Coronary computed tomography angiography derived fractional flow reserve and risk of recurrent angina: A 3-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND

The association between coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) and risk of recurrent angina in patients with new onset stable angina pectoris (SAP) and stenosis by CTA is uncertain.

METHODS

Multicenter 3-year follow-up study of patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of new onset SAP who underwent first-line CTA evaluation and subsequent standard-of-care treatment. All patients had at least one ≥30 ​% coronary stenosis. A per-patient lowest FFRCT-value ≤0.80 represented an abnormal test result. Patients with FFRCT ≤0.80 who underwent revascularization were categorized according to completeness of revascularization: 1) Completely revascularized (CR-FFRCT), all vessels with FFRCT ≤0.80 revascularized; or 2) incompletely revascularized (IR-FFRCT) ≥1 vessels with FFRCT ≤0.80 non-revascularized. Recurrent angina was evaluated using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Amongst 769 patients (619 [80 ​%] stenosis ≥50 ​%, 510 [66 ​%] FFRCT ≤0.80), 174 (23 ​%) reported recurrent angina at follow-up. An FFRCT ≤0.80 vs ​> ​0.80 associated to increased risk of recurrent angina, relative risk (RR): 1.82; 95 ​% CI: 1.31-2.52, p ​< ​0.001. Risk of recurrent angina in CR-FFRCT (n ​= ​135) was similar to patients with FFRCT >0.80, 13 ​% vs 15 ​%, RR: 0.93; 95 ​% CI: 0.62-1.40, p ​= ​0.72, while IR-FFRCT (n ​= ​90) and non-revascularized patients with FFRCT ≤0.80 (n ​= ​285) had increased risk, 37 ​% vs 15 ​% RR: 2.50; 95 ​% CI: 1.68-3.73, p ​< ​0.001 and 30 ​% vs 15 ​%, RR: 2.03; 95 ​% CI: 1.44-2.87, p ​< ​0.001, respectively. Use of antianginal medication was similar across study groups.

CONCLUSION

In patients with SAP and coronary stenosis by CTA undergoing standard-of-care guided treatment, FFRCT provides information regarding risk of recurrent angina.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cardiovascular Testing in Asia

Background

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly affected management of cardiovascular disease around the world. The effect of the pandemic on volume of cardiovascular diagnostic procedures is not known.

Objectives

This study sought to evaluate the effects of the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular diagnostic procedures and safety practices in Asia.

Methods

The International Atomic Energy Agency conducted a worldwide survey to assess changes in cardiovascular procedure volume and safety practices caused by COVID-19. Testing volumes were reported for March 2020 and April 2020 and were compared to those from March 2019. Data from 180 centers across 33 Asian countries were grouped into 4 subregions for comparison.

Results

Procedure volumes decreased by 47% from March 2019 to March 2020, showing recovery from March 2020 to April 2020 in Eastern Asia, particularly in China. The majority of centers cancelled outpatient activities and increased time per study. Practice changes included implementing physical distancing and restricting visitors. Although COVID testing was not commonly performed, it was conducted in one-third of facilities in Eastern Asia. The most severe reductions in procedure volumes were observed in lower-income countries, where volumes decreased 81% from March 2019 to April 2020.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic in Asia caused significant reductions in cardiovascular diagnostic procedures, particularly in low-income countries. Further studies on effects of COVID-19 on cardiovascular outcomes and changes in care delivery are warranted.

