Association of Contemporary Statin Pretreatment Intensity and LDL-C Levels on the Incidence of STEMI Presentation

Constituting hypolipidemic and pleiotropic effects, statins stabilize coronary artery plaque and may prevent STEMI events. This study investigated the association between contemporary statin pretreatment intensity, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, and the type of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) presentation: STEMI vs. NSTE-ACS. Data were drawn from the ACS Israeli Survey (ACSIS), a biennial prospective national survey that took place in 2008–2018. The rate of STEMI vs. NSTE-ACS was calculated by statin use, including statin intensity (high-intensity statin therapy (HIST) and low-intensity statin therapy (LIST) prior to the index ACS event. Among 5103 patients, 2839 (56%) were statin-naive, 1389 (27%) used LIST and 875 (17%) used HIST. Statin pretreated patients were older and had a higher rates of co-morbidities, cardiovascular disease history and pretreatment with evidence-based medications. STEMI vs. NSTE-ACS was lower among HIST vs. LIST vs. statin-naive patients (31.0%, 37.8%, and 54.0%, respectively, p for trend < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that HIST was independently associated with lower STEMI presentation (ORadj 0.70; 95% CI 0.57–0.86), while LIST (ORadj 0.92; 95% CI 0.77–1.10) and LDL-C < 70 mg/dL (ORadj 0.96; 95% CI 0.82–1.14) were not. In conclusion, among patients admitted with ACS, pretreatment with HIST was independently associated with a lower probability of STEMI presentation, while LIST and LDL-C < 70 mg/dL were not.

Diagnostic Value of 64 Slice Spiral CT Combined Detection of Cd4 + Cd28-T Lymphocytes in Patients with Coronary Artery Plaque

in recent years, with the continuous progress and development of science and technology and the increasingly mature medical technology, the diagnosis of coronary artery plaque is becoming more and more complex. In recent years, there are many challenges and obstacles in the development of scientific and medical treatment. In order to successfully break through these challenges and obstacles, we must establish a 64- layer spiral CT detection system and lymphocyte symptom response. This paper mainly introduces the design and study of the diagnostic value of 64 slice spiral CT combined detection of CD4 + CD28-T lymphocytes in peripheral blood of patients with coronary plaque. This paper uses 64 slice spiral CT to detect the value of peripheral blood CD4 + CD28-T lymphocytes in the diagnosis of coronary plaque. The main purpose of CT is to solve two problems: the shape, size, location and activity of coronary plaque; The influence of coronary plaque on vascular anatomy and physiology plays a guiding role in treatment. The motion of coronary plaque and its relationship with heart cavity, heart wall and valve mouth (such as whether the movement of coronary plaque causes obstruction of valve mouth, etc.) can be displayed by film scanning, and cardiac function can be calculated. The results show that the diagnostic value of combined detection of CD4 + CD28-T lymphocytes in peripheral blood of patients with 64 slice spiral CT makes the plaque treatment rate increase by 16%. The limitations of the design of 64 slice spiral CT are analyzed the research and summary will enrich the academic research results.

High-risk coronary artery plaque in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes: clinical risk factors and coronary artery calcium score

Background High-risk coronary artery plaque (HRP) is associated with increased risk of acute coronary syndrome. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of HRP in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), and its relation to patient characteristics including cardiovascular risk factors, diabetes profile, and coronary artery calcium score (CACS). Methods Asymptomatic patients with T2D and no previous coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in this descriptive study. Plaques with two or more high-risk features (HRP) defined by low attenuation, positive remodeling, spotty calcification, and napkin-ring sign were considered HRP. In addition, total atheroma volume (TAV), proportions of dense calcium, fibrous, fibrous-fatty and necrotic core volumes were assessed. The CACS was obtained from non-enhanced images by the Agatston method. Cardiovascular and diabetic profiles were assessed in all patients. Results In 230 patients CCTA was diagnostic and 161 HRP were detected in 86 patients (37%). Male gender (OR 4.19, 95% CI 1.99–8.87; p < 0.01), tobacco exposure in pack years (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.03; p = 0.03), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02–1.07; p < 0.01) were independent predictors of HRP. No relationship was found to other risk factors. HRP was not associated with increased CACS, and 13 (23%) patients with zero CACS had at least one HRP. Conclusion A high prevalence of HRP was detected in this population of asymptomatic T2D. The presence of HRP was associated with a particular patient profile, but was not ruled out by the absence of coronary artery calcium. CCTA provides important information on plaque morphology, which may be used to risk stratify this high-risk population. Trial registration This trial was retrospectively registered at clinical trials.gov January 11, 2017 trial identifier NCT03016910.

