259 Incidence, predictors, and prognostic role of complications occurring during intracoronary provocative test with acetylcholine in patients with myocardial ischaemia and non-obstructive coronary arteries

Abstract Aims Coronary provocative test with acetylcholine (ACh) is of utmost importance and increasingly used in patients with myocardial ischaemia and non-obstructive coronary arteries. However, data on safety, predictors, and prognostic role of complications during intracoronary provocative testing are scarce. We aimed at assessing the safety of ACh provocative test in patients with myocardial ischaemia and non-obstructive coronary arteries. Moreover, we evaluated the predictors and the prognostic implications of complications occurring during the provocative test. Methods and results We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients undergoing intracoronary ACh provocative test for suspected myocardial ischaemia with angiographic evidence of non-obstructive coronary arteries. Complications during the ACh test were collected. Occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), arrhythmic events at 24-h ECG dynamic Holter monitoring and angina status were assessed at follow-up. We enrolled 310 patients [mean age 60.6 ± 11.9; 169 (54.5%) chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) and 141 (45.5%) with myocardial infarction and non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA)]. The overall incidence of complications was low (9%) with a similar incidence in MINOCA and CCS [10 (7.1%) vs. 18 (10.7%), P = 0.276, respectively]. At multivariate logistic regression analysis, a previous history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation [odds ratio (OR): 12.324, confidence interval (CI): 95% (4.641–32.722), P = 0.015] and moderate/severe diastolic dysfunction [OR: 3.827, 95% CI (1.296–11.304), P = 0.015] were independent predictors for occurrence of complications. The occurrence of complications was not associated with a worse clinical outcome at follow-up (median follow-up 22 months) in terms of both MACE, arrhythmic events and angina burden. Conclusions Intracoronary provocative testing with ACh test is safe in patients with myocardial ischaemia and non-obstructive coronary arteries (including MINOCA patients). History of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and moderate/severe diastolic dysfunction predicted the occurrence of complications during ACh test. However, occurrence of complications did not portend a worse prognosis at follow-up in terms of MACE, arrhythmic events, and angina burden

Patients with acute myocardial infarction and non-obstructive coronary arteries: Safety and prognostic relevance of invasive coronary provocative tests

Functional alterations of epicardial coronary arteries or coronary microcirculation represent a frequent cause of myocardial infarction and non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). We aimed at assessing the prognostic value of intracoronary provocative tests in patients presenting with MINOCA and in which other causes of MINOCA have been excluded. Methods and results We prospectively evaluated patients with a diagnosis of MINOCA, excluding patients with aetiologies other than suspected coronary vasomotor abnormalities. Immediately after coronary angiography, an invasive provocative test using acetylcholine or ergonovine was performed. The incidence of death from any cause, cardiac death, and recurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was assessed at follow-up. We also assessed angina status using Seattle Angina Questionnaires (SAQ). We enrolled 80 consecutive patients [mean age 63.0±10.7 years, 40 (50%) male]. Provocative test was positive in 37 (46.2%) patients without any complication. Among patients with a positive test, epicardial spasm was detected in 24 (64.9%) patients and microvascular spasm in 13 (35.1%) patients. After a median follow-up of 36.0 (range 12.0-60.0)months, patients with a positive test had a significantly higher occurrence of death from any cause [12 (32.4%) vs. 2 (4.7%); P= 0.002], cardiac death [7 (18.9%) vs. 0 (0.0%); P= 0.005], and readmission for ACS [10 (27.0%) vs. 3 (7.0%); P= 0.015] as well as a worse angina status as assessed by SAQ [Seattle score: 88.0 (33.0-100.0) vs. 100.0 (44.0-100.0); P = 0.001] when compared with patients with a negative test. Conclusions We demonstrate that in patients presenting with MINOCA and suspected coronary vasomotor abnormalities, a positive provocative test for spasm is safe and identifies a high-risk subset of patients

Timing and modality of complete revascularization in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary artery disease

