Análisis tiempo-frecuencia de la fibrilación ventricular. Estudio experimental

Introduction and objectives. The analysis of frequency variability during ventricular fibrillation has yielded inconsistent results. We used an experimental model of ventricular fibrillation, with a short timescale, to analyze variations in frequency and their associated spatial distribution. Methods. Epicardial recordings of ventricular fibrillation were made in 10 perfused isolated rabbit heart preparations using a multiple electrode system (i.e., 240 unipolar electrodes). Both spectral and time-frequency analysis were used to derive the dominant frequency in the anterolateral wall of the left ventricle. Results. Linear regression analysis showed that there was a good correlation between …

EpCAM and microvascular obstruction in patients with STEMI: a cardiac magnetic resonance study

Abstract Introduction and objectives Microvascular obstruction (MVO) is negatively associated with cardiac structure and worse prognosis after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), involved in epithelium adhesion, is an understudied area in the MVO setting. We aimed to determine whether EpCAM is associated with the appearance of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived MVO and long-term systolic function in reperfused STEMI. Methods We prospectively included 106 patients with a first STEMI treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, quantifying serum levels of EpCAM 24 hours postreperfusion. All patients underwent CMR imaging 1 w…

Effect of insulin on readmission for heart failure following a hospitalization for acute heart failure

AIMS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is common in patients with heart failure (HF) and is related with worse outcomes. Insulin treatment is associated with sodium and water retention, weight gain, and hypoglycaemia-all pathophysiological mechanisms related to HF decompensation. This study aimed to evaluate the association between insulin treatment and the risk of 1year readmission for HF in patients discharged for acute HF.; METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively included 2895 consecutive patients discharged after an episode of acute HF in a single tertiary hospital. Multivariable Cox regression, adapted for competing events, was used to assess the association between insulin treatment and …

El suero de seno coronario tras un infarto de miocardio induce angiogénesis y reparación de la obstrucción microvascular. Implicación del factor inducible por hipoxia-1A

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos El objetivo es estudiar la angiogenesis coronaria inducida por el suero coronario y la implicacion del factor inducible por hipoxia-1A (FIH-1A) en la reparacion de la obstruccion microvascular (OMV) tras un infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM). Metodos Se indujo un IAM en cerdos mediante oclusion coronaria durante 90 min. Se dividio a los animales entre 1 grupo de control y 4 grupos con IAM: sin reperfusion y 1 min, 1 semana y 1 mes tras la reperfusion. Se cuantificaron la OMV y la densidad microvascular. Se determino la capacidad angiogenica del suero coronario mediante una prueba de tubulogenesis in vitro. Se determinaron las concentraciones circulantes del FI…

Texture analysis of cardiac cine magnetic resonance imaging to detect nonviable segments in patients with chronic myocardial infarction.

[EN] Purpose: To investigate the ability of texture analysis to differentiate between infarcted nonviable, viable, and remote segments on cardiac cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: This retrospective study included 50 patients suffering chronic myocardial infarction. The data were randomly split into training (30 patients) and testing (20 patients) sets. The left ventricular myocardium was segmented according to the 17-segment model in both cine and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) MRI. Infarcted myocardium regions were identified on LGE in short-axis views. Nonviable segments were identified as those showing LGE 50%, and viable segments those showing 0 < LGE < 50% transmural …

EpCAM y obstrucción microvascular en pacientes con un IAMCEST: estudio con resonancia magnética cardiaca

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos La obstruccion microvascular (OMV) se asocia negativamente con la estructura cardiaca y el pronostico de los pacientes tras un infarto agudo de miocardio con elevacion del segmento ST (IAMCEST). El factor epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), implicado en la cohesion de las celulas epiteliales, esta poco estudiado en el contexto de la OMV. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio es evaluar en una cohorte de pacientes con IAMCEST la asociacion entre la concentracion de EpCAM circulante con la extension de la OMV, determinada por resonancia magnetica cardiaca (RMC), y la funcion sistolica en fases cronicas. Metodos Se incluyo prospectivamente a 106 paciente…

Long-term prognostic value of a comprehensive assessment of cardiac magnetic resonance indexes after an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Abstract Introduction and objectives A variety of cardiac magnetic resonance indexes predict mid-term prognosis in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients. The extent of transmural necrosis permits simple and accurate prediction of systolic recovery. However, its long-term prognostic value beyond a comprehensive clinical and cardiac magnetic resonance evaluation is unknown. We hypothesized that a simple semiquantitative assessment of the extent of transmural necrosis is the best resonance index to predict long-term outcome soon after a first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Methods One week after a first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction we carried out a comp…

Changes in the Spectral Characteristics of Ventricular Fibrillation in Lesions Produced by Radiofrequency Ablation. An Experimental Study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Although electro- physiological databases contain information about changes in the time domain in lesions produced by radiofrequency ablation, very few data on changes in the frequency domain are available. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the spectral characteristics of ventricular fibrillation in zones with radiofrequency lesions. METHODS Recordings of ventricular fibrillation were obtained in 11 isolated perfused rabbit heart preparations using a multiple epicardial electrode located on the left ventricular free wall. Spectral parameters derived by Fourier analysis before and after the creation of transmural radiofrequency lesions were compa…

Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Hospitalized With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome in Whom the Diagnosis is not Confirmed

Patients admitted with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in whom the diagnosis is not confirmed are poorly characterized. In a contemporary registry of consecutive patients hospitalized with suspected ACS as the primary diagnosis, we assessed characteristics on admission and in-hospital and 6-month mortality of patients discharged with other diagnoses and compared this subgroup with true ACS patients. Of 2557 patients included, 9.0% were discharged with a non-ACS diagnosis such as nonspecific chest pain, myopericarditis, stress cardiomyopathy, hemodynamic disturbances, heart failure, myocardial, pulmonary or valvular disease, or others. Compared with true ACS patients, those with othe…

Magnetic Resonance Assessment of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction at Any Time Post-Infarction for Prediction of Subsequent Events in a Large Multicenter STEMI Registry

Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most accurate imaging technique for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) quantification, but as yet the prognostic value of LVEF assessment at any time after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) for subsequent major adverse cardiac event (MACE) prediction is uncertain. Purpose To explore the prognostic impact of MRI-derived LVEF at any time post-STEMI to predict subsequent MACE (cardiovascular death or re-admission for acute heart failure). Study Type Prospective. Population One thousand thirteen STEMI patients were included in a multicenter registry. Field Strength/Sequence 1.5-T. Balanced steady-state free precession (c…

Coronary Serum Obtained After Myocardial Infarction Induces Angiogenesis and Microvascular Obstruction Repair. Role of Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1A.

Microvascular obstruction (MVO) exerts deleterious effects following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We investigated coronary angiogenesis induced by coronary serum and the role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1A (HIF-1A) in MVO repair.Myocardial infarction was induced in swine by transitory 90-minute coronary occlusion. The pigs were divided into a control group and 4 AMI groups: no reperfusion, 1minute, 1 week and 1 month after reperfusion. Microvascular obstruction and microvessel density were quantified. The proangiogenic effect of coronary serum drawn from coronary sinus on endothelial cells was evaluated using an in vitro tubulogenesis assay. Circulating and myocardial HIF-1A levels an…

Intracoronary Infusion of Thioflavin-S to Study Microvascular Obstruction in a Model of Myocardial Infarction

Abstract Introduction and objectives Microvascular obstruction exerts deleterious effects after myocardial infarction. To elucidate the role of ischemia-reperfusion injury on the occurrence and dynamics of microvascular obstruction, we performed a preliminary methodological study to accurately define this process in an in vivo model. Methods Myocardial infarction was induced in swine by means of 90-min of occlusion of the mid left anterior descending coronary artery using angioplasty balloons . Intracoronary infusion of thioflavin-S was applied and compared with traditional intra-aortic or intraventricular instillation. The left anterior descending coronary artery perfused area and microvas…

Role of antiangiogenic VEGF-A165b in angiogenesis and systolic function after reperfused myocardial infarction

