Relation Between Coronary Tortuosity and Vasomotor Dysfunction in Patients Without Obstructed Coronaries?

Background: A large proportion of patients with angina and no obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) has underlying coronary vasomotor dysfunction (CVDys), which can be diagnosed by a coronary function test (CFT). Coronary tortuosity is a common angiographic finding during the CFT. Yet, no data exist on the association between vasomotor dysfunction and coronary tortuosity.Aim: To investigate the association between CVDys and coronary tortuosity in patients with ANOCAMethods: All consecutive ANOCA patients who underwent clinically indicated CFT between February 2019 and November 2020 were included. CFT included acetylcholine spasm testing to diagnose epicardial or microvascular spasm, and adenosine testing to diagnose microvascular dysfunction (MVD). MVD was defined as an index of microvascular resistance (IMR) ≥ 25 and/or coronary flow reserve (CFR) <2.0. Coronary tortuosity, was scored (no, mild, moderate or severe) based on the angles of the curvatures in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery on angiography.Results: In total, 228 patients were included (86% female, mean age 56 ± 9 years). We found coronary artery spasm in 81% of patients and MVD in 45% of patients (15%: abnormal CFR, 30%: abnormal IMR). There were 73 patients with no tortuosity, 114 with mild tortuosity, 41 with moderate tortuosity, and no patients with severe tortuosity. No differences were found in cardiovascular risk factors or medical history, and the prevalence of CVDys did not differ between the no tortuosity, mild tortuosity and moderate tortuosity group (82, 82, and 85%, respectively).Conclusion: In this study, CVDys was not associated with coronary tortuosity. Future experimental and clinical studies on the complex interplay between coronary tortuosity, wall shear stress, endothelial dysfunction and coronary flow are warranted.

Application of the Truncated Zero-Inflated Double Poisson for Determining of the Effecting Factors on the Number of Coronary Artery Stenosis

Background. Risk factors of coronary heart disease have been discussed in the literature; however, conventional statistical models are not appropriate when the outcome of interest is number of vessels with obstructive coronary artery disease. In this paper, a novel statistical model is discussed to investigate the risk factors of number of vessels with obstructive coronary artery disease. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 633 elderly cardiovascular patients at Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran from September 2011 to May 2013. Clinical outcome is number of vessels with obstructive coronary artery disease (=0, 1, 2, 3), and predictor variables are baseline demographics and clinical features. A right-truncated zero-inflated double Poisson regression model is performed which can accommodate both underdispersion and excess zeros in the outcome. The goodness-of-fit of the proposed model is compared with conventional regression models. Results. Out of 633 cardiovascular patients, 327 were male (51.7%). Mean age was ~ 65 ± 7 years (for individuals with zero, one ,and two coronary artery stenosis) and ~ 66 ± 7 years (for individuals with three coronary artery stenosis). BMI ( 0.04 ± 0.01 , p = 0.011 ) and female gender ( 0.19 ± 0.09 , p = 0.032 ) were significant associated with the count part of the model, and only BMI ( − 0.47 ± 0.2 , p = 0.011 ) was significantly predictive of logit part of the model. The goodness-of-fit measurements indicate that the proposed model outperforms the conventional regression models. Conclusion. The proposal regression model shows a better fit compared to the standard regression analysis in modeling number of vessels with obstructive coronary artery disease. Hence, using truncated zero-inflated double Poisson regression model—as an alternative model—is advised to study the risk factors of number of involved vessels of coronary artery stenosis.

Characteristics and Outcomes of MI with Non-obstructive Coronary Arteries in a South-east Asian Cohort

Background: MI with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is caused by a heterogenous group of conditions with clinically significant sequelae. Aim: This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and prognosis of MINOCA with MI with obstructive coronary artery disease (MICAD). Methods: Data on patients with a first presentation of MI between 2011 and 2014 were extracted from the Singapore Cardiac Longitudinal Outcomes Database and patients were classified as having either MINOCA or MICAD. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality (ACM) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as a composite of ACM, recurrent MI, heart failure hospitalisation and stroke. Results: Of the 4,124 patients who were included in this study, 159 (3.9%) were diagnosed with MINOCA. They were more likely to be women, present with a non-ST-elevation MI, have a higher left ventricular ejection fraction and less likely to have diabetes, previous stroke or smoking history. Over a mean follow-up duration of 4.5 years, MINOCA patients had a lower incidence of ACM (10.1% versus 16.5%) and MACE (20.8% versus 35.5%) compared with MICAD. On multivariable analysis, patients with MINOCA had a lower risk of ACM (HR 0.42; 95% CI [0.21–0.82]) and MACE (HR 0.42; 95% CI [0.26–0.69]). Within the MINOCA group, older age, higher creatinine, a ST-elevation MI presentation, and the absence of antiplatelet use predicted ACM and MACE. Conclusion: While patients with MINOCA had better clinical outcomes compared with MICAD patients, MINOCA is not a benign entity, with one in five patients experiencing an adverse cardiovascular event in the long term.

Features of the diagnosis and course of coronary heart disease in young people: a clinical case

This clinical analysis is devoted to the case of exacerbation of ischemic heart disease in a 36-year-old man. A feature of this case is the combination of young age and obstructive coronary artery disease, as well as diagnostic search and analysis of the data obtained in the group of young patients.

Stable Angina Pectoris: One-Year Outcomes of Patients with Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: Multicenter Sutdy in Dakar (Senegal)

Background: CAD management is important in prevention of disease progression. But we have very little study or research on the evolution of stable angina in amulatory patients without coronary antecedents and with obstructive coronary disease. Purpose: The objective of our study was to analyze the clinical and angiographic profil of patients with stable chest pain and to assess their angina status one year outcomes. Patients and methods: All patients who presented with symptomatic angina pectoris and/or signs of ischemia and first diagnosis of obstructive CAD in the Cardiology Departments of Idrissa Pouye General Hospital and Aristide Le Dantec National University Hospital Center of Dakar, from March 01, 2019 to December 31, 2020 were selected. The clinical characteristics, initial angiographic findings, therapeutic strategy and outcome within the first year were analyzed. Results: During the study period, 84 outpatients presenting with symptomatic stable chest pain and first obstructive coronary artery disease were selected. The mean age was 63.01± 9.37 years. Male preponderance was observed with 63(75%) patients; Clinical symptoms were dominated by typical pain with 46.4% (n=39) ; the risk factors were dominated by hypertension 61.9% (n=52); diabetes 41.7% (n=35) and dyslipidemia 33.3% (n=28). During follow-up, 10 patients (11.90%) remained untraceable while 9 patients (10.71%) were not available for check-up; 3 patients (3.57%) died during follow-up. Only 62 patients (73.80) could be evaluated; among those who were alive and controlled, 26 patients (41.93%) with angina at baseline still had angina symptoms, 2 patients (3.22%) had undergone myocardial infarction; one (1.61%) had undergone urgent revascularization; one (1.61%) patient developed heart failure. Finally 32 patients (51.61%) were event-free and angina-free Conclusion: The management of outpatients with stable chest pain and first obstructive CAD appears favourable, with good adherence to guideline-based therapies one year outcomes. Stable chest pain is not associated with an increased risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes but there remains room for improvement in terms of risk factor control.