Impact of chronic total occlusion in a non-infarct-related coronary artery on myocardial injury assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and prognosis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction

The Presence of Chronic Total Occlusion in Noninfarct-Related Arteries Is Associated With Higher Mortality and Worse Patient Outcomes Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for STEMI: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

Reperfusion therapy with percutaneous coronary intervention improves outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the impact of chronic total occlusion (CTO) in noninfarct-related artery on the outcomes of these patients. Comprehensive searches were performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and EMBASE. The primary endpoint was the 30-day mortality rate, with secondary endpoints including all-cause mortality, repeat myocardial infarction, and stroke. Forest plots were created for the pooled analysis of the results, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. A total of 19 studies were included in this meta-analysis, with 23,989 patients (3589 in CTO group and 20,400 in no-CTO group). The presence of CTO was associated with significantly higher odds of 30-day mortality [18.38% vs 5.74%; relative risk (RR), 3.69; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 2.68-5.07; P < 0.00001], all-cause mortality (31.00% vs 13.40%; RR, 2.79; 95% CI, 2.31-3.37; P < 0.00001), cardiovascular-related deaths (12.61% vs 4.1%; RR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.99-3.44; P < 0.00001), and major adverse cardiovascular events (13.64% vs 9.88%; RR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.52-2.86; P < 0.00001) than the non-CTO group. No significant differences in repeated myocardial infarction or stroke were observed between the CTO and non-CTO groups. Our findings underscore the need for further research on the benefits and risks of performing staged or simultaneous percutaneous coronary intervention for CTO in the noninfarct-related artery in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Updated Strategies in Non-Culprit Stenosis Management of Multivessel Coronary Disease-A Contemporary Review

The prevalence of multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients underscores the need for optimal revascularization strategies. The ongoing debate surrounding percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), hybrid interventions, or medical-only management adds complexity to decision-making, particularly in specific angiographic scenarios. The article critically reviews existing literature, providing evidence-based perspectives on non-culprit lesion revascularization in ACS. Emphasis is placed on nuances such as the selection of revascularization methods, optimal timing for interventions, and the importance of achieving completeness in revascularization. The debate between culprit-only revascularization and complete revascularization is explored in detail, focusing on ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), including patients with cardiogenic shock. Myocardial revascularization guidelines and recent clinical trials support complete revascularization strategies, either during the index primary PCI or within a short timeframe following the culprit lesion PCI (in both STEMI and NSTEMI). The article also addresses the complexities of decision-making in NSTEMI patients with multivessel CAD, advocating for immediate multivessel PCI unless complex coronary lesions require a staged revascularization approach. Finally, the article provided contemporary data on chronic total occlusion revascularization in ACS patients, highlighting the prognostic impact. In conclusion, the article addresses the evolving challenges of managing multivessel CAD in ACS patients, enhancing thoughtful integration into the clinical practice of recent data. We provided evidence-based, individualized approaches to optimize short- and long-term outcomes. The ongoing refinement of clinical and interventional strategies for non-culprit lesion management remains dynamic, necessitating careful consideration of patient characteristics, coronary stenosis complexity, and clinical context.

Unraveling the Intricate Roles of Exosomes in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Comprehensive Review of Physiological Significance and Pathological Implications

Exosomes, as potent intercellular communication tools, have garnered significant attention due to their unique cargo-carrying capabilities, which enable them to influence diverse physiological and pathological functions. Extensive research has illuminated the biogenesis, secretion, and functions of exosomes. These vesicles are secreted by cells in different states, exerting either protective or harmful biological functions. Emerging evidence highlights their role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) by mediating comprehensive interactions among diverse cell types. This review delves into the significant impacts of exosomes on CVD under stress and disease conditions, including coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction, heart failure, and other cardiomyopathies. Focusing on the cellular signaling and mechanisms, we explore how exosomes mediate multifaceted interactions, particularly contributing to endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in CVD pathogenesis. Additionally, exosomes show great promise as biomarkers, reflecting differential expressions of NcRNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs), and as therapeutic carriers for targeted CVD treatment. However, the specific regulatory mechanisms governing exosomes in CVD remain incomplete, necessitating further exploration of their characteristics and roles in various CVD-related contexts. This comprehensive review aims to provide novel insights into the biological implications of exosomes in CVD and offer innovative perspectives on the diagnosis and treatment of CVD.

[Ischemic heart disease : More than just chronic CAD]

CLINICAL/METHODOLOGICAL ISSUE

Myocardial ischemia as a reduction in perfusion with therefore oxygen deficiency of vital cardiomyocytes. Thus primary and secondary prophylaxis of myocardial infarction and it's complications.

STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

Adenosine-regadenoson stress magnetic resonance imaging (AR-stress MRI), computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA).

METHODOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS

Non-invasive stress testing using AR-stress MRI to exclude relevant obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).