Abstract Introduction and objectives Angiogenesis helps to reestablish microcirculation after myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we aimed to further understand the role of the antiangiogenic isoform vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A165b after MI and to explore its potential as a coadjuvant therapy to coronary reperfusion. Methods Two mice MI models were formed: a) permanent coronary ligation (nonreperfused MI); b) transient 45-minute coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion (reperfused MI); in both models, animals underwent echocardiography before euthanasia at day 21 after MI induction. We determined serum and myocardial VEGF-A165b levels. In both experimental MI models…

Coronary Revascularization and Long-Term Survivorship in Chronic Coronary Syndrome

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) persists as the leading cause of death in the Western world. In recent decades, great headway has been made in reducing mortality due to IHD, based around secondary prevention. The advent of coronary revascularization techniques, first coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery in the 1960s and then percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the 1970s, has represented one of the major breakthroughs in medicine during the last century. The benefit provided by these techniques, especially PCI, has been crucial in lowering mortality rates in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, in the setting where IHD is most prevalent, namely chronic coronary syndrome (CC…

Programmed death-1 (PD-1): A novel mechanism for understanding the acute immune deregulation in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

The Sum of ST-Segment Elevation Is the Best Predictor of Microvascular Obstruction in Patients Treated Successfully by Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Study

Introduction and objectives The usefulness of ST-segment elevation resolution (STR) for predicting epicardial reperfusion is well established. However, it is still not clear how ST-segment changes are related to microvascular obstruction (MVO) observed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods The study involved 85 consecutive patients admitted for a first STEMI and treated by pPCI who had a patent infarct-related artery. An ECG was recorded on admission and 90 min and 6, 24, 48 and 96 h after pPCI. Thereafter, STR and the sum of ST-segment elevation (sumSTE) in all leads…

Valor pronóstico de la isquemia miocárdica y la necrosis en pacientes con la función ventricular izquierda deprimida: un registro multicéntrico con resonancia magnética cardiaca de estrés

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos No se conoce el valor pronostico incremental que aporta la isquemia miocardica inducible respecto a la necrosis determinada por resonancia magnetica cardiaca de estres en pacientes con funcion ventricular izquierda deprimida. Se determina el valor pronostico de la necrosis y la isquemia en pacientes con funcion ventricular izquierda deprimida remitidos a exploracion por resonancia magnetica de estres con perfusion de dipiridamol. Metodos En un registro multicentrico basado en el uso de resonancia magnetica de estres, se determino la presencia (≥ 2 segmentos) de realce tardio de contraste y defectos de perfusion y su asociacion con eventos mayores (muerte car…

Sex differences in mortality in stable patients undergoing vasodilator stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Abstract Introduction The prognostic value and therapeutic implications of ischemia as derived from vasodilator stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) could differ in men and women, but it has not been stablished. Purpose We assessed the influence of the ischemic burden as derived from CMR on the risk of death and the effect of revascularization across sex. Methods We evaluated 6,237 consecutive patients with known or suspected chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). Extensive ischemia was defined as &amp;gt;5 segments with perfusion deficit. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used. Results A total of 2,371 (38.0%) patients were women and 583 (9.3%) underwent CMR-r…

Prediction of long-term major events soon after a first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction by cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) predicts combined clinical events in post-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. However, its contribution to predicting long-term major events (ME: cardiac death and non-fatal myocardial infarction [MI]) is unknown. We aimed to assess whether CMR predicts long-term MEs when performed soon after STEMI.We prospectively recruited 546 STEMI patients between 2004 and 2012. The Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF,%), infarct size (IS), edema, hemorrhage, microvascular obstruction, and myocardial salvage were quantified by CMR at pre-discharge. During a mean follow-up of 840 days, 57 ME events (10%; 23 cardiac deaths, 34 non-…

Combined assessment of stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance and angiography to predict the effect of revascularization in chronic coronary syndrome patients

Abstract Aims The role of revascularization in chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) and the value of ischaemia vs. anatomy to guide decision-making are in constant debate. We explored the potential of a combined assessment of ischaemic burden by vasodilator stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and presence of multivessel disease by angiography to predict the effect of revascularization on all-cause mortality in CCS. Methods and results The study group comprised 1066 CCS patients submitted to vasodilator stress CMR pre-cardiac catheterization (mean age 66 ± 11 years, 69% male). Stress CMR-derived ischaemic burden (extensive if &amp;gt;5 ischaemic segments) and presence of multivessel di…

Unraveling the thread of uncontrolled immune response in COVID-19 and STEMI: an emerging need for knowledge sharing

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 that first emerged in Wuhan in December 2019 has resulted in the devastating pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019, creating an emerging need for knowledge sharing. Meanwhile, myocardial infarction is and will probably remain the foremost cause of death in the Western world throughout the coming decades. Severe deregulation of the immune system can unnecessarily expand the inflammatory response and participate in target and multiple organ failure, in infection but also in critical illness. Indeed, the course and fate of inflammatory cells observed in severe ST-elevation myocardial infarction (neutrophilia, monocytosis, and lymp…

Ejection Fraction by Echocardiography for a Selective Use of Magnetic Resonance After Infarction

[EN] Background Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) permits robust risk stratification of discharged ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients, but its indiscriminate use in all cases is not feasible. We evaluated the utility of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography for a selective use of CMR after ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Methods Echocardiography and CMR were performed in 1119 patients discharged for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction included in a multicenter registry. The prognostic power of CMR beyond echocardiography-LVEF was assessed using adjusted C statistic, net reclassification improvement index, and integrated discriminati…

Contractile Reserve and Extent of Transmural Necrosis in the Setting of Myocardial Stunning: Comparison at Cardiac MR Imaging

To perform a comparison of cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-derived ejection fraction (EF) during low-dose dobutamine infusion (EF(D)) with the extent of segments with transmural necrosis in more than 50% of their wall thickness (ETN) for the prediction of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) and late systolic recovery soon after a first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Institutional ethics committee approval and written informed consent were obtained. One hundred nineteen consecutive patients with a first STEMI, a depressed left ventricular EF, and an open infarct-related artery underwent MR imaging at 1 week after infarction. EF(D) and ETN (by using a 17-segment m…

The DD genotype of the angiotensin converting enzyme gene independently associates with CMR-derived abnormal microvascular perfusion in patients with a first anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with thrombolytic agents

Abstract Introduction The role of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene on the result of thrombolysis at the microvascular level has not been addressed so far. We analyzed the implications of the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the ACE gene on the presence of abnormal cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived microvascular perfusion after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Materials and Methods We studied 105 patients with a first anterior STEMI treated with thrombolytic agents and an open left anterior descending artery. Microvascular perfusion was assessed using first-pass perfusion CMR at 7 ±1 days. CMR studies were repeated 184 ± 11 days after STEM…

Implicación de la isoforma antiangiogénica VEGF-A165b en la angiogénesis y la función sistólica tras un infarto de miocardio reperfundido

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos La angiogenesis participa en la restauracion de la microcirculacion despues de un infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM). El objetivo de este estudio es explorar el papel que juega la isoforma anti-angiogenica del factor de crecimiento endotelial vascular (VEGF)-A165b y explorar su potencial como terapia coadyuvante a la reperfusion coronaria. Metodos Se realizaron dos modelos murinos de IAM: a) ligadura permanente de la arteria coronaria (IAM no reperfundido) y b) oclusion transitoria durante 45 minutos de la arteria coronaria seguida de reperfusion (IAM reperfundido); en ambos modelos, se realizo a los animales una ecocardiografia previa a la eutanasia el dia 21…

Comparative Analysis of Tagging and Feature-Tracking Cardiac MRI Techniques for the Evaluation of Cardiac Deformation

[EN] Currently, there is a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, being the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Thus, a rapid and effective evaluation of the heart is increasingly relevant to diagnose the patient early and achieve appropriate treatment. For this reason, this study aims to compare myocardial deformation parameters such as circumferential strain (segmental, base, mid, apical and global) and global torsion values by the CMR tissue tagging reference technique in SPAMM cine images and the promising feature-tracking technique in b-SSFP cine images, in 31 healthy subjects and 35 patients diagnosed with infarct. The results obtained showed that there is a high agreement in t…