Myocardial energetic efficiency is depressed in ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries

Background Ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) is incompletely understood. Depressed myocardial energetic efficiency index (MEEi), the ratio between external work and myocardial oxygen consumption, has been shown in heart failure. However, MEEi in INOCA has not been explored. Purpose To test whether MEEi is associated with INOCA. Methods We included 125 patients (56% women, age 62±9 years) with exercise-induced chest pain and non-obstructive coronary arteries (stenosis &lt;50%) by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Stroke volume (SV) and left ventricular (LV) mass were assessed by echocardiography. MEEi was calculated as (systolic blood pressure (SBP) x SV) / (SBP x heart rate) and normalized for LV mass. LV hypertrophy was defined as LV mass index &gt;46.7 g/m2.7 in women and &gt;49.2 g/m2.7 in men. Myocardial ischemia was detected by myocardial contrast stress echocardiography. Coronary artery plaque burden was measured as plaque volume by CCTA. Results In univariable regression analysis, stress-induced ischemia, male sex, diabetes, hypertension, LV hypertrophy, lower LV ejection fraction and higher SBP were associated with MEEi (all p&lt;0.05). There were no associations with age, obesity or coronary artery plaque burden. MEEi was lower in patients with stress-induced ischemia (n=66) compared to patients without ischemia (0.47±0.16 vs. 0.54±0.21 ml/sec x g–1, p=0.026). In multivariable linear regression analysis, MEEi remained associated with stress-induced myocardial ischemia after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, SBP, LV hypertrophy, LV ejection fraction and coronary artery plaque burden (R2 0.26, p&lt;0.001, Table). Conclusion MEEi is depressed in patients with INOCA. Our results suggest that myocardial ischemia negatively influences MEEi in patients with non-obstructive coronary arteries. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Western Norway Regional Health Authority, University of Bergen

The association between statin pre-treatment and LDL Levels on the rate of STEMI presentation: data from the ACS Israeli Survey (ACSIS) 2008–2018

Background ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) mostly occurs as a result of vulnerable coronary artery plaque rupture. Constituting hypolipidemic and pleiotropic effects, statins stabilize coronary artery plaque and may prevent STEMI events. Purpose To determine the association between statin pre-treatment and its intensity, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and presentation of patients with an ACS (STEMI vs. NSTEMI/unstable angina [UAP]). Methods Data was drawn from the Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Survey (ACSIS), a biennial prospective survey of ACS patients hospitalized in all CCU/Cardiology departments during 2008–2018. The rate of STEMI vs NSTEMI/UAP at the time of presentation was calculated by LDL-C levels on admission, stratified to 5 subgroups (&lt;50, 50–69, 70–100, 101–130 and &gt;130 mg/dl) and the use of statins, including statin intensity prior to the index ACS event. Results Among 5,103 patients, 875 (17%) were pre-treated with high intensity statin (HIST), 1,389 (27%) with low intensity statin (LIST), and 2,839 (56%) were statin naive patients. Statin-pre-treated patients were older, more likely to suffer from co-morbidities and cardiovascular diseases and were more often pre-treated with anti-platelets. The proportion of patients presenting with STEMI vs. NSTEMI/UAP was significantly lower among HIST vs. LIST vs. statin naive patients (31.0%, 37.8%, 54.0%, respectively, p for trend &lt;0.001). At each LDL-C level, the proportion of STEMI was significantly lower among HIST vs. LIST vs. statin naive patients. Multivariate analysis adjusting for pertinent variables including propensity score for statin use, revealed that HIST was independently associated with lower STEMI presentation, but LDL-C&lt;70 and LIST were not. Conclusions Among patients admitted with ACS, pre-treatment with high intensity statin but not LDL-C level, was independently associated with a lower probability of presenting with STEMI. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None