CCTA-Guided Selective Invasive Coronary Catheterization: A Strategy to Reduce Contrast Volume and Improve Efficiency.

Symptomatic patients with unilateral obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) identified by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), involving either the right or left coronary artery, typically undergo per-protocol bilateral coronary visualization during invasive coronary angiography (ICA). However, a selective visualization approach may be sufficient. The objectives of this study were to assess the accuracy of CCTA in excluding hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis in patients with unilateral CAD and to evaluate whether a CCTA-guided selective ICA strategy can reduce procedure time and contrast agent use.

CCTA-Derived coronary plaque burden offers enhanced prognostic value over CAC scoring in suspected CAD patients.

Aims: To assess the prognostic utility of coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-derived quantitative plaque metrics for predicting adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods And Results: The study enrolled 2404 patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) but without a prior history of CAD. All participants underwent CAC scoring and CCTA, with plaque metrics quantified using an artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool (Cleerly, Inc).

Homogeneity of the coronary microcirculation in angina with non-obstructive coronary artery disease.

Aims: The homogeneity of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) across different myocardial territories in angina with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) patients is scarcely explored. This study investigates the variability in microvascular resistance reserve (MRR) across the 3 main perfusion territories of the coronary circulation to investigate the homogeneity or dishomogeneity of microcirculatory function.

Methods And Results: This post hoc analysis of the PACIFIC trials included symptomatic ANOCA patients with [15O]H2O positron emission tomography (PET) and three-vessel invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR).

Myocardial perfusion imaging in advanced coronary artery disease.

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is widely adapted as a noninvasive technique to assess the presence and extent of ischemia in patients with symptoms suggestive of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). However, as CAD advances, several factors can complicate the interpretation of MPI, subsequently impacting clinical decision-making. This review focuses on the utility of MPI by means of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with advanced CAD-the latter characterized by documented CAD (i.

Impact of myocardial scar burden on microvascular resistance reserve in patients with coronary artery disease.

Purpose: The impact of myocardial scar on coronary microcirculation is not well understood. This study aims to evaluate the association between microvascular resistance reserve (MRR) and scar tissue.

Methods: In this post-hoc analysis of the PACIFIC 2 trial, symptomatic patients with prior myocardial infarction (MI) and/or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) underwent [O]HO positron emission tomography (PET), cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, and fractional flow reserve (FFR).

Fractional Flow Reserve Relates Stronger to Coronary Plaque Burden Than Nonhyperemic Pressure Indexes.

Background: The relationship between fractional flow reserve (FFR), resting full-cycle ratio (RFR), instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR), resting distal pressure/aortic pressure (Pd/Pa), and plaque burden as well as phenotype requires further elucidation.

Methods And Results: In this single-center cohort study, patients with suspected coronary artery disease who underwent invasive coronary angiography, including routine hyperemic (FFR) and nonhyperemic invasive pressure (Pd/Pa and iFR or RFR) interrogation and computed coronary tomography angiography were prospectively enrolled. Computed coronary tomography angiography was used to assess percentage atheroma volume (PAV), positive remodeling, and low-attenuation plaque.

Microvascular resistance reserve in relation to total and vessel-specific atherosclerotic burden.

Aims: The relationship between coronary artery atherosclerosis and microvascular resistance remains unclear. This study aims to clarify the relationship between total atherosclerotic and vessel-specific atherosclerotic burden and microvascular resistance reserve (MRR).

Methods And Results: In this post hoc analysis of the PACIFIC 1 trial, symptomatic patients without prior coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent [15O]H2O positron emission tomography, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR).

Diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive cardiac imaging modalities in patients with a history of coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis.

Background: The diagnostic performance of non-invasive imaging techniques for detecting obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with a history of myocardial infarction or percutaneous coronary intervention has not been comprehensively evaluated. This meta-analysis assesses the diagnostic value of coronary CT angiography (CCTA), CCTA combined with CT perfusion (CCTA+CTP), cardiac MRI (CMR) and single-photon emission CT (SPECT) compared with invasive reference standards.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library from 2005 to September 2022 for prospective, blinded studies including populations with ≥50% prior CAD.

PET myocardial perfusion imaging: Trends, challenges, and opportunities.

Various non-invasive images are used in clinical practice for the diagnosis and prognostication of chronic coronary syndromes. Notably, quantitative myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) through positron emission tomography (PET) has seen significant technical advancements and a substantial increase in its use over the past two decades. This progress has generated an unprecedented wealth of clinical information, which, when properly applied, can diagnose and fine-tune the management of patients with different types of ischemic syndromes.

Validation of resting full-cycle ratio and diastolic pressure ratio with [O]HO positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion.

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) are invasive techniques used to evaluate the hemodynamic significance of coronary artery stenosis. These methods have been validated through perfusion imaging and clinical trials. New invasive pressure ratios that do not require hyperemia have recently emerged, and it is essential to confirm their diagnostic efficacy.

Migraine and cardiovascular disease: what cardiologists should know.

Migraine is a chronic neurovascular disease with a complex, not fully understood pathophysiology with multiple causes. People with migraine suffer from recurrent moderate to severe headache attacks varying from 4 to 72 h. The prevalence of migraine is two to three times higher in women compared with men.