Fractional Flow Reserve and Angiography Guided Complete Revascularization in Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Using a network meta-analysis, this study compared fractional flow reserve (FFR) guided with angiography-guided revascularization of non-culprit lesions in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We also assessed if early complete revascularization is superior to delayed revascularization. We conducted a network meta-analysis using Net Meta XL of trials of STEMI patients with multivessel disease and compared revascularization strategies.

Safety, Feasibility and Economic Analysis of Same Day Discharge Following Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Advances in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has made the possibility of facilitating same day discharge (SDD) of patients undergoing intervention. We sought to investigate the feasibility, safety and economic impact of such a service.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data on all patients undergoing outpatient PCI at our institution over a 12-month period.

Electrocardiographic QRS duration is influenced by body mass index and sex.

Background: Electrocardiogram (ECG) measured QRS duration has been shown to influence cardiovascular outcomes. However, there is paucity of data on whether ECG QRS duration is influenced by obesity and sex in large populations.

Methods: All ECGs performed by a pathology provider over a 2-year period were included.

Retinal microvascular changes in microvascular angina: Findings from the Australian Heart Eye Study.

Objective: Microvascular changes in microvascular angina are poorly understood due to difficulties in imaging the coronary microcirculation in vivo. The retinal microvasculature may reflect changes in coronary microcirculation. We assessed microvascular changes in the retina in patients with microvascular angina and compared them with patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease.

Gender differences in the prevalence of coronary artery tortuosity and its association with coronary artery disease.

Background: Little is known about the significance of severe coronary tortuosity (SCT) despite it being a relatively common finding on coronary angiography. We examined whether the presence of tortuosity was influenced by gender or cardiac risk factors.

Methods And Results: We examined 870 patients (Men = 589, Women = 281) who presented to Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia for invasive coronary angiography for the assessment of chest pain due to suspected CAD.

Prediction of Coronary Artery Disease Extent and Severity Using Pulse Wave Velocity.

Background: Pulse-wave velocity (PWV) measures aortic stiffness. It is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality, yet there is paucity in the literature on its association with the severity and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: To examine the utility of PWV in predicting CAD burden in men and women the PWV was determined in 344 patients (Men = 266, Women = 78) presenting for invasive coronary angiography for the assessment of suspected CAD.

Chronic kidney disease and the severity of coronary artery disease and retinal microvasculature changes: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Prior studies have suggested the association between incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and poor glomerular filtration function. However to the best of our knowledge, few studies have specifically assessed this relationship based on the severity of CAD as quantified using Extent and Gensini scores.

Methods: Between June 2009 and January 2012, data were collected from 1,680 participants as part of the Australian Heart Eye Study (AHES) cohort.

Severity of coronary artery disease and retinal microvascular signs in patients with diagnosed versus undiagnosed diabetes: cross-sectional study.

Background: There is increasing evidence that a considerable proportion of patients with diabetes remain undiagnosed and untreated, however, it is unclear whether this is associated with more severe coronary artery disease (CAD) and microvasculature changes compared with diagnosed patients. We assessed CAD extent and severity, along with changes to the retinal microvascular structure in participants with undiagnosed versus diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Participants of the Australian Heart Eye Study were stratified into participants with previously diagnosed diabetes (n=489), undiagnosed diabetes (n=76) and no diabetes (n=1,112).

Myocardial blush and microvascular reperfusion following manual thrombectomy during percutaneous coronary intervention for ST elevation myocardial infarction: insights from the TOTAL trial.

Aims: Thrombectomy during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been thought to be an effective therapy to prevent distal embolization and improve microvascular perfusion. The TOTAL trial (N = 10 732), a randomized trial of routine manual thrombectomy vs. PCI alone in STEMI, showed no difference in the primary efficacy outcome.

Association between Retinal Arteriolar and Venule Calibre with Prevalent Heart Failure: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: There is evidence to suggest that microvascular disease, particularly diabetic retinopathy, plays a role in the pathogenesis of HF. However, whether changes in retinal vessel calibre predicts HF is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of retinal microvascular structure with prevalent heart failure (HF).

Gender differences in the severity and extent of coronary artery disease.

Objective: To investigate whether women presenting with suspected angina would show less severe coronary artery disease in than men as determined by the extent score.

Methods: We examined 994 participants of the Australian Heart Eye Study presenting for coronary angiography in the investigation of chest pain from June 2009 to February 2012. People were excluded if there was a history of coronary artery bypass surgery, previous stenting procedure or incomplete angiogram scoring.

Prevalence and risk factors of epiretinal membrane in a cohort with cardiovascular disease risk, compared with the Blue Mountains Eye Study.

Aims: To describe the prevalence of idiopathic and secondary epiretinal membranes (ERM) in a clinical cohort (Australian Heart Eye Study, AHES) and compare to the Blue Mountains Eye Study, and to determine whether associations exist between idiopathic ERM and the extent and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: The AHES is an observational study that surveyed 1680 participants who presented to a tertiary referral hospital for the evaluation of potential CAD by coronary angiography. Severity and extent of CAD was assessed using three scoring systems: (1) segment/vessel scores, (2) Gensini and (3) extent scores.

Severity of coronary artery disease is independently associated with the frequency of early age-related macular degeneration.

Background/aims: To describe the prevalence of early, late and any age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a clinical cohort (Australian Heart Eye Study, AHES) and to determine whether associations exist between extent and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and AMD, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: The AHES is an observational study that surveyed 1680 participants between 2009 and 2012 who presented to a tertiary referral hospital for the evaluation of potential CAD by coronary angiography. Severity and extent of CAD was assessed using three scoring systems: (1) segment/vessel scores, (2) Gensini and (3) extent scores.

Associations between retinal microvascular structure and the severity and extent of coronary artery disease.

Objective: Microvascular mechanisms are increasingly recognized as being involved in a significant proportion of coronary artery disease (CAD) cases, but their exact contribution or role is unclear. We aimed to define the association between retinal microvascular signs and both CAD extent and severity.

Methods: 1120 participants of the Australian Heart Eye Study were included.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is associated with coronary arterial dilatation in end-stage renal failure patients.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) can affect several organs in addition to the kidney. There is paucity in the literature on the cardiac manifestations of this disease. This retrospective study aimed to assess whether ADPKD was associated with a larger coronary artery diameter and to evaluate for the presence of coronary artery aneurysm and ectasia.

Does normal ageing alter right ventricular relaxation properties? A tissue Doppler study.

Aims: Even in 'healthy' individuals, ageing alters left ventricular diastolic function with a decrease in early diastolic filling. There is a paucity of data with regards to right ventricular (RV) parameters with normal ageing. We sought to determine the effect of ageing on RV size and function in a group of 'healthy' individuals.