. We discuss the studies exploring coronary artery endothelial function, appreciating that coronary artery disease occurs on a spectrum of disorder and that percutaneous coronary intervention has a latent effect on the coronary circulation with long-term consequences. It is concluded that greater recognition of the coronary artery endothelium and mechanisms of the coronary circulation should further guide revascularisation strategies.

Effect and safety of Chinese patent medicine capsules for recurrent angina pectoris after percutaneous coronary intervention: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Recurrent angina pectoris after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a common clinical syndrome, which seriously reduces the quality of life and health of patients, increases medical costs, and causes the risk of cardiogenic death. The efficacy of various western medicine improving angina symptoms has not been fully confirmed at the moment, whereas Chinese patent medicine capsules (CPMC) have been generally used in clinical practice due to the therapeutic efficacy and safety. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of CPMC for stable angina after PCI, designed to provide more evidence for clinical treatment.

METHODS

This protocol was based on the previous reporting items. We will search 3 English databases (PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database, and the Cochrane Library) and 3 Chinese databases (China Network Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang Database, and Chinese Biomedicine) until January 2020. RCTs to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CPMC for recurrent stable angina pectoris after PCI will be included. The primary outcome will be assessed by major adverse cardiovascular events and angina attack frequency. We will use the criteria provided by Cochrane risk of bias tool for quality evaluation and risk assessment, and use the Revman 5.3 for meta-analysis.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval is not required for systematic review and meta-analysis. The results of this review will be disseminated in a peer-review journal.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020164005.

Coronary microvascular dysfunction in stable ischaemic heart disease (non-obstructive coronary artery disease and obstructive coronary artery disease)

Diffuse and focal epicardial coronary disease and coronary microvascular abnormalities may exist side-by-side. Identifying the contributions of each of these three players in the coronary circulation is a difficult task. Yet identifying coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) as an additional player in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) may provide explanations of why symptoms may persist frequently following and why global coronary flow reserve may be more prognostically important than fractional flow reserve measured in a single vessel before percutaneous coronary intervention. This review focuses on the challenges of identifying the presence of CMD in the context of diffuse non-obstructive CAD and obstructive CAD. Furthermore, it is going to discuss the pathophysiology in this complex situation, examine the clinical context in which the interaction of the three components of disease takes place and finally look at non-invasive diagnostic methods relevant for addressing this question.

ESC Working Group on Coronary Pathophysiology and Microcirculation position paper on 'coronary microvascular dysfunction in cardiovascular disease'

Although myocardial ischaemia usually manifests as a consequence of atherosclerosis-dependent obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease, a significant percentage of patients suffer ischaemic events in the absence of epicardial coronary artery obstruction. Experimental and clinical evidence highlight the abnormalities of the coronary microcirculation as a main cause of myocardial ischaemia in patients with 'normal or near normal' coronary arteries on angiography. Coronary microvascular disturbances have been associated with early stages of atherosclerosis even prior to any angiographic evidence of epicardial coronary stenosis, as well as to other cardiac pathologies such as myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure. The main objectives of the manuscript are (i) to provide updated evidence in our current understanding of the pathophysiological consequences of microvascular dysfunction in the heart; (ii) to report on the current knowledge on the relevance of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbid conditions for microcirculatory dysfunction; and (iii) to evidence the relevance of the clinical consequences of microvascular dysfunction. Highlighting the clinical importance of coronary microvascular dysfunction will open the field for research and the development of novel strategies for intervention will encourage early detection of subclinical disease and will help in the stratification of cardiovascular risk in agreement with the new concept of precision medicine.