La proteína C reactiva en el síndrome coronario agudo. Una mirada atrás para seguir avanzando

Durante los ultimos anos hemos asistido a un crecimiento espectacular del papel de los biomarcadores en los sindromes coronarios agudos (SCA). Entre ellos y, sin ninguna duda, el mas destacado ha sido la troponina. Su utilidad para el diagnostico, la toma de decisiones y la estratificacion pronostica ha sido totalmente validada, lo que ha provocado que su incorporacion a la practica diaria sea mayoritaria1. Un hecho destacado es que desde el principio se analizo detenidamente la cinetica de liberacion de la troponina en los distintos tipos de SCA; este conocimiento permitio establecer unas bases solidas, lo que sin duda favorecio el protagonismo actual de este marcador. Sin embargo, pronto …

Improvement in Risk Stratification in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Using a Combination of the Tumor Marker CA125 and the Logistic EuroSCORE

Conventional risk scores have not been accurate in predicting peri- and postprocedural risk of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Elevated levels of the tumor marker carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) have been linked to adverse outcomes after TAVI. We studied the additional value of CA125 to that of the EuroSCORE in predicting long-term mortality after TAVI.During a median follow-up of 59 weeks, 115 of 422 patients (27%) died after TAVI. Mortality was higher with elevated CA125 (30 U/mL) and EuroSCORE (median) (47% vs 20%, P.001 and 38% vs 16%, P.001, respectively). In the multivariable analysis, CA125 (30 U/mL) remained an independent predictor of mortality …

Predictors of cardiovascular magnetic resonance-derived microvascular obstruction on patient admission in STEMI

Early stratification of patients according to the risk for developing microvascular obstruction (MVO) after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is desirable. We aimed to identify predictors of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived MVO from clinical+ECG, laboratory and angiographic parameters available on admission.Characteristics available on admission were documented in 97 STEMI patients referred for primary angioplasty. MVO was determined using contrast-enhanced CMR.MVO was present in 44 patients (45%). The C-statistic for predicting MVO was: clinical+ECG (.832), laboratory (.743), and angiographic parameters (.669). Adding laboratory to clinical+ECG information d…

CA125 outperforms NT-proBNP in acute heart failure with severe tricuspid regurgitation.

In acute heart failure (AHF) with right ventricular dysfunction, the roles of amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) are poorly understood, and functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity is thought to indicate a poor prognosis. We examined the prognostic abilities of NT-proBNP and CA125 according to TR status among patients with AHF.TR severity was assessed during index hospitalization (108 ± 24 h after admission) and classified as none/trivial, mild, moderate, or severe. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to assess how pre-discharge CA125 and NT-proBNP were associated with long-term all-cause mortality relative t…

Release of necrosis markers and cardiovascular magnetic resonance-derived microvascular perfusion in reperfused ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract Introduction The association of the temporal evolution of cardiac necrosis marker release with cardiovascular magnetic resonance-derived microvascular perfusion after ST-elevation myocardial infarction is unknown. Methods We analyzed 163 patients with a first ST-elevation myocardial infarction and a patent infarct-related artery treated with thrombolysis (67%) or primary angioplasty (33%). Using first-pass perfusion CMR, abnormal perfusion was defined as a lack of contrast arrival into the infarct area in > 1 segment. Troponin I, creatine kinase MB and myoglobin were measured upon arrival and at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 hours after reperfusion. Results Abnormal perfusion was detected i…

Magnetic resonance microscopy and correlative histopathology of the infarcted heart

Altres ajuts:The present study was supported by the EU Joint Programming Initiative 'A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life' (JPI HDHL INTIMIC-085), Generalitat Valenciana (GV/2018/116), INCLIVA and Universitat de Valencia (program VLC-BIOCLINIC 20-nanomIRM-2016A). Delayed enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance (MR) is the gold-standard for non-invasive assessment after myocardial infarction (MI). MR microscopy (MRM) provides a level of detail comparable to the macro objective of light microscopy. We used MRM and correlative histopathology to identify infarct and remote tissue in contrast agent-free multi-sequence MRM in swine MI hearts. One control group (n = 3 swine) and two experimenta…

Naked DNA delivery to whole pig cardiac tissue by coronary sinus retrograde injection employing non-invasive catheterization.

Background Hydrodynamic injection has demonstrated to be very efficient in the liver of small animals, although this procedure must be translated to the clinical practice in a milder but no less efficient way. The present study evaluates the capacity of non-invasive interventional catheterization as a procedure for naked DNA delivery to the heart in large animals. Methods Two catheters were placed in the coronary sinus: one of them to block blood circulation and the other to retrogradely inject 50 ml of a saline solution of DNA (20 µg/ml) containing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene, at a flow rate of 5 ml/s. Results The results obtained show that EGFP protein, identified b…

Ventricular structural changes in patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and myocardial infarction

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with cardiovascular diseases. Aim: To analyze structural parameters of myocardial damage in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and its relationship with OSA severity. Method: This is a prospective, observational study in patients with a first acute myocardial infarction (MI) treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) studies were performed at 3 days and 6 months. Eligible patients underwent a polysomnography within 30 days after PCI. Quantitative data were expressed as mean±SD. Linear regression analysis was used to describe associations between infarct characteristics and OSA. …

Prognostic value of dipyridamole stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease.

ObjectivesWe evaluated the prognostic value of dipyridamole stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in patients with chest pain and known or suspected coronary artery disease.BackgroundStress perfusion CMR has been incorporated in daily practice. Data on its prognostic value are preliminary.MethodsDipyridamole stress CMR was performed in 420 patients with chest pain and known or suspected coronary artery disease. The extent (number of segments according to the 17-segment model) of abnormal wall motion at rest (AWM-rest), abnormal wall motion with dipyridamole (AWM-D), perfusion deficit (at stress first-pass perfusion imaging), and delayed enhancement (at late enhancement imag…

Magnetic Resonance MicroImaging of a Swine Infarcted Heart: Performing Cardiac Virtual Histologies

The aim of this study is to develop a computer-aided intuitive software tool based on MATLAB to reproduce the functions of a virtual histology over Magnetic Resonance (MR) microimages of small samples of swine's infarcted hearts. The basic characterization consists of selecting regions of interest (ROIs) of that MR microimage and extracting the most important information of these regions. The software tool will implement intuitive and sophisticated tools that allow the user to define ROIs on the different types of images provided by the MR scanner. The final purpose of this tool will be to analyze the acquired data in order to characterize some aspects of the later possible events after a m…

Effect of ischemic postconditioning on microvascular obstruction in reperfused myocardial infarction. Results of a randomized study in patients and of an experimental model in swine.

Background: Ischemic postconditioning (PCON) appears as a potentially beneficial tool in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We evaluated the effect of PCON on microvascular obstruction (MVO) in STEMI patients and in an experimental swine model. Methods: A prospective randomized study in patients and an experimental study in swine were carried out in two university hospitals in Spain. 101 consecutive STEMI patients were randomized to undergo primary angio-plasty followed by PCON or primary angioplasty alone (non-PCON). Using late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance, infarct size and MVO were quantified (% of left ventricular mass). In swine, using an ang…

C-Reactive Protein in Acute Coronary Syndrome. Looking Back in Order to Move Forward

Recent years have seen a spectacular rise in the importance of biomarkers in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The most notable of these biomarkers is, without doubt, troponin. Its usefulness for diagnosis, decision making, and prognostic stratification have been fully validated, and its use in daily clinical practice is now widespread.1 It should be pointed out that the kinetics of troponin release were studied in detail for different types of ACS right from the outset. This approach has clearly laid a solid foundation which has contributed to the current popularity of this marker. However, it was soon evident that not all patients with ACS and elevated troponin had a very poor prognosis,2-6 …

Influence of Comorbid Conditions on One-Year Outcomes in Non–ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome

To investigate comorbid conditions with prognostic influence in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS).The study group consisted of a derivation cohort of 1017 patients (admitted from October 1, 2002, through October 1, 2008) and an external validation cohort of 652 patients (admitted from February 1, 2006, through September 30, 2009). Comorbid conditions, including risk factors and components of the Charlson comorbidity index (ChCI) and coronary artery disease-specific index, were recorded. The main outcome was one-year mortality.During follow-up, 103 patients died. After adjusting for variables associated with NSTEACS characteristics (base model), 5 comorbid conditions…

Cardiomyopathic lentiginosis: an echo-Doppler report

We report a case of a 64-year-old woman with cardiomyopathic lentiginosis. All the echocardiographic features of a hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy were detected, with an accurate noninvasive measure of the left ventricle outflow gradient.

