Project description:Background Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a noninvasive, less expensive, low-radiation alternative to invasive coronary angiography (ICA). ICA is recommended for coronary evaluation before heart valvular surgery, and the supporting evidence for CCTA is insufficient. Our study is a single-center, prospective cohort study designed to evaluate the feasibility of CCTA instead of ICA in detection of coronary artery disease before surgery. Methods and Results Heart valvular surgery candidates were consecutively enrolled between April 2017 and December 2018. Nine hundred fifty-eight patients in the CCTA group underwent CCTA primarily, and those with ≥50% coronary stenosis or uncertain diagnosis underwent subsequent ICA. One thousand five hundred twenty-five patients in the ICA group underwent ICA directly before surgery. Coronary artery bypass grafting decision was made by surgeons according to CCTA or ICA results. Most of the patients (78.8%) in the CCTA group avoided invasive angiography. Thirty-day mortality (0.7% versus 0.9%, P=0.821), myocardial infarction (6.4% versus 6.9%, P=0.680 ), and low cardiac output syndrome (4.2% versus 2.8%, P=0.085) were similar in the CCTA and ICA groups. Median duration of follow-up was 19.3 months (interquartile range, 14.2-30.0 months), cumulative rates of mortality (2.6% versus 2.6%, P=0.882) and major adverse cardiac events (9.6% versus 9.0%, P=0.607) showed no difference between the 2 groups. Coronary evaluation expense was lower in the CCTA group ($149.6 versus $636.0, P<0.001). Conclusions The strategy of using CCTA as a doorkeeper in coronary evaluation before heart valvular surgery showed noninferiority in identification of candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting and postoperative safety.
Project description:ObjectivesTo compare the detection of relevant extracardiac findings (ECFs) on coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and evaluate the potential clinical benefit of their detection.MethodsThis is the prespecified subanalysis of ECFs in patients presenting with a clinical indication for ICA based on atypical angina and suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) included in the prospective single-center randomized controlled Coronary Artery Disease Management (CAD-Man) study. ECFs requiring immediate therapy and/or further workup including additional imaging were defined as clinically relevant. We evaluated the scope of ECFs in 329 patients and analyzed the potential clinical benefit of their detection.ResultsECFs were detected in 107 of 329 patients (32.5%; CTA: 101/167, 60.5%; ICA: 6/162, 3.7%; p < .001). Fifty-nine patients had clinically relevant ECFs (17.9%; CTA: 55/167, 32.9%; ICA: 4/162, 2.5%; p < .001). In the CTA group, ECFs potentially explained atypical chest pain in 13 of 101 patients with ECFs (12.9%). After initiation of therapy, chest pain improved in 4 (4.0%) and resolved in 7 patients (6.9%). Follow-up imaging was recommended in 33 (10.0%; CTA: 30/167, 18.0%; ICA: 3/162, 1.9%) and additional clinic consultation in 26 patients (7.9%; CTA: 25/167, 15.0%; ICA: 1/162, 0.6%). Malignancy was newly diagnosed in one patient (0.3%; CTA: 1/167, 0.6%; ICA: 0).ConclusionsIn this randomized study, CTA but not ICA detected clinically relevant ECFs that may point to possible other causes of chest pain in patients without CAD. Thus, CTA might preclude the need for ICA in those patients.Trial registrationNCT Unique ID: 00844220 KEY POINTS: • CTA detects ten times more clinically relevant ECFs than ICA. • Actionable clinically relevant ECFs affect patient management and therapy and may thus improve chest pain. • Detection of ECFs explaining chest pain on CTA might preclude the need for performing ICA.
Project description:This study aims at identifying gene expression patterns in the whole blood that could differentiate patients with severe coronary atherosclerosis from subjects without detectable coronary artery disease (CAD), and assess associations of gene expression patterns with plaque features at coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Patients undergoing CCTA for suspected CAD, with no cardiovascular history, were enrolled. Coronary stenosis was quantified and CCTA plaque features were assessed. The whole-blood transcriptome was analyzed by RNA-Sequencing. We detected highly significant differences in the circulating transcriptome between patients with high-degree coronary stenosis (> 70%) at CCTA and subjects with the absence of coronary plaques. Noteworthy, regression analysis revealed expression signatures associated with Leaman score, segment involved score, segment-stenosis score, and plaque volume with density <150 HU at CCTA. This pilot study shows that patients with significant coronary stenosis are characterized by whole blood transcriptome profiles that may discriminate them from patients without CAD. Furthermore, our results suggest that whole blood transcriptional profiles may predict plaque characteristics.
Project description:Acute vasospastic angina, formerly known as Prinzmetal angina, is characterized by transient electrocardiographic changes that are not related to exertion. Its atypical presentation makes it difficult to establish the diagnosis, so it is probably underrecognized and therefore mismanaged. We treated a 49-year-old woman who presented with a 2-day history of chest pain associated with palpitations. Abnormal radionuclide stress test results prompted diagnostic coronary angiography, during which the patient reported chest pain and became hemodynamically unstable. Active coronary vasospasm at multiple sites was treated with intracoronary nitroglycerin and nicardipine, leading to immediate recovery. Our case highlights the importance of accurate, timely diagnosis of vasospastic angina, and of early recognition and management of spontaneous coronary spasm during angiography.
Project description:Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) shows a chronic but heterogeneous clinical course. Coronary CT angiography (CTA) allows for the visualization of the entire coronary tree and the detection of early stages of CAD. The aim of this study was to assess short-time changes in non-calcified and mixed plaques and their clinical impact using coronary CTA in a real-world setting. Methods: Between 11/2014 and 07/2019, 6,701 patients had a coronary CTA with a third-generation dual-source CT, of whom 77 patients (57 males, 63.8 ± 10.8 years) with a chronic CAD received clinically indicated follow-up CTA. Non-calcified and mixed plaques were analyzed in 1,211 coronary segments. Patients were divided into groups: stable, progressive, or regressive plaques. Results: Within the follow-up period of 22.3 ± 10.4 months, 44 patients (58%) showed stable plaques, 27 (36%) showed progression, 5 (7%) showed regression. One patient was excluded due to an undetermined CAD course showing both, progressive and regressive plaques. Age did not differ significantly between groups. Patients with plaque regression were predominantly female (80 vs. 20%), whereas patients showing progression were mainly male (85 vs. 15%; p < 0.01 for both). Regression was only observed in patients with mild CAD or one-vessel disease. The follow-up CTA led to changes in patient management in the majority of subjects (n = 50; 66%). Conclusions: Changes in coronary artery plaques can be observed within a short period resulting in an adjustment of the clinical management in the majority of CAD patients. Follow-up coronary CTA renders the non-invasive assessment of plaque development possible and allows for an individualized diagnostics and therapy optimization.