Refractory Angina: From Pathophysiology to New Therapeutic Nonpharmacological Technologies

Despite optimal combination of guideline-directed anti-ischemic therapies and myocardial revascularization, a substantial proportion of patients with stable coronary artery disease continues to experience disabling symptoms and is often referred as "no-option." The appraisal of the pathways linking ischemia to symptom perception indicates a complex model of heart-brain interactions in the generation of the subjective anginal experience and inspired novel approaches that may be clinically effective in alleviating the angina burden of this population. Conversely, the prevailing ischemia-centered view of angina, with the focus on traditional myocardial revascularization as the sole option to address ischemia on top of medical therapy, hinders the experimental characterization and broad-scale clinical implementation of strongly needed therapeutic options. The interventionist, often the first physician to establish the diagnosis of refractory angina pectoris (RAP) following coronary angiography, should be aware of the numerous emerging technologies with the potential to improve quality of life in the growing population of RAP patients. This review describes the current landscape and the future perspectives on nonpharmacological treatment technologies for patients with RAP, with a view on the underlying physiopathological rationale and current clinical evidence.

COURAGE, ORBITA, and ISCHEMIA: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Stable Coronary Artery Disease

This review article summarizes key landmark trials that have shaped understanding of the role of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in stable coronary artery disease (CAD). The relationship between stenosis, ischemia, and angina is more complex than first imagined. Anginal relief remains the primary indication for PCI in stable CAD. The first placebo-controlled PCI trial showed a surprisingly small effect size, suggesting a significant placebo effect. PCI in stable CAD has not been shown to improve mortality or overall myocardial infarction rates, even in the presence of significant ischemia. Rather, risk reduction medical therapy remains the main intervention for improving outcomes.

Mechanisms and diagnostic evaluation of persistent or recurrent angina following percutaneous coronary revascularization

Persistence or recurrence of angina after a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may affect about 20-40% of patients during short-medium-term follow-up. This appears to be true even when PCI is 'optimized' using physiology-guided approaches and drug-eluting stents. Importantly, persistent or recurrent angina post-PCI is associated with a significant economic burden. Healthcare costs may be almost two-fold higher among patients with persistent or recurrent angina post-PCI vs. those who become symptom-free. However, practice guideline recommendations regarding the management of patients with angina post-PCI are unclear. Gaps in evidence into the mechanisms of post-PCI angina are relevant, and more research seems warranted. The purpose of this document is to review potential mechanisms for the persistence or recurrence of angina post-PCI, propose a practical diagnostic algorithm, and summarize current knowledge gaps.

Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction

Many patients with chest pain undergoing coronary angiography do not show significant obstructive coronary lesions. A substantial proportion of these patients have abnormalities in the function and structure of coronary microcirculation due to endothelial and smooth muscle cell dysfunction. The coronary microcirculation has a fundamental role in the regulation of coronary blood flow in response to cardiac oxygen requirements. Impairment of this mechanism, defined as coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), carries an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular clinical outcomes. Coronary endothelial dysfunction accounts for approximately two-thirds of clinical conditions presenting with symptoms and signs of myocardial ischemia without obstructive coronary disease, termed "ischemia with non-obstructive coronary artery disease" (INOCA) and for a small proportion of "myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease" (MINOCA). More frequently, the clinical presentation of INOCA is microvascular angina due to CMD, while some patients present vasospastic angina due to epicardial spasm, and mixed epicardial and microvascular forms. CMD may be associated with focal and diffuse epicardial coronary atherosclerosis, which may reinforce each other. Both INOCA and MINOCA are more common in females. Clinical classification of CMD includes the association with conditions in which atherosclerosis has limited relevance, with non-obstructive atherosclerosis, and with obstructive atherosclerosis. Several studies already exist which support the evidence that CMD is part of systemic microvascular disease involving multiple organs, such as brain and kidney. Moreover, CMD is strongly associated with the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), diabetes, hypertensive heart disease, and also chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Since coronary microcirculation is not visible on invasive angiography or computed tomographic coronary angiography (CTCA), the diagnosis of CMD is usually based on functional assessment of microcirculation, which can be performed by both invasive and non-invasive methods, including the assessment of delayed flow of contrast during angiography, measurement of coronary flow reserve (CFR) and index of microvascular resistance (IMR), evaluation of angina induced by intracoronary acetylcholine infusion, and assessment of myocardial perfusion by positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (CMR).