Upregulation of an antiangiogenic VEGFA165b isoform in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Prognostic implications of dipyridamole cardiac MR imaging: a prospective multicenter registry

Purpose: To evaluate dipyridamole cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the prediction of major events (MEs) in patients with ischemic chest pain in a large multicenter registry. Materials and Methods: Institutional ethics committee approval and written informed consent were obtained. A total of 1722 patients who were undergoing cardiac MR imaging for chest pain were included. Wall motion abnormalities (WMAs) at rest, hyperemia perfusion defect (PD), late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), and inducible WMA were analyzed (abnormal if more than one abnormal segment was seen) with the 17-segment model. A cardiac MR categorization was created: category 1, no PD, LGE, or inducible WMA; category…

Additional diagnostic value of systolic dysfunction induced by dipyridamole stress cardiac magnetic resonance used in detecting coronary artery disease.

Dipyridamole stress perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is used to detect coronary artery disease (CAD). However, few data are available on the diagnostic value of the systolic dysfunction induced by dipyridamole. This study investigated whether the induction of systolic dysfunction supplements the diagnostic information provided by perfusion imaging in the detection of CAD.Overall, 166 patients underwent dipyridamole CMR and quantitative coronary angiography, with CAD being defined as a stenosisor =70%. Systolic dysfunction at rest, systolic dysfunction with dipyridamole, induced systolic dysfunction, and stress first-pass perfussion deficit (PD) and delayed enhancement were …

Inhomogeneity of collagen organization within the fibrotic scar after myocardial infarction: results in a swine model and in human samples.

We aimed to characterize the organization of collagen within a fibrotic scar in swine and human samples from patients with chronic infarctions. Swine were subjected to occlusion of the left anterior descending artery followed by reperfusion 1 week (acute myocardial infarction group) or 1 month (chronic myocardial infarction group) after infarction. The organization of the collagen fibers (Fast Fourier Transform of samples after picrosirius staining; higher values indicate more disorganization) was studied in 100 swine and 95 human samples. No differences in collagen organization were found between the acute and chronic groups in the core area of the scar in the experimental model. In the ch…

Influencia del tipo de registro (unipolar o bipolar) en las características espectrales de los registros epicárdicos de la fibrilación ventricular. Estudio experimental

Introduction and objectives. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that the recording mode (ie, unipolar or bipolar) affects the information obtained using spectral analysis techniques during ventricular fibrillation by carrying out an experiment using epicardial electrodes. Methods. Recordings of ventricular fibrillation were obtained in 29 isolated rabbit hearts using a multipleelectrode probe located on the left ventricular free wall. The parameter values obtained in the frequency domain (by Fourier analysis) using unipolar or bipolar electrodes, different interelectrode distances, and different orientations (ie, horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) were compared. Results. Ch…

Similar Clinical Course and Significance of Circulating Innate and Adaptive Immune Cell Counts in STEMI and COVID-19

This study aimed to assess the time course of circulating neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and their ratio (NLR) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 and explore their associations with clinical events and structural damage. Circulating neutrophil, lymphocyte and NLR were sequentially measured in 659 patients admitted for STEMI and in 103 COVID-19 patients. The dynamics detected in STEMI (within a few hours) were replicated in COVID-19 (within a few days). In both entities patients with events and with severe structural damage displayed higher neutrophil and lower lymphocyte counts. In both scenarios, higher maximum neutrophil and lower mi…

Modificaciones de las características espectrales de la fibrilación ventricular en las lesiones producidas con radiofrecuencia. Estudio experimental

Introduccion y objetivos Aunque se dispone de informacion sobre las modificaciones en el dominio del tiempo de los registros electrofisiologicos en zonas lesionadas con radiofrecuencia, los datos disponibles en el dominio de la frecuencia son muy escasos. Se analizan las modificaciones de las caracteristicas espectrales de la fibrilacion ventricular en zonas lesionadas con radiofrecuencia. Metodos En 11 preparaciones de corazon aislado y perfundido de conejo, se registra la fibrilacion ventricular con un electrodo multiple epicardico situado en la pared libre ventricular izquierda. Se comparan los parametros espectrales obtenidos mediante analisis de Fourier antes y despues de practicar les…

Pronóstico y manejo del síndrome coronario agudo en España en 2012: estudio DIOCLES

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos Conocer la mortalidad y el manejo actuales de los pacientes ingresados por sospecha de sindrome coronario agudo en Espana. El ultimo registro disponible (2004-2005) reporto una mortalidad hospitalaria del 5,7%. Metodos Se incluyo a los pacientes ingresados consecutivamente de enero a junio de 2012 en 44 hospitales seleccionados al azar. Se recogio la evolucion en el ingreso y los eventos a 6 meses. Resultados Se incluyo a 2.557 pacientes ingresados con sospecha de sindrome coronario agudo: 788 (30,8%) con elevacion del segmento ST, 1.602 (62,7%) sin elevacion del segmento ST y 167 (6,5%) con sindrome coronario agudo inclasificable. La mortalidad hospitalaria…

Risk score for early risk prediction by cardiac magnetic resonance after acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) performed early after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can improve major adverse cardiac event (MACE) risk prediction. We aimed to create a simple clinical-CMR risk score for early MACE risk stratification in STEMI patients.; METHODS: We performed a multicenter prospective registry of reperfused STEMI patients (n=1118) in whom early (1-week) CMR-derived left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), infarct size and microvascular obstruction (MVO) were quantified. MACE was defined as a combined clinical endpoint of cardiovascular (CV) death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (NF-MI) or re-admission for acute decompensated heart failur…

PSPU-Net for Automatic Short Axis Cine MRI Segmentation of Left and Right Ventricles

[EN] Characterization of the heart anatomy and function is mostly done with magnetic resonance image cine series. To achieve a correct characterization, the volume of the right and left ventricle need to be segmented, which is a timeconsuming task. We propose a new convolutional neural network architecture that combines U-net with PSP modules (PSPU-net) for the segmentation of left and right ventricle cavities and left ventricle myocardium in the diastolic frame of short-axis cine MRI images and compare its results against a classic 3D U-net architecture. We used a dataset containing 399 cases in total. The results showed higher quality results in both segmentation and final volume estimati…

Hypoxic burden and angiogenic factors in patients with myocardial infarction and obstructive sleep apnea

Introduction: The amount and severity of hypoxia have been related to risk of cardiovascular events. Aim: To determine the relationship between nocturnal hypoxic burden and pro- angiogenic factors in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and myocardial infarction (MI). Method: A prospective, observational study in patients with a first acute MI. Eligible patients underwent a polysomnography within 30 days after MI, and a serum blood sample was drawn in order to measure a panel of angiogenic factors by Luminex technology. A hypoxic burden index (HBI) was calculated as the integral area under the desaturation curve (obtained by calculating the integral of the oxygen saturation reduction…

Resonancia magnética cardiaca de estrés para predecir mortalidad y toma de decisiones: registro de 2.496 pacientes mayores con síndrome coronario crónico