Approximately half of the patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction have also significant atherosclerotic disease affecting coronary segments other than the infarct-related artery. Optimal management of residual lesions in this clinical setting has been a topic of intense research in the last decade. On the one hand, a large body of evidence has consistently shown the benefit of complete revascularization for the reduction of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. On the other hand, some crucial aspects such as the optimal timing or the best strategy of the complete treatment approach remain a matter of controversy. In this review, we aim to provide a thorough critical appraisal of the available literature regarding this topic, by discussing areas of relative certainty, gaps in the knowledge, approach to specific clinical subsets and future research directions

Intracoronary Imaging of Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque: From Assessment of Pathophysiological Mechanisms to Therapeutic Implication

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Several cardiovascular risk factors are implicated in atherosclerotic plaque promotion and progression and are responsible for the clinical manifestations of coronary artery disease (CAD), ranging from chronic to acute coronary syndromes and sudden coronary death. The advent of intravascular imaging (IVI), including intravascular ultrasound, optical coherence tomography and near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy has significantly improved the comprehension of CAD pathophysiology and has strengthened the prognostic relevance of coronary plaque morphology assessment. Indeed, several atherosclerotic plaque phenotype and mechanisms of plaque destabilization have been recognized with different natural history and prognosis. Finally, IVI demonstrated benefits of secondary prevention therapies, such as lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory agents. The purpose of this review is to shed light on the principles and properties of available IVI modalities along with their prognostic significance

Recurrent asymptomatic Takotsubo syndrome after 20 years: are we looking at the tip of the iceberg only?

Takotsubo syndrome (TS) is an acute and reversible form of myocardial stunning preceded by emotional or physical stress, not explained by an obstruction of an epicardial coronary artery as in acute coronary syndrome. Over the last decades, TS is receiving growing attention, leading to an increase in awareness and diagnostic rate. Chest pain and dyspnea are the most common presenting symptoms; however, nonspecific presentations make the diagnosis challenging for clinicians. Here, we present the case of a 76-year-old female who experienced two completely asymptomatic episodes of TS 20 years apart

Redefining residual inflammatory risk after acute coronary syndrome

Over the last decades, inflammation proved to play a pivotal role in atherosclerotic plaque formation, progression and destabilization. Several studies showed that the patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome are at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events at both short- and long-term follow-up. Results from different clinical trials highlighted that a residual inflammatory risk exist and targeting inflammation is a successful strategy in selected cases associated to an increased inflammatory burden. Recently, the optimization of intracoronary and multimodality imaging allowed to also assess the entity of local inflammation, thus encouraging the individuation of plaque characteristics that portend a higher risk of future cardiovascular events. In this short review, we aim to highlight the role of systemic and local inflammation in acute coronary syndromes, to provide a summarized overview of the possible medical strategies applicable in selected cases and to underline the diagnostic and prognostic potential of multimodality imaging

Microvascular complications identify a specific coronary atherosclerotic phenotype in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are considered as a homogeneous cohort of patients. However, the specific role of diabetic microvascular complications (DMC), in determining the features of coronary plaques is poorly known. We investigated whether the presence of DMC may identify a different phenotype of patients associated to specific clinical, angiographic, optical coherence tomography (OCT) features and different prognosis. Methods We prospectively enrolled consecutive T2DM patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) at their first coronary event. Patients were stratified according to the presence or absence of DMC, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic nephropathy. OCT assessment of the culprit vessel was performed in a subgroup of patients. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) was assessed at follow-up. Results We enrolled 320 T2DM patients (mean age 70.3 +/- 8.8 years; 234 [73.1%] men, 40% acute coronary syndrome, 60% chronic coronary syndrome). Patients with DMC (172 [53.75%]) presented a different clinical and biochemical profile and, of importance, a higher prevalence of multivessel CAD (109 [63.4%] vs. 68 [45.9%], p = 0.002). At OCT analysis, DMC was associated to a higher prevalence of large calcifications and healed plaques and to a lower prevalence of lipid plaques. Finally, MACEs rate was significantly higher (25 [14.5%] vs. 12 [8.1%], p = 0.007) in DMC patients, mainly driven by a higher rate of planned revascularizations, and DMC predicted the occurrence of MACEs (mean follow-up 33.4 +/- 15.6 months). Conclusions The presence of DMC identifies a distinct diabetic population with more severe CAD but with a more stable pattern of coronary atherosclerosis

