scholarly journals Dark crescent sign: high-risk calcified coronary plaque detected by electrocardiogram-gated non-contrast computed tomography

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Yamamoto ◽  
Tomofumi Takaya ◽  
Takahiro Sawada ◽  
Hiroya Kawai
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Coronary Intervention ◽  
Coronary Plaque ◽  
Careful Attention ◽  
Flow Phenomenon ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Crescent Sign ◽  
Calcified Plaque ◽  
Percutaneous Coronary

Abstract Electrocardiogram-gated non-contrast computed tomography can discriminate a dark crescent-shaped calcified plaque characterised as a low-intensity area surrounded by high-intensity signals. Careful attention should be paid to performing a percutaneous coronary intervention for a plaque with the dark crescent sign because of its potential high risk of no-flow phenomenon.

TWILIGHT: A Randomized Trial of Ticagrelor Monotherapy Versus Ticagrelor Plus Aspirin Beginning at 3 Months in High-risk Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johny Nicolas ◽  
Usman Baber ◽  
Roxana Mehran
Keyword(s):  
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Antiplatelet Therapy ◽  
Dual Antiplatelet Therapy ◽  
Coronary Intervention ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
High Risk Patients ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Percutaneous Coronary ◽  
Risk Patients

A P2Y12 inhibitor-based monotherapy after a short period of dual antiplatelet therapy is emerging as a plausible strategy to decrease bleeding events in high-risk patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention. Ticagrelor With Aspirin or Alone in High-Risk Patients After Coronary Intervention (TWILIGHT), a randomized double-blind trial, tested this approach by dropping aspirin at 3 months and continuing with ticagrelor monotherapy for an additional 12 months. The study enrolled 9,006 patients, of whom 7,119 who tolerated 3 months of dual antiplatelet therapy were randomized after 3 months into two arms: ticagrelor plus placebo and ticagrelor plus aspirin. The primary endpoint of interest, Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding, occurred less frequently in the experimental arm (HR 0.56; 95% CI [0.45–0.68]; p<0.001), whereas the secondary endpoint of ischemic events was similar between the two arms (HR 0.99; 95% CI [0.78–1.25]). Transition from dual antiplatelet therapy consisting of ticagrelor plus aspirin to ticagrelor-based monotherapy in high-risk patients at 3 months after percutaneous coronary intervention resulted in a lower risk of bleeding events without an increase in risk of death, MI, or stroke.

scholarly journals Clinical Relevance of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Beyond Coronary Artery Stenosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Nooruddin Meah ◽  
Michelle C. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Coronary Artery ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽  
Computed Tomography Angiography ◽  
Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography ◽  
Calcium Score ◽  
Coronary Plaque ◽  
Coronary Computed Tomography ◽  
Low Attenuation Plaque

Background The capabilities of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) have advanced significantly in the past decade. Its capacity to detect stenotic coronary arteries safely and consistently has led to a marked decline in invasive diagnostic angiography. However, CCTA can do much more than identify coronary artery stenoses. Method This review discusses applications of CCTA beyond coronary stenosis assessment, focusing in particular on the visual and quantitative analysis of atherosclerotic plaque. Results Established signs of visually assessed high-risk plaque on CT include positive remodeling, low-attenuation plaque, spotty calcification, and the napkin-ring sign, which correlate with the histological thin-cap fibroatheroma. Recently, quantification of plaque subtypes has further improved the assessment of coronary plaque on CT. Quantitatively assessed low-attenuation plaque, which correlates with the necrotic core of the thin-cap fibroatheroma, has demonstrated superiority over stenosis severity and coronary calcium score in predicting subsequent myocardial infarction. Current research aims to use radiomic and machine learning methods to further improve our understanding of high-risk atherosclerotic plaque subtypes identified on CCTA. Conclusion Despite rapid technological advances in the field of coronary computed tomography angiography, there remains a significant lag in routine clinical practice where use is often limited to lumenography. We summarize some of the most promising techniques that significantly improve the diagnostic and prognostic potential of CCTA. Key Points:  Citation Format

scholarly journals Isolated right ventricular myocardial infarction: a case report

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeogo Akinwale Olusan ◽  
Paul Francis Brennan ◽  
Paul Weir Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ◽  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Right Ventricular ◽  
Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ◽  
Coronary Intervention ◽  
Left Circumflex Artery ◽  
Right Ventricular Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Percutaneous Coronary

Abstract Background Isolated right ventricular myocardial infarction (RVMI) due to a recessive right coronary artery (RCA) occlusion is a rare presentation. It is typically caused by right ventricle (RV) branch occlusion complicating percutaneous coronary intervention. We report a case of an isolated RVMI due to flush RCA occlusion presenting via our primary percutaneous coronary intervention ST-elevation myocardial infarction pathway. Case summary A 61-year-old female smoker with a history of hypercholesterolaemia presented via the primary percutaneous coronary intervention pathway with sudden onset of shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pain while walking. Transradial coronary angiography revealed a normal left main coronary artery, large left anterior descending artery that wrapped around the apex and dominant left circumflex artery with the non-obstructive disease. The RCA was not selectively entered despite multiple attempts. The left ventriculogram showed normal left ventricle (LV) systolic function. She was in cardiogenic shock with a persistent ectopic atrial rhythm with retrograde p-waves and stabilized with intravenous dobutamine thus avoiding the need for a transcutaneous venous pacing system. A computed tomography pulmonary angiogram demonstrated no evidence of pulmonary embolism while an urgent cardiac gated computed tomography revealed a recessive RCA with ostial occlusive lesion. A cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed RV free wall infarction. She was managed conservatively and discharged to her local district general hospital after 5th day of hospitalization at the tertiary centre. Discussion This case describes a relatively rare myocardial infarction presentation that can present with many disease mimics which can require as in this case, a multi-modality imaging approach to establish the diagnosis.

scholarly journals Sex-based outcomes in contemporary antiplatelet therapy trials

Open Heart ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e001761
Author(s):  
Mirvat Alasnag ◽  
Tara L Jones ◽  
Yasmin Hanfi ◽  
Nicola Ryan
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Antiplatelet Therapy ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Coronary Intervention ◽  
Representation Of Women ◽  
Percutaneous Coronary ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
High Risk Populations ◽  
High Bleeding Risk ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Balancing ischaemic and bleeding risks in high-risk populations undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions has become an everyday dilemma for clinicians. It is particularly difficult to make decisions concerning combinations and duration of antiplatelet regimens in women given the poor representation of women in trials that have shaped current practice. Several contemporary landmark trials have recently been presented at the American College of Cardiology. The trials included the Harmonising Optimal Strategy for Treatment of coronary artery diseases-EXtended Antiplatelet Monotherapy, Ticagrelor With Aspirin or Alone in High-Risk Patients After Coronary Intervention and the TicAgrelor versus CLOpidogrel in Stabilised Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction. In this article, we summarise the main findings of these trials and include the The Polymer-free Drug-Coated Coronary Stents in Patients at High Bleeding Risk (LEADERS FREE) in search for evidence based best practices for women patients. Although some of these trials had prespecified a subanalysis of sex differences, women constituted only 17%–30% of participants making sex-specific analyses challenging. Data suggest that women benefit from de-escalation to both ticagrelor and clopidogrel monotherapy. However, given the increased bleeding risks observed in women further randomised controlled trials are necessary to determine the most appropriate combination and duration of dual antiplatelet therapy as well as maintenance single antiplatelet therapy.

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