Reliable quantification of myocardial sympathetic innervation and regional denervation using [C]meta-hydroxyephedrine PET.

Purpose: Cardiac sympathetic nervous system (SNS) dysfunction is associated with poor prognosis in chronic heart failure patients. This study characterized the reproducibility and repeatability of [C]meta-hydroxyephedrine (HED) positron emission tomography (PET) quantification of cardiac SNS innervation, regional denervation, and myocardial blood flow (MBF).

Methods: Dynamic HED PET-CT scans were performed 47 ± 22 days apart in 20 patients with stable heart failure and reduced ejection fraction.

Mediterranean Diet Score: Associations with Metabolic Products of the Intestinal Microbiome, Carotid Plaque Burden, and Renal Function.

Metabolic products of the intestinal microbiome such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) that accumulate in renal failure (gut-derived uremic toxins, GDUTs) affect atherosclerosis and increase cardiovascular risk. We hypothesized that patients on a Mediterranean diet and those consuming lower amounts of dietary precursors would have lower levels of GDUTs. Patients attending vascular prevention clinics completed a Harvard Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and had plasma levels of TMAO, p-cresylsulfate, hippuric acid, indoxyl sulfate, p-cresyl glucuronide, phenyl acetyl glutamine, and phenyl sulfate measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Data on the gut and saliva microbiota from a cohort of atherosclerosis patients determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

This work was conducted to characterize the 16S rRNA gene profile of a cohort of patients with traditional risk factors for developing atherosclerosis. The patients in the cohort were divided into two extremes; those predicted to develop extreme atherosclerosis who did not (Protected), and those predicted not to develop atherosclerosis who did (Unexplained). Bacterial DNA was isolated from stool and saliva and this was used to determine the V4 variable region of the 16S rRNA gene sequence composition of the samples in triplicate.

Metabolic products of the intestinal microbiome and extremes of atherosclerosis.

Background And Aims: There is increasing awareness that the intestinal microbiome plays an important role in human health. We investigated its role in the burden of carotid atherosclerosis, measured by ultrasound as total plaque area.

Methods: Multiple regression with traditional risk factors was used to identify three phenotypes among 316/3056 patients attending vascular prevention clinics.

Repeatable and reproducible measurements of myocardial oxidative metabolism, blood flow and external efficiency using C-acetate PET.

Background: Non-invasive approaches to investigate myocardial efficiency can help track the progression of heart failure (HF). This study evaluates the repeatability and reproducibility of C-acetate positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of oxidative metabolism.

Methods And Results: Dynamic C-acetate PET scans were performed at baseline and followup (47 ± 22 days apart) in 20 patients with stable HF with reduced ejection fraction.

Factors Determining Periprocedural and Long-term Complications of High Risk Carotid Artery Stenting.

Background And Purpose: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been, historically, an alternative to open endarterectomy (CEA) for stroke prevention in high risk patients with carotid atherosclerosis. We sought to determine the rates of periprocedural and long-term stroke or death and the risk factors for complications after CAS in our high risk patient population.

Methods: Clinical and treatment variables of consecutive CAS procedures performed between 2002 and 2011 were analyzed.