Sex differences in aortic valve calcification in severe aortic valve stenosis: association between computer tomography assessed calcification and valvular calcium concentrations

AIMS

The aims of this study were to investigate the correlation and sex differences between total valve calcium, valve calcium concentration, and aortic valve calcification (AVC) in explanted valves from patients with severe aortic valve stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sixty-nine patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) scheduled for elective AVR underwent echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography (CT) prior to surgery (AVCin vivo) and CT of the explanted aortic valve (AVCex vivo). Explanted valves were prepared in acid solution, sonicated, and analysed with Arsenazo III dye to estimate total valve calcium and valve calcium concentration. Median AVCex vivo was 2082 (1421-2973) AU; mean valve calcium concentration was 1.43 ± 0.42 µmol Ca2+/mg tissue; median total valve calcium 156 (111-255) mg Ca2+, and valve calcium density 52 (35-81) mg/cm2. AVC displayed a strong correlation with total valve calcium (R2 = 0.98, P < 0.001) and a moderate correlation with valve calcium concentration (R2 = 0.62, P < 0.001). Valvular calcium concentration was associated with sex, aortic valve area, and mean gradient. After adjusting for age and estimated glomerular filtration rate, sex and mean gradient remained associated with valve calcium concentrations.

CONCLUSION

AVC score provides a strong estimate for total valve calcium but to a lesser degree calcium concentration in the valve tissue of patients with severe AS. Females presented lower valvular calcium concentrations than males irrespective of AS severity, adding evidence and providing support to the important point that sex differences in valvular calcium concentration in AS does not reflect valvular size.

Extent of arterial calcification by conventional vitamin K antagonist treatment

Background and aims

Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) remain the most frequently prescribed oral anticoagulants worldwide despite the introduction of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC). VKA interfere with the regeneration of Vitamin K1 and K2, essential to the activation of coagulation factors and activation of matrix-Gla protein, a strong inhibitor of arterial calcifications. This study aimed to clarify whether VKA treatment was associated with the extent of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in a population with no prior cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods

We collected data on cardiovascular risk factors and CAC scores from cardiac CT scans performed as part of clinical examinations (n = 9,672) or research studies (n = 14,166) in the period 2007–2017. Data on use of anticoagulation were obtained from the Danish National Health Service Prescription Database. The association between duration of anticoagulation and categorized CAC score (0, 1–99, 100–399, ≥400) was investigated by ordered logistic regression adjusting for covariates.

Results

The final study population consisted of 17,254 participants with no prior CVD, of whom 1,748 and 1,144 had been treated with VKA or NOAC, respectively. A longer duration of VKA treatment was associated with higher CAC categories. For each year of VKA treatment, the odds of being in a higher CAC category increased (odds ratio (OR) = 1.032, 95%CI 1.009–1.057). In contrast, NOAC treatment duration was not associated with CAC category (OR = 1.002, 95%CI 0.935–1.074). There was no significant interaction between VKA treatment duration and age on CAC category.

Conclusions

Adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors, VKA treatment–contrary to NOAC—was associated to higher CAC category.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation after aortic valve replacement is a risk factor for long-term atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVES

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication following cardiac surgery. However, knowledge on the rate of long-term atrial fibrillation (LTAF) after POAF remains unclear. We investigated predictors of POAF in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement, and assessed the rate of LTAF during follow-up.

METHODS

We prospectively included 96 adult patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement. Patients with previous atrial fibrillation (AF) were excluded. Patients underwent echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging immediately prior to surgery. Surgical aortic clamp time and postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) were documented. POAF was defined as AF recorded within 7 days of surgery. Through chart review, patients were followed up for documented episodes of LTAF occurring more than 7 days after surgery.

RESULTS

POAF occurred in 51 patients (53%). It was associated with larger preoperative echocardiographic left atrial volume index (44 ± 12 vs 37 ± 8 ml/m2, P = 0.004), longer aortic clamp time [80 (70-102) vs 72 (62-65) min, P = 0.04] and higher CRP on first postoperative day [80 (64-87) vs 65 (44-83) mg/l, P = 0.001]. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that left atrial volume index [odds ratio (OR) 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.13; P = 0.005] and postoperative CRP (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05; P = 0.006) were the only independent predictors of POAF. During 695 days (25th-75th percentile: 498-859 days) of follow-up, LTAF occurred in 11 patients of whom 10 were in the POAF group (hazard ratio 9.4, 95% CI 1.2-74; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

POAF is predicted by left atrial volume index and postoperative CRP. Patients with POAF have a 9-fold increase risk of developing symptomatic LTAF during follow-up.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02316587).