PERFORMANCE

Meta-analysis: The diagnosis of obstructive CAD at the coronary artery level has a pooled sensitivity of 87.7% and a specificity of 88.6%. Diagnostic accuracy is better than single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT; AUC 0.89 vs. 0.74).

ACHIEVEMENTS

AR-stress MRI can be used to assess myocardial ischemia in the setting of obstructive CAD. Current clinical guidelines for myocardial revascularization have strengthened the use of stress MRI in patients with intermediate risk of CAD and stable symptoms. Cardiac MR imaging using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is considered gold standard for myocardial viability assessment in vivo. Both viability and ischemia are considered prognostic factors for major adverse cardiac events.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

AR-stress MRI is used to diagnose myocardial ischemia in combination with viability imaging (LGE). Dobutamine-atropine (DoA) stress MRI is an alternative in the setting of contraindications for AR or specific clinical questions.

Comparison of Outcomes of Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Between Chronic Total Occlusion Versus 90-99% Stenosis in Non-Culprit Arteries

Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with chronic total occlusion (CTO) in nonculprit arteries had worse prognosis than patients with AMI without CTO in nonculprit arteries. However, the reason was not clearly explained. This retrospective study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between patients with AMI with CTO versus those with severe stenosis (90% to 99% stenosis) in nonculprit arteries, which would help to elucidate the role of CTO in nonculprit arteries. We included 643 patients with AMI and divided those into the CTO group (n = 188) and 90% to 99% stenosis group (n = 455). The primary end point was the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as the composite of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and readmission for heart failure. During the median follow-up duration of 431 days (Q1:178 days to Q3:950 days), a total of 189 MACE was observed. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that MACE was more frequently observed in the CTO group than in the 90% to 99% stenosis group (p <0.001). The multivariate Cox hazard analysis revealed that CTO in nonculprit arteries (vs 90% to 99% stenosis) was significantly associated with MACE (hazard ratio 1.410, 95% confidence interval 1.042 to 1.907; p = 0.026) after controlling known confounding factors. In conclusion, patients with AMI with CTO in nonculprit arteries had worse clinical outcomes than those with 90% to 99% stenosis in nonculprit arteries. Patients with AMI with CTO could be recognized as a high-risk group rather than those with 90% to 99% stenosis and should be carefully managed to prevent cardiovascular events.

CTO in Contemporary PCI

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) of Chronic Total Occlusions (CTO) represents the most challenging procedure in modern endovascular treatments. In recent years, the success rate of CTO PCI has substantially improved, owing to increasing operator expertise and advancements in CTO equipment and algorithms as well as the development of expert consensus documents. In this review, we summarize existing evidence for CTO PCI, its success/ risk prediction scoring tools, procedural principles and complications and provide an insight into the future role of CTO PCI.

Exosomal miR-152-5p and miR-3681-5p function as potential biomarkers for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The strain parameters of Real-Time Three-Dimensional Spot Tracking Echocardiography (RT3D-STE) are GLS, GAS, GRS, and GCS, while each index can significantly diagnose Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) patients, but none of them can distinguish between NSTEMI and STEMI. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), but little is known about the value of exosome miRNA combined with Real-Time Three-Dimensional Spot Tracking Echocardiography (RT3D-STE) between ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and Non-ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI).

AIM

To estimate the exosomal miRNAs related to strain parameters of RT3D-STE as biomarkers for early detection of STEMI and NSTEMI.

METHODS

The present study collected plasma samples from thirty-four (34) patients with AMI (including STEMI and NSTEMI) and employed high-throughput sequence technology and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to identify the differentially expressed miRNAs. The Pearson correlation coefficient is used to measure the strength of a linear association between differentially expressed miRNAs and strain parameters of RT3D-STE.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight (28) differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs were universally identified between STEMI, NSTEM, and normal groups. Among them, there are 10 miRNAs (miR-152-5p, miR-3681-5p, miR-193a-5p, miR-193b-5p miR-345-5p, miR-125a-5p, miR-365a-3p, miR-4520-2-3p, hsa-miR-193b-3p and hsa-miR-5579-5p) with a Pearson correlation greater than 0.6 with RT3D-STE strain parameters. Especially, miR-152-5p and miR-3681-5p showed the most significant correlation with RT3D-STE strain parameters. Target genes of these 10 miRNAs are analyzed for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways enrichment, and they were found to be mainly involved in the cellular metabolism processes and HIF-1 signaling pathway. RT-qPCR verified the significant differential expression of miR-152-5p and miR-3681-5p between STEMI and NSTEM groups.

CONCLUSION

RT3D-STE and exosome miRNAs can be used as a hierarchical diagnostic system in AMI. If the RT3D-STE is abnormal, the exosome miRNAs can be detected again to obtain more detailed and accurate diagnostic results between STEMI and NSTEM groups. Exosomal miR-152-5p and miR-3681-5p may serve as potential biomarkers for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Genotyping of interleukins-18 promoters and their correlation with coronary artery stenosis in Saudi population

BACKGROUND

Complex coronary atherosclerotic lesions often lead to coronary occlusion, clinically represented as a single-vessel disease (SVD) and multivessel disease (MVD). These occlusions could hinder the blood flow in coronary arteries that affects appropriate management of the CVD. The current study intended to genotype interleukin (IL)-18 promoter's hotspots (rs187238, rs1946518, and rs1946519) and their possible association with coronary artery stenosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The IL-18 promoter genotyping was performed by the Sanger method along with the examination of biochemical parameters in 125 study subjects categorized into three groups, viz. controls, SVD and MVD.

