Long-term clinical outcomes in patients with untreated non-culprit intermediate coronary lesion and evaluation of predictors by using virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound; a prospective cohort study.

Background: It is uncertain whether the coronary lesion with intermediate stenosis is more likely to cause cardiovascular events than a normal or minimal lesion. We conducted a single-center, prospective cohort study to identify long-term clinical outcomes of patients with untreated non-culprit intermediate lesion and evaluate its predictor of cardiovascular events by using virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS).

Methods: Subjects with non-culprit intermediate lesion underwent VH-IVUS were prospectively registered after percutaneous coronary intervention at the culprit lesion.

Ten-year clinical outcomes of an intermediate coronary lesion; prognosis and predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events.

Aims: The natural history of intermediate coronary lesions (30 to 70% angiographic stenosis) and the prognostic predictors in predicting very long-term clinical outcomes is unknown.

Methods: Patients (n = 82, mean 60 years old) with intermediate non-culprit coronary lesions (NCL, n = 86), evaluated by virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS), were followed for 10 years. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and revascularization) were collected over follow-up period and stratified by culprit lesion (CL)-related, NCL-related and indeterminate/unrelated to CL or NCL lesions.

Impact of different antihypertensives on carotid arterial wall thickness.

Hypertension has been associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Carotid intima media thickness is increased in hypertensive patients. But, the correlation between carotid intima media thickness and antihypertensive agents is still uncertain.

Rationale of decreasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol below 70 mg/dL in patients with coronary artery disease: A retrospective virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound study.

Background: The associations between statin and coronary plaque compositional changes were re-ported according to the use of high dose or not. An evaluation of the impact of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) < 70 mg/dL by using real world dosages of statin on coronary plaque composition was undertaken.

Methods: The study subjects consisted of 61 patients (mean 59.

In-stent restenosis-prone coronary plaque composition: A retrospective virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound study.

Background: The mechanism of in-stent restenosis (ISR) is multifactorial, which includes biological, mechanical and technical factors. This study hypothesized that increased inflammatory reaction, which is known to be an important atherosclerotic process, at a culprit lesion may lead to higher restenosis rates.

Methods: The study population consisted of 241 patients who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention with virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) and a 9-month follow-up coronary angiography.

Underdevelopment of Left Atrial Appendage.

A patient was admitted for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. Cardiac computed tomography and transesophageal echocardiography revealed the absence of the left atrial appendage. However, the right atrial appendage looked normal and the level of pro B-natriuretic peptide was within normal limits.

Achievement of successful pulmonary vein isolation: methods of adenosine testing and incremental benefit of exit block.

Purpose: Several approaches were tried to achieve complete pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). The aims of this study were to (1) compare adenosine-induced PV conduction and exit conduction, (2) determine the adequate adenosine dose, and (3) investigate the correlation of dormant conduction and recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: A total of 378 consecutive patients who underwent PVI from June 2012 to April 2015 were prospectively included (the de novo procedure in 318 (84.

Analysis of Plaque Composition in Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Lesion Using Virtual Histology-Intravascular Ultrasound.

Background And Objectives: Success rates of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have recently been reported to range from 80% to 90%. A better understanding of the pathologic characteristics of the CTO lesion may helpful to improving CTO PCI success rates. We evaluated the CTO lesion in patients with stable angina (SA) by virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS).

Analysis of Carotid Ultrasound Findings on Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease during Seven-Year Follow-Up.

Background And Objectives: Both carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid plaque are important factors in the primary prevention of cardiac disease. However, it is unclear which one is more important for prognosis, especially in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Subjects And Methods: In total, 1426 consecutive CAD patients, proven by angiography, were followed-up for a mean of 85 months.

Basal C-peptide Level as a Surrogate Marker of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

Background: Recent studies have revealed that C-peptide induces smooth muscle cell proliferation and causes human atherosclerotic lesions in diabetic patients. The present study was designed to examine whether the basal C-peptide levels correlate with cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

Methods: Data was obtained from 467 patients with T2DM from two institutions who were followed for four years.