The Role of Ranolazine for the Treatment of Residual Angina beyond the Percutaneous Coronary Revascularization

INTRODUCTION

Despite a successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), several studies reported that the recurrence of angina after revascularization, even complete, is a particularly frequent occurrence in the first year after PCI.

METHODS

The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with ranolazine in addition to conventional anti-ischemic therapy in patients who underwent coronary angiography for persistent/recurrent angina after PCI and residual ischemia only due to small branches not suitable for further revascularization. Forty-nine consecutive patients were included in our registry, adding the ranolazine (375 mg b.i.d) to optimal medical therapy (OMT). The Exercise ECG Test (EET) was performed in all patients before to start the therapy (baseline BL) and at 30 days (T1) after enrollment.

RESULTS

The average duration of the exercise was increased after the therapy with ranolazine comparing to baseline (RG 9'1'' ± 2' versus BL 8'10'' ± 2', p = 0.01). Seven (14.3%) patients after receiving ranolazine had not crossed the threshold of six minutes (75 watts) compared to 20 (40.8%) of BL (p = 0.0003). Stress angina appeared more frequently at BL than at 30 days (T1 4.1% versus BL 16.3%, p = 0.04) as well as exercise-induced arrhythmias (BL 30.6% versus T1 14.3%, p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of ranolazine to standard anti-ischemic therapy showed a significant improvement in EET results after one month of therapy, including reduced exercise angina, increased exercise tolerance, and reduced exercise arrhythmias.

Effectiveness of Trimetazidine in Patients with Stable Angina Pectoris of Various Durations: Results from ODA

INTRODUCTION

Trimetazidine (TMZ) is an antianginal agent that acts directly at the myocardial cell level and which is now available in a once-daily (od) formulation.

METHODS

ODA, a 3-month, observational, multicenter study in Russia, assessed the effectiveness and tolerability of TMZ 80 mg od in patients with stable angina and persisting symptoms, in real-life settings. The present analysis explored the effects of adding TMZ to background antianginal treatment with respect to the duration of stable angina.

RESULTS

A total of 3032 patients were divided into four groups according to stable angina pectoris duration since diagnosis, ranging from less than 1 year to more than 10 years. A decrease in frequency of angina attacks was observed, including in patients with angina duration < 1 year, in whom the frequency of weekly angina attacks decreased from 3.8 ± 2.9 to 1.4 ± 1.7 at 1 month and 0.6 ± 1.0 at 3 months. Short-acting nitrate consumption and proportion of angina-free patients decreased, and self-reported physical activity and adherence to antianginal therapy improved in all patient groups, including recently diagnosed patients and starting already at month 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Addition of TMZ 80 mg od to antianginal treatment was effective in reducing the frequency of angina attacks and the use of short-acting nitrates, improving Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) class, self-reported physical activity, and adherence to antianginal therapy. These beneficial effects were observed in patient groups with different durations of stable angina, suggesting an opportunity for decreasing angina burden even in recently diagnosed patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN registry Identifier, ISRCTN97780949.

Five-year Clinical Outcomes of CAD Patients Complicated with Diabetes after StentBoost-optimized Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objective To evaluate the instant effects and five-year clinical outcomes of coronary artery disease patients complicated with diabetes mellitus after StentBoost-optimized percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods From March 2009 to July 2010, 184 patients undergoing PCI at our hospital were found stent underexpansion or malapposition by StentBoost after stents implantation and were divided into the diabetic (n=73, 39.67%) and the non-diabetic group (n=111, 60.33%). All patients received StentBoost-guided post-dilatation after stent implantation. The instant procedural results were measured and clinical outcome after five-year follow-up was analyzed in each group. Between-group comparisons were performed using Chi-square test or Student's t test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to reveal the independent predictors for long-term clinical outcomes of StentBoost-optimized PCI . Results After StentBoost-guided post-dilatation, the minimum diameter (MinLD), maximum diameter (MaxLD) and average diameter in both groups increased significantly than before (P<0.001), the (MaxLD-MinLD)/MaxLD ratio and the in-stent residual stenosis decreased accordingly (P<0.001). The five-year follow-up showed similar mortality rate (4.92% vs. 2.86%, P=0.67) and major adverse cardiac event rate (11.48% vs. 11.43%, P = 1.0) between the diabetic and the non-diabetic group, whereas the recurrence of angina pectoris was higher in the diabetic group compared to the non-diabetic group (47.54% vs. 29.52%; P=0.02). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age and left ventricular ejection fraction rather than diabetes mellitus were independent predictors for long-term clinical outcomes. Conclusions StentBoost could effectively improve instant PCI results; the long-term clinical outcomes of StentBoost-optimized PCI were similar between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Age and left ventricular ejection fraction were the independent predictors for long-term clinical outcomes.

