Association between chronic kidney disease and thoracic aortic atherosclerosis detected using transesophageal echocardiography

Aortic arch plaque morphology in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography with wide-volume scan

BACKGROUND

Wide-volume scanning with 320-row multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA-WVS) enables the assessment of the aortic arch plaque (AAP) morphology and coronary arteries without requiring additional contrast volume. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of AAPs and their association with coronary artery disease (CAD) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients who underwent CTCA-WVS.

METHODS

This study included 204 patients without known CAD (mean age, 65 years; 53% men) who underwent CTCA-WVS. We evaluated the presence of aortic plaques in the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and thoracic descending aorta using CTCA-WVS. Large aortic plaques were defined as plaques of at least 4 mm in thickness. A complex aortic plaque was defined as a plaque with ulceration or protrusion. MACEs were defined as composite events of cardiovascular (CV) death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke.

RESULTS

AAPs and large/complex AAPs were identified in 51% ( n = 105) and 18% ( n = 36) of the study patients, respectively. The prevalence of AAPs with large/complex morphology increased with CAD severity (2.1% in no CAD, 12% in nonobstructive CAD, and 39% in obstructive CAD). The univariate Cox hazard model demonstrated that the predictors associated with MACEs were diabetes, obstructive CAD, and large/complex AAPs. Independent factors associated with large/complex AAPs were male sex [odds ratio (OR), 2.90; P = 0.025], stroke history (OR, 3.48; P = 0.026), obstructive CAD (OR, 3.35; P = 0.011), and thoracic aortic calcification (OR, 1.77; P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

CTCA-WVS provides a comprehensive assessment of coronary atherosclerosis and thoracic aortic plaques in patients with CAD, which may improve the stratification of patients at risk for CV events.

Total arch replacement in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

We investigated the effect of preoperative renal dysfunction on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing elective isolated total arch replacement (TAR) with mild hypothermic lower body circulatory arrest with antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (SCP).

METHODS

One hundred and forty-four patients who had undergone elective isolated TAR between January 2002 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether their preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was lower than or higher than 60 ml/min/1.73 m² . We compared perioperative data and mid-term outcomes after adjusting for patients' baseline characteristics using weighted logistic regression analysis and inverse probability of treatment weighting.

RESULTS

More patients underwent postoperative stroke in the chronic kidney disease group compared with the normal group (2.8% vs. 0%, respectively; p = .049). Overall 30-day mortality and hospital mortality were 0% in both groups, and there was no significant difference in overall survival between the two groups (log-rank test, p = .129). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m² was not an independent predictor (hazard ratio: 1.636, 95% confidence interval 0.829-3.231; p = .156).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m² was not associated with worse outcomes after elective isolated TAR with mild hypothermic lower body circulatory arrest with antegrade SCP.

Serum Cystatin C Level as a Biomarker of Aortic Plaque in Patients with an Aortic Arch Aneurysm

Aim: During surgery for an aortic arch aneurysm, aortic plaque in the descending aorta should be evaluated, but there are currently no suitable biomarkers for it. Surgeons should be especially aware of cerebral embolism from femoral perfusion and of peripheral embolism from stent graft deployment. Cystatin C is a known useful marker of renal dysfunction with a role as a biomarker for severity of coronary artery disease. In the absence of a suitable biomarker for aortic plaque in the descending aorta, we examine cystatin C as a candidate.

Methods: In all, 75 patients who underwent surgery for an aortic arch aneurysm were enrolled. They were divided into two groups, depending on whether they had chronic kidney disease or not. The serum cystatin C value and creatinine value were evaluated preoperatively. The aortic plaque volume ratio and components in the descending aorta were calculated from preoperative enhanced computed tomography.

Results: The soft plaque volume ratio was higher in patients with chronic kidney disease than in patients without it. Cystatin C positively correlated with the total aortic plaque volume ratio in all cases, and it positively correlated with the soft plaque volume ratio in both groups. Creatinine had no correlation with any type of plaque volume ratio in either group. In patients without chronic kidney disease, the soft plaque volume ratio was higher in patients with higher cystatin C levels than in patients with normal levels.

Conclusion: The preoperative serum cystatin C level could be a biomarker of aortic plaque in the descending aorta in patients with an aortic arch aneurysm.