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos El tratamiento del paciente mayor con sindrome coronario cronico (SCC) es un reto. Se exploro el valor pronostico y la utilidad para la toma de decisiones de la carga isquemica determinada mediante resonancia magnetica cardiaca (RMC) de estres con vasodilatador en pacientes mayores con SCC. Metodos Se incluyo a 2.496 pacientes mayores de 70 anos estudiados con una RMC de estres con vasodilatador por SCC conocido o sospechado. La carga isquemica (numero de segmentos con deficit de perfusion inducido por el estres) se calculo siguiendo el modelo de 17 segmentos. Posteriormente se analizo de manera retrospectiva su asociacion con la mortalidad por cualquier cau…

Resultados de la estrategia farmacoinvasiva y de la angioplastia primaria en la reperfusión del infarto con elevación del segmento ST. Estudio con resonancia magnética cardiaca en la primera semana y en el sexto mes

Introduction and objectives: Pharmacoinvasive strategy represents an attractive alternative to primary angioplasty. Using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging we compared the left ventricular outcome of the pharmacoinvasive strategy and primary angioplasty for the reperfusion of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Methods: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance was performed 1 week and 6 months after infarction in two consecutive cohorts of patients included in a prospective university hospital ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction registry. During the period 2004-2006, 151 patients were treated with pharmacoinvasive strategy (thrombolysis followed by routine non-immediate angi…

Differentiation between acute and chronic myocardial infarction by means of texture analysis of late gadolinium enhancement and cine cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

[EN] The purpose of this study was to differentiate acute from chronic myocardial infarction using machine learning techniques and texture features extracted from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study group comprised 22 cases with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 22 cases with chronic myocardial infarction (CMI). Cine and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) MRI were analyzed independently to differentiate AMI from CMI. A total of 279 texture features were extracted from predefined regions of interest (ROIs): the infarcted area on LGE MRI, and the entire myocardium on cine MRI. Classification performance was evaluated by a nested cross-validation approach combining a feature…

Mejora en la estratificación del riesgo tras el implante percutáneo de válvula aórtica mediante una combinación de marcador tumoral CA125 y EuroSCORE logístico

ResumenIntroduccion y objetivos El rendimiento de las puntuaciones de riesgo tradicionales para predecir el riesgo tras el implante percutaneo valvula aortica (TAVI) no es adecuado. Las altas concentraciones plasmaticas de antigeno carbohidrato 125 (CA125) se han asociado a un aumento del riesgo de eventos adversos tras TAVI. En este trabajo se evalua el valor pronostico adicional del CA125 sobre la puntuacion EuroSCORE para la prediccion de riesgo a largo plazo. Metodos y resultados Durante una mediana de seguimento de 59 semanas, murieron 115 de 422 pacientes (27%) despues de la TAVI. La mortalidad fue mayor entre aquellos con CA125 elevado (> 30 U/ml) y EuroSCORE ≥ mediana (el 47 frente …

Automatic left ventricle volume calculation with explainability through a deep learning weak-supervision methodology

[EN] Background and objective: Magnetic resonance imaging is the most reliable imaging technique to assess the heart. More specifically there is great importance in the analysis of the left ventricle, as the main pathologies directly affect this region. In order to characterize the left ventricle, it is necessary to extract its volume. In this work we present a neural network architecture that is capable of directly estimating the left ventricle volume in short axis cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the end-diastolic frame and provide a segmentation of the region which is the basis of the volume calculation, thus offering explain-ability to the estimated value. Methods: The network was des…

La suma de la elevación del segmento ST predice mejor la obstrucción microvascular en pacientes tratados con éxito con una intervención coronaria percutánea primaria. Un estudio de resonancia magnética cardiovascular

Introduccion y objetivos La utilidad de la resolucion del segmento ST (RST) para la prediccion de la reperfusion epicardica esta bien establecida. La asociacion de los cambios del segmento ST con la obstruccion microvascular (OMV) observada en la resonancia magnetica cardiovascular (RMC) tras una intervencion coronaria percutanea primaria (ICPp) en el infarto de miocardio con elevacion del ST (IMEST) no se ha aclarado todavia. Metodos Estudiamos a 85 pacientes consecutivos ingresados por un primer IMEST y tratados con una ICPp que tenian una arteria relacionada con el infarto permeable. Se registro un ECG al ingreso, tras 90 min y tras 6, 24, 48 y 96 h de la ICPp. Se calculo la RST y la sum…

Right ventricular involvement in anterior myocardial infarction: a translational approach.

Aims The aim of the present study was to evaluate the involvement of the right ventricle (RV) in reperfused anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods and results Left anterior descending (LAD)-perfused area (using thioflavin-S staining after selective infusion in proximal LAD artery, %), infarct size (using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, %), and salvaged myocardium (% of LAD-perfused area) in the right and left ventricle (LV) were quantified in a 90-min LAD occlusion 3-day reperfusion model in swine ( n = 8). Additionally, we studied, using cardiovascular magnetic resonance, 20 patients with a first STEMI due to proximal LAD occlusion treated with primary angiopl…

Texture analysis for infarcted myocardium detection on delayed enhancement MRI

Detection of infarcted myocardium in the left ventricle is achieved with delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI). However, manual segmentation is tedious and prone to variability. We studied three texture analysis methods (run-length matrix, co-occurrence matrix, and autoregressive model) in combination with histogram features to characterize the infarcted myocardium. We evaluated 10 patients with chronic infarction to select the most discriminative features and to train a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. The classifier model was then used to segment five human hearts from the STACOM DE-MRI challenge at MICCAI 2012. The Dice coefficient was used to compare the segmen…

Tumor Marker Carbohydrate Antigen 125 Predicts Adverse Outcome After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

ObjectivesThis study sought to predict the value of tumor marker carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) before and after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for all-cause death and a composite endpoint of death, admission for heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke (major adverse cardiac events [MACE]).BackgroundRisk stratification after TAVI remains challenging. The use of biomarkers in this setting represents an unmet need.MethodsCA125 was measured in 228 patients before and after TAVI. The association with outcomes was assessed using parametric Cox regression and joint modeling for baseline and longitudinal analyses, respectively. CA125 was evaluated as logarithm transforma…

Microvascular perfusion 1 week and 6 months after myocardial infarction by first-pass perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging

To characterise the evolution of myocardial perfusion during the first 6 months after myocardial infarction by first-pass perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and determine its significance.Prospective cohort design.Single-centre study in a teaching hospital in Spain.40 patients with a first ST-elevation myocardial infarction, single-vessel disease and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade 3 flow (stent in 33 patients) underwent rest and low-dose dobutamine CMR 7 (SD 1) and 184 (SD 11) days after infarction. Microvascular perfusion was assessed at rest by visual assessment and quantitative analysis of first-pass perfusion CMR. Of the 640 segments, 290 segme…

Prognostic Value of Strain by Tissue Tracking Cardiac Magnetic Resonance After ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of strain as assessed by tissue tracking (TT) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) soon after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).The prognostic value of myocardial strain as assessed post-STEMI by TT-CMR is unknown.The authors studied the prognostic value of TT-CMR in 323 patients who underwent CMR 1 week post-STEMI. Global (average of peak segmental values [%]) and segmental (number of altered segments) longitudinal (LS), circumferential, and radial strain were assessed using TT-CMR. Global and segmental strain cutoff values were derived from 32 control patients. CMR-derived left ventricular ejection fraction, microvasc…

Vasodilator Stress CMR and All-Cause Mortality in Stable Ischemic Heart Disease

Abstract Objectives This study explored the association of ischemic burden, as measured by vasodilator stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), with all-cause mortality and the effect of revascularization on all-cause mortality in patients with stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD). Background In patients with SIHD, the association of ischemic burden, derived from vasodilator stress CMR, with all-cause mortality and its role for decision-making is unclear. Methods The registry consisted of 6,389 consecutive patients (mean age: 65 ± 12 years; 38% women) who underwent vasodilator stress CMR for known or suspected SIHD. The ischemic burden (at stress first-pass perfusion imaging) was com…

Stress cardiac magnetic resonance for mortality prediction and decision-making: registry of 2496 elderly patients with chronic coronary syndrome