RESULTS

The current study observed a significant association of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia between the studied group's viz. healthy controls, SVD, and MVD. Fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1C) were also significantly enhanced from 4.82 vs. 8.01 and 4.33 vs. 8.27, in SVD, and MVD respectively. Despite the visible differences in the pattern of genotypic and allelic expressions, the current study did not show any statistically significant correlation with IL-18 promoter polymorphism at its hotspots with controls, SVD, and MVD subjects. The only exception of the above results was the distribution of allelic frequency at the rs1946519 hotspot, where a significant change (P < 0.05) was observed.

CONCLUSION

This study is of additional value to our previous reports, revealing the pattern of genotypes and allelic frequency of IL-18 promoters in a small cohort of Saudi ethnicity. Further investigations on larger sample size are recommended to envisage the presence of functional mutations in the IL-18 gene that could establish or rule out the possible association of IL-18 polymorphism with SVD and MVD.

Ischemia From Nonculprit Stenoses Is Not Associated With Reduced Culprit Infarct Size in Patients with ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

In patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention, reperfusion injury accounts for a significant fraction of the final infarct size, which is directly related to patient prognosis. In animal studies, brief periods of ischemia in noninfarct-related (nonculprit) coronary arteries protect the culprit myocardium via remote ischemic preconditioning. Positive fractional flow reserve (FFR) documents functional significant coronary nonculprit stenosis, which may offer remote ischemic preconditioning of the culprit myocardium. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between functional significant, multivessel disease (MVD) and reduced culprit final infarct size or increased myocardial salvage (myocardial salvage index [MSI]) in a large contemporary cohort of STEMI patients.

METHODS

Cardiac magnetic resonance was performed in 610 patients with STEMI at day 1 and 3 months after primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were stratified into 3 groups according to FFR measurements in nonculprit stenosis (if any): angiographic single vessel disease (SVD), FFR nonsignificant MVD (functional SVD), or FFR-significant, functional MVD.

RESULTS

A total of 431 (71%) patients had SVD, 35 (6%) had functional SVD, and 144 (23%) had functional MVD. There was no difference in final infarct size (mean infarct size [%left ventricular mass] SVD, 9±3%; functional SVD, 9±3%; and functional MVD, 9±3% [P=0.82]) or in MSI between groups (mean MSI [%left] SVD, 66±23%; functional SVD, 68±19%; and functional MVD, 69±19% [P=0.62]). In multivariable analyses, functional MVD was not associated with larger MSI (P=0.56) or smaller infarct size (P=0.55).

CONCLUSIONS

Functional MVD in nonculprit myocardium was not associated with reduced culprit final infarct size or increased MSI following STEMI. This is important knowledge for future studies examining a cardioprotective treatment in patients with STEMI, as a possible confounding effect of FFR-significant, functional MVD can be discarded. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01435408 (DANAMI 3-iPOST and DANAMI 3-DEFER) and NCT01960933 (DANAMI 3-PRIMULTI).

The 11-Year Prognostic Impact of Chronic Total Occlusion in the Noninfarct-Related Coronary Artery on Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background

The prognostic significance of CTO in the non-IRA in patients with AMI has been under dispute. Relevant long-term follow-up studies are lacking. Hypothesis. CTO in the non-IRA is an independent predictor of poor long-term prognosis in patients with AMI.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 2336 patients with AMI who received emergent percutaneous coronary intervention successfully from January 2006 to May 2011. Our primary endpoints included death from cardiovascular causes, recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, and target-vessel revascularization. We adopted Cox regression analysis adjusted for confounders to analyze the impact of CTO in the non-IRA on long-term mortalities.

Results

We identified 628 (27.6%) subjects with CTO in the non-IRA among 2282 AMI patients. After a mean follow-up duration of 134.3 months, we found the CTO group had significantly higher MACCE rate than the group without CTO (30.4% versus 24.3%, P=0.004). CTO in the non-IRA independently predicted 11-year MACCE in the male AMI subgroup (hazard ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval 1.06 to 1.54, P=0.01) and in the male NSTEMI subgroup (hazard ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.09 to 2.15, P=0.02). In the CTO group, three-vessel disease independently predicted 11 year MACCE (hazard ratio 2.05, 95% confidence interval 1.29 to 3.28, P=0.002).

Conclusions

Our long-term observational study supported the association between CTO in the non-IRA and poorer prognosis in AMI patients undergoing primary PCI. We identified the group with the three-vessel disease as a high-risk subgroup in patients with CTO in the non-IRA.