Usefulness of post-systolic index in facilitating stratification of risk in patients with intermediate- or low-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Although there is reportedly a usefulness of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) on 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography in excluding significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in suspected intermediate- or low-risk non-ST-segment elevation-acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS), the efficacy of post-systolic index (PSI) in this context is yet unknown. Therefore, we explored the usefulness of PSI in facilitating stratification of risk in patients with intermediate- or low-risk NSTE-ACS.

Methods And Results: We assessed 50 consecutive patients suspected of intermediate- or low-risk NSTE-ACS, and finally analyzed 43 patients whose echocardiographic images were suitable for strain analysis.

Feasibility of Simple Evaluation of Coronary Artery Calcium Using a Number of Chest Computed Tomography Slices: A Multicenter Study.

We aimed to evaluate the visual measurements of coronary artery calcium (CAC) on nonelectrocardiogram (ECG)-gated chest computed tomography (CT) using a simple scoring method that involves counting the number of CT slices containing CAC. We analyzed 163 participants who underwent both coronary and chest CT examinations at six centers within 3 months. Agatston scores were calculated on standard ECG-gated scans and classified as none (0), mild (1-99), moderate (100-400), or severe (>400).

Six recurrences of myocarditis in 3 years: A case report.

A recent study revealed that recurrence of myocarditis occurs in a significant proportion of patients, but multiple recurrences of myocarditis have rarely been reported. The pathophysiology and best treatments for multiple recurrences of myocarditis remain unclear. A 60-year-old man presented to our emergency department with fever and chest pain.

A case of acute and late coronary events after blunt chest trauma: Attention to the late onset angina.

Mechanisms of acute myocardial infarction caused by traumatic coronary artery injury have been reported. However, late-onset coronary artery stenosis associated with trauma is less well known. We experienced a case in which acute myocardial infarction of the right coronary artery occurred at the time of blunt chest trauma (BCT) caused by a traffic accident and an increase in coronary artery stenosis in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) branch about 1 year later.

Identifying Small Coronary Calcification in Non-Contrast 0.5-mm Slice Reconstruction to Diagnose Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with a Conventional Zero Coronary Artery Calcium Score.

Aims: In a new-generation computed tomography (CT) scanner, coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores were measured using 3.0-mm slice reconstruction images originally acquired with 0.5 mm thickness scans in a single beat.

Association of epicardial and abdominal visceral adipose tissue with coronary atherosclerosis in patients with a coronary artery calcium score of zero.

Background: We sought to examine whether epicardial and abdominal visceral adipose tissue distribution is associated with coronary atherosclerosis in patients with a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score of zero, assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Methods And Results: We studied 352 patients with suspected coronary artery disease (mean age 61±11 years, 57% male) with a CAC score of zero who had undergone CCTA. Non-calcified coronary plaques (NCPs) were detected in 102 patients (29%); those causing ≥50% stenosis were found in 15 patients (4%).

Development of new risk score for pre-test probability of obstructive coronary artery disease based on coronary CT angiography.

Existing methods to calculate pre-test probability of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) have been established using selected high-risk patients who were referred to conventional coronary angiography. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate our new method for pre-test probability of obstructive CAD using patients who underwent coronary CT angiography (CTA), which could be applicable to a wider range of patient population. Using consecutive 4137 patients with suspected CAD who underwent coronary CTA at our institution, a multivariate logistic regression model including clinical factors as covariates calculated the pre-test probability (K-score) of obstructive CAD determined by coronary CTA.

Prognostic value of coronary artery calcium and epicardial adipose tissue assessed by non-contrast cardiac computed tomography.

Objective: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) accumulation is believed to be associated with development of coronary atherosclerosis. We investigated whether EAT volume as assessed by computed tomography (CT) has value in prediction of future cardiac events.

Methods: We studied 722 patients without proven coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent non-contrast cardiac CT.

Association between heart calcification assessed by echocardiography and future cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity.

Background: Echocardiography can detect calcium deposits in heart valves and aortic root, but the relationship of echocardiographic heart calcification such as aortic valve calcification (AVC), mitral annular calcification (MAC), and aortic root calcification (ARC) with future cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and morbidity is not fully elucidated.

Methods: We analyzed data from 943 patients with suspected coronary heart disease (mean age, 65.7 years; 36% female).

Incremental prognostic value of cardiac computed tomography angiography in asymptomatic aortic stenosis: significance of aortic valve calcium score.

Background: Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) provides the simultaneous evaluation of the aortic valve, myocardium, and coronary arteries. In particular, aortic valve calcium score (AVCS) can be accurately measured on the same scanning sequence used to measure coronary artery calcification, with no additional cost or radiation exposure. We sought to evaluate the prognostic value of CCTA measures, including AVCS, in asymptomatic aortic stenosis (AS).

Association between serum levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and coronary plaque detected by coronary computed tomography angiography in patients receiving statin therapy.

Background: Intensive lipid-lowering therapy with statins reduces cardiovascular events, but residual cardiovascular risks remain. Intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been associated with cardiovascular events. We examined the relationships between serum n-3 PUFAs and coronary atherosclerotic findings on computed tomography angiography (CTA) in patients undergoing statin treatment.

Noncalcified atherosclerotic lesions with vulnerable characteristics detected by coronary CT angiography and future coronary events.

Background: The ability of coronary CT angiography (CTA) findings such as plaque characteristics to predict future coronary events remains controversial.

Objective: We investigated whether noncalcified atherosclerotic lesions (NCALs) detected by coronary CTA were predictive of future coronary events.

Methods: A total of 511 patients who underwent coronary CTA were followed for cardiovascular events over a period of 3.

Association between epicardial adipose tissue volume and characteristics of non-calcified plaques assessed by coronary computed tomographic angiography.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether high epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume is related to the presence of vulnerable coronary plaque components as assessed by computed tomography (CT).

Methods: We evaluated 357 patients referred for 64-slice CT, and assessed coronary plaque components and EAT volume. Vulnerable coronary plaque components were defined as the presence of non-calcified plaque (NCP), including low-density plaque (LDP: <39 HU) and positive remodeling (PR: remodeling index>1.