Abstract Introduction and objectives The management of elderly patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) is challenging. We explored the prognostic value and usefulness for decision-making of ischemic burden determined by vasodilator stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in elderly patients with known or suspected CCS. Methods The study group comprised 2496 patients older than 70 years who underwent vasodilator stress CMR for known or suspected CCS. The ischemic burden (number of segments with stress-induced perfusion deficit) was calculated following the 17-segment model. Subsequently, we retrospectively analyzed its association with all-cause mortality and the effect of CMR-…

Prognostic Value of Microvascular Obstruction and Infarct Size, as Measured by CMR in STEMI Patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of microvascular obstruction (MO) and infarct size as a percentage of left ventricular mass (15%LV), as measured by contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance, in predicting major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE) at 2 years in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction reperfused by primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Individual data from 1,025 patients were entered into the pooled analysis. MO was associated with the occurrence of MACE, defined as a composite of cardiac death, congestive heart failure, and myocardial re-infarction (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.74; 95% confidence interval: 2.21 to 6.34). IS% LV >= 25% w…

Usefulness of a Comprehensive Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment for Predicting Recovery of Left Ventricular Wall Motion in the Setting of Myocardial Stunning

ObjectivesWe sought to evaluate the usefulness of a comprehensive assessment of four cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR)-derived myocardial viability indexes in the setting of myocardial stunning.BackgroundCardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging allows the simultaneous assessment of several viability indexes.MethodsWe studied 40 patients with a first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI) and an open infarct-related artery. At the first week, using CMR, wall motion (WM), and four viability indexes were determined: wall thickness, WM improvement with low-dose dobutamine, perfusion, and transmural extent of necrosis. We created a comprehensive score based on the presenc…

Analysis of the extension of Q-waves after infarction with body surface map: relationship with infarct size.

We aimed to characterize the extension of Q-waves after a first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction using body surface map (BSM) and its relationship with infarct size quantified with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR).Thirty-five patients were studied 6 months after a first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (23 anterior, 12 inferior). All cases had single-vessel disease and an open artery. The extension of Q-waves was analyzed by means of a 64-lead BSM. Infarct size was quantified with CMR. Absence of Q-waves in BSM was observed in 5 patients (14%), 2 of whom (40%) had1 segment with transmural necrosis. Absence of Q-waves in 12-lead ECG was observed in 8 patien…

Dynamics of serum-induced endothelial cell apoptosis in patients with myocardial infarction

In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) reperfused with primary coronary intervention (PCI), the dynamics of endothelial cell (EC) viability, apoptosis and necrosis and its relationship with the structural consequences on the left ventricle have not been addressed so far.In 20 STEMI patients, we incubated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with serum drawn before reperfusion and subsequently afterwards (24, 96 h, 30 days). Viability, apoptosis and necrosis percentages were evaluated by flow cytometry. Values were compared with 12 age- and sex-matched control subjects with normal coronary arteries. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed during…

Prognostic Value of Myocardial Ischemia and Necrosis in Depressed Left Ventricular Function: a Multicenter Stress Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Registry

A B S T R A C T Introduction and objectives: The incremental prognostic value of inducible myocardial ischemia over necrosis derived by stress cardiac magnetic resonance in depressed left ventricular function is unknown. We determined the prognostic value of necrosis and ischemia in patients with depressed left ventricular function referred for dipyridamole stress perfusion magnetic resonance. Methods: In a multicenter registry using stress magnetic resonance, the presence ( 2 segments) of late enhancement and perfusion defects and their association with major events (cardiac death and nonfatal infarction) was determined. Results: In 391 patients, perfusion defect or late enhancement were p…

Valor diagnóstico adicional de la disfunción sistólica inducida para la detección de enfermedad coronaria mediante resonancia magnética cardiaca de estrés con dipiridamol

Introduccion y objetivos La perfusion con dipiridamol en resonancia magnetica cardiaca (RMC) de estres se utiliza para la deteccion de enfermedad de las arterias coronarias (EAC). Sin embargo, se carece de informacion sobre el valor diagnostico de la disfuncion sistolica (DS) inducida con dipiridamol. Este estudio se centra en investigar si la DS inducida aporta un valor diagnostico adicional junto con la perfusion para la deteccion de las EAC. Metodos Se sometio a 166 pacientes a una RMC con dipiridamol y a una angiografia coronaria cuantitativa. Se definio EAC para valores ≥ 70% de estenosis. Se analizo la extension de la DS en reposo, la DS con dipiridamol, la DS inducida, el deficit de …

Exercise ECG Testing and Stress Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for Risk Prediction in Patients With Chronic Coronary Syndrome

Vasodilator stress cardiac magnetic resonance (VS-CMR) has become crucial in the workup of patients with known or suspected chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). Whether traditional exercise ECG testing (ExECG) contributes prognostic information beyond VS-CMR is unclear.We retrospectively included 288 patients with known or suspected CCS who had undergone ExECG and subsequent VS-CMR in our institution. Clinical, ExECG, and VS-CMR variables were recorded. We defined the serious adverse events (SAE) as a combined endpoint of acute coronary syndrome, admission for heart failure, or all-cause death.During a mean follow-up of 4.2 ± 2.15 yr, we registered 27 SAE (15 admissions for acute coronary syndr…

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance-derived intramyocardial hemorrhage after STEMI: Influence on long-term prognosis, adverse left ventricular remodeling and relationship with microvascular obstruction

T2 weighted cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can detect intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The long-term prognostic value of IMH beyond a comprehensive CMR assessment with late enhancement (LE) imaging including microvascular obstruction (MVO) is unclear. The value of CMR-derived IMH for predicting major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and adverse cardiac remodeling after STEMI and its relationship with MVO was analyzed.CMR including LE and T2 sequences was performed in 304 patients 1 week after STEMI. Adverse remodeling was defined as dilated left ventricular end-systolic volume indexes (dLVESV) at 6 months CMR.During a median follow-up …

Randomized comparison between clinical evaluation plus N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide versus exercise testing for decision making in acute chest pain of uncertain origin

Background Exercise testing constitutes the usual tool for decision making in chest pain units. This policy implies logistical constrains. Our aim was to evaluate a new strategy, combining a clinical risk score and N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), in patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain, without ischemic electrocardiogram changes or troponin elevation. Methods A total of 320 patients were randomized to either usual management, involving exercise testing, or a new strategy combining a clinical risk score and NT-proBNP without exercise testing. In the usual management, discharge decision was guided by the result of exercise test. In the new str…

Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Older Patient

Coronary artery disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, and its prevalence increases with age. The growing number of older patients and their differential characteristics make its management a challenge in clinical practice. The aim of this review is to summarize the state-of-the-art in diagnosis and treatment of acute coronary syndromes in this subgroup of patients. This comprises peculiarities of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) management, updated evidence of non-STEMI therapeutic strategies, individualization of antiplatelet treatment (weighting ischemic and hemorrhagic risks), as well as assessment of geriatric conditions and ethical issues in…

Inspiratory Muscle Training and Functional Electrical Stimulation for Treatment of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Rationale and Study Design of a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has become the most prevalent form of heart failure in developed countries. Regrettably, there is no evidence-based effective therapy for HFpEF. We seek to evaluate whether inspiratory muscle training, functional electrical stimulation, or a combination of both can improve exercise capacity as well as left ventricular diastolic function, biomarker profile, quality of life (QoL), and prognosis in patients with HFpEF. A total of 60 stable symptomatic patients with HFpEF (New York Heart Association class II-III/IV) will be randomized (1:1:1:1) to receive a 12-week program of inspiratory muscle training, functional electrical stimulation, a…

Valor pronóstico a largo plazo del análisis completo de los índices de resonancia magnética cardiaca tras un infarto de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos Se ha demostrado el valor pronostico de varios indices de resonancia magnetica cardiaca a medio plazo tras un infarto agudo de miocardio con elevacion del segmento ST. La extension de la necrosis transmural permite una prediccion simple y exacta de viabilidad miocardica. Sin embargo, se desconoce su valor pronostico a largo plazo mas alla de una completa evaluacion clinica y por resonancia. Nuestra hipotesis es que la evaluacion semicuantitativa de la extension de la necrosis transmural es el mejor indice de resonancia para predecir el pronostico a largo plazo tras un infarto con elevacion del segmento ST. Metodos Se realizo un estudio cuantitativo con reson…

Metabolomic Profile of Human Myocardial Ischemia by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Peripheral Blood Serum

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolomic profile of acute myocardial ischemia (MIS) using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of peripheral blood serum of swine and patients undergoing angioplasty balloon‐induced transient coronary occlusion. Background Biochemical detection of MIS is a major challenge. The validation of novel biosignatures is of utmost importance. Methods High-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to profile 32 blood serum metabolites obtained (before and after controlled ischemia) from swine (n 9) and patients (n 20) undergoing transitory MIS in the setting of planned coronary angioplasty. Additionally, blood serum of c…

Ischemia-reperfusion injury to coronary arteries: Comprehensive microscopic study after reperfused myocardial infarction.