Role of endothelial dysfunction in determining angina after percutaneous coronary intervention: Learning from pathophysiology to optimize treatment

Endothelial dysfunction (EnD) is a hallmark feature of coronary artery disease (CAD), representing the key early step of atherosclerotic plaque development and progression. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is performed daily worldwide to treat symptomatic CAD, however a consistent proportion of patients remain symptomatic for angina despite otherwise successful revascularization. EnD plays a central role in the mechanisms of post-PCI angina, as it is strictly associated with both structural and functional abnormalities in the coronary arteries that may persist, or even accentuate, following PCI. The assessment of endothelial function in patients undergoing PCI might help to identify those patients at higher risk of future cardiovascular events and recurrent/persistent angina who might therefore benefit more from an intensive treatment. In this review, we address the role of EnD in determining angina after PCI, discussing its pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic approaches and therapeutic perspectives.

Management of Angina Post Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Our review discusses the management of post percutaneous coronary intervention angina (PPCIA) which negatively impacts 20-40% of patients and imposes a high burden on the healthcare system.

RECENT FINDINGS

Mechanisms of PPCIA include microvascular dysfunction, distal coronary vasospasm or disease, microembolization, myocardial bridge, coronary artery disease (CAD) progression, and rarely stent thrombosis or in-stent restenosis. Nitrates, beta blockers (BB), calcium channel blockers, and ranolazine are the common medical management options. Only BB showed 1-year mortality benefit following myocardial infarction. Stress echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance are the best to detect CAD vs. microvascular dysfunction. Invasively, vasoprovocative testing and fractional flow reserve provide useful prognostic information. If the ischemia burden is ≤10%, conservative management should be considered based upon the individual patient scenario. The optimal management of PPCIA remains unclear and further research is necessary. Multiple treatment options exist, which should be implemented in an individualized fashion.

Trimetazidine in cardiovascular medicine

Abnormalities of myocardial energy metabolism appear as a common background of the two major cardiac disorders: ischemic heart disease (IHD) and heart failure (HF). Myocardial ischemia has been recently conceived as a multifaceted syndrome that can be precipitated by a number of mechanisms including metabolic abnormalities. HF is a progressive disorder characterised by a complex interaction of haemodynamic, neurohormonal and metabolic disturbances. HF may further promote metabolic changes, generating a vicious cycle. Thus, targeting cardiac metabolism in IHD patients may prevent the deterioration of left ventricular function, stopping the progression to HF. For these reasons, several studies have explored the potential benefits of trimetazidine (TMZ), an inhibitor of free fatty acids oxidation that shifts cardiac and muscle metabolism to glucose utilization. Because of its mechanism of action, TMZ has been found to provide a cardioprotective effect in patients with angina, diabetes mellitus, and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and those undergoing revascularization procedures, without relevant side effects. In addition, the lack of interference with heart rate, arterial pressure, and most of frequent comorbidities, makes TMZ an attractive option for patients and clinicians as well. The impact of TMZ on long term mortality and morbidity in ischemic syndromes and in heart failure need to be conclusively confirmed in properly designed RCT.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficAcy and safety of Trimetazidine in patients with angina pectoris having been treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (ATPCI study): Rationale, design, and baseline characteristics

BACKGROUND

About 30% of angina patients have persisting symptoms despite successful revascularization and antianginal therapy. Moreover, in stable patients, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) does not improve survival as compared with medical therapy alone. Trimetazidine, an antianginal agent devoid of hemodynamic effect, may help reducing symptoms and improving outcomes after PCI. The ATPCI study is investigating the efficacy and safety of adding trimetazidine to standard-of-care in angina patients who had a recent PCI.