Computed tomography derived fractional flow reserve testing in stable patients with typical angina pectoris: influence on downstream rate of invasive coronary angiography

Aims

To assess the use of downstream coronary angiography (ICA) and short-term safety of frontline coronary CT angiography (CTA) with selective CT-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR_CT) testing in stable patients with typical angina pectoris.

Methods and results

Between 1 January 2016 and 30 June 2016 all patients (N = 774) referred to non-emergent ICA or coronary CTA at Aarhus University Hospital on a suspicion of CAD had frontline CTA performed. Downstream testing and treatment within 3 months and adverse events ≥90 days were registered. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of typical angina pectoris, which according to local practice would have resulted in referral to ICA, (low-intermediate-risk, n = 593 [76%]; high-risk, n = 181 [24%]) with mean pre-test probability of CAD of 31 ± 16% and 67 ± 16%, respectively. Coronary CTA was performed in 745 (96%) patients in whom FFR_CT was prescribed in 212 (28%) patients. In the high- vs. low-intermediate-risk group, ICA was cancelled in 75% vs. 91%. Coronary revascularization was performed more frequently in high-risk than in low-intermediate-risk patients, 76% vs. 52% (P = 0.03). Mean follow-up time was 157 ± 50 days. Serious clinical events occurred in four patients, but not in any patients with cancelled ICA by coronary CTA with selective FFR_CT testing.

Conclusion

Frontline coronary CTA with selective FFR_CT testing in stable patients with typical angina pectoris in real-world practice is associated with a high rate of safe cancellation of planned ICAs.

Correction to: Applicability and accuracy of pretest probability calculations implemented in the NICE clinical guideline for decision making about imaging in patients with chest pain of recent onset

The original version of this article, published on 19 March 2018, unfortunately contained a mistake. The following correction has therefore been made in the original: The names of the authors Philipp A. Kaufmann, Ronny Ralf Buechel and Bernhard A. Herzog were presented incorrectly.

Applicability and accuracy of pretest probability calculations implemented in the NICE clinical guideline for decision making about imaging in patients with chest pain of recent onset

OBJECTIVES

To analyse the implementation, applicability and accuracy of the pretest probability calculation provided by NICE clinical guideline 95 for decision making about imaging in patients with chest pain of recent onset.

METHODS

The definitions for pretest probability calculation in the original Duke clinical score and the NICE guideline were compared. We also calculated the agreement and disagreement in pretest probability and the resulting imaging and management groups based on individual patient data from the Collaborative Meta-Analysis of Cardiac CT (CoMe-CCT).

RESULTS

4,673 individual patient data from the CoMe-CCT Consortium were analysed. Major differences in definitions in the Duke clinical score and NICE guideline were found for the predictors age and number of risk factors. Pretest probability calculation using guideline criteria was only possible for 30.8 % (1,439/4,673) of patients despite availability of all required data due to ambiguity in guideline definitions for risk factors and age groups. Agreement regarding patient management groups was found in only 70 % (366/523) of patients in whom pretest probability calculation was possible according to both models.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that pretest probability calculation for clinical decision making about cardiac imaging as implemented in the NICE clinical guideline for patients has relevant limitations.

KEY POINTS

• Duke clinical score is not implemented correctly in NICE guideline 95. • Pretest probability assessment in NICE guideline 95 is impossible for most patients. • Improved clinical decision making requires accurate pretest probability calculation. • These refinements are essential for appropriate use of cardiac CT.

High burden of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Population studies report increased cardiovascular mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Coronary artery disease may be a trait of end-stage liver disease, but whether it is frequent or extensive in cirrhosis in general is unknown. Thus, we aimed to assess the prevalence and extent of coronary artery disease in unselected cirrhosis patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using coronary computed tomography angiography, we investigated 52 patients from all Child-Pugh classes and aetiologies of cirrhosis without known cardiac disease for presence and severity of coronary artery disease in a cross-sectional design. Persons referred with new-onset chest pain served as controls.