Abstract Background Coronary arteries supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart. We evaluated the dynamics of microscopic damage throughout the ischemia-reperfusion process in the wall of coronary arteries following myocardial infarction (MI). Methods In a swine model of reperfused MI, animals were divided into one control and four MI groups: 90-min ischemia without reperfusion, or followed by one minute, one week or one month reperfusion. Left anterior descending (LAD; infarct-related artery) and control right coronary arteries (RCA) were isolated. Taking the balloon inflation region as a reference, we isolated the proximal and distal LAD areas, performing histological staining and immunohi…

Apoptosis and Mobilization of Lymphocytes to Cardiac Tissue Is Associated with Myocardial Infarction in a Reperfused Porcine Model and Infarct Size in Post-PCI Patients

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is the most severe outcome of coronary artery disease. Despite rapid reperfusion of the artery, acute irrigation of the cardiac tissue is associated with increased inflammation. While innate immune response in STEMI is well described, an in-depth characterization of adaptive immune cell dynamics and their potential role remains elusive. We performed a translational study using a controlled porcine reperfusion model of STEMI and the analysis of lymphocyte subsets in 116 STEMI patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In the animal model, a sharp drop in circulating T lymphocytes occurred within the first hours after reper…

Prognostic Value of a Comprehensive Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Assessment Soon After a First ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

ObjectivesTo evaluate the prognostic value of a comprehensive cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) assessment soon after a first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).BackgroundCMR allows for a simultaneous assessment of wall motion abnormalities (WMA), WMA with low-dose dobutamine (WMA-dobutamine), microvascular obstruction, and transmural necrosis. This approach has been proven to be useful to predict late systolic recovery soon after STEMI. Its prognostic value and the relative prognostic weight of these indexes are not well-defined.MethodsWe studied 214 consecutive patients with a first STEMI treated with thrombolytic therapy or primary angioplasty discharged from hospital. In …

Microvascular Obstruction in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Looking Back to Move Forward. Focus on CMR

After a myocardial infarction (MI), despite the resolution of the coronary occlusion, the deterioration of myocardial perfusion persists in a considerable number of patients. This phenomenon is known as microvascular obstruction (MVO). Initially, the focus was placed on re-establishing blood flow in the epicardial artery. Then, the observation that MVO has profound negative structural and prognostic repercussions revived interest in microcirculation. In the near future, the availability of co-adjuvant therapies (beyond timely coronary reperfusion) aimed at preventing, minimizing, and repairing MVOs and finding convincing answers to questions regarding what, when, how, and where to administe…

Early reductive stress and late onset overexpression of antioxidant enzymes in experimental myocardial infarction.

Reductive stress is defined as a pathophysiological situation in which the cell becomes more reduced than in the normal, resting state. It represents a disturbance in the redox state that is harmful to biological systems. Our aim was to study the occurrence of reductive stress in the early phases of experimental myocardial infarction and to determine the mechanisms leading to such stress using a swine model. During the ischemic period, we found a decrease in the oxidized to reduced glutathione ratio (GSSG/GSH) (0.7-0.3), in the lactate to pyruvate ratio (42.7-132.4), in protein glutathionylation (111.8-96.1), and in p38 phosphorylation (0.9-0.4). This was accompanied by a significant increa…

Perfusión miocárdica alterada tras un infarto en pacientes con flujo TIMI 3 mantenido. ¿Sólo un fenómeno agudo?

Introduccion y objetivos Se ha senalado que la perfusion anormal analizada mediante resonancia magnetica cardiaca (RMC) es una alteracion transitoria de la microcirculacion despues de un infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) con flujo TIMI 3. Planteamos la hipotesis de que las alteraciones de la perfusion miocardica pueden persistir en los meses siguientes. Metodos Estudiamos 47 pacientes con un primer IAM y flujo TIMI 3 mantenido mediante ecografia miocardica con inyeccion intracoronaria de contraste (EMC) en la primera semana y el sexto mes postinfarto. Se considero que habia perfusion anormal mediante EMC si habia mas de un segmento hipoperfundido. Resultados En la primera semana 20 pacientes…

Characterization and implications of the dynamics of eosinophils in blood and in the infarcted myocardium after coronary reperfusion.

Objective We characterized the dynamics of eosinophils in blood and in the infarcted myocardium in patients and in a swine model of reperfused myocardial infarction (MI). The association of eosinophil dynamics with various outcomes was assessed. Methods Serial eosinophil count and pre-discharge cardiac magnetic resonance were carried out in a prospective series of 620 patients with a first ST-elevation MI. In a swine model of reperfused MI, the dynamics of circulating eosinophils and their presence in the infarcted myocardium were determined. In autopsies from chronic MI patients, eosinophils were quantified. Results Patient eosinophil count sharply decreased 12h post-reperfusion compared t…

Differential Prognostic Effect of Revascularization According to a Simple Comorbidity Index in High-Risk Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: Data on the effect of revascularization on outcome in patients with high-risk non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) and significant comorbidities are scarce. Recently, a simple comorbidity index (SCI) including 5 comorbidities (renal failure, dementia, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, and prior myocardial infarction [MI]) has shown to be a useful tool for risk stratification. Nevertheless, therapeutic implications have not been derived. Hypothesis: We sought to evaluate the prognostic effect attributable to revascularization in NSTEACS according the SCI score. Methods: We included 1017 consecutive patients with NSTEACS. The effect of revascularizati…

Characterization of normal regional myocardial function by MRI cardiac tagging

Purpose The aim of this study was to establish reference values for segmental myocardial strain measured by magnetic resonance (MR) cardiac tagging in order to characterize the regional function of the heart. Material and Methods We characterized the left ventricular (LV) systolic deformation in 39 subjects (26 women and 13 men, age 58.8 ± 11.6 years) whose cardiological study had not revealed any significant abnormality. The deformation was measured from MR-tagged (Siemens 1.5T MR) images using an algorithm based on sine wave modeling. Circumferential and radial peak systolic strain values along with the torsion angle and circumferential-longitudinal (CL) shear were determined in 16 LV seg…

The appropriate and justified use of medical radiation in cardiovascular imaging: a position document of the ESC Associations of Cardiovascular Imaging, Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions and Electrophysiology

The benefits of cardiac imaging are immense, and modern medicine requires the extensive and versatile use of a variety of cardiac imaging techniques. Cardiologists are responsible for a large part of the radiation exposures every person gets per year from all medical sources. Therefore, they have a particular responsibility to avoid unjustified and non-optimized use of radiation, but sometimes are imperfectly aware of the radiological dose of the examination they prescribe or practice. This position paper aims to summarize the current knowledge on radiation effective doses (and risks) related to cardiac imaging procedures. We have reviewed the literature on radiation doses, which can range …

Uncontrolled immune response in acute myocardial infarction

Recently, the theory that hyperinflammation is the body's primary response to potent stimulus has been challenged. Indeed, a deregulation of the immune system could be the cause of multiple organ failure. So far, clinicians have focused on the last steps of the inflammatory cascade. However, little attention has been paid to lymphocytes, which play an important role as strategists of the inflammatory response. Experimental evidence suggests a crucial role of T lymphocytes in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In summary, from the bottom of an imaginary inverted pyramid, a few regulatory T-cells control the upper parts represented by the wide spectr…

Evolution of 5 cardiovascular magnetic resonance–derived viability indexes after reperfused myocardial infarction

The objective of this study was to evaluate the simultaneous evolution of 5 cardiovascular magnetic resonance-derived myocardial viability indexes.We studied 72 patients with a first ST-elevation myocardial infarction and sustained TIMI 3 flow. In the first week and in the sixth month of the study, using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, we determined wall thickening (WT) and the following viability indexes: wall thickness, WT with low-dose dobutamine, microvascular perfusion in first-pass imaging, microvascular obstruction in late-enhancement imaging, and transmural extent of necrosis.In 250 dysfunctional segments, the evolution outcomes for the viability indexes were as follows: …

Abnormal Myocardial Perfusion After Infarction in Patients With Persistent TIMI Grade-3 Flow. Only an Acute Phenomenon?

