A Review Paper on Optical Coherence Tomography Evaluation of Coronary Calcification Pattern: Is It Relevant Today?

The process of coronary calcification represents one of the numerous pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the atherosclerosis continuum. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) represents an ideal imaging modality to assess plaque components, especially calcium. Different calcification patterns have been contemporarily described in both early stages and advanced atherosclerosis.

Ultrasonography for the optimal selection of patients suitable for single session arteriography and endovascular revascularization in severe peripheral artery disease.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) represents a high burden on the healthcare and social assistance systems. Revascularization reduces symptoms, amputation rate and increases the chances of social reintegration. Our aim was to evaluate the benefits of vascular duplex ultrasonography (DUS) for identifying patients suitable for direct percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) without the need for a prior angiography.

Adverse reactions after intravascular iodinated contrast media administration and their management.

Endovascular interventions and diagnostic examinations using iodinated contrast media (ICM) are standard of care in current vascular medicine. Although ICM use is generally considered safe, it may be associated with adverse reactions, vary from minor disturbances to rare, but severe life-threatening complications. This position paper of European Society of Vascular Medicine integrates current knowledge and summarizes the key information related to the use of intravascular ICM, serving as recommendation on prevention and management of acute, late, and very late adverse reactions.

Outcomes after stenting of renal artery stenosis in patients with high-risk clinical features.

Background: In patients with renal artery stenosis, revascularization was seen as a mean to improve outcomes, but large studies failed to show significant benefit in general population. However, data on benefits of renal artery stenting in patients with high-risk features, such as rapidly declining renal function and cardiac destabilization syndromes, are limited, as they were excluded from trials. In this descriptive study, we aimed to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes in high-risk patients with renal artery stenosis, treated by angioplasty and stenting.

Portable microfluidic plasmonic chip for fast real-time cardiac troponin I biomarker thermoplasmonic detection.

Acute myocardial infarction is one of the most serious cardiovascular pathologies, impacting patients' long-term outcomes and health systems worldwide. Significant effort is directed toward the development of biosensing technologies, which are able to efficiently and accurately detect an early rise of cardiac troponin levels, the gold standard in detecting myocardial injury. In this context, this work aims to develop a microfluidic plasmonic chip for the fast and accurate real-time detection of the cardiac troponin I biomarker (cTnI) three complementary detection techniques using portable equipment.

Superficial Calcified Plates Associated to Plaque Erosions in Acute Coronary Syndromes.

This study investigates the clinical relevance and therapeutic implications of the OCT identification of intracoronary superficial calcified plates (SCPs) in acute coronary syndromes (ACSs). In 70 consecutive ACS patients (pts), we studied the three main underlying ACS mechanisms: plaque erosion (PE), plaque rupture and eruptive calcified nodule (CN). The PE lesions, occurring on an intact fibrous cap overlying a heterogeneous substrate, were identified in 12/70 pts (17.

Vascular Diseases: Etiologic, Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Research.

The impacts of vascular diseases (VD) include increased morbidity and mortality, which are related to factors such as population aging, socio-economics, or an increasing prevalence of risk factors, e [...

rs641738 variant in metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and cardiovascular risk.

Introduction: Although metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, MAFLD predisposing genetic variants were not steadily related to cardiovascular events. Therefore, we aimed to assess whether membrane-bound O-acyltransferase domain-containing 7 () rs641738 variant is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk in in MAFLD patients.

Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study including 77 subjects (38 MAFLD patients, 39 controls), between January-September 2020 using hepatic ultrasonography and SteatoTest to assess hepatic steatosis.

The Role of Ultrasound in Accessing the Distal Radial Artery at the Anatomical Snuffbox for Cardiovascular Interventions.

In an effort to refine transcatheter vascular interventions, radial artery access has moved more distally at the anatomical snuffbox. Here, more challenges appear as the artery is smaller, more angulated, and more difficult to palpate. Including ultrasound guidance as a mandatory step during puncture may encourage more operators to switch to this approach.

Distinctive Morphological Patterns of Complicated Coronary Plaques in Acute Coronary Syndromes: Insights from an Optical Coherence Tomography Study.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an ideal imaging technique for assessing culprit coronary plaque anatomy. We investigated the morphological features and mechanisms leading to plaque complication in a single-center observational retrospective study on 70 consecutive patients with an established diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent OCT imaging after coronary angiography. Three prominent morphological entities were identified.

Approaches to Peripheral Artery Disease in Diabetes: Are There Any Differences?

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) increases the risk of diabetes, while diabetes increases the risk of PAD, and certain symptoms in each disease increase the risk of contracting the other. This review aims to shed light on this harmful interplay between the two disorders, with an emphasis on the phenotype of a patient with both diabetes and PAD, and whether treatment should be individualized in this high-risk population. In addition, current guideline recommendations for the treatment of PAD were analyzed, in an attempt to establish the differences and evidence gaps across a population suffering from these two interconnected disorders.

Anxiety and Depression in Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease and Cardiovascular Risk.

(1) Background: The relationship between anxiety and depression in metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and cardiovascular (CV) risk remains uncertain. Therefore, we aimed to assess whether anxiety and depression are associated with increased CV risk in MAFLD. (2) Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study involving 77 subjects (39 MAFLD patients, 38 controls), between January and September 2020.

Metabolic biomarkers related to cardiac dysfunction in metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: a cross-sectional analysis.

Introduction: Hepatic steatosis is associated with cardiac systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Therefore, we evaluated metabolites and their potential cardiovascular effects in metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).

Materials And Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 75 participants (38 MAFLD and 37 controls).

Relationship between Adipokines and Cardiovascular Ultrasound Parameters in Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease.

(1) Background: The role of adipokines such as adiponectin and visfatin in metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and cardiovascular disease remains unclear. Therefore, we aim to assess serum adiponectin and visfatin levels in MAFLD patients and associated cardiovascular parameters. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 80 participants (40 MAFLD patients, 40 controls), recruited between January and September 2020, was conducted, using both hepatic ultrasonography and SteatoTestTM to evaluate hepatic steatosis.

Optical Coherence Tomography for Identification, Characterization and Optimal Treatment of Spontaneous Recanalization of Coronary Thrombus.

Background/aim: Spontaneous recanalization of coronary thrombus (SRCT) is a rare in vivo appearance, with a nonspecific angiographic aspect. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of optical coherence tomography (OCT) use for SRCT identification, characterization of pathogenic mechanisms and optimal treatment.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients with angiographic suspicion of SRCT who underwent coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease and afterward investigated by OCT imaging.

Renal Failure Impact on the Outcomes of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Due to a Left Main Coronary Culprit Lesion Treated Using a Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) on a left main culprit lesion have very high mortality rates. The interaction of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with such a catastrophic acute event on the background of their highly complex atherosclerotic lesions is not well established. Therefore, we sought to evaluate in these patients the influence of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on short- and long-term mortality.

Real-Life Benefit of OCT Imaging for Optimizing PCI Indications, Strategy, and Results.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of standard practice Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging, as a complement to coronary angiography (CA), for optimizing the indications, strategy, and results of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 182 patients with OCT imaging in a single tertiary center.

Results: OCT use had a low prevalence (3.

In vivo imaging of complicated atherosclerotic plaque - role of optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death worldwide, with coronary artery disease (CAD) being the predominant underlying etiology. Coronary angiography (CA) is the current invasive method used for CAD diagnosis, as well as for defining the coronary interventional treatment strategy. However, CA offers sometimes-poor accuracy in estimating atherosclerotic plaque volume, morphology and degree of stenosis severity.