Combination of Lesion Stenosis and Myocardial Supply Area Assessed by Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography for Prediction of Myocardial Ischemia.

Recent clinical studies revealed that anatomical information assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) may be used effectively to diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD). However, a physiological assessment, demonstrating myocardial ischemia, is required to justify a therapeutic strategy for CAD. This study aimed to investigate whether using CTA to assess myocardial supply area can improve the prediction of myocardial ischemia.

Retrospective Comparison of Long-Term Clinical Outcomes Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Medical Therapy in Stable Coronary Artery Disease With Gray Zone Fractional Flow Reserve - COMFORTABLE Retrospective Study.

Background: A fractional flow reserve (FFR) between 0.75 and 0.80 constitutes a "gray zone" for clinical decision-making in coronary artery disease.

Usefulness of rescue ultrasound guidance for transradial cardiac catheterization.

Introduction And Objectives: Transradial cardiac catheterization reduces access site complications and is more comfortable for patients than the transfemoral approach. However, failure of the transradial approach is more common than the transfemoral approach. This study aimed to investigate whether ultrasound-guided rescue could facilitate transradial cardiac catheterization.

Safety and efficacy outcomes of second-generation everolimus-eluting stents in octogenarians compared to non-octogenarians.

Background: In patients ≥80 years of age, the use of second-generation cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stents (CoCr-EES) versus bare-metal stents has been shown to reduce myocardial infarction (MI) and target vessel revascularization (TVR) rates, without an increase in bleeding. However, safety and efficacy of CoCr-EES in octogenarians compared to younger populations are less certain. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between octogenarian and non-octogenarian patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with CoCr-EES.

Altered coronary flow velocity reserve and left ventricular wall motion dynamics: a phenomenon in hypertensive patients with ECG strain.

Background: The inner-half layer of the left ventricular (LV) wall is primarily affected by ischemia and increased LV afterload. We hypothesized that LV wall thickening of inner-half layer and coronary microvascular function are impaired in hypertensive patients, especially in those with electrocardiographic (ECG) strain, which is a marker of LV hypertrophy and adverse prognosis. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the association of the ratio of inner- to outer-half layer of the LV myocardial deformation and coronary microvascular function with ECG strain in hypertensive patients.

Electrocardiographic strain and endomyocardial radial strain in hypertensive patients.

Background: Electrocardiographic strain pattern (ECGS) is a well-recognized marker of the presence and severity of anatomic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and also has been associated with adverse prognosis in hypertensive patients. Left ventricular (LV) endomyocardial radial strain (Endo-RS) is predominant in systolic LV wall thickening compared with epimyocardial radial strain (Epi-RS) in a normal heart. However, it remains unclear whether the ratio of Endo-RS to Epi-RS alters in hypertensive patients, especially in those with ECGS.

Impact of heterogeneity of human peripheral blood monocyte subsets on myocardial salvage in patients with primary acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: We examined whether distinct monocyte subsets contribute in specific ways to myocardial salvage in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Background: Recent studies have shown that monocytes in human peripheral blood are heterogeneous.

Methods: We studied 36 patients with primary AMI.

Relationship between coronary arterial remodeling, fibrous cap thickness and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Thin-capped fibroatheroma (TCFA) is a recognized precursor lesion for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Positive remodeling (PR) is the predominant pattern of arterial remodeling in patients with ACS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between coronary arterial remodeling, fibrous cap thickness and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentration in patients with ACS.

Coronary microvascular resistance index immediately after primary percutaneous coronary intervention as a predictor of the transmural extent of infarction in patients with ST-segment elevation anterior acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether microvascular resistance index (MVRI) immediately after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can predict the transmural extent of infarction (TEI) defined by contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (ce-CMR) in patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Background: The degree of microvascular damage is an important determinant of myocardial viability and clinical outcomes in acute MI. A novel dual-sensor (pressure and Doppler velocity) guidewire has the ability to evaluate microvascular damage.