Introduction and objectives It has been suggested that abnormal perfusion as derived from cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is a transient dysfunction of microcirculation after myocardial infarction (MI) with TIMI 3 flow. We hypothesized that defects of myocardial perfusion may persist during the following months. Methods Forty-seven patients with MI and sustained TIMI 3 flow underwent intracoronary myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) 1 week and 6 months after infarction. Abnormal perfusion by MCE was regarded as >1 hypoperfused segment. Results At one week, 20 patients showed abnormal perfusion as derived from MCE. At six months 10 patients displayed chronic abnormal p…

Infusión intracoronaria de tioflavina-S para el estudio de la obstrucción microvascular en un modelo de infarto de miocardio

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos La obstruccion microvascular produce efectos nocivos despues del infarto de miocardio. Con objeto de esclarecer el papel de la lesion por isquemia-reperfusion en la aparicion y la dinamica de la obstruccion microvascular, se llevo a cabo un estudio metodologico preliminar para definir con exactitud este proceso en un modelo in vivo . Metodos Se indujo un infarto de miocardio en cerdos mediante una oclusion de 90 min en la parte media de la arteria coronaria descendente anterior izquierda empleando balones de angioplastia. Se aplico una infusion intracoronaria de tioflavina-S y se comparo con la instilacion tradicional intraaortica o intraventricular. Se cuan…

Postconditioning or preconditioning, which should be promoted for protecting from ischemic reperfusion injury? Response to letter IJC-D-14-02875

Microvascular obstruction in the right ventricle in reperfused anterior myocardial infarction. Macroscopic and pathologic evidence in a swine model.

article i nfo Introduction: Data on right ventricular (RV) involvement in anterior myocardial infarction are scarce. The presence of RV microvascular obstruction (MVO) in this context has not been analyzed yet. The aim of the present study was to characterize the presence of MVO in the RV in a controlled experimental swine model of reperfused anterior myocardial infarction. Materials and Methods: Left anterior descending (LAD) artery-perfused area (thioflavin-S staining after selective infusioninLADartery),infarctsize(lackof triphenyltetrazolium-chloride staining) andMVO (lack of thioflavin-S staininginthe core oftheinfarctedarea) inthe RVwere studied.A quantitative(%of theventricularvolume…

Prognostic and therapeutic implications of dipyridamole stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance on the basis of the ischaemic cascade

To determine the prognostic and therapeutic implications of stress perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) on the basis of the ischaemic cascade.Single centre study in a teaching hospital in Spain.Dipyridamole stress CMR was performed on 601 patients with ischaemic chest pain and known or suspected coronary artery disease. On the basis of the ischaemic cascade, patients were categorised in C1 (no evidence of ischaemia, n = 354), C2 (isolated perfusion deficit at stress first-pass perfusion imaging, n = 181) and C3 (simultaneous perfusion deficit and inducible wall motion abnormalities, n = 66). CMR-related revascularisation (n = 102, 17%) was defined as the procedure prompted by t…

Serum Heat Shock Protein 60 in Acute Heart Failure: A New Biomarker?

Heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) is a mitochondrial protein constitutively expressed in the majority of cells, and its expression is up-regulated by a variety of stressors. In heart failure, HSP60 is released from cardiomyocytes. The authors speculate that increased serum HSP60 (sHSP60) may be related to the severity of heart failure. This investigation sought to assess the association between sHSP60 and the composite end point of death ⁄ readmission in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). A total of 132 consecutive patients were admitted for AHF. The independent association between sHSP60 and the end point was assessed with Cox regression. During a median follow-up of 7 months (interquart…

Linfopenia post-reperfusión y obstrucción microvascular en el infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST

Introduccion y objetivos La obstruccion microvascular tras un infarto agudo de miocardio con elevacion del segmento ST se asocia a mal pronostico. La fisiopatologia de este fenomeno no esta totalmente definida. Analizamos las implicaciones de la linfopenia post-reperfusion en la existencia de obstruccion microvascular. Metodos Estudiamos prospectivamente a 212 pacientes que habian sufrido un primer infarto agudo de miocardio con elevacion del segmento ST reperfundido con agentes tromboliticos o con angioplastia primaria y con la arteria responsable abierta. Cuantificamos de manera seriada las cifras de linfocitos, neutrofilos y monocitos. Usamos la resonancia magnetica cardiaca para determi…

Post-Reperfusion Lymphopenia and Microvascular Obstruction in ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction

The presence of microvascular obstruction after ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction is associated with a poor outcome. The pathophysiology of this process has not been fully defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between post-reperfusion lymphopenia and microvascular obstruction.This prospective study involved 212 patients with a first ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction who underwent reperfusion with thrombolytic agents or primary angioplasty and who had an open infarct-related artery. Serial measurements of lymphocyte, neutrophil and monocyte counts were taken. Cardiac magnetic resonance was used to detect microvascular obstruction dur…

Automatic segmentation and 3D reconstruction of intravascular ultrasound images for a fast preliminar evaluation of vessel pathologies.

Abstract Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging is used along with X-ray coronary angiography to detect vessel pathologies. Manual analysis of IVUS images is slow and time-consuming and it is not feasible for clinical purposes. A semi-automated method is proposed to generate 3D reconstructions from IVUS video sequences, so that a fast diagnose can be easily done, quantifying plaque length and severity as well as plaque volume of the vessels under study. The methodology described in this work has four steps: a pre-processing of IVUS images, a segmentation of media–adventitia contour, a detection of intima and plaque and a 3D reconstruction of the vessel. Preprocessing is intended to remove …

Applicability of Echocardiographic Strict Negative Criteria for Suspected Infective Endocarditis.

Echocardiography is the cornerstone imaging technique in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) but is often misused in clinical practice. Recently, strict negative criteria have been proposed to avoid unnecessary follow-up echocardiograms. We aimed to evaluate the use of echocardiography in real-world clinical daily practice and the usefulness of these criteria in the diagnosis of IE. We retrospectively retrieved every echocardiogram performed in our center for suspected IE between 2014 and 2018, including 905 transthoracic echocardiograms (TTEs). Of these, 451 (49.8%) fulfilled the strict negative criteria (group 1). In this group, IE was seldom diagnosed (n = 4, 0.9%). In 338 patie…

Resultados de la estrategia farmacoinvasiva y de la angioplastia primaria en la reperfusión del infarto con elevación del segmento ST. Estudio con resonancia magnética cardiaca en la primera semana y en el sexto mes

[EN] Introduction and objectives: Pharmacoinvasive strategy represents an attractive alternative to primary angioplasty. Using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging we compared the left ventricular outcome of the pharmacoinvasive strategy and primary angioplasty for the reperfusion of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Methods: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance was performed 1 week and 6 months after infarction in two consecutive cohorts of patients included in a prospective university hospital ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction registry. During the period 2004-2006, 151 patients were treated with pharmacoinvasive strategy (thrombolysis followed by routine non-immediate…