RESULTS

The prevalence of coronary artery disease was not significantly different between cirrhosis patients and controls (77% vs. 65%, P=0·19). However, cirrhosis patients had a markedly higher coronary artery calcification (Agatston) score than controls (120 [interquartile range, 0-345] vs. 5 [interquartile range, 0-86] HU, P=0·001). Likewise, patients with cirrhosis had a higher prevalence of extensive (≥5 coronary segments involved; 45% vs. 18%, P=0·01) and multivessel coronary disease (≥2 vessels involved; 75% vs. 53%, P=0·02). Furthermore, the total plaque volume whether noncalcified or calcified was higher in cirrhosis (117 [interquartile range, 0-310] vs. 36 [interquartile range, 0-148] mm³ , P=0·02).

CONCLUSION

Coronary artery disease is equally prevalent in patients with cirrhosis and subjects with new-onset chest pain, but cirrhosis patients have more extensive and severe disease including several coronary high-risk features associated with myocardial ischaemia and a poor clinical outcome. The potential of preventive measures for coronary artery disease in cirrhosis needs attention.

White Matter Lesions, Carotid and Coronary Atherosclerosis in Late-Onset Depression and Healthy Controls

BACKGROUND

Cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs) are more common in individuals with late-onset or late-life depression. It has been proposed that carotid atherosclerosis may predispose to WMLs by inducing cerebral hypoperfusion. This hemodynamic effect of carotid atherosclerosis could be important for the formation of WMLs in depression.

METHODS

The case-control study included 29 patients with late-onset major depressive disorder and 27 controls matched for sex, age, and tobacco use. WML volume, carotid intima-media thickness, and coronary plaque volume were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound scan, and coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography, respectively.

RESULTS

The mean age for the total sample was 59.7 ± 4.7 years. There was no difference in carotid intima-media thickness between patients and controls (p = 0.164), whereas a higher WML volume in the patients was found (p = 0.051). In both patients and controls, WML volume was associated with carotid but not with coronary atherosclerosis. In adjusted multiple linear regression, a 0.1mm increase in averaged carotid intima-media thickness was associated with a 52% (95% CI: 8.4-112, p = 0.032) increase in WML volume. The association between carotid intima-media thickness and WML volume was, however, similar in patients and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

In older persons aged between 50 and 70 years, WMLs do not seem to be a part of generalized atherosclerotic disease, but seem to be dependent on atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries. Carotid atherosclerosis, however, could not explain the higher WML load observed in the depressed patients, and thus, studies are needed to establish the mechanisms linking depression and WMLs.

Coronary plaque quantification and fractional flow reserve by coronary computed tomography angiography identify ischaemia-causing lesions

AIMS

Coronary plaque characteristics are associated with ischaemia. Differences in plaque volumes and composition may explain the discordance between coronary stenosis severity and ischaemia. We evaluated the association between coronary stenosis severity, plaque characteristics, coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA)-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT), and lesion-specific ischaemia identified by FFR in a substudy of the NXT trial (Analysis of Coronary Blood Flow Using CT Angiography: Next Steps).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Coronary CTA stenosis, plaque volumes, FFRCT, and FFR were assessed in 484 vessels from 254 patients. Stenosis >50% was considered obstructive. Plaque volumes (non-calcified plaque [NCP], low-density NCP [LD-NCP], and calcified plaque [CP]) were quantified using semi-automated software. Optimal thresholds of quantitative plaque variables were defined by area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (AUC) analysis. Ischaemia was defined by FFR or FFRCT ≤0.80. Plaque volumes were inversely related to FFR irrespective of stenosis severity. Relative risk (95% confidence interval) for prediction of ischaemia for stenosis >50%, NCP ≥185 mm(3), LD-NCP ≥30 mm(3), CP ≥9 mm(3), and FFRCT ≤0.80 were 5.0 (3.0-8.3), 3.7 (2.4-5.6), 4.6 (2.9-7.4), 1.4 (1.0-2.0), and 13.6 (8.4-21.9), respectively. Low-density NCP predicted ischaemia independent of other plaque characteristics. Low-density NCP and FFRCT yielded diagnostic improvement over stenosis assessment with AUCs increasing from 0.71 by stenosis >50% to 0.79 and 0.90 when adding LD-NCP ≥30 mm(3) and LD-NCP ≥30 mm(3) + FFRCT ≤0.80, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Stenosis severity, plaque characteristics, and FFRCT predict lesion-specific ischaemia. Plaque assessment and FFRCT provide improved discrimination of ischaemia compared with stenosis assessment alone.