Clinical, angiographic and echocardiographic correlates of epicardial and microvascular spasm in patients with myocardial ischaemia and non-obstructive coronary arteries

Background Coronary vasomotor dysfunction represents an important mechanism responsible for myocardial ischaemia in patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). The use of invasive provocative tests allows identifying patients with epicardial or microvascular spasm. Of note, clinical characteristics associated with the occurrence of epicardial or microvascular spasm have still not completely clarified. Methods and results We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography for suspected myocardial ischaemia/necrosis with evidence of non-obstructive CAD and undergoing intracoronary provocative test for suspected vasomotor dysfunction. Patients with a positive provocative test were enrolled. Clinical, echocardiographic and angiographic characteristics of patients were evaluated according to the pattern of vasomotor dysfunction (epicardial vs. microvascular spasm). We included 120 patients [68 patients with stable angina and 52 patients with myocardial infarction and non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA)]. In particular, 77 (64.2%) patients had a provocative test positive for epicardial spasm and 43 (35.8%) patients for microvascular spasm. Patients with epicardial spasm were more frequently males, smokers, had higher rates of diffuse coronary atherosclerosis at angiography and more frequently presented with MINOCA. On the other hand, patients with microvascular spasm presented more frequently diastolic dysfunction. At multivariate logistic regression analysis male sex, smoking, and diffuse coronary atherosclerosis were independent predictors for the occurrence of epicardial spasm. Conclusions Our study showed that specific clinical features are associated with different responses to intracoronary provocative test. Epicardial spasm is more frequent in males and in MINOCA patients, whereas microvascular spasm is more frequent in patients with stable angina and is associated with diastolic dysfunction

[Ischemia with non-obstructive coronary artery disease: state-of-the-art review]

: Chest pain affects more than 100 million people globally, however up to 70% of patients undergoing invasive angiography do not have obstructive coronary artery disease and ischemia with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) is often a cause of the clinical picture. The symptoms reported by INOCA patients are very heterogeneous and often misdiagnosed as non-cardiac leading to under-diagnosis/investigation and under-treatment. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of INOCA are multiple and include coronary vasospasm and microvascular dysfunction. Most importantly, this condition must not be considered benign: compared to asymptomatic individuals, INOCA patients present an increased incidence of cardiovascular events, rehospitalizations, as well as impaired quality of life, with increasing costs for healthcare systems. The aims of this review are to describe the pathophysiological and clinical characteristics of INOCA and to provide guidance to the medical community on the diagnostic approaches and management of INOCA, also via a series of clinical case reports

Assessment of the role of Non Traditional risk factors on spontaneous coronary artery dissections

Background: Spontaneous coronary dissection (SCAD) and non-traditional risk factors (NT-RF) have assumed increasing interest. Aim: To assess NT-RF in the Parma SCAD registry population. Methods: 62 patients with SCAD, enrolled between January 2013 through November 2021, were divided in two groups: NT-RF (n=51) and T-RF (n = 11). Clinical, echocardiographic and angiographic features were compared between the two study populations; finally, the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events was assessed at follow-up. Results: At least one NT-RF among sex related, sex prevalent and gender specific risk factors was present in 82% of patients, while TRF for atherosclerotic disease were less common with hypertension being the most prevalent (40.3%) and diabetes the most seldom (3.2%). Patients with NT-RF were significantly younger (p=0.027) and mostly female compared to those without NT-RF (p=0.004). Type 2 (second Yip/Saw classification) dissection was the prevailing phenotype (54.8%) with a higher prevalence in the NT-RF group (63%, p=0.035). Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACEs) occurred in 17.7% in all patients at a median follow-up of 23 months. When comparing the incidence of cardiovascular events in the 2 study groups, we did not find any significant differences (p=0.4) between groups. Conclusion: SCAD occurs more often in younger women without the traditional RF. Risk estimation does not include these factors and tailored prediction models are lacking. Clinicians and researchers should establish targeted interventions for primary prevention, early diagnosis and secondary prevention in younger wome