METHODS

ATPCI is a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, event-driven study in patients with coronary artery disease having undergone PCI because of stable angina (elective PCI) or unstable angina/NSTEMI (urgent PCI). After PCI, patients were randomized to trimetazidine (35 mg bid) or placebo on top of standard-of-care including event prevention drugs and antianginal treatment. Patients will be followed for 2 to 4 years. The primary efficacy endpoint is a composite of cardiac death, hospitalization for a cardiac event and recurrence or persistence of angina. Safety events related to trimetazidine use will be monitored.

RESULTS

Recruitment lasted from September 2014 to June 2016. A total of 6007 patients were enrolled (58% and 42% after elective and urgent PCI, respectively). Mean age was 61 years, 77% were males, and median durations of coronary artery disease were 1 and 5 months (if urgent or elective PCI, respectively). Almost all patients received drugs for event prevention and antianginal therapy at baseline.

CONCLUSION

The ATPCI study will shed further light on the management of contemporary angina patients after PCI. Results are expected in 2019.

Endothelial dysfunction as predictor of angina recurrence after successful percutaneous coronary intervention using second generation drug eluting stents

Background The role of endothelial dysfunction in predicting angina recurrence after percutaneous coronary intervention is unknown. Design We assessed the role of peripheral endothelial dysfunction measured by reactive-hyperaemia peripheral-artery tonometry (RH-PAT) in predicting recurrence of angina after percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods We enrolled consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with second-generation drug-eluting stents. RH-PAT was measured at discharge. The endpoint was repeated coronary angiography for angina recurrence and/or evidence of myocardial ischaemia at follow-up. Patients with in-stent restenosis and/or significant de novo stenosis were defined as having angina with obstructed coronary arteries (AOCA); all other patients as having angina with non-obstructed coronary arteries (ANOCA). Results Among 100 patients (mean age 66.7 ± 10.4 years, 80 (80.0%) male, median follow-up 16 (3-20) months), AOCA occurred in 14 patients (14%), ANOCA in nine patients (9%). Repeated coronary angiography occurred more frequently among patients in the lower RH-PAT index tertile compared with middle and upper tertiles (14 (41.2%) vs. 6 (18.2%) vs. 3 (9.1%), p = 0.006, respectively). ANOCA was more frequent in the lower RH-PAT index tertile compared with middle and upper tertiles. In the multivariate regression analysis, the RH-PAT index only predicted angina recurrence. The receiver operating characteristic curve of the RH-PAT index to predict the angina recurrence demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.79 (95% confidence interval: 0.69-0.89; p < 0.001), with a cut-off value of 1.705, having sensitivity 74% and specificity 70%. Conclusions Non-invasive assessment of peripheral endothelial dysfunction using RH-PAT might help in the prediction of recurrent angina after percutaneous coronary intervention, thus identifying patients who may need more intense pharmacological treatment and risk factor control.

[Identifying Latent Classes of Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease]

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify latent classes based on major modifiable risk factors for coronary artery disease.

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis using data from the electronic medical records of 2,022 patients, who were newly diagnosed with coronary artery disease at a university medical center, from January 2010 to December 2015. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 for descriptive analysis and Mplus version 7.4 for latent class analysis.

RESULTS

Four latent classes of risk factors for coronary artery disease were identified in the final model: 'smoking-drinking', 'high-risk for dyslipidemia', 'high-risk for metabolic syndrome', and 'high-risk for diabetes and malnutrition'. The likelihood of these latent classes varied significantly based on socio-demographic characteristics, including age, gender, educational level, and occupation.

CONCLUSION

The results showed significant heterogeneity in the pattern of risk factors for coronary artery disease. These findings provide helpful data to develop intervention strategies for the effective prevention of coronary artery disease. Specific characteristics depending on the subpopulation should be considered during the development of interventions.