Comparing culprit lesions in ST-segment elevation and non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome with 64-slice multidetector computed tomography

Impact of hepatitis C virus infection on long-term mortality after acute myocardial infarction: a nationwide population-based, propensity-matched cohort study in Taiwan

INTRODUCTION

The influence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on long-term outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the impact of HCV infection on 12-year mortality rates after AMI using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).

METHODS

NHIRD data for approximately 23 000 000 patients between January 2000 and December 2012 were analysed. A total of 186 112 cases of first AMI admission were identified. A total of 4659 patients with HCV infection not receiving interferon therapy were enrolled and divided into those with (n=107) or without (n=4552) cirrhosis. Using one-to-one matching, 4552 matched controls were included in the final analysis.

RESULTS

The 12-year mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with AMI with HCV infection and cirrhosis than in those with HCV infection but without cirrhosis (P<0.0001) or controls (P<0.0001). Patients with HCV infection but without cirrhosis had significantly higher long-term mortality rates than the matched controls (P<0.0001). The HR for mortality was higher in patients with HCV infection (HR 1.12; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.18). HCV influenced outcomes among the subgroups of patients who were male (HR 1.15) and those who had hypertension (HR 1.14).

CONCLUSIONS

HCV infection influenced the 12-year mortality rates of patients with AMI, especially those who were male and those who had hypertension. Cirrhosis further increased the long-term mortality rates of patients with AMI with HCV infection.

Impact of location of epicardial adipose tissue, measured by coronary artery calcium-scoring computed tomography on obstructive coronary artery disease

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis. However, whether total EAT volume or location-specific EAT thickness may be a better predictor of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is inconclusive. We investigated whether the total volume or location-specific thickness of EAT measured on computed tomography (CT) could be a useful marker of CAD on top of clinical risk factors and Agatston score. Two hundred eight consecutive subjects with clinical suspicion of CAD receiving coronary arterial calcium (CAC)-scoring CT and CT coronary angiography were retrospectively divided into 2 groups: an obstructive CAD group (n = 97) and a nonobstructive CAD group (n = 111). Total EAT volume and EAT thicknesses at different locations were measured on CAC-scoring CT. Left atrioventricular groove (AVG) EAT thickness was the sole EAT measurement that showed association with increasing number of vessels exhibiting ≥50% stenosis (p for trend <0.001). Logistic regression showed that left AVG EAT thickness was the most important EAT predictor of obstructive CAD (odds ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval 1.04 to 1.29, p = 0.006; optimal threshold ≥15 mm, odds ratio 4.62, 95% confidence interval 2.24 to 9.56, p <0.001). Adding left AVG EAT thickness on top of clinical risk factors plus Agatston score improved prediction of obstructive CAD (area under the curve from 0.848 to 0.912, p = 0.002). In conclusion, excessive left AVG EAT adiposity is an important risk factor for obstructive CAD, independent of clinical risk factors and Agatston score. However, further trials are needed in investigation of combined assessment of location-specific EAT thickness and Agatston score on CAC scan as to whether this biomarker could improve CAD risk stratification in the general population.

Coronary atherosclerosis imaging by coronary CT angiography: current status, correlation with intravascular interrogation and meta-analysis

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) allows coronary artery visualization and the detection of coronary stenoses. In addition; it has been suggested as a novel, noninvasive modality for coronary atherosclerotic plaque detection, characterization, and quantification. Emerging data show that coronary CTA-based semiquantitative plaque characterization and quantification are sufficiently reproducible for clinical purposes, and fully quantitative approaches may be appropriate for use in clinical trials. Furthermore, several lines of investigation have validated plaque imaging by coronary CTA against other imaging modalities such as intravascular ultrasound/"virtual histology" and optical coherence tomography, and there are emerging data using biochemical modalities such as near-infrared spectroscopy. Finally, clinical validation in patients with acute coronary syndrome and in the outpatient setting has shown incremental value of CTA-based plaque characterization for the prediction of major cardiovascular events. With recent developments in image acquisition and reconstruction technologies, coronary CTA can be performed with relatively low radiation exposure. With further technological innovation and clinical research, coronary CTA may become an important tool in the quest to identify vulnerable plaques and the at-risk patient.