Coronary plaque volume and composition assessed by computed tomography angiography in patients with late-onset major depression

BACKGROUND

Depression is a stronger predictor for the onset of or death from clinical coronary artery disease than traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The association between depression and coronary artery disease has previously been investigated in non-contrast enhanced computed tomography studies with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to further elucidate the depression-coronary artery disease relation by use of coronary computed tomography angiography.

METHODS

The calcified and noncalcified coronary plaque volumes were determined by semiautomatic volumetric quantification in 28 patients with late-onset major depression and 27 controls. The calcified plaque proportion, i.e., the calcified plaque volume divided by the total plaque volume, was used to assess the plaque composition.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in the total (p = 0.48), calcified (p = 0.15), and noncalcified (p = 0.62) plaque volume between patients and controls, and the total plaque volume did not predict depression, odds ratio = 1.001 [95% confidence interval: 0.999-1.003; p = 0.23]. However, the calcified plaque proportion was twice as high in patients compared with controls (14% vs. 7%, p = 0.044). Correspondingly, having depression was associated with an increased calcified plaque proportion of 11.3 [95% confidence interval: 2.63-20.1; p = 0.012] percentage points after adjustment for demographics and cardiovascular risk factors.

CONCLUSION

The proportion of the total coronary plaque volume that was calcified was significantly higher in patients with late-onset major depression than in controls, indicating a difference in plaque composition.

Reproducibility of coronary plaque detection and characterization using low radiation dose coronary computed tomographic angiography in patients with intermediate likelihood of coronary artery disease (ReSCAN study)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the interscan, interobserver and intraobserver agreement for coronary plaque detection, and characterization using low radiation dose high-pitch spiral acquisition coronary CT angiography (CTA). Two experienced observers independently evaluated coronary CTA datasets from 50 consecutive patients undergoing two 128-slice dual source CT scans within 12 days. Mean (±SD) estimated radiation exposure was 1.5 ± 0.2 mSv per scan. Observers recorded the presence and characterization of coronary plaques as non-calcified or calcified. A "segment involvement score" (SIS) was computed by summing the numbers of segments with any coronary plaque per patient. Reproducibility was assessed using kappa (κ) statistics, paired t test and Bland-Altman analyses. Interscan, interobserver, and intraobserver agreement (κ-values) for detection of any or calcified plaques were 83-94% (κ-values 0.57-0.85), and 67-84% (0.31-0.67) for non-calcified plaques on a patient level. No significant difference was observed in mean interscan or interobserver SIS. Mean (95% CI) intraobserver SIS difference was -0.88 (-1.25; -0.51), P < 0.001, with limits of agreement from -4.7 to 2.9. Low radiation dose high-pitch coronary CTA permits detection of any or calcified plaques with high interscan, interobserver, intraobserver agreement. However, variability for the detection of non-calcified plaque is substantial.

[Treatment of renovascular hypertension by renal angioplasty]

The result of treatment of renovascular hypertension by renal angioplasty over a period of 13 years was analysed. Patients with a positive diagnostic work-up with renography or renal vein renin measurement had renal angiography performed and in cases of renal artery stenosis, transluminal angioplasty. A total of 124 patients were treated; 31% were normotensive immediately after angioplasty, 59% had improved blood pressure control and 10% had unchanged hypertension. The corresponding figures after six months and at the latest follow-up were 13